abby try again

kind of amazing

I had the best eating out experience of my life last week.

No joke.

And the best part, it was at a humble little restaurant -no bigger than a studio apartment-tucked inside a grocery store.

Well, I guess the restaurant isn't that humble. It's been reviewed as one of the best places in Portland and now I know why.

Evoe has maybe fifteen or twenty seats, a giant chalkboard menu, two chefs, and a simple concrete floor. The few things that adorn the small space are edible; chances are one of the chefs is gonna grab that artichoke that lies on the table and cook it up for you.

The menu is full of snacks and sandwiches; as well as interesting drinks and maybe a soup or two. When my friend and I sat down at the counter, the chef was inspecting a bag of scallops that had just been brought in. I decided that's what I would be eating...

I started with an elderflower spritzer and it was one of the most refreshing drinks I've had in awhile. I'm definitely going to try and recreate the bubbly goodness. I then watched as the female chef calmly cute up the grapefruit and avocado that would be accompanying my scallops.

What I love most about this place is that there's no hiding; what you see is what you get. Almost everything is made as you sit and watch. You don't deal with any waiters or long waits...you aren't wondering how old the fruit is or when that bread was baked. I was also floored by the fact that I spent about what I would've at the local taqueria. Everything is pretty reasonable and usually under $10.

My scallop dish was simple and lovely-cooked just to perfection. My friend ate a beautiful beet salad and our neighbors pea+chicken soup looked scrumptious...

I will definitely be returning to this place...

Happy Sunday!

a place to make you feel pretty

I've posted about it before, as have countless other Portland bloggers, but I really love Flutter!

Thank you to Cindy for letting me take these photos.

Hope you like the eye candy!

Have a good weekend...

print + press, 05

The newest installment of print + press is up, check it out over here!

This month Chelsea took a little break and Tricia Martin, food design extraordinaire, stepped in a printed up this adorable screen print. Thanks, Tricia!

Be sure to check out the process page for more photos and a sneak peak into our thoughts...

I hope you all enjoy it!

Happy Day to you...

study of peacocks

Peacocks are a funny thing.

They are beautiful, but boy do they make ugly sounds!

I spent a good deal of this day chasing after them. It was actually quite fun. It reminds me of my childhood summers and visits to Mooney's Grove Park.

Mooney's Grove was a magical place filled with gigantic oak trees, seemingly endless playgrounds, abandoned snack shacks, a pond filled with strange swampy plants and geese eager to eat anything that dropped from your little hands. There was a boathouse and paddle boats, an old pioneer museum  and there were also peacocks.

The funny thing was that park was so massive, the peacocks wised up and headed to the more secluded areas. When you went to Mooney's Grove you'd hear their squawking but only see them every great once in awhile. There was a mythical tale that circulated between my siblings that one of our older sister's once plucked a beautiful feather from a male and barely made her escape. I was just plain scared of those birds and tried not to mess with them and hoped they wouldn't mess with me....

I don't remember much about kindergarten, but I do remember that the first field trip I ever went on was to the small museum at Mooney's Grove. That was probably the first time I'd ever visited a museum and the small 1930's building filled with Native American items and old farm tools really wowed me. Outside of the museum was a sort of "living museum" with some old buildings furnished the way they would have been at the turn of the century. My favorite part was the schoolhouse.  (You can see a photo of me and my sister's there here.) I wonder if that building is still there...

I remember hearing stories about the glory days of Mooney's Grove Park. I think there was a small zoo, some carnival rides and even a huge slide that was built around a tree. I've even heard that buffalo roamed one corner of the park. And of course there is the famous statue that Visalians take much pride in. Or at least the old timers that I knew did ;)

When I was a child, the park was often in disrepair although I am sad to say that now it seems in an even worse state. Many of the trees are gone as are many of the neat old play grounds.

I really love the idea of public spaces and I love the idea of returning to them, year after year and playing where your Mom played or even where your Grandma played...Now my brother and his wife take their children to Mooney's Grove. Maybe there's hope for it after all.

making plans

I've told you how I have stacks of photos waiting to be scanned and organized, right?

Last night I was trying to conquer the pile and came across these. They were taken at my Aunt's house in January but seemed very summer-y to me. For more photos of my Aunt's house look here.

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Another thing I was trying to organize was an event I've been talking about for ages. Last November, Cori organized the Little Winter art+craft sale. It was so much fun; good food, friends and fun things to buy and sell! So I want to host a Little Summer Sale+Ice Cream Social at my place! The details are still in the works....but can I share some ideas with you?

I want to have a few of us vendors inside my place selling photos, screen prints, jewelery, art, etc-then I'd love to have a friend or two offering some home made ice cream and/or treats (some for sale, some free), then outside have a fun home made photo booth set up and some friends of mine playing tunes on the fiddle and guitar! Doesn't that sound fun? So if you are in Portland (or close!) stay tuned for details. I am thinking it will probably happen the last weekend of July...

I hope you'll come!

Happy day to you....

new memories

We've had a great weekend so far.

The summer is shaping up to be a blast.

And this Summer just threw a great little party, thanks!

And a huge thanks to this lady who sent me all this film.

I have some nice friends :)

Hope that you are creating some great new memories this weekend!

ready for the weekend

This weekend I am going to see lots of pretty flowers, eat lots of yummy food, and be able to wear a pretty dress or two. I hope your weekend is filled with similar things.

Many fun things are going on right now, but I just wanted to congratulate Tricia and Chelsea who both completed their MFA programs this week! I can't wait to see their installations...

Next week I'll be sharing the new print+press with you which Tricia is a part of this month! I can't wait!

I hope you all have a safe a lovely weekend!

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p.s. I've been getting emails from many of you asking me if I am ever going to reopen my etsy shop. Well, I still am keeping this shop as my main one, but I decided to put a few prints in my etsy shop over here. Thanks!

five hundred

Today I sat down to blog and noticed that this would be my 500th post.

I guess it's not really my 500th, as I had the same blog hosted by blogspot years ago...but it made me reflect for a minute on why I do this thing called blogging...

Well, I have no answers for you now. In fact, I am running behind schedule this morning and this weekend is just packed full. I am sure many of you are the same, but short answer-I like blogging!

Anyway, thanks for being around for my 500+ ramblings...

On an unrelated note...here is this insanely yummy and cute blog I found through one of my favorite blogs.

Happy Weekend!

(oh-and p.s. it's the last day to save 15% off your order in my shop! type the code "may" at checkout)

searching for balance

I usually rise early but during the past several days I've found it harder and harder to get up.

I think my body is telling me something.

I need my routine back.

Or perhaps I need a new summer routine? That sounds better.

Don't have much else to say except for that I adore this blog and her photos.

Good day to you...

nice days...

For me, the best part about good weather is that it makes the things I love doing even more enjoyable.

Taking walks through pretty neighborhoods are even better with sunshine and a slight breeze.

Enjoying minty lemonade or strong Turkish coffee is best with good company gathered under a bright umbrella.

Pretty dresses go perfectly with a sunny day...

Yes, the bit of good weather this weekend has made me crazy for summer.

One of the best summers of my life was spent in France. I would sit under a shade tree in the town's center with friends drinking tisanes flavored with peach syrup or sharing kebab sandwiches. We'd talk about life, the people around us, what we wanted for the future or nothing in particular. I long for those days...I think this summer I will try to have more of those days...

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The wonderful Ez of Creature Comforts is hosting a little surprise over here. Check it out!

Thanks, Ez!

Happy day to you....