Under a Red Roof

The Gift of Friends

March 21, 2011 in Celebrating, Drinking, Eating, Friendship by Colleen | 1 comment

Happy Monday, gentle readers. It is gloriously grey here in Stumptown, and I’ve no complaints. Well, not any serious ones, anyway.

Here’s hoping you had a lovely weekend. Mine began in earnest on Thursday, with my friend and maker of the exquisite little beaded angel pictured above, Bebe. We met way back in college, and hadn’t seen each other in thirteen years. She called out of the blue, on the road in my neck of the woods, and we spent two fun filled days thrifting and eating around Portland (Broder and City State Diner – yum). It was a hoot and a holler to be sure.

Then Saturday was blessedly sunny enough to be in the car with the windows rolled down, doing all kinds of running around to purchase an odd assortment of items: delicious strawberry rhubarb jam (from my friend’s brother’s company), bread, my favorite Italian nougat, safety vests (for bicycling), metal straps and braces (for earthquake “proofing”), and something else that evades my memory at the moment.

We also spent a lovely evening with the jam maker’s sister, Lori (but sadly not her husband, as he was quite under the weather). She made the sweet (in scent and looks) sachet above from a thrifted quilt. Our chosen hangout was Circa 33, a newer place on Belmont with good service, delicious fare, and super drinks. Steamed mussels, a pulled pork sandwich, and a cocktail called La Louisiane (whiskey and absinthe make great partners) were the tops.

The highlight of the weekend (more like my life), was the company and conversation of truly wonderful friends and one sibling (Hey brother!). I am beyond blessed in this department, with so many kind hearted people near and far, giving of their time and hearts, cheering me up, willing to listen, share, and withstand my occasional and excited but no less annoying interruptions (noticing the problem is the first step to mending it). Thanks to you all.

Have a wonderful week!

Tags: Portland, Restaurants

Twenty

February 9, 2011 in Admiring, Celebrating, Friendship, Loving by Colleen | 5 comments

It feels pretty amazing to see a smile like that, and even more so when I know that it is meant for me. The hubster and I enter our third decade together today, and I truly could not imagine a better partner. He makes me laugh, smile, think, and count my myriad blessings. He loves my failings more than I do, all the while inspiring me to believe, do, and be all that I can.

Thank you, Buddy. Here’s to the decade to come!

The Oregon Garden

June 28, 2010 in Exploring, Friendship by Colleen | 2 comments

Hello friends – Welcome to The Oregon Garden! Located just outside the picture post card town of Silverton, it’s about an hour’s drive from our red roof, and a pleasant one, to boot. My friend Rob and I journeyed there a few weeks back while he was in town.

With eighty acres and a myriad of different gardens, there is a whole lot to see.

This photo and the yellow flowers in the one above are part of the eco-roof, a great way to filter rain water and keep a structure cool. I like the look of the plants, too.

This is the cottonwood forest. These trees are crazy tall, something like a hundred feet, and grew over a very short period of time – most impressive Obi Wan.

Funny that I should type that, for Rob, my fellow traveler, is a huge Star Wars fan, probably the biggest I know. He even has a super cool Jedi costume, complete with light saber.

These two pictures are from the conifer garden. The needles on both were surprisingly soft.

There is a tram at the garden, and though I would generally pooh-pooh something of this ilk, I was glad we took it. One, it is nice to get an overview of the garden before deciding on specific areas to explore. Two, the driver was a cute and friendly retiree with many funny anecdotes. He also highlighted the best places to get married, this series of pools being among them. I have to admit that the light was awfully romantic.

I think these are the seed pods of a sweet gum tree, but please don’t hold me to it. Whatever they are, I like the look of them.

Always stop to smell the roses.

This was my favorite part of the garden. It is an oak grove that dates back more than four hundred years. Can you imagine living that long? What a testament to the power of nature – so beautiful and inspiring.

Daisies are such happy flowers. Are you smiling yet? Go ahead, it feels good.

Oh deer. She tried to pretend she was a statue, but we knew better.

I love this whisper of a flower. I almost expect it to turn into a sweet fairy. May I have three wishes?

Pretty.

We’re almost at the end of our visit.

Calalilies are so beautiful.

And now, for a shout out to my traveling companion: Thanks for always being up for adventure, for your kind and generous spirit, for your marvelous humor and taste in music (Wilco!), your creativity, but mostly your friendship. You’re a keeper!

Tags: Oregon

Linda: My “Oldest” Friend

March 17, 2008 in Friendship, Loving, Remembering by admin | Permalink

Linda

I met Linda when we were in the seventh grade. Was it in P.E.? Gosh, another fact slipped into the ether.

There are so many wonderful memories associated with her that I hardly know where to begin. The most interesting fact would be a good start: Linda is the best belcher I have ever known. Loud, rolling, controlled, and capable of forming complete sentences. Whenever I belch, it is an embarrassing and awkward accident.

It was with Linda that I took my first trip with someone else’s family. We visited their cabin in Como, Colorado. It was a lovely, rustic place. We roamed the fields, played Yahtzee like there was no tomorrow, and giggled like the schoolgirls we were.

It was at Linda’s that I watched my first movie on a VCR (Rock and Roll High School), learned to shave my legs, and how to properly use a shower curtain. *Keep that plastic in the tub or you’ll end up with a whole mess o’ water on the floor.* She also helped me score the best paying and yummiest job of my teen years – a busser at Amici’s Italian Restaurant. Boy do I miss the sausage sandwich special!

As she lives in Denver, and I in Portland, we don’t see much of each other these days, but she is often on my mind. She’s the type of person who is always smiling (and isn’t a lovely one, too?), is kind, thoughtful, and never has an ill word against anyone. Everyone should have a little Linda in their life. I’m glad I do.