Re-entry
We’re home. We flew in on the red-eye Friday night/Saturday morning, but just got home this evening. The weekend was spent with my family in New Jersey–my nephew’s second birthday party was on Saturday (sleeeeeepy sleeeeepy Cari and Billy) and Sunday was, of course, Mother’s Day.
As for the flight home, I nursed and walked Thumper to sleep in his sling at the gate, so he was out before we even boarded. He slept until a half hour before landing, at which point he woke up happy and ready to cuddle and play with Daddy’s watch. Total traveling champ. We asked a lot of him this week and he handled it all beautifully. I’m very proud of my adaptable little guy.
Highlights of a trip full of highlights:
Picnic in Sellwood Park (prepared foods from New Seasons. Mmmmm):
Potluck at Kent’s house and teaching him to knit:
Driving to Eugene via the scenic route (yeah, so it’s kind of hard to take photos from a moving car):
Stopping in McMinnville to give Thumper a break and finding a yarn store:
Inside the yarn store, while getting lost in the sock yarn (I bought orange Trekking!), overhearing Billy say, “Hey! They have Elizabeth Zimmerman on DVD!” Knitters, I was so proud. You can imagine how the women who worked there reacted. I think they’ll be talking about the husband who knew from EZ for quite some time.
Driving back to Portland from Eugene late at night, and the sky bigger and more full of stars than I think I’ve ever seen before in my life. No photos. Just close your eyes and imagine a perfect clear night over Oregon farmland.
Standing on a corner in Sellwood, belly full of breakfast from Fat Albert’s, cup of really good coffee in my hand, the baby asleep in the sling, and smelling woodsmoke in the air.
And now, back to our regularly scheduled life. We need to sell our house so we can get moving (literally).
Send house-selling vibes, please.
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Hey! You were in my stomping grounds! I’m a McMinnville Native 🙂 I practically LIVE at Boersmas! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Did you talk to the Kathys? Or Michelle (the owner?)
During Highschool, I used to drive home from work and park halfway to my house, get out and lay on the roof of the car watching the stars. I went to college, then came back home. I couldn’t leave this glorious valley! I’m so glad you think it’s as wonderful as I do.
Next time you’re in town, give me a holler and I’ll meet ya for some coffee and knitting. The best coffee ever is kitty corner from Boersmas. 🙂
Posted by: Michele
Hey! You were in my stomping grounds! I’m a McMinnville Native 🙂 I practically LIVE at Boersmas! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Did you talk to the Kathys? Or Michelle (the owner?)
During Highschool, I used to drive home from work and park halfway to my house, get out and lay on the roof of the car watching the stars. I went to college, then came back home. I couldn’t leave this glorious valley! I’m so glad you think it’s as wonderful as I do.
Next time you’re in town, give me a holler and I’ll meet ya for some coffee and knitting. The best coffee ever is kitty corner from Boersmas. 🙂
Posted by: Michele
Ohmigod,
Now I want to move to Portland. Can’t believe how gorgeous those green green fields and trees are, anywhere near a city. I s’pose I can’t take back my heartfelt defense of NYC, but geez. It’s enough to make a girl reconsider.
Lovely lovely. Sending house-selling vibes…
Posted by: Lizbon
I’m happy to hear the trip was successful. Now, sell, sell, sell!
Posted by: Carole
What a cute mucky baby face! And I’m sending the house-selling vibes for you.
Posted by: Mandy
That sounds so perfect. Hope we’re neighbors someday!
Posted by: Cirilia
I’m so glad that you had such a nice trip! It would have been so disappointing otherwise! Sell sell sell and go start a new wonderful life.
Posted by: Johanna
Looks like a great trip. Thumper looks quite happy! Sending strong “sell that house” vibes your way.
