I took my mom to the Lavender Tea Room for her birthday today. It's located in Sherwood, Oregon and I said yesterday that the ride was about 30 minutes, it ended up being a little over 40. We got there just in time for our appointment.
We were by ourselves for most of the time (two other women came in about 15 minutes before we left). We had the "Lavender Tea" that included scones with clotted cream and jam, fruit, and tea sandwiches (two cucumber with cream cheese and two mozzarella with tomato and basil). Dessert was (and these were all very small) lemon bar, brownie tart, cream puff and white chocolate dipped strawberry with almonds. The tea we had was good; but I cannot remember the name. I only remember some of what was in it: lavender, cinnamon, spearmint and some other stuff.
Well, my mom loves tea houses so it was the perfect gift for her.
And my new favorite food: clotted cream. Very popular in the UK, very hard to get here commercially. So I think I may try to make some myself!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Big Chop
My mom cut my dreadlocks late Sunday. This was about as short as my hair was when I first cut the relaxed part off 9 years ago.
I don't miss them at all! This will simplify my life considerably and I won't have to spend 3-4 hours doing my hair once a month. In fact, I can wash it everyday if I want to (although I will co-wash if I do that and shampoo every few weeks).
So, here is my pic! FYI, I am not keeping it this short. I'm letting it grow out. And of course, the longer it gets, the more work it will take to maintain. But, my hair won't be that long for a few years (especially considering it shrinks up like 50 percent of its length when it dries!). As short as my hair was after the cut, it amazes me how much tangled hair came out during my shampoo. My hair is so dense and thick.
In other news, my mom and brother are here visiting from Philadelphia for two weeks. They haven't been here very long, just two days, so we haven't done much yet. We might drive to the beach for the day (will have to rent a car, if Craig's mom comes along), go to the rose garden (though the roses are probably burned up from all this crazy heat), go to Powell's Books, etc. And of course, relaxing, too.
My mom's birthday is Friday and I am taking her to a tea house in Sherwood, Oregon (just a 30 min. drive from where we are now). My mom really liked this tea house I took her to when we lived in Walla Walla, so I thought I would find one here to take her to. I'll let you know how it was!
I don't miss them at all! This will simplify my life considerably and I won't have to spend 3-4 hours doing my hair once a month. In fact, I can wash it everyday if I want to (although I will co-wash if I do that and shampoo every few weeks).
So, here is my pic! FYI, I am not keeping it this short. I'm letting it grow out. And of course, the longer it gets, the more work it will take to maintain. But, my hair won't be that long for a few years (especially considering it shrinks up like 50 percent of its length when it dries!). As short as my hair was after the cut, it amazes me how much tangled hair came out during my shampoo. My hair is so dense and thick.
In other news, my mom and brother are here visiting from Philadelphia for two weeks. They haven't been here very long, just two days, so we haven't done much yet. We might drive to the beach for the day (will have to rent a car, if Craig's mom comes along), go to the rose garden (though the roses are probably burned up from all this crazy heat), go to Powell's Books, etc. And of course, relaxing, too.
My mom's birthday is Friday and I am taking her to a tea house in Sherwood, Oregon (just a 30 min. drive from where we are now). My mom really liked this tea house I took her to when we lived in Walla Walla, so I thought I would find one here to take her to. I'll let you know how it was!
Monday, July 27, 2009
I'm 32 years old today!
Today is my birthday and I haven't really got anything planned. There is a heat advisory in Portland with 100 temps set for the next three days. We broke down and purchased an air conditioner unit for the window in our kitchen to keep the downstairs cooler. If Gabe were older and in school and I was at work all day, we probably would just ride it through. Or if he were in school and it were just me, I'd just go spend the day at the mall to keep cool.
But I think he's too young to be lugged around town to stay cool, so that's why we got the unit. It's small and works well so far; keeps the kitchen/dining area cold and the living room cool. Haven't hatched a plan for upstairs. During the day it will get very hot, but at night it cools off OK.
Anyway, back to the birthday. No plans. All I am doing, is getting a cheesecake and maybe some take-out Thai food, not sure yet. But not going out anywhere, no major plans; really concentrating on keeping Gabe and myself cool these next few days.
But I think he's too young to be lugged around town to stay cool, so that's why we got the unit. It's small and works well so far; keeps the kitchen/dining area cold and the living room cool. Haven't hatched a plan for upstairs. During the day it will get very hot, but at night it cools off OK.
