ping pong and turkey

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful, long Thanksgiving weekend. I spent the holiday with Elaine and Gina. I went over to their house around noon to help with any prep work. They were expecting about 20 people for dinner. Later in the afternoon more people starting showing up, each with a dish to share. I made a french silk pie & cheescake brownies. Elaine & her mom each made a turkey so there was plenty of food. Right before dinner it was controlled chaos with everything coming together and a billion people in the kitchen. Everything was delicious and the food was certainly abundant. I even tried tofurkey for the first time. what an odd substance! I helped with clean up too which gave me access to leftovers! Afterwards some people drifted home to sleep off the food coma and others showed up after their family dinners. There was lots of ping pong being played in the basement. I was introduced to beer pong where the purpose is to hit the cup or better yet land the ball in the beer. good times. It was great to be a part of such a huge feast with so many friends.

The next morning (I stayed over) we woke up and ate leftovers and played a round of shanghai rummy. Later that evening I met up with Jess to go to a movie downtown. We saw "I heart Huckabees" which I would give a mixed review. We left the theatre and walked to Pioneer Square where they had just held the annual tree lighting ceremony. We stopped for coffee and hot chocolate at the busiest Starbucks ever and walked around the square and looked at the nearby department store holiday windows. Is it christmas season already!?!

At home I ate leftovers for dinner and then went over to Gina's house. We played some skip-bo before walking to her neighborhood bar to meet up with some friends celebrating Seth's birthday. I had a great time talking with people and gina got to play some pool which always makes her happy.

Saturday morning Chris picked me up for breakfast. We went to our usual place, Marco's. Afterward we took his dog, Otis, for a walk in Gabriel Park. The summer off-leash area was closed so we just walked him around the trails until we stumbled upon the winter off-leash area. We let Otis loose and he ran around and sniffed all the other dogs. I love to see the dogs running in packs.

I spent the rest of the day watching movies, reading my book and taking a nap. later in the evening I went over to Elaine's house to play some ping pong and shanghai rummy with a group of friends.

Sunday I volunteered at the musuem. It was extremely busy because it was the last day of the Edward Weston photography exhibit. I like it better when it's busy as it is more interesting. In the afternoon I read my book, talked with camille and made a bunch of cards. It was a relaxing long weekend but I always want it to last longer. work beckons me back though.

Please let me know how you spent your holiday and how you are!

much love,
carolyn

I felt lucky to be at the dining room table...the living room was also full of turkey-eaters. 

dave & elaine watch gina serve up some holiday nog! 

paul and I playing some beer pong 

elaine...a fine ping pong player! 

bare branches

Hello everyone!

The rain has brought down much of the fall leaves leaving bare branches against a gray sky. There are those strange trees though that don't lose their leaves and the ever-present evergreens. I love the mossy green of Oregon winters.

Friday evening I was able to hang out with Dan and Melissa. They were in town from Minneapolis (hey...didn't I just see you!) so I was happy to get together with them. They spent they day with a bunch of hunters on the south side of Mt St Helens. In the evening they came over to my apartment. From there we drove to Pix Patisserie where Dan's friend, Sara, is a manager. We had beautifully decadent desserts and beers. Sara joined us along with her husband (both wisconsinites!). From there we headed out to the Sapphire Hotel for some beer, shmancy drinks, coffee and talk of frontline, wisco, old friends and gw. It was really great to see Dan & Melissa again so soon. the extravagance of airplanes is wonderful!

Saturday I found my way to the Red Cross in North Portland where I had an appointment to donate platelets. The process is long and involves a needle in each arm. I got to choose a movie (Royal Tenenbaums) and was covered in a big cozy comforter to stay warm. There was a incident where the nurse spilled my blood all over my hand & the floor (!!!) and I did get a bruise on one of my arms but otherwise all was fine. Since they have no way of storing platelets they will be given to someone by Thanksgiving. I'm a platelet factory!

I was feeling a little spacey post-donation so went home to eat. I took it easy in the afternoon reading (anna karenina) & watching netflix (six feet under). I talked on the phone with Camille (*hugs and kisses*)for some time. In the evening I went over to Gina's house where we watched Old School. Gina whipped up some ravioli for dinner. We went to my house & dropped my car off & walked down to the Watertrough on Hawthorne. We played shuffleboard (the kind with the long wooden table, not on the floor) and gina beat me. Gina played some pool and beat that guy too. I hadn't played shuffleboard since the Silver Dollar in Madison! I love it though my technique definitely needs improvement.

Sunday I volunteered at the musuem. There were a lot of volunteers there so we had time to take turns going through some of the exhibits. I checked out an exhibit of Dutch painters on loan from Holland. In the afternoon I watched 28 Up. It's series of documentaries that follows a group of children from different backgrounds in England starting when they are 7. They check in on them every 7 years. it goes all the way up to 42. I was suprised to see that one of them at the age of 28 was living in Madison WI! small world! I spent the evening reading my book.

