If You Build it, they Will Come...?

If you read the title above in your best James Earl Jones voice circa Field of Dreams in 1989, spot on my friends. After living in the Foster neighborhood for a year and a half we are loving our home, loving the neighbors, and loving the neighborhood (I say that last one with my finger in the air, a pinch your nose sort of tone, followed by a "....but" implying there are just a few caveats). In the time spent living one block south of Foster rd. I have gotten  to see the good, the gritty, and the shitty gritty sides of the street. So without further ado, let's get right down to the real nitty gritty shall we:

In a city where every main street is filling in with condos, the rumor mill (aka the news) states that Portland is bracing for  its population to double in the next 20 years,  I find it odd that in the Foster neighborhood development is trudging along (two steps forward one step back). Don't get me wrong, Foster is filled to the brim with charming eats, drinks, and walkable to dos (here, here, here, here....). There is a good gritty feel to the neighborhood,  a variety of people, and some shops that reflect a diverse demographic. 

The shitty gritty mentioned above are the vacant buildings that sit glumly (with the occasional adorned boarded window), and the plethora of adult shops.  I'm referring to the 3 adult shops that line the blocks between 52nd and 54th on Foster rd. (not to mention the Strip club on the same block). I get it, humans have basic needs that get met in a variety of ways. For me placing 3 adult shops that  openly state on their website such services as "rub downs,"  and have colorful phrases on their signs such as "santa's little ho ho hoes," makes me wish the neighborhood would pick up its pace on changing (Couldn't we close down at least two of the three? Three is excessive.).  

I will note, within a year we have seen some really fantastic businesses move in  (Renaissance Guitars, Mid Point Cafe, Foster Row...which houses a variety of makers and creators, and Nayar Taqueria).  It seems like Foster could use some outside neighborhood development love to get the extra boost of TLC it needs. The City has plans for a future streetscape renovation which will change Foster road (in a nut shell: increased bike traffic, decreased car traffic, less lanes).  With the rate it has taken to get a streetscape plan passed (10 years, I believe ), and the history of pushing development dates back in this neighborhood, I'm concerned that a 2016 building start will turn into a much later date. 

It seems neighborhoods like Division have drastically changed in less then two years.  I don't imagine or want this type of change for Foster. Whatever happens next on Foster I hope is a balance of out with the old (shitty gritty) and in with the new (while keeping a bit of the good gritty to boot).  Below are neighborhood snaps of the good, the bad, and the ugly. A message to Portland developers or people who have visions of good businesses and money to back it (in my best James Earl Jones voice, ahem) If you build the businesses, open the shops, provide the good grocery stores... people will support you. My message to the local shops that are already hustling and bustling (Stumptown, New Seasons...etc.) if you open a business on Foster, other businesses will follow you.

Vacant dry cleaner building.

Local hot spot.

Carts on Foster.

Vacant Autoshop, mural states "our cars sell themselves."

1 of 3...go away.

Wolf and Rabbit gallery to open in the neighborhood at Foster Row. 

Darling Letter Press with a new store front...neighborhood gem! 

Foster Burger (adjacent to 1 of the 3 adult shops).

This building has been for lease for over a year (come on something good, make us proud). 

I Left My Harp at Sam Clam's Disco ....

When I was a kid I used to know a joke,  the type with a huge set up, and lots of memorizing. Unfortunately I invested my joke memory in two other jokes (ask me, I know two good old fashion jokes to my name) and all I remember is part of the punchline.  So here's what I remember,  and you can go ahead and figure out how to get yourself to this part of the joke: "I left my harp at Sam's Clam Disco (to the tune of "I left my Heart in San Francisco")." It's actually starting come back as I typed the punchline, it was something about a club called Sam Clam's disco, and someone (most likely a musician, and I'm even going to go as far as saying it was a harpist...) goes to the club. Some things happen, funny things, forgetful things, and voila  in your best Tony Bennet crooner voice "I left my harp at Sam Clam's Disco." Anyways we were just in San Francisco (see photos below for living proof), and I couldn't help but think about Sam Clam's Disco as we trudged up and down the beautiful hilly streets. 

