bohomeme

Bohomeme is moving!

2011-03-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

Bohomeme is moving! Please follow me to my new blog - bohomama - where only TWO letters of the title have changed!

I imported all of my bohomeme material over to the new bohomama blog, so my travel pictures and recipes will still be in one place, something that was very important to me. I'm still working on format, so it isn't as pretty as my blogspot site, yet.

I hope to see you soon at bohomama!

boho mama

2011-03-13T13:11:00.001-07:00

mama boho a photo by Boho Photography on Flickr.

I found this beautiful illustration of erin darcy's and wanted to share it...because that will soon be me!

Our twins (!!) are due August 15th, and we couldn't be more excited and terrified all at the same time.

I've been getting so much inspiration from mamma bloggers that I'll be sharing anything interesting or beautiful that I find so that maybe it inspires you, too.

venice in the rain.

2011-03-02T08:45:00.001-08:00

So much has happened between my New Year's post and this moment, right now! So many changes and a huge new adventure coming down the pike. But, first, there are pictures I haven't even shared yet from our trip! I figure that will keep my dear readers happy until I can share my news in a little bit.

Our Italian itinerary started in Venice, then the train to Florence, with a quick stop in Pisa, and then a weekend in Cinque Terre with my aunt and uncle. From Cinque Terre, we went to Rome. What can I say, but benissimo!

We'll start in Venice...

St. Mark's Square was completed flooded...it was an adventure tramping around on the wooden planks trying to find a way out without getting soaked! We heard a siren go off earlier in the morning, and saw locals with plastic covered boots, and didn't connect all the dots until this moment.

A lull in the flooding...and some unfortunate construction covering St. Mark's....

Daily gelato...

Our bed and breakfast...we were welcomed by an elderly Italian woman who spoke no English and who used hand gestures to explain everything...it was straight out of the movies!

A delicious little pizza joint we found around the corner from our B&B with a wonderful wood-fired oven...and after walking for over 8 hours, YES, you eat the whole thing!

A little drinking chocolate to warm up on the rainiest day...

If you looking for a B&B in Venice, and want something affordable (and willing to trek a bit?), email me and I'll share any accommodation information.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T15:27:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year friends!

(Zurich, Switzerland)

(Hofbrau Haus in Munich, Germany)

Wishing you an adventurous 2011.

What am I hoping for this year?

To practice the presence.

The presence of God, family, friends, passion, adventure, and contentment. Our trip taught me so much, and the recurring themes are all about engagement. Be here, now. I've always been a planner, and I've always been good at it. But this year, I want to be a little less planned and a little more OK with it. It doesn't count if I'm planning to unplan, right?

So...here we go!

Morocco: beautiful chaos.

2010-12-29T12:45:00.000-08:00

I've been stuck in France for a while, haven't I? There's a ton of great experiences to write about France left, and Italy for two weeks after that, but first here's a little distraction. Our trip was just so overwhelming and so rich with experience that it's hard to me to write about in one little column. After all, we have 5,000 pictures!

We took the ferry from Tarifa, Spain to Tangier, Morocco and were met by Andy's aunt and her friend to visit their home in Rabat. We had an amazing visit, like nowhere I've ever been before. It was a crazy and beautiful country, with kind people and a completely different way of living.

Bargaining is a part of culture...and I hate it!

Henna in Rabat with Aunt Sue

Andy bought a pair of boots from these guys for a great price!

Lambs everywhere, being taken home to be fattened up for the Eid.

Our cooking class in an old riad in Meknes. It was so fun!

Our home cooked meal: baked chicken with preserved lemons and olives, with a lentil stew, and fresh bread. And of course, mint tea.

so much dolce, so little time!

2010-11-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

The last twelve days have been oh so dolce, oh so sweet!

We left Burgundy with a bang after exploring Dijon with my aunt and uncle and eating a fabulously memorable French meal at Les Oenophiles, one that summed up all that we imagined French cuisine to be at its best. We had to hurry from the restaurant to catch our overnight train, and we fell into our sleeper bunks with bellies and hearts full.

(One sad note: I put a hazelnut cookie into my jacket pocket as we were leaving the restaurant, "for later," then used it as a pillow cover on the train. When I woke up and put it on, Andy pointed out three big butter and nut-oil stains across the front and back! They haven't come out, and I'm still wearing it.)

Let's just say that after two weeks in France, I am in love with some very delicious French food: baguettes, butter, foie gras, Kir Royale, lamb, multiple cheeses, chausson aux pommes...and any amuse-bouche that might pass these lips.

But moving on to Italy was just as good. Is there any other place in the world that I can justify having gelato three times a day? And three times we did, in Florence. Andy kept up his three-a-day while I brought myself back down to one.

In Venice, we found some excellent wood-fired pizza in a little area near our B&B. Right as you walked in, you saw an oval oven built into the wall, just doing its thing, and doing it well. And, surprisingly, my favorite gelato was found in Venice...Pumpkin! It was in this small little gelateria off the street from where the local produce and fish market is held, and we found it on the rainy day while trying to find a way through flooded streets and keep our umbrellas right-side out.

We spent the weekend with my aunt and uncle again in Cinque Terre, hiking on the coast of one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. And oh, did we feast. When you're on the home turf of pesto and the home surf of delicious seafood, and the vino blanco grows so close to the sea that you can taste the salt with every sip, every meal is memorable. And did I mention the anchovies? I'll devote much more to that trip on another day, because it surely deserves a lot of attention.

Well, my slow postings have caused a traffic jam of experiences that have now become one big RAMBLE, and now I'm just hungry. I planned to focus on the sweet things we've eaten, particularly gelato, but since the seafood has now shown up I guess it's become more about the sweet life we've been leading on this amazing adventure!

Granted, we've had our fair share of train strikes and crowded sleeper trains and bad lasagne (don't ask Andy about that one), but all in all it has, after five weeks and with three to go, truly been "la dolce vita."

a Burgundy cruise.

2010-10-25T11:38:00.001-07:00

Well, technically not a cruise. More like camping. But fun! We spent last week on a total adventure: navigating a boat through the canals of Burgundy, operating locks, exploring small villages and markets, eating our body weight in cheese and chocolate, and watching Gilmore Girls on a laptop while trying to keep warm as the temperature dipped to 29 F.

Small harbor in Dompierre-sur-Bresbe, France.

The boat company switched our itinerary a few days before we left Paris, and due to the strikes in France we were unable to change our train tickets. So, we kept our original plan to spend the night in Digoin, France, and the next day, the company lent us their car and we drove up to a very small village called Chatillon-en-Bazois. They had "upgraded" us to a bigger boat to make up for the inconvenience of switching routes. With all the new extra room, we invited my aunt, who lives in Switzerland, to come with us for the week.

Our lady boat, Siloé. Striking a pose in the countryside.

Pulling into to the écluse and the neat little houses their keepers live in right next to the locks, each with its own personality. One sold homemade wine, jam, and honey. We bought all three.

Once "locked" in, the water rises or falls according to the lay of the canal. One or two people rope the boat to the sides as another helps the éclusier.

And out you go!

Over at Andy's blog, you can watch a video he and my aunt Susan compiled and streamed to document the weeklong journey. And he has more sides of the story, too.

fleas and bones.

2010-10-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

We took the metro out to Porte de Clignancourt for the world's biggest flea market, as they call it. Over 2,000 stalls, from the most chi-chi with crystal chandeliers and fine art to the most unrecognizable truc (thing) sitting in a box. Our goal was to find that happy medium for my bohomeme space back home at Found on Fremont.