Posted by: regina
Oh, I’m *so* glad to hear the trip went well! Hopefully soon we can welcome you to this coast. I’ll send any house-selling vibes I come across your way…
Posted by: Amy
I’m glad you got to come to Eugene – we moved here 3 years ago this week, and it’s the most incredible place in the world. The next time you visit Eugene, you’ll have to visit Soft Horizons (where I work) and The Knit Shop. If you’re back in Oregon by early/mid-July, try to go to the Oregon Country Fair (www.oregoncountryfair.org) in Veneta. It’s an experience that defies description.
Posted by: Crissy in Oregon
Oh, that’s my LYS! I was so very happy when they opened.
Glad you enjoyed our lovely state! I tend to take the view on 99W for granted. It’s nice to be reminded to appreciate it.
Posted by: Lia
Oh, what lovely pictures! I’ve been so stressed for the move (we take off this Saturday) that I keep forgetting we’re moving to beautiful, green Oregon. I’ll light a candle and send good vibes your way.
Posted by: Jean
Ontario country side looks just like that when driving. The farmlands in the foreground and the shady woods in the back. I love it.
Thumper is really growing. I see a young boy emerging. You are very fortunate that he is so easy going.
Good luck with the house selling. Have you ever watched a show called “Take this House and Sell it”? I enjoy it a lot.
Posted by: LaurieM
The coolest thing is that once you live here, you love it EVEN MORE.
Posted by: LeAnne
Hey, you were in my neighborhood! We love Fat Albert’s and I walk to New Seasons and the park almost daily with the bambino. The weather was perfect while you were here. The rain can get tiresome in the winter, but you will know you’ve adapted when it’s been sunny for 30 days straight in the summer and you say, “Wouldn’t rain feel really good right now?”
Posted by: Tanya
Ohmigod,
Now I want to move to Portland. Can’t believe how gorgeous those green green fields and trees are, anywhere near a city. I s’pose I can’t take back my heartfelt defense of NYC, but geez. It’s enough to make a girl reconsider.
Lovely lovely. Sending house-selling vibes…
Posted by: Lizbon
I’m happy to hear the trip was successful. Now, sell, sell, sell!
Posted by: Carole
What a cute mucky baby face! And I’m sending the house-selling vibes for you.
Posted by: Mandy
That sounds so perfect. Hope we’re neighbors someday!
Posted by: Cirilia
I’m so glad that you had such a nice trip! It would have been so disappointing otherwise! Sell sell sell and go start a new wonderful life.
Posted by: Johanna
Looks like a great trip. Thumper looks quite happy! Sending strong “sell that house” vibes your way.
Posted by: regina
Oh, I’m *so* glad to hear the trip went well! Hopefully soon we can welcome you to this coast. I’ll send any house-selling vibes I come across your way…
Posted by: Amy
I’m glad you got to come to Eugene – we moved here 3 years ago this week, and it’s the most incredible place in the world. The next time you visit Eugene, you’ll have to visit Soft Horizons (where I work) and The Knit Shop. If you’re back in Oregon by early/mid-July, try to go to the Oregon Country Fair (www.oregoncountryfair.org) in Veneta. It’s an experience that defies description.
Posted by: Crissy in Oregon
Oh, that’s my LYS! I was so very happy when they opened.
Glad you enjoyed our lovely state! I tend to take the view on 99W for granted. It’s nice to be reminded to appreciate it.
Posted by: Lia
Oh, what lovely pictures! I’ve been so stressed for the move (we take off this Saturday) that I keep forgetting we’re moving to beautiful, green Oregon. I’ll light a candle and send good vibes your way.
Posted by: Jean
Ontario country side looks just like that when driving. The farmlands in the foreground and the shady woods in the back. I love it.
Thumper is really growing. I see a young boy emerging. You are very fortunate that he is so easy going.
Good luck with the house selling. Have you ever watched a show called “Take this House and Sell it”? I enjoy it a lot.
Posted by: LaurieM
The coolest thing is that once you live here, you love it EVEN MORE.
Posted by: LeAnne
Hey, you were in my neighborhood! We love Fat Albert’s and I walk to New Seasons and the park almost daily with the bambino. The weather was perfect while you were here. The rain can get tiresome in the winter, but you will know you’ve adapted when it’s been sunny for 30 days straight in the summer and you say, “Wouldn’t rain feel really good right now?”
