Next on my list...

This project is next on my list, AFTER I finish unpacking our house. Yes, we've moved again. And I'm so thankful. We love our new place! Hardwood, high ceilings, big bathroom, huge windows, and lots of light.

In Spokane the cafe had a basket of coffee cup cozies for sale for $8, and I really wanted one. I chose not to because I have a basket of fabric scraps sitting at home and a lonely sewing machine that has been neglected lately. I also didn't want to have to explain to Andy why I spent 8 bones on a scrap of fabric. So after things are *mostly* put away, I'm totally going to make this. I have always admired Erin's House on Hill Road blog and her amazing quilted creations. I want to get excited about sewing again, and I think this project might do it for me.

The link below will take you to House on Hill Road's post for a French Press Cozy:

http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/05/big-button-challenge.html

By the way. I went to Fabric Depot today on SE 122nd, and pardon my valley-girl french, but OMG. It was so overwhelming! I think it might be as big as Costco! I'm doing a special project right now and I needed some specific fabric, and unfortunately neither Bolt nor Cool Cottons had what I needed. I ventured into Fabric Depot and I emerged an hour later completely exhausted, but I got what I needed - ONE yard!

La Spokane

We took a road trip to Spokane last weekend to visit my dearest friend of 15 years and her family. It is so strange to have friends with kids nowadays...it used to be strange to have friends that were getting married, and now it's the children that throw me off. My girlfriends have adorable bumps for half a year and then POP, here's a beautiful little human being that they are responsible for! Yes, I'm aware that it's one of the most basic life processes, but still! It's like magic. Or a miracle.

Hannah and her new friend the ladybug.

The little adventurer, Daniel

Anyhoo, we enlisted the husbands to watch the babies while my friend, her mom (and my 2nd mom), and I went to a new french bistro/cafe in downtown Spokane. I'm sure we've all been to those places that have attempted to replicate some sort of experience gastronomique, but just don't pull it off. I'm thinking especially of "English" tea houses and european cafe/bistro places. More often that not I leave saying "eh......". This place was pleasantly different.

When we finally decided what we wanted to eat, to be sure that we had the proper proportion of foods that were sweet and savory, we ordered a croque madame, a greek omelet with roasted potatoes, a Raspberry croissant and a cranberry-orange scone. To reward the husband for babysitting, I brought him a homemade maple bar and a coffee.

Inside Madeleine's

The pastries were so good. The scone was delicious, but really the maple bar took the cake (no pun intended), even after sitting in a box for a half hour before we arrived home. It was baked instead of fried, with homemade maple frosting, and it was huge. I didn't get a picture and I'm so sad about it. Just trust me, this thing was good.

We had so much fun in Spokane - good friends, food, and weather. It was so nice to get away!

I'm Officially Portland.

Ever since we moved to Portland I have been intrigued by the idea of getting a road bike. Growing up in a mostly suburbanized area, biking for transportation purposes has not been appealing, feasible, or safe. But all that has changed now that we live in a cycle-friendly city! On campus bikes are everywhere, chained to anything. They are in front, behind, and next to me in traffic. Some have wire or wooden baskets, some have saddle bag-things. Many are slathered with bumper stickers of all sorts. A good many of my fellow students come to class with their right pant leg rolled up. How can I not succumb to the pressure when they make it look so good?

Before we moved, I found an Italian road bike at a garage sale in Medford in superb condition, which I bought for Andy for the grand sum of $35. Last week, I said a sad goodbye to my trusty and faithful mountain bike and sold it on Craigslist. Everyday I looked for the perfect bike (under $100). Finally, yesterday afternoon, I struck gold.

Meet Harriet, a pretty rundown bike when we picked her up; bent wheels and swollen tires and dirt, but she is green and oh what a pretty green she is. Andy wasn't convinced at first because of all the work she needed, but I knew she'd be worth it. So we stuffed her in our two-door Honda and drove to North Portland's Bikeworks, where a very nice man fixed her up to be almost good as new. She still needs work, but we took our bikes on a ride yesterday and she did great. And did I mention she's green?

Ozzie (Andy's bike) and Harriet are in for some fun. The man we bought her from told me, "you look good on her...retro. It reminds me of the doublemint gum twin commercials." SOLD.