Notes from A Cottage Industry

A new decade, a new year, a new opportunity.

"We will open the book. It's pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

                                                                        -- Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Wow.

I am inspired by those words. Looking back over the past year, I can see how my story unfolded, and continues to unfold by the decisions and actions I chose along the way. Opportunities I recognized and took advantage of throughout the year.

I plan to make the most of each and every day given to me, and I wish the same for you as well as we all begin this brand new chapter in our lives.

It's New Years Eve at Camas Antiques.

Sorry this blog post is coming on so late in the day. I needed to take a picture or two of my booth space (I forgot my camera repeatedly when I was there working on and off all day yesterday) and I had to sit home and wait for the cable guy here this morning. (Oh, the joys of technology once again...I got a hi-def cable box and of course, had troubles with it.)

Anyway.

I have been painting and pricing and foofifying things for my booth at Camas Antiques and I wanted to share a lil' peek at my progress. For now, it's all about shades of muted creams, ecru, camels, and tobacco browns, but soon, it will be leaning towards a slightly more colorful look, with warm peaches and pinks, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Mmm hmm., it's all part of my newly created booth plan. I have made a calendar with themes for my booth for the upcoming year and I'll be changing things up often. (Well, okay, that's the plan, anyway.) It's just one of my New Year's resolutions, and I am pretty stoked about it.

Countdown to the new year.

Doesn't it seem like we were just all talking about Y2K a year or so ago? Where did the time go? Now, here we are, a few days away from the beginning of twenty-ten. Unbelievable.

Do you make new years resolutions? I do, most years. I like goal setting and list making. (Although I know I shared long ago in a post that I always manage to lose the lists I make. No matter. Lists and goals inspire me.) I see the new year as Oprah does; another chance to get it right. As cheesy as it sounds, I like the Anne of Green Gables attitude on life of seeing every day as a fresh clean slate, with no mistakes in it yet, and I feel even more hope-filled at New Year's for some reason. It's like the first day of school each year when I was a kid. 

About a third of my resolutions are life's trivial kinds of things, like finally learning how to work the comcast television remote control, ( Dear God, that thing confuses and intimidates me. Not only does it take me nearly a full minute to get the danged TV to turn on now, but I realize now that I have been paying for the "DVR" feature for nearly two months, and haven't been able to record a single show as yet.) baking that black forest cake recipe from the latest issue of Victoria magazine that I have been dying to try, and taking Moose to every single dog park in the Portland and Vancouver area this coming year.

Many of them are much grander resolutions that I pretty much keep close to my heart; resolutions and goals about my Cottage Industry business and for my personal life. (Seriously, you might think I'd lost my mind if I shared some of these with you.) On the eve of a new year, everything seems possible. Everything is possible.

We just have to believe.

The last of the moving stuff.

Mmm hmm, I bet you thought I was done. I bet some of you even imagined I had unpacked most things. Ha!

Not even close. Today, while many of you are returning home, exhausted yet thrilled with your finds from a day-after-Christmas marathon of mall sales shopping at 4:00 a.m. I am tackling what will (hopefully) be my final day of moving the last of my stuff from the place down the hill. It's mostly odds and ends, Rubbermaid tubs of things for my antique booth, miscellaneous stuff for my garage. Oh, and a dismantled metal shelving thingamajig to hold my overflow of pots and pans in the garage. (I am more than a little concerned I will not get that baby re-assembled again with all the right pieces.)

My reward will be a huge load off of my shoulders knowing the move is complete at last, and a nice looooong hot bubble bath at the day's end.

Happy Christmas.

Hmmm, maybe that tree didn't topple over all by itself.

Merriest wishes from Moose and me on this Christmas day.

The Christmas tree, round two.

So, ya, the Christmas tree this year has been a challenge, to say the least. The thing you need to know about me is that a Christmas tree is a big part of Christmas itself. It brings back so many good memories for me of raising a family, with all the ornaments and lights.

The first year I was suddenly single I basically skipped Christmas entirely, so no tree for me. The second year, I sort of got my mojo back and began the new tradition of shopping at the local Boy Scouts of America tree lot with my good friend Anne, followed by top shelf margaritas to celebrate. (This tradition lasted the past two years, and then this year I moved.) Now, with my move, I was left to my own devices to find a tree, and I skipped the top shelf margaritas part of the deal 'coz it's just not the same when it's just me. I shared a few posts ago that I miscalculated the ceiling height of my living room, or the tallness of my tree, however you chose to look at it. I persevered however and got the tree up and looking beautiful, if I do say so myself.