Anyway, back to the birthday. No plans. All I am doing, is getting a cheesecake and maybe some take-out Thai food, not sure yet. But not going out anywhere, no major plans; really concentrating on keeping Gabe and myself cool these next few days.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Oregon Zoo Trip
This past Monday, after getting back in town from visiting friends in Washington State, we took Gabe to the Oregon Zoo, courtesy of Grandma Deb (was part of his birthday gift). One of Craig's friends, Tina, and her daughter Mary-Ellen, was in town from Salt Lake City, and they joined us, too. Fortunately, Monday was nice and cool (versus the rest of this week which was very hot).
It was really fun. Gabe was totally fascinated with things like "Exit" signs, lights and other children. Oh yeah, and the animals were okay, too, lol. What I like about the Oregon Zoo is that there is not a lot of concrete; you feel like you are hiking in the woods, looking at animals. Or at least they do a pretty good job of making it seem that way. Many of the exhibits feel very open (except for the elephants, big cats, bears, etc.)
At one point, I had to go nurse him and then I put him in the carrier. He fell asleep for probably a half hour. We made our way to the stage area, where they were having a show of owls and music was playing. They just so happened to be playing "Thriller" by MJ and I felt Gabe dancing in his carrier before he even fully woke! The boy LOVES music.
Here are some pics:
Mom and Gabe looking at Polar Bears.
Meri-Elen, her mom Tina and Gabe.
Seals.
Zebra. Doesn't it feel like we were practically
in the enclosure?
Meerkat
Right before naptime.
It was really fun. Gabe was totally fascinated with things like "Exit" signs, lights and other children. Oh yeah, and the animals were okay, too, lol. What I like about the Oregon Zoo is that there is not a lot of concrete; you feel like you are hiking in the woods, looking at animals. Or at least they do a pretty good job of making it seem that way. Many of the exhibits feel very open (except for the elephants, big cats, bears, etc.)
At one point, I had to go nurse him and then I put him in the carrier. He fell asleep for probably a half hour. We made our way to the stage area, where they were having a show of owls and music was playing. They just so happened to be playing "Thriller" by MJ and I felt Gabe dancing in his carrier before he even fully woke! The boy LOVES music.
Here are some pics:
Mom and Gabe looking at Polar Bears.
Meri-Elen, her mom Tina and Gabe.
Seals.
Zebra. Doesn't it feel like we were practically
in the enclosure?
Meerkat
Right before naptime.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday Play Date
Yesterday, another couple from our childbirth class, Amy and Steve, brought their son, Silas, over for a playdate and much needed catching up between the adults. It was great fun!
I made artichoke and sun-dried tomato quiche, Craig made a fruit salad, and we bought poppyseed and almond muffins. Gabe and Silas played together well. Silas is about 2 weeks younger than Gabe, but he is already walking. They both seemed to drift between being tired and getting bursts of energy. We were kind of worried about Gabe, because he seemed to getting really cranky and tired right when they arrived! But after some cuddlings and holding him, he got a second wind. During lunch, he sucked on a lot of fruit; he was quite taken with the watermelon and cantelope. Silas is not as picky with foods and ate some of the quiche (in fact, Amy joked that she think he may be eating too much, lol).
It was great to compare notes on parenting with another couple that are first time parents. I took a few pics:
Gabe looking at Silas over near his parents.
Tried to get Silas to smile big. I think there was a
little smile there.
I made artichoke and sun-dried tomato quiche, Craig made a fruit salad, and we bought poppyseed and almond muffins. Gabe and Silas played together well. Silas is about 2 weeks younger than Gabe, but he is already walking. They both seemed to drift between being tired and getting bursts of energy. We were kind of worried about Gabe, because he seemed to getting really cranky and tired right when they arrived! But after some cuddlings and holding him, he got a second wind. During lunch, he sucked on a lot of fruit; he was quite taken with the watermelon and cantelope. Silas is not as picky with foods and ate some of the quiche (in fact, Amy joked that she think he may be eating too much, lol).
It was great to compare notes on parenting with another couple that are first time parents. I took a few pics:
Gabe looking at Silas over near his parents.
Tried to get Silas to smile big. I think there was a
little smile there.
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