EVENT SCHEDULED:
Author: Jen Morris
Title: Granddaddy’s Hands
Event Date: Saturday, April 10th
Event Time: 11:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Store Address:
Walk in the Park
280 N Grant St
Canby, OR 97013
(503) 651-1957
1 day ago
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Brew Pub Crawl
I had an amazing FIRST yesterday...my first brew pub crawl in the microbrew capital of the northwest. Our friend the pretzel guy, Mike, put it together and around 20-30 people from different walks of life showed up. I don't know much about beer or even like it so much but I hear that it's not all budweiser here so I was willing to give it a try. I had met a guy named Chris at Prost! three weeks prior and after giving me a mini lesson on German beers and picking two out for me that I actually liked, we switched emails and planned to go out and try more of Portlands famous brews. Our schedules didn't match up until last night, we planned to meet at McMenamins before the Pub Crawl started and go from there.
I had no idea that there were the "normal" brews that they always have on tap and then the "seasonal" variety and so my lesson began with the fact that McMenamins is not all about Terminator and Ruby Red. I started out on recomendation to try the Sleepy Hollow Nut Brown, a beer that was seasonal but upon overwhelming request to return it to the menu can now be found periodically, I loved it! I also had a sip of his British style Nebraska Bitter, (looks like budwieser but tastes nothing like it!) I also learned very quickly that not all light beers are IPA's and I really don't like IPA's at all. After a very yummy cup of Tomato basil bisque and tater tots, we moved along to meet up with the rest of the group at New Old Lompoc.
On our way down 23rd, an amazing street with tons of quaint little shops, I found a pair of fingerless gloves that I just had to have! Winding our way along, Chris pointed out the local gellato, and kosher sandwichshop, a truely east coast tasting bagel shop and a cash only pizza joint. Finally arriving at the end of the buisness section we found this hole in the wall dingy little building that has an outdoor area covered with heat lamps in back, and is known for their seasonal brews as well as yummy fried food. We met up with Mike and Chris and Mike talked brews till I was so lost, I was very happy to see my friend Yvonne walk through the door. I tried their Winter Warmer, supposedly has spices and stuff in it but it tasted metalic to me, I didn't really care for it. I had a taste of Chris's New Alt...it wasn't bad, better than the winter ale. Now Chis is starting to get an idea for what I do and don't like as the group heads to the next spot.
Lucky Lab was a huge open room long picknic stly tables, grab a beer, grab a pizza, grab a spot and get to know your neighbor! Here Saamanta, Alex, Amy, Camille, her sister Marcie and Chris with the big glasses and skinny jeans finally met up with us. I did not write a note about the beers we tasted here so all I remember is, yep its beer, don't love it don't hate it...NEXT!!!
The group moved onto Bridgeport Brewery, and now we have moved from hole in the wall to old dusty hall room to uptown industrial renovated place, very cool architecture, mixed old wood beams, red brick and steel buttresses. Here, Jacquie showed up and I had finally bought a pretzel necklace and met a new guy, (name forgotten sorry) who is vegan not only in the food department but as an ethical life style choice. I told him not to look at my boots. He said the only people who wear furs are eskimos and "insert a not so nice word." I laughed and said "Phew! Lucky I'm an Eskimo then!" I ordered a sampler which had 8 different beers on tap, and I only liked three of them. The Blue Heron Pale Ale, The Porter, and the Scotch Ale. Chris drank the rest.
On the way to the next joint Chris, Jacquie and I stopped at a new vino bar and shared an amazing bottle of Sol De Uco Syrah! Now that is more my style! Next we were tempted with a dessert place that had the most amazing creme brulee with pepper and berry flavers so light you could hardly tell, and raspberry truffle and a vegan cheese cake. Chris and I shared a cigar, an experience I have not had for 11 years, and as good as it was will not do again for another 11 years! We didn't miss much as some girl in the group had a tif with the bar tender and they moved onto the next one pretty quickly.
There we met up with the rest of my friends, PV and Huebert had finally joined the party, but too late for me. By this time I was giving out pecks on the cheek and needed some real food and my bed. I was meeting lots of new strangers and the beers were all tasting the same, my pallet was gone and it was time to call it a night. Chris, his friend Brook, Jacquie and I went to Gasthaus for some food and Jacquie took me home. 8am I was up and on my way to work...good times :)
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Mississippi Avenue: One block at a time!
Good morning! I promised you I would describe Mississippi Avenue and so I shall, one block at a time.
I am going to start at Skidmore and Mississippi and work my way down to where the road dives under a mass of freeway interchanges. There are so many dynamics to this little street I now call home. It is the epitome of Portland in so many ways, in all of its many little nooks and crannies. This city is made up of "Mississippi Avenues" all over, each with its own interesting flare. Ask any Portlander to describe their area, be it Hawthorne or Belmont, Alberta or Mississippi, NW 21st or Hollywood, Pearl, and Alphabet districts. They will be quick to tell you of their favorite beer on tap, book store, and Batista with free wi-fi and local market. There are so many great little corners here and I have the privilege of living and exploring one of these many delightful attractions. There are as many great characters here as there are places. I don't remember names well but I will do my best to give you a feel for the service that goes along with place.