That is, until last night.

Last night, I arrived home from working at the bank to find my ginormous tree sprawled out across the length of the living room, still lit mind you, with ornaments strewn here and there and more than a few broken items in it's path. (And I thought it was hard to get the tree upright in it's stand the first time.) I will tell you that Moose had a rather guilty look on his face. I can't be sure if he was involved in this mishap, or simply a witness and innocent bystander, watching from his favorite spot on the sofa that he is not allowed on anytime at all, but chooses to use when he has the house to himself.

Anyway.

After a very, very long battle, the tree (which I am convinced doubled in weight this week inside my living room) is once again upright, in it's stand, the ladder was dragged out, and the lights and ornaments have been fluffed to resemble some sort of balance but I must tell you...I am over it. Completely.

And I have had a revelation of sorts.

Next Christmas I will begin a new tradition. I will be buying myself a quick assemble, pre-lit faux Christmas tree and lighting a pine scented candle or two and calling it good.

Traditions and Christmas Tea at the Heathman Hotel.

One of my favorite things to do in Portland this time of year is go to the Heathman Hotel for Christmas Tea. Both of my daughters worked at the Heathman while attending college, so it's extra special to go back and enjoy the giant Christmas tree and all of the decorations, along with the fabulous food served at this event. (Sadly, I somehow forgot my camera, so the picture above was taken with my daughter's phone...but you get the idea of just how splendid the Heathman is....the photo was taken from the Mezzanine level above the enormous Christmas tree.)

 Attending the Christmas Tea reminded us all of a story from our past....

When my girls were very young, (my oldest daughter was in kindergarten) I came up with the idea to host our very own Christmas Tea at our home. I would let my girls invite two little friends and their mama's, and I would invited two friends and their daughters. Eventually we moved the party to celebrate Valentine's Day, as Christmas became far to busy as my three children got older.

Oh, such fond memories! This tradition lasted until my girls got to about middle school. One day near Thanksgiving, my middle daughter matter of factly informed me the girls didn't want to do the dress-up-all-foofy-in-our-Sunday-best-and-invite-our-friends thing any more, and therefore we would not be doing Christmas Tea any longer. I was informed that it just wasn't "cool". She also informed me that my older daughter was simply to chicken to tell me, for fear of hurting my feelings, and so she stepped up to the plate to handle the situation. (Aaah, those years with two pre-teen daughters....more fond memories.)

Needless to say, I took it personally and was momentarily crushed. (I can be quite dramatic myself on occasion) The Mother Daughter Tea tradition stopped. Yesterday, as we sat having our tea and finger sandwiches, we were going down memory lane, discussing this and we all had a really good laugh. To everything there is a season, I guess!

Anyway. Back to the story...

Years passed, and then, along came the Heathman Tea. The first year I attended this event with my girls was the Christmas after my oldest daughter graduated college, if I am not mistaken. This year the Sewing Queen and our sweet friend Ella (who is 96 years young) joined us for Christmas Tea at the Heathman and we all had a wonderful time. It appears that this may become an annual tradition (at least for now anyway) that I am living here.

Do you have any Christmas season traditions like this one? Any that have come and gone and come back again? I'd love to hear all about them!!

Oh....Christmas tree.

One of the challenges of being a single woman living alone is the stuff you don't think about until you're doing it. Challenges like getting a ten foot tall Christmas tree off the roof of your car, and up the five steps to the small porch. Stuff like maneuvering the ten foot tall Christmas tree through the doorway, around the tight entry way, eventually dropping it in the hallway because it turns out it isn't really a ten foot tall Christmas tree, it's more like an eleven foot tall Christmas tree.

Faced with this challenge, you do what pretty much any single woman living alone would do, you decide to use one of your Cutco knives to trim off the top of the tree. You do this because- A. You couldn't find tree nippers (or whatever they are actually named.) since you just moved and your garage looks like a WalMart distribution center full of boxes, and because - B. You remember that you don't even own anything remotely looking like a tree nipper, anyway.

The final challenge that you don't think about until you're doing it would be getting the now ten foot tall Christmas tree into the stand....by yourself. Upright. And straight. With the good side facing the room, thankyouverymuch. (as opposed to the side with the watermelon sized bald spot you'd prefer faced the wall)

Anyway.

The good news is that I fought a good fight and in the end, I won. The tree is upright, in it's stand, looking oh-so-Christmas-y, and no furniture, or big yellow dogs were harmed in the process.

