Archive for February, 2010

10.02.05 the linkery

Not very many restaurants make me just so happy after being there, but oh my goodness, The Linkery does. The atmosphere? Awesome. The waitstaff? Wonderful. The food? Amazing (especially the links!!). And best of all, you can just feel how much the people who work and run the place really care about the food & where the food comes from (supporting mostly local farms). It makes the meal that much more special – which makes the whole dining experience just that – an experience. A truly wonderful one too! I am so totally going back, and the sooner the better ;)

(I do think their philosophy on food is just the best, especially since I am currently reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma!)

10.02.05 the linkery open

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It’s wonderful to meet you. :)

09.10.01 ashland creek
ashland creek . ashland, oregon . polaroid sx-70

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Why hello, Ashland :)

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the moon & the ashland springs hotel . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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windows & displays . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

I arrived in Ashland well after dark, and after unpacking and checking into my hotel (the Columbia Hotelhighly recommended European style hotel), I spent most of the evening walking up and down the downtown main street (it’s quite small) trying to decide where to eat. Nothing looked really appealing until I looked into the window of a restaurant called Tease and saw a band setting up that I found my spot. :) The band was actually a small LA band called the Tyler Lane Band and they were really quite good! I purchased a CD (my second one on this trip – I was well on my way to making a soundtrack without even planning it) and snapped some photos while enjoying my dinner (duck tacos! I can never resist duck) & a honey ale beer (my first one that I finished!!). I felt like such a grown up – on my own in a restaurant, sitting at the bar, enjoying the band & just being content. :)

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the tyler lane band . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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honey ale & free chocolate pudding! . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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the tease bar . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

The next morning I went to the first place that looked appealing for some brunch and coffee, a little place called Pangea :) Lentil soup with one of their wonderful wraps – yum! (notice my Oregon sticker on my polaroid/travel journal :)) Afterwards, I pretty much spent the rest of the day going into shops, visiting the park & walking all around.

09.10.01 pangea soup
lentil soup . ashland, oregon . polaroid sx-70

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floor with character . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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pangea & mix . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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ashland hills . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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used books & fall tree . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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ashland creek . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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ashland creek . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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ashland creek & bench . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

The Ashland Creek & Lithia Park, two places that just spoke to me during my stay here. The stream is so comforting, and the park is so inviting. I could get lost here for hours. In fact, I spent a great deal of time here. (and I’ll spend more the next day!)

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reflections . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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the most soothing place in the world . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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painter & cellist at lithia park . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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leaves . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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leaves & light . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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one leaf . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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lithia park . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

09.10.01 fall tree 09.10.01 lithia park ground
fall is on it’s way . ashland, oregon . polaroid sx-70

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ashland lithia water . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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thirsty . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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ashland springs hotel . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

Home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, possibly one of the most popular and well know Shakespeare Festivals in the nation, you see this all over the town. Because of this, there were quite a lot of junior high and high schoolers milling about (I remember in high school there was a field trip here – I didn’t go to that though). I didn’t watch any plays, but I did see one of the free shows on the outdoor stage, which was some flamenco dancing.

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columbia hotel . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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banner . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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lithia park . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

09.10.01 orang car
the coolest car on the entire planet . ashland, oregon . polaroid sx-70

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flamenco dancing . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

After watching a bit, it began to get cold, so I headed to a coffee/ice cream/pastry shop called Mix – where I had possibly the most perfect cup of coffee I ever had. They serve Stumptown Coffee, which I am simply head over heels for. I only wish they had locations over here! But I understand why they wouldn’t – I will just have to settle for buying beans online. When I arrived at Mix, I asked for a decaf coffee, which they said they don’t have ready, but they could do a french press for me, which is how my love for french press coffee from cafes (I already owned one at home) began. It really is that much better. I got the decaf honduras. Seriously amazing.

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the most perfect cup of coffee. ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

After coffee, I went to Standing Stone Brewery for dinner – which to be honest was a little disappointing. The beer was fabulous but the food fell a bit short. :( I sorta wish I tried something from these pickled jars though.. I love all things pickled. <3

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pickled . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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standing stone . ashland, oregon . canon 5dmk2

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Ashland, my roots. Or at least, where my roots began. It felt good to be here, to be reconnecting with this… space. lol, I don’t know how else to explain it really. It’s a beautiful little town, with so much character and charm. One could argue that with the festival, it could be too geared towards touritsts, but I didn’t feel this way at all. It held it’s own. I struck up conversations with everyone around me, and just thought it was all around lovely.

I just love Oregon, I do.

Part two on it’s way.

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Previous road trip posts:
the beginning. | day one. | day two. | day three. | day four. | portland . the home. | portland . the city. | patrick’s point . film. | seattle . part one. | seattle . part two. | the man in the alley. | the road to ashland. |

french press coffee.

February 4, 2010

10.02.02 cafe calabria

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I love french presses. When I was in Ashland, I had the most amazing coffee french press style and because of that, I try and order french press when I’m at cafes now. I know it’s usually like $1 more, but to me, it’s oh so worth it. ;)

This french press was from Cafe Calabria which I tried for the first time this past week. I definitely plan on going back and having more down the line, I did quite enjoy the coffee ;)

an afternoon by the ocean.

February 3, 2010

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Just after Christmas, I took an afternoon and visited the ocean, to just get some time to myself & reconnect with the sea.

I love the light down here in the winter – it’s just so gorgeous.

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A few things I’m enjoying lately:

+ love these outfits from Anthropologie.

+ this fabulous post from The Sartorialist about gracefulness and being graceful to one another.

+ dear creatures . their outfits are so flippin cute.

+ i would have so participated in this if i only lived in Portland!

+ hickorees is all kinds of awesome.

+ knitted items, especially wrapped around things.

+ the alexi murdoch station on pandora is probably the best thing ever.

+ i have yet to see the movie, but i totally want the book.

+ love this collection of plates.

golden beets & garlic kale.

February 2, 2010

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Recently I photographed the lovely Denise in her new kitchen cooking up a storm — more specifically, cooking up some beet & kale salad, which to some may not sound appetizing, but it was delicious. I love beets, & kale and I are friendly, so I honestly can’t wait to try this recipe for myself.

See the rest of the images along with the recipe on Denise’s blog. ;)