Ducks @ Oregon - University of Oregon

TLC From the Mama

Korrin B.

May 10, 2009 - 6:00 PM

I got to spend Mother's Day this year the way it's suppose to be spent - with my mama. My mom drove up to Eugene late Friday to spend the weekend with me. This was her first time up this year, so I was very excited to get to show her my new place before I move into my new place next month! My mom couldn't have picked a better weekend to come up and be motherly to me. I've been sick since Wednesday and was needing some of that TLC that only a mom can provide.

Saturday was a beautiful day in Eugene and I was so happy that the sun could be shinning while my mom was in town. I wanted her to see Eugene when it's gorgeous and bright, instead of the too often overcast and chilly days. We started the day by heading to the Saturday Market downtown. It was the first time I had been this year, so I was very excited! Saturday Market brings such an incredible energy to downtown Eugene. The area fills with all types of people and the air is taken over by unique music and mouth-watering smells. I love to see all of the handmade crafts from local artists and taste all of the delicious foods brought in by nearby farmers. I bought my mom some outdoor art decorations to put in her garden as her Mother's Day gift and she bought me some framed photos I loved by a local photographer, Tim Giraudier. I actually already have some of his photos from a previous trip to the Saturday Market. He has some truly amazing work and I encourage all of my readers to check out his website and booth at the market. It is so awesome to support local artists! My mom and I also got to sample some amazingly delicious jelly over at the Farmer's Market. It was made from rose pedals! It was so uniquely wonderful and creative. We bought a jar and later ate some of it with some delicious locally made feta we picked up at the market as well.

After our Saturday Market adventure, we headed over to Alton Baker Park for a nice walk in the sun. It happened to be the Oregon Plant Fair too, so the park was alive with people. We walked around and admired all of the beautiful birds and flowers and then came across one of the cutest things ever! There was a large part of the lawn behind the main pond area that was filled with tiny little baby geese and their mamas! They were so small and fluffy and waddled around with attitude through gigantic patches of little white daisies. We stood nearby for a long time taking in how precious it was!

Our walk continued until we reached the area of the park where the Oregon Plant Fair was taking place. My mom was very excited, as she is a lover of gardening. We walked around looking at many different varieties of many different plants. My mom left with a couple squash starters to bring home for her garden.

Next, it was off to Café Yumm in the Oakway Center for a quick bite to eat before our next planned shopping adventure. After food, I took my mom to Luxe, one of my favorite little gift shops and Miss Meers Shoe Boutique, a place where the shoes are each beautiful pieces of art that I covet individually. We then went across the street to cause some real damage. Although, maybe it was actually the opposite of damage since the economy could use some good old-fashioned consumer help right now. We went in to the recently opened DSW. I love that store. It's like a mile long, row after row, building full of for the most part reasonably priced shoes. I won't say exactly how many shoes my mother and I left with, but I will say that each and every pair we left with was necessary and beautiful.

I showed my mom around a little more of Eugene, and then we headed back to my place to relax before dinner. We ended up going to Sweet Basil for some good Thai food for dinner. I've been craving spicy foods ever since I've been sick, so we ordered a curry that definitely lit a fire in my mouth. It was all very tasty!

As for today, Sunday, actual Mother's Day, we took it a little mellower. We slept in and then leisurely got kind of dressed (I just put on some flowy cotton pants and a comfy t-shirt). Then we took our hunger to Market of Choice and left with many tasties. My mom cooked up a late (very late, actually, due to our relaxed mode) brunch of potatoes, sausage, and a feta-spinach scramble when we got home. Then, while I did my reading and homework, she helped with my laundry with a sense of enjoyment that only a mom can find in such an activity. We shared some Sweet Life treats later for dessert, watched Desperate Housewives (at least I did), and just hung out together. It was a low-key day, kind of like we are. A great Mother's Day and a great visit! Now it's time for bed, so that I can wake up in the morning with her to see her off on her journey back to California. Sometimes I miss all the perks of having my mom nearby. I'm glad we got to visit!