Wise Craft

tuesday's portland

Had a perfect day in Portland yesterday. Perfect.

I ate my way through the city...

using fabric stores as important landmarks...which makes total sense, right?...

and beautiful terrariums. (Had a dream about that giant terrarium last night.)

I left Seattle Tuesday morning and had three hours in the car with this incredible person, all to myself. Yes, she is as fun and interesting to talk to in person as you would imagine her to be. We arrived in Portland, promptly parked and made ourselves at home at Melissa's (which is always my first stop in Portland, I recommend it to everyone, there's always good coffee and warm welcomes there, it feels like home), then we three toured the town, before meeting up with some of my favorite people*. Portland trips fill me with nothing but good. There is no "getting to know you", its chat, catch up, filled with the "but wait, you already know about that" 's.

 

Our warm sunny weather seems to have temporarily left our fair city. Tonight the I'm taking the kids to the zoo to see The B-52's, where we will dance and be silly, come rain or shine.

Summer is most excellent so far.

*A blanket apology to these ladies for my continuous goofy smile and blabbering on so. It really wasn't the wine. I tend to do that when I get to Portland.

Oh who am I kidding? I do that everywhere.

raingutter regatta

We are back. (I think we are back~I'm a little tired, but I'm looking around~yes! it appears we are back). We got back late last night early this morning from a lovely trip to a little island off the coast of Florida. Before I dip back into the cocktail of laundry and sorting that I'm enjoying today, I had to peek out and say hello (Hi!) and tell you about our Raingutter Regatta. Probably one of my favorite kid's activity ideas ever!

Peter's parents hold a raingutter regatta for kids and adults on the island each year. This year was a pirate-themed regatta, hence the menacing flag hanging outside the house. There were pirate bandannas and tattoos for everyone (and braids, of course)-

Divided into teams of 4, the members collaborate and design their boats, and come up with a name. There were boat kits, paint, hot glue guns, stickers, etc. available to embellish the boats. Some serious designers, like Peter, got crazy with the aerodynamic sanding and we finally had to take it away from him-

Our team's name was chosen by Emma and Ian, The Revenge (revenge against what Peter and I still don't know). Emma designed the sail and collaborated with Ian on the hull-

more serious design collaboration-

 

When the boats are ready, we headed over to the raingutters, set up out of the wind, which was a little strong that day-

 

The first "sailor" puts on the life jacket, blows the boat down the gutter, sort of like this practice run-

 

You reach the end of the gutter, take off the life jacket and hand it to the next team member, who puts it on and flips the boat around, and blows it back to the other side. So much fun!

Raingutter Regattas have been around for ions, started by the Cub Scouts. It is such a great party idea I think we may have to turn Ian's summer birthday into a regatta this year.

Okay, I will be back with more soon enough. Hope you are all well in the meantime.

Portland, I should really see you more often...

I'm back from my whirlwind trip to Portland, made it in time for the school Halloween parade and party. I wasn't even away 24 hours, but it was nice.

The 3191 party was beautifully done, the series of photo diptych prints from the book are gorgeous. They have an acrylic front that I really didn't even pick up on until I saw them in person, but its a cool way to do them.

Finally meeting Maria, after talking to her online for such a long time (years? in a way that's true) was great. It was so much fun to share such a special evening with Maria and Stephanie. It makes me all mushy and happy about this whole blogging community we share.

I kept Melissa and Paul up way too long last night, trying in vain to cram a whole bunch of blathering into one night. I barely even scratched the surface.

Till I started yawning too much and they pointed me towards the comfiest bed in town.

I feel like there's just tons more good Portland food to eat, Portland shopping to do, Portland people to see. But I couldn't help it, I was a wee bit distracted, you see...

Hannah, he's mine...

Thank you Portland peeps.

home from the range

Our trip to Colorado last week was just what we needed. Peter has been working himself silly on our business, I've been on full-time kid duty with whatever company work thrown in I could manage on the side, so it was time to get out of town and relax. One last vacation trip before we kick into Fall gear. Its the first time we've had a laptop and wireless way up there at the house all at the same time (9000 ft up, nestled between the Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountain ranges, let's just say there have been snowy days there when I hung myself outside the 2nd floor window with a broom while someone anchored my feet, just so I could brush off the satellite dish to get some internet service.) I thought I would be posting, but the lazy pace got the best of me. I started the journey home fully inspired. It really fills my spirit to leave home and put myself in surroundings I actually see, if know what I mean?

The clouds I saw there! Once the weather turned sunny, midway during our stay, I spent so much time looking at those amazing clouds, I was practically tripping over my own feet. The setting of the Colorado open range makes me appreciate them like nowhere else. You can almost reach them! You could slice those thick thunder clouds with a knife.