Hmmm. Now, if only I could find the box I packed with the tree lights.

Vintage Family Tree revisited...

..er..relocated, depending on how you want to say it. Remember when I shared the post about my vintage family photo wall in the dining room on Norman Drive? Well, I found a perfect spot in my new home to hang the grouping, and I am pretty pleased with the way the frames and soft tones compliment the stair rails and the wall colors. (and, if you were wondering, and if you look really hard, you find that I am the chubby little three year old in the bottom right photo with the teddy bear.) It was hard to get the shot without the overhead can light glare and the walls at the entrance to the kitchen, but you get the idea. What'cha think?

I expect to be all settled in by mid July.

Moving. It's right up there on the fun scale, tied with the years I had three kids in elementarily school that all had to conduct in depth science fair projects, complete with the tri-fold cardboard backdrop displays the week before spring break. Good times. (Seriously, next time I have to move, I think I will just sell all of my worldly belongings except my shoes and start over from scratch.)

Oh, and a bit of advice to any of you out there planning a move- keep a bag or box in a spot you can find (like the back seat or trunk of your car) with a pair of pliers, a wrench, and a screwdriver. Trust me, you'll need these items more than once as you dismantle and reassemble your washer and dryer, your bed, and that darling little corner desk that needs the legs removed to get it through the doorway to your office. If you forget this tip, you'll be frantically searching for a butter knife that is also in some unmarked box to get those legs off that desk. ( Please, don't ask me how I know this.)

Another challenge I had not anticipated- hooking up the cable box to my television and actually getting the desired result of good clear reception with accurate color quality. Sounds easy to you? Well, trust me. It's not. Mmm hmm, my television is working, but all of the people on all of the stations look the exact shade of blue as Papa Smurf. (What is up with that?!) Oh, I am sure I have some wrong plug in somewhere, or a do-hickey that needs to be adjusted, but it's just one more frustration I do not need right now.

As for the unpacking part of the move..well, I am over it, already, people. Forget unpacking. I want to decorate and accessorize...I want to nest. (I have my priorities in life straight, thankyouverymuch.) It's winter in the pacific northwest, for gosh sakes. It's cold, and it even rained here yesterday. That's nesting weather in my book. I want this ridiculous unpacking to be done yesterday. I am ready to feel the warm hug of welcome and security each and every time I open the door to my new home.

Seriously, I am pretty sure that my packed moving boxes are mating and multiplying every night while I am in bed asleep. I have roughly unpacked about 472 boxes, or at least that is what it feels like (and from the looks of my garage I am not off by more than two or three) and as of now, I still have not unearthed the beaters to my mixer, nor the pillow shams for my bed. 472 boxes down, 365 to go.

Happily, what I did stumble across, was my collection of Christmas stockings. I have more than one for myself and for Moose because..well, because, I think they are such a charming holiday adornment, and they bring back fond memories of childhood. I hang them on the mantel in the living room, of course, but also, sometimes I hang them on the backs of my dining room chairs, and I like to hang one at the foot of my bed.

I actually had quite a dilemma this year, because my new home has a second fireplace in the bedroom and I was torn as to whether to hang my stocking there, or on the bed. In the end though, I couldn't resist hanging it on the foot board of my bed, as always. It's makes me feel all warm and fuzzy every time I walk into my bedroom.

It's beginning to feel like I am really home.

On the move...again.

You most likely won't hear from me again until sometime late afternoon Monday.(I'll try to post sooner, but who knows when I'll have my computer all set up...) I spent all of today moving my fragile things like pictures and lamps, one car load at a time. (I am convinced the pictures and lamps and such all multiplied in the short few weeks I have been in the temporary place. How does that happen?!) Tomorrow at 7:00 sharp my sweet son-in-law and a friend will be arriving to move the furniture and heavy stuff, and by tomorrow afternoon (I hope) I will be unpacking my kitchen and making my bed at my new home.

Baby, it's cold outside.

It has been ridiculously cold here (13 degrees this morning) in the Portland Oregon area this week and, while I am buried in moving chores, I had to take 2 minutes to share a picture of my favorite little man, complete with rosy nose and cheeks.

My girls and I took him with us to the salvage yard on Monday. (...and if you haven't ever been, it's basically a giant garage full of incredibly cool junk and architectural pieces, but, since it is a giant garage of sorts, with the entire back side of the building open...and there is no heat at all.) He was such a good sport, and never complained, probably because his auntie was singing and dancing with him, carrying him around bundled inside the front of her big parka! (And, well...34 degrees is not what I call outdoor shopping weather.)

