Why "Gilbert?"

So many people have asked..."why Gilbert?" ie. we really don't like the name so it must be a family name or have some special significance???  Actually, it is neither.  Though I am an Anne of Green Gables fan from WAY back (Gilbert Blythe), and did work on an historic renovation/addition with the "survivors" of SRG Gilbert Hall, the name Gilbert came a bit more simply. Nathan and I were in a quandry; what to name our son....no names really spoke to us.  We had lists and lists of cities that we'd travelled to, people we'd interacted with, family names, any italian or scottish names...Nothing. Literally, it was an eleventh hour addition.  I was reading a book by Elizabeth Gilbert in my last book club. I'd been reading it for a while and one night just looked at the cover. GILBERT just jumped out at me. I asked Nathan if he liked it and it jumped to the top of the list...along with "Desmond." We were and still are HUGE Lost fans and loved the mystic of Desmond. So, at the moment of truth Nathan selected "Gilbert." It was fair, I liked it, too and really I'd selected Evelyne's name (I'd always wanted my daughter to be called Evelyne since I was a little girl myself.) Gilbert Kelley (my maiden name) Knight. Gilbert, now I love it and couldn't have thought of a better name for the boy I hear crying, laughing, talking to me every day. Gilbert with the crazy sticking up hair and very sweet nature. His hugs are the best ever...anyone who knows him will tell you...he LOVES to hug. My sweet "Gilly"...a nickname coined by Evelyne. You are a treasure to us all.

Happy Birthday Dear Gilbert...

Last Sunday Gilbert turned 3! Can't believe my baby is not a baby anymore. My sister came over for a bit to celebrate with us; we're having a proper party this weekend as Nathan was out of town for most of last.

I seriously have never seen such blue frosting; the kids were pooping blue for 2 days...no joke.

Cute little dino truck w/dinosaurs all made out of recycled plastic....what an environmentally nice gift! Thanks Patchie and Sarah!

Aunt Sarah playing "sorry" with the kids...so intense!

We ended the evening at Pizza Caboose in Tigard, Gilbert's FAVORITE place to go.  There are lots of trains and video games literally from years ago...they have Pac Man! A bonus is very inexpensive wine and beer...great for mom and dad!

Yes, PAC-MAN!  Remember these!

Alice, a scarry ghost and the "other mother"

So much fun last night; Evelyne's Elementary School, Boones Ferry Primary had a trick or treat night.  The kids were allowed to go to the different "porches" and trick or treat to the teachers, then went to a "candy walk" then got to walk in a parade around the school, vote for their favorite teacher's costume, and end with popcorn and a movieIt's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

We went as Alice, a scarry ghost, and the "other mother" (from Coraline).

at the candy walk

getting ready to watch the movie annika (white hair) evelyne (alice) and edgar (incredibles) are all in the same class together

who is this handsome young man and his corvette???

vintage for certain....any guesses???

El Nino

We are entering an "el nino" period of weather...you know...a bit warmer, a bit dryer...supposed to last 4-7 years. And, I just couldn't resist one of the greatest el nino's of all time....

So what is this ETSY all about anyway

Many of you have heard of and some of you haven't had the pleasure of looking into ETSY.com a site for those of you who love to shop locally, buy from the little entrepreneurs out there, get unique and fantastic items a great price. I opened a shop, Evie and Gil on etsy a while ago, did a couple of hand painted custom items and kind of forgot about it. Well, I'm back with some interesting vintage pieces I find around town, fun holiday decor, and greeting cards.

I love going to antique and thrift stores, and garage sales scouring for great finds. Many of you don't know I have furnished my home with many accessories and accent tables from things I found at rummage sales, on craigslist, at consignment shops, as hand-me-downs that often just needed a fresh coat of paint or a hardware change.

These days we're thinking green and watching our pocketbooks it's time to change our focus. Time to look at something again for the first time and see if we might use it. Time to look at 'used' or 'preowned' instead of new. Time to especially remember the small shop keeper. So, as always, enjoy "monitor" shopping on ETSY and keep us in mind for the holidays!

Happy Birthday Sadie

We celebrated with a birthday of cooking...gnocchi. Sadie loves gnocchi and we had it last year for her birthday, again for this one. This time, she brought in a couple of friends to make it with her, Pete and Kelsey. We all converged at my parent's house for a fun filled birthday with great food...potato gnocchi with marinara, meat, and the coveted mushroom gorgonzola sauces, and home made Caesar salad...with pancetta and roasted cherry tomatoes...yumm!!!! For dessert was a Pumpkin spice cake from Lamb's...all so scrumptious! Happy Birthday Sadie...until next year's Gnocchi party...cheers!

Sadie, Gabe, Pete, and Kelsey making Gnocchi

Rolling it with the fork

Ready to cook on the pan

Sadie and her gnocchi...yum!!!

Getting ready to eat our dinner!

...and ready....

Sadie and her parents!

sampson...tired

Happy Birthday beautiful girl!

Oktoberfest....yes another one...

Last weekend we had our neighborhood Oktoberfest. It was a pot luck affair with communal coolers for all sorts of German Beers, great sound system provided by one neighbor...where we danced many a chicken dance with the kiddos....and general fun had by all. One neighbor even made old world "villebois" signature steins and sold them at the event...how entrepreneurial...and they worked nicely with frothy Weihenstephaner.

Kids all looking at the fish in the pond....dad's are supposed to be watching...hmmmmm

Starting the grills!

Gilbert loving the attention.

Friends and neighbors

Yummy food!

Until next year!

Soccer Game...girls are improving!

Coach and the 7 Wildcats

Evelyne and the other Wildcats had a great game last Saturday. And, although the coach tried his hardest, the girls just couldn't get that $#@! ball in the goal. So many tries and so many uhs... Well they're 5, a few more games and maybe they won't try to take the ball away from each other as they approach the goal.

Evelyne going after the ball.

Maybe they won't stop and wait for the other team to come after the ball when they get it. And maybe they won't discuss what each other had for breakfast while they're playing the game. And finally, maybe that one girl will stop skipping down the field and run once in a while...

So comical, life at 5.

Gilbert having fun with Aunt Sarah at the park!

Oregon Garden Visit

My dear girlfriend, Danelle, took me to the Oregon Garden in Silverton for a visit. I have never been (since it's filled in), always wanted to go. It was a gorgeous Saturday and we were free of families and ready to explore...at our own pace. Years ago, I had worked on the Gordon House, which was moved to Silverton and now serves as an importand architectural landmark as it is the only Frank Lloyd Wright Usonion House in Oregon. I was impressed by all the different types of gardens within the Garden itself:

the children's garden

pet garden, lewis & clark garden, conifer, annual, wetland, oak grove....just to name a few! There is a tram that goes around the entire thing, giving you a good overview before you explore on your own. It is inspiring to say the least. If you are already a terrific gardener (like Danelle) or an aspiring one (like me), you'd appreciate it. It's definitely worth a visit on a sunny fall day.

the barn

green roof on a shed

large lawn for weddings and other gatherings

the wetlands

Thank you dear friend for a lovely memory......