Alex and I went to SF for a wedding that took place in Prisidio Park, just a walk, skip, and a trudge  past the Palace Of Fine Arts. Presidio park is a beautiful part of the city that over looks... whelp, it over looks the city, not to mention a lovely view of the Golden Gate Bridge.  I didn't take many photos at the wedding, so you will have to trust me that it was beautiful: romantic vows, beautiful couple, dancing, delicious food, spending time with delightful relatives...the works. We ended up staying in San Francisco for three days after the wedding below are some adventure blips. Oh, and I would like to note on our anniversary we went to a bar near our Air BnB we stayed at in the Mission district called  Makeout Room, and there was a fantastic soul night DJ spinning gem after gem (it was a memorable way to ring in our love + we were strangers in that city, so we felt at ease pulling out our extra kooky dance moves).  

San Francisco, I didn't leave my harp,  and my dear heart came riding back with me on the plane. It truly was a pleasure, and I look forward to the next chance I can walk up your hills, admire your views, and dance to your music.  

1. no explanation needed here, am I right?

2. We saw the sweetest sea lions under a pier. 

3. Us doing our best sea lion.

4. Day trip to mountains, admiring my mother's garden from the deck.

5. Travel companion #1 (fill in  your favorite thumbs up-y emoticons here).

6. The Mission District.

7. At the wedding, a lovely guest from Montreal, Canada gave me this necklace. I had complimented the woman on her necklace when I first met her. The combination of wine and generosity is a powerful thing, and it resulted in me receiving this gift. Her name is Maude, and she told me in a beautiful thick French accent "this necklace will pimp up any plain shirt you wear." Thank you Maude.  Don't worry folks, addresses were exchanged and a thank you package is in the works. 

Uku-le It On Me

Here's me letting you know that I recently became a proud new Ukulele owner (photo one, happy as a  ukulele inclined clam). If you live in my neighborhood, (or don't) I highly suggest checking out Renaissance Guitars on Foster. This charming little shop is a new addition to our neighborhood, chalked full of friendly (not pushy), know it all (in a know their shit sort of helpful way), guys (make that two) ready to sell you your new instrument (to join my ukulele band). But seriously folks, stop in. Learning to play the Ukulele has been on my to do list for awhile (naturally inspired by the duet with Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters above). Next Stop, tap dancing, and I'm one step closer to a new goal (the man in video three, am I right?!). So if you know anything about ukuleles (altos to be precise) and you have been aching to teach someone something (tap dancers welcome too), the above are just a snap shot of what I would like to be strum dum  dumming in the next year (yes, "strum dum dumming").

Success

The Foster Row grand opening came and went. Surely a success (yes a success but don't call me Shirley... Airplane anyone?).  Delicate Doilies represented in homemade floral crowns (it was very doily of us). It appeared that people who joined in celebration seemed excited about the new neighborhood space, and everything happening inside. People seemed pleased with the music, and I was pleased that only one record skipped (it was due to a couple dancing too close to the turntables, with too many jumpy moves...come on  people quit having fun!).    There was probably a steady flow of 80-100 people including my friend Brooks above  next to the Foster Row lights and Delicate Doilies signs (photo two). With that, Delicate Doilies will kick off a month long pop up shop in August at Foster Row. I will be playing shop gal one weekend day a week and sure would love to see you.

Foster Row Grand Opening (aka see you tomorrow)

Foster Row is currently the home to a variety of different creative studios (from wood working, letterpress, weaving, to a pottery studio).Saturday commences the latest addition to Foster Row, a new storefront space that will open August first. Upon opening, Delicate Doilies will have a small pop up shop for the whole month of August (vintage goodies for one and all) accompanied by featured crafts and creations à la the Foster Row studio spaces.  If you are around this Saturday from 7-10 stop by for a sneak peek of the space, meet your neighbors (or our neighbors), and support a local business that is oh so good for the Foster Powell neighborhood. Did I mention I will be DJing? Kid friendly too. Would love to see you and yours... tell your friends (all of them please).

