When people tell me they want to visit Seattle, I suggest the same thing, always: August or September. It’s divine here during those two months, truly there is no place I’d rather be. But in winter, it can be daunting and our New Year’s weekend stay downtown was tempered by disappointing weather — umbrella challenging wind and rain that seemed to come from all directions meant walking around was less than pleasing.

Had we been home, I’d have made soup and watched movies — at the hotel we opted for comfort food and Sherlock Holmes on PBS.… continued…