Joie de Vivre
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" ~Mary OliverChristmas & friends in Pdx.
Bonjour mes amies/amis! Long time, no see! I actually have several “almost”-completed posts that only need a few finishing touches, but these past few weeks have been insanely busy (good busy of course!) & I just can’t seem to find an extra 10 minutes to simply sit down and get them done. (Same goes for my Christmas cards!)
In the meantime, I thought I’d say hi & give you a quick update. After a somewhat chaotic morning, followed by a rainy drive down to Portland, I am now surrounded in coziness at the Hotel deLuxe. The fabulous Ms. Molly took Debra and I on a festive drive thru Peacock Lane tonight and then we enjoyed wine & nibbles at Kir Wine Bar.
The adorable houses (mostly Tudors) on Peacock Lane have been decorating for Christmas since 1929. Tonight was the first night of their season and we arrived early, so there were hardly any cars. It was absolutely lovely! Here are a couple pictures that I found on Flickr to give you a taste.
Afterwards, we went to Kir Wine Bar, which is intimate & adorable! It is tucked away on a side street of Burnside and is unassuming inside & out. They have a wonderful selection of wine (daily offerings are listed on a chalkboard) and small plates (lovingly prepared in their small open kitchen). It’s also very close to my favorite Pdx restaurant, Le Pigeon. If you’re in the neighborhood, try them both!
216. Jam-packed Friday.
Bougainvillier, 1947
What a delightful (& event-packed) evening last night was! B & I cut our work days an hour short to see two new exhibits at the Seattle Art Museum — Alexander Calder: A Balancing Act (thru April 11, 2010) and Michelangelo Public and Private: Drawings for the Sistine Chapel and Other Treasures from the Casa Buonarroti (thru Jan 31, 2010). Both exhibits are spectacular, but I was particularly moved by Calder’s work. I had no idea! The collection contains a wonderful ensemble of his mobiles and EVERY piece made me smile! It covers his work from 1927 to the mid-1970’s (displayed from newest to oldest) and the first piece is a lovely white mobile that has an entire room dedicated to it. I had thoughts of laying on the beach with white doves peacefully gliding above me. Some of my favorite pieces were his “Jonah and the Whale” mobile and his standing mobiles — my very favorite, Bougainvillier, is pictured above.
Calder in his Paris studio, fall 1931.
Photograph by Marc Vaux
The exhibit ends with “Cirque Calder,” a 1961 film featuring Calder’s miniature circus. It is brilliant! His cast of characters were made out of bits of wire and cloth and each piece is manipulated by Calder to move in some way. They are such beautiful, delicate pieces crafted with so much imagination and simplicity. Watching the movie is like watching something thru the eyes of a child. If you see the exhibit, you should sit and enjoy the entire film.
For more of Calder’s work and for information about his life, there is a wonderful website at http://calder.org.
The Michelangelo exhibit is also very interesting. It provides a glimpse into his creative process and it’s an incredibly rare opportunity to see twelve of his original working drawings for the Sistine Ceiling and the Last Judgment. (This is the only American venue for this exhibition from the Casa Buonarotti in Florence.)
Martín Espada
After the exhibit, we met Concert Boy and had dinner at TASTE, and then went to see Martín Espada at the Nordstrom Recital Hall (part of SAL’s poetry series). Espada has been referred to as “the Latino poet of his generation” and “the Pablo Neruda of North American authors.” He was born in Brooklyn in 1957 and has published sixteen books in all as a poet, editor, essayist and translator. I loved hearing him read his poetry and he is absolutely engaging as a storyteller. One of my favorite poems last night was Alabanza: In Praise of Local 100. Here is a website featuring more of his poetry.
The evening did not end here…
After Espada, Concert Boy and I went to see Spanish Harlem Orchestra at Jazz Alley. Oh my goodness, they were wonderful. Concert Boy was so jazzed afterwards he couldn’t sleep. I, however, slept like a rock and am unfortunately paying for my evening of fun with my horrible never-ending cough. Today, I’m curled up on the couch, drinking tea, reading my book and readying myself for the Brandi Carlile concert tonight. Have a lovely Saturday evening my friends!
