Cans film festival

Thursday September 27, 2007

To watch a film bring three cans of food to any Regal Cinema. IMAX and No pass attractions are ineligible. This festival benefits the Oregon Food Bank, whose cupboards are bare. Please bring cans of food that you like to eat. It is no fun to be given yucky food when you are hungry. There are a lot of good films to choose from. I am going to have a hard time making up my mind.

NW Quilt Expo

drakes lap quilt
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

The seventh annual Northwest Quilting & Creative Arts Expo 2007 is Thursday, September 27th from 9 am to 6 pm; Friday the 28th from 9 am to 6 pm; & Saturday, September 29th from 9 am to 5 pm at the Portland Expo Center.
Exhibit Hall Hours: 9 am–6pm, Thursday and Friday
9 am–5 pm Saturday
$8 per day
$21 per three-day pass
www.nwquiltingexpo.com
Take the yellow line max to the expo center. Parking is usually as much as the admission to a show.
Portland Expo Center
2060 N. Marine Dr.
Portland, OR 97217

I enjoy going to this quilt show. Last year I had my first quilt entered in this show. The judges said subtle color palette, elegant fabric. I didn’t get a quilt finished in time for this years show. I will go and get ideas for next year.
The photo is of the quilt I entered last year, drakes lap quilt.

Abundant yarn & dye works

yarn & dye works
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

Beautiful yarn shop with all sorts of hand dyed yarn and roving. There are many lovely choices of yarn to add to your stash. They offer lots of classes teaching knitting and dyeing. You can rent the drum carder for $10 an hour. They recommend that you make a reservation to use the drum carder. I was happy to find out that we could rent the drum carder. It solved the problem of what to do with the alpaca fleece sitting in my dining room. We stopped their booth at flock and fiber. They were the only booth selling boxed lunches along with yarn.

Busy Bee Café is located inside the store it serves tea, stumptown coffee and pastries; soups, and salads.

Store & Café Hours Sunday 12 pm to 5pm, Monday and Tuesday 10am to 7 pm, Wednesday and Thursday 10am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm.
8524 SE 17th, Portland, OR 97202
Phone: (503) 258-9276
www.abundantyarn.com

St Josef’s Grapestomping Festival

September 22nd & 23rd, 2007

Noon until dusk - both days!

$10 cover

http://stjosefs.tripod.com/index.html

This is a fun event. A winery version of Oktoberfest. A German band plays music to sing and dance to, including the chicken dance. You can sign up for the grape stomping contest. Get you feet all purple stomping grapes and you might win a lovely prize. In past years the prizes were announced to be such fine prizes as an over night stay in Estacada and a guided tour down the pudding river. Everyone has a jolly good time. My 80 year old mother in law enjoyed going to this, she especially like the tour of the winery.

Hug Point Oregon State Park

hug point
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

September is a great time to visit the Oregon coast. The weather is often clear and sunny with great sunsets. Recently we spent the afternoon at Hug Point a way side off Highway 101 just south of Cannon Beach. The park is named hug point because the stage coach trail that you can still see hugged the point as it went around. Know the tides before you go there, stop and get a tide table. High tide cuts off access to the caves on the other side of the point. Too many people get stranded at high tide. Fires are allowed on the beach. Bring your own fire wood and make a fire ring. Do not make a fire in the drift wood piles. When setting up your spot on the beach note the high tide line. A line of kelp and other debris is a good indicator of the high tide line. We watched high tide move surprised people back up the beach. The tide flooded blankets, tents and fires. Every tenth wave is a sneaker wave coming in stronger and higher. I have included practical advice because this is such a beautiful beach and I don’t want you experience ruined by high tide. Enjoy the view of rocks off shore, the caves where pirates treasure is rumored to be hidden, and the pretty waterfall. My Grandpa Lauren crashed his boat on of the rocks off the coast there. My sister Teresa and brother Joe were in a Bumble Bee commercial filmed at hug point.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIUbeQjd0ZY

Flock and Fiber Festival

On September 22-23, 2007 the Flock and Fiber Festival at the Clackamas County fairgrounds in Canby, OR is great fun. I enjoy getting to see and pet fiber producing animals without the hard work of owning them. Sheep, goats, rabbits, llamas and alpacas fill two barns. Angora rabbits are so soft to the touch. I love Romney sheep, they are colorful and fuzzy.