Even the world's largest flea market wasn't enough to loosen these purse strings. Although Andy did tell me, "You're not cheap, you're just very particular." I was flattered.

So we searched high and low for what I was particulating for (yes, that's a new word I coined, it's a verb) and I even participated in bartering, which is something I hate to do, especially in another language.

I'm a little impressed with myself, mostly with the way I've mastered the "dumb nod." You know, the plastered clueless smile while my head bobs up and down and my mind frantically tries to piece together what this old man wants for this old piece of paper? There's an art to it.

My particulating worked out nicerly, see!

The next day, we woke up early and got in line to go down below the streets of Paris and see the Catacombs, where 6 million bones of Parisians, including Marie Antoinette, are stacked in rows upon rows. And don't be mad, but there was a McDonald's (McDo) across the street and we bought coffee to warm our hands while waiting.

After rising out of the bowels of the city 45 minutes later, we walked to Place de St. Sulpice and had lunch in front of the fountain from a little picnic we had packed that morning. The weather, as it has been all week, was perfect.

Andy was hiding down there.

food in Paris.

2010-10-12T13:18:00.001-07:00

We've had a busy past few days taking in the sights of Paris, including the giant "flea market" (not so many fleas) yesterday and the catacombs this morning. Tomorrow, the Louvre.

You may have seen on the news the strikes throughout France, and yep, we were right in the thick of it. Everywhere we went today, there were people with signs, megaphones and stickers.

What's a visit to France without la grève or a Red Party parade?

First, on Saturday morning we went shopping for groceries at the marché d'Aligre. A loud and overwhelming affair, to say the least. But here's what we came home with: butter, free-range eggs (en plein air), lettuce, green beans, strawberries, grapes, cucumbers, avocados and tomatoes. Our meat we buy daily or every other day. Baguettes are fresh every day from Le Grenier à Pain and tonight's was hot out of the oven and kept my hands warm the whole way home winding through the neighborhood...and burnt my mouth a little as I kept tearing off pieces to eat.

Then sometimes we enjoy a café, but mostly we make it at home with our F&M good stuff. And we are alway excited about crepes.

But, and I say this contently, besides the very blatantly obvious, so far I feel pretty fortunate in that daily "Parisian living" isn't a very far representation from the way we live our life in Portland. It's not as glamorous, and definitely more casual, but we haven't afforded ourselves the opportunity to be glamorous here in Paris, either.

And that has allowed me great freedom to just enjoy and not feel like I have to go chasing after an "experience" that I think I need to have here. I'm very happy about that.

But, I do admit, oh the butter!

Caught red handed! (No, not that red!)

nesting in Paris.

2010-10-10T13:00:00.000-07:00

I wrote a few months ago about the apartment we are renting during our stay in Paris. The day finally came, and we arrived on Friday morning after a 5:25 a.m. train departure from London on the Eurostar and were ready to do some serious relaxing.

One of the challenges of traveling is feeling like you have to make the most of your time, at all times. But we had just come off of from 4 cities in a little over a week and for the sake of our sanity and relationship, we needed the apartment to be on par with what we expected.

To our great happiness it far exceeds our expectations, and I am learning even just in the day we've been here how perfect it is. Located in the 11th arrondissement, it's a few blocks from 2 metro stops and the RER (rapid transit train) that got us to the Arc de Triomphe and Champs- Elysees in about 15 minutes.

View from our window...

On the other side of the house on the left is a schoolyard...french kids scream loud like their American counterparts...

lovely little studio...

with the most perfect kitchen...

It's in a more residential neighborhood, and to my joy it is a 10 minute walk from a market (marche d'aligre), creperie (creperie bretonne), and bakery (le grenier a pain) that I've read about on David Lebowitz's most entertaining blog. And I've been to all three in a day and a half. Not only that, but today on the way to the market, there was a brocantes fair all along the street with antiques and books lined up for blocks!

Now if I can just get over my Xenoglossophobia in certain situations, like when the guy at the market is yelling "choix, choix, choix!" at me at the top of his lungs, we'll be good to go.

liberty of london and fortnum & mason

2010-10-09T10:18:00.001-07:00

I spent a heavenly hour at both Liberty of London and Fortnum & Mason during our stay in London this past week.

It's a magnificent tudor-style building right off Oxford Street, just a few minutes walk from where we were staying. Looking at the windows reminded me of a funny french expression for window shopping, "lécher les vitrines," or literally, "to lick the windows." In my case, it was "lécher tout" (lick everything)!

I managed to snap a few photos while shopping...

("And the only way that I would ever let go of my couch would be if you came over here right now and tried to pry it from my dead, lifeless fingers, okay? If you can get it from my kung-fu grip then you can come and have it, okay? Otherwise, step off!")

and had to go back later for a souvenir, while Andy was taking a little rest after a long day out...

There was a table lined with glass jars full of embroidery kits and I finally dug this one out from the very bottom, even after the sales clerk had given up. One last handful to check turned out to be a good idea.

And at Fortnum & Mason, Andy and I reemerged from a temporary gourmet food coma to buy a canister of their coffee, the "PicKadilly Roast." While I was most excited by the canister, we justified our purchase by agreeing to use the coffee while in Paris. We opened the canister this morning and were true to our words.

Speaking of good coffee, we stopped by Sacred Coffee to try it out after hearing very good things about it.

And friends, last but not least for today, I think this is hilarious.

Andy was hungry so we stopped in to Banger Bros on Portobello Road and had bangers. Andy had the Great British Banger, I had the Mini Bangers. It's so funny, but seriously, it was good.

Borough Market in London

2010-10-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

Oh sweet sweetness....

London's Borough Market was a feast for the senses. Made up of three smaller sections called Green Market, Middle Market, and the Jubilee Market, and each has different and unique offerings. We got there early, around 8:30, and ate breakfast at a little shop inside the Green Market. I had a egg bap (basically a big bun) and Andy had an egg and bacon sandwich.

Next to the small shop was a French food stall that sold little glass pots of yogurt-we picked one with berries in the bottom. In front, a glass case sold bricks of unpasteurized butter. Given my obsession with butter, it was tempting to keep myself from buying some...OK, try the whole block!

In search of some good caffeine, we found Monmouth Coffee just outside the main market area. We were impressed! Portlanders could compare this to Albina or a more family-friendly Stumptown.

Fresh "filter" coffee is the norm over here...

Weighing and measuring coffee beans...

So many olives...

Fresh bread...

Fresh cheese (this was comte? We tried a few)...

Black truffles...stick your nose in the jar and be overwhelmed with yumminess..

A lot of parmesan...

This stall sold very french items, including lavender, baguettes, pate, and cans of goose fat...

Local wines...

Big vats of curry bubbling, it smelled heavenly...

We spent the whole morning exploring, tasting, and smelling. I can't wait to go back!

Dublin, in 24 hours

2010-09-29T10:49:00.000-07:00

We finally made it to Dublin this morning after two days of traveling, including a 12-hour layover in Chicago. I had completely forgotten that we had scheduled it this way, I was thoroughly convinced we went straight from San Francisco to Dublin with no stops. And I was excited about it.

But our detour was a delightful surprise. We stayed the night with Andy's YWAM friend Seanna, who lives in a suburb called Glen Ellyn, waking up to a breakfast at Honey Cafe and visiting Wheaton College to see the wardrobe that inspired C.S. Lewis in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. We can't wait to go visit Chicago again to spend more time with Seanna and see all the Chicago sights sometime in the near future.

