Spring Came Last Week

…and it was so weird.

Spring is odd! It’s the most up and down season. I know it’s for a reason - sunny, rainy, sunny rainy makes the plants grow. But it’s still sometimes irritating. It helps, though, to see the results: three inches of growth on my neighbor’s awesome peonies in one day. Tree after tree starting to bloom. Daffodils. Daphne.

It is a bit pitiful to see those poor new buds covered in snow. But the late Winter/early Spring plants are tough and they can handle it. I, on the other hand, did not feel particularly tough as I slid around, waving my arms and trying to keep my footing! Walking on a hill with 2 inches of wet snow is tough; running impossible. I had to give up. So I made the most of my outing and took pictures.

first kick

[me & Bethany and our our Timbers-y earrings]
[Jordan so excited he can’t stand still for a picture]

Just before sunset: cold, raining, windy, loud, EXCITED.

After 6 months of MLS off season, there is enough pent-up soccer energy in Portland to power a small town. Or maybe a brewery. Or at least a few of those insanely bright stadium lights. Some of my friends have been waiting in line since NOON. My husband and a few others since 2:30pm. Last year this worked in our favor. But the rules change and this year we got the short end of the stick and ended up in the upper levels. Our disappointment was soon overpowered by a growing relief of staying DRY, and consequently warm. It also gave me a new appreciation for the 200 levels and their dedication to the army. It wasn’t the same. It wasn’t as loud. It was harder to catch on to things as they happened. But it always came eventually! And we got a somewhat decent view of the tifo from our angle!

As for watching the actual match there were some pros and cons. Pro: easier to see the run of play, fouls, off sides (which there weren’t many!), general bits of the game. Con: not seeing the players expressions after they scored a goal or at the end when they recieved their log slices (one of my favorite parts).

But 3-1 is a good score not matter where you are - new players rookie Jean-Baptist and DP Chris Boyd got to make a smashing debut, and our own Alhassan has confidence under his belt now with his first officla MLS goal! It was an awesome night and I am more pumped than ever for 2012 season!

[fireworks while the players head out onto the field]

[what I turned around and saw - cheers!]

[Bethany after the national anthem, holding her part of the tifo]

[Josh under tifo!]

[someone’s friend that I don’t remember his name, and Nate - excited and loud]

[my view of the Timber’s Army sections of tifo: sunburst!]

[Bethany snagged a sweet flag]

[green smoke bombs this year! way cool!]

[good game with lots of scoring = lots of smoke bombs & lots of nasty, throat choking smells]

[blurry because I had to zoom in- the boys coming over toward the TA!]

[the boys getting their log slices!]

[as one commentator likes to say, “Pandimonium in Portland!” pretty much sums it up]

Ildi's Colorful Fall Wedding

 

September. One of the best months in Oregon. Usually dry, intense blue skies, flowers still blooming but many starting to fade and dry as Fall creeps in. Somehow the Saturday morning of Ildi’s wedding it rained. The ceremony was to be outdoors so as Josh and I drove the long and lovely highway out to Forrest Grove we crossed our fingers that it would dry out for the afternoon. It did stay overcast, but the rain let up for their main event, I’m told. And there is no way that clouds, or even rain, could dampen Ildi’s brightness - she is one fun, colorful, bright, cheerful, all around fabulous lady. Seriously, even as we sat in the car, silently wishing the rain away, I looked down at the bouquets in my arms and thought that the clouds got nuthin on these dahlias!

And check out those amazing crystals in the bridal bouquet! They are from Ildi’s mom’s wedding dress. Totally sweet and really, really beautiful. The personal elements to this wedding were just stunning.

[toss bouquet]

Ildi requested any and all colors for her bouquets (bridal, maid of honor, & toss bouquet) with an emphasis on light purple. The handle wraps were purple and teal, as well as the dresses. Combined with the crystals, lavendar, herbs, berries and roses the effect was almost overwheleming! Ildi personality was totally reflected in her choices and suggestions - beyond fun!

[corsages & boutonnieres]

[flower girl headwreath]

like a lion

If March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb, what does that really mean? Or look like? If a lion is a light dusting of snow followed by a mildly sunny afternoon, that’s a pretty kind hearted and chill lion. Maybe even a brown-nosing lion. Like the Cowardly Lion? It sounds more like a lamb to me - fluffy, wooly, cute. Weather sayings are the weridest! Seriously. But either way, I know March and Spring in Portland means rain. Days like yesterday are just sweet little gifts. 

[Mt Tabor]

[Yellow Crocus]

[Lavender Crocus]

[Harvey Scott pointing to West to downtown Portland]

Bridal Show

When Amy from Swoon Imagery invited me to create some designs for their photography display table at a recent bridal show, I jumped at the chance - these ladies do incredible work! Just a couple minutes to browse their website and you will see what I’m talking about. Freaking cool. And even with their kind of intimidatingly incredible resume and portfolio they are sweet, down to earth and great to work with. I am so grateful that they wanted a few flowers to brighten up their booth - thanks, ladies!

Since the display was for a wedding show, I decided to go with a large, cascading bridal bouquet, as well as two small, clear, square vase centerpiece-type arrangements. Color choices were based on Amy’s comment that their new business card colors are green and plumb (couldn’t love it more!). So I went with a strong emphasis on greens while highlighting anemones, sweat peas - and orange tulips (for a little contrast). 

[Thanks again to Amy of Swoon Imagery for the inspiration and opportunity, and to my ever talented and helpful husband Josh for taking photos]