First is what I have dubbed "the food carts." They are located in what would be Prost's parking lot, a small German Pub that has the feel of any small tavern in Gerberau...but I am getting ahead of myself. I visit the food carts every Saturday morning for a cup of Organic coffee from DOGFATHER, a cart that is run by a man and woman who by today's standard would be considered the "local hippy's of yesteryear." He loves Buddy because he had a dog like him once and being a very "dog friendly and peace loving" decor cart he always has treats on hand. Today though, since it is Sunday so a break in tradition is always warranted, I decided to go for the fresh squeezed juice instead. Apple carrot pear orange, was my flavor though you could add pineapple, blueberry, cranberry, or ginger for free. Mix and match any combo you like, he says you can't go wrong! Next door is THE BIG EGG which always has a line and smells heavenly. Everything on the menu of course, has an egg in it thus I am unable to taste it's goods without negative side effects but if it's consistent line says anything about it, I'm sure it's a local favorite. Next is the NATIVE BOWL which I ordered their Alberta Bowl today, Grilled tofu, fire breathing dragon sauce, jasmine rice, shredded cabbage, carrots and scallions. Awesome! They have other selections themed appropriate to their name and sloggan "think global, eat local" like Couch Bowl (chinese flare) and Mississippi Bowl (BBQ twist.) Both sounded awesome and I will have to go back to taste the other flares of this husband wife run food cart. I had such a hard time choosing that she let me taste the different sauces which made it even harder then since they were all delicious! She also gave Buddy some "cookies." The SUSHI TREE was closed up so I will have to explore it another time and you know I will! Next door was a interesting twist as it's pouring rain outside and there is just a tent without warmth to it yet they serve you like you are sitting in a warm Chinese restaurant, with tea cups and glass tea pot on a bamboo tray while waiting for your cuisine! There is also the option "to-go" and the RUBY DRAGON sounded delightful. Their board boasted in colorful chalk of Abbot with Yammies and the Grandmaster with Yam, spinach, pepper and Tofu. Yes, this description left me curiously in the dark but still wanting a taste of the obscure. Unfortunately I had already made my order and it was ready "to-go." The last three food carts were also closed up so SUGAR CUBE, SOUTH WESTERN PIZZA COMPANY and NUEVO MEXICO will have to wait to be sleuthed at a different moment in time. I have driven by in the evening when all of the carts were open and wished I could stop. So come out of the parking lot and into the pub where the folks are friendly and the bar tender greets the regulars by name and they come and go. You're welcome to bring food cart purchases in as long as your drinking.
Drink often enough at this place and you get your own bar stool you can kick people off when you visit. I don't remember how many cards it takes (more than 20?) but it's 50 beers per card...quite a feat I must say. The food is AMAZING!!! and the tables long and cozy, very much like Europe, come in find yourself a "SEAT" get to know your neighbors. I love it! I wish I could remember the menu, it was all in German anyway, so I asked my neighbor from Jersey to pick something for me. Both beers were amazing and the food was to die for. He wrote his address on a coaster and said there were plenty of great beer spots around if I cared for a tour...and so I shall take him up on that offer soon as there are spots on his list right here on Mississippi! Moving along across the street is an old place housing Thai Cuisine and a Laundromat! Interesting, didn't go in, looks a little scary not to mention the combination seems gastronomically lethal.
Next door is a building with lots of space for rent and one very European style grocery store called PASTAWORKS. I am going to be a regular here for fresh baked bread, exotic cheese and wine selection, fresh pasta cut to whatever width you like, local veggies, sauces, meats and sausages, olive oils and other random canned goods. I walked in and asked the woman at the counter to give me "the tour." I'm so glad she did too cause she pointed out all kinds of stuff I would have missed at first glance. She also gave Buddy a doggie biscuit! Other than that there are only two other interesting places on the block other than houses and empty spaces for let. CASA NARANJA is a tapas bar, with weird small plates of food (the steak bites are stellar!) and drinks I didn't try yet AND last but not least, Vintage Real estate which appears to be a billboard more than anything but I haven't explored it too much yet. And now we have arrived at the corner of Mason and Mississippi. Don't mind me as I'm going to escape the pouring rain now by running home to enjoy my juice and Albert Bowl and a pot of hot apple tea.
I am going to start at Skidmore and Mississippi and work my way down to where the road dives under a mass of freeway interchanges. There are so many dynamics to this little street I now call home. It is the epitome of Portland in so many ways, in all of its many little nooks and crannies. This city is made up of "Mississippi Avenues" all over, each with its own interesting flare. Ask any Portlander to describe their area, be it Hawthorne or Belmont, Alberta or Mississippi, NW 21st or Hollywood, Pearl, and Alphabet districts. They will be quick to tell you of their favorite beer on tap, book store, and Batista with free wi-fi and local market. There are so many great little corners here and I have the privilege of living and exploring one of these many delightful attractions. There are as many great characters here as there are places. I don't remember names well but I will do my best to give you a feel for the service that goes along with place.
