Saturday, February 20, 2010

Bobs Red Mill ~ A Lovely Visit to Milwaukie, Oregon

Yesterday, I took my 85 year old Grandma and my two little boys to Bob's Red Mill in Milwaukie Oregon. We had been planning this trip for a couple weeks and I was so excited.

We have a lot of Bob's products in our kitchen, and my boys know his name. My 5 year old loves Bob's 10 grain cereal and I regularly use his flax seed, whey, gluten, as well as faithfully using his organic oats, organic whole wheat flour, and unbleached white flour.




Growing up, my mom baked our bread and once took me as a small child (with my Grandma) to Bob's Red Mill, in its earlier location (before it unfortunately burned in 1988).

Traveling there yesterday and walking among the shelves and bags of wholesome choices, barrels of bulk goodies brought back very hidden memories for me. I remembered my first (and only) visit to his store when I was just a little one. Peering into the big barrels of flour and not quite understanding how the whole bulk foods system worked.



When we walked in we were greeted by Nancy, Bob's Executive Assistant who led us to the cafe and explained very kindly our options and how to go about ordering. I was impressed from the get-go. Not to mention the moment you step out of your car, you are pulled in by the amazing aromas... :)


We had lunch in the cafe seating area, overlooking the store. At one point near the end of our lunch, I took my four year old to the potty and when we returned my five year old was beaming, as well as my Grandma... Bob had been by!



He had visited with them for a moment and given my son a little wooden coin that signified a free cookie. My boy was infinitely proud of the whole experience.



I told him he was my hero for meeting Bob and after lunch we looked all over the store, I wanted to meet Bob, too! My four year old covered his face with his hands and cried quietly when we found out Bob had left ~ he really wanted to meet him, too.



"I didn't want a free cookie, Mommy, I just really wanted to meet Bob..."
he told me. I believe him.
He has never cried for lack of meeting Chuck E. Cheese :)


While my Grandma perused the bulk section, I took my boys to the bakery case for cookies. The woman behind the counter was so sweet - she opened a new bag of chocolate chip for us (since they were sold out of almost everything) and as she placed them in the case she broke one in her gloved hand.



"Oh well"
she says "I'll just have to throw this one away, unless you want it." I most gratefully did :)

As we approached the counter to pay for my little one's cookie (my big boy proudly handed his little wooden coin over the counter), she said "I've got another coin back here, don't worry about it." And she gave my little one his cookie for free too.

So, in the end she gave us three free cookies (they were $1.25 each).


I purchased bunches of organic oats, organic 7-grain cereal, some interesting Anasazi Beans, several loaves of the best bread made with organic flour, potato-rosemary buns (must I say more about these?) and a big bulk bag of organic hard white whole wheat flour. Heaven, truly.


I seriously felt like a kid in a candy store - except I was a mama in a whole grain health foods store - which is much better.

It was entirely addicting ~ we spent 3 1/2 hours there!


All in all, our visit to Bob's Red Mill was a complete success. We left there tired and proud, my big boy and Grandma still bubbling about meeting Bob, and my little boy (his snicker doodle gone now) drifting off to sleep in his car seat.



Next time, in a few months, we will go at 10am and get in on the free 1 hour mill tour they offer: Monday through Friday only at 10am.



You will no doubt enjoy this story published by Oregon Live on February 16, announcing Bob Moore's generous gift to his employees on his 81st Birthday.



Okay, I just really wanted to share all of that with you. It feels great to do the right thing for your family's health, eh?




Have a great Sunday, Love & Sincerely, Katie

Friday, February 19, 2010

Free Cards Friday & Show Some Emotion Exhibit at Sixth Street Gallery

It's Free Cards Friday! Comment on this post (here at the blog or on my Facebook page) and be in the running to win some cards ~ I'll choose the winner on Monday.



SHOW SOME EMOTION

March 2010: Sixth Street Gallery presents thought-provoking work from artists throughout the nation and Canada in an exhibit that urged artists to expose their emotions: raw and elemental, intriguing and coy; shy and gentle; intense and earth-shattering.


