Welcome to Portland

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Originally uploaded by kyamagiwa.

Karl and I went down for the day. Neither of us had been in awhile so although there were a couple of things we wanted to see, we really just wanted to wander.

Started out in the Pearl District. Walked around the area, stopped in a few shops: Hive, West Elm, Canoe, Diesel. Had lunch at a cute spot called Park Kitchen. Delicious!

It began to feel like being on vacation.

Stumptown Coffee

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Originally uploaded by kyamagiwa.

Very simple space, lofty and light. The espresso machine they were using was huge, maybe a 5 group? I should have taken a picture of it but I was feeling shy.

Just a couple of doors down was a shop called "missing link" Lots of books, art, plastic figurines and fun stuff.

Everyone here seems so relaxed and friendly. Mellow town. I can imagine living here, Bo loved it too, even with the long car ride. New sights and smells, and an endless supply of running water at the public dog bowl at the park...

Eating and drinking and eating and drinking and...

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Originally uploaded by kyamagiwa.

Whew! We sure squeezed a lot into one afternoon. By the end of the night our bellies were overflowing. I think we had 3 desserts all day! I loved the chocolate gingerbread cake w/beet sorbet & pomegranate seeds @ Park Kitchen, the giant mussels @ Savoy, and the Shazam! @ Pix Patisserie. We even got to sample a mini Saint Cupcake cupcake from a little gift shop on Belmont St. All I can think about is "When can we go back?"

folding, folding, folding...

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Originally uploaded by kyamagiwa.

charlie brown christmas

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Originally uploaded by kyamagiwa.

sophie loves the tree :)

craft fair. yes there was clog dancing

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Originally uploaded by kyamagiwa.

karin and suzanne at the end of a successful weekend run at the phinney ridge craft fair. many people who came by the table had seen their show at fresh flours. check out their december show at the starbucks in fremont!

Christmas time is here

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Originally uploaded by kyamagiwa.

Went downtown tonight and found Pine Street closed to traffic. People filled the streets and christmas carolers gathered in storefronts. It was a cold night, but with all the activity going on it seemed the right thing to do to roam around. Something about being able to walk down the middle of the street puts a smile on most people's faces.

This time of year is ripe for reflection. I usually find I'm feeling pensive these last few weeks of the year. Many lessons learned this year, many more to come.