Favorite Finds Friday: Salt & Straw

I don't remember if Abbey (DIL) and I found this place on our own or if someone told Abbey about it. What I do know is that it's amazing! I'm talking about Salt & Straw! 

There are three Salt & Straw locations in Portland, OR. The one I've been to most often (maybe 3 times) is on NW 23rd. Twenty third is just a fun place anyway. It's loaded with tons of fun stops and restaurants. I got three new shirts this day! :)

I've been to the one on SE Division only once, and it seemed like a really fun neighborhood also. I've heard this area referred to as Restaurant Row. We drove pass a Mexican restaurant there that I would like to try. 

I haven't tried the 3rd location, but it's on NW Alberta.  I would like to someday because I bet it's in a fun, hip neighborhood as well. 

Abbey heard from a friend that they were going to open one in the Multnomah Village area, but we're thinking it was just a rumor. That would be dangerous since it's only 5 minutes from her house. As it is now, it takes some effort to get to one. 

There is a fourth location in Los Angeles, CA on N. Larchmont Blvd. If I'm ever in L.A.....

There's usually a pretty good size line, but it goes fast and everyone's in a good mood because they're at Salt & Straw. 

They also give out samples! We usually try 4 to 5 flavors before we make up our mind. So far the Sea Salt w/Caramel Ribbons is my favorite. They push the ice cream down into the cone (rather than just set a scoop on top), so you really get a lot of ice cream. If you want to try more than one flavor you can get a "split". It's the size of a regular, but you get 2 flavors. Or you could just get a double! That's what I did this time, but it was on accident. I forgot to say "split" and ended up with a double. Oh darn! I got the Sea Salt Caramel with NW Wild Berry Pie. It had chunks of pie crust in it. Yum! Abbey got the Sea Salt Caramel with Birthday Cake and Blackberries. It had chunks of cake in it. And Little Elijah Boy got the Sea Salt Caramel as well. The little cutie pie! :)

All their ice cream is handmade!

Each month they have seasonal flavors.

Do you see that bottle of caramel to drizzle over your ice cream?

I might have to get one of these some day! 

This first picture was our first attempt at a selfie of us with our ice cream. I didn't care for it because Abbey was hiding and I have too many chins, but it was the only one that kind of showed our ice cream cones. The second one is a much better picture, but no ice cream cones. Abbey said she told me that we didn't get the ice cream in the picture, but when I didn't say anything back she was like, ok, I guess I'll start eating! I probably didn't hear her because I wanted to start eating as well. I need a selfie stick!

I love how Elijah is looking up through his "eyes". (That's what he calls his sunglasses).  

Ok, I have a confession to make. These were the most expensive ice cream cones I will ever buy because I got a parking ticket! Sheesh! We tried to park on the street but it was too busy so I said lets just go to the pay to park lot. I forgot to pay! I didn't do it on purpose and I did pay when I got back, but I was suppose to put the ticket on my dashboard. FORTY FOUR DOLLARS!!! Abbey thinks I should fight it, but I just want to pay it and get if over with. IDK. 

Enjoy your summer!

Blessings,

Julie Wagner

Favorite Finds Friday: Autumn and Caramel Corn

Autumn! My favorite time of year!

 

This gorgeous picture was taken by Billie Coon! It's beautiful just like her!

(My husband wants you to know that this is the road that goes to his duck hunting swamp).

 

I love everything about Autumn! I love the crisp coolness in the air, pumpkins, sweaters, boots, hot mugs between my hands, and only having to shave my legs every other day instead of every day.  Pumpkin pie, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pancakes... I even like it getting dark earlier and the rain. (I do get tired of it come January though). I love sitting inside listening to an Autumn storm and watching the leaves swirling in the air. Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday, is in Autumn. And I love, love, love pumpkin patches!

 

I think Elijah does too!

 

Another favorite that I associate with Autumn is Caramel Corn! I have a little trick to make it extra chewy. One time I wanted a little more than a regular batch so I made 1 1/2 recipes. My family told me that it was the best caramel corn I've made... and it was good before. I realized that instead of adding 1 1/2 times the corn syrup, I doubled it. Here's my adjusted recipe.

 

Chewy Caramel Corn

 

1 1/2 C butter

2 1/4 C brown sugar

1/2 C corn syrup

1 1/2 t salt

3/4 t baking soda

1 1/2 t vanilla

8 qt. popped popcorn (3 batches with my air popper)

 

I use an air popper, but you can use the microwave and a brown paper bag if you'd like. I also put the un-popped kernels back through.