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Onward and upward.

I have been keeping busy the last few days trying to get my booth space at Camas Antiques revamped and restocked well as getting thing packed and organized around my current home, as I am moving to my new home officially this Friday.

I added a wooden shelf up high in the booth space to draw your eyes to the back wall and add a more intimate feeling to the booth by making it feel more like a completely enclosed room.(It is hard to tell in the photo, but I'd say the shelf is up at about eight or nine feet high) I also finally added my "A Cottage Industry" banner, which swags across the space overhead.

Hopefully by Saturday the booth will be updated, I will be sleeping in my bed at my new home, and I will then, at long last, be ready to begin decorating for Christmas.

2009 Holiday home Tour, part one.

Happy December everyone!What better way to start of the month and the Christmas season than with a holiday home tour? We're going to start this years tour at Debbie's home (How cute is that decorated candy cane up above?!) .....

....and then, it's off to Janelle's sweet home to see her holiday decor and treasures...

...followed by Carla's home and her new blog to see what holiday cheer she has cooked up!

From there, we'll want to be sure and stop by Donna's charming cottage, have some tea and take a tour....

then, on to Jill's home for a nice lil' visit... tomorrow we will show the rest of the tour! Thanks for coming along with me...

Out and about Sunday thrifting in Washington.

 
I am thrilled to share with you that I found my way to my first-ever-as-a-Washingtonian Estate Sale yesterday and I scored some wonderful items for my booth space at Camas Antiques, as well as a couple of things for my own home. That wasn't really the exciting part for me though. No, not by a long shot. The exciting part for me was finding the location all by myself.

I am sure I have shared this before, but I literally have no sense of direction. Nada. I've been this way since birth, and my entire family, as well as every one of my friends are painfully aware of it. Trust me, it was challenging enough living in little old Reno, Nevada, with only two freeways going through town, but now that I am up here in the pacific northwest, well, it's nothing short of a miracle that I found the place, and an even bigger miracle that I found my way back home.

I have a Garmin on loan from my daughter, but I haven't quite mastered that little tool yet. (Don't ask. Please.) Anyway, the important part of my story is that I found the location, I shopped, and I drove home, without incident. (Well, that is not entirely true. When I went back to the location in my son in law's truck to pick up a large chair that wouldn't fit in my car, I had a slight mishap. A huge rock bounced up off the freeway and clobbered the windshield, leaving a chip out of the glass the size of a nickel, and me in a cold sweat.)

The point I am trying to make with this post is that I am, all be it ever so slowly, learning my way around the area, little by little, and that makes this place feel like home.

*****Just a little reminder here for those of you that are participating in this year's Holiday Home Tour tomorrow....send me your pictures TODAY if you haven't already!!!!*****

Black Friday.

Can you believe it's really here, the start of all of the holiday festivities, joy and madness? I am guessing that even as I type this post, many of you are already out there, amid the crowds, shopping for bargains. I have never actually been one of those folks out there at 4:00 am, but I have many girlfriends for whom this is an annual tradition, and they look forward to this day very with unparalleled excitement.

If you are one of those folks, I wish you happy shopping, amazing deals and a really close parking spot! As for me, I will be spending today some of my favorite people on earth, enjoying a day-after-Thanksgiving-but-still-oh-so-thankful turkey dinner.

Happiest holiday wishes

Happy Thanksgiving Day, sweet friends! I am feeling incredibly grateful for so many things in my life these days, not the least of which is this little blog of mine and all of you who faithfully read, and comment, throughout all of my adventures and challenges that pop up along the way. (You have made my world a much smaller, friendlier place to live and I am thankful for each and every one of you!)

We'll actually be sharing our day, and our meal together tomorrow, as my daughter (A nurse) is one of the many people that will be out there working today. However, wherever and whenever you are celebrating, I wish you a wonderfully happy holiday, and a joyful beginning to the season that always reminds me of just how blessed I truly am.

A little sneak peek at my new home.

I have received emails from so many of you asking about my new place, and so I thought I'd share a couple of pictures I snapped the other evening when I was there. (Elaine, this is for you, sweetie!) 

My daughter and son in law found and recently purchased a wonderful home that is perfect for their growing family, and I will be renting their current home from them!(With the tough housing market, it worked out to be a win-win for both of us. I am so blessed to have such wonderful children!) It's three bedroom townhouse, with high ceilings, plenty of wonderful light, and a fabulous kitchen....and it's a completely new style of home for me. I am more than excited as I plan where my furniture will be placed and how I will decorate. 

