Christmas Eve - Blake opens his first present!

Christmas Day - Opening gifts, Blake’s Baptism, and fun at the Rieke’s house!!

A few years ago, Pete’s tragically closed down. Despite many attempts, I have been unable to find a place that comes close to the calibur of Pete’s on the Calzone front. I have found a few tasty pizza places, but have had many more disappointments. And though I can find a few places with great pizza, I found not ONE place with what I would even describe as “good” Calzone.

I think I’ll make this a personal mission - to find the best *existing* Calzone in Seattle (because Pete’s was the best, and will forever hold the title of all-time best, but no longer exists). Please let me know if you think you’ve found a contender.

Here’s a review what I’ve found so far:

- Italian Spaghetti House and Pizzaria (Lake City Way) - excellent pizza for a very reasonable price. If you like meat, try the Large 15. I’ve been going there for 26 years, and my family for close to 55 years! Don’t even know if they have Calzones…

- Palermo (Ballard) - Very tasty pizza; haven’t tried the Calzones.

- Snoose Junction (Ballard) - Did not care for the Calzone. Not much flavor and too bread-y. Haven’t tried the pizza.

- Varlamos (U-District) - Did not care for the Calzone. Again, too bready, not enough deliciosity packed inside.

- Madame K’s (Ballard) - Good pizza; haven’t tried the calzone. Pizza a bit pricey, though. The atmosphere is really fun; it’s a brothel-turned-italian-restaurant.

To be continued… In the meantime, do you know if one I’m really missing out on?

I could offer lots of excuses, but let’s just get to the pictures! 

Blake has been all over the city, which his parents have been capturing nicely, but these are a few I managed to get with him at his home (first smile?!?!) and when he (and the rest of the family) came out to support me at my softball game.

In June we traveled to Wisconsin to see my aunt Lindsey get married - what a wonderful affair!!

And some more great ones of Blake…

   Adorable bedtime!

(Above) In the Onesies I made for him that don’t even fit him anymore!

  
(Proud Parents!)

Getting de-robed…

(Thinking: Aw man, they’re taking blackmail pictures already??!)

Saturday we left early to catch an U-Bahn to Die Welt (aka “Bimmerworld”) to pick up the car. We got quite a tour, a tasty breakfast, and finally, the car, which we literally drove right out of the showroom… but not before I snagged an apple streudel on my quest to find the best apfel streudel in Munich. We then took our maiden voyage out to Dachau concentration camp. It was a very interesting bit of history, and there was a lot to see and reflect on, beginning with the iron doors at the entryway, reading (in German): “Work shall set you free.”

Sunday the entire day was taken driving out to Neuschwanstein castle and hiking up the three mile trail, which was somewhat icy (too icy for busses, which is why we all walked), leading to the castle. We then took an hour tour of the castle, and someone’s camera “accidentally” took a few pictures from inside the castle, which was otherwise not allowed. We concluded the day at a hole in the wall restaurant near Neuschwanstein, which took first place in the apfel struedel competition. Monday morning we left around 5 AM for home, bring our whirlwind adventure to an end.