First is what I have dubbed "the food carts." They are located in what would be Prost's parking lot, a small German Pub that has the feel of any small tavern in Gerberau...but I am getting ahead of myself. I visit the food carts every Saturday morning for a cup of Organic coffee from DOGFATHER, a cart that is run by a man and woman who by today's standard would be considered the "local hippy's of yesteryear." He loves Buddy because he had a dog like him once and being a very "dog friendly and peace loving" decor cart he always has treats on hand. Today though, since it is Sunday so a break in tradition is always warranted, I decided to go for the fresh squeezed juice instead. Apple carrot pear orange, was my flavor though you could add pineapple, blueberry, cranberry, or ginger for free. Mix and match any combo you like, he says you can't go wrong! Next door is THE BIG EGG which always has a line and smells heavenly. Everything on the menu of course, has an egg in it thus I am unable to taste it's goods without negative side effects but if it's consistent line says anything about it, I'm sure it's a local favorite. Next is the NATIVE BOWL which I ordered their Alberta Bowl today, Grilled tofu, fire breathing dragon sauce, jasmine rice, shredded cabbage, carrots and scallions. Awesome! They have other selections themed appropriate to their name and sloggan "think global, eat local" like Couch Bowl (chinese flare) and Mississippi Bowl (BBQ twist.) Both sounded awesome and I will have to go back to taste the other flares of this husband wife run food cart. I had such a hard time choosing that she let me taste the different sauces which made it even harder then since they were all delicious! She also gave Buddy some "cookies." The SUSHI TREE was closed up so I will have to explore it another time and you know I will! Next door was a interesting twist as it's pouring rain outside and there is just a tent without warmth to it yet they serve you like you are sitting in a warm Chinese restaurant, with tea cups and glass tea pot on a bamboo tray while waiting for your cuisine! There is also the option "to-go" and the RUBY DRAGON sounded delightful. Their board boasted in colorful chalk of Abbot with Yammies and the Grandmaster with Yam, spinach, pepper and Tofu. Yes, this description left me curiously in the dark but still wanting a taste of the obscure. Unfortunately I had already made my order and it was ready "to-go." The last three food carts were also closed up so SUGAR CUBE, SOUTH WESTERN PIZZA COMPANY and NUEVO MEXICO will have to wait to be sleuthed at a different moment in time. I have driven by in the evening when all of the carts were open and wished I could stop. So come out of the parking lot and into the pub where the folks are friendly and the bar tender greets the regulars by name and they come and go. You're welcome to bring food cart purchases in as long as your drinking.
Drink often enough at this place and you get your own bar stool you can kick people off when you visit. I don't remember how many cards it takes (more than 20?) but it's 50 beers per card...quite a feat I must say. The food is AMAZING!!! and the tables long and cozy, very much like Europe, come in find yourself a "SEAT" get to know your neighbors. I love it! I wish I could remember the menu, it was all in German anyway, so I asked my neighbor from Jersey to pick something for me. Both beers were amazing and the food was to die for. He wrote his address on a coaster and said there were plenty of great beer spots around if I cared for a tour...and so I shall take him up on that offer soon as there are spots on his list right here on Mississippi! Moving along across the street is an old place housing Thai Cuisine and a Laundromat! Interesting, didn't go in, looks a little scary not to mention the combination seems gastronomically lethal.
Next door is a building with lots of space for rent and one very European style grocery store called PASTAWORKS. I am going to be a regular here for fresh baked bread, exotic cheese and wine selection, fresh pasta cut to whatever width you like, local veggies, sauces, meats and sausages, olive oils and other random canned goods. I walked in and asked the woman at the counter to give me "the tour." I'm so glad she did too cause she pointed out all kinds of stuff I would have missed at first glance. She also gave Buddy a doggie biscuit! Other than that there are only two other interesting places on the block other than houses and empty spaces for let. CASA NARANJA is a tapas bar, with weird small plates of food (the steak bites are stellar!) and drinks I didn't try yet AND last but not least, Vintage Real estate which appears to be a billboard more than anything but I haven't explored it too much yet. And now we have arrived at the corner of Mason and Mississippi. Don't mind me as I'm going to escape the pouring rain now by running home to enjoy my juice and Albert Bowl and a pot of hot apple tea.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Catching up...on sleep.
Someone mentioned recently that my blog hadn't been updated in a while. It made me think, either I've not had anything particular to say or what there was to say wasn't particularly interesting. A lot has happened since I got home, so much so that my bags are still sitting here where I left them with all their contents spilling out. I have spent the last 48 hours, mostly, in bed. I arrived home ready to go camping but plans fell through. As disappointed as I was there was plenty more to fill my plate. First was the Professional Interpreter Happy Hour held at the Green Dragon. I saw interpreters I hadn't seen in years! (We are really good at hiding.) It was nice to finally have an avenue to socialize outside of our jobs. After that, a group went out dancing at Holocene and Sara dragged me out of bed 4 hours later to go to an all day workshop on Demand Control Schema..see I told you, not very interesting. I wish I could tell you that I spent the weekend camping with this really great new old friend of mine, but instead, and probably better for it, I prepared for my first week at PSU.
Sunday night, though when I was out at the Blue Moon, I got asked to go on my first real date in...never mind...so I said sure. Monday was long but I was ready for it. My teammate was blue so Abby and I went out to Prost near my house where we met yet another gentleman who new much about literature and Latin and loved anything German or really anything beer related. He said he'd show me around Portland's greatest pubs if I was so inclined and wrote his email address on a coaster for me.
