Istanbul, Turkey :: Pictures Part 2

Posted on | Thursday, October 8, 2009 | 5 Comments

More pictures from our trip to Istanbul:

One of my favorite sites... basilica cistern

Very lovely and massive. It is completely underground.

There were hundreds of carp. I don't think they have ever seen sunlight.

Medusa's head.

A pigeon at the Pet Market, part of the Spice Market.

Tiny turtles.

Curious toucan.

Ducklings.

At the Spice Market.

Delicious dried dates, figs, apricots, and more...

Sea of Marmara.

Outside of topkapi palace.

View of the Sea from Topkapi Palace.

At the archaeological museum.

This was interesting. For 5 Lira, a rooster picked my fortune and a bunny picked Matt's fortune. What did my fortune say? "You got tired for the last days but you still don't perceive your own state. This exhausting work can put your health in danger. You're admired by two people but you don't even notice them." Interesting!
Matt's fortune: "O! Owner of fortune: You're in straits nowdays but don't worry you will sort out everything and feel happy. It is seen generosity by someone."

Crowded streets in the New District.

Seafood dinner on the last night in Istanbul. Delicious. The host brought out a platter of 15-20 different mezes (appetizers) to choose from. I picked stuffed muscles and Matt got rice filled grape leaves. He then brought out a platter of fresh whole fish to choose from. We picked a Kırlangıç, a kind of rock fish. It was the most expensive meal of our lives. We didn't know you had to buy the whole fish until after we chose. Total cost of dinner: 190 Lira! You can do the currency conversion HERE. Nutty!

Whew! An exhausting trip! More pictures in our Flickr photostream and I'll add more later.

Istanbul, Turkey :: Pictures Part 1

Posted on | Wednesday, October 7, 2009 | 3 Comments

Matt and I took tons of pictures from our trip to Istanbul. I'm sorting through them all and it's going to take a while, so I thought I'd post in batches between work today. :)
We stayed in Istanbul for 1 week and left right before riots broke out not too far from where we were staying in the Old District. We were just blocks from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. We rented a charming 2 bedroom apartment that came with a generously sized bathroom, kitchen, dining room and living area. The modern conveniences were a nice touch. I'll look for the contact information and post here when I get the chance.
The trip was very different and I especially enjoyed the cuisine, although I'm pretty much burned out on lamb and kebab for a long time. We visited mosques, museums, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice market, and many other sights.

Hagia Sophia

One of the entrances to the Grand Bazaar.

Inside the Grand Bazaar.

I really liked the lamp shops....

Matt liked the brass and copper.

Looking at meerschaum pipes.

Wearing my new necklace from the Grand Bazaar.

Many trinkets and odds and ends.

More Hagia Sophia shots...

Cute stray dog. We were surprised at how many cats there were on the streets. They'd walk under our tables at restaurants, sleep on public benches, climb everywhere... Many stray dogs too.

Inside the Blue Mosque

Inside Hagia Sophia.

Restoration work... very tall scaffolding.

Intricate details everywhere.

Walking up to the second level of Hagia Sophia.

Under all the plaster were these very intricate tile mosaics. Very beautiful.

More photos to come!

Update :: Flight missed, delays, etc...

Posted on | Tuesday, October 6, 2009 | 1 Comment

I JUST got home about 10 minutes ago. What an ordeal to get home! It took 2 days of traveling... a late shuttle, missed flight, two delays, and long car drives, but we are home....
Because of the unexpected, I'll be taking a touch longer to get back to all the backlogged emails and convos. I'm sorry for the slightly longer wait for a reply but thank you for your patience. And yes.... Istanbul photos to come!

California and a haircut

Posted on | Wednesday, September 30, 2009 | 6 Comments

Matt and I are in Istanbul as I type. It's fairly early in the morning. So far, the trip has been wonderful! The only gripe would be the voltage conversion issues I've been having, but no other complaints! This is a quick post and I promise to have pictures of Turkey in the next post. I thought I should catch everyone up on the goings ons in M & M world. Last week, we went to Napa, San Francisco, Sacramento, and St Helena. Here are some photo highlights (oh! and many haircut pictures!)

Woodhouse... our favorite chocolates.

Break at the cafe for refreshments.

New short hair!

Lots of bounce!

It was hot in California... over 100 degrees! I was sweating!
More pictures to come!

Beautiful Cake Design :: Myriad Cake Design

Posted on | Thursday, September 24, 2009 | 6 Comments

Matt and I loved our wedding cake that was created by the talented Marion of Myriad Cake Design. She is incredibly talented and her cakes are the most delicious wedding cakes around. You know how wedding cakes can look beautiful but sometimes don't taste the greatest? Not Marion's cakes.... they are super moist and flavorful. Matt and I often try to think of reasons to have another one of her cakes created just so we can eat it again!

Marion works out of a lovely studio and kitchen a few blocks from our home, conveniently located near downtown Salem, Oregon. I was so excited when she asked me to create a cake topper for a gorgeous cake she was creating. It is a three tier cake with eyelet and ribbon details in the cutest color: white and yellow. The cake topper I created features two handmade silk flowers, millinery details and an angled birdcage veil. I just got a picture today:

Photo credits: Fred Molesworth of Encore Photography

If you are in the Salem, Oregon area today, stop on by her studio for their open house. I would be there if I wasn't traveling. Thank you, Marion!!

Custom Order Update

1 Comment

I apologize for not getting the last custom orders from the previous post listed or emailed. Matt and I were running super late after dropping off Indy with my parents and stopping by the post office... we nearly missed the flight by minutes. ALSO, you know how you always forget something on a trip? I forgot my CF card reader and data port cord so I can't get the photos off my camera! I need to find an electronics shop here in Napa... I will post pictures as soon as I can find one. Thank you for your patience!

So far, everything has been lovely! Matt is in a seminar here in Napa and I'll be working on this portion of our trip. We visited the old homestead in downtown Sacramento last night. Has anyone been to downtown Sacramento recently? We haven't been back here for 3 years and things are so similar yet so different. I cannot believe how many new restaurants there are. We ate at Zocalo for dinner... delish! After, we went to Yogurtagogo. Oh my goodness... this place wasn't here when we were living in Sac but if it had been, I would have gone everyday. It is so yummy! Highly recommended!

ALSO, I cut my hair again. It had grown so much since last time. I cut off around 7-10 inches! I will post pictures soon. I was ready for a change and I LOVE it! Bishops Barbershop in NW Portland is the best. VERY affordable... quick... walk-ins only... see Asmah. She is the sweetest and very talented. Pictures coming shortly.