summmHER

It's really kicked up these days. The heat, that is.

Trying to squeeze every last drop out of the sunshine is just too easy. Here are a few pictures taken over stunning Labor Day weekend. Things that weren't recorded: three shooting stars, sleeping in my car,  hilarious adventure with a new friend, blueberry pie, conversation with sister, and the most delicious night of sleep post-volcano hike.

I'm anxious for all of the stone&smith work that I've been ignoring for the last few weeks. There are ideas and visions pumping through my veins - but, soon enough.

For now, get outside. Soak in those rays.

The days are getting shorter already and though I'm already noticing my sweaters, tea mugs and boots out of the corner of my eye with excitement, this sunchild don't want to say goodbye.

On that note, off to the river!

Tid-Bits

Is everyone on vacation right now? Trying to make doctors appointments, meeting requests, and random errands has never been so tough. Maybe I should quit trying and spend every waking minute cooling off at the river. 

I've collected a few images on my work computer that, in no particular order, are awesome to me. I receive the Design*Sponge email each morning and my favorite element is the Before/After. It makes me want to re-stain and re-paint and re-upholster everything in sight just 'cause so much of it comes out so damn cool looking. There is also a section where people fill in what they love most about their studios/homes. Now that my basement studio is close to completion, maybe I should post some photos about my favorite new hideaway in this world. Anyways, for those of you on vacation, enjoy. And for those basking in the heat, join me at the river!

This is my boy James and I. He's the best.

hoodrats for a day

After a pretty low-key weekend, we stole away yesterday for a jaunt in Hood River. All of the mountains were out and there was nothing but blue sky for miles. Add to that fields of fresh fruit, lavender, shaded nooks and wineries then topped it off with a BBQ at Sophie's momma's house: there you have it, Sunday.

new perspective

Friends, lovers, those both far and near. Summer is ACTUALLY here.

I know this blog claims excitement of sunshine and things in bloom often, but it's only because life is most fun to report on when the clouds subside from this valley and people actually leave their house (I am one of the worst culprits with my proclivity to hide from the world with endless cups of tea & room-dwelling). Alas.

With only 5 days of July under our feet, I can claim to have:

turned 26 (yay!) - discovered and befriended the owner of a new restaurant - camped on a mountainside - packed up half my sh*t for the upcoming move - eaten one half of a dungeoness crab - pumped up my bicycle tires - eaten dinner outdoors every night - smelled like campfire for 24 hours - napped in the sunshine - danced to chromeo - become the proud owner of my very own blow torch - listened to countless new tunes...

and... taken pictures of new items for the shop! All available here.

 

and of course, my partner in crime

jim james

We spent an close to perfect summer evening last night listening to my morning jacket at a outdoor venue just east of Portland. Outdoors. Surrounded by hills. Blue sky. PBR. Blankets. Perfect temperature.

Summer. FINALLY!

mango me

I can't... stop... eating... mangos. I've been solely consuming one a day for what feels like the entirety of March (which, by the by, where did this month go?) While chowing this morning's mango, I became not what I would describe as bored, but rather reflective on the fact that I could add some culinary skills to this latest obsession. I did a bit of research and now my mouth is watering again...

prosciutto-wrapped mango bites

avocado mango salad

for the meat lover in all of us: curry pan fried mango chicken

and, a slight derivation: arugula avocado mango salad

summer weekends

BBQ's, farmers market, visitors, getting lost on bikes, new friends, river tubing, sleeping in (finally!), beers by the river, taco nights, music on the streets, and messy bedrooms.

mm, mmm, Tacos

Caroline's friends stayed with us for a few days last week and on top of their incredible respect of our space and time, created a full-on, from-scratch, oh-so-colorful summer dinner. The salsas are made from fresh squeezed lime, grilled peaches, roasted tomatoes and peppers. The meat was hand rubbed with a mixture of coriander and spices. There were two pairings, one vegetarian and one meat-based. Look at these colors...

The chefs, Jess & Jalal

The two of them just graduated from the Public Health program at Tufts and are moving from Boston to San Francisco (by train!). They planned it well and stopped in various places along the way, including Portland. And we ate tacos.


Thanks, Jess & Jalal!