Seattlest's Favorite Things

Without Oprah to tell us what to like and buy, the Seattlest Staffers were feeling a little lost. So we've polled each other and come up with the stuff that we can't get enough of this week, from places to go and things to do, to the little tidbits that make our life better on the daily. Here's what we can't get enough of this week:

Cooking things in my house and then eating them. Most of my favorite things have been some variation on this theme, but now that autumn has come it's to a new degree. Cooking elaborate dinners just because you can, and saving the leftovers for a warm lunch the next day. Making a nice salad with everything I make. Dressing up even the most simple of dishes. It's easier to spend a lot of time in the kitchen once it starts getting darker outside earlier. I even have been making breakfast in advance (little tiny egg casseroles!).
--Sarah L.

The Foundling's favorite things this week include being tiny, drumsticks, and no longer being homeless. Image courtesy of Alex Hudson.

Foundlings. I am the lucky new caretaker of the tiniest baby kitten in the whole world! He was found abandoned in a toxic waste dump (who does that?!?!?) and even though that must have been really scary for him, he's safe and loved now and is going to get fat and happy and have a million toys and a million friends. I'm obsessed with calling him 'the foundling' and have been doing lots of internet research on famous orphans and foundlings including Leo Tolstoy, Ella Fitzgerald, W. Somerset Maugham and Trent Reznor.
--Alex H.

Parks and Recreation: I don't have a TV, but I watch plenty of TV. And one of the shows that's recently come back is Parks and Recreation, and I couldn't be more pleased. Possibly one of the best shows in the last few years (aside from maybe Archer, which hasn't come to Hulu yet), I have been looking forward to a new episode--WHICH IS TONIGHT--all week. Knope 2012!
--Hanna

Brisket: At nearly 30 years old, Jewish holidays have become just another excuse for me to buy an overly large brisket and hope to god I can rope some friends into coming over for a meal and helping me eat it. It's been a long time since I actually went to synagogue or did any of the other more religious traditions on Rosh Hashanah, but I always manage a brisket, hallah and apples and honey.

This year, I'm trying some "experimental" combo recipes. My mother (my brisket maven) sent me four recipes to choose from (I know, only 4?!) and I've decided to somewhat combine and alter two of them. Last night, I took my thawed 4 lbs. brisket out of the fridge, placed it in a 9X13 Pyrex and poured about a quarter bottle of red wine (a nice Italian table wine/blend), sliced 4 cloves of garlic and half of a large yellow onion and adorned the brisket with the onion and garlic. Sprinkled on some salt and pepper and covered it, threw it in the fridge. Tonight, I will add a bottle of chili sauce and pour on some more wine and water to cover -- probably chop in some carrots and more onion. Cover in tin foil and cook at 350 for 1 1/2 hours. Pull the brisket out and add some more liquid (I'll be adding a dark beer, something malty) and cook another 1 1/2 hours uncovered. And that's it! Brisket with potatoes, hallah, apples and honey, wine -- Happy New Year to me!
--Dikla

The Skyspace: Seattle should thank their lucky stars that Richard Andrews (former Director of The Henry Art Gallery) spent so much time and talent building the Henry into the institution it is today. While Andrews was never the type to take credit, even where credit was due, there is a lasting legacy to his vision and determination in the form of The James Turrell Skyspace. Added to the courtyard of the University Institution on Andrews' watch in the summer of 2003, "Light Reign" will stand for generation upon generation to enjoy.

The space is an absolute oasis in a city full of concrete, car alarms and visual noise of every variety. The architectural structure reads more like a sculpture (which it is) than a small building (which it is) and it has provided joy, wonder and beauty to thousands of visitors over the years. For me to describe the actual structure wouldn't do it justice--so just go. The Skyspace is always free to UW students and to the general public the first Thursday of each month. No experience at, or of the Skyspace is ever the same. So go early or late but just go often- we think you'll be happy you did!
--Jenise