I told Thais of my recent craving for croissants, and how I have been searching all the over the city for The Perfect Croissant, so she told me to check out the bakery "somewhere near QFC in Ballard". Yes, ambiguous direction is the story of my life.

This morning I went down to QFC and stood around the parking lot, one hand over my forehead like Ferdinand Magellan looking for the Spice Islands. "I Want Buttery Fluffy Croissants, can you tell me where the bakery is?" After having been told "there's one somewhere on 24th", I found Cafe Besalu with a line outside the door. When I finally got to the counter, it was like Heaven's Gate just opened, and the guy taking my order was St. Peter, taking me into Pastries Paradise. I gleefully got my croissant and brioche (yeah, brioche!) and will come back again!

Quoted: A bite into any of the pastries suggests that everything is handmade and fresh; the flurry of dough-plying behind the counter confirms it. The apple Danish and spinach quiche are good, and the croissants and brioches are outstanding, as is the pain au chocolat. If you need incentives to drag yourself out of bed, you won't find many better than this.

Yeah Ballard!

Quoted: A small town in England has gained attention in its effort to become the first carbon-neutral village in that country. According to the Ashton Hayes Web site, residents reduced their carbon emissions just by installing energy-efficient light bulbs, using their dryers and other appliances less and insulating their attics.

The Sustainable Style Foundation is having their "Cocktails for a Cause" this Wednesday at the Palm Room in Ballard from 6-8. Expect hippie meets yuppie (huppie?)

Quoted: an international, member-supported nonprofit organization created to provide information, resources and innovative programs that promote sustainable living and sustainable design

Hjarta's green features

* Central gas boiler instead of individual water heaters
* High-performance windows
* Low-flow kitchen & bath fixtures
* Water conserving toilets
* Drip irrigation
* Low Volatile Organic Compounds - carpet, paint and sealants
* Recycled content materials - building materials, countertops, railings, carpeting, etc

Additionally, the building will feature an expansive roof-top deck with P-Patches, yoga studio, spin room, community room and KidSpace (an interative room that includes educational play areas, tree house hideout, climbing walls, rope swings and slides).

Oh man, does james need this, *badly* so. I mentioned it to him and got this look, this, "are you out of your mind" look.

Anyway, I am dotting this b/c I loved Sung's other dot "for my metro-sexual bitches".

This is a really neat store in ballard with environmentally friendly furniture and household stuff.

Just went here tonight and it wasn't that great. I had the Halibut which was slightly overcooked, but the sauce saved it, so it was palatable. The goat cheese cheesecake, however, was very good, and that was the highlight.

I won't be going back.

I had some very bad Chinese take out from this place yesterday. Not recommended, unless you really like your grease.