Last Thursday we started with Lebanese food. Today Nong's Khao Man Gai was next in line. Neither Allison nor I had a clue what kind of food this was but today we learned that it is Thai and that it is the one and only thing that they cook and serve. (Nong is the owner and the name of the dish is Khao Man Gai). They have a choice of a couple of sauces but it's basically steamed chicken and rice. We ordered one with a chicken broth sauce and the other with a slightly spicy sauce. We shared and both were delicious. Thursday, the next in line is Cajun. Today we studied Israel and Palestine from 1948 to 1960. Thursday we move on to Turkey and Iran.
Today was very enjoyable, starting with an afternoon Chamber Orchestra Concert by the Portland Youth Philharmonic. The musicians range from 8th grade to seniors in high school and their talent is unbelievable. Today's program was especially enjoyable because the guest artists were Hossein Salehi and his son who have been trained to play ancient Persian musical instruments. They were accompanied by the chamber musicians who played violins, cello, bass, flute, clarinet with about five unusual Persian instruments.
After the concert, Roger dropped me off at Brasserie Montmartre where I joined Allison for a five course French dinner, including white and red wine for $39.99 and it was an amazing menu; 2 appetizers, salad, a fish course, fingerling potatoes, sauerkraut, andouille sausage, confit pork shoulder for the entree and a custard eclair for dessert. Are we stuffed? Well.......... yes. The tables were each set for eight people so we were able to get acquainted with others and had enjoyable conversations.
Class today was excellent. We're presently covering the changes to Palestine and the birth of Israel (1937 - 1948). A fascinating and complex subject, for certain.
Following class, Allison and I decided to embark on our "Food Cart Stroll" down 4th Avenue. The plan is to have lunch at each cart on the block (about 12); starting at one end of the block and working our way down. Today, the first in line is Lebanese, "Ahla W Sahla". Allison ordered a beef shawarma sandwich and I had the chicken. The meat is grilled and wrapped in warm toasted flat bread with lettuce and chopped onion and tomato with a yogurt sauce Both were freshly cooked while we chatted with the owner/chef who moved from Beirut to Portland five years ago.
Next week we're going to Nong's Khao Man Gai.
Last night we "girls" enjoyed celebrating Ann's birthday (holding Bella) at Iorio Restaurant after enjoying some bubbly at home. Allison is next to Ann and Rae is next to her. We had a three hour dinner, probably because we did more talking than eating. Well...... now that I think about it, we did our share of eating, too.
We had an amusing dining experience tonight. I brought a Groupon for a recently opened restaurant, Touche. It had been empty for several years so we were pleased to see that they had new owners and they advertised a Mediterranean menu. The Groupon was $25 for $50 worth of food so............ what the heck?
Touche, of course is a French term, they say that they are a Mediterranean restaurant but......... the menu is entirely Italian. The only thing not Italian was hummus on the appetizer menu. After wading through a listing of pasta dishes and pizza, we found four meat/fish dishes, all averaging close to $30 a plate.
So... an interesting experience that likely won't be repeated. The good thing is that I didn't have to cook or clean up the kitchen so I'm not complaining.
During the night it snowed enough to cover roofs, streets and yards here in the downtown with heavy snowfall in the nearby hills. Tonight it's 52 degrees at 5:30. Obviously, the snow is entirely melted and we're thinking that it's "spring". How crazy is that?
Snow has finally come to the entire Portland area with up to a foot forecast in the nearby hills later today and tonight. Here in the downtown area, we're getting snow showers but not enough to stick for long. This morning, however, was fun for me - enjoying the falling snow while walking to my class at PSU.
Roger's first class was cancelled but he's still able to take his noon computer class at PCC.
Otherwise, we're staying close to home and staying warm inside.
At 8:00 a.m.
Today is our first "snow day" in downtown Portland. It just started so now we'll wait to see if it lasts for awhile.
Thanks to Mike and Teresa's Christmas gift, Roger and I enjoyed a fabulous dinner at one of Portland's BEST restaurants, Paley's Place.
www.paleysplace.net
It was a perfect place to celebrate our special day !
Five of us women from Lincoln Tower met at the Governor Hotel for lunch and a City Club meeting featuring the Oregon Governor as speaker.
It was a unique opportunity to hear about his vision for the state.
The chicken, at lunch, was "rubber" but Bella thought it was delicious.
Today it is two years from the day that Roger and I decided to establish a committed relationship so we consider it to be our "anniversary".
Daily, we learn new things about each other and our love continues to grow.
I closed down Gold Turtle & Co at the end of 2011 and I needed something interesting and new to keep me busy so I enrolled in a senior educational program sponsored by Portland State University. It's sometimes difficult to get into a class since most are filled to capacity by tuition paying students. I went to the class on Tuesday but didn't learn until today that I was accepted as a student. There are nine seniors who wanted to take this specific course so we were all relieved to be admitted. The class title is "The Modern Middle East II" and the course follows the years from 1914 to the present date.
It is wonderful being with young people who are genuinely focused on getting an education. The class has lots of interaction between the professor and students so it's a lively class with a lot to learn. We need to purchase three text books so I've been "bargain shopping" (textbooks are VERY expensive) and I did a great job. I found one on eBay and the other two through Amazon (used and more affordable).
In just two classes I already have learned so much. I had no idea there was a state "Transjordan" or the location of many of the Arab countries on the map. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday, the same days as Roger attends community college so that still leaves five days to do other things together.
Portland is making hybrid "fueling" easy with electrical stations on the streets.
Roger surprised me with an invitation to drive to Seaside and spend a few days at the ocean. Bella gets to come along so this morning I'm busy packing all the "essentials"; tea pot, French press, snacks, wine, books.................. The room has a fireplace and an ocean view so we're thinking we may not want to leave the room very often except to take a walk on the beach. The weather is being generous with sunshine and warmer temps than normal for this time of the year so we're looking forward to getting away.
The Ducks played a good game and winning the Rose Bowl for 2012 is a great start !
Happy New Year. It has been a busy day, packing and storing Christmas decorations and redecorating the condo for the next few months (think Spring). While a chicken is roasting in the oven, I watched "Out of Africa", my very favorite movie. Roger is still recovering from his cold but it looks like the worst is over.
Now I'm looking forward to tomorrow - Rose Bowl parade and football game - champagne - unhealthy snacks - total laziness - yeahhhhhhhhhh
