Ranch House

I said I was going to write about updating my ranch home in 2010. It is April and I have not made any entries. I need to rectify this situation. Work is happening. Change may be coming at a slower pace then I expected. I am learning the same hard lesson the rest of the country is learning "change does not come easy." It seems this house updating has created a bit of a recession in my bank account, but I digress. I will say that those broken down windows you see in this picture are no longer there. I now have airtight, double hung windows that will keep the outdoor elements where they belong outside. Since the 180 day winter (that NEVER happens here) is over it is time to start thinking about cleaning up the outside. Not sure where this journey will take me or at what rate this will be accomplished, but I am ready for the next battle. I am thinking Palm Springs Modern for my inspiration. Let the summer commence.

Broken Bells- Vaporize

Broken Bells: James Mercer (the Shins) & Danger Mouse collaboration. I love the sound of a Hammond Organ. The Album officially out March 2010.

Portland or "I want to go to there"

I have this town on the brain lately. The Frugal Traveler's coverage of the food cart scene might have something to do with it. I think I have some research and maybe a ticket to book in the near future.



A few places to get me started with my research (in random order):

Frugal Portland

Food Carts Portland

Ace Hotel: Portland

Design*Sponge Portland, Oregon City Guide

This is Naive: Lo-Fi Portland

NYTIMES: Saved By Design in Portland

Old China Town

Voodoo Doughnut

Little T American Baker

Give Pizza A Chance

Clyde Common

Willamette Valley

Patricia Green Cellars

Toast to 2010

I completely deserted this little place marker of all the things that catch my eye in 2009. I hope in 2010 I am able to get back into documenting all the wonderful things that interest me including mid-century design as well as the 1954 gem of a home I snagged this year complete with wood paneled rooms, original bathrooms, and a vast yard that will keep me very busy come this spring. Hopefully I will document some of the updates I will be making while working to keep the original aesthetic of the home. This here is a photo of my rotating aluminum tree that I could not wait to put up this year and the beautiful bank of windows in the living room. So a toast to a new year and new beginnings in 2010 with plans to visit here more often.

Monocle has opened a shop

Perhaps is it bad timing, but the magazine for very expensive tastes has opened a shop in London with plans to open another in the United States in L.A.

Story in the New York Times travel section.

Blossom Dearie

We lost a beautifully unique voice this past weekend. I thought it only fitting with the sentiment of LOVE in the air (and let's face it we could all use a little LOVE right now--no matter how cynical you may lean). Sit back, relax and listen to a little Dearie against the backdrop of Breakfast at Tiffany's.

These are some lovely lyrics about love. Wouldn't you agree?

If you've never been in love
And you're longing for the happiness it brings
Try your wings

If you're hungry for the sound
Of a lover saying sentimental things
Try your wings

Even the tiniest bluebird
Has to leave its nest to fly
What a bluebird can do
You can do too, if you try

If you've always had a dream
But you've been afraid that it would not come true, hitherto
Fall in love and you will find
That it's just what you've been dreaming of

A first love never comes twice
So take this tender advice
When it comes, try your wings
And fly to the one you love

If you've always had a dream
But you've been afraid that it would not come true, hitherto
Fall in love and you will find
That it's just what you've been dreaming of

A first love never comes twice
So take this tender advice
When it comes, try your wings
And fly to the one you love

Thank you Blossom for some beautiful music

I would like to "speak easy"

(photo from Esquire's Best Bar's in America)

A speakeasy refers to a patron's manner of ordering alcohol without raising suspicion — a bartender would tell a patron to be quiet and "speak easy". I am always on the lookout for unique places to visit in other cities. Bourbon and Branch in San Francisco has been added to my list of must stops. Besides passing a few hours in this establishment I would not mind taking their classes on Cocktails 101, Rum, and Absinthe at their Beverage Academy.

(Photo of Russell's Room from Chow's coverage of the Tenderloin district)

Written up here.

Might have to hit Dottie's True Blue Cafe too.