You've seen some pictures of this home on my blog before; some from the engagement party, and then later, pictures of my grandson's nursery. (The nursery will now transform into my dream workspace for crafting and writing!)

As you can tell from the photos in this post, things are moving right along (no pun intended) and the double move will begin in just another week and a half. Once my daughter's family gets moved and settled into their new home I will make my move to the townhouse, just in time for Christmas and New Year's Eve!

My life is so not ordinary.

Moving up here to the Portland area and to be able to have the opportunity to follow my bliss has been an absolute dream come true so far, and yet, it is not without it's bittersweet moments as well.

I am realizing that things always seem to take longer than expected. Things like getting my booth set up at the Antique Mall, and learning my way around my new community. I am also discovering that I have still got a lot to learn about time management, now that I am partially self employed.(People who know me well are rolling their eyes as they read that sentence, I know.) And, if it were not for cell phones and unlimited minutes, I would bet you my very last dollar that I would be much more homesick for the friends I left back in Reno than I could bare at this very moment. Finally, having someone new and wonderful in my life has brought along with it a huge resurfacing of fears and anxieties I now understand I only thought I had overcome. It seems to me that memories of past broken promises somehow return to blossom into a sea of insecurities for the next attempt to share your heart.

As I slide into my cozy bed each night I find myself often times trying to figure out exactly what I got accomplished on a given day, only to remember 16 things I meant to do, but somehow managed to forget. I find myself a little bit lonely as I thank God for those cell phone minutes, as well as my dear friends and family, and praying that, where matters of the heart are concerned, I actually am brave enough to look forward and not back as I approach the new day tomorrow and all it has to offer.

A little catching up...

I have been busy with my booth at Camas Antiques and I am still up to my eyebrows in boxes, which will continue until I make my move in mid December, so it's been hard to do any sort of decorating at all. (but, just you wait until I am settled into my new place!)

Anyway.

I thought today was as good a time as any to do a little catching up, a reminder...and announce news of my newest DVD kit, which will be available very, very soon! First of all, I have gotten several emails about my Cookies and Cupcakes DVD, as well as my Gift Wrap DVD kit, and yes, they are still available on my website, by simply clicking here.
Both of these DVD kits are perfect for holiday time. (and they make great gifts too!)

As for the reminder, I am thrilled with the response so far for the December first holiday home tour. If you want to participate and have not emailed me, please do. After all, the more the merrier!(And feel free to snag this logo for your own blog...)

Last, and most certainly not least, my newest DVD kit, which includes all of the how-to's for painting furniture, will be available within the next couple of weeks!It's been filmed, and edited, and now is in the final stage of being burned and labeled. Cost of this DVD kit will be the same as the last two, which is $30 and includes shipping and handling. If you'd like to reserve your copy, simply send me an email to be added to the list for the first shipment.

Inspirational field trip.

The girls and I went on a little field trip this morning over to Monticello Antiques. So much to see! My favorite little shopping buddy came along with us.... The Christmas season has very clearly arrived at Monticello and I was immediately inspired... just take a look, and you'll be inspired too! 

 

 

*sigh* The holidays will be here before we know it!

All Things Cottage.

I was very flattered this morning to open an email from Jack Mitchel, the publisher of All Things Cottage and discover that I had been chosen as a featured blog for the month! If you have never been to the All Things Cottage site, stop on over and check it out. There are so many great ideas, as well as many wonderful featured blogs to inspire us all. (I was even more flattered when I looked at the other blogs being featured on the site!)

Thank you, All Things Cottage, and Jack!

Remembering how to relax.

I'm a little (okay, a lot) tardy in publishing today's post, I know. I spent today in a slight state of slow motion, savoring the residue of the most relaxing weekend I can remember in a very long time. I realized at some point this weekend, that I actually could not remember the last weekend (or weeknight for that matter) when I simply relaxed at home, flopping on the sofa, watching television, or just vegging. I have been in a constant state of motion, and projects, and problem solving, and stress, for a pretty long stretch of time. For such a long time in fact, that it became habit, to not just relax. Ever.)

Anyway.

We were hit with a nice, heavy rainstorm on Saturday, complete with high winds and thunder. I realize that this might not thrill anyone but me, but I have been longing for a nice heavy rainstorm ever since I arrived here a little over a month ago. I was in heaven. Perfect weather for staying in, cozying up on the sofa, and just enjoying being home. (Yes, I am an incurable romantic, so, if you live in the pacific northwest, don't even try to convince me that I will eventually tire of this weather.)

