My Take On Portland

So we just spent the week in Portland, Oregon.

Richard and I had become infatuated with the place last September on a brief trip and decided to make another trip up to consider if it might be a good place for us to move to.

There are some things I serously love about it.

 It seems to be the sewing and crafting capital of the world! Ok maybe not the world, but it is pretty darn crafty and the food culture there is innovative and delicious!
I love those little carts with foods from around the world available on a square block.

 I was surprised to see so many blogs, websites, and small clothing pattern companies I am into right now are all located here.

Real estate is cheap and we love old houses.
Portland is full of adorable old houses at affordable (at least compared to So. California ) prices.
You can easily navigate the city by bicycle, and there are actually real, live bookstores everywhere!

There are shops for raising chickens, making jam, candles, gardening, and lots of homey stuff I love to do.

They call it urban homesteading up there, and it's a big trend. 

A chicken in every yard !
I think Portland is setting the trend for the handmade movement and many other cities will be following in its footsteps.

It's interesting that the activities of the country folk of this dear US ,who I might add are a generally religious and conservative group, have been adopted and turned into a huge trend by the urban and mostly liberal folks of that fair city. They have turned the age old art of making jam into something  Cool.

But living off the land is a great ideal for everyone, regardless of their political leanings. 

Why should those who only live in the country wreak the benefits of home grown eggs and freshly grown veggies?

Here was a funny scene I encountered in Portland:

Waiting in line at Salt & Straw for some hand crafted ice cream (sea salt laden caramel chips infused with organic cherries) served up amidst carefully collected and curated farm antiques decorating the shop: Two women were discussing the vegan diets their dogs were on. Vegan dog food?

Can you imagine the smirks on the faces if some real honest to goodness farmers like my next door neighors were listening this? 

I love traveling!
So what was the verdict on moving there?
Poor Richard suffered debilitating allergies the whole time. He must have been allergic to many of the abundant plants and trees there. So for now, it is a NO.