Once back on the plane, we were determined to sleep as much as possible so we could hit the ground running once we arrived. That plan didn't work out so well. So while we did accomplish our "whirlwind" tour of Dublin, we are tired.

Ireland coming into view, green and fairly flat. This island has been inhabited since the dawn of time. Amazing.

I had never been to Dublin before, or even Ireland, despite living in England. While I liked what I saw, I know there are other cities I love more. Sitting at our pub dinner of fish & chips and my soup with buttermilk bread, we agreed that we would like to perhaps come back for a longer stay and explore the countryside, but as far as the city is concerned, we aren't too bummed to be leaving so soon.

Oh, and can I just say that the butter in the pub that came in the little foil packets was better than any butter sold in U.S. grocery stores? Besides Kerrygold, which just so happens to be an irish import. After just one taste, I used two whole packets in their entirety on two small pieces of bread.

Hello, you're a most welcome sight.

River Liffey, cutting Dublin into two parts.

At long last, Andy's dream has come true. This is THE Guinness storehouse. Read his blog for his entertaining account of how long it took us to find it.

There is a lounge/bar area built onto the top of the storehouse with great views of Dublin. We cashed in our free ticket for a pint and snagged two chairs in front of the windows. A very welcome respite for our feet.

On to Belfast tomorrow!

To the Continent we go!

2010-09-23T23:20:00.000-07:00

(The Nave at Westminster Abbey, London)

The past month has been spent working, packing, interviewing for a new job (which required a flight to Atlanta!), moving twice, budgeting, securing plans, and it all is paying off right this moment. Why?

We're leaving for Europe!

We're sitting in the San Francisco airport, excited and amazed that we're actually doing this. We'll be spending the next two months exploring 7 countries and visiting family overseas.

We'll be flying into Dublin first, heading to Belfast, then on to London.

I'll be trying to post once a week, so please stay with me for the next 9 weeks. Andy will also be blogging his perspective of the trip over at the site he just set up this week: www.andykimmelshue.blogspot.com. Check it out, too!

A Bientot!

my fresh berry birthday tart.

2010-08-20T00:30:00.000-07:00

What a lucky girl I am.

We headed down to Medford earlier this month to attend Andy's 10 year high school reunion (!) and do a little birthday celebrating.

My friend Jess is a pastry chef, as I have mentioned before, and she made me a fantastic fresh berry tart. I don't usually say this, but O.M.G.

Who gets from-scratch cupcakes and a berry tart all in one week? Again, I'm lucky.

We also went wine tasting, and visited a new tasting room out in the Applegate that was seriously amazing. It was probably one of the best places I've been to, as far as atmosphere and friendliness of the staff. We will definitely be recommending Fiasco to our friends and visiting again when we go back down. Soon.

Try making this tart with all the late-summer berry bounty!

Fresh Mixed Berry Tart

Serves 8.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma

Pastry:

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

8 Tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 egg yok, beaten with 2 Tbsp. heavy cream

Vanilla Pastry Cream:

3 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1 Tbsp. flour

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

2 egg yolks

2/3 cup milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

4 cups mixed berries (she used blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries)

powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Directions:

Position rack in lower oven, preheat to 425 F.

In a food processor or bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt and pulse or combine with fork/pastry blender to mix. It should resemble a coarse meal. Add yolk mixture until dough holds together when squeezed. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead a few times into a ball. Shape into 5" disk, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 mins.

While the dough is chilling, make pastry cream: Beat sugar, flour, cornstarch and egg yolks on medium speed with a mixer for 2-3 mins until thick.

Combine milk and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to simmer. While stirring, add half of the milk into the just-blended sugar mixture until combined. Then, pour the sugar mixture back into the pan with the remainder of the milk and increase to medium-low heat. Cook, while whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and bubbles, 1-2 mins. Scrape sides and corners while whisking to prevent scorching.

Pour pastry cream into clean bowl and cover surface with parchment paper. Let cook to room temp, then refrigerate for 1 hour.

On a floured surface, roll out dough into 11-inch round. Transfer into 9-inch tart dish and trim edges. Line pastry with parchment paper, fill with pie weights, rice or beans and bake for 5 minutes. Reduce the oven temp to 350. Remove pie weights and paper, and poke holes in bottom of crust. Bake until crust is golden, 15-20 minutes more. Cool for 1 hour.

To serve, spoon pastry cream into crust and arrange berries on top to your liking. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

new uses for old things.

2010-08-18T08:30:00.001-07:00

I love the "new uses for old things" feature in Real Simple magazine.

This month's were great!

use a marshmallow as frosting...

and a bundt pan as a roaster...

clever!

Recipes to try:

Roasted Chicken with Gravy from the Nourishing Gourmet

The Search Results of "roast chicken" at Epicurious.com.

and

Any recipe on Cupcake Bakeshop. And for those of us (me) who don't take the time to follow recipes things correctly, read her post on tips and tricks to baking cupcakes. Then make the chocolate cupcakes and try out the marshmallow trick!

vintage teacup bracelet.

2010-08-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

(via)

I want one!

Fill In the Blank Friday

2010-08-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

Birthday chocolate...how'd that end up upside down?

Lauren and I share August as a Birthday Month, which we agree, is the best birthday month out of the year!

1. Birthdays are: a celebration! Planning a birthday party, especially for family or friends, is so much fun. And gifts are enjoyable to give but very awkward to receive.

2. My favorite birthday memory was In high school, when my family drove up to see me for my birthday while I was at summer camp at Lake of the Woods. They brought me a beautiful little cake and I got a new sweater from American Eagle. I felt so loved.

3. A birthday tradition I (or my family) has is going to tea. We started the tradition when I was 14 or 15 and went every year until, sadly, the little tea room closed. We found another one, though, but it's just not as good. We still mourn the loss of that little tea room.

4. If I had to choose one birthday meal to eat for the rest of my birthdays hence forward, I would choose A proper high tea. But we're having BBQ ribs tonight at my parents house for my family birthday celebration, so my answer might change. To go from high tea to ribs is quite a switch though!

5. My birthday is on August 10th. See "birthday picnic" post for what we did!

6. If I could take a birthday trip I would go somewhere I haven't yet been...and somewhere not on our fall European itinerary...so I'll say Greece!

7. The best gift I've ever received for my birthday was a baby sister. She was born on August 1st but I pretty much count that as my 13th birthday gift. And she turned 13 this year!

Mason's Birthday

2010-08-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Jessi's son turned ONE last week.

I can't believe it...I feel like I was just back home sitting with her family in the hospital waiting room and doing a mini counted cross-stitch of a teapot to help pass the time.

That's one thing I've learned from the births I've been fortunate enough to attend. Even when labor is "moving quickly," it's still s-l-o-w, especially when you are so excited to meet the new little person!

Mason is hilarious. He will be just like his mom and dad - so funny that I usually end up laughing through tears.

Jess put together a barnyard-themed party with so many creative ideas: bales of hay, salad served in toy wheelbarrows, candy in tin pails, etc. She's also a pastry chef and created a cow-themed chocolate peanut butter (although I had to eat around the PB) cake that tasted divine.

How did I get such creative friends?

He enjoyed the tissue more than the gifts.

Oh, and he got his first drum set.

birthday picnic.

