Whimsy and Wonder #22- Book Vending Machine

I loved seeing Hillsboro Library's new book vending machine- the NovelBranch kiosk at the new (and absolutely stunning) Hidden Creek Community Center.

 This actually led me to go on my latest library hop which you can read about here.

Whimsy and Wonder #21- Beverly Cleary Remembered

It was touching to see the outpouring of love and gratitude for beloved kidlit author Beverly Cleary whose stories clearly live on in the hearts and minds of millions of readers.

 

Whimsy and Wonder #20- Just Walking Around (Five)

 I loved seeing this sculpture- "In the Tree Tops" (1991) by Margarita Leon.

Whimsy and Wonder #19- Matcha Bear

Today I tried this Matcha Bear drink. At first, I thought the bear was a brownie and then I worried it might have been just a tiny toy. Well, folks, it was neither. It's a sort of sculpted shaved ice creation. It's cute and all in the beginning but you realize by the end you were just repeatedly stabbing it with your spoon.

 

Whimsy and Wonder #18- Just Walking Around (Four)

 A bit of whimsy on my walk to work....

Whimsy and Wonder #17- Snow Affogato

My latest Whimsy and Wonder entry is this Snow Affogato from Soro Soro. It's basically vanilla ice cream under the cotton candy which dissolves when you pour the espresso (or hot chocolate, if you prefer). I wish I could share the video here of me failing at trying to record myself pouring the liquid.

 

Whimsy and Wonder #16- Art and Hearts

Today, I decided to go on an Artist Date before heading to work and visited Daren Todd's murals around Portland. He's a black and queer artist and I first heard of him when someone shared his James Baldwin mural on their social media. And, of course the way I am, if I want to see one thing by someone, I check their website and decide to see all the work. Check out Daren Todd's website to see more of his art.

And I also stumbled upon some Floral Heart Project art installations- part of 100 nationwide "recognition of those we have lost to COVID-19 and in support and love for all of those suffering." 

 

 

I love that art can be used to speak up, speak out, inspire, raise awareness, and heal.

Whimsy and Wonder #15- Hope Fence

I passed by the Hope Fence in Portland's Hollywood neighborhood on my walk to work dropping off books to Little Free Libraries along the way. 

 

Whimsy and Wonder #14- Little Free Jigsaw Puzzle Library

I love that this looks like a typical Little Free Library but it actually contains jigsaw puzzles!

 

 

 

 

 

It's interesting that so many of my items on my Whimsy and Wonder list are variants of these community or neighborhood boxes that are sharing all kinds of things!

Whimsy and Wonder #13- Just Walking Around (Three)

 Other sightings on my walk...