And....What could be better than staying in and enjoying this fabulous weather, than a meal of the most fabulous comfort food I've ever had? (and that I didn't have to cook, I might add) Mmm hmm. You got it. The boyfriend (I love saying that, even if it does cause him to roll his eyes at me) braved the storm, and the thunder, and arrived with all of the fixings for the perfect rainy night meal. It was a pork fennel stew, and what made it extra yummy, was that there were two kinds of olives in it. (He shared the recipe on his blog today, so you can simply click here for it.) Sooo good...and even better by candlelight, and shared with someone special. (Oh, and just so you know, this stew was even better two nights later, when I reheated the leftovers for my dinner tonight.)

Suffice to say, the yummy stew set the entire tone for the rest of my weekend, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I still remembered how to relax and enjoy a day at home, simply hanging out and doing nothing.

I hope your weekend was equally fabulous.

10 things.

Sheila, over at Tattered Goods left me an award. (Thank you so very much, Sheila!) I am supposed to share 10 things about myself, which might sound easy, but when I sat down to create the list, I struggled, went blank, struggled some more, and finally, managed it.

Actually, I did a post with something similar a long while ago (when I still worked in my Monday through Friday 8-5 career job) here. Other than the fact that I have moved past my crush on Donny D, (sorry Donny) my old list still pretty much stands, but, when I remembered I had that old list, I had already created the new one. (It figures. That's just how my life goes.)

Anyway.

Now, here is the new "10 things about me" list for you :

1. I have no sense of direction. (It appears that I was born without the chromosome that does that.) Just ask anyone that has ridden in a car with me someplace.

2. My dream vacation would be to just stay home for an entire week, sleeping in, having breakfast on my balcony (Yes, my new place has a balcony off the master bedroom!) reading, and nesting.

3. Although I am a complete and total shoe nut, I am very nearly always barefoot when I am at home.

4. I misplace my car keys and my cell phone in my home at least once a week, and every single time it happens I swear to myself that it will be the last I let it happen.

5. I love to go for long car rides or road trips...if I am not the one driving. (It goes back to that no sense of direction thing, I think, and my amazing ability to chat and ask questions for up to 12 hours nonstop)

6. I have a toaster, but never make toast, a waffle iron, but never make waffles, and a coffee maker, even though I do not drink coffee.

7. I am a "more is more" person. Especially when it comes to dishes. And shoes. And coats. And grandbabies.

8. I had a very short side career as a fully-trained-balloon-animal-making party clown a long, long time ago, when my own children were young.

9. I have a pretty substantial crush on Jason Mraz .

10. Given the altered path my life has taken these past 38 months, I find myself surprised to have discovered that I remain desperately romantic, am quite naive, and continue believe in happily ever after.

I can't possibly pass the award to only 10 more blog friends, so..how about this- consider yourself tagged, and if you're inclined to share your list on your blog, please say so in the comment section, so people can click over and read yours, okay? I know I'd enjoy reading them from everyone.

Never had it so good.

Last night the boyfriend cooked me dinner again, and this time I made sure to take pictures of most incredible (and so easy!) brussels sprouts he roasted to go with our ribs and polenta. I must tell you, that up until I tasted Bob's roasted brussels sprouts, I hated them so much that I never, ever cooked them. (Ask my children. I do not know if they have ever even tasted a brussels sprout!)

Anyway.

Where was I? Oh yes. Dee-lish. That's what these little babies are. Kind of salty and...well, just yummy, and not at all the strong, kind of disgusting smell I recall from my days of trying to steam a batch of them for a dinner side dish. (Check out Bob's blog for the actual recipe.)

I think another great tip about the way he cooks them, as opposed to the way the rest of us are used to cooking them, is that he peels off the outer tougher leaf layer, then cuts each one in half before roasting them in a pyrex pan.

I'm telling you, they are to. die. for.

Change of heart.

One of my dearest friends from Reno called me early this morning to talk. (What a fabulous way to start my day!) I first met her at my former career job, and we became friends outside of work as well. We used to go on double dates when I was married, and she was there for me when my life disintegrated, as well as being a major cheerleader as my life has come around full circle. She and I have always been kindred spirits. And I cannot imagine it any other way.