2010-08-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

I turned 26 yesterday, and the highlight of my lovely day was a dinner picnic in Laurelhurst Park.

We decided to meet by the duck pond, but walking down the path, we saw the area cordoned off with metal fences and, to our sadness, the pond was completely drained! No water, no ducks...just a big mud puddle. I'm slightly relieved though, because last time we were there, signs posted all around the pond warned of toxic algae. Even despite the signs, a group of park-goers pulled out some fishing gear and cast into the murky waters. The murmurs I caught going around the lawn included, "crazy!" and "can't they read?!" I don't think they ever caught anything, and if they did, it probably had two heads.

So we went a little further and spread the blanket on the edge of another lawn, surrounded by giant trees, with enough room for our good friends' two kids to ramble and play. And plenty of room for the ladies to relax with their wine and the guys to get a game of bocce ball going.

Out of the picnic basket (and bags) came prosciutto and turkey, assorted cheeses, a seedy baguette, rice crackers, two bottles of wine, fruit and vegetables, and cupcakes!

Jericho being a good big brother.

Lily doing what she loves best - eating!

Chocolate coconut spelt cupcakes and almond vanilla spelt cupcakes with huckleberry frosting. In the words of Tiffany, "TDF!!" (To Die For)

You can find the recipe for the cupcakes on Jen's blog. Tiffany made them, and she just subbed spelt flour for wheat flour and omitted the almond meal, using almond extract instead.

Which brings me to what I should have asked for for my birthday...

The Cup A Cake!

(via)

I could have really used this today. I wanted to take a cupcake with me when Andy and I went out for coffee this morning, and it would have been so much better to have had a custom case instead of a lame little tupperware.

And I don't really know what the purple hairy frosting is on the above picture...sadly, the Cup A Cake people need some major restyling.

So celebrating 26 was just how I wanted it: low-key and centered around food.

A very good day.

little kitchen.

2010-07-31T20:15:00.001-07:00

We are moving out of our place in Irvington after a little over a year here.

It's OK though, we knew we would...

only then we thought we'd be headed for Japan at the end of this month!

Instead, a grand tour of Europe in two...

I'll miss my little kitchen.

But not the little part.

fill in the blank friday.

2010-07-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

(This is not our room. Via Apartment Therapy)

Thanks Lauren for another great FITB Friday! Can't wait to hang out soon!

1. The last thing I do before going to sleep is kiss Andy three times .

2. When I can't sleep I turn over, and over, and over. Kind of like a dog But a cute dog!

3. The first thing I do when I wake up is in the summer, listen to the birds chirp right outside the window and the squirrels run across our roof. In the winter, hit "snooze" .

4. When I'm tired I am pure joy to be around. You sense the sarcasm?

5. My dream bedroom would be bright and airy during the daytime and cozy at night. Lots of windows to wake up to the sun! Hardwood floors, my big down comforter. I would like new pillows. I have the most comfy bed ever so I wouldn't change anything about that...And my color preference changes all the time and right now I'm in transition between tastes, so I don't know about color.

6. If I could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning it would be EUROPE already!! Time is dragging till our trip.

7. The longest sleep I've ever had was when I got stuck in the Atlanta airport during a tornado/hurricane watch and had to stand in line all night for a new ticket to England. My aunt called my cousin who was attending Auburn at the time, so I got a shuttle out there and slept in her dorm bunk bed for a looong time. Oh, I also slept forever when I had the swine flu. (I DID have the swine flu, Andy!! He doesn't believe me.)

8. I sleep on my stomach or side, but I try to sleep on my back because apparently it's healthier...but it hardly ever works out.

9. When I sleep, I like to wear a tee shirt .

10. My bedtime is usually between 10:30 and 11:30 .

Paris City Notebook

2010-07-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

Our landlords/friends gave me a "bon voyage" gift tonight after a lovely dinner at Belly:

The Moleskine Paris City Notebook.

Ahhhh. I'm in love. Now I want them for all the cities we'll visit. I might sneak a few dollars from the savings bin for this one...or go back on my adamant denial of any birthday gifts this year (14 days!)...

coast trip part II.

2010-07-27T09:19:00.001-07:00

We had a lovely weekend in Brookings with Andy's family earlier this month in celebration of his grandma Jean's 80th.

It was my first time being at a "full" family gathering; I have spent time with everyone, but just never all together in one place. It made me thankful to be a part of such a wonderful family.

Everyone gathered at a little motel near Smith River, and since we rented out all the rooms, it was like our own private "estate." Each family had a separate studio or one-bedroom, and Andy and I stayed with his parents and sister on a futon that was surprisingly comfy!

In the back, lawn covered the cliff overlooking the ocean, a perfect retreat for when the wind picked up down by the water. Two benches were set up right on the edge for relaxing and taking in the views...

A stairway led down to the beach, which we had mostly to ourselves the whole weekend....

and had driftwood fires both nights and a softball game one afternoon...

with s'mores from the largest marshmallows I had ever seen....

and the first night, we roasted hotdogs and sausages over the open flames. Yum.

And everyone was content...

and the kids had the time of their lives in the "fort"...

and with their s'mores...

and the next day, a fresh tuna was filleted and made ready for the grill...

which turned out to be the best grilled fish I've ever eaten, rivalling maui, with fresh peach salsa, salad, roasted potatoes, and bread...

and good company...

and once again, happy kids!

Grandma's gift was an album full of pages that all the families had made. It was ginormous and so touching - Jean is a "cropper" who always has her camera ready and can scrapbook for hours on end. It was the perfect gift.

And the dog who put up all the cuddling and chasing was much loved by the kiddos...

and there was plenty of space to be silly...

and to blow bubbles...

and then back down to the beach for the last sunset and bonfire before heading back to real life...

a good weekend.

Chloé Boots.

2010-07-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

Don't even ask what I was doing on Net-a-Porter. I so wish.

But these Chloé boots are gorgeous and I know I would wear them every single day. I'm thinking Monica in that Friends, The One With Monica's Boots, where she bought the really expensive boots and they were so uncomfortable but she had to wear them to make it worth it...

That would not happen with these.

Lily's Birthday

2010-07-21T08:44:00.001-07:00

Remember Lily?

She turned O-N-E earlier this month.

Her mamma threw her an amazing party, attending to each little detail. Some of the ideas and inspirations were found at TomKat Studios, but she put her her own stylish spin on it.

Friends and family from all over the states came to celebrate and eat two kinds of cupcakes.

Why didn't they have this kind of stuff when I was little? I am a little jealous.

Check out more pictures at her auntie Jen's blog, Wuthering Iris.

"I didn't know this was going to be a GIRL party..."

first coast trip of the summer.

2010-07-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

Night 1. We stopped to camp overnight on our way down to Smith River for Andy's family reunion. I almost don't want to share where this spot is...but I will...in Charleston, Oregon at Riverside Park, tent spot #42.

We also decided we need to start collecting some basic camping gear. We borrowed a tent and campstove from our friends, and only had a little flashlight. We had to buy a lighter at Fred Meyer on the way there! But we do have a stovetop espresso maker, and I think that's pretty cool.

Paris.

2010-07-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

Instead of staying in a hotel, which would severely limit our eating options, I found a studio apartment on Craigslist Paris. It took me about a week to find it, but from the reviews I'm sure it will be worth it...I hope. You never can tell until you get there. One good sign is when you can talk to the owner directly, instead of going through an agency. Monsieur Camus, the owner of this place, seems young and friendly.

