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Settling in nicely

It's really hard to tell this early, but so far, I'm very happy in Portland. Seeing Panda so happy, eating great food and meeting kind people, it all seems a bit too good to be true. Perhaps when the rains start coming in earnest, I'll be singing a different tune. For now though, I will fall asleep counting Pygora, and wake up to great coffee, I'm going native, people.

Maybe it's unfair to compare the accommodations of a second story apartment versus the little house we are renting now, but from my office window, it's not uncommon for me to see birds and squirrels, fattening themselves up for the winter. We have some sort of tree with berries, growing right outside the window, which makes for no end of visitors.

But you know, the contents of this blog have been leaning pretty heavily towards talk of road trips and shenanigans (that's right, I call shenanigans!) I feel it's time to at least make a passing reference to something crafty.

I did a little more spinning on, and then plied the roving that saw all the great sites on our trip.

The fiber is a blend of BFL and Alpaca. I think this shot makes it seem a little course, but it isn't. It's an example of a fiber blend that is greater than the sum of its parts; soft, drapey, silky and unbelievably spinable.

This skein is exceptionally special to me because not only has it seen great sites but it's a combination of work by both Julia and me. I love the work I spin on my own, but it seems all the more special when someone else has spun a little of it too. I think both of us learned a lot going to the Fiber Fest and stopping at several shops on our way to Oregon. By Crater Lake, we were both able to match each other's spinning quite well.

To add a little more specialness still, I asked Panda to give me a hand with the photo shoot.

You'll have to excuse our yellow lawn. Once the weather gets cooler and rainier, I'm told I expect plenty of lush green grass.

And since there's been a bit of clamoring for Panda pics, here's a bit more to sate your appetite. After work, the three of us decided to take a jaunt around the neighborhood. I rode my pretty pink bicycle, and Panda and Leo....

Well, they do things their own way.

GO PANDA GO!

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Comments (23)

Panda is too cute! Welcome to Portland. As a CA transplant of 18 months, I can safely say that even with the very wet January, I not only survived, but thrived. This is such a lovely area with great, friendly people. AND it's DogTown USA!

Marnie, you moved to Portland!?? I'm so jealous! Are you going to OFFF? I'll be there (hopefully as a vendor), I'd love to see you.

We're looking for a house in Eugene!

-- Janel

NORA:

Panda! What can I say... gorgeous!

Rain:

Panda looks absolutely adorable, glad you seem to be happy with your new place.

cindy:

Yay,welcome to Oregon. Portland is so very pretty and when the rains come it just shows a different and still pretty face.Oh if you go to Powell's city of books pick up their walking map of downtown Portland.It is free shows many cool places.

I hope you enjoy Portland! I moved to the area 20+ yrs ago and learned to appreciate the rain. Yeah, it gets gray in the winter - but that's when I get most of my spinning and knitting done! If you wish to chat "Pygoras", let me know! The largest Pygora goat show in the country is at Oregon Flock & Fiber in Canby, OR on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 9 am!! Lots of goaties and their fiber for sale. Great fun!!

Where in Portland did you settle down? It looks like some back streets of Multnomah Village.

Mel:

Hi! I'm so glad to have come across your blog. I live in L.A. & my husband & I are hoping to move to Portland in a couple of years. It's so great up there!

For now, I guess I'll have to live vicariously thru your posts...

Tami:

I'm glad to hear that the family is all back together! It's nice to know that Panda is now only 200 short miles away from me. I can almost see her from here!

Good Luck in your new home, looks like a beautiful place to be! BTW, I happened to be home from work yesterday due to a tropical storm, & I caught you on DIY!!! You rock AND you're famous!

Kate:

I'm delurking to say I really liked Portland when I lived in the area. It's a neat city, lots of fun things to do and places to see. I hope you settle in well!

Love the picture too :)

I can't balance on anything like skates or a skateboard, or I'd be out letting Jasper haul me around like that. :) I've tried bicycling with him, but I've turned into a perfect weenie in my old age -- I'm afraid of being pulled over and falling and breaking something. :( So I have to be content with walking him and letting him swim or something.

Yay, happy Panda! That pic of Panda and Leo on the skateboard could be B and Dakota! Too funny! I'm glad you're getting settled and feeling good about the move. Having a yard is great, isn't it? Esp. for the pups. :)

I love that last shot of Leo and Panda. Most noticable are all the tress. It must be so green there!

The roving looks wonderful all spun up and Panda and Leo are too cute! I miss all three of you!

Bee:

Ahhh boys! Looks like they were having fun.

I'm glad you're enjoying Portland. It looks beautiful.

kat:

looks prettttty nice, that tree lined street. rain wil be fine, it is knitters weather. just think about all the smog and heat here in l.a. ewww

I have to say I was a bit worried about the rain as well when I first moved here. As of yet, I've had no issues with it and find that the people that do the most complaining about it are the people that have lived here all their lives. Last winter was much wetter than my first winter, but there always seem to be breaks in the raining. And then people complain about how grey it is, but the grass is green all winter! I love that.

beth:

Ha ha, that pic of Leo and Panda is ADORABLE! Glad to see you're settling in to your new home:)

Panda and Leo are SO. CUTE! The black patch on Panda's face melts my heart every time. Schmoo.

And the yarn is lovely too!

Whooo - go Panda! That is so cute. As is your pink bicyle. Looks like a great place!

I love when our craft projects have memories inherently woven into them. It really adds a special dimension to the handmade element.
Is Panda an aspiring sled dog? LOVE the pink bike.

It's so good to see Panda again! Glad you're settling in well--you sound happy!

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on September 1, 2006 5:40 AM.

The previous post in this blog was Settling in nicely.

The next post in this blog is The best laid plans of mice and men.

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