Stumptown Coffee, Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice and SNOW !

Yes, it's actually snowing in downtown Portland. So far we've only gotten a few inches here but the surrounding hills already have quite a bit. It's snowing now and the forecast is that it will continue through the day.

Snow ? Really ?

The weathermen are adamant - saying that it's 100% that we're getting snow tonight that will last through the weekend because of the low temps. Roger and I decided to head for Costco to make sure that we have provisions for being "snowed in" - smile - . As we drove we encountered a snow plow on I-5 ready for "action". Here, in downtown, there's no snow yet so we'll see how the evening progresses.

Food was at the top of our agenda but books were the second........... I'm anxious to start the new book, "Cleopatra" - I'm not sure why, but I can never learn enough about her life. I still remember the fascination of touring Ephesus in Kusadasi, Turkey, where Cleopatra's sister is buried (we're told that Cleopatra had her killed because she was so beautiful).

Allison and I had a great dinner last night at Iorio - we love to share so we managed our way through four courses.

I'm still enjoying yoga and I'm amazed at how quickly a body can start to feel "toned". I normally have a lot of back and neck aches so I'm hoping that I can strengthen my body to ease some of the discomfort.

Well, it's "Manhattan time" so I'll let you know if the snow materializes..........

No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Looking for a great book to read?

I just finished "No Ordinary Time" about Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt's life in the White House during the years of WWII until the President's death in 1945 and it was an exceptional story.

This and That..............

Friday evening I joined the weekly cocktail party so I could catch up on all the intrigue and gossip from the complex - got an ear full ! Yesterday we enjoyed brunch at Blue Olive (a new restaurant on 21st Ave), I had a busy eBay day and Roger worked on homework. Last night we went to a Persian celebration for the 1000 year anniversary of "Shah-Nameh". We enjoyed music, ballet and poetry, plus very interesting Persian history so it was an enjoyable evening.

Today was another busy day at home - some work, some study, some reading and good food so it was a great weekend.

Another New Experience....... The Portland City Club

Today Allison and I and our friend, Carol, took the streetcar to the Governor Hotel to attend a City Club luncheon and meeting, featuring Portland's Mayor, Sam Adams, as guest speaker. Sam focused his speech on "Recovery" and presented information relevant to the city planning for the coming several years. Portland remains a city of cutting-edge innovation and culture and has an amazing 22 million budget surplus.

Lunch was the usual chicken dish but this one was served with a delicious curry sauce so it was actually very tasty. We sat at a table for ten and we met some very dynamic and interesting people so it was a great way to meet new people and learn more about the city's goals for the future.

Wallace VIOLET Sterling Flatware

http://www.goldturtle.com/

I recently purchased a huge set of sterling flatware from a California Auction House - almost 400 pieces in the set - SO, if you know anyone who collects this pattern, please direct them to my web site. Many of the pieces date back to the early 1900s with some unusual and rarely seen pieces.

Every Day Is Valentine's Day..............

We don't need only one day a year to be grateful for the love of family, friends and each other but it was still fun to enjoy the occasion to celebrate our second Valentine's Day together.

Roger and I celebrated by having a leisurely lunch at Higgins on Broadway.

Iorio Restaurant Cooking Class

The cooking class started at noon with six students so having a small group made it easy to participate in most of the steps.

We started with Bagna Cauda and thinly sliced vegetables for an appetizer, accompanied by Spanish sparkling wine and Prosecco.

The Chef, Chris Thompson, who owns Iorio with his wife, Hilary, treated us like VIPs, welcoming us into the kitchen where we had an opportunity to do some "hands on" assistance.

The menu included seared duck breasts (the best that I've ever eaten), Chilean Sea Bass, Risotto and Sauteed Mushrooms. Dessert was strawberries dipped in warm chocolate fondue and poached pears in red wine with mascarpone and goat cheese.

Christie and I (the two contest winners) also received an Iorio t-shirt and chocolates that I took home to Roger.

It was a fantastic way to spend a cool and rainy Portland Saturday and a chance to meet some interesting people and learn a new appreciation for the work that takes place in a restaurant kitchen.

Cabezon Seafood Restaurant

cabezonrestaurant.com

If you're hungry for fresh seafood and you like attentive service - plus reasonable prices - this is the place to go for dinner in Portland.

We spent a lazy afternoon watching a great movie, followed by dinner at Cabezon - so it was a perfect way to start the weekend.

Cooking Class At Iorio

I am very excited to have won a contest to take a free cooking class at Iorio, one of my new favorite restaurants on Hawthorne.

They are holding a special Valentine's weekend class so I'll be in the noon class tomorrow. Expect some great photos .......................

This is their web site:
http://www.ioriorestaurant.com/index2.php?v=v1

Finished Fused Glass Projects

This afternoon I stopped at the glass studio to spend a little time asking questions and getting the courage to start a new project. These are my first creations after being fused in the kiln.

Now I've learned that the finished product can look totally different from the raw materials. The class was good practice but now I realize how much I still need to learn.

So far I think I like the "third eye" pendant the best (except that it looks slightly evil..........)

Night Out With The 3 Divas

Tonight we "girls" (Ann, Allison and I) went to an Our House fund raiser wine tasting and dinner at a beautiful Arts & Crafts home in the Hawthorne District, hosted by the owners of Cameron Winery in Dundee.

The evening started with appetizers and a white wine blend, followed by a sit down wine tasting that featured estate bottles of two Chardonnays and four Pinot Noir wines.

A four course dinner followed with interesting conversation and delicious food so it was a very enjoyable evening.

Happy Birthday, Brian !!!

Your dad and I wish you a very happy birthday, Brian. We hope that the day is filled with wonderful surprises !

Alexis in Old Town Portland

Tonight's dinner was a little like walking down "memory lane". For my friends from Lodi, it was similar to dinners at the Cosmopolitan or Croces 40 years ago - except they were Italian and Alexis serves Greek food. The atmosphere is almost identical with lots of tables, lots of people, lots of noise and lots of fabulous food.

Alexis starts with a flaming appetizer of cheese lit with Ouzo to dip your bread. For groups of five or more they serve a family style dinner. Tonight Roger had lamb kabob and I had a lamb/vegetable dish wrapped in philo. We're so full we actually "waddled" out the door.

SO, we continue to find fabulous places to eat and all of them are memorable (in a good way).

The weekend is starting so now we have an excuse to be even more lazy than usual. Tomorrow night, though, it's time to cook at home.................

Bunk Sandwiches and Bunco

Tonight was a fun experience at a small sandwich shop on Morrison where they specialize in creative and delicious sandwiches. The "Our House" charity sponsored an evening party there to enjoy a variety of wines and sandwiches and playing "Bunco", a dice game. There were 24 of us and only about 4 people knew how to play the game but we learned quickly.

I went with Allison and Rae and both Allison and I came home with first place prizes; she won the most "buncos" and I won the most games - 14 out of 18. We both received a bottle of wine and a very nice wine opener so that made the evening even more enjoyable.

News Flash !! ++ Pigs Seen Flying In Portland ++

I am the one who proudly proclaimed that I never exercise -- never have -- never will.............

That changed this morning with my first Yoga class. I had no idea how sore a body could become but I'm determined to do it (plus I paid for three month's of classes that I refuse to forfeit).

Class is on Tuesday and Thursday mornings so now my body has several days to recover.

My goal next week is to do all the moves without whimpering........