Tuesday I went on the date with "Blue Moon" after a very long day at PSU. I didn't really think that 4 very technical classes could wind me like that but I was exhausted. He took me to Ringside Steakhouse where first, there is valet parking only and secondly the waiter was a charming gentleman who knew his stuff. The food was AMAZING and afterward he wanted to know if I'd ever been to Portland City Grill. I said no so we went. It's at the top of the US Bank tower and my what a view! The waitress couldn't wait for us to leave, being a Tuesday evening I'm sure she wasn't happy that we stayed till after last call. He dropped me off and poor guy tried to go in for the kiss! I maneuvered it into a hug, then scrambled out of the car...not interested, sorry folks!
Already short on sleep, Wednesday felt really long (and it's my short day!) I could hardly stay awake, but I met up with Sara at 3 to help her shop for Belize. We had such a great time and ended up going to Kells to celebrate what a stellar shopping job we had done and to meet Bill. Sara he's AWESOME!!! Good luck with that ;) We were catching up and just chillin' over a guiness when this guy asked us if we were interested in joining their party. Sara kindly declined after waiting an uncomfortable eternity for me to practice saying "no." Don't worry I got my chance later because they came back to chat after a few minuets. They were very cute construction workers but I had had my fill of interesting meets this week and just wanted to have a good time with my girlfriend before she went traipsing off to Central America. We closed that place down and so arriving home around 1am AGAIN, I got what little sleep was to be had before a repeat of Tuesday.
Thursday, just about did me in, besides the fact that "Blue Moon" came over afterward for a "leftovers" date. Sealed the deal, I can't be interested in the guy if someone paid me. I kicked him out early and was in bed by 8:30pm. I didn't get out of bed till Saturday at 10:30am. Yep, I skipped Friday and stayed in bed for over 36 hours. And only then did I get up because coffee and waffles was calling my name. Buddy and I took a great walk in the mist to US Bank, then to the coffee shop, then to the waffle shop and home. Then later walked in the pouring rain to this amazing store that is like being back in Europe. Prosciutto, Comte, Puttanesca, vino, brick oven bread, fresh noodles, I was in heaven. I will have to write about all the amazing little shops that are right around the corner from me...when I wake up tomorrow.
Sunday night, though when I was out at the Blue Moon, I got asked to go on my first real date in...never mind...so I said sure. Monday was long but I was ready for it. My teammate was blue so Abby and I went out to Prost near my house where we met yet another gentleman who new much about literature and Latin and loved anything German or really anything beer related. He said he'd show me around Portland's greatest pubs if I was so inclined and wrote his email address on a coaster for me.
Tuesday I went on the date with "Blue Moon" after a very long day at PSU. I didn't really think that 4 very technical classes could wind me like that but I was exhausted. He took me to Ringside Steakhouse where first, there is valet parking only and secondly the waiter was a charming gentleman who knew his stuff. The food was AMAZING and afterward he wanted to know if I'd ever been to Portland City Grill. I said no so we went. It's at the top of the US Bank tower and my what a view! The waitress couldn't wait for us to leave, being a Tuesday evening I'm sure she wasn't happy that we stayed till after last call. He dropped me off and poor guy tried to go in for the kiss! I maneuvered it into a hug, then scrambled out of the car...not interested, sorry folks!
Already short on sleep, Wednesday felt really long (and it's my short day!) I could hardly stay awake, but I met up with Sara at 3 to help her shop for Belize. We had such a great time and ended up going to Kells to celebrate what a stellar shopping job we had done and to meet Bill. Sara he's AWESOME!!! Good luck with that ;) We were catching up and just chillin' over a guiness when this guy asked us if we were interested in joining their party. Sara kindly declined after waiting an uncomfortable eternity for me to practice saying "no." Don't worry I got my chance later because they came back to chat after a few minuets. They were very cute construction workers but I had had my fill of interesting meets this week and just wanted to have a good time with my girlfriend before she went traipsing off to Central America. We closed that place down and so arriving home around 1am AGAIN, I got what little sleep was to be had before a repeat of Tuesday.
Thursday, just about did me in, besides the fact that "Blue Moon" came over afterward for a "leftovers" date. Sealed the deal, I can't be interested in the guy if someone paid me. I kicked him out early and was in bed by 8:30pm. I didn't get out of bed till Saturday at 10:30am. Yep, I skipped Friday and stayed in bed for over 36 hours. And only then did I get up because coffee and waffles was calling my name. Buddy and I took a great walk in the mist to US Bank, then to the coffee shop, then to the waffle shop and home. Then later walked in the pouring rain to this amazing store that is like being back in Europe. Prosciutto, Comte, Puttanesca, vino, brick oven bread, fresh noodles, I was in heaven. I will have to write about all the amazing little shops that are right around the corner from me...when I wake up tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
ALASKA!!!