Three days of Workshops, Classes & Mini-Seminars Friday September 21, Saturday September 22 and Sunday September 23, 2007. Choose from needle felting, weaving, spinning, knitting and dyeing classes. You can sign up for a class up to 15 minutes before the class starts if the class isn’t full.

Over 40 venders are selling all sorts of animal fiber based items. Choose from hand spun and dyed yarn, fleeces, roving, drum carders, spinning wheels and weaving looms. You will find more than enough things to keep you busy and warm all winter. Food is available for purchase from the food venders.

Parking lot near main gate fiber sale Sunday September 23, 2007 from 9am to 11am. A good way to add to your fleece stash; pay $7.00 for 1-5 fleeces, $15 for 6 or more fleeces.

www.flockandfiberfestival.com

Springwater Corridor bike path

Recently on nice sunny morning we went for a bike ride on the Springwater corridor. We parked at the Johnson Creek trail head, SE Johnson Creek Blvd and SE 45th. At that location there is a parking lot and bathroom. The path is separated from traffic. The path is part of the 40 mile loop following Johnson creek most of the way. We went west from the parking lot over the new bridge that goes over 99E McLaughlin Blvd. We turned around when we got to surface streets. That section thru SE still doesn’t have a separate path connecting it to Oaks Bottom Park. Going East we went to Bell station. Very often the Springwater path crosses surfaces streets. There are lights at some of the crossings like SE 122^nd. I like riding on the Springwater Corridor. I see lots of interesting things, a wide variety of birds, and families strolling along. I have found memories of playing in the Tideman Johnson nature park. Paved trails go from Springwater path and loop thru the nature park.

Harry’s Fresh Deli

A deli near the PDX airport hotels. It is a popular deli on NE 122^nd. The deli was very full today when I stopped to buy soup for lunch. There is refrigerated wall of shelves that serves as an outlet for Harry’s fresh foods, which are mostly organic. I bought bargain priced soups today, Broccoli cheddar and corn chowder. Also available are their delicious casseroles, mac and cheese, lasagna and creamy chicken casserole, which come in individual and family sizes. The deli serves soups, hot and cold sandwiches, chowder chili, salads and casseroles. The turkey gobbler sandwich has oven baked turkey, swiss cheese, cream cheese, cranberry sauce on sourdough bread, yummy. They also cater check out the details on their web site. 5055 NE 122^nd ave, Portland, OR 97230, 503 262 5200, Open 7 am to 4 pm Monday –Friday, Saturday 11am to 3pm.

www.harrysfreshdeli.com

Water WheelBob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Store and Visitors Center

Water Wheel
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

The big red barn store with the as tall as the building water wheel is easy to spot. I park in the large parking lot and get out of my vehicle and listen to the water splash of the water wheel. It is a pleasure to watch the water wheel. Also in front of the building are old stone mill stones. Bob’s Red Mill has whole grain foods for every meal of the day. If you don’t feel like cooking there is a restaurant in the store that serves whole grain dishes for breakfast and lunch. There are cooking classes to teach about cooking with whole grain foods. I go there to buy my cereals, flours and mixes for cakes, pancakes and muffins. I bought a delicious spice apple cake mix last time I was there. With over 30 kinds of cereal it is hard to make my mind, but I can’t live with out the Scottish oatmeal. I buy the big 20 ounce size of Scottish oatmeal. I go there to purchase gluten free foods for my mother-in-law. They have a dedicated room for processing gluten free foods, it keeps the food from being contaminated. Batch testing is preformed before and after processing the gluten free foods using Codex Alimentarius, the international gluten free standard for manufacturers. I like the gluten free mixes because it takes the hassle out of making gluten free foods. Their chocolate gluten free cake has a big hit for a birthday party. Everyone said it tasted delicious and no one could tell that it was gluten free, it tasted like normal cake.
5000 SE International Way, Milwaukie, OR open 6am to 6pm Monday –Friday, 7am to 5 pm Saturday. Not open on Sundays. 503 607 6455. www.bobsredmill.com

High Fiber Diet: Simple Elegance

high fiber diet
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

An Exhibition of Fiber Art in the Japanese Garden Pavilion
September 11-23, 2007
10am - 6pm Tuesday -Sunday, Noon - 6pm on Mondays
On my last visit to the Japanese Garden I looked at the works of art made by local fiber artists. This year the artists explore the idea of Simple Elegance, inspired by the concept of wabi-sabi, a sense of the beauty of things that are simple, natural, sometimes rustic, and always quietly elegant. I saw hand painted fabric, quilting and appliqué. Fine handwork techniques were used. I would have liked broader color palates and designs that were more innovative. The show is worth seeing to admire the excellent handwork.

