Portland, here I come!

I head out tomorrow for a couple of Backcountry Betty events at REI. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions on what to do and what to eat. I'll keep you posted. I think I'm most excited to visit with a high school friend and her family over the weekend. She told me to bring hiking boots, running shoes, flip flops, and a bathing suit. This gave me pause (i.e. I flipped out as I poked my mushy quadraceps).

My response to her: "I am seriously out of shape, by the way. Went for a bike ride the other day and it about killed me. FYI."

She laughed and assured me that the hike won't be the end of me (and a waterfall may be involved), and that the bathing suit is for the hot tub afterwards.

I think I'm in heaven and I'm not in the hot tub yet. Thank goodness I just found a new suit during a recent spree at TJ Maxx and bought hiking boots at REI last week. Isn't it fortuitous that I'm on a shopping bender?

I'm still packing ibuprofin, however. My quads are going to kill.

If you are in the Portland area this weekend, drop by and say hi. I'd love to see you!

May 29 REI Clackamas, Oregon; Backcountry Betty talk and book signing, 7pm

June 2 REI, Portland, Oregon; Backcountry Betty talk and book signing, 7pm

Join me and other Betties for an evening of trips and tricks for the trail.

Wednesday events

In between hitting and sometimes missing deadlines, I'm busy preparing for my appearance on KOMO TV (channel 4) Wednesday afternoon. I'll be appearing on the 4pm show with Mary Nam, discussing Backcountry Betty and mixing up cocktails with booze and Crystal Light. Yum.

Then I'll be moving the show to the Alderwood REI, where I'll be chatting about Betty again at 7pm.

Hope to see you then! I am going to do my best to get a DVD of the TV clip so I'll post it if I'm successful.

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!