Well here I am, welcomed by 6 inches of snow and still going. It was an eventful trip, starting with an interpretation appreciation event followed by friends staying out too late, drinking too much and then an early 6am work day followed by cleaning, packing, flying, driving a small nap then playing, plowing, visiting, knitting, eating, tromping...etc. Let me back up just a bit...packed and ready to go my friend Cindy and I went out for fish and chips and then she dropped me off at the airport. Getting through check in was uneventful and the line through security was pretty much in holiday style; long and cheery! I got up to the belt and started "the strip." Off with the coat, off with the shoes, off with the belt (miss please take off ALL your coats) out with the laptop, three bins later I walked through the metal detector and waited for my stuff only to find that I was missing my suitcase. It was still sitting on the other end of the belt where I had left it on the floor. That stopped everything! "Red Alert on belt 3!" I was as red as their alert! All the belts were frozen and the whole long line was craning their necks to see what had stopped their holiday progress. After thoroughly going through my stuff, they called an "all green" and the belts started up again. I got 'redressed' and headed to my gate. I was definitely on an Alaskan flight, sitting at the gate there wasn't an empty seat in sight and many families were spread out on the floor having picnics in their parkas and bunny boots. The conversation was very different than you would hear on the typical Portland street corner. Connections were made the tales got taller with every telling. I enjoyed hearing names and places I knew so well. I was headed home. Then they started to board. The poor stewardess had to ask numerous times for people to sit down and wait their turn. There was no explaining to them that there was a boarding process. They continued to mob until they just let us on the plane. I think we were all just ready to go home. I slept most of the way and upon arriving, there was my mom, next to the cutest Athabaskan family in their kuspuks and furs. "Welcome home JEN!!!" After grabbing my luggage, dad pulled up in his one ton work truck pulling the 28 foot insulation trailer, half full of insulation and mom's mini cooper. While I was "sleeping" a blizzard had started in Anchorage and mom was in doing Christmas shopping, not wanting to plow home in the mini, dad had picked her up and took her to Cattleman's for dinner. It took us almost an hour and a half to drive the 45 miles home. The ditches looked like parking lots, minus the random over turned car. Eventually I crawled in bed after kissing my sweet sleeping nieces...Ahhh! It's good to be home!
TUESDAY
I awoke to a big breakfast of home made sourdough cinnamon rolls and sausage! It was AWESOME!!! Then Kara, Lu and I went to the bank and saw Matt and Myrna and Steve...it was like old home week, can't go anywhere without see folks I love and adore! Then Kara and I went shopping at Target. Afterwards I went home with the girls for naps and to start a knitting project for Christmas while she went to the dentist. Eventually mom and I got the kids up and stuffed them in snow suits, hats and boots, and gloves, and we stuffed them all into the mini and drove down to Cameran. What were we doing? Why "trudging" of course! We trudged through the 2 feet of fresh snow, up to Emma's elbows!, looking for the perfect Christmas tree. We shook the snow off trees down peoples necks, made snow angels, caught snow in our mouths, and eventually found a tree that only had one bald side. Rusty was a good sport as I posed pictures and video ops. And we trudged back out with a 16 footer. It was a good day, arriving home, dad asked if I'd go "help" him plow some folks out, so I jumped in the truck and away we went. I visited while he plowed out the driveways, a few times I shoveled out the tricky hard to get spots, but all in all we got a lot done, though the snow was still coming down pretty hard. We got caught by a customer and had to go dig for C's in a snow bank, dad showed me his new shop and we got home just in time to catch the end of a BBQ rib dinner. Such a good day! So good to be home!
WEDNESDAY
I got up early and went with mom to her dentist appointment. It was still snowing very hard. After I dropped my computer off at Renaissance to be worked on since it crashed the night before. We hit Fred Meyers for Christmas cookie fixin's then started to plow our way home. The windshield wipers kept freezing up and the snow was thick and the roads were disappearing under all the snow, three lanes became one and ditches were piling up with vehicles again. We missed our exit and couldn't keep the window from icing up long enough to get off the highway. It was the scariest ride I've had in a VERY long time. We were both VERY glad to be home and stayed there the rest of the day baking Christmas cookies, playing with kiddos, knitting and sitting by the fire. Watching the snow come down from inside a warm house is so much better than plowing blindly through a blizzard in a mini cooper! That evening we decorated the tree, ran out of lights so dad went out for more lights. We hung lights on the porch at 5 below zero and decorated the tree. Matt and Kaylee dropped in for a visit and all was well with my world. I went to bed feeling safe a cozy surrounded by love and Christmas lights.
THURSDAY
This day was prep day for my book signing events on Friday and Saturday. I still wasn't too keen on driving as the snow was still coming down fairly consistantly so I asked Kara if she wouldn't chauffeur me around. We went to Naomi's house to visit. Sara Brown and her three kids were there so we had a nice visit and the 9 children had a great time playing in the boys bedroom. Reminded me of days gone by when we were young and went a visiting. After that, we went to Palmer and I met with the Fireside Bookstore staff and ironed out details for my event. Leaving there we drove to "Mc Jr. with a star" for play land and lunch time. We pounded out the plan for the rest of the day and headed off to pick up Eli from school. Up at Pandemonium I met Shannon and ironed out details for my second event and then went to Just Imagine Toys with 4 kids! Yes we are insane, it was so fun! I also got to see Shelly and her twins which is a big reason I go there every year. The kids were so good except when it was time to go, it was hard to tear ourselves away from all the wonderful toys. Finally we came home to find that the "other women' had been busy making candy all day! After dinner I sat down and finished off two of my leggings, 4 to go!