She is at a crossroad in her own life right now, and was looking for a bit of clarity, and some encouragement. The bottom line is that she has been struggling for a few years now with what she really should, or could be doing with her life, and more exactly, her career. She wants something that is more fulfilling, more meaningful in her life regarding work. Something to be passionate about, really. I can tell you firsthand, that is stressful, and exhausting, doing something you do not love. It occurred to me while we talked, that we all go through that feeling at some point in time, on some level. It may be realizing you don't like what you do for a living, or you need to work on things at home, or you have your priorities all out of whack - whatever.

When that happens, we need to listen to our heart, and then decide if we actually have the nerve to do anything about it. My friend is at that very point. She has decided she wants to follow her desires, even though it may mean a big life change for she and her sweet hubbs. She wants more time with her growing family, and...well, she wants it all.

You know, it's okay to change your mind. It's okay to have a change of heart. What you once loved doing for a living may get old and not be the best fit for you any longer. Sometimes the rat race catches up with us. We are supposed to run our lives, not have our lives run us. I told her to pray about it first. Then I said to go with it and run like the wind. Follow your heart.

I know firsthand that life is just too short to not go for the golden ticket of happiness. To not love what we do, to not love every aspect of our lives.

Gravy.

Last Sunday, before going to the show at the Expo, we went out to breakfast. I wanted to share the curtains that were hanging in the window at the breakfast place. Are these the most creative use of old ties you've ever seen? Simple burlap and neckties used as tabs, I could see these in a den or a boys room...just so danged cute that I had to share.
The restaurant is named Gravy, (and, although none of us ordered it, you should have seen the size of their biscuits and gravy!) over in north Portland and the food was pretty fabulous, which explained the more than an hour wait for a table. I split a meal with my daughter, and I was really glad I did. My son-in-law ordered a ridiculously giant omelet that came with equally giant hash browns and we all were so stunned at it's size that I took a picture of it as well. Mmmmm, yummy.

I am thinking it will take a lifetime of Sundays to get through all of the incredible restaurants here in Portland. And just yet another reason I am beyond thrilled to be living up here, in one of the coolest cities on the planet.

An afternoon at Expo in Portland.

Wow. Thank you all so very, very much for the wonderful comments on yesterday's post! I loved reading all of them, and Bob got a big kick out of it too. I'd say he's figured out that I have a pretty vocal and supportive large band of friends out here in blogland!
I actually wasn't quite sure when I was going to share my boyfriend news with everyone, but this past Sunday afternoon Bob and I went to the Expo Center in Portland for the Antiques and Collectibles show, (which I knew was not going to be his kind of thing, but he was such a good sport about it anyway.) where we visited with Isabel and Joy. Once they had met Bob, I figured the cat was out of the bag, so to speak, and the time had finally arrived to share my happy news.
Next door to Isabel was a new friend named Maryann (sorry, she doesn't have a blog!) and her things were fabulous as well, all vintage flatware and mirror topped dressers and such! I couldn't wait to get a look at the amazing things Joy and Isabel had done with their booths. They did not disappoint. (More pictures from Expo on their blogs) So much inspiration! I am really excited now to get my booth at Camas Antiques all ready for the holidays this week.  Thank you all once again for the warm comments from yesterday, and for checking in to read my blog, even though I've been a bit...um..preoccupied and sporadic... with posts lately!

NEVER say never.

Famous last words. (Oh, you might want to get yourself a cuppa something. This post is a little long)

Those of you who have been reading my blog for a long time, or know me in person, you know I have spent most of the last three plus years restarting my life and... well, basically, the whole thing has been a pretty big work in progress. Sometime back, oh, more than a year ago, friends and family began to tell me I should get back out there, and try dating. They hinted. They suggested. They urged. They pleaded.

"Absolutely not. No way. Nada. Not going there. Are you kidding?" were my usual replies, followed with an eye-roll and an exasperated sigh. I was especially put off by my well meaning gal-pals suggesting the online dating thing, because it seemed (to them, not me) a natural fit. Even though I have plenty of online girlfriends from blogging, and many of which I have even ventured out to meet in person, this seemed an atrocious way to attempt meeting a potential suitor. I pretty much figured the odds of finding an oddball, guy with a bad comb-over, or potential serial killer were a good 1/2 ratio and I was not looking to add any further drama to my little life.

That brings me to a little story I'd like to share with you today. One evening, in early September, I was commiserating on the phone  with another suddenly single friend about the odds of either of us being known around the town as "the old spinster with house full of cats" or some equally sad title, and I was suddenly struck with the idea that, since I was moving to the Portland area, it might be prudent to take  a peek online at what there were out there, in the shape of "dating material". (I should share with you at this point in time, that while I am not a big drinker, I was having a glass of wine, and when I do have a  glass of wine, I very nearly always suddenly think I am brilliant and quite often, do things that I later regret.) I told my friend that we should go ahead and try it together, with her checking out the options in Reno, while I would check out the pacific northwest. (sounds not too half baked just yet, but just you wait.)