Thai Orchid Restaurant

We recently had a nice family dinner at Thai Orchid on West Burnside. Parking is terrible at that location. We had a hard time finding a parking place. I recommend taking tri-met. It is not a far walk from PGE park max station or ride the 20 Burnside bus. The restaurant prides its self with cooking with fresh local ingredients. We had tempura and Po Pia Sod fresh vegetable spring rolls in soft rice paper served with sweet and sour sauce with ground peanuts as appetizers. My husband who doesn’t usually like curry dishes thoroughly enjoyed his pineapple curry. I had a taste of it and it was very good. My son had Pad Thai, chicken, shrimp, fried tofu, and bean sprouts with rice noodles and egg in their famous Pad Thai sauce toped with ground peanuts. He got a big serving of it. My brother ordered yellow curry and I had Gaeng Mussaman Red curry, named from the Mussaman region with potatoes, carrots, onions, and peanuts. The Cinnamon in Mussaman curry is a delicious addition. We enjoyed ourselves eating good food. I noticed that many people came and happily got takeout. The prices are moderate in the $8 to $12 range. Choose from nine location of Thai Orchard. www.thaiorchidrestaurant.com 2231 W Burnside Portland, OR 503 226 4542 Open for Lunch Monday thru Friday 11:30am - 2:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 12:00noon - 4:30pm Dinner everyday 4:30pm - 9:30pm.

Crafty wonderland

Sunday September 9, 2007 at the Doug fir lounge. Numerous hand made crafts are available for purchase. The lounge is crowded with venders. With the variety of items there is something for everyone; hand spun and dyed yarn, jewelry, stuffed animal, art for your walls, and things to wear made out of recycled materials and natural fibers. All ages, free admission, 11am to 4 pm at Doug Fir lounge 830 E. Burnside Portland, OR

First Thursday September 6 2007

Time for another lovely evening walking around downtown and the Pearl looking at art.

Mark Woolley Gallery has moved back downtown to 817 SW 2^nd. The gallery is showing Melinda Thorsnes and Rebecca Guberman-Bloom works of art. Quintana Galleries is celebrating 35 years with an anniversary exhibition. I am looking forward to stopping in the museum of contemporary art and the other galleries in the same building like blue sky. 724 NW Davis.

Fabric Depot

bamboo fabric
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

I stopped in Fabric Depot today to preview the store before the big sale Friday. I found lots of interesting new fabrics. There is a display of floral black and white fabrics by Kona right inside the door. On the wall by the bath room are yarn dyed cottons and new knits by ITY. They have an expanded selection of bamboo fabrics. The Outdoor sale is still going on with great buys on fabric. 30% off everything in the store until next Tuesday September 11, 2007. 40% off fabric Friday September 7 and Saturday September 8. 700 SE 122nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97233 www.fabricdepot.com

Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe

We stopped in the Moonstruck Chocolate café on NW 23^rd for dessert. In addition to their delicious truffles they serve ice cream, cheese cake and cake for dessert. There are tables to sit at inside and out side on the side walk. With all that yummy chocolate it was hard to make up my mind on what to choose. I shared a decadent piece of chocolate peanut butter caramel cheese cake. Moonstruck is headquartered here in Portland. They make award winning handcrafted artesian truffles. www.moonstruckchocolate.com

Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe - NW 23rd 526 NW 23rd Avenue Portland, OR 97210 503-542-3400

rocky butte

rocky butte
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

An extinct volcano in Portland Oregon Rocky butte is a popular place for rock climbing and star gazing. We like to go up there to watch the sun set. The 360 degree views of the lights around Portland were beautiful last night.
The official name of the park is Joseph Wood Hill Park. It is named after the man who founded a military academy on rocky butte that built the fortress on top. The walls of the fortress are good place to learn climbing skills. Mazamas offers climbing classes at Rocky Butte. www.mazamas.org
I have watched eclipses of the moon from up there. The local astronomy groups often host star parties on Rocky Butte. Take NE Freemont East from 82 to get up there. The park closes at midnight.