Back from the Depths of Blog Hiatus

Why hello! I can't believe it's July 1st, seriously where has the time gone? Talk about a whirlwind since May, work trips, trip trips (as in going places, but not the drug type), anniversaries, laughs, tears, beers, cheers (a birthday or two in the mix), and of course good music!  Most recently me and Alex went on a camping trip to celebrate our 9 year anniversary (that man still makes my heart flutter at the thought of him). An-y-ways, I thought some camping photos would be a nice ease back into this here blog. Oh, and we went to Bonney Meadows/ Boulder Lake campsite  outside of Mt Hood, and it was just glorious. A nice hike in, and out,  sleeping by the lake, and deer to boot. I forget I like camping until I do it, but it sure feels good to take a break from the hubbub of Portland. 

A Message to a Birthday Man

'

Happy birthday dear darling Alexander.  You are the bee's knees, the cat's pajamas,  the sundae's sprinkles, the hammer's nail... you get it, you're the best (and not just because it's your Birthday, but because you're the best.).  Here you are above in a suit (not to be confused with a birthday suit, but a birthday suit because of the day it falls on) looking as dashing as ever (more dashing than the spice from the 1990's...Mrs. Dash).  I thought the song above by Ike and Tina Turner and the Kings of Rhythm would be a nice way to ring in the commencing of age (you'll hear the Birthday song more then once today, and I figured why not switch it up ya know?). Since Francis doesn't blog (yet), the message above was all his paws could type. I love you to the Birthday Moon...and back. 

Spring Fever

Bada bing bada boom bada bang, it's March yet again (and yet again I find myself saying "where has all the time gone?"). Say it with me know "where has all the time gone?" March (already) is booked to the  brim with work, and some rather exciting things... including but not limited to: Alex's upcoming birthday (I'm a sucker for celebrating birthdays), and my brother and co are moving to Oregon from Alaska ("and co" represents his lovely wife and darling daughter...see adorable child above). In other news, I just got back from a quick jaunt to Seattle, train in, training, train out shazam (yeah "shazam," like something Shaq would say right before he popped out of a jeanie bottle in a bad straight to video... video). See above for other March things (Cat Paint,  sleeping cat drawings, sleeping darlings, new house plants, new bright shoes,  rooms with views, Portland Timbers, and our backyard bench... which I can't wait to read on when it gets warmer). What's new with you? 

Boy Oh Boyer

 Happy Birthday to my dear friend Emily (Boyer) Johnson. I love you and hope today is filled with good things like cakes, songs, beers, and cheers! While searching for the perfect Emily B pictures, I stumbled upon photo 3 above (you dressed as Sylvester Stallone in Over the Top)... You're the best.  

Soul Train

Soul train, not to be confused with that hit dancing show in the 70's (yep, Soul Train), but boy oh boy I wish it was! I went to Seattle for work the other day. Such a treat. Important numbers to remember: three hours,  forty eight dollars, two states...easy peasy. 

Oldies but Goodies

Recently received copies of these beautiful photos. The top is my mother and aunt in Australia in the 1960s. The photo below is my late grandmother same place same time (she sure was stunning). 

Masked Bandits

Here's the thing, while Delicate Doilies quietly collects more goodies to get into our shop, we have been fine tuning our face mask making skills (and refining the fine lines in our blimey faces). We are getting rather good at this whole face off thing (not to be confused with the action packed 1990's movie featuring John Travolta and Nick Cage), and are experimenting in both ingredients and colors (see above for living proof).  So far we have learned that apple cider vinegar is a miracle worker, and cinnamon (photo 2) burns like the dickens (and I'm not talking about Charles).