Decemberists wall mural!

Somebody painted a giant mural of The Decemberists' newest album cover just a couple blocks away from our gym! I couldn't resist taking some photos with it after one of our workouts :] The day we took these pictures was extra special because we saw them in concert just a few hours later! Needless to say, they ROCKED IT. It was magical seeing them perform in their hometown - which is now our hometown! God, I love LOVE Portland :]

Meeting The Decemberists!

Did I really get arms-length away from my favorite band of all time? Did I have a conversation with the member of the Decemberists? Pinch me, I'm dreaming! This amazing occurrence was a few weeks back, but I still struggle to believe it happened! I have been IN LOVE with this band since I was 15, so much so that I once e-mailed their manager to ask how much it would cost for them to perform at my hypothetical wedding. Still awaiting a response. That was maybe 10 years ago, long before I even had a serious boyfriend.

One of the major perks of moving to Portland is that The Decemberists are from here. So not only will I have more opportunities to see them in concert, but I'll have access to more intimate events like this signing. Many bands, including The Decemberists, don't even extend their tours into Florida anymore, which is one of the many reasons why we had to get out of there. I haven't seen them live since 2007!

But in January, I got to chat them up! Or rather, they chatted & I responded in short answers, while Burton carried on most of the conversation. I was completely starstruck! We talked about when Laika would finally turn Wildwood into a stop-motion movie & a stolen crane sculpture from their Hazards of Love tour. They signed some merch for us & then I burst into tears as soon as we left.

I love this band. I'm so grateful they're still together, still churning out amazing songs. Check out their newest album when you've got the time :]

enjoying january

 

New year, new calendar! I love this silly calendar & look forward to making these scrumptious meals with Burton each month :] We're actually kind of going through an inspired cooking Renaissance right now & I've got a feeling 2015 is going to be a delicious year.

 

 

This month, Burton & I celebrated the fourth anniversary of our first date! In some ways, I can't believe we've been together for only a mere four years. We've done so much & know each other so incredibly well. Then you think of couples who've been together for decades & four years just seems like a drop in the bucket. The passage of time throughout our lives is such a fascinating concept. That must be why I like Linklater films so much ;]

 

Despite the winter weather, my friends & I have been hiking up a storm. We did a 5 mile hike near Mt. Hood, where I saw my first frozen lake! Kids were sledding, the puppies were prancing, snow was falling, and it was magical.

 

 

 

I GOT TO MEET MY FAVORITE BAND OF ALL TIME, THE DECEMBERISTS!!! It was only a few weeks into the new year, but I can tell this is probably going to be one of the top moments of 2015. WOW. You know what? I'll just have to dedicate an entire post to this experience later on :]

Last weekend, there was uncommonly great weather in Portland for this time of year. It got into the 60s & the sky was crystal clear. A group of six of us checked out the Hoyt Arboretum and Latourell Falls in the Columbia Gorge. Then we treated ourselves to some fancy coffee at Case Study while the dogs looked on :] Have I mentioned how much I love living in Oregon? Wherever you may live, I hope you're having a lovely January so far!

pickens ivey

I'm sure you know a handful of people (or more) who are in a band or dabbled in one before. I know at least a dozen people who've been bitten by the music bug, but I wanted to tell you about my friends who make up the band Pickens Ivey. They have serious TALENT. They would be one of my top ten favorite bands, even if I didn't know them personally. I listen to their CD frequently when I'm driving around or prepping in my classroom before the school day starts. I love their twangy style so much that I even asked them to provide the music at our wedding! Definitely check them out & watch them play "As Dead As It Gets" (my favorite song of theirs!!) below :]