Here are a few pictures of Amy's third Portage Bay Cafe. It's in Ballard, just before you get to the Hiram Chittenden Locks. Opens July 8th or so and these pictures were taken during construction, obviously. I'll post more after it opens.

Some more houseboat pics

My new houseboat in Seattle

I moved from Bend to Seattle in May '09. Here are some pics of my new digs. The housesboat is owned by long time friends Rick and Joyce Miner, who now live next door in a larger one. She's a leukemia survivor, so I consider this a "lucky housevoat"! Just a few minutes from downtown and in between two of my older daughter's restaurants, the Portage Bay Cafe. Here are a few pics. I've got more on my Facebook page if you are on facebook. Enjoy!

YouTube links

Here is my first YouTube of Misty, recorded by Gordon Mayer at their home in White Salmon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqH3b-YZBzI&feature=related
Here I did it again at home, adding a variation. Video's could be better, but I'm just a beginner at this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXOEmZ0-60s
And here is 'I Only Have Eyes for You", done on one of my Mele ukuleles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb19F4tHiig

And here's my own arrangement of "I've Got You Under My Skin", my first posting using my new Breedlove: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIFYu7zd8AU

Mya-Moe Ukulele

This was my first really nice uke and the maker, Gordon Mayer of White Salmon, WA and his beautiful wife, Char, have become good friends. I recorded my YouTube of "Misty" on this uke and it has a lovely tone. It's made of Zebrawood and spruce and has the distinctive Mya-Moe headstock inlay. Gordon is making fabulous ukes, especially resonator ukes, and has made lap steel for James Hill. Visit their website http://www.myamoeukuleles.com/

I attended the 2008 Breedlove Extraordinary Experience and ordered two ukuleles from them as a result. Here are pictures of the first one, delivered to me in December, 2008. At the time I received this uke Kim had made fewer than 20, including prototypes. Breedlove is planning on adding them to the regular production some time soon, but as of the time of this posting a Breedlove uke is still a pretty rare thing. The finish is immaculate and the sound is sweet and clear. To hear it check out my YouTube video of "I've Got You Under My Skin"