Cupcakes and FroYo! Yum!

 

 

Carrot cupcake - Pinkabella

FroYo from Yum-E

 

I have a sweet tooth that can't be stopped and cupcakes and frozen yogurts are two of my favorite ways to satisfy that craving!   Lucky for me and my sweet tooth that there are lots of places to visit to satisfy that need

Sometimes all I want is cake and frosting.  Sadly, there aren't a lot of places to get a slice of cake, pie yes, but cake, no.  So, I turn to cupcakes to save me from my cravings.  As an extra perks, cupcakes come in a huge variety of flavors, so I don't have to commit to a WHOLE cake. (Okay, so I am not tempted by a whole cake in one sitting.)

But on other days, I just need something creamy and cold. Frozen yogurt satisfies that craving. It's even better when you can add your own crazy toppings - fruit, cookie crumbs, nuts, fudge, chocolate, and even the occasional gummy bear! 

Old Town Issaquah

Who would have thought that the whole cupcake phenom would have made it this far east!  A few years ago, Cupcake Confetti opened on Front Street. With dozens of tasty cupcakes and a cozy sitting area, I love stopping by and buying one to eat with a glass of cold milk!
http://www.confettidesserts.com/

Yum-E is also on Front Street, and serves coffee and some pastries.  They usually have several different flavors of yogurt including sugar-free and low-fat. Priced by weight, you can get as little or as much as you want! A TV showing kid movies is a great distraction for the smaller kids who finished their treat before you even started yours!  
http://www.yumeyogurt.com/frozenyogurt.html

Fairy Bakery is further down Front Street, closer to Staples.  They don't have a lot of cupcakes, but when they do they are yummy.  I admit, my favorite part of this shop is that the sales people and bakers sometimes are wearing their wings!  They don't have a lot of sitting, but get a cupcake and take a walk to the park!
www.forestfairybakery.com

 

Issaquah Highlands

Pinkabella is deep in the Issaquah Highlands retail jungle. Parking is problematic, but cupcakes are very portable!  Like it's sister store in Bellevue Square, Pinkabella is well, pink.  But they have an imaginative assortment of cupcakes that make it worth it to head straight for the counter!  They offer gluten-free cupcakes, so everyone can have one!
www.pinkabellacupcakes.com

North Bend

George's Bakery is a North Bend institution.  It might not be as cute as some of the other shops, but you can't argue with tradition!  Right off of the main street, it's easy to find.  It's also just down the street from the very famous Twede's, the "Twin Peaks" fame, where can get pie...but not cake.
https://www.facebook.com/georgiasbakery



Next week: Happy Hour!

Stark and I Visit Dog Parks East of the Eastside

Meet Stark!  He's my one-year old Keeshond and boy he has a ton of energy.  We've been visiting the local dog parks to run some of that off and to get him some dog social time!

Stark and I prefer the smaller off-leash dog parks. We aren't quite ready for the acres offered by Marymoor park. 

Beaver Lake Dog Park

This dog park has some nice feature including a wooded area with a path through it. Stark didn't go into the wooded area, so I really don't know what's there. The park itself is long and narrow, good for a long ball toss. Though Stark only chases after the dogs chasing the balls. There were about 15 dogs there when we visited on a weekday around 3 p.m.

Address: 244th Ave Se And Se 24th St, Sammamish
Directions:  Park next to the ball parks and walk around the outside edge.  You can go between the ball fields too.
Footing: Dirt and chips on the big dog side.  Grass on the small dog side.
Separate small dog area: Yes. Under 30#s.  Does not have water on that side. Only chain link between the two areas and they share the same airlock.
Benches: Yes.
Covered area: None.
Restroom: Yes, on the other side of the baseball field.
Parking: On the other side of the ball field. I assume that during games, parking is limited. There is additional parking on the street outside the park.
Water: Yes, both a water fountain with dog bowl and a separate spigot.  Both are turned off for the winter.

Issaquah Highlands Bark Park

Address: 2702 NE Magnolia Street, Issaquah. (Closer to 25th & Natalie Way)
Directions: The dog park on the southwest side of the park is further along Natalie Street under the power lines.

Stark loved this larger dog park in the middle of the Issaquah Highlands housing development. It had a flat upper area that was great for flat out runs, and a sloping area with large boulders for investigating Sadly, the park was deserted when we went about 10 a.m. on a weekday, but maybe next time there will be someone to chase! 

The park sits along the gravel power line trail, so there aren't any trees, but there's a cute gazebo that would be a saving grace in the rain.  The two benches in the flat upper area had nice views of the pond (outside the fence) , but I didn't get to sit much as  I couldn't see Stark when he's was running on the slope.  The lower area has a single gate, which could be an escape hazard since Stark has to welcome every newcomer!

There are two red fire hydrants in the park, which is kinda cute.

Separate small dog area: Yes. There are plywood panels put up between the two areas.  There is NO airlock entering the small dog area.  Beware of escapees!
Footing: Bare dirt and a bit of grass.
Benches: Yes, and a picnic table just outside of the dog area.
Covered area: Yes, a small gazebo with no benches.
Restroom: None.
Parking: Street parking between the high power lines and the bridge.
Water: A water fountain with dog bowl. Beware, it is by a gate without an airlock.  Potential escape hazard.

Robinswood Dog Park

Address: 2430 148th Ave SE, Bellevue
Directions: Don't turn into the road closest to the park. There is no non-handicapped parking there.  Take the turn at the light on 24th street and park on the Southern part of the lot.

Though not technically in the area that I consider East of the Eastside, it is a nice dog park that we go to often because it is on my way to other errands.

Robinswood was Stark's first dog park experience.  It is a very active dog park that is smallish with a few trees and just off a busy street.  The center area is mostly sand, but when it rains there are muddy wallows which of course Stark likes to roll in. I really don't like the sand. Stark as a double-coat and after rolling around, he brings a lot of sand home!

I usually walk around on the nice circular paved sidewalk and take breaks on the benches and under the covered area.  It is fairly flat, which makes it easy to keep an eye on your dog from any of the seating. 

The two high traffic times seems to be around 1 p.m .and 5 p.m.  We've usually seen between 3 and 15 dogs.  Sometimes, the Chinese pre-school brings the kids by see the dogs.

Separate small dog area: No, but there is another smaller dog park on the otherside of the park. I haven't visited it yet.
Footing: Woodchips and sand 
Benches: Yes, and a picnic table under the picnic shelter.
Covered area: A picnic shelter
Restroom: The closest public restroom is on the other side of the park near the baseball fields.
Parking: There is one handicapped parking spot next to the dog park. The rest of the parking is off of 24th street near the cabanas. It is a short paved walk to the dog park.
Water:  A water fountain on a cement area.  Someone has left a big metal bowl that everyone uses. It was not turned off for winter.  There is also a low faucet for washing the sand off your dog's feet!

Three Forks Dog Park  (Coming soon)

Address: 39903 Se Park St, Snoqualmie
Directions:
Separate small dog area:
Footing:
Benches:
Covered area:
Restroom:
Parking: 
Water:

Looking for dog parks West of the Eastside (aka Seattle proper?)
http://www.seattlemag.com/article/14-close-seattle-leash-dog-areas