The Show Some Emotion Show opens March 3 at Sixth Street Gallery in Vancouver, WA ~ I had the honor of Art Directing this show as well as coordinating the jury.

What a beautiful show, I can't wait to see it.



Featuring the work of:
Corey Pennington
Laurel Pollock
Sharon L. Dowis
Yisa Akinbolaji
Dele Mercier
David Sommers
Chuck Drumm
Robert McWilliams
Catherine Harold
Susan Pemberton
Elena Morales
Andrew McGrath
Daniel Wickwire
Barbara Paanakker
Lacey Kyungeun Kim
Joseph York


I will, unfortunately, miss the Opening Reception on Friday, March 5 from 5-9pm but hope you will attend if you are local. I will return to American soil on March 6, and will plan to come see the show shortly after that.


The opening event will feature the live and beautiful music of northwest singer/songwriter Mila Polevia


Enjoy!

Love & Sincerely, Katie


above images: Show Some Emotion postcard design by Sam MacKenzie
Here & Now will be on display at Show Some Emotion, as well as Flu Baby.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Bella & Boo - eco-friendly. fair trade. organic.

Did you know? Off-the-rack baby clothing, toys and blankets can contain dyes and other chemicals that can irritate baby’s delicate skin?



Bella & Boo, www.bellaandboo.comI'd like to introduce you to Bella & Boo ~ a natural and organic shop providing hand selected, safe and pure products for babies & kids.

From organic cotton clothing, wooden toys and snuggly organic baby blankets to eco-friendly baby shoes, reusable shopping bags & healthy stainless steel water bottles, every one of their products is carefully chosen so that they may offer your family the safest, purest products.




The beautiful Bella & Boo now also offers Katie m. Berggren prints as well! You may view the whole "For Mom" section here.


Motherhood Prints by Katie m. Berggren now available at Bella and Boo


Bella & Boo was founded by Kate Agarwal, and here is Kate's story:


Kate and Ella of Bella & BooHello! My name is Kate Agarwal and I am the founder and owner of Bella & Boo. My family and I live in the lovely Village of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, just 10 miles north of Milwaukee.

My youngest daughter, Ella, was the inspiration behind Bella & Boo. I am happy to share with you my story and tell you how one inspired dream came to fruition.

Soon after Ella was born, I noticed that she would break out in rashes after wearing certain pieces of clothing.

We wondered if it might be a food allergy or some other type of allergy. As regular practice, our family took care to use eco-friendly & natural laundry detergents & soaps, so we knew that those products could not be to blame.

My husband and I were very concerned and began searching for the reason behind our daughter’s terrible skin reactions... enjoy the rest of Kate's story here


I am proud to be partnering with Kate and Bella & Boo ~ and I sincerely invite you to view Bella & Boo's mission and products here.


Have a great day! Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

Friday, February 12, 2010

Free Cards Friday, Harry Potter ~ shared things, Valentine's Day

Good Afternoon!

It's Free Cards Friday! Comment on this post (here at the blog or on my Facebook page) and be in the running to win some cards ~ I'll choose the winner on Monday.




We just got back from the Portland Children's Museum, then playing outside with kites and friends, it was very fun. It occurs to me that it is 2:30pm and the house is still clean from last night's after bedtime blast! Wow - it pays to get out and get active vs staying at home and tearing the place apart :)





We have been reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I'm reading it to my boys and we are all having so much fun. Spending hours at a time cuddled together on the bed, the beanbag or couch, reading and experiencing it together.

I find myself getting into the voices and characters, and have to slow down to make sure that they understand ~ which they seem to ~ and if I stop to say "how are you doing?" or "are you following me okay?" my 4 year old bangs on the book and raises his eyebrows saying "go on, go on!!"

Today, my 5 year old has been saying Leviosa! testing out his Wizard powers! He made the garage door raise, so I was impressed :)


Having something we can all three share has been very special (thank you to my friend for loaning us the book). And knowing there are many books and many pages ahead in the series makes me feel happy.