Posted by: Tanya
Sounds like you’ve found where you want to be. Sending good house-selling vibes.
Posted by: Steph
Thanks for the heads up on the yarn store in McMinnville! We are planning on a move up to OR from SoCal within the next year!
Glad your trip went well, your son is absolutley adorable!
Posted by: Bonnita
Oh, yay, welcome to the PNW!! I knew you would love it. I’m sending the best, strongest house-selling vibes your way!
Posted by: Karma
House-selling vibes. Hmmm. Our old house has been on the market for over a year now, with a real prospect getting ready to make an offer later this week, or so they say.
I think I’d better keep my slow, two-mortgage, house-selling vibes to myself.
Your pictures look great, and I am oddly excited for your new adventure. This blog thing is so weird.
Posted by: jessie
I’m pleased to see you’re the kind of relaxed mom who lets her kid get really, really messy! Sending good “sell this house” vibes. P.S. Did you get to see the Sunday NYTimes after all?
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
I contacted you about the house a few weeks ago, but instead of me passing on house-selling (or house-buying) vibes to you, you have infected me with your leaving-New-York vibes, since a new job possibility has suddenly emerged. I guess this just proves that your blog karma is stronger than mine.
If you have any stray excited-about-leaving-New-York vibes floating around, please send them our way as well. We are a lot less happy at the prospect than we thought we would be. Your pictures do me good.
Posted by: YTT
Absolutely love the picture of Thumper at the park. He’s so happy! I always love it when my neice or my friend’s little boy get all messy. It’s such a kid thing.
Posted by: Jennifer
when i first was in the area around eugene, mcminnville,coast,portland, it reminded me a lot of new england (vermont and the coast).
Posted by: k
Happy house-selling vibes! Portland looks gorgeous…
Posted by: Heather T
Yeah!! It sounds like you did a good job seeing good stuff while you were here! Such great outdoors in the PNW to enjoy and truly LIVE in–hiking, kayaking, bicycling. A great place to raise your child to appreciate the Earth. House selling vibes are radiating your way!!!!
Posted by: Julie
Oregon is lovely, as you have just discovered! (I’m a new lurker, by the way). I live in a very small town about 80 miles south of Portland that is LOVELY – and, with a population under 2000, has its own LYS. Weee! I commute to Eugene, where I lived for six years before moving to the country. PDX is a great city but I’m a small town girl at heart. The wine country near McMinnville is to die for. I love it. I’ve been to Boersma’s as well; it rocks! As does much of McMinnville.
By the way, I write as well. (I originally came to Oregon for my MFA and then never left).
Posted by: Aura
Making me want to move west.
Welcome home and appendages crossed for a swift and lucrative house deal.
Posted by: Juno
Sending house-selling vibes! Amazing that the little guy travelled so well.
Posted by: Asaknitter
Ill send you those vibes… but only because I love the PNW with all my heart
and Ill hope we get to meet up before I leave for my month+ vacation (25th) or you move!!
Posted by: stinkerbell
Sounds like you’ve found where you want to be. Sending good house-selling vibes.
Posted by: Steph
Thanks for the heads up on the yarn store in McMinnville! We are planning on a move up to OR from SoCal within the next year!
Glad your trip went well, your son is absolutley adorable!
Posted by: Bonnita
Oh, yay, welcome to the PNW!! I knew you would love it. I’m sending the best, strongest house-selling vibes your way!
Posted by: Karma
House-selling vibes. Hmmm. Our old house has been on the market for over a year now, with a real prospect getting ready to make an offer later this week, or so they say.
I think I’d better keep my slow, two-mortgage, house-selling vibes to myself.
Your pictures look great, and I am oddly excited for your new adventure. This blog thing is so weird.