215. Vacation!!!
As they say, it’s a girl’s prerogative to change her mind, right? So change my mind I did! I’m finally taking a 2-week vacation at the beginning of November and I was going to rent an apartment in NYC. I was having second thoughts the other night (one, because I’d actually like to go again for an event in January & two, because I’m kind of craving PURE relaxation) when the girl I rented from called to say her trip was cancelled, but that she had a friend who would rent to me instead or that she would still honor my reservation if I wanted. I’m pretty sure this was the world’s way of telling me to reconsider, so instead, I have decided to rent a small cottage on the beach in Santa Barbara — where hopefully it will be sunny. I am SO excited!!!!
It’s owned by a screenwriter and his yogi/”inter-faith celebrant” wife and I decided it was the perfect place when he told me that he’d rather rent to me than another woman who called and was concerned about perfume samples that might be found in magazines in the cottage and inquired whether she could use electric heat instead of gas. Also, according to their online calendar, these two weeks are the ONLY two weeks they have free until March. And then, I found out they had three cats — Floyd, Franny & Earl — and that they speak German and “22 words of Italian,” and it was a done deal!
Cute, no? I plan on spending a lot of time curled up in the hammock on my private deck and walking the beach trails. Ahhhh, I can smell the sea now!
214. Inspiration.
I still have this terrible-horrible-no good-very bad cough (boo!), but I think my fever is finally gone (yay!). Along with Boo, my comforter and lemon tea, here are the things that kept me company (& inspired) yesterday between naps.
This wonderful little video – “A Paper Storm.”
This recently posted YouTube video showing the only motion picture images ever taken of Anne Frank — and this LA Times Book Review about Francine Prose’s book, “Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife.”
This WSJ essay by David Byrne about the perfect city.
The premiere issue of Lonny.
This lovely blog by Lisa Leonard & images of her wonderful jewelry.
This NPR interview with Juliette Binoche. She’s currently dancing in Brooklyn, showing her paintings alongside her poems in a gallery exhibition on Fifth Avenue, AND she’s in a new film, Paris. — Seriously?! How does one person find so much creative energy?
And Etsy. Aren’t these prints & cards by FréyaArt adorable?
And finally, I want to see this, this, this and this.
xoxo Have a most lovely Friday!
213. The 3/50 Project & other finds.
It is 4am and I can’t sleep! :( This cough is driving me nuts! So here I am, aimlessly wandering around the internet and I found a couple things I thought I would share.
As many of you know, I am passionate about supporting our local mom & pops. The 3/50 Project is a grass root effort to save our brick and mortars and the premise is easy…what three local shops would you miss the most if they shuttered? Spend a minimum of $50 a month between the three…you’ll be surprised how far it goes in your community! Visit the350project.net to learn more.
Here are two other finds that I thought you might enjoy. The first is an absolutely lovely Fall wedding and the second is photography by Jordi Canosa. I absolutely LOVE EVERY SINGLE one of these homes, especially Katrin Arens, Casa Médec and Ingrid (a little taste below). If only I could win the lottery! (When you visit the website, select ‘Interiorismo’ on the top menu bar and then the specific home on the sidebar to see the slideshow.)
And finally, here’s a little Sarah Vaughan to kick off your Thursday! (I am planning on sleeping until noon!)
xoxo
212. Being sick sucks!
I spent my day curled up in a comforter, alternating between sleep and reading, listening to the rain, consuming a ton of lemon tea – waiting for my chest to explode from coughing. I absolutely HATE being sick! It might be relaxing if I didn’t have a gazillion items on my to do list and zero time to be lethargic right now. Also, there is only so much time even I – a passionate reader – can spend with a book. I alternated between “The Book Thief” and Mary Oliver’s poetry.
I would like to thank my friends for entertaining me with their political emails, tweets, and sample pages of their writing today. (Love my Blackberry!) Also, thanks to V for her lemon tea, whiskey & honey concoction. Brilliant my dear!
Here’s hoping I feel better tomorrow, or at least that you all have additional items to entertain me with — preferably ones that don’t require talking …
xoxo Sweet dreams!
P.S. Wish I was curled up here instead. It looks so happy & cozy.