As I got into the online website, I realized I needed to create a "profile" for myself. Hmmm, so much easier said than done, especially after I had had a glass of wine. Well, I took  a stab at it, and read my little biography to my friend over the phone. She was aghast. She told me it sounded like I was auditioning for the Martha Stewart Show. Too many cupcake baking mentions and nothing letting anyone know I was a single woman interested in dating. (here's where you'll begin to notice that I was thinking I was brilliant)

I suddenly had the seemingly (to me anyway) brilliant idea to read some of the men's biographies. I clicked on the website. I went to "Page one" of about 100 pages of men allegedly matched for me. (I never went past page one, by the way) Within seconds, I landed upon a guy's bio that had me in stitches. Witty, smart as all get out, and pretty much all the same interests as me. Before I knew it, I rewrote my own bio,  mirroring everything he said, nearly verbatim, down to the restaurants he liked in Portland. ("And why not, I thought?" in all of my brilliance. I had been to them, after all)  a quick prrof-read, and I published "my bio" and went to bed.

End of story? Oh no. Not by a long shot.

The next day I logged on the check my email and there were lots of emails waiting for me.  And only not from blog readers. From online men.

Grooooan. It suddenly came back to me. The biography I had so flippantly and shamelessly plagiarized. I glanced up and down the email list. Sure enough, there, smack dab in the middle of the list of unread emails, was one from...you guessed it...the guy that wrote the witty bio.

Uh oh.

I took a breath and kind of cringed. I opened the email and turned about ...oh, 16 shades of crimson as I read these words.."We could have written each others bio's."  Sweet Jesus. What was I to do now? !

Well, after a moment (or ten) I wrote a semi-witty response to him, not sharing my blatant plagiarism (Good grief no! What good could ever come of that?!) and before I knew it, we were online dating, long distance. Romantic Pen pals, if you will.

After a short time, I confessed my act of scandalous biography theft. He laughed. He was flattered. A little more time passed, and I made the big, long move to the Portland area. After what seemed like an eternity, we finally met in person. We have talked. We have laughed. We...have gone on dates.

So.

The moral of my story is...Another life lesson learned. (Just as I learned that the very moment I announced to a roomful of preschoolers mom's that none of my children would ever act up in a restaurant, I had a kid throw a ginormous temper tantrum at the local Italian restaurant.) I have now come to know, once and for all, to... never say never.

After telling friends and family for the past year and a half that I would never, ever make flirty small talk with a any man, attempt to "find myself a boyfriend", or heaven forbid, go online looking for a date....  I today stumbled upon this in the online dictionary:

boyfriend n. A favored male companion or sweetheart.

Oh. My. Gosh.  That is what he is.

Be still my heart. Yet another gift from God.

Limbo.

Yup, that's where I feel I am at right now. Moving was one thing. Getting actually settled in,and feeling like I live here, really live here, is quite another. I cannot seem to quite get myself in the mindset that I am here for the duration, for good. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to be here. Ecstatic to have a booth at my favorite spot, Camas Antiques, and happy as a clam at the bank branch in Vancouver. And yet...I still cannot believe that I am really living here. For forever.

The reason that I am sharing this is because, if it seems I have not been posting very often, and maybe I seem to be missing in action, it is because I feel, still, as if I am on a dream vacation. I seem to get sidetracked easily, and have trouble feeling like I have a deadline or anything. I can run over and hug my grandson pretty much anytime I please, and I still have boxes everywhere. (it's hard to feel any sort of urgency to unpack when I am living in a temporary place for an unknown amount of time) i have emails to answer stacking up by the minute and still have no cable television, so I am completely out of the news loop, let alone what is going on on the Food Network.

Moose, on the other hand, has adjusted quite nicely to the move and is happy to run outside in the rain to do his business and sniff for the cat next door.

Hot date.

I spent the morning working on my booth at Camas Antiques and then I hurried home to get ready for a red hot date with one of my favorite men in my new town. Yes, I am spending the night with my grandson!

It's just one of the perks of living so close by. I can pop over and see him pretty much anytime, or, like tonight, I can babysit so his parents can have a date night.

It still feels  bit strange to me that I actually live up here and am not just visiting, you know? But, at long last, it is finally so. And I am loving it.