FRIDAY
Today was Eli's pizza party.It had stopped snowing! We were all moving really slow so we had a lazy morning and eventually made it to Pizza Hut to celebrate their class reading over 100 books! Arriving back at school, we saw Logan Snyder (8th grader, facebook and family friend of mine) who was showing off his lynx he had shot the night before up in Tok. Only in Alaska...then Kara and I shopped for stuff for my signing table, now I'm official with a receipt book and guest book! Eli and I sat in these children sized sofa chairs while Kara ran around the store with an employee looking for hooks (or something like that) after gathering everything on our random list we headed home so I could get ready for my book signing. Fireside Books is a quaint little store in old town Palmer with both new and used books. Joy and Elias Davidson were my first customers. It was so fun to hold Elias for the first time, he was SO little!!! and warm. Myrna and Steve Reynolds came by, always good to see them and then Betty Bair, one of my biggest fans, stopped in, not to mention my mom, dad, nana and Kaylee. We had a great time chit chatting and catching up...and basically we FILLED the store. Sold 4 books too! Unfortunately I was reading the clock on my phone (still set to Oregon time) and we all left a half hour early. Kaylee and I headed to Tokyo for sushi and then home again to warm up by the fire. It was so good to spend some quality time with her catching up and gaggling like geese...girls! We stayed up late giggling about guys then slept in late...so nice to be on vacation!
SATURDAY
We woke up to the shouts of the kids screaming that the lights were out...yep, power was out all over town. We lit some candles and went back to sleep. Lu showed up, not being able to work and the fact that the heat wasn't on at the salon and it was cooling quickly, came home to see if we had power or at least a fire lit. The power came on as she drove up but everything from Fred Meyers on was still out so she stayed awhile. I, with a lot of directions from Kara, made french toast and bacon. Yumminess!!! After cleaning up I dropped Kaylee off and ran home to get ready for the second signing event. I went early to have lunch with Betty Bair, mom and nana. Barely got my food and people were there ready to buy! And that was just the beginning of a long line of love poured out on me from my community. It was SO awesome, I can't even explain it. I sat next to this author who had self published her book and I gotta tell you, after hearing her story, I feel very blessed with how easy I had it going through Tate Publishing. Kirsten Ekren now Mason whom I hadn't seen since high school came by, and Rebecca Buchanan with her heart full of grace. All of the Knit Wits and a few teachers, family and friends, filed in with hugs and cheers for this big event. It's really quite amazing how many people were just as, if not more excited than me, even better, most of them personally knew Granddaddy and this was a testament to how great a man he was and how loved I am in this community. We started half an hour early and went an hour and a half later than scheduled but nobody minded. It ended with the sounds of click click clicking coming between to rows of books, my dear friend Carrie Lambing, now professional photographer and dear friends Matt and Nate, had just returned from a solstice party up at the cabin, Rosy cheeked and smelling of campfire, just in time to catch me at my table. This was definitely a great way to end my most successful book signing to date. It was also Pandemonium's best book signing event to date as their highest seller had sold 18 and I had come away with 24 plus the three they decided to put on their shelf. Thank you all for your overwhelming support. I feel truly blessed!
...BTW, the day isn't over yet.
I no sooner had arrived home as Carrie Lambing called, "what are your plans for tonight?" Nothing I said, and she proposed a drive to Anchorage to see the children's choir perform. Why not? So 20 mins later we were back in her car headed to town. It was so good to have an hour to just catch up and story swap. Upon arriving at the concert though, the parking lot was rather empty and the doors locked. After a quick call to Naomi, whom I happened to know was accompanying the choir, we found out that it had been moved from 7:30 to 2pm that afternoon. I was so glad I had agreed to go along! We decided to hit up Bear's Tooth for some dinner and some Apple Ale. Just a great time with a dear friend and good food! At the end, Brandon came bounding up to the table! What a surprise to see my cousin after a year...Alaska is so small sometimes! He was just as surprised to walk in the door and find me in the dining room! It was all around a very good, very long, deliciously delightful day. Oh yeah, I got home around midnight and spent some time on skype with Jeremy in Afghanistan. He comes home TODAY for good! Safe travels my friend! Unfortunately Evie was up crying half the night with a cold so little sleep was to be had by all.
SUNDAY
I was woken up by Rusty knocking on my door, "bus leaves in 15 mins" AHHHH!!! I couldn't find clothes, shoes, brush teeth, make up, fix bed head, fast enough. I can't believe I remembered the camera since little Ellie was going to be Mary in the nativity scene "on stage!" We were a little late to Wind break. It was so good to see Kat again (our usual waitress). Breakfast for all, lunch for me, cups full of whip cream for the kids, Christmas presents and cookies from Kat and off to church we went. It was fun to see Naomi and Joel up there leading the service and choir. Dad is looking more and more like Santa Clause with his big gray beard, only now do I notice this as he is up there singing with the choir! The 3 year olds did their nativity scene and Ellie did awesome, only almost dropped "baby Jesus" once and started them all waving at the audience. Heidi Doner was accompanying them on piano and my does she sound amazing!!! Little Liam Brown, I mean "Joseph" was right there helping "Mary" down the steps on the way out! Best part was singing harmony's with my sister while she sang the impossible counter soprano solos over the top of O, Holy Night...ahh, I do love being home. There were so many people to see, hug, and catch up with. It's always a whirlwind of faces and then we moved the conversation down to Kaladi's so second service could proceed. I got to see Swaners and Davidsons and Veenstras...oh and had the most amazing conversation with Mr. Veenstra, who, I knew was a genius and a great adventurer, but first hand got to hear about his newest plans and adventures, and the beautiful boat that is right near me in St Helens that he has been working on! We were pleasantly surprised to find we had "boats" in common. I offered to be galley cook on any of his adventures.
