Feast of Fields with Friends

Picture this...rolling green hills, cute grazing sheep, sunny skies, and a bunch of old friends enjoying a feast in a field. A perfect weekend? I think so.

Once per year an event called Feast of Fields is hosted by one of the many local farms in Victoria, BC, Canada. It's a wonderful fundraising event full of amazing food to nosh on from some of BC's top chefs while sipping on beer or wine from local brewers and vintners. Tent after tent spoiled its visitors with local BC eats and drinks.

Our very close friends Kristin and Danny have been raving about this event for years, so with much intrigue we joined some other Portland-based friends, Ryan and Sarah, and headed to my childhood home, Victoria, BC. (Left to Right: Kristin, Danny, Ryan, Sarah)

Here's Erik, primed and ready for some taste-testing.  For convenience, festival-goers eat off of a freshly cut wooden disc.  It even has a notch cut into it for a wine glass.  What a great idea!

For those of you who don't know, this is one of my oldest friends, Kristin... yes, we share the same name, sort-of.  We met in middle school and connected with our shared love of rowing in high school.  We both attended OSU together and were roommates for most of those years.  You could easily say we grew up together and have shared many days filled with laughs, tears, and lots of learning.  I would have to say she is the closest thing to a sister I have and I cherish our friendship everyday.  Though we no longer reside in the same city there is seldom a day that goes by when we don't touch base.  I miss her very much which is why feasting out with her and Danny was an absolute delight!

Of course, it wouldn't be a trip to a farm without our wellies on!  With our tummies full and our faces sore from so much laughing, it's safe to say a great weekend was had by all!  For more pictures take a look here.

Drawing Date Night

Tonight is Erik and I's first drawing date night. Last month we celebrated our one year wedding anniversary, which happens to be the traditional gifting year of paper. Thinking along those lines, my clever husband signed us up for a two month drawing/sketching class. I can't wait to see what we can create! Stay tuned for our weekend adventure post...

Off to Our Friends and Family We Go

A weekend full of family and Friends. I can't wait. Have a great weekend.

Shipwreck Beads- 2 Years in the Making

The idea blossomed 2 years ago. 4 great Fro-workers (friends of work), 1 VW Bug, and an epic trip to Shipwreck Beads. My dear friend Jillian is from Centralia, Washington and would constantly swoon us with stories of this enormous beads store. Finally, we all decided that this place deserved a visit. The only hang-up... all 4 of us being in town on the same day. In all honesty, it took about two years from the the first mention of the idea until the actual trip sailing happened, and sadly, one mate was missing, Jodi. Somehow we manage to all be in the same place at once almost every work day of the year, yet it took two years for us to get to Shipwreck. These ladies make the majority of my day amazingly happy. We are always able to find the good in something and bring light and laughter to any topic. All unique in their own way, the team combines to make a great family.

I thought that this trip was such a significant day on our calendar we better let everyone else know about it as well. So, we wrote it on the car.

An itinerary was made and the snacks were packed and we ventured out on our sunny voyage.
1st stop: Thatchers Coffee a really cool cafe in Vancouver, Washington. We first learned about it from another blogger and decided it would be our beginning destination. Followed by dropping off great Thatcher's treats to Teri's husband Tade at his work. (left to right, Jillian, Teri)


Here it is! Shipwreck Beads. Can you tell they're Super excited?
It really was enormous! You could say I was overwhelmed with giddiness. I dream about this kinda stuff!
Jillian in her element.
Our next stop was a REALLY cool place called The Art Yard in Centralia, Washington. A man by the name of Rich has dedicated both his life and full yard to creating nifty recycled installments. Everywhere you'd look there would be creative displays with names and doodads. The yard was huge and you could easily get lost wandering through the paths.
I believe Rich, the unique artist/homeowner called this one the King and Queen. I love that the king (on the left) had chest hair.

What an inspiring way to turn everyday trash into artful treasure.
Jillian, as we're getting a tour from from Rich. I would highly suggest checking this place out. A tiny slice of the world which will knock your socks off with it's dedication and inspiration.
All in all it was a great trip. Even if Jillian and Teri made me listen to Usher (no offense). Great laughs, lots of pictures and yes, I was even inspired to pick up my beading instruments and make a couple pieces... stay tuned. For more pictures take a peek at the album.

Homeward Bound

This is the bridge I get to cross on my way home everyday. It's magnificent size and beauty never stops amazing me.

All in a Pickle

Our first attempt at pickling

After taking a trip to our local farm The Pumpkin Patch , Erik (my husband) and I were inspired by the great bounty. We decided to try our hand at pickling! Being first timers I took two humbling trips to the grocery store; first for the correct size jars and second for distilled water. Who knew water could make such a difference in the murkiness of the brine. I could just nerd out on all this cooking chemistry!

Being a spice lover Erik insisted on the pepper, which turned out to be a delicious idea. After much debate we decided to place a lengthwise slice down the pepper to insure full infusion. I have no idea if it made a difference but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

These measuring cups always make me smile. No matter how large of a mess I've made.

Voila! This years batch of Super Duper Garlic Pepper Pickles! By the way that miniature purple onion in the jar on the upper right was supposed to be a normal sized red onion grown in our first year garden. I guess it was meant to be.

The Start of Something New

Well here it is... THE first post. I guess for starters I'd like to introduce myself...I'm Kristen Reid, currently residing in Portland Oregon. By day, a health care worker, by night a sew-er, crafter, painter, runner and so much more. With the start of fall and my fresh new business I thought I'd give blogging a try. As someone who has tended to a journal for many years I enter the arena of blogging with great excitement as well as nervousness. In all honesty, I'm a wee bit of a technophobe. What better way to learn than to just jump in and do it! All in all, this world is filled with beauty and greatness and I'm surrounded by amazingly inspirational people. I look forward to sharing all of it with you. Here we go!