So, this will be our home for the week in Paris, in the 11e,

not far from Le Marais.

(courtesy slowtrav)

We are beyond excited about this one! Especially the kitchen. It's so mignonne!

kitchen morning.

2010-07-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

I'm in the kitchen this morning, getting ready for a coast trip kicking off on Thursday. We're heading down to Brookings to celebrate Andy's grandma Jean's 80th birthday, but since it is so far from Portland we're going to break it up into two trips. I somehow secured a very sweet last-minute beachside camping spot in Charleston, so we'll camp on Thursday night and finish the trip on Friday.

We're also going to stop at Kookoolan Farms in Yamhill to pick up some milk for the weekend - we don't want to have to go all the way out to Eagle Creek and then back the other direction to the coast....so we'll make a stop along the way to a new and exciting place! We're so addicted.

My activities this morning included :

Getting lentils soaked for Kimi's Simple Lentil Salad

Soaking spelt flour for Kimi's Spiced Blueberry Coconut Muffins

Mixed up a new sourdough starter, very sadly mine died a while ago.

Soaking chicken livers in spiced rum for Chicken Liver Pâté.

Booking a place to stay in Cambridge. Should we stay near Christ's Pieces or by Butt Green?

In all this self-imposed busy-ness, I also really miss my little sister today.

farm visit.

2010-06-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

Andy and I both had the day off last week, so we decided to finally fulfill our mutual quest for getting our hands on some raw milk.

There are so many reasons why we wanted to try it out. First, we are both pretty sensitive to dairy and have had a lot of problems for the last several years. From what I've read, people who can't tolerate dairy can often tolerate raw milk products just fine. Since we both do very well on raw milk cheese, we decided to take it one step further.

Dr. Mercola says "the butterfat in whole raw milk, particularly butterfat in milk from cows that graze freely on green pasture, contains unique nutrients that support thyroid function and help your body develop muscle rather than fat." Both good things for us.

Organic Pastures says this of raw milk: "Natural organic raw milk has in it vitally important living things. These include the following: beneficial bacteria, enzymes (including lipase, protease. and other), lactase forming bacteria, and many enzyme based pathogen killing systems. The common practice of pasteurization inactivates or dramatically reduces the effects of these important active (living) elements. As a result, you may be lactose intolerant when drinking pasteurized milk, but not lactose intolerant when you drink raw milk. This is because lactase enzymes are being formed when you digest raw milk."

Mercola also says, "While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that raw milk can carry disease-causing bacteria, what they completely overlook is the fact that these bacteria are the result of industrial farming practices that lead to diseased animals, which may then in turn produce contaminated milk. You never want to get your raw milk from a feed-lot cow."

So we set out to visit a farm near Portland that we found after some web research on the Real Milk website.

We drove along the crunching gravel driveway to a farm tucked back in a small wooded area, lined with vinyl fencing on both sides through which we saw numerous frolicking goats, and soon the wooded space opened up into a meadow, with the farmhouse sitting on the perimeter and horses out to pasture underneath the grand view of Mt. Hood.

We bought a gallon and a half. One for us, and a half gallon for our friends, whose little boy is dealing with some health issues that we're hoping raw milk can help resolve.

We walked through a little pasture to a clearing in the wooded area where we met the cows supplying us: Honey, Blossom, and Patty. They are big, gorgeous Jersey cows with gigantic brown eyes, beautiful color, and huge udders. They looked happy, healthy, and content to eat all the grass in sight.

The owner said we came at the right time of year; the grass is growing so rapidly and is so green and nutrient-rich from the rain that the girls' milk is at its peak. Later in the summer, when the green grass starts to become drier and more scarce, the milk will lose a little of its sweetness.

We packed our liquid gold in a styrofoam cooler with ice, placed it gingerly in the trunk, and couldn't wait to get home and try some, where, when we finally got inside, Andy poured himself a big glass and took a fearless gulp. So pleased. My turn next, and my first response was, "Delicious." Andy agreed. "A little grassy, but in a good way." "Sweet." "Yummy."

Safely home and in the fridge...mission accomplished!

The cream of the milk is a buttery yellow color, it sits like silk on top and smells so good, it's hard to not dip your fingers in and get a taste. We stirred the cream into the milk with a whisk, but Nina Planck recommends spooning some out over strawberries.

Then came the waiting game! We waited, for over an hour, to see how we felt. Nothing! Gloriously nothing!

Of course, in Oregon, raw milk is "for animal consumption only." Let's just say we have a lot of "cats" to feed.

Do you want to support a local farmer and try raw milk for yourself? Visit Real Milk or email me!

The girls getting their fill of fresh green grass....

The boy loves to feed animals...

And there were goats! New babies, they were frolicking all over the place and calling "ma-ma!"

These goats clearly had affection for each other...

second wedding of the season!

2010-06-28T22:24:00.000-07:00

First of all, I have so many things to write about!

I'm only going to handle two tonight.

First:

A few days after my cousin's wedding, featured a few posts ago, my other cousin had her baby! A sweet, perfect little baby girl named Ellie Kay. She was 8.8, 20.5 inches. And I had the honor of videotaping the whole thing. It was a special experience, as I stayed with her up until the birth and a few days after. Such a funny thing, we have pictures together running around when we were little girls, and now she has one of her own. I wonder if our kids will be as close?

The birth itself was a positive experience for everyone involved; the doctor and staff were helpful and supportive, and the environment was relaxed and family-oriented. I came home that night from the hospital and was still running on adrenaline, so I started on lasagna and manicotti at 10 p.m. to stash in their freezer for those nights when she can't-or doesn't want-to cook.

I miss little Ellie already!

Second:

Second wedding of the season! A lovely, thoughtful wedding of one of our home community couples that was just a pleasure to witness and a fun-filled evening with good company. You could definitely feel the love present through this whole affair.

David & Kim Sheern

6.26.10

Artemis catered. It was glorious.

Pulled pork sliders.

I kept stalking her for a picture, but she was too fast!

Oh, the Sangria. It was good.

Jackknife - a local PDX bluegrass band.

Now why is Lauren's plate (scroll down) so perfectly arranged and mine is just PILED?

Coffee favors.

We got to take home the centerpieces. They are stunning, and I really don't want mine to die.

Congrats, David and Kim!

Fill in the Blank Friday

2010-06-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

My good friend John just finished his Masters, and he had a friend take this photo. Hilarious!

I haven't done FITBF for a while, it's time I get back into the groove. Lauren is fabulous over at The Little Things We Do!

1. The best thing about being in school was/is not having to worry about adult things! All that was on my mind was our weekly Friday night sleepover and the TGIF lineup. Oh, and if JTT was actually going to die from his tumor on Home Improvement. Noooo!

2. The worst thing about being in school was/is trying to fit in and figure out what kind of person I wanted to be.

3. My favorite subject in school was/is English and History, definitely. I still love to read and write, fortunately I've been able to making a living from it, although it's a pittance.

4. One subject I wish I could have mastered/would like to master is Math. My cousin's husband was making fun of me over the weekend because we still use our fingers for basic calculations. It's just not my thing.

5. I could never get tired of studying medieval history. So much richness to their culture, and we shortchange ourselves by thinking of it as the dark ages. It was just a very, very different time with different priorities and belief systems. I'll never get tired of it!

6. The most memorable teacher I had was Mr. Buck, my Senior English teacher. His teaching style made me want to become a teacher myself and major in Lit. Maybe I'll track him down and tell him one of these days.

