Personal Life
Amanda Dale
My Birthday
This year, my friends surprised me with brunch and then a day at Terrarium, a wonderful business here in Portland where you can design your own terrariums. It was the perfect way to celebrate! We spent the afternoon getting our hands dirty, selecting our favorite plants, arranging stones, and adding personal touches to our little glass gardens. It was a creative and relaxing way to mark another year, surrounded by some of my favorite people.
My Garden
From spring to fall, you can find me in my garden. My partner, Nick, and our adorable French Bulldog puppy, Beans, are often my companions in the garden. Since we moved to Portland, updating our home has been a continuous project, but I’ve found my true calling in designing the outdoor spaces. While Nick handles most of the indoor renovations, I prefer to create beautiful and functional areas outside.
I’ve been on a mission to put in new garden beds wherever I can. One of my favorite projects is designing “rooms” in our backyard. An outdoor room is a designated area within your backyard that serves a specific function, much like a room inside your home. By dividing our outdoor space into distinct zones, I’ve created different areas for cooking, dining, lounging, gardening, and playing yard games.
One space I’m particularly proud of is defined by a 10 ft tall steel arch from Estabrooks in Yarmouth. I’ve planted a David Austin rose that will eventually climb and cover the arch, creating a beautiful, fragrant entrance to this garden room. Elsewhere, I’ve planted a lovely mixture of roses, perennials, vegetables, herbs, and annuals. It’s a work in progress, but seeing it come together is incredibly satisfying.
Music and Memories
Amidst all the gardening and home updates, I made time for some music and fun at Boston Calling. This year’s festival was amazing! We saw Leon Bridges and Ed Sheeran live, which was an unforgettable experience. The energy, the music, and the crowd made it a weekend to remember. We have also been visiting Maine Craft Distilling for their amazing lineup of musicians.
Portland’s Food Scene
Portland is a food lover’s paradise. My go-to is to start with oysters at The Shop, followed by an incredible meal at Izakaya Minato. I also love Scales, Wander, Twelve, and Leeward. Whether it’s a casual bite or a fancy dinner, Portland’s culinary scene never disappoints.
Life lately is a beautiful blend of busy and serene. Between designing my garden, enjoying live music and amazing restaurants, and spending time with my friends and family, I feel incredibly lucky and grateful. Here’s to more adventures, more flowers, more music, and more delicious food!
Until next time,
Amanda