Of course, in Seattle I see plenty of clouds, but rarely mixed with that blue. Truly breathtaking.

I noticed that the Anthropologie Fall collection is inspired by the west too (love those cactus and white dust outfits).

Ian turned 7 years old while we were there, an event he's been talking daily about for at least 2 months (no pressure for the perfect party, huh?!). We are so very lucky to have this boy in our lives, he has such a joy about him, I hope he never loses it. He took his first solo horseback ride that day, took his first fall off said horse, ate some dirt, scratched himself up (luckily no further injuries), and got back on the horse. It was not easy for him to get back on and ride again. I told him that he MUST be older and stronger. He later agreed with me, when he had the time to think about it.

I am feeling the essence of Fall seeping into our daily lives. Do you feel it yet? Fall is my favorite, hands down. I think its because I find comfort in a certain amount of routine, the feeling of the world exhaling from Summer, things becoming tucked in.

More tomorrow. Be well.

treasures

Thank you all so so much for the birthday wishes yesterday.  It was quite interesting to have a birth day on 4 hours of sleep (Gracie doesn't really get the concept of sleeping in), and a full day of air travel the day before (epic and exhausting).  I felt every bit of the age I am (which is now 42 if anyone's counting besides me), it weirded me out a little.  Like, bam, I woke up older in too many ways. 

Today, thank god, is much better, I don't feel old, at least not as old as I did yesterday.

So, the shells in Florida were incredible in every way.  On Wednesday, we boated over to a small island close to us, Cayo Costa, and spent the morning looking for shells.  We all brought home bags of them.  Each little shell was so lovely, it was kind of making me crazy to pass them up.  Just look at them!  After a soak in a water/bleach solution, they are ready to be made into something, I haven't decided what yet.  Its nice just to look at them for now.

It was by far Emma's favorite day of the entire trip, and that is saying a lot.  Today I peeked over her shoulder at a story she was writing about looking for shells that day.  (And those sand dollars didn't make it home, we left them there.  That sea urchin however...that baby is all mine.  It's perfect.)

Shells are such sweet reminders of how perfect nature can be.  I think all these neutral, washed out grays and whites were heavily influencing my color choice when I picked out new paint for my studio yesterday.  It will feel so clean and nice in here when its done.

I came home to so much good mail, which has taken an old person like myself a couple of days to get through, I'll share in the next few days. 

safe landing

Hello!  We got home very late last night/early this morning from an incredibly relaxing week of sand and sun off the Florida coast.  I think I rinsed the last of that beautiful white sand off me in the shower this morning.  Its such a jolt to the system to be dropped off in the drippy, chilly weather that greeted us here in Seattle.  Though I do have a little suntan to wear with the wooly sweaters I've pulled back out, and for some reason that makes it not so bad.

We collected shells, we swam in the pool, we hung out together.  It was just what we needed around here.  I can't wait to share all the images that inspired me on this trip!

Oh, and today is my birthday.  And, although I am in dire need of some really good sleep and quite loopy from the lack of it, it was a lovely day.  (and Lisa, however you managed to remember that I got older today, thank you!).

I've missed you guys, hope to catch up on sleep tonight, then what you all up to tomorrow.  Till then...

junebug, easterbug, birthdaybug

We are home after spending a week in North Carolina with my family (Peter called this the "full immersion" trip for me, started off perfectly by watching this movie before we left).  My mom had this Easter basket out at her house, I supposedly made it years ago (I barely remember, but am sure I did).  It now has the kid's dyed Easter eggs mixed in with it.

Everything was blooming...

My mom's beloved pink azaleas ...

My all time favorite...dogwoods.  These remind me of my grandmother, of the south, of being a kid.

lots of really good small town thrifting...

I must say again how much your comments and emails over our run of bad luck have meant to me.  The outpour of support has been overwhelming.  I hope it didn't appear to anyone that I was overcome by sadness because of the blog break I took, quite the contrary (can I even begin to tell you the ton of sewing I did!?)  I am currently stalking my neighbor's house, waiting for them to get home so I can collect mail.  I have a feeling there is some good stuff in there.

Oh, and today's my birthday!  Yep, for today...everyone around here is on Blair's program.  And we are heading out to see if I can use my renewed southern drawl to get a good deal on some large pots for our patio.  I'll let you know how I do.

Hoping to catch up with everyone in the coming week.  Hope you are well.

starting

Happy New Year!  We are home from a week long stay at my in-law's ranch in Colorado.  We were snowed in for most of the trip, driving into town on the last day to check mail and go to the market (a 30 minute drive).  Its such a wonderful place to renew our spirits.  The views and surrounding mountains are quite humbling and peaceful.  Nothing much more to do while there except slow down, read, laugh, craft with loved ones.  Much needed downtime.  You can see some of my favorite pictures from our stay on Flickr. 

