better-late-than-never-agram

 i think instagram is really cool.
i also love facebook, texting, emailing, blogging (duh), pinterest, and completely un-cyber real life stuff, too, like reading books and hanging out with my peeps.
anyway, just thought you should know that i finally decided to saddle up to the bar and instagram.  so follow me!
i'm hvkportland
who knows, maybe tweeting is next?!

riding DRT

 check out these legs

remember when i decided that i was going to learn to mountain bike this year?
today i rode the deschutes river trail for the first time, and it was so fun!  the scenery is gorgeous- how could riding alongside a rushing river and lava rock be a bad thing? and i got to have some alone time with my #1 dude.  so sweet.
and i have to say i felt so legit riding through the rain with all that mud on my legs.  really puts the dirty in the DRT, no?

el vee dot com

my fabulous sister just launched her new website.  check it!

lucky #7

seven years ago, and we love each other and this city as much as ever...

la maquina nueva

my old G5 is nine years old, and needed to be put out of it's misery. 
i am so not worthy of this beauty! 

chicago phone shots

i am still working on the images that i took in chicago with my "real" camera, but i couldn't resist posting a few of the fun things that i saw along the way, and captured with the iphone...

 downtown at night was vibrant and gorgeous!

 love the light up public art

my hosts are so cute

 

right?!

 big star is my chicago porque no

 hot-sun-patio-lunch at big star in wicker park

fancy drinks and food in the west loop

plate & pitchfork

the farm that we buy our fancy eggs from was hosting plate & pitchfork dinners this weekend, and i won a pair of tickets!  g and i have always wanted to go, and the experience did not disappoint.  as we drove to champoeg farm, the skies cleared, the sun came out, and we were positively giddy!  we walked up to the tents where people were already gathered, got a glass of wine, ate a few delicious apps, and then refilled our glasses for a walking tour of the farm.  it was really cool to be out there with our chickens, and the farmer who raises them.
after our walk, we sat down to a fabulous meal that was being prepared under another tent just a few feet away from us by two of portland's top chefs.  throughout the meal, different people spoke to us about the food that they had so lovingly grown/raised that we were eating at the meal.  the entire experience was so very portlandia, and it was so amazing!
we ate our dessert by the light of the moon, then drove home full and happy.  i know we will be back for another plate & pitchfork next summer!

we ate under the white tent

"our" chickens and their house

farmer mark & one of his pigs

 piglets

 the chefs & their kitchen

 rabbit with cherries and dandelion- best course of the meal, by far!

 perfect pasta with smoked salmon and nasturtiums