Pike Place Market is a big tourist destination in Seattle, but it is still one of my favorite places to go for gorgeous fresh flowers and reasonably priced vegetables. Especially now that I have a toddler in tow, I try to be strategic about when I visit and I try to keep the length of my trip to a minimum. Although Jasper is a very social little boy, I have noticed he starts to get stressed and anxious if a place is too busy or chaotic. My favorite time to visit is in the morning between 9:30-11am or after the lunch rush from 2-4pm. As a general rule of thumb, the sunnier it is outside the busier the market tends to be.

On this particular day, we headed to the market with a very specific agenda. Our dear friend was turning eighty five and we wanted to surprise her with some special treats. We picked up some delectable macaroons from Le Panier and some gorgeous tulips, peony tulips and ruffled daffodils to top the birthday cake we were making for her. I am kicking myself for not buying the beautiful cherry blossom branches pictured below, but I made the mistake of leaving the stroller in the car and between the amount of bags I had and the amount of time I spent chasing Jasper around I figured lugging those flower laden branches back to the car would be a little ridiculous.

For those of you who have asked or are impressed that Jasper regularly wears a hat, here is some photographic evidence that he happily tosses his hat on the sidewalk and loves for me to bend over and pick it up. And like all mischievous toddlers the more inopportune moment, the better.

It doesn't matter how many times I have visited Pike Place Market I always leave feeling inspired and wanting to buy every fresh crab, crate of berries, loaf of bread and bunch of flowers I see.