Wednesday, December 5, 2012

City Lights

My sister Denise organized a fun day for us yesterday.  We met at her house in Hillsdale and I drove us all to downtown Portland.  This beautiful tree is in Pioneer Courthouse Square - our downtown "living room".  
We parked in a structure and walked in the pouring rain to "South Park", a restaurant near the theater.  Here is Shirley and sister Roberta at our table.
I ordered a small pizza to share with Denise, Fennel sausage and parmesan.
Denise ordered a salad to share with me.. a Chop Salad with Salami cubes and Bleu cheese crumbles.
After lunch we headed to the Fox Tower Theater where we watched Anna Karenina.  I must tell you, it was the most unusual movie I've ever seen!  It was filmed using the interior of an ancient wooden theater and scenes opened with the curtains.. just most interesting movie.  The costumes were amazing.  Here is a movie trailer for it
This is the dashing young man she had her affair with... what do you think? :-) 
After the movie, we walked down a block to see the Christmas tree in the square.  I loved the way the building here was lit up on top. 
The city lights reflected off the wet streets, it all looked so pretty.  This is looking up Broadway at the Portland sign at the Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Walking down towards the square, see the tree? 
They used to do all little white lights, but this year they used colored ones and I love the color!  The building on the right is our historic court house.  It was built in 1875 and is the second oldest federal courthouse in the west.
Pretty! 
As we drove up Broadway to head home, I got this shot from the car in between swipes of the windshield wipers. 
Someone bought 2 of my Sumi ink cards from my Etsy store, so I painted these on Monday and got them in the mail to California.  :-)
This is what the living room looked like the other evening.  Creepy movie.  They are here painting today.  It's going to be "Spring Chartreuse".  I'm worried it's too lime green, but I like lime green!  It's not easy to select the right colors.
I must say, the chaos is making me a bit crazy.  I know these are good things, new paint and the cleaning and all.. but I can't wait until it's over.  I am going swimming this afternoon.  It's sunny today!  

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 *H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

24 comments:

  1. I still adore visiting you, as you are always up to some good new fun. What a special life you have out there in Portland to keep you happy, busy and having fun. Thanks for the honest update on the movie, I've read mixed reviews too.

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  2. Ugh! How do you deal with that. I am NOT a type A person but it would drive me bonkers. However, everything in Portland looks so pretty with all the lights.

    Did you enjoy the movie or was it just interesting? Because I've seen interesting movies that I didn't necessarily like...make sense? And the love interest...not so much. A bit too young and foppish. If they look young enough to be friends with my sons, that kind of kills it right there.

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  3. oh Teresa I don't know how you are coping with all that decorating. I am getting twitchy that I can't get on with stuff cos unwell. The tree was very pretty. Your meals yummy. The 'dashing young man' not my type really even if I were a few ( well a lot) years younger. Hope the decorating is son finished. Love Anne x

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  4. Whilst the decorators are in I'd say keep going out! Portland looks fabulous..I like lime green, but I'm not very sure about the dashing young man, I hate moustaches, unless of course it was a Movember one ;) Fiona x

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  5. Yes the tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square is beautiful this year! I work in downtown Portland so I see it every morning as I'm coming in on the MAX. Looks like you had a great time visiting the "big city."

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  6. Beautiful city shots! I think I must go see Anna Karenina.

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  7. I must say you always always know how to have fun...thank you so much for your sweet comments you always leave me...you are such a dear! Can't wait to see what you are up to next! xox

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  8. Hi, Teresa! Loving you city's look! So festive, so bright!
    Anna Karenina is a movie based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy, I don't know whether it's released here or not...will check out on the cinema's sites.
    Have a Merry Christmas!

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  9. That is a very beautiful tree. Fingers crossed for the painting!
    Hen x

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  10. Portland is a beautiful city. I wish that I had been able to spend more time there when I visited! What a pretty tree in your city!! And that movie has my interest piqued!!! Love your ink drawings!!
    And I must ask, did you have your painting scheduled now due to the fire?
    Have a lovely day!
    xo Kris

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  11. What a fabulous city trip! Unfortunately my hubby's schedule and lack of sitters for the kiddos doesn't allow me nor hubby to have date nights or even for us to have a night out with the guys/gals! I will live vicariously through you!

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  12. So glad you had a great time at dinner and the movies. Your house does look creepy, but you will be thrilled when it is all done. It is hard to live with things so unsettled. Glad you got away for an evening.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  13. Thanks for taking me into the city, through your beautiful pictures, Teresa. Since my all time favorite movie is still The Sound of Music I have grave doubts that I would appreciate Anna Karina :)...but I would love to know more about why you found it interesting. Your latest cards are wonderful, and I am still enjoying viewing the ones I bought from you and framed. Your shrouded living room is daunting, but when your house is unveiled I am imagining it to be awesome:) xx from Gracie

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  14. I really enjoyed my virtual visit to your city Teresa. The tree does look stunning. Your work at home will be finished in time for Christmas and how wonderful everything will look then. Hang on in there.
    Jane x

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  15. I have just caught up with your last couple of posts...I so love looking in at 'Your World'. I really hope you decorating is done asap. Your girls are beautiful and it looks like your holiday spirit is well and truly underway. xxx

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  16. That tree sure makes Portland look so festive. So glad you are out and about to show us more of your lovely state of Oregon. There are so many movies I want to see and from the looks of it they will be out on DVD before I get a chance to see them. I have not decorated one thing this year. I did go crazy and bought 4 Christmas Cacti, of course with the intentions to give 2-3 as gifts.....well, we will see about that. They are so lovely I don't think I can part with any of them....shame on me! When all is said and done, when your painters finish their work, you will have a nice newly painted area to enjoy again. Just think, you will have a new look and starting the New Year out with everything so nice and fresh.
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

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  17. I love where you live, Teresa. All that beautiful countryside and a beautiful city nearby, too. Thank you for sharing it with us. Abi x

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  18. I was so happy to see your gorgeous city lights pictures! I really love night time city shots and these are wonderful ones, especially that beautiful tree! I can totally understand how you feel waiting for the decorating to finish.....such a frustrating time...but soon it will be done and you'll make up for lost time :)
    Have a happy weekend, Teresa.
    Helen x

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  19. What a beautiful city, so lovely all decorated for the holidays. The court house reminds me rather of the one in Back to the Future!

    I really want to see that film, I really love the book.

    Helenxx

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  20. What a beautiful city! Don't you just love the night lights? I am amazed at how large that small pizza looks.....it' huge! I really hope all the painting and what knots are finished soon so you can enjoy your new home for the Holidays!
    xoxo,
    Shari!

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  21. Looks like a wonderful outing. The rain makes everything so sparkly and shiny there. With all the twinkly lights it is just magical! Hope the living room gets painted and back in shape very soon. Have a lovely weekend. Tammy

    P.S. The moon shots I took last week were recent.

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  22. This is why I love blogging. Thanks for taking us on the tour. I loved all the photos especially the one taken between swipes of the window wipers! Just lovely. Joan

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