211. Highlights of another PDX weekend.
Following a couple days of open enrollment meetings in Portland last Thursday and Friday, Concert Boy & I decided to stay for the weekend and attend the Wordstock Festival. It’s my absolute favorite book & literary festival and Portland is the perfect host! It is held each Fall at the Convention Center (admission is only $5/day or $8 for 2 days) and features 8 author stages, a bookfair with over 150 exhibitors, a series of workshops for writers & teachers, and several special events. This year’s festival featured 170 writers and highlighted food writing, memoir and young adult.
Between literary events, we relaxed in our room at Hotel deLuxe, savored Stumptown coffee, perused Powell’s City of Books, and enjoyed several AMAZING meals (see highlights below)! We wrapped up our weekend with a train ride home, departing Portland just as the sun was setting.
My Wordstock Highlights
- The beautiful walk from the hotel to the festival on Saturday morning across the sunlit Broadway bridge.
- Dean Olsher’s spoken-word performance, “From Square One,” about crossword puzzles and the war between thinking & feeling. I loved the format, incorporating sound design and Olsher’s original music. There is an excerpt of the reading here.
- Seeing the CRAZY, yet compelling James Ellroy (“L.A. Confidential”). Here’s a short interview with Ellroy that was featured in WW.
- Collecting foraging tips from Seattle-ite Langdon Cook (“Fat of the Land: Adventures of a 21st Century Forager”) & heirloom gardening tips from Bill Thorness.
- Listening to Julia Glass (“Three Junes”), a National Book Award winner, talk about her family & the families she writes about, her day-to-day connection with her characters, and her haphazard writing schedule (which she blames on not being a morning person — Boy, do I get that!). Here’s a short interview with Glass that was featured in WW.
- The “Willamette Week at 35″ panel discussion with 5 past & present journalists.
- Ronault (Polo) Catalani’s (“Counter Culture: Immigrant Stories from Portland Cafe Counters”) intimate conversation about the need to understand & celebrate our cultural differences.
My Food Highlights
Urban Farmer
Thursday night w/friends — Cocktails & Brandon’s cheese cart at Urban Farmer (located in the historical Meier + Frank building, now the Nines Hotel).
Park Kitchen
Friday night w/friends — Cocktails at Teardrop Lounge. Wine & small plate tasting menu at Park Kitchen.
- Fried green beans & bacon w/tarragon aioli.
- St. Germain salad, smoked cod, fennel, beans & pickled elderberries.
- Roasted beets, chilies, chicory & walnuts.
- Marinated smelt & eggplant, saffron onions.
- Little octopus w/padron peppers & bottarga.
- Gnocchi w/grilled corn, lobster & mushroom sauce.
- Lime curd cake w/caramel popcorn & sweet corn sauce.
- Plum & tomato crisp w/basil ice cream.
- Double chocolate tart w/Earl Grey anglaise & chantilly cream.
Beast
Saturday night w/Concert Boy — Six-course tasting menu with wine pairings at Beast. AMAZING!!!!!
- Delicata squash soup w/Tails & Trotters pork crackling & tarragon salsa verde. Wine: Brundlmayer Gruner Vetliner Kamtaler Terrassen 2007.
- Charcuterie plate: foie-gras bon-bon w/sauternes geleé, steak tartare & quail egg toast, chicken liver mousse w/pickled shallot, pork liver & sour cherry pate. Wine: Prieler Sauvignon Blanc Seebert 2006.
- Braised Sonoma Farms duck leg w/cream of cabbage with truffle & crab-apple confiture. Wine: Clos Roche Blanche Cabernet Touraine 2007.
- Beet & marinated celery root salad w/fried capers & Homboldt Fog goat cheese. Wine: County Line Rose 2008.
- Selection of Steve’s Cheese: Anise & fleur de sel shortbread, Bittersweet Farms honey, Mars-Venus grapes & hazelnuts. Wine: Merkelbach Riesling Spatlese Urziger.
- Olive oil cake w/port poached Seckle peers & spiced Marcona Almonds. Wine: Montellori Vin Santo Bianco Dell Empolese 2001.
