Portland Lovelies

Ever since we left Portland last November, I have been looking forward to going back. For many reasons, but mostly to see my sweet friends Monica and Shauna and to go see Stephanie, The Dread Goddess. When we broke down in Spokane, we lost an entire WEEK of good times in PDX...so so so sad. BUT, I did make it in time for our girls day out and will get to spend a week enjoying all that this beautiful city has to offer.

We started the day at Pix Patisserie...a delightful little coffee/sweets shop. They even grind their own hazelnuts into a paste for lattes. Wow. Then we walked across the street and I grabbed a bite of breakfast at Tasty and Sons. Another wow. I ordered up an amazing orange curry glazed potatoes and egg dish and devoured it all. Yum. We arrived at our favorite spot, Akemi Salon with full tummies.

Stephanie was there waiting for us and got right down to business. One of the things I miss the most about having dreads is having someone else mess with my hair. Coloring, cutting, coiffing. Yes, I loved being pampered. So now I have made it a yearly tradition to trek to Portland to see Stephanie.  Stephanie is one of the few people I trust implicitly with my dreads...and I can just relax in her chair and chat away about life and love and rainy days.

There are great magazines and books to read...including a lovely book completely dedicated to typographical tattoos *swoon*. Sitting on the sweet orange couch, there is hot tea available...to accompany the sounds of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and ethereal French music playing in the background. We enjoyed many hours of blissed out dready sisterhood.

After hugs and goodbyes, we headed to MeeSen Thai. This little Thai eatery...with it's open garage-door front (this seems to be commonplace in Portland), decorative glass water pitchers with metal cups, and super friendly waiters won my heart immediately. We had fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce and pad thai for all. Seriously delicious with an amazing vibe.

I was sad to see them go...but not for long! We're all meeting up at the Saturday Market. My sister, Laura, flew into town today from Minneapolis and we're driving to Cannon Beach for the weekend. Yay! More fun to come!

There is an entire photo set to peruse here. And the question of the day is:

"If you've been to Portland, what was your very favorite thing?"

The 12 Project ::: Month 7

Happenings in Month 7:

• This is the first month that we've actually been in the same location as last month! We are going on 8 weeks in Colorado...and have loved every minute! Four of those weeks have been spent in Golden...and we will really miss this community when we leave. It kind of feels like we live here. We know we've been in one place for awhile when the locals know who we are, when we can't go downtown without running into someone we know, and when we already have "weekend traditions". :) We have plans to head to Bozeman next week after Matt's job here is done, and we are really looking forward to that!
• My mom and dad just couldn't stay away, and within 10 days of leaving us the first time, they were back out here for another week. We had TONS of fun...again :) We rented bikes and biked all over Golden...it was so awesome to not worry about packing us into 2 cars to go downtown. Instead we just pedaled our way there! I'm in love with bikes.
• My brother, Daniel, also flies out from Minneapolis quite a bit for business, and we've loved seeing him!
• Bella has made so many friends here...she has been to a birthday party, and regularly goes to the park or the creek with friends and their families. She is growing up before our very eyes...and yet, there are moments when I look into her eyes and see that sweet little 2 year old looking back at me. She loves fashion and dressing up. Makeup and nail polish and such are beloved items. Although, she is very much a "tomboy", so it's a nice mixture :)  Sometimes I will ask her to hold my hand while crossing the street. Sometimes she will, but most of the time she wants to do it all on her own. My heart only breaks a little bit. Luckily, I have another little girl who is just starting to want to hold my hand.
• Lucy is changing daily and becomes more and more adventurous all the time. I can't turn my back for a SECOND in the RV because: she likes to make "art" on the leather couch with pen, she stands on top of the table/counter/dash, she plays in the toilet, she unloads drawers and then sits in them, and she throws things out the window. Oh, and she likes to take her diaper off. She is at the age where she KNOWS what she wants, but doesn't have the words for it. She knows some sign language, but it is still hard sometimes. It's like an all day game of charades...but she totally amazes us at what she understands.

It's been a great month...and we are looking forward to an amazing fall as we head West to Oregon and California. Weeeeeeee!

The 12 Project ::: Month 3

Photo credit: Mike Hedge / Jumping Book

Happenings in Month 3:

We are happily settled at Hill Shade RV Park in Texas...and enjoying every minute. Just tonight I was thinking how much I will miss the peacefulness of the countryside when we leave here. I love watching the cows graze just a few feet away from the RV as I read in my hammock chair. It's quite lovely.

We are far away from things we used to take for granted...coffee shops, Thai food, and kale. :) The nearest big city is Austin (or San Antonio)..we're about an hour from each.  We are getting more accustomed to the drive..although sometimes I do wish we were a BIT closer.

We have been hanging out with some amazing families here. Read about them in detail over at Happy Janssens. I haven't blogged about Mike Hedge yet, but will soon. He is the fabulous photographer (and just a super fun person in general) who took the "Jump Shot" above. He is on a cross-country tour right now taking photos for his "Jumping Book". Be sure to check it out! We met Mike through Tiffani....I love the intermingling of friendships on the road.

I blogged about starting to run again...and that has been a blast. I'm having such run gallivanting around the countryside. I feel more energized already and I'm sleeping better. I'm LOVING the FiveFingers too. I never want to put on normal shoes anymore...they are quite addicting.  I'm reading Born To Run right now and it's just starting to get good...I love it.

Matt has been keeping busy finding RV's for people, doing some projects at the RV park, taking care of the girls when I'm working, and just being an amazing husband and daddy in general.

Bella has had a great month and is loving playing with the kids here at Hill Shade. Her birthday is in 2 days, so we are gearing up for that.

Lucy is working on her 6th tooth now! She has 3 on the top and 2 on the bottom. She changes EVERY day. It's such a blessing to watch her interact with Bella...they actually "play" with each other now and it's a hoot. Her little personality is so vibrant.

My parents are here right now and that has been super fun. I love my family. Lots of photos coming soon.

We are getting excited to head back to the midwest for the summer...so much to love there.