 

I run my hands through it to allow the un-popped kernels to settle to the bottom of the bowl before transferring the popcorn to a LARGE bowl.

 

Melt butter and stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt.

 

Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once boiling turn burner to low and boil for 5 minutes without stirring. (I can almost smell it).

 

Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. It will bubble when you add the vanilla.

 

 YUM!

Pour caramel over popcorn and mix well.

 

Pour into a shallow, greased pan.

 

Bake at 200* for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. This is the best part because every time you stir it you get to eat some! :)

 

Cool on a piece of wax paper or parchment paper.

 

Happy Autumn everyone!

 

Blessings,

Julie Wagner

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Favorite Finds Friday - Giddy Up!

I've had my eye out for a vintage horse for a while. I did find one on Etsy that was $350.00 but it didn't look quite right so I passed on it. I was beginning to believe that's what I was going to have to pay if I really wanted one. Christen from www.blueeggbrownnest.com said that if you ever see a vintage horse you should grab it as fast as you can and buy it because they're not easy to find... and that's just what I did. She has some really cool ones! 

I'm always looking for something to do while getting my car serviced in Fife, so this time I decided to drive my loaner car to Sumner and treasure hunt. As I was walking down the sidewalk I saw an antique store in front of me with a lot of fun looking stuff outside. As I was crossing the street approaching the store I spotted my horse! I was so excited I might have started running a little bit. I grabbed it, went straight to the cash register and told the nice lady how excited I was to find it. (Probably not what you should do if you want to dicker with the price). I just couldn't help it! It all worked out though because she gave me 10% off just because she could tell how happy I was. The ticket price was $95.00 so I was pretty happy anyway! It really wasn't the color I wanted, but  I knew how to fix that!

 

 My plan was to paint the whole horse Graphite, then dry brush it with Old White.

 

 

This is what it looked like after a coat of Graphite.

 

 

I was planning on using Old White, but something was making me think French Linen. At this point I was planning on dry brushing a layer of French Linen, then dry brushing a layer of Old white. I liked it so much with the French Linen that I decided to forgo the Old White.

 

Ta da!





 

He has a stirrup missing on this side, but that's ok.

 

I think he looks a lot tougher this color.

 

I'm really happy with how he turned out! Now he just needs a name!

 

Here's some more treasures I found that day.

 

Corbel! It's bigger than it looks. 30" This will go in my guestroom that I'm redecorating in September. I can't wait!

 

I asked Nolan to put my corbel in the grass and take a picture of it. This is what he did. Lol.

 

Just an old scale, but I like it. I think I'll throw some Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint on it and see what happens.

 

Nolan redeemed himself with this picture. Good job staging Nolan!

 

I saw this chair and thought it was the sweetest thing. I plan on taking the cushion off and replacing it with a flower pot. (I like how Nolan put the Annie Sloan paint can on the floor).

 

 

I think I'll name him Samson!

 

Blessings,

Julie Wagner

 

 



 





 

 





Favorite Finds Friday: Sweet Little Elijah Boy!

A year ago today one of the greatest blessings enter my life, so it's fitting that on Elijah's birthday I dedicate my Favorite Finds Friday to him. I wouldn't call Elijah a "find", but he's a favorite blessing, a favorite joy, a favorite gift!

Elijah one year ago today on his birthday. He was a beautiful newborn!

 

Elijah's newborn photo shoot by Brenda Schaefer Photography.

 

 

 His daddy's pretty handsome too!

 

Elijah is blessed to have parents that love each other so much!

 

I thought I'd share the poem I wrote in his scrapbook. (I have a song for him to, but don't worry I won't sing it for you).

 

Can't wait to meet this sweet baby boy,

Can't wait to snuggle this bundle of joy!

Who will he look like, what color eyes,

Green like his daddy's, or blue like the sky?

Will he play baseball and like to hunt?

What will he be when he grows up?

So many questions but this I know,

He will be loved... my heart over flows!

 

Ok, time for more pictures!

 

Can you say Gerber Baby!

 

He wasn't feeling very good on this day. (Easter)

 

With Grammy and Grandpa

 

 

 He was laughing so hard that he'd take a few steps and then fall down. Cute!

 

 

Oops! There he goes!

 

This little guy has stolen my heart!

 

As much as I want him to stay little as long as he can, I can't wait to see what kind of adventures he takes us all on!



 

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it! Oh, and did I mention that he's really smart too! :)

 

Blessings,

Julie Wagner