A few trip photos....

Our first stop on our trip north was for lunch in Berkeley-Fourth Street- where one of the most magical shops in the world also exists- "Castle in the Air". Right next door is Bette's Oceanview Diner with delicious specials that pleased everyone in the family. We did have to wait 30 minutes t0 get in, but that just gave me more time inside the "Castle"...and who was there but Ulla and Shari, two wonderful artists and teachers and one of those magical moments that makes you feel like all is right with the universe! Had to take a few shots inside so you can see why I LOVE this place. They have workshops every weekend- and if you are ever in the area-this is a "must" visit. Also down the street is a shop featuring fabric from Japan and also a store with handmade Japanese paper and a Paper Source store, Anthropologie and more....shopper's paradise!
A whole shelf of the really good kind of crepe paper-lots of colors....on their website too.

Lots of mushrooms!
Samples for classes...
amazing minatures...gnomes, forests, tiny houses...



Me, Ulla and Shari, who I met at Artfiberfest with her friend, Caron, a wonderful needle felter.
On Fourth St.- Bette's diner- good food! there are lots of other good places to eat, too, but I knew my boys would like this one.
Rolls of Japanese fabric-hard to find......

On to Portland, where we had two wedding celebrations, one casual and one at the Hotel Monaco with cocktails and cupcakes, lots of fun. We took a quick visit to Powell's bookstore after the party and browsed and bought a few books and journals.
In Portland, we had to visit VooDoo doughnuts! It was Friday night and very busy with a line out the door! Our parking cost more than the doughnuts....but glad I finally got to try some of their famous treats.

On the way back home we stopped in Sutherlin, Oregon for ice blended mochas at the Dutch Bros. drive-thru. Had to take a shot of the freshly painted mushrooms at the gift shop. I think this one by the mailbox is new....

this one is for Pam! Couldn't resist taking some photos of this shop in Williams, CA. I even went inside this time and they had some fun vintage items and antiques. The owner's name is Pam Garrison- Yep! just like our friend, Pam in So. Calif! And there was a great antique quilt in the front window and cute tea kettles in another window. We had our breakfast across the street at Granzella's, a great place to stop on the I-5 route.




And at the end of our trip we made a quick stop in Calistoga for a little soak in the hot springs and dinner at Checkers.
I made a special visit to the wonderful shop in St. Helena, called "Muse" where the sweet owner, Michelle picked out some mushrooms and hooked birds, a cat, an owl and a pumpkin for her shop, plus an order for more things for Fall. So fun to be in her beautiful shop in the Napa Valley. I'll have to take pictures on my next trip up.



This was a cool stained glass weather vane atop a church building in Calistoga.

We got in a short but fun visit with my Aunt and Uncle and cousin in San Mateo which is always heart warming and my cousin, Laurie let me borrow the doll house that our grandfather made for her when she was a little girl.

Now, back to getting things together for the start of school on Monday....and finishing up some birds to send out( Hi Annie!) and lots of other catching up to do.