Poco-Cocoa – Page 46 – Things & Stuff

Friday in Portland

Our morning was full of webinars and work, then coffee and bagels and lox.

and then, a super cute puppy

then the portland art museum :: karl hofer, frütte stunde (early hour)

also, i saw monet’s water lillies and it was so beautiful i wanted to cry

ideal portland park :: reading and loafing (obligatory biker in the background)

i stopped to smell the roses

happy hour at tasty n sons :: fried cauliflower

snack spread :: hush puppies :: polenta with ragu and egg

cheeeeeesy

art deco goodness

flanders

oysters and rosé at the parish

um… it was good beer

i could get used to this theater :: we watched premium rush

i love you mr. clinton :: i love you mr. obama

good night!

September 8, 2012

Travel
Thursday in Portland

ready for the day

waiting for coffee

it’s nice having stumptown downstairs from our hotel room

wonderful croissant and amazing salty-sweet pastry from little t american baker

justin was so lucky to find this 1978-1979 harvard bookstore bookmark on the street

afternoon nap

awesome art at a lovely shop

papaya salad and corn with salty coconut cream at pok pok

afternoon tea at little t

portland, oregon reminds me of portland, maine

rum and campari drinks at beaker and flask

crispy pigs ears and tofu with celery-vermouth granite (though my favorite thing EVER was the albacore tuna with baby octopus, smoked tomatoes, and fingerling potato salad)

the lovely view

then a trip to whole foods for snacks, a bit of work, and sleep.

good night!

September 7, 2012

Travel
Wednesday in Portland

Hello from Portland! Justin and I are camped out here for a week, just taking in the sights (and food). We’ll be working as well – the life of a freelancer means you work a lot, but you can work anywhere.

Today I took photos.

heavy bags at the airport :: camera, books, laptop

mountains near san jose

above the clouds :: reflection of my wedding ring in the dirty window

art wall in our hotel room

cute separated bathroom :: bed in the center of the room :: my reflection

midday streets

khao man gai cart

super excited about stumptown vietnamese iced coffee

it’s a dump truck :: they make dumplings

whole city blocks lined with food carts

khao man gai is disappointing – boiled chicken, boiled rice, chicken broth :: dumplings filled with beef and cheese, noodles, potato curry, and pork are also disappointing

excited about 2 1/2

flowers on light posts in the pearl district

austin beerworks sticker!

coffee and sweets at lovejoy bakers :: cool breezes and journaling

already bought too much at powell’s

art in our staircase

lovely fish grotto mural

drinks and snacks at clyde common :: nasturtium :: rum punch :: olives and almonds

fries with harissa and creme fraiche

after naps and a bit of work, the 6 degrees of kevin bacon pizza at sizzle pie :: justin is more interested in the hot sauce

nightcaps at teardrop :: corpse reviver and sazerac in lovely glassware

good night!

September 6, 2012

Travel
Notes to self
Dear Self,

Please try to remember the truths you’ve learned thus far in life:
- You love the idea of oysters more than you love oysters. You love them most with saltines and cocktail sauce. This is okay.
- Some days, it will seem impossible to crawl out of bed. Do it anyway.
- You always feel better when you wake up early.
- You don’t have to have a drink just because everyone else is having one.
- When you find something at the thrift store, and think, “this will be perfect once I alter it,” PUT IT BACK. You will not get around to altering it and it will sit in your closet for months or years and every time you open your closet you’ll see that stupid dress and it will laugh at you.
- You don’t have to work every day.
- Remember how much you like spaghetti with meat sauce, mashed potatoes, pizza, steamed broccoli, buttered toast, soft-boiled eggs, potato chips, and dark chocolate with caramel. Try to have some of these more often.
- If you cover up with Grandma’s quilt – on the couch, on the bed, anywhere – you WILL fall asleep.
- You don’t have to worry about every other person in the room. You don’t have to be perfect. It’s okay to take care of yourself.
- You like pink. This is okay.
- You love taking walks at night. Do it more often.
- He loves you. That is all you need.
- You love having photographs of experiences. Carry your camera.
- Sometimes the best course of action is to do nothing, and just let the world be.
- You can ask for help.
- Always take a large canvas bag with you to the library. You will fill it up. Even if you only paid for 15 minutes on the parking meter, YOU WILL FILL IT UP.
- You will never understand your cats.
- Everything will be okay.
August 29, 2012

Everyday Life
Letters #16

Dear Fresa’s,

Thank you for being within walking distance of my home. Thank you for your deliciously roasted local chicken, your crunchy churros, and your half coffee/half horchata drink. See you again soon.

Dear Husband,

Yesterday I was hot and frustrated and tired and thirsty when we got home. Before I could even take off my shoes, you handed me a glass of cold, cold water. It’s the little sweet things you do that make me swoon.

Dear Brother-O-Mine,

Thank you for sending this video to my sister and me. I remember playing these games. I also remember you lifting me off the ground by my ears (supposedly) and rolling me up like a burrito in the rug. And one time, you let me sit on your lap in the back of the bus with your cool high school friends. You rock.

Dear Rain,

Thank you for your visit this weekend. It was so much fun to run through you in my heels and skirt, to splash through your puddles as I made my way to the restaurant, to watch you fall through the window as I sipped wine and chatted with friends. Come again soon.

Dear Roux,

No, you cannot have an extra breakfast. Stop meowing.

Dear Macbook Air,

I love, love, love you so.

I hope you all have a great week!

August 20, 2012

Letters + Moments

Friday in Portland

Thursday in Portland

Wednesday in Portland

Notes to self

Letters #16