I first ventured to the Seattle Audubon Society last winter during the Great Storm of ’08. Braving treacherous snowy roads, I made the trek to a little house tucked away in the Wedgewood neighborhood of Seattle. Inspired by the waste-free holiday campaign, I was on a quest for a hummingbird feeder to give as a gift. We don’t have a yard, so I needed a feeder that could attach to a window. I had called around to several hardware stores and looked online, but wasn’t having any luck. Then I saw the Audubon Society coupon in The Chinook Book, called the gift shop, and the staff member said they had the right one. The “Nectar Bar” (great name) is by far one of the best gifts I’ve ever given. We enjoy the bird’s daily visits to our third story window and the sightings are definitely better than television. We even turn off the sound during our favorite programs just to hear the hum of the bird’s wings. With patience, I can wait silently by the window glass to view a bird hovering in mid-air just inches from my face. I’m thinking of going back for another feeder, or maybe a book. Proceeds from gift shop sales support the programs of the Audubon Society, so it’s a worthwhile purchase all the way around.

This bakery offers a Chinook book coupon good for one free baguette. It’s not a small freebie either – think of the really long bread that you see strapped on the back of a vintage bike, a Parisian at the helm. Although no one wears a beret at the bakery (well I didn’t see anyone), keep in mind that the free baguette has a charming agenda: it’s a flirtation, a tease, and it will definitely get you back in the store to buy more bread. Yes the bread is that good. I love the Honey Orange Rosette bread and my boyfriend loves the olive bread made with kalamata olives, thyme, and rosemary. Whatever you decide to get, you had better get a loaf all for yourself, because you can’t stop at one slice. Also, most of the bread is made without dairy, so if you are lactose intolerant or have a dietary restriction like me, you have found the right place. The Essential Baking Company also serves coffee (a requirement in Seattle), lunches, and fantastic desserts and artisan chocolates. The bakery is close to the Burke-Gilman Trail in Fremont/Wallingford, so when you are out for a ride, stop by the store, put a fresh-baked baguette on the back of your bike, and head home for some serious carb-loading.

I like vegetables. Really I do. And now that I’ve been to The South 47 Farm I really LOVE vegetables. I went last summer and picked kale, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, and at least four or five different kinds of cucumbers. Who knew there were so many kinds of cucumbers? The flavors were all unique. Just hours from the ground and vine, every bite was perfect. I've tasted nothing like it from a vegetable purchased at any store or market. The farmers at South 47 were happy to answer any questions I had about the produce, the fields, and how to tell when something is ripe. I brought my own bag, and they have tools available to help you harvest. This was an ideal summertime afternoon activity. I live in an apartment in Seattle with no yard or garden, and my boyfriend and I had a great time out in the sunshine. I’m looking forward to going again this year. I keep tabs on what is ripe though the South 47 Web site so I can plan my visits accordingly.

I was a geography major. So even if I’m lacking the funds to travel, I can always live vicariously through the books, maps, and globes found at Wide World Books and Maps. In addition to travel guides, they also have a great selection of travel accessories and even some fun gift items. My favorite find was an over the shoulder bag. I generally walk to work, so I needed a bag that was waterproof, zipped at the top, and had plenty of pockets. I never expected to find the perfect purse at a map store, but there it was. As a bonus I used the Chinook book coupon and received $5 off the purchase price. I was so happy that I bought a $5 glow-in-the-dark planet/star sticker set as a gift, which was very well received by my astronomer-hobbyist boyfriend.

The Center for Wooden Boats (CWB) is a small paradise on the shores of Lake Union. This maritime museum, with its impressive fleet of historic boats, is one of my favorite places in Seattle. You can stroll the docks (for free) or rent a row boat for a few hours. If you are feeling more adventurous, sign up for a class. Members receive class discounts and CWB offers activities for all ages including sailing, knot tying, boat building, woodworking, sail making, and even nautical photography. Need a cushion for your vintage motorboat? No problem. There’s a class. Several birthdays ago, I decided to give myself the gift of an 8-week sailing class. The price was reasonable and the instructors knowledgeable. And despite being a land-loving Midwesterner, I even managed to pass the class. Soon after graduation, much to the chagrin of the sailing crowd, I found myself intrigued by the world of historic steamboats and tugboats that also make their home on the shores of Lake Union. Perhaps I’m considered a traitor by the sailing purists, but it just goes to show that there is something for everyone at CWB. Oh yeah - don’t forget to attend The Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival. Held every 4th of July weekend, it’s one of my favorite summertime events.