It's fashion week somewhere

18 months and counting

Life for my child is simple, and is good.
He knows his wish. Yes, but that is not all.
Because I know mine, too.
And we both want joy of undeep and unabiding things,
Like kicking over a chair or throwing blocks out of a window
Or tipping over an icebox pan
Or snatching down curtains or fingering an electric outlet
Or a journey or a friend or an illegal kiss.
No. There is more to it than that.
It is that he has never been afraid.
Rather, he reaches out and lo the chair falls with a beautiful crash
And the blocks fall, down on people's heads,
And the water comes slooshing sloopily out across the floor.
And so forth.
Not that success, for him, is sure, infallible.
But never has he been afraid to reach.
His lesions are legion.
But reaching is his rule.

--Gwendolyn Brooks

Anniversary # 3

For our third anniversary Dave and I opted to check out Murata in downtown Portland. It was insane. There were, like, a million courses.

The first course. It's a sign of respect when someone points the fish towards you. Thanks, husband.

You're supposed to eat the WHOLE shrimp. I did not. Dave did.

Soft-shell crab. This was course approx. # 49. I was in a fish coma at this point. In a good way.

Looking forward to many more culinary adventures to come!

Toddler vs. finger paints

 

Preachy

I just felt like sharing this. It makes me glad to call myself Christian, and glad to go to church. I'm not trying to convert the 98% of my audience who does not, fuhREAL, y'all. But I think this is worth reading. Most of my close friends who are not Christian (and that would be most of my friends) strive at least as hard as I do to embody a lot of the values discussed in this. Thanks, Kerlin Richter. I had no idea you were such a rock star.

Cheese whiz

Hey, everyone! Along the lines of my last post, check out Dave's entry for the Chocolate and Cheesemaking Cuisinternship! If you're so inclined, please go on youtube and post a comment and give him a bunch of stars! You have to create a youtube account to do this. If there was ever a time for a youtube account, it's now!

Can't help lovin' that man

I've thought about waxing rhapsodic about my husband for all of the blogosphere to read, especially in honor of our anniversary month. but somehow I think said husband would be mortified. and really, I, too think it would be a bit much. I'm sure you, dear reader, agree. But here is one of many, many reasons I love him.

Who loves ya, baby?

 

 

Maximizing summer, Part 4: shedding layers

Costco diapers: maximum comfort, maximum style.

Maximizing summer, Part 3: reconnecting

I believe it was Miss Manners who said something along the lines of, "the older you get, the more you appreciate old friends from back in the day." Only she would never, ever say "back in the day." But I'll buy that. Here's one of my very oldest friends, with the exception of Julie. Brandi and I met in third grade. We were both new in town and in the same reading group. Now we are moms. We fell out of touch for a couple of years, but thankfully reconnected (thanks Facebook). The stars aligned, and we met up in Hot Springs for the day when I was visiting my family. It was so good to see her. Brandi, vacation in Oregon is in order! You'll love it!

Darlin' and Granddaddy in Oregon

Ahem. Almost two months ago Darlin' and Granddaddy came to visit us in Portland. We had such a nice time! We did the beach, the Japanese Garden, and the park near our house. It was the first visit that didn't involve a major life transition, and so was a bit more relaxed. Thank goodness. I can't wait for them to visit again.