portland, oregon on a saturday night...
I am still happy as a clam after a wonderful weekend in Portland. Visiting my brother, Powells, meeting Laini, Jim, and Alexandra, seeing Kelly again and meeting her husband, going to the Saturday market (on Sunday), eating some good sushi, driving home in time for The West Wing...a perfect weekend.
Jon and I stopped by Alexandra's house on the way to have dinner with Laini, Jim, Kelly, and John. Her house is simply adorable and she is as amazing in person as you sense she is reading her blog. We could have sat in her living room and talked and talked for hours. And we almost did! but luckily Laini called when it was time for us to head over for dinner. Laini and Jim are the cutest (sorry guys, there is no other word), and Jon and I quickly felt like we had been friends with them for a long time. It was so fun to meet Kelly's husband John in person since I had heard so much about him during our long talks at ArtFest. John has a delightful sense of humor; all three guys had us cracking up quite a bit. There is nothing like wine, good food, great conversation, and laughter. Visit Kelly's blog for some pictures from the night. Alexandra joined us for dessert and the laughter continued. I cannot wait to invite myself for another visit soon (and I do mean soon!).
On Sunday, my brother took us to the Saturday Market (I really think they call it that on Sunday too), and I tried on some hats and channeled Denise and found one (pictures to come after I charge the battery for the digital camera). We bought some bath bombs at Lush and ate some fantastic sushi. Then we headed home and I worked on my laptop in the car and then brainstormed what I wanted to write for Sunday Scribblings (that post is to come yet today).
Oh and I wanted to share the books of poetry I bought at Powells:
Harvest Poems: 1910-1960, by Carl Sandburg
My Name is William Tell, poems by William Stafford
Poems and Sketches of E.B. White
Carslaw's Sequences, poems by Lisa M. Steinman (we heard her read at the poetry reading and several times Jon and I both laughted out loud)
Broken Knuckles Against Knives Cutting The Food To Feed Me Through This, poems by Brittany Baldwin (we heard her read as well, and twice I started to cry as she read her words with courage and conviction)
And one more note about Powells (it was that great people. I can't stop talking about it for a reason). They have the new and used books TOGETHER. This is also the case with their online store...so start exploring my friends. A wonderful way to afford to buy more books!
liz lamoreux
Reader Comments (10)
Hi Liz! It was so great meeting you guys, too -- and I second what you said about feeling we've known each other for a long time. It was just delightful spending the evening with all of you. It's so serendipitous, because we've been searching for fun, smart, silly, interesting friends to laugh and drink wine with, and I'm still amazed to have found you on-line. Blogger is like a worldwide friend-dating-service! Hope you DO come down again very soon (and I want to go to Powell's with you next time!) and also hope to see you in Washington in a few weeks!
I so LOVE Powells - nothing better.
I am so glad you had a great time. I wish cross country flights were in my budget and I could visit all of you and Powells too! Can't wait to hear more!
Sounds like a fantastic weekend. I'm so happy for you Liz, that you're meeting blogging friends in real time. I've had brief opportunities but nothing substantial and it's truly amazing. Nice that Portland isn't so very far away and that you can see your brother as well! I've bookmarked Powells for perusal later and thank you for the linky's to the poetry books.
Feelings are mutual! I loved meeting both you and your husband and it was nice to have you in my living room and share stories and laughter! You are welcome anytime to come back and stay as long as you guys want. I'll have plenty more crabcakes waiting for you. And I love the William Stafford book you gave me. So thoughtful and kind of you, and I am glad you have found your earthly heaven here at Powells. Every time I think about not living in Portland possibly, I think "but wait! what about Powells? I can't leave Powells!"
How fantastic! What a treat. It's so awesome to watch a community building right before your very eyes!
Orca books in Olympia has new and used together. It's a great store! Glad you had a great weekend.
I am jealous, jealous, jealous of you and your new books. ;)
okay, this is making me want to have my own little book binge...
Hurrah for Powell's - so glad you had a good time! Maybe I should get down to Saturday Market again, one of these days.... I haven't been in nearly a year.