And now I am caught up, hopefully Aunty Barbie this keeps you entertained and satisfied, I will try to keep a better account from now on. To all of you, I hope you are well safe and sound. I can't wait to hear about all you your adventures this Christmas.
TUESDAY
I awoke to a big breakfast of home made sourdough cinnamon rolls and sausage! It was AWESOME!!! Then Kara, Lu and I went to the bank and saw Matt and Myrna and Steve...it was like old home week, can't go anywhere without see folks I love and adore! Then Kara and I went shopping at Target. Afterwards I went home with the girls for naps and to start a knitting project for Christmas while she went to the dentist. Eventually mom and I got the kids up and stuffed them in snow suits, hats and boots, and gloves, and we stuffed them all into the mini and drove down to Cameran. What were we doing? Why "trudging" of course! We trudged through the 2 feet of fresh snow, up to Emma's elbows!, looking for the perfect Christmas tree. We shook the snow off trees down peoples necks, made snow angels, caught snow in our mouths, and eventually found a tree that only had one bald side. Rusty was a good sport as I posed pictures and video ops. And we trudged back out with a 16 footer. It was a good day, arriving home, dad asked if I'd go "help" him plow some folks out, so I jumped in the truck and away we went. I visited while he plowed out the driveways, a few times I shoveled out the tricky hard to get spots, but all in all we got a lot done, though the snow was still coming down pretty hard. We got caught by a customer and had to go dig for C's in a snow bank, dad showed me his new shop and we got home just in time to catch the end of a BBQ rib dinner. Such a good day! So good to be home!
WEDNESDAY
I got up early and went with mom to her dentist appointment. It was still snowing very hard. After I dropped my computer off at Renaissance to be worked on since it crashed the night before. We hit Fred Meyers for Christmas cookie fixin's then started to plow our way home. The windshield wipers kept freezing up and the snow was thick and the roads were disappearing under all the snow, three lanes became one and ditches were piling up with vehicles again. We missed our exit and couldn't keep the window from icing up long enough to get off the highway. It was the scariest ride I've had in a VERY long time. We were both VERY glad to be home and stayed there the rest of the day baking Christmas cookies, playing with kiddos, knitting and sitting by the fire. Watching the snow come down from inside a warm house is so much better than plowing blindly through a blizzard in a mini cooper! That evening we decorated the tree, ran out of lights so dad went out for more lights. We hung lights on the porch at 5 below zero and decorated the tree. Matt and Kaylee dropped in for a visit and all was well with my world. I went to bed feeling safe a cozy surrounded by love and Christmas lights.
THURSDAY
This day was prep day for my book signing events on Friday and Saturday. I still wasn't too keen on driving as the snow was still coming down fairly consistantly so I asked Kara if she wouldn't chauffeur me around. We went to Naomi's house to visit. Sara Brown and her three kids were there so we had a nice visit and the 9 children had a great time playing in the boys bedroom. Reminded me of days gone by when we were young and went a visiting. After that, we went to Palmer and I met with the Fireside Bookstore staff and ironed out details for my event. Leaving there we drove to "Mc Jr. with a star" for play land and lunch time. We pounded out the plan for the rest of the day and headed off to pick up Eli from school. Up at Pandemonium I met Shannon and ironed out details for my second event and then went to Just Imagine Toys with 4 kids! Yes we are insane, it was so fun! I also got to see Shelly and her twins which is a big reason I go there every year. The kids were so good except when it was time to go, it was hard to tear ourselves away from all the wonderful toys. Finally we came home to find that the "other women' had been busy making candy all day! After dinner I sat down and finished off two of my leggings, 4 to go!
FRIDAY
Today was Eli's pizza party.It had stopped snowing! We were all moving really slow so we had a lazy morning and eventually made it to Pizza Hut to celebrate their class reading over 100 books! Arriving back at school, we saw Logan Snyder (8th grader, facebook and family friend of mine) who was showing off his lynx he had shot the night before up in Tok. Only in Alaska...then Kara and I shopped for stuff for my signing table, now I'm official with a receipt book and guest book! Eli and I sat in these children sized sofa chairs while Kara ran around the store with an employee looking for hooks (or something like that) after gathering everything on our random list we headed home so I could get ready for my book signing. Fireside Books is a quaint little store in old town Palmer with both new and used books. Joy and Elias Davidson were my first customers. It was so fun to hold Elias for the first time, he was SO little!!! and warm. Myrna and Steve Reynolds came by, always good to see them and then Betty Bair, one of my biggest fans, stopped in, not to mention my mom, dad, nana and Kaylee. We had a great time chit chatting and catching up...and basically we FILLED the store. Sold 4 books too! Unfortunately I was reading the clock on my phone (still set to Oregon time) and we all left a half hour early. Kaylee and I headed to Tokyo for sushi and then home again to warm up by the fire. It was so good to spend some quality time with her catching up and gaggling like geese...girls! We stayed up late giggling about guys then slept in late...so nice to be on vacation!