Onward to 2007.  I love January.  It feels renewing.  Clean slate-ish. Its kind of my "power-thru" month.  Getting things done, making things happen.  This quilt top is going to get some well-deserved attention.  Its been sitting there, clean and ready, waiting.  We are in the mood to put paint to walls.  Although I first have to finish up some Christmas that didn't get done in time (sorry mom).

I came home to a full in-box (the last few posts were pre-written and set to publish while I was away from the computer).  I am working to get back to everyone.  I loved the response to the deer (I'm still in love with them, and yes, I think that large middle one made of wood is a moose).  And oh yes, I am going to make something like that fabric one.

Don't forget that bidding officially starts today for the Kim Family Benefit.  I can't believe all the gorgeous items that are included.  Good thing I squirrelled away some cash.

on island time...

We are back from a weekend on San Juan Island.  We were given the incredible gift of a stay at a friend's vacation home and how lovely it was.  After a painless hour and a half ferry ride over to Friday Harbor (our ferry system is notorious for its long wait lines and we were prepared for the worst), we ate dinner at a brew pub, then settled in.  Its so nice to stay in a house, a comfortable house, when away on a trip.  We immediately felt relaxed and sleepy, I'm sure its because there was not one thing lacking in our accommodations.  The next day, we went whale watching at Lime Kiln and at the American Camp.  Later that evening, Peter and I treated ourselves to a nice dinner out while our kids stayed back at the house and played with the director of the local preschool.  The photo below is of lavender bunches we cut at a local farm.  We hung and left them to dry on the curtain rods at the house.

Now we are home, happy and tired.  More checking in on you guys in the morning.  Right now, we need to get the kids ready for bed and continue watching season one of Carnivale, which we've almost finished.  Love the weirdness and the cinematography, although I feel I need a glass of water with me while watching it- a lot of dust storms.

city girl back from cowboy country

We're back from a relaxing week of vacation at my in-law's ranch in southern Colorado.  Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, at an altitude of almost 9000 feet in the sky, this is American cowboy country, without a doubt.

Prairie dogs, bobcats, rattlesnakes, western tanagers, buffalo, red-tailed hawks, deer fawns, elk, swarms of hummingbirds (the picture above is one sitting on Emma's hand).  All this, and the sky seems close enough to actually reach out and touch.  With plenty of time to take it all in.

I always laugh at myself.  No matter what I bring in my suitcase to wear, I always feel like a city fish plunged into country water (my Liberty print blouse quickly felt out of place without spurs and cowboy boots- note to self: get some cowboy boots).  But the people are incredibly warm, friendly, and welcoming (and quick to thank their Seattle visitors for the drought-ending afternoon rain showers we seemed to have magically brought with us). 

A week away from home like this last one always redefines my personal comfort zone.  Its tight, I've never had a risky streak, far from it.  I've never been described as "outdoorsy" or "athletic", most definitely not a thrill-seeker.  I am usually forced or coerced slightly, out of my tight little comfort zone, because asking me would most likely illicit a "no", accompanied by an "are you kidding" kind of chuckle.  Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate being forced to try new things, but I usually am only into being in said new situation for, oh, about 15 minutes, quickly feeling I have done it and survived, now ready to look for the nearest coffee shop, museum, or library (reading about it, that's good).  But, none of that on trips like this.  A few days ago, I found myself on a beautiful horse named Electra, on a tour through heavily wooded areas with trees I was expected to steer around.  Thank God Electra just seemed to know what to do.  And so did Emma, I realized quickly that she is a natural on a horse, impressive even.  So, before I realized it, my comfort zone was gone.  I am there....I am experiencing being there...I am very thankful.

Another thing I love about visiting there is that I have time to reflect on my Native American heritage.   Their home is rich with beautiful history and artifacts.  Above is a picture of an infant cradle board, with baby shoes and a handmade rattle.  These hung outside the bedroom I stayed in, giving me lots of chances to stop and look at them.

I have lots more to share with you.  I'm playing the usual catch up this week- laundry, restocking our fridge and pantry, but in between all that, I'll be in touch.  I tried to answer some emails while away and I now realize that I don't have those helpful little email symbols to let me know I answered a message because I wasn't doing it from my home computer.  So, now I completely confused, but I'll figure it out.  If you are waiting on a response from me, email me again. 

I missed you all!  I missed you house, I missed you blooming flowers- that- popped- up- while- I- was- away, I missed you mail, I missed you bed, I missed you coffeemaker....