7. If I could choose between going to school for the rest of my life or working for the rest of my life, I'd choose school. I don't feel like I know very much and there is so much to learn about so many different topics. I actually think I'm going to go back in January (shh!) when my husband starts his Masters. Just part-time, though. I already have a new idea about what I want to study.

summer hide-and-seek.

2010-06-15T23:29:00.000-07:00

What's up with this weather?

All I want to do is sit on a shaded porch in the middle of the afternoon and drink herbal lemonade, as made by Jennie on her Straight from the Farm blog. She's got so many good ideas.

But I can't make this until it gets over 75 degrees for 5 days. Otherwise it just feels wrong, like listening to Christmas music in July (you know who you are).

So I wait.

But you...you just go ahead and find the recipe here. I'm sure it's over 75 wherever you're at...right?

(Copyright Jennie, Straight from the Farm)

did I mention?

2010-06-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

Did I mention we ate food at the rehearsal dinner?

fresh jalapeno poppers with cream cheese and bacon...

handheld potato halves...

lemon cake with strawberry jam filling...

chocolate cheesecake cupcakes...

and I had one of all three, of course.

Jalapeno Poppers

Jalapenos, baby red and yellow peppers; halved with seeds cleaned out

Full-fat cream cheese

Bacon (nitrate-free, preferably)

Spread inside of halved peppers with cream cheese.

Slice bacon to cover pepper half, secure with toothpicks.

Bake for 15 minutes, maybe with a little broil at the end.

Remove toothpicks and serve.

Handheld Baked Potatoes

Yukon gold potatoes, already baked and halved

with the middle scooped out (but not too much)

Grated cheese

Bacon, cooked and chopped into bits

Sour cream

Black pepper

Sprinkle insides of scooped out potatoes with bacon and cheese, bake until cheese is melted.

Spoon sour cream into middle and top with pepper.

Serve warm.

first wedding of the season...

2010-06-11T22:57:00.000-07:00

My cousin Jordan got married today, to a lovely girl named Rebecca.

The sun shone brightly on the new couple, and there were lots of smiles and tears to go around.

The Secret Place in Nampa, Idaho

Mom and I doing the "hustle." It's so fun!

Giving my tried and true (!?) marriage advice to the groom.

Congrats you two!

PDX Progressive Day of Craft!

2010-06-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

(etsy)

Come join Found on Fremont and the rest of crafty Portland

to celebrate Etsy's anniversary on June 18!

In typical stylish fashion, a progressive "shop hop" will be happening all day with over 20 local businesses and vendors offering craft demos, shopping specials, refreshments, and just plain ol' good fun!

Visit this link at Meetup.com to RSVP, do it today!

You can also visit the PDX Progressive Day of Craft website for more info

Or...facebook!

Meet Renaud...

2010-06-02T16:17:00.001-07:00

So, many of you know that we are planning a trip to Europe this fall. We're waiting to do any serious planning until after school is over and done (tomorrow! woot!), but we DID reserve something spectacularly fun.

Introducing...the Renaud 8000!

Renaud 8000 :
3/5 + 1 persons - 2 cabins
Length : 8.00 m - Beam : 3,00 m.

Headroom salon : 1,95 m, cabins : 1,9 m.

Water tank : 350 litres.
Sleeping : Aft cabin : 1 double berth + 1 single berth + 1 child's bunk bed.

Salon : settee converts to double berth. Comfort: 1 shower, 1 WC.

We'll be taking this little beauty for a spin (ok, a 4mph troll) down the Burgundian Canal du Nivernais for 7 days in October.

Could I rock this look en Francais?

Jane Roarty

new book covet.

2010-06-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

I want to -no, I will- buy this book before I go to Paris in October.

Paris: Made by Hand

by Pia Jane Bijkerk

Her blog is cute, too!

Found!

2010-05-31T09:42:00.000-07:00

Surprise!

Welcome to bohomeme at Found on Fremont.

I moved in and set up my cozy little "home" on Monday afternoon with the help of my good friend Tiffany of For the Love of Paisley and the labor of our strong husbands. I am so excited to make something of this space and thrilled that I now have a reason to go treasure-hunting.

If you live in the Portland area, come take a peek at my nook and then, because you won't be able to help yourself, browse all the wonderful treasures from the other vendors at Found. And then, if you're on Facebook, become a fan of the store and get updates on the different events and parties put on by Amy and Beth!

I am always amazed at the beautiful things that come through those doors, and I hope to add something special to an already very special place!

Honor the brave.

2010-05-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you.

waffles + ice cream.

2010-05-23T19:55:00.000-07:00

A great last-minute dessert idea:

Picked up two sugar waffles from Waffle Window on Hawthorne...

Cashed in my coupon for a free pint of Ben & Jerry's from the Pint for a Pint Blood Drive...

And voila!

Takes the ice cream sandwich to a whole new level.

prêts! feu! partez!

2010-05-16T12:16:00.000-07:00

We did it. Booked our tickets to Europe. Two months, September 27 through November 29.

We have "plans". We fly into Dublin. I have family in Switzerland, he has an aunt in Morocco. A bulk of time in France, bien sur.

Recommendations considered and desired!

(brooklyn museum. Paris, 1900)

for the hipster in you.

2010-05-16T12:11:00.001-07:00

Stuff Hipsters Don't Like.

(Lola Wakefield)

I almost fell out of my chair, Lola is so funny!

Especially #19, about the Economy.

lunchin' in style.

2010-05-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

These swanky lunch bags put my black "Cool Chiller" insulated lunch bag (or plastic safeway bag, I admit) to shame.

Guess I need to update my look!

(Martha)

Mojito Slaw

2010-05-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

We attended our friends' Cinco de Mayo party on Saturday night (So, Ocho de Mayo?) and had a great time enjoying the rare semi-warm spring evening in Portland with a sunset that wasn't hidden by grey clouds.

We spent most of the evening playing Kubb, the addictive outdoor game that is otherwise known as "Viking Chess". I'll do a post on it sometime. In fact, we played it well after sunset, so our host got the ingenious idea of bringing out a floor lamp connected by an extension cord. We could have played all night!

But I'm actually going to focus on slaw. Mojito slaw, to be exact. I've had a resurgence of love for coleslaw and have been really amused by Smitten Kitchen's slaw obsession. I had a 1/2 head of cabbage in the fridge left over from making sauerkraut (I'll do a post on that, too) and found this great slaw recipe that fit the "mexican food" criteria and was easy to make. While I did not ultimately find the recipe of SK's website, I'm going to try out some of her slaw recipes this summer for sure.

Mojito Cole Slaw

From Papawow!

1/2 a large cabbage, chopped into thin shreds
1 large carrot grated or shredded in a food processor
1/2 a jicama, julienne
1 cup yogurt
4 tablespoons of mint, chiffonade
juice of 1/2 a lime
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
the zest of 1 lime
1/4 teaspoon celery salt

Directions:

Make the dressing first by adding the yogurt, salt, pepper, mint, lime juice, lime zest, and celery salt in a bowl. Mix the cabbage, jimaca, and carrot together in a large bowl. Then, incorporate the dressing and the cabbage mixture well. Keep refrigerated.

I leave you with pinata pictures.

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T09:43:00.001-07:00

Meet the REAL Sarah Lee.

My mom is my favorite person in the world.

How lucky/blessed/fortunate I am to be able to say that.

She has been through a lot in her life, yet:

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future."

(Proverbs 31:25)

I could have no better role model!