SATURDAY
We woke up to the shouts of the kids screaming that the lights were out...yep, power was out all over town. We lit some candles and went back to sleep. Lu showed up, not being able to work and the fact that the heat wasn't on at the salon and it was cooling quickly, came home to see if we had power or at least a fire lit. The power came on as she drove up but everything from Fred Meyers on was still out so she stayed awhile. I, with a lot of directions from Kara, made french toast and bacon. Yumminess!!! After cleaning up I dropped Kaylee off and ran home to get ready for the second signing event. I went early to have lunch with Betty Bair, mom and nana. Barely got my food and people were there ready to buy! And that was just the beginning of a long line of love poured out on me from my community. It was SO awesome, I can't even explain it. I sat next to this author who had self published her book and I gotta tell you, after hearing her story, I feel very blessed with how easy I had it going through Tate Publishing. Kirsten Ekren now Mason whom I hadn't seen since high school came by, and Rebecca Buchanan with her heart full of grace. All of the Knit Wits and a few teachers, family and friends, filed in with hugs and cheers for this big event. It's really quite amazing how many people were just as, if not more excited than me, even better, most of them personally knew Granddaddy and this was a testament to how great a man he was and how loved I am in this community. We started half an hour early and went an hour and a half later than scheduled but nobody minded. It ended with the sounds of click click clicking coming between to rows of books, my dear friend Carrie Lambing, now professional photographer and dear friends Matt and Nate, had just returned from a solstice party up at the cabin, Rosy cheeked and smelling of campfire, just in time to catch me at my table. This was definitely a great way to end my most successful book signing to date. It was also Pandemonium's best book signing event to date as their highest seller had sold 18 and I had come away with 24 plus the three they decided to put on their shelf. Thank you all for your overwhelming support. I feel truly blessed!
...BTW, the day isn't over yet.
I no sooner had arrived home as Carrie Lambing called, "what are your plans for tonight?" Nothing I said, and she proposed a drive to Anchorage to see the children's choir perform. Why not? So 20 mins later we were back in her car headed to town. It was so good to have an hour to just catch up and story swap. Upon arriving at the concert though, the parking lot was rather empty and the doors locked. After a quick call to Naomi, whom I happened to know was accompanying the choir, we found out that it had been moved from 7:30 to 2pm that afternoon. I was so glad I had agreed to go along! We decided to hit up Bear's Tooth for some dinner and some Apple Ale. Just a great time with a dear friend and good food! At the end, Brandon came bounding up to the table! What a surprise to see my cousin after a year...Alaska is so small sometimes! He was just as surprised to walk in the door and find me in the dining room! It was all around a very good, very long, deliciously delightful day. Oh yeah, I got home around midnight and spent some time on skype with Jeremy in Afghanistan. He comes home TODAY for good! Safe travels my friend! Unfortunately Evie was up crying half the night with a cold so little sleep was to be had by all.
SUNDAY
I was woken up by Rusty knocking on my door, "bus leaves in 15 mins" AHHHH!!! I couldn't find clothes, shoes, brush teeth, make up, fix bed head, fast enough. I can't believe I remembered the camera since little Ellie was going to be Mary in the nativity scene "on stage!" We were a little late to Wind break. It was so good to see Kat again (our usual waitress). Breakfast for all, lunch for me, cups full of whip cream for the kids, Christmas presents and cookies from Kat and off to church we went. It was fun to see Naomi and Joel up there leading the service and choir. Dad is looking more and more like Santa Clause with his big gray beard, only now do I notice this as he is up there singing with the choir! The 3 year olds did their nativity scene and Ellie did awesome, only almost dropped "baby Jesus" once and started them all waving at the audience. Heidi Doner was accompanying them on piano and my does she sound amazing!!! Little Liam Brown, I mean "Joseph" was right there helping "Mary" down the steps on the way out! Best part was singing harmony's with my sister while she sang the impossible counter soprano solos over the top of O, Holy Night...ahh, I do love being home. There were so many people to see, hug, and catch up with. It's always a whirlwind of faces and then we moved the conversation down to Kaladi's so second service could proceed. I got to see Swaners and Davidsons and Veenstras...oh and had the most amazing conversation with Mr. Veenstra, who, I knew was a genius and a great adventurer, but first hand got to hear about his newest plans and adventures, and the beautiful boat that is right near me in St Helens that he has been working on! We were pleasantly surprised to find we had "boats" in common. I offered to be galley cook on any of his adventures.
And now I am caught up, hopefully Aunty Barbie this keeps you entertained and satisfied, I will try to keep a better account from now on. To all of you, I hope you are well safe and sound. I can't wait to hear about all you your adventures this Christmas.
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