autumn walkways

I visited the Chinese Gardens here in Portland last weekend. It is one of my favorite places in Portland. I really need to go there more often. I think people talk about the Japanese Garden more in regards for tourists in Portland, and the Japanese Gardens are nice. But, the Lan Su Chinese Garden is such a more unique experience. I think I especially like all the open interiors - walkways, hallways, little buildings - all with pretty intricate woodwork.

There are lots of places that you can sort of hide or get out of the way.

Weekends can be kind of crowded. Weekdays off season are the best for taking some quiet time in the garden.

Today I have not been walking along pretty garden walkways like last Sunday. I've been on the computer way too long. But before I go I want you to know that I'm having a Free Shipping Sale at The Cedar Chest through Sunday the 6th. 

I also just created a facebook page for The Cedar Chest. So, please check it out and "like" it if you do. I just posted a bunch on new stuff at the Etsy shop.

best laid plans..

I had a nasty computer virus for the last couple of weeks and have not been able to spend more than a couple of minutes on the computer. I think it is over now (knock wood) and am glad because there were blog posts I wanted to get too...now if I can just remember what they were.

While I am trying to figure that out I thought I would pop in to say hello and let you know of some neat vintage sewing patterns I put in my Etsy shop today. I am trying to help my mom make some extra money, so I volunteered to list them. I have a lot more from the late 80s and 90s's that I may list later if they don't sell when I take them to the Twilight Rummage Sale next week (Portlanders, that is on 50th and Hawthorne at the Eagles Lodge from 4-8 on Saturday).

Anyway, take a look a these if you are interested. Some of them were bought for me in 1965! Almost all seem unused.

Etsy Buy Handmade thecedarchest

a place in the woods

Last week at this time I as at a cabin near Mt Hood. It was my annual Autumn vacation with the mister and it was great. This was the first vacation that I have taken in a long time where I didn't feel the need to sight-see. We pretty much just stayed in the cabin and relaxed and enjoyed the great view. The second day we were there it snowed a bit.



The mountain you see here is Zig Zag Mountain. We couldn't see Mt Hood from where we were and it would have been covered in clouds anyway. Half the time we couldn't even see Zig Zag Mountain.




People in Portland are really into Stumptown Coffee and being from the Bay Area I have always been fond of Peets, as well. They are both great, but Cellar Door is my new fave and this coconut creamer is incredibly good. It was such a treat to have coffee every morning with a Joe's Donut (the best donuts around!) while looking at the view.



There were some puzzles at the cabin and I did one for the first time in about 15 years. It was only 300 pieces and it took me way too long to do it - and Steve helped! And wouldn't you know it, the puzzle was missing one piece!



But, the best thing about the vacation (besides just being together, of course) was the hot tub. This hot tub was very private and we would go everyday about 3:30 or 4pm. We would watch the fog come rolling in over the trees and stay until it got dark. Heaven.

The path to the hot tub.





You can see a couple more images from this trip here.

Today I posted a few new items on my vintage shop. My favorite item was this vintage Wright's Rick Rack brochure. I just love it! 2 packs of vintage Rick Rack comes with it.




I will tell you a secret. I am not really ready for Thanksgiving and the Christmas Season yet. I usually am totally into it by now, but it just feels too soon. Is it just me?

one day sun, one day rain = perfect

Saturday was a beautiful day in Portland. I will never get tired of the bright autumn leaves against such a clear blue sky. Around every bend was another gorgeous tree glowing in the sunlight. I spent the afternoon with a new friend and we visited some of the best of Portland. We got used and vintage craft supplies at the Knitten Kitten, we both had our first visit to the amazing (and very busy) Sock Dreams retail store and then I got to introduce her to one of my favorite places for lunch - Jade Teahouse. A nice day all around.

As I left the house Saturday I saw this large spider hanging out. I guess he should enjoy the nice day, too. Still...a little creepy.

Then today was overcast and rainy off and on. I even saw some fog. A perfect morning for fresh baked croissants* and coffee and getting some things done around the house. I mostly worked cleaning up the craft room, (someday i will actually do crafts in here again) doing chores and working on the DVD. It is very close to being all done.

I wish I could stop time. I love the feeling of a day like today when it is about 1pm and I have the rest of the day to get so much done. I always have such high hopes at that time. But, now it is almost 7pm and the day is done. Some things were definitely accomplished, but never as much as you imagine at the height of the day (and at the height of your caffeine kicking in).

Today I also posted on The Cedar Chest blog about one of my favorite ephemera finds in a long time. It is a a beautiful illustrated Children's Holiday booklet from 1935. Go take a look. It might give you some ideas for this Halloween weekend. Hope you all have a good week!

* Trader Joes has some wonderful frozen croissants (I like the chocolate ones) that you put out the night before. They rise real big and then you just bake them in the morning. I recommend them.

gatherings

Today I went to a meeting of the Portland Postcard Club that I am a part of. I haven't been to a meeting in a long time. It is great fun. Some people get tables and sell their stuff, others come and buy. Many of the people there are senior citizens and they have been collecting and even in the club for years.

I love hearing what people collect. Today someone mentioned that they look for postcards with sayings by a certain person who was a innkeeper. Not sure why, maybe he is related. Another person looks for real photos with ice cream signs in them. Really, it is fascinating how defined the search becomes over time. Me, I pretty much am open to lots of stuff, but I do certainly gravitate towards certain things.

