when it rains…

March 5, 20149 Comments

…it pours.

OR, like we say around these parts…it Portlands!

So, you put on your Poppa’s muck boots, your fuzzy hat, and go jump in some puddles!

home is…dancing (or jumping) in the rain.

{inspired} field trips

November 14, 2013April 6, 20201 Comment

My old boss used to take us on field trips…grand adventures to look at fun stuff.

There were usually field trips within field trips and a crazy car ride to go along with it all.

It was always a good time…and usually ended with cocktails.

On Tuesday I took myself on a little field trip to Grand Marketplace in Southeast Portland.

It was fabulous.

Most of it is way out of my price range, but I absolutely love to get inspiration. Someday, I will be able to pick like these “professionals” or afford what they find.

Until then, I will keep visiting for inspiration.

If you live in the Portland area, you should go.

Also, if you live in the Portland area, what are some of your favorite places to go on inspiring field trips?

home is…field trips within field trips.

a new day

December 8, 20112 Comments

Wow.

It’s amazing how a shower, putting on “real” clothes, getting out of the house, and watching your kiddo learn something new can change your mindset.

The little guy had his last swim lesson of the current session last night. We couldn’t miss it.

This summer, we realized that our little guy LOVES the water.

He has excelled in his swim lesson this fall. By the second class the instructor said he was ready for the next level.

By then end of the class yesterday she said he was almost ready to skip level.

His stroke is strong, he is confident, and he LOVES the water.

I grew up spending the summer at the pool.

Swim team early in the morning, pool all day, and when I was in high school I lifeguarded as a summer job.

I am thrilled to see his confidence.

I needed that yesterday.

This morning I am sitting here watching the sun stream in through our windows.

Sun.

In December.

In Portland, Oregon.

I am listening to my kids play together in the other room while the Christmas lights glow and Christmas music plays in the background.

This is more like it.

home is…a new day.

race for the cure

September 18, 20112 Comments

{summer in snapshots} week seven

August 3, 20114 Comments

So, I missed a couple of weeks while we were on vacation.

We went to visit my husband’s family in New York.

I will get a post up about that after I get a post up about our beach trip from the 4th of July!

Can we say I am a little behind on keeping up?!

Here is where the dogs go when we are out of town…

And, this is a bit of what we have been doing since we got back…

home is…summer is finally here in the pacific northwest!

*today I am linking up with The {Starfish} Blog…

get moving…

March 14, 201110 Comments

…it’s Monday!

45:56

That’s how long it took me to run the Shamrock 8k.

9:15 pace.

In the rain.

I love setting goals and achieving them!

My goal was to run the 4.9 miles in less than 50 minutes.

Done!

By the way, I came across this online article about setting and achieving goals. Are you a goal setter? Do you get a thrill from the action of setting, doing and achieving your goals?

home is…being a junkie for goal achievement.

impromptu food adventure…

September 5, 20101 Comment

Today was my husband’s birthday and, despite being an “old man”, he is still pretty cool.

We decided to go on an impromptu food adventure around Portland to celebrate.

First stop, Metro Perc for some Stumptown coffee…

The little guy specifically told me that he wanted to go to the “apple farm” (Oregon Heritage Farm) to buy his Poppa an apple for his birthday. So, that was our next stop…

The little guy even used his own money to buy the apple for his Poppa…

Recently, Portland was voted to have the best food carts in the world…yes, WORLD! We decided to check some of them out. It was a hard choice to make because there are so many to choose from, but we chose Cartopia which is located at SE 12th and Hawthorne…