And she is nice to people who tell her Sarah Lee jokes, even though she's heard them all.

Love you mom.

Fill in the Blank Sunday: Literature.

2010-05-09T08:57:00.001-07:00

I missed Lauren's Fill in the Blank Friday, but because it was about books, I'm doing it on Sunday. I love books. And I love Lauren's answers. I pluralized some of her questions so I could do lists and lists of books....

1. My favorite bookS growing up were "Little House on the Prairie" series, all of them, of which I read them over and over again. I also adored Ramona Quimby, and was very excited to find out that I live near Klickitat Street! It's over here in NE and it is my goal to have a Klickitat address one day...

2. The funniest bookS I've ever read were Anything by Sophie Kinsella. The girl has got a gift. Evelyn Waugh may be one of the best authors of satire, and Bill Bryson is funny in the non-fiction way. I just started reading Nick Hornby so we'll see if he's as funny as I think.

3. The one book that has truly changed my life is "Nourishing Traditions", by Sally Fallon. It's a cookbook, but it is so much more than that. It actually all started with Jordan Rubin's book, "Patient, Heal Thyself" and it took off from there. I'm a nourishing foods junkie. NO diets. Kill the "Skinny Bitch"!!! (the book).

4. If you're looking for a real "tear jerker" you should probably read I remember crying in "Where the Red Fern Grows" during class in elementary school, everybody laughed!

5. If I could meet any author living or dead I would want to meet See diagram below :) This table needs more work. I tried to place them in un-like company so we could have good conversation, but I'm not sure I did it in the best way. This is a major time waster.

6. The next book on my "to read" list is The rest of Barbara Kingsolver's books. I have "The Bean Trees" in my bag right now. I get them all from the library. My "To Read" list is about 5 pages long, and getting longer.

7. If I was snowed into remote cabin in the woods and could only choose three books to bring with me I'd bring I would bring these condensed into ONE book each, so they count as three. Lord of the Rings, The complete works of Jane Austen, and complete works of William Shakespeare for reading aloud when I'm lonely OR the complete works of C.S. Lewis for some brain exercise.

Oh man, I could go on. And on. And send me book recs if you have any that you love and I'll add them to my list!

food.

2010-05-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

notes from a small island.

2010-04-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

Off in the distance...

through the cloud forest...

there is paradise!

grrrrowl

2010-04-27T22:20:00.000-07:00

Grrrrrrrr.

I now heartily distrust the post office.

Almost this exact conversation happened between me and the postal worker today.

Grrrrrrr.

If those lovely crocks don't get to their new owner in one piece...

new etsy treasure

2010-04-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

I listed a new treasure on Etsy...take a look!

Also, I've really been wanting to make a banner for the shop but am having a hard time getting it to look just so. Anyone have any recommendations or would be willing to help me out? I would give you shop credit...or work something out to make it worth your while. Send me an email!

un bon repas, en français.

2010-04-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

*Je écris en français parce que j'ai besoin de commencer a utiliser la langue. C'est un gaspillage de ne pas le faire - mais je ne suis pas française donc je suis désolée si je ne parle pas couramment. J'irai en France cet automne - après qu'il serai mieux! Si vous êtes français, envoyez-moi un email si je ne l'écris pas correctement, s'il vous plait! Merci! *

Ce soir nous sommes allées avec la famille d'Andy au restaurant Everett Street Bistro. Ce mon restaurant favori! Nous avons partagé quelques plats comme un steak tartare, les pâtes carbonara, les travers de porc, les coquilles St-Jacques, et la saucisse avec la choucroute, ainsi que le bon vin. Pour le dessert, nous avons partage deux petits godets de crème chocolat. C'était un très bon repas, comme d'habitude.

Je regrette les mauvaises photos! J'ai les pris avec l'appareil photo de le portable d'Andy. Mais on peut voir les couleurs de la nourriture - c'est belle, n'est-ce pas?!

(I write in French because I need to begin using it - it's a waste not to - but I'm not French so I apologize if I don't speak "couramment". I'm going to France this autumn - after that it will be better! If you're French, please send me an email if I don't write it correctly. Thanks!

Tonight we went with Andy's family to Everett Street Bistro. It is my favorite restaurant! We shared a few dishes like steak tartare, carbonara, ribs, scallops, and housemade sausage with sauerkraut, and some good wine. For dessert, we shared two small pots of chocolate cream. It was a great meal, as usual.

Sorry for the poor photos. I took them with the camera on Andy's cell phone. But you can see the colors of the food - it's beautiful, isn't it?!)

a good morning.

2010-04-16T19:18:00.000-07:00

I had a great Wednesday morning. Not only was it not raining,

it was also our third wedding anniversary.

Eggs Florentine at Cricket Cafe on Belmont. Tasty potatoes and

a fluffy buttermilk pancake, too!

I love it when breakfast has legs!

Onwards to Heart Roasters. Such a good coffee space - lots of light and decent music, so they don't have too many hipsters going emo all day and ruining the atmosphere.

What a cool old-school roaster. Andy had jealous feelings.

Whilst enjoying coffee, being entertained by WW's Chance Meetings columns. So funny...but seriously if someone wrote one for me and they weren't a creep (and I wasn't already taken), I'd so go for it.

fill in the blank friday!

2010-04-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

English Spode, I do love you. Except when you are made in China.

I have been so busy lately. So really all I can throw you is another "fill in the blank friday" given by Lauren from The Little Things We Do. But they're fun, so bear with me!

1. The first thing I do in the morning is hit the snooze button and, lately, check my basal body temperature, because I'm trying to do some healing work on my metabolism and thyroid after a few years of really low-calorie dieting.

2. Every night before bed I ...don't have a bedtime routine! Hm. Maybe I should start one.

3. My favorite thing to do when I'm having a bad day is eat homemade popcorn with chocolate chips and watch TV or a movie on the computer in bed.

4. Something that makes me cringe is when I see people smoking with their kids in the car. Well, not so much cringe, more boil over with rage. Or when their kids are drinking from a Big Gulp. Watch out, stink eye comin' your way!

5. Social situations are mostly enjoyable! Unless no one has anything in common. Then you have to get really creative and pull out a Wii or some sort of humiliating game. Sometimes it is also fun to start a game of charades randomly and see who catches on.

6. I like to collect are dishes and bone china. My friends and family know this well about me. Dishes dishes dishes dishes!! One of the greatest days was visiting the Potteries in England to start my collection of Spode. Too bad Royal Worcester went bankrupt...

7. Weekends are for right now, procrastination.

hubble.

2010-04-11T21:10:00.000-07:00

My family came to town this weekend for soccer, and it also happened to be a birthday weekend for my dad and brother. We took the whole fam to the OMSI IMAX theater on Saturday night to watch Hubble. It was incredible!

"Recounting the amazing journey of the most important scientific instrument since Galileo's original telescope, viewers will experience firsthand Hubble's awe-inspiring imagery, from the heart of the Orion Nebula and our Milky Way to the edge of the observable Universe".

Yeah, those are real, and YEAH, my brain exploded too!

See more pictures at the Hubble Heritage Site.

Credits:

NASA

Hubble Heritage

fill in the blank friday!

2010-04-09T06:49:00.000-07:00

Went to this concert last week. He didn't spill any gossip, just played the guitar. I'll be honest, I was a little bummed. I was hoping for some drama. But the music was great.

Time for another FITB Friday courtesy of lovely Lauren at The Little Things We Do. Thanks, Lauren!