I recently read somewhere: If your child has a thing for video games (enter your child's interest here) and you do not have an interest in video games (same interest), you have just missed an opportunity to have a shared thing.

I like that.


I hope you have a wonderful weekend, just hanging out and enjoying your moments. I am packing paintings in my studio, preparing for some shipments and in general getting things cleaned up.


This weekend brings Valentine's Day and despite the fact that I am a woman, (I'm talking to you: every jewelry, flower and candy store) not all of us want candy, roses or some bling ~ what I desire is comfortable times, a good meal together and time to relax :)


Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Love & Sincerely ~ Katie



Images: Several of the 10x10 paintings from The Forty Minis Collection are available as 8x10 prints now (since the originals have sold). I have pictures the available ones here, find them in the Online Etsy Shop.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Free Cards Friday! After The Bath, literally :)

It is nearly Saturday (thank goodness) but it is still Free Cards Friday!

Motherhood Painting: After The BathI was just working on a commissioned painting and finishing my lovely cup of green tea with lemongrass (compliments of my sweet friend) when I decided that I would get 8 hours of sleep tonite. 8 hours of sleep for mama benefits every soul in the house :)


I turned everything off and headed out of the studio - then I remembered that I never created this post - it was a busy day!



Comment on this post (here at the blog or on my Facebook page) and be in the running to win some cards ~ I'll choose the winner on Monday.



I gave my boys a relaxing lavender bath tonite, and because I didn't allow anything work related to come between the three of us tonite, it was a joyful and happy experience.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Love & Sincerely, Katie

Above Image: After The Bath - one of my favorite 10x10 paintings so far see the original painting here

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Prints of Music now available

8x10 Prints of Music, the 3rd 10x10 painting in The Forty Minis Collection are now available!


Motherhood Painting: Music





Have a great day!


Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

The Love Art Gallery, Portland, Oregon ~ My Upcoming Sabbatical

We visited The Love Art Gallery in Sellwood (Portland) Oregon today. You have heard me over and over state the beauty of this destination, so I wanted to give you a little tour.

Enjoy!


Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon

Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
The gallery was closed today, so I had the opportunity to get some visitor-free shots, which would be rare on a business day, as the gallery receives over 1000 visitors a month.


Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
The Love Art Gallery is one of my favorite places to visit and I am honored to have my paintings featured here.


Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon

Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon
Over 60 Artists are Represented at The Love Art Gallery in Sellwood (Portland) Oregon.

Love Art Gallery Portland Oregon



My Upcoming Sabbatical


A sabbatical is defined as: (from the Latin sabbaticus, from the Greek sabbatikos, from Hebrew shabbat, i.e., Sabbath, literally a "ceasing") a rest from work, a hiatus, typically lasting two or more months.


Well, mine will be for 10 days, and I will not be taking a complete rest of work - I will be in Sweden, with my Brother and his Wife, their new baby and my Mom, and I will still be doing some painting. But I will be recharging my batteries, renewing my spirit, reconnecting with silence and hopefully filling my sketchbook.



2 1/2 years ago I made this same trip and the inspiration that met me on Swedish and Finnish soil was invigorating and led to several (now sold) paintings.


I will be out of the country and away from my studio and office from February 22 - March 5, and will be reconnecting with my family for the weekend following.


Back to business Monday March 8.


The Online Etsy Shop: will still be fully functioning, however, your orders will be carefully held then shipped on March 8. Thank you so much for your patience, and if there is something you want right away, please place your orders before I leave, as the last thing I want to do is leave you high-n-dry. I will be emailing you upon your orders to confirm and note shipping dates.


The Forty Minis Collection: will take a little break while I am gone - February 25 and March 4th will not bring new paintings - but the series will start back up strong when I return. Also, any 10x10 or 8x8 paintings that are available at the time of my departure, will still be available if you shoot me an email, but I'll remove them from the Etsy shop just while I am gone.


Emailing Me
: is still perfectly fine! I will be checking my email approximately one time per day.


Please let me know if you have any questions!


Thank you and have a great night!


Love & Sincerely ~ Katie