So let me know what you've been doing! I hope all is well and you all have a great Thanksgiving weekend! Let me know what your plans are!

xoxo,
carolyn

5 nights in Minneapolis

Hello hello!

I had a wonderful long weekend visit to Minneapolis. First of all I must give huge thanks to Elaine and Gina for sending me off with one of their digital cameras thus enabling my photo mania. As my flight left Portland Thursday morning there were incredible mountain views including steam drifting away from the ever-active Mt St Helens. I arrived in the evening and Greta picked me up from the airport. We went back to her and Adam's home but they had to leave for a sold-out Pixies concert (oooooohhh how I wish I had a ticket). Erin, a former Madison roomie of mine who had just recently moved from Milwaukee to Minneapolis, picked me up. We swung by her apartment and then went out for a drink at a Bar Abilene. It was great to catch up with her and I'm excited for her new move to a new city.

Friday Greta & I stopped for breakfast at a cafe. I got the eggspresso (eggs made with the steam from the espresso machine and served in a big coffee cup). We stopped at Fun Sisters, a shop full of knock off bags & cheap jewelry. Greta got gold eyeliner and I scored a mood bangle (it changes color according to my manymany moods HA! oh and how cold or warm I am). We drove to Lake Harriet and walked around the Linden Hills neighborhood stopping in shops & getting a scoop of ice cream. We took some nice pictures along the lake too. We also stopped at the Stone Arch Bridge. It goes over the Mississippi and has a great view of downtown. Later we met up with Adam down at his office at the university and walked to a nearby bar, the kitty cat club, for happy hour. Greta who is 6 months pregnant enjoyed some fine sparkling water while Adam and I scored two beers for the price of one. We had fabulous burgers at Chatterbox and then went home and watched the hilarious movie Saved! Adam introduced me to his invention, the frisky! Made from fresca & whiskey-what's not to love!

Saturday was another lovely day of blue sky and sun. We drove out to the Arboreteum where we walked around for hours. There was a beautiful prairie with gnarled twisted oaks, a greenhouse with lush hibiscus blossoms, and many many sections divided by types of trees (weeping, birch, crabapple, shade). There was also a hedge disply, a rose garden, ponds (with a thin sheet of ice over it already!) and a bog (yes a blog about a bog). It was really beautiful out & we really enjoyed exploring. From there we went to a dog park along the Mississippi River where Lucy romped in the water and ran wild in the woods. At home Adam, a fine cook, made a fabulous meal of pasta with vodka sauce. That night we drove to St. Paul to a club called Turf Club where the Ashtray Hearts (populated with assorted old friends from middle/high school)played. There were lots of old friends there and the show was tons-o-fun and packed. Greta and I took pictures in the photo booth in the club(using my camera as the booth was out of order) and then we stopped for tacos on the way home.

Sunday was greta's baby shower. Jess hosted and there was a gaggle of ladies there and a baby (Juniper Grace)to capture everyone's attention. We snacked and played some games (celebrity baby names & identify the disgusting baby food game). Greta got some great baby stuff including a vintage mobile, baby's first manicure set and a beautiful baby quilt made by her mama. From the shower we picked up Greta's husband and headed to St Paul to watch the packers/vikings game with a room full of packer backers. They won! The moms (adam's & greta's) met us there and we went out for Thai food before they droved back to Wisco. Back at the Pagel homestead we watched a movie (Before Sunset) and I loveloveloved it. sigh

Monday Greta dropped me off at Betsy's apartment so she could squeeze in a few hours of work. Betsy and I drank coffee and talked. We walked around Uptown & stopped in book stores & thrift shops before meeting Greta for lunch. After lunch we decided to take the new light rail downtown. We shopped & got coffee & I got my photo taken with the Mary Tyler Moore statue! It was back to the Pagels' for dinner, a stupendous meal whipped up by Adam. We had pork loin with mashed potatoes and carrots and sweet potatoes.....mmmmm! It was a lovely dinner with Adam & Greta, Betsy & Ross and myself.

It was so so lovely to spend time with so many old friends. Greta is glowingly gorgeous in her pregnancy and I'm so happy to have been able to spend time with her during this short window of wonder. I cannot wait to meet their child. They're waiting until the birth to find out the sex.

I am so excited for what's still to come and so happy for my time with my friends. I feel so very lucky to know such thoughtful and talented people and especially blessed that we've maintained our friendships despite time and great distance. they are so quick to offer hugs and meals and books and their time and care. they make my heart grow bigger.

xoxo,
carolyn

Monday dinner...Adam & Greta, Betsy & Ross and lots of root veggies...mmmm! 

the pagel refrigerator...baby's first portrait! 

at g's baby shower. belly love. 

reunited with betsy! 