1. The strangest thing I've ever eaten was Picked pigs feet. Grandpa dared me. They were very vinegar-y. Also, when I ordered fish ball soup at Pok Pok, I didn't know the flash-fried anchovies would be completely whole with eyeballs...I scooped up some noodles with chopsticks and a head with a little eyeball was staring right at me...I closed my eyes and just ate the little fella! Crunchy.

2. My best friend is Andy. He makes me laugh. And cry sometimes, but mostly laugh.

3. If I could live in a different era it would be 18th century England because I love the history and literature of the period, and I miss England. Although I would have to be rich in order to enjoy it. If I were poor, I would want to live in the 1800's like Laura Ingalls Wilder, because those ladies could literally make something out of nothing. A pigs' bladder balloon? Come on!

4. I like at this moment, all the spring flowers blooming their hearts out.

5. If you only know one thing about me it should be that I love Jesus. I used to not like him or understand him at all, I only liked God. But now I love him as much or more. Faith is interesting and the most challenging part of life, for sure. I think that's why I keep following him - to see what happens next!

6. My favorite book of all time is Lauren this question is just unfair! Don't make me choose! C.S. Lewis once said something like "there isn't a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." That's my answer!

7. The one beauty product I couldn't live without is mascara and/or burt's pomegranate chapstick.

8. Blogging is a delight. Even when I'm writing for my living or for school, it feels good to take time to write about things I enjoy or want to share.

9. If I could star in a movie with any actor/actress I would want to work with Jennifer Garner. I know we would be friends! Although I think she's made some interesting movie choices lately, I adore her.

10. One of the best feelings in the world is when Andy and I spend super quality time with each other, family or good friends. We are surrounded by amazing people and I feel very blessed.

hannah's felt bag.

2010-04-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Well, Easter was last weekend, and here I sit looking at the Easter gifts I put together for my good friend's two babies. They live in Spokane (I wrote about our visit HERE) and I see them maybe once a year. I miss being around them!

Before I pack these up and ship them off (hopefully before the 4th of July), I wanted to share the little purse I made for Hannah. I'm really happy with it! I hope she likes it.

It was so easy and fun to make. I'm thinking about putting together a little pattern and making a free PDF so readers can download it and make their own - not that it's hard, but some people like patterns. I'm thinking my 12 year old sister could make an adorable design.

Made from one square of felt for the purse and a few scraps for handles and embellishments...

Lined polka dot fabric!

The bag and handles are machine-sewn but the flower and name badge are sewn by hand.

Now if I could only make it to the post office...

from my bleeding heart to yours.

2010-04-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

It is raining so much in Portland right now. That's why I'm glad to have taken pictures of these Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) on the last pretty day about a week ago. They are growing right outside our front gate and greet me every day, even when it's raining. I wonder how long they will last?

Along the driveway, these daffodils reach towards the sun.

And buds pop like popcorn!

Just down the road, a family of tulips are just opening up. These are my mom's favorite flowers, they remind me of her.

Don't worry, spring is still here!

ahoy me treasure!

2010-04-02T07:32:00.000-07:00

Did I mention that a few weekends ago, while Andy and I were out making general trouble and treasure-hunting, that I actually found a treasure so fabulous and valuable that I now refer to that day as, "the day that God smiled at me."

Down a suburban road deep in Beaverton, we impulsively followed the signs to a yard sale that wasn't on our list and struck gold. There, under a card table stacked with crappy kids games and discarded Happy Meal toys, was a round Le Creuset dutch oven. Creamy white. The big size. The little tag said $20. My heart stopped a little, and Andy saw the look in my eyes and realized that something important was about to happen. I purchased that dutch oven with the rest of my Christmas money (yeah, I know it's April!) and I walked to the car like an Olympic gold medalist-although, what can a medalist do with their gold besides look at it? I can cook with mine!

All this to say, my new friend Lauren at The Little Things We Do is having a giveaway of two Le Creuset blue baking dishes, and I entered myself in the running, and you should too! Visit her post HERE and follow the instructions. Good Luck! Although I'm rooting for myself, sorry.

spring break part three (jam-filled cupcakes with tangelo glaze)

2010-04-01T21:09:00.001-07:00

We got together with our Meddy friends for American Idol night that also included steak, green beans, bread, and these little beauties. Only they weren't so little.

One of my dearest friends, Jessi, is a pastry chef. She makes amazing treats and beautiful cakes. If you're in the Rogue Valley, you should call her next time you need a cake. You really should.

These jam-filled delights are from Martha Stewart's cupcake book. There is a version of the recipe on Martha's site that you can visit HERE. These are covered in a tangelo-glaze.

Ahhhhhh...

thanks, mom!

2010-03-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Liberty of London Two Tiered Tray.

Thanks mom! I love it!

I went to find the matching teapot (SOLD OUT), so got this instead with my giftcard

Liberty of London for Target® Smocked Top Tiered Ruffle Dress - Black Isis Print

spring break part two (cemetery hill)

2010-03-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

One thing I love about visiting my family is the daily walks that we take. Jacksonville is a beautiful place to stroll (or powerwalk), and "cemetery hill" not only gives you a great view of the little town, but it's also great for the glutes! The cemetery is also a great place to learn about the history of this small but very important mining town.

Jacksonville was founded following the discovery of gold and a rush of miners from 1851 - 52, and the cemetery was founded in 1860.

The front circular road at the top of cemetery hill...

There are so many infant and child graves...

And many prominent families...

This poor baby gets me every time...life was so rough out here...

Mom and Charlie following the winding path that volunteers keep clean...

Want to climb up on this seat with Caitlin, Charlie-boy?

Okay! Good boy.

Third installment coming soon!

spring break part one

2010-03-25T23:45:00.001-07:00

Want to come home with me?

It is beautiful this time of year...

The pear and apple orchards are just waiting for their cue to bloom...

Jacksonville appears over the hill, amidst the forests, vineyards and new olive groves...

The road weaves through the old mining town and then out into the mountain communities...

Part two tomorrow!

my very first fill in the blank friday.

2010-03-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

My favorite fry place.

Well, my very first Fill-in-the-blank Friday hosted by my friend Lauren at The Little Things We Do. She not only is the cutest person but also has the cutest blog!

1. Today I am wearing: jeans, legionnaire t-shirt (andy's friend's company), green sweater, zebra print flats.

2. My favorite childhood food was: sugar breakfast cereals. Favorite food now is: good pizza. fries from Potato Champion. real crepes. good butter. wine. guacamole. freshly-popped popcorn with butter melted over the top. burgerville little burgers. raw cheese. anything with coconut milk. breakfast for dinner. blueberries. can you tell I like to eat?

3. A day that I am too busy to: hang out with my husband is a day that I am too busy.

4. The last movie I saw was: "I'm Reed Fish" (on Netflix) and the next movie I want to see is "La Vie En Rose" or "Les Cons".

5. My favorite smell is: pumpkin pie spice or something just coming out of the oven.

6. A weird little quirk I have is: I imagine things happening at a microscopic level. For example, If I spill something I immediately imagine what it looks like soaking into a carpet fiber. I don't know why but it makes me a little OCD sometimes.

7. When I take personality quizzes they always say: You are a strong person who likes to be in control but is sensitive at the same time. Sometimes an interesting combo, especially being married!

new etsy treasures!

2010-03-19T19:13:00.000-07:00

I posted some new treasures on Etsy. Take a look!