Wii have lots of fun together

The grandparents bought my kids a Wii game system for Christmas.

Genius I say.

I'm partial to the game, Wii Fit Plus.
It's fun.
It's addictive.

It's my workout.

And I get to design my Mii.

I love my teenage son's comment....
I don't want to make one if I can't have a handlebar mustache.

Snow Day

The snow began falling. Little flakes here and there.

Big flakes. Little flakes.

It stopped. It started.

Stopped. Started.

"Is it sticking?"

Yes, it stuck.



Only for a day.

A snow day.

....one more gift.

Love these. Very fun. Drinking glasses made from bottles. Brilliant.

They can be found at Nick Paul's etsy shop. He notes that he can turn any glass bottle with a painted or embossed label into a drinking glass.

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Decorating the Tree

We got the tree and put the kids to work.

They did good.

Merry Merry.

More gifts...

More local art.
Portland is localish. Right?

Anyway, Rachel Austin has some beautiful work. I love her use of maps.

This is titled Birds and Poppies. It's an archival print on premium matte paper. Peek at Rachel's etsy store for more.

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Champagne, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Porto.....it goes on and on.

Visit a local wine shop for a bottle of the good stuff. Grand Vines is on Court and High.

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Isn't this fun? I'm easily amused, I know.

It's the Gin & Titonic. Take a gander at one of my favorite online sites, fredflare.com and order your gin & titonic ice cube tray.

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Bust a move with this how-to book.

Pick up The Best Dance Moves in the World...Ever at fredflare.com

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Par Avion. Air Mail!

The Airmail Pouch is on my gift giving list (to myself?)

Again, visit fredflare.com for all of these wonderful trinkets and much, much more.

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As those that read this blog are aware, I love heading over to La Capitale for a nightcap every so often. A gift certificate to one of our local area restaurants couldn't be a better gift.

How about...

La Capitale Brasserie
Venti's
Wild Pear
DaVinci Ristorante
Word of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro
and the newest of the bunch
Willamette Burger Company

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I can't resist adding one more.  These are felted pebble hand soaps. FUN!

I love, love, love, love, love felted objects. Delica has a beautiful selection of felted pebbles, bowls, coasters and jewelry. (Check out the acorns.)

Visit her etsy shop to pick up these wonderful soaps.


May your holiday season be filled with laughter and warmth.

Need gifts?

I've been zooming the interwebs and have decided to post some fun holiday gift ideas.

Here are today's picks:

Who could resist this wonderful 2010 calendar created by artist Amy Rice?

The calendar can be purchased directly from Amy. More info found here.

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A stylie but functional way to transport lunch.

This is the 3 tier tiffin from Happy Tiffin. You can buy different sizes and even pick up a tiffin with a colorful insulated bag.

I must note that the tiffins can be periodically out of stock. Go here for more information.

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How about a night out on the town in Portland? The Mark Spencer Hotel is my sister-in-law's favorite place to stay when she visits. They have wonderful Theater Package deals and their close proximity to Powell's Books is an extra bonus.

Take advantage of one of these. They have a Museum Package, a Theater Arts Package or a Book Worm package. Link here for more info.

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Local art is a good thing.
I've been admiring Elizabeth Bauman's paintings from afar for quite a while.

You can see more of her work at her etsy site.

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And finally this beautiful brooch designed and created by Tina Tarnoff.

This brooch was created from a print of one of her papercut images. Again, visit her etsy store for more lovelies. I'm also fond of her typewriter set.

A happy and peaceful holiday to all. Enjoy the quest.

Portland Center Stage - A Christmas Carol

My son's less than stellar test score on "A Midsummer Night's Dream" has turned out to be a boon for me. Extra credit involves seeing plays (for us) and writing reports (for him).

"Holidazed" was already on the list for my husband and myself and now we've added three more plays to see in December.

Today's Sunday matinee of Portland Center Stage's "A Christmas Carol" was delightful.

Our seats were front row which was a bit too close. The sets were amazing and the production was fun. Effects were well done. Ooooh Spirits.

Next weekend is Salem Repertory's "A Christmas Memory".

And the weekend after that is "Twelfth Night".

It's always fun to enjoy a night out in Portland.






And what's a night out without seeing one police car in action?

Playing in the Mud

A muddy pitch makes for muddy boots.

A relaxing Wednesday

Loving a weekday respite in Portland.

Cocktails at the hotel lounge - Driftwood.
Dinner with extended family at Henry's Tavern.
Fried pie at Whiffies.
A great night at Hotel DeLuxe and sleeping in on a Wednesday.

Love it.


Next on the agenda:

Coffee, coffee, coffee
A nice walk around Portland
A movie - 'Damned United'
Finally, a visit with good friends and their new addition, Henry

gaz, michelangelo, raphael

Halloween timeline

Costume prep
Hair prep
Makeup
Final assembly
Rules
Ahhhh mom
.
Smiles
Plans

Candy coma....
and a pencil from the guv

Happy Halloweenie!

