The Concert.

Where to even begin.

You all know I have an over the top addiction to The Decemberists.

Imagine what it was like getting tickets to a show in Portland, Oregon to see them. Their home town. Last stop on their Popes Of Pendarvia Tour. SOLD OUT.

I saw The Decemberists in 2009 for The Hazards Of Love tour. (Be still my beating heart….Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.)

Amazing.

I was also lucky enough to get tickets to see The Decemberists when they blew through Boston this past January.

Amazing.

So, imagine getting to see The Decemberists AGAIN with Okkervil River opening.

Okkervil River.

Amazing.

Sorry, Amazing is now off of the table.

OUTSTANDING. UNFORGETTABLE.

Sorry. No more Caps.

The concert was incredible. I will love The Decemberists until the day I die.

The outdoor venue, McMenamins Edgefield was great. The sound was fantastic.

We had lawn chairs ready to go and sat back to take in the show. However, as I watched the opening opening act, Point Juncture, WA I knew I had to go forward.

I easily walked down to the standing section and secured 2nd row, center stage. So close. So wonderful.

Did I mention that I was in Portland, Oregon for a concert?

This concert!!

Pt. Juncture, WA. Not bad at all. You’ve got to love a hot girl who sings her heart out while banging the drums.

Okkervil River Up Next. Will Sheff is totally amazing.

Patrick Pestorius And Justin Sherburn

Did I mention that Sheff is amazing?

LOVE THIS MAN! (I know…another capital offense. But, what are you going to do?)

Next up, someone else I love. A lot.

Nothing like some Mr. Chris Funk.

Peter Buck, from R.E.M., made an appearance.

Love.

Always hilarious getting the crowd ready for The Mariner’s Revenge Song.

One last look.

That was pretty good, huh? So are these cupcakes. Luscious vanilla flavor. Nice texture. Give them a try if you are looking for a simple, but flavor rich cupcake.

These are the first cupcakes I made when I got home from Portland. Baked in the afterglow.

Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients:

3/4 cup (175g/6oz) sugar
6 oz butter, softened
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cup (6 oz) flour
1 tsp baking powder

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350℉ (160℃). Put 12 cupcake liners into a muffin tin.

2. Put the sugar and butter in a mixing bowl and whisk until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.

3. Fold in the flour and baking powder. Divide the mixture among the cupcake liners.

4. Bake 20 minutes and transfer to a rack to cool.

5. Pipe with Icing (recipe follows) and sprinkle with colored sugar and candy pearls.

Icing

Ingredients:

8 oz butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 Tbs heavy cream
colored sugar and candy pearls to decorate

Directions:

1. Mix butter with vanilla. Gradually add sugar, then heavy cream. Beat on high until a spreadable consistency.

Makes 12 cupcakes

Recipe from Good Housekeeping Magazine (UK Edition)

Here are two songs from the concert. I don’t have the Point Juncture, WA disk, but I think I am going to pick it up soon.

Sara Watkins joined The Decemberists for their summer tour. I thought she did a very good Margaret.

This song makes me so freakin’ happy, I can hardly stand it. I’ve seen it live three times now.
The Decemberists-Won't Want For Love (Margaret In The Taiga)

This is such a beautiful song. Incredible to see it performed in person. Wow.

“Press your ear up to my wrist
the blood is racing some way, going wherever,
and I’m saying,
“Will you stand up tall and be my shelter?””

Isn’t the song title great, too?
Okkervil River-Your Past Life As A Blast

Go to The Decemberists’ website to buy their music. Then visit Okkervil River’s website and get yourself some of their stuff. Okkervil River still have some tour dates coming up. I just might have to catch their Burlington, VT show later this month.

Cheers!