The Ashtray Hearts take the stage 

the lushness of fertility abounds 

Adam and Greta on the prairie at the Arboreteum 

beautiful greta 

me and lucy 

Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi with downtown Minneapolis. 

up up and away! WOW! Always ask for the window seat! Mt Hood with Mt Rainier and Mt Adams in the wild blue yonder 

how to leave a comment

Dear friends & family...please leave me comments on my blog! To do so click on "comments" at the end of each entry NOT the little envelope next to it. Then click on "Post a comment". You shouldn't have to register or do any of that stuff to just leave a comment but the envelope is to email the post to someone so it will ask you for more info for that. You may need to list your name in the comment itself though.

xo,
carolyn

fall's last hurrah?

Hello everyone!

We had a beautiful fall weekend here with no rain & foggy mornings. You have to appreciate them because you don't know how long it will last. Friday I had some work done on my car. I took it to the place where I get my oil changes. As I was sitting in the office reading my book & waiting for Elaine to pick me up, the mechanic came back into the office carrying a phone. Not just any phone, no his phone that he had left in my engine the last time he gave me an oil change (june/july?). He was very excited to have his phone back. I couldn't believe that I'd been driving around with it in my engine for months. very strange & hilarious!

That evening I went out for a Thai feast with Elaine & Dave at the restaurant just dwon the street. Afterwards we went back to their house & played a bunch of ping pong in the basement. I need to keep my game up. practice practice practice oh & it's tons of fun too!

Saturday I ran errands in the morning and watched "eternal sunshing". In the afternoon Camille & I drove out to the Gorge for a hike. I love the gorge the most in the fall with the leaves going & the waterfalls gushing again after the dry summer. We stopped at a viewpoint on the way & then at Multnomah Falls to check out the salmon spawning. They are big fish! We started our hike at Horsetail Falls & went up behind Ponytail Falls, across the Oneonta Gorge & the upper Oneonta Falls then back to the historic highway. We decided to skip the side trip up to Triple Falls as the light was starting to fade. It was a beautiful drive back to Portland. the sun was setting & the Columbia River looks dreamy & gorgeous.

Back in town we made dinner at my house-chicken with rosemary, potatoes, brussel sprouts & biscuits. mmmmmgood stuff! It was great to spend time with Camille & be able to hang out and talk. very nice!

Later that evening I walked down to Hawthorne St & met up with Ginger, Kate & her friend Michelle for some beers at the Bar of the Gods. It was fun hanging out with all of them yakking it up. I didn't stay out late though and walked back home.

Sunday I met up with Elaine, Dave, Erin, Terri & Jay (and a couple dogs)for a day of frisbee golfing. It was my first time and I loved it! We drove to Pier Park in North Portland where there's an 18 whole course. We ran into one of their friends on the course who joined us for a while. It was a beautiful day with the leaves floating down & the sun streaming through the foggy trees. We had lots of fun and I will definitely be going back for more! Elaine & Dave & I stopped for lunch of sandwiches & chowder on the way home. very satisfying! Today I am sore! Ha! From frisbee!

So that was my weekend! Please let me know what you've been doing and how you are. I will be late with next weekend's update as I will be in Minneapolis for a long weekend visit to Greta! I'm so excited!

much love,
carolyn

Happy Halloween!

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a great Halloween weekend! Friday night I put on my pearls & my 50's housewife dress & went over to Nicole, Ginger & Josh's Halloween party. Nicole & Ginger really went all out with the decorating. They made the living room walls look like a dungeon & turned the already freaky back apartment into a haunted house. There was food(I made rice krispie treats)& lots-o-drinks to go around. I've scanned in tons of pictures from the party which I've temporarily posted on my blog. I'll be taking some of them down next week so take a look now if you're interested. I've also posted a great picture gina took of the lunar eclipse last week.

So the party was hilarious & I had tons of fun running around with my polaroid camera taking pictures. Gina also took tons of pictures on her digital camera. I closed the party out taking a cab home around 4 am. This is very atypical carolyn behavior as I'm usually heading for bed by 1 AM tops, especially on a friday, which meant I'd been awake for almost 24 hours. zzzzzzzzzz

I'm not very good at sleeping all day so I woke up too early on Saturday & just watched movies & read my book & later took a nap. Later that night I went over to Adam & Bridget's new house that they just bought. We went to the pub down the street for dinner & some beers. Later we headed back to Elaine & Gina's house for some pingpong in the basement.

Sunday was a beautiful day out. I went down to the museum to volunteer. I got there early so I sat in the Park Blocks across the street & read my book in the sun. ahhhhhh! It was a slow day at the museum. Later in the afternoon I went to Elaine & Gina's house where we made a great dinner of steaks, potatoes & broccoli. mmmmm. The trick or treaters started arriving & I had lots of fun handing out candy to the little kids. Even the teenagers where at least in costume.

So that was my weekend. Let me know what you did!

Drunken 50's housewife...signing off!

xoxo,
carolyn

a group of mormons~ 

fallen angel, downtown gabe brown & harry potter! 

me and the slut squad! haaaaaa 

the drunken 50's housewife & the fallen angel 

total lunar eclipse! It's orange because the only light hitting the moon was from the sunsets and sunrises around the world!