Samhain

Day of the Dead

All Hallow's Eve

However you celebrate.
Cheers.

Our menu:

Chili

Thai spiced pumpkin soup (recipe from 101 cookbooks)

Cheese bread

Apple crisp

Rum spiced cider

Lots of candy. (Watch out for those Milk Duds.)

Trick or Treat

The View Point Inn as a Birthday Destination

This last spring I was lucky enough to be part of the thirteen year birthday celebration for a wonderful girl I know, Em. Specifically, she is my college roommate's eldest daughter.

Now, in 2009 most thirteen year old's are familiar, if not briefly obsessed, with the Twilight series of books by Stephenie Meyer. (Em was no exception. I myself was no exception and I'm not thirteen anymore.)

Em's mother organized a wonderful night at The View Point Inn. This Inn was used in the filming of the movie adaptation of Twilight, specifically for portions of the prom scene.

We stayed the evening in The Roosevelt Suite, a beautiful two-room delight. The oldies read and chatted while the youngies played music and games, perused magazines and munched on junk food. As it was a suite, there was ample room for separation of us oldies from the youngies. What thirteen year old wants to hang out with her mom and friends?

The Inn is near enough to Troutdale that we were able to brave the winding road down to I-84 and head over to McMenamin's Edgefield for dinner and a pint (for the oldies of course) at the Power Station Pub and Theatre.

In the morning, we were served brunch in a beautiful dining area, adjacent to a great room with a lovely fire. Brunch was outstanding. I enjoyed the Dungeness Crab Benedict but eyed the wonderful looking Crown Point Burger from afar. Perfect.

Em's sister El, ordered tea and a few sides, including fruit, english muffin, and yogurt with granola. It was presented beautifully on a tray with tea service. What a delight.

The view, for which The View Point Inn is likely named, overlooks the Columbia River and is amazing. Why don't you see for yourself.

La Capitale and Spanish Coffee

I know a few people who like to go La Cap'n and when they do you'll find them at La Capitale, a stellar French bistro on the corner of State and High in downtown Salem.

I'm part of 'that' crowd.

La Cap is the perfect spot for meeting friends for a cocktail or two. It's comfort, with style.

It's where you can order a lavender martini, peach julep, sidecar or experience the absinthe fountain.

What I love:

The ambience at the bar
An open kitchen
Fresh ingredients
Outdoor seating
Pommes frites
Infused liquors
Black & white movies
Fresh herbs on the bar
The absinthe fountain
Booze and coffee

Oh, and I can't forget Rob the bartender.

Speaking of booze and coffee and Rob the bartender. He makes a spectactular Spanish coffee, not only is it tasty but it's a visual delight.

I love the welcome.

Motherhood is a roller coaster

Sometimes you read something that totally hits you in your gut.

That is what happened when I read a recent post of Ree Drummond's from her Confessions of a Pioneer Woman website/blog. Her post These Are the Days reminded me of some of the care free moments from my kids' early days.

My kids are now either teens or tweens and heading down their own path. This often translates to willful, stubborn and sassy. Don't get me wrong, they are amazing and wonderful but gone are the days of their carefree innocence.

Here's to yesterdays grins and tomorrow's adventures. Thank goodness they're still cheeseballs...

La Perla Tapatia has simple, good food

Enjoying a simple day.

San Xavier Mission del Bac

An amazing church in Tucson, founded in 1692 by a Jesuit priest. The present church was built in 1783.

Now that the weather is beginning to turn I once again remember the wonderful warmth of Tucson in spring.

The Killers 9.24.09 ~ My daughter's first concert

San Juan Style

Our summer holiday on Lopez Island mid August was all I hoped. Family, relaxation and adventure. Okay, the adventure part was a little tame I admit.

Top 10 memories from Lopez Island:

1. The Island Wave

2. Sunfish (as opposed to Starfish)

3. Crabbing attempts

4. Walks in the woods

5. Sitting back in the lounge chair

6. Meditteranean Fish Stew

7. Self serve ice cream in the Lopez Village Store

8. Kayaking

9. Boys playing in the sand

10. Bike rides

Oh wait, one of my most favorite things were the sunsets. As you can see.....

Here are a few:

I'm planning on going back next summer.

Saturdays Are Wonderful

Saturdays are wonderful.

Soccer games, road trip, street fair, playing with a five year old with an impish grin, shaved ice, trying a new cheese (mmmm), and a beautiful sunset.

Soccer games were forgettable, unfortunately. A few good plays but no score thus no wins.

Road trip up to Portland and back.

The Mississippi Street Fair was excellent. It went forever. My favorites were - the superhero, cool hats, hip art, bucket drums and the cellist Adam Hurst.

The five year old was cute and had a friend. He loved lime shaved ice. He had a dirty face. He was bored and preparing to flop at New Seasons until he met the iPhone.

Shaved ice is always good. Lime and Mango today.

New cheese was smooth and peppery. Pyrenees Peppercorn. Went well with the fig spread.

And a beautiful sunset ends the day.

Portland Timbers - The Army in Action 7.1.09