A beautiful gray early Spring day at Leach Botanical Garden, Portland's "secret garden". Filled with over 2,000 species of soon-to-be flowering flora, rushing water, a Giant Sequoia, Ichabod Crane, and a dinosaur! Another great family date, perfect for the 2 year old and nursing mama.
Leach Botanical Garden
6704 SE 122nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97235
503-823-9503
*They are having their annual Plant Sale on Saturday April 19 at Floyd Light Middle School.
They are only little for a little while.
We had an active week. Nate finished his second quarter of CPE at the hospital and had a few days off. So, we had our first date out since before Owen was born to Jimmy's Mak's Jazz Club on Wednesday. We went to Leach Botanical Garden on Thursday and to the Portland Children's Museum on Friday. I didn't spend really any time online, it was nice. But, here is what I did find that I'm currently obsessed with.
AG Jeans: My old friend Cyndi has the best style! I kinda idealize her home and personal style. It echoes my own, but she has it down. Feeling in a style rut after the birth of Owen, I asked her what to wear. She pointed me towards AG. I so want!
Hands Free Mama a book and blog about anyone who wants to let go of daily distraction and perfection to embrace what really matters. Um, yeah.
Being a Turophile. The stinkier, the better! Here's a Huffington Post article on the subject.
Best donuts ever. Seriously. Uncomplicated. Friendly. Fun! A great place for a Family Date. My favorite was the Everything: Nutella, Honey and Sea Salt. We got one plate and then another, two dozen in all, plus two cups of coffee. We were super productive the rest of the day! Thank you Tiffany and Nate. We will be back, again. And again.
Pip's Original Doughnuts
4759 NE Freemont St.
Portland OR, 97213
(503) 206-8692
KS: What excites you? KA: The change of the seasons, and ideas of what to work on next.
KS: What is your favorite movie? KA: Frida when I'm feeling happy, and Dancer in the Dark when I need a good cry,
KS: What is your favorite book? KA: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'engle. I have to read it every five years or so. I believe children's books hold the secrets to the universe. I also adore anything by Neil Gaiman and Anais Nin.
KS: What music do you love? KA: Anything I can harmonize with but especially red headed ladies (Neko Case, Patty Griffin, Tori Amos, Florence Welch)
KS: What is your favorite color? KA: Peacock blue.
KS: Where do you find inspiration? KA: The Deschuttes River, conversations with Cascadians and fellow artists, and Savasana
KS: How and where do you conceive your collages and creations? KA: Savasana. But for real, That's a really hard question. I almost feel like they already exist and I just pull them into being from the future. My sketchbook is always with me and often a word or phrase or doodle will spark an idea that sparks another and another.
KS: You are also a signer and a writer! Where does that creative energy come from? How do you nurture creativity? KA: I think the creative energy comes from loving life, from trying to keep myself healthy and entertained. There are few things that my soul loves more than creative expression. It's as much a part of my life as breathing or stretching or smiling. I have wondered where it comes from, and I can't figure it out but I sure am thankful.
KS: You live in an airstream. What is that like? KA: I love it. It requires a lot of intention, and is reaffirming what my priorities are. Only room for favorite things. Right now I don't have running water so I have to fill up jugs and heat water in a tea kettle to do dishes. It is a surprisingly soothing process. Waking up in the morning to the sun coming through the huge curved windows and glinting off the aluminum is priceless.
KS: What is really really really important to you? KA: Living like a river otter.
KS: Are you in love? KA: For sure, always.
KS: How does your yoga practice play out in your life? What do you love about yoga? KA: Yoga has taught me to witness what is happening as it happens. It's the process of un-numbing for me. It's helped me identify and accept my inner brat and my inner Lara Croft and learn from both of them. And the people I've met through my practice are pretty fabulous.