The Farm Chicks

The Magic Lantern

We in Spokane are so lucky to have an independent movie theater - The Magic Lantern.

This theater holds so  many happy memories for our family. Like the time Colin took me on a surprise date to see El Bulli, the time Lukie and I saw Being Elmo,

and many more dad/son, mom/son nights at the theater.

Want to know my favorite thing about The Magic Lantern?

The service. I can't remember a time when the little control room window didn't open and we're greeted with a welcome and a check to make sure the temperature in the theater is okay. See above? Isn't that the greatest?

But that's the beauty of a small mom and pop business isn't it? Spokane is so lucky.

Looking for other great things to see and do around Spokane? Find some of my favorites here.

Traveling in for The Farm Chicks Show? You can find lodging and dining information on my website.

Note: I have no affiliation with The Magic Lantern Theater. I just enjoy sharing the places I love.

A Quick Trip to Italy

We're so lucky to have an array of ethnic grocery stores in Spokane. They're some of my favorite places to visit when I'm looking to get inspired in the kitchen. To change things up a bit.

Cassano's is like a little trip to Italy.

It's fun to open my mind to new ingredients and my family's too. Tonight I will say: Come and taste Italy! And they will.

 

And I'll let them taste one of my favorite childhood treats: sardines from my family's home country, Portugal.

It's such a treat to hop in the car and take a short drive to see what the world has to offer, right in our own city:

Today I visited Italy. And who knows? Maybe next week I'll visit Mexico, Japan, or Russia. All just a quick drive away.

More Information: Cassano's is a family owned and operated Italian grocery store located in Spokane, Washington, where it has served the community for many years.

Address: 2002 E. Mission

Tip: If you're planning a visit, schedule it around lunch time. Cassano's also operates a small bistro within the store which serves authentic Italian cuisine. (Their sandwiches are heavenly!)

P.S. I'm not affiliated with Cassano's. I just enjoy their little neighborhood store and hope you will too!

Following Through

I've never been much for making New Year's resolutions, but this year I made a promise to myself that I would take a cake decorating class. It's something that I've wanted to do for years and I finally decided that the time has come.

We who live in Spokane are so lucky to have the local cake decorating shop, Carolyn's. It's been a fixture in our city for years.

I stopped by today to sign up for my class and to peruse their wares. I tell you, there's just something about a local mom and pop shop that I can't resist.

 

My class is starting soon... I hope to be piping like a champ.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Carolyn's is at 1705 N. Hamilton in Spokane. And if you stop by, I bet you'll understand why it's such a beloved Spokane establishment. There's nothing like service from people who are experts at what they do and are passionate about it too.

*Post Edit*

Carolyn's ships nationwide. You can reach the shop at 509-489-3631.

# 2,000,352

According to me, there are well over 2,000,352 reasons to love Spokane (and Washington State, of course). Colin will tell you it's because the winters here are perfectly snowy and that there are bunches of ski resorts just a quick zip away. But I will tell you summers here are to die for. And I'm a summer girl. Beautifully hot summer days, just right cooler nights (but not too cold), your choice of a gazillion lakes, and natural beauty all around. (Don't even get me started on our wheat fields and orchards!)  And our city's slogan is Near Nature, Near Perfect.  That pretty well sums it up.

One of my favorite things is to jump in the car and take the family for a walk in one of our beautiful parks. I love the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens because they're so lovely and because of the story.

The Gardens were built in the late 1800s and were a part of a large, private family estate here.  After the great depression, the gardens fell into disrepair and were eventually completely grown over and long forgotten.

When an enormous ice storm hit our region in the late 1990s, the gardens were re-discovered. And in keeping with our wonderful city's pattern of re-claiming and bringing historical properties back to life, the gardens were made beautiful once again.

Did you know that Spokane is Washington State's second largest city? (Seattle is the biggest). You can take it all in from here. And if you're really in for a challenge......

You can climb what I believe to be Spokane's most torturous set of stairs. They lead all the way up to Cliff Drive, which just so happens to be one of the most stunning streets in all of the city, with homes that are jaw-droppers. And Cliff Drive is on Spokane's City Drive, which is another of my favorite things to do.

Or you can just take your time, listen to the birds chirping, and take in the gardens at your own sweet pace.

City Drive

We had such a nice family day yesterday, including a drive on Spokane's City Drive.  Whether you live in Spokane or are just visiting, I definitely recommend it.

And it's even better if you stop at the Visitors Center to pick up a map, which includes a lot of historic facts about the drive and what you see along the way.

It was a beautiful day.