Anyway, I got some great stuff today. I will write about much of it on The Cedar Chest blog and some will get listed in The Cedar Chest store. So, if you like ephemera and vintage postcards I hope you will add those sites to your lists.

So, even though this is more something I would post on The Cedar Chest I wanted to share it with you all. This is my favorite find from today:


1889! Can you imagine? This little complimentary dance card survived all of these 120 years! Maybe Fred met someone there. But, wait, if he used it it would probably not be here. Unless he asked to keep it. Maybe the ticket keeper kept it for sentimental reasons...Anyway, who knows. I have always wanted to go to a Dancing Pavilion, like orchestra style.

My window is open and it is a nice breezy and sunny late afternoon here. The neighbors the next street over are playing the best music and I don't know what it is, but it is very pleasant and kind of melancholy (this is when that shazam app would be great).

Along with the music I hear the crowd sounds and laughter of their gathering, a dog barking, sirens in the distance, the soft sound of the leaves moving in the wind, a car passing. I wish I had good recording equipment so I could do "field recording". I have always loved those.

Since I can't give you a recording of what I am hearing right now I am going to lead you to this field recording of a street party in Germany. Open a new window with this link and take a listen while you keep reading.

On the way home for the Postcard Club I stopped at the Old Country German store and got some genuine German Potato salad for the mister and some stuff for a nice german dinner for us. The real German Potato salad has meat in it. Being a pescatarian, I only make him the veggie version, so he should be very happy.

While there I was charmed into getting this pack of spaetzle noodles.


Don't you just love the name and design? I love Bavarian designs. Even more since we went to Leavenworth, WA a couple years ago. Going into the German Delis and stores in town always feels like being back there. I have never made spaetzle and I am not even sure I have eaten it.

Well, time to go spend a nice mellow evening with the mister. Thanks for listening to my stories.

I hope you all have a good rest of the weekend.

just a little note to say...

Free Shipping offer at The Cedar Chest through Sunday.

yesterday and today

• Yesterday I stayed up too late pouring over the new Harney and Sons Tea catalog that I got in the mail. I love their tea and the catalog has some interesting information.

Lots of new stuff I want to try, some incredible and expensive rare teas, too. Someone I know in the internet world says he loves the white vanilla grapefruit tea. I may have to try that next.

This mid-summers peach tea is great with a bit of sweetener. I wonder how it will be in an iced tea. I think I may find out soon.

• Yesterday it was sunny and warm here. After work I went by one of my new favorite places, the frozen yogurt shop. I got blackberry and coconut. I then came home and sat in my backyard (which sadly is really just a driveway with some plants around) and let the sun soak in. I closed my eyes and the breeze came and the warmth covered me and I ate some great blackberry and coconut frozen yogurt.
  

I have been missing Whidbey Island pretty much since I left there last summer. It was just the best. Lately I have also been craving this amazing huckelberry ice cream I had there. It occurred to me yesterday that sitting in the sun here at home, the breeze blowing, frozen berry treat in hand - it all felt very similar to the island. And although I don't have the great view I had there, my mood is still elevated and I still feel a bit of that vaction feel. A good thing for me to remember - it isn't all about where you are, but about what you take the time to do.

• Yesterday I put some of my new lovely finds on The Cedar Chest. More to come.

• Today I did some cool things at work. I love that smart people out there create great websites that can help me create html pages and functions without coding.

• Today is Earth Day. To the Earth, I say, "Thanks for being such a great host. Your home is lovely. I am sorry we haven't been the best guests.

• Today is almost over. I started this entry many hours ago.
  

fabrics for sale

I spent this afternoon cleaning out gthe fabric section of my craft closet and then I just spent way too long posting the fabrics on Etsy. I did already sell some, though, so that is good.

If you are looking for some fabrics. Here is a sample of what I just listed. It can all be found in my shop, The Cedar Chest

new blog announcement

I decided to take the plunge and do a blog just for my vintage photo and ephemera collection. It will be a blog for the Cedar Chest store as well. Please take a look and subscribe if it interests you.

I have lots of things I am excited to share.

I love bears

Some of my favorite bear items on Etsy. Great gift ideas!



















Free Hugs Gooco Print by misnopalesarts on etsy




















Bears in Love by kgrandey on etsy

















Bear Librarian journal by picklehead on etsy



















Bear hat by crimsonetclover on etsy





















And I just remembered the cute bears I have on The Cedar Chest. Free shipping through today!

Free Shipping Deal at The Cedar Chest

I just decided to do a free shipping deal for The Cedar Chest! I believe this is the first time I have done that. Sale goes through 12/12. See the shop introduction for more info.

Etsy Buy Handmade thecedarchest

some things i forgot to mention...

I have been adding more stock to The Cedar Chest. Expect some more really great vintage postcard books soon.

Etsy Buy Handmade thecedarchest

Also, a little while ago I started the Fat Activist Network. I have seen We Make Zines (also a network I started) really flourish in the few months it has been in existence. We now have 556 members and people are really using it. I could see how this would be a really great resource for fat activism. So, one afternoon over brunch Carrie and I discussed it and I went home and signed us up.

The Fat Activist Network is a place for all people who are fighting for Fat Rights to come together. We can use the place to connect and network and plan. If you are a size equality activist, please join us there.




Visit Fat Activist Network