Posted by: jessie
I’m pleased to see you’re the kind of relaxed mom who lets her kid get really, really messy! Sending good “sell this house” vibes. P.S. Did you get to see the Sunday NYTimes after all?
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
I contacted you about the house a few weeks ago, but instead of me passing on house-selling (or house-buying) vibes to you, you have infected me with your leaving-New-York vibes, since a new job possibility has suddenly emerged. I guess this just proves that your blog karma is stronger than mine.
If you have any stray excited-about-leaving-New-York vibes floating around, please send them our way as well. We are a lot less happy at the prospect than we thought we would be. Your pictures do me good.
Posted by: YTT
Absolutely love the picture of Thumper at the park. He’s so happy! I always love it when my neice or my friend’s little boy get all messy. It’s such a kid thing.
Posted by: Jennifer
when i first was in the area around eugene, mcminnville,coast,portland, it reminded me a lot of new england (vermont and the coast).
Posted by: k
Happy house-selling vibes! Portland looks gorgeous…
Posted by: Heather T
Yeah!! It sounds like you did a good job seeing good stuff while you were here! Such great outdoors in the PNW to enjoy and truly LIVE in–hiking, kayaking, bicycling. A great place to raise your child to appreciate the Earth. House selling vibes are radiating your way!!!!
Posted by: Julie
Oregon is lovely, as you have just discovered! (I’m a new lurker, by the way). I live in a very small town about 80 miles south of Portland that is LOVELY – and, with a population under 2000, has its own LYS. Weee! I commute to Eugene, where I lived for six years before moving to the country. PDX is a great city but I’m a small town girl at heart. The wine country near McMinnville is to die for. I love it. I’ve been to Boersma’s as well; it rocks! As does much of McMinnville.
By the way, I write as well. (I originally came to Oregon for my MFA and then never left).
Posted by: Aura
Making me want to move west.
Welcome home and appendages crossed for a swift and lucrative house deal.
Posted by: Juno
Sending house-selling vibes! Amazing that the little guy travelled so well.
Posted by: Asaknitter
Ill send you those vibes… but only because I love the PNW with all my heart
and Ill hope we get to meet up before I leave for my month+ vacation (25th) or you move!!
Posted by: stinkerbell
Wow! Looks like you had a great trip, and Thumper is obviously going to be a world- traveler!
Posted by: Annie
Glad your “home.” I’m also happy you have found your new home…
Posted by: Natalie
I know that when I sold my house in Baltimore city, I buried St. Joseph in the planter (I can’t remember if he was upside down, looking out to the street or vice versa) It did work.
Patty
Posted by: Patty Bolgiano
I know that when I sold my house in Baltimore city, I buried St. Joseph in the planter (I can’t remember if he was upside down, looking out to the street or vice versa) It did work.
Patty
Posted by: Patty Bolgiano
Hi – another Portland knitter here! I love reading your stories about your love for the city. My husband and I moved up here 3 years ago and it was the best decision we’ve ever made. I still marvel at the scenery – and i LOVE that scenic drive to McMinnville. If you go to any of the zillion knit nights they have around PDX metro, i’d love to say hello.
Posted by: ilona
Wow! Looks like you had a great trip, and Thumper is obviously going to be a world- traveler!
Posted by: Annie
Glad your “home.” I’m also happy you have found your new home…
Posted by: Natalie
I know that when I sold my house in Baltimore city, I buried St. Joseph in the planter (I can’t remember if he was upside down, looking out to the street or vice versa) It did work.
Patty
Posted by: Patty Bolgiano
I know that when I sold my house in Baltimore city, I buried St. Joseph in the planter (I can’t remember if he was upside down, looking out to the street or vice versa) It did work.
Patty
Posted by: Patty Bolgiano
Hi – another Portland knitter here! I love reading your stories about your love for the city. My husband and I moved up here 3 years ago and it was the best decision we’ve ever made. I still marvel at the scenery – and i LOVE that scenic drive to McMinnville. If you go to any of the zillion knit nights they have around PDX metro, i’d love to say hello.
Posted by: ilona