210. Weekend highlights: Theatre & PDX.
Charity Parenzini as Lotty
in Enchanted April
Friday night, Concert Boy & I went to see Enchanted April at Taproot Theatre (running through October 24th). The play is based on Elizabeth von Arnim’s 1922 novel and is “the story of two women (and their two traveling companions) who escape their war-torn, rain-soaked dreary English lives for a month of sunshine in Italy. As the four women begin to blossom under the warm Mediterranean sun, their souls, too, begin to flourish.” The play is entirely enchanting and the acting, stage set and costume design are a must see.
Saturday morning, I caught the train to Portland to join G&M for Mikhail Baryshnikov & Ana Laguna’s “Three Solos and a Duet” performance at Newmark Theatre. (All three of their shows were sold out, so I feel lucky to have been offered tickets. — Thanks G&M!) I’ve never seen Baryshnikov in person and I must say, even at 61-years old, he’s still graceful and mezmerizing. The performance was intimate, theatrical, funny, nostalgic, and ended with a standing ovation.
Other Highlights of the Weekend
Hotel Lucia
- My lovely, cozy room at Hotel Lucia.
- A cappuccino at Barista.
- Catharine Newell’s Interstice exhibit at Bullseye Gallery.
- A wonderful 4-course Sunday brunch at Beast. (So wonderful in fact, that I made dinner reservations for next weekend. Stay tuned!)
- Cocktails & small plates at 3 Doors Down before heading home on Sunday.
Happy Monday! It’s going to be a busy week. Tonight, I’m meeting friends for dinner & then going to see Bob Dylan!! Tomorrow night, I’m going to see Sherman Alexie at Town Hall Seattle with some friends. Wednesday, I’m going to see Annie Proulx at Benaroya as part of the Seattle Arts & Lecture series. Thursday, I’m off to Portland for work and then spending the weekend at Wordstock. I can’t wait!!!!
209. Another month of blur!
It was JUST September, and now, it’s already October. Life is going WAY too fast! I’ll try to be better about posting more frequently this month, but thanks for sticking with me.
Here are some of September’s highlights:
(Spending two hours stuck in an elevator on a Friday night was NOT one of them! The texts from some of you while I was stuck in an elevator might have been.)
- “Ode to Tomatoes” dinner party at M&G’s.
- Bumbershoot!!!!!
- “The Year of Magical Thinking” at the Intiman Theatre w/B
- Savory crepes (apple smoked bacon, sharp white chedder & basil, drizzled w/maple syrup) at Citizen – a few times.
- Dr. Lonnie Smith at Jazz Alley & a night at Hotel Monaco w/Concert Boy
- Sandra Day O’Connor at THS w/Heather
- Two house concerts — Driftwood Fire & Antje Duvekot
- Volunteering in FareStart’s contract kitchen
- Cocktail Party hosted by the “3 Amigos”
- The Andrew Wyeth exhibit at SAM
- Coffee, walks around Greenlake, book discussions, movies & various meals with dear friends.
Happy Autumn! (Still ready for a vacation!) xoxo
207. Life is a blur!
Is it really September?!?! Already?!?! OMG, August went by in the blink of an eye! Work has been insanely busy and I’ve been spending what free time I have with Concert Boy, friends and family. Here’s a little summary of the month…
- Seattle Sounders FC v. FC Barcelona Friendly with Tina
- Sushi with Concert Boy at Chiso (highly recommend!)
- GRACE’s “How to be Cool” fundraising event at the ACT Theatre with the “Royal We”
- Book Club at Kate’s
- Virgo Night — Indian food & sidewalk Cappuccinos
- Happy Hour at Poppy with the lovely Ms. Molly & Ms. Deb
- “Inspired by Light” photography exhibit at ArtsWest
- Emiliana Torrini at the Crocodile w/DK
- Amos Lee w/M&G
- Comfort food at the quintessential Wedgwood Broiler w/Concert Boy & friends
- The 5th annual Trappen Kon Tiki Karaoke Soiree
- A lovely weekend camping & hiking at Mount Rainier w/Concert Boy & friends
- Miscellaneous meals, bottles of wine, cocktails, films and laps around Greenlake with friends & family.
I’m ready for Fall…and a vacation! xo
