Since moving into our house and finally having a yard, I’ve been so happy to be able to start growing our own herbs.   I planted Saffron a couple weeks ago in pots on our front steps and the first one just bloomed.  I am so excited that I had to take some photos to share!  Saffron is suprisingly easy to grow in the northwest and blooms in the Fall.  Other interesting saffron facts I’ve learned:

* Saffron is a type of crocus, but it is a very specific type.  Don’t go harvesting your neighbors crocuses in the Spring or you may feel ill.

* The reason it is so expensive is you can only harvest three little strands per flower.  Commercially it takes 75,000 bulbs to harvest one pound.  Crazy.

* I bought 25 bulbs from White Flower nursery and they say that should be a good amount for a year for one family.

* The bulbs multiply so next year we should have some to share!

* You have to grab those little strands the day the flower opens to get the best flavor – they start deteriorating right away.

Now I need to start looking at some tasty recipes that use Saffron…  Yum.

Rachel

Rachel made a super cute little skirt for Adelaide the other day – green corduroy with a vintage ribbon at the bottom.  We haven’t sewn anything since we moved in, but somehow Rachel can still whip out the machine and put something together in a flash.  Well, it seemed like a flash.

-jon

We went to Sauvie Island Farms yesterday to pick pumpkins with our friends Amy and Alvah.  It was so fun to see the kids try and collect pumpkins, sit on pumpkins, eat pumpkins.  It was a perfect afternoon and we brought some home to carve later this week.  I am going to try and make Adelaide a halloween costume this weekend – she is going to be a little sheep.  I’m not sure what Jon and I will be yet, hopefully something we can create from common things.  Any favorite costumes out there?  I love this time of year – so much color, so many leaves.

Happy Fall to you,

Rachel

My first weekend of Portland Open Studios was a success!  We had about 90 people come through while I demoed and answered questions.  Its fun to chat with lots of artists and customers.  I am getting ready for weekend number two coming up in a few days.  If you would like to stop by, please do!  I think this will be a slower weekend as the tour focuses on west side artists so I would especially love the company.  I have a sale painting section, my journal available for pre-order, lots of map paintings, and a new papercut series – and you get a free notecard and filbert nut cookie (my Dad’s secret recipe) just for stopping by!  My address is 4416 SE 30th Ave, in Portland between Holgate and Gladstone.  The sale runs from 10-5 Saturday and Sunday – Oct. 17 and 18.  Hope to see you then!

Here are some pictures after we got set up and of Adelaide ‘helping’.

Every year the Vaux Swifts pass through Portland and thousands spend the night in a chimney at Chapman Elementary.  Their sweeping flight for an hour before the sun sets is a spectacular show for the crowds that gather on the school lawn.  The Audobon site has details – the Swifts put on a good show through September.

We were there about a week ago and cheered on the Swifts with hundreds of excited spectators.

Rachel is showing again in the Enormous Tiny Art Show.  ETA 6 is held, as always, at Nahcotta in Portsmouth, NH.  Held every September and February, this show just seems to get better and better.  Below is a tiny sampling of the artwork available at the show featuring work that is all under 10″x10″.  Nahcotta hosts an opening tonight, with the work up all month and available for purchase online after Sep 10th.  See the beautiful ETA site for a list of artists and other info.

Justin Richel

Portland Artist Cathie Joy Young

Here is another show that went up this week in NW Portland at a cafe/coffee shop called Sip and Kranz.  There is a first Thursday reception (tomorrow!) if you are around and want to stop in and chat.  I’ll be there from 6-9, Sept. 3rd and the show will be up for the month.  901 NW 10th Ave.  Hope to see you there!

Rachel

Check out this Etsy finds article about Portland bloggers Jessica and Eric of Domestic PDX.    The post includes links to tons of cute and inspirational ideas, including Rachel’s paintings! Too bad we were at a show and the Etsy shop was closed when the post went up… oh well.

-jon

I just had a lovely visit with Lisa from My Little Buffalo - a super nice and creative Portlander!  She has a great eye for color and design and is creating some very sweet items in her etsy shop.  Some of my favorites are the custom bicycle wedding invites, custom children (or grown up children) name prints, and this ‘joy’ print. Check out more lovelies in her shop or visit her blog.

Cheers,

Rachel

Adelaide is putting together about ten steps at a time so we have picked up a couple pairs of super cute tiny shoes.  Here is a small collection of handmade shoes from Etsy sellers.  And Addie the super cute little stumbler!

minitoes has gobs of cute toddler shoes

JLPerillo has some these stylish shoes on sale for $10

Dang LaLa Shoes,  How do you do it?  I have never seen such wonders!

Adelaide in new shoes!