Portland bound

I've been swamped with deadlines lately so it's no surprise that I'm eagerly anticipating my upcoming roadtrip to Portland (Oregon). I'm hoping to visit some cool craft shops, restaurants, markets, etc. If you have any suggestions on favorite places to go in the Portland area, please let me know. I'm looking to visit fabric, bead, and yarn stores, as well as any other cool shops, outdoor markets, and eateries.

This made me gasp

Check out this amazing idea for a quilted calendar on the iheartlinen blog. Rashida includes a lot of photos to give you an idea of the calendar's construction. Could this BE any cuter? Seriously.

This says it all

Taken by my friend Kim in Leavenworth.

Totally (Leaven)worth it

I had a booksigning on Saturday at A Book for All Seasons in Leavenworth and it was just magical. The balcony signing and talk was great and I met some lovely people (Sonia, I'm counting on you to help me out with my next book!).

Then I met some lovely kielbasa at München Haus.

You haven't lived until you've sampled their grilled sausage and doctored it up with their different mustards and curry ketchup from their condiment bar.

But Alex, Kim, and I didn't stop there. We sampled horseradish havarti at The Cheesemonger's Shop (they take online orders). We chatted with the proprietress of Wooly Bully Yarns before attacking chocolate samples and the like before heading out of town and back over Stevens Pass.

Remember: Sausage is never a bad idea.

Nau is closing now

Aside from REI, Nau is my favorite retailer of stylish outdoor and indoor gear. Sadly, they are closing their doors so go to their website or a store near you and snap up their amazing clothes at 50-percent off. Do it now, as sizes are limited!

REI love you

The event at REI tonight was fan-flipping-tastic! The room was packed (I think the count was just shy of 60) and everyone seemed to get a kick out of the Backcountry Betty talk. REI did a wonderful job of promoting the event, even placing signage in the bathroom stalls. Imagine my delight when I sat down to relieve myself, only to find myself eye-to-eye with a picture of me!

Anyway, it was a blast and I want to thank REI and everyone who attended (and Luna Bars for supplying much-needed snacklets).

Remember, if you have the time on Saturday, take a scenic drive to Leavenworth. I'll be at A Book for All Seasons from 11am to 2pm.

Obsession of the week

I'm collecting all sorts of found items for an upcoming book project and my friends have been roped in to help. My pal Kim keeps bringing these lovely pine cones to our work dates at Chocolati (I highly recommend the Cinnamon Almond Atzec truffle). It is not overstating it to say that I am obsessed with them and having fun figuring out various craft techniques I can bring to the table to best highlight their natural beauty.

I'd welcome any ideas you might have...

(In the palm of my hand, it sort of looks like the life crystal in Logan's Run that turned red or started blinking when you were ready for "carousel." Or maybe that's just me... By the way, they are remaking Logan's Run!)

FYI re: REI

I'm going to be talking about all things Backcountry Betty at the REI flagship store in Seattle this Wednesday. Get ready for the wilderness with this fun and informative evening! For more on the event, click here.

When: Wednesday, April 30, 7pm
Where: REI, 222 Yale Ave. N

And if you can't make that, think about a road trip this Saturday to the quaint village of Leavenworth for another Betty event at A Book for All Seasons. FYI, the drive is just over two hours from Seattle.

When: Saturday, May 3, 11am
Where: A Book for All Seasons, 703 Highway 2, Leavenworth

Small pleasures

Camille came over last night for crafts, Thai food, and a Flight of the Conchords DVD. I needed a small project so I unearthed some cotton yarn and started this dishcloth, from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I think this might be the new gift for friends: a hand-knitted dishrag and some sort of household cleaning product. I am considering knitting a whole passel of them for my mom and throwing her ancient gray dishcloths in the wood-burning stove the next time I'm in Michigan.

Seriously.

The slow-food breakfast

The menu from Marché's slow-food breakfast:

1st course
Kenny's farmhouse cheeses (with curiously tasty pickled onions)
artisan biscuit with strawberry-rhubarb jam

2nd course
two heirloom eggs any style (over-easy, thank you very much)
house-made breakfast sausage
stone ground white corn grits

Dessert
whole-wheat graham cracker with honey crème

Thick French-brewed coffee

This was four hours ago and I am about to pop.

The meal was delicious and the company a delight. My only crabby comment is how eagerly the waitstaff refilled my coffee cup. Now, if it was empty, I wouldn't have an issue. But after I add the perfect amount of cream and sugar and drink maybe 1/4 of the cup, I am irked to be topped off. I have to start the process all over again and become ever vigilant whenever they are in my vicinity, pot in hand. It reminds me of a scene in the otherwise forgettable Coffee and Cigarettes. (Jim Jarmusch, I've tried to love you. I really have.)

What's even more offensive is that they often don't ask. They just go for your mug. I love a solicitous waitron but this just seems downright wrong unless you're clearly taking your coffee black.

Does this ever happen to you, or am I just being a sourpuss? (I also have to admit I don't like it when I'm at an establishment like TGIFridays and my pop or iced tea is automatically replaced with a fresh, full glass. Sometimes I like to monitor the copious amounts of caffeine and sugar I'm downing. Call me crazy. Seriously, go ahead. I know I'm a bit nutters about this but sometimes I don't want a fourth glass of Fresca.)