Another Week in Portland................

Saturday, Ann, Allison and I took a "food tour" starting at Eidelweiss for sausage, ham, smoked chicken and anything German, then Grand Central Bakery and finally the fresh produce tent on Hawthorne.  Allison drove and fortunately she drives an SUV because we filled the entire back space.

Holidays for us are "just another day" except for Roger, it was a school holiday so that gave him some extra time to work on his art for his final projects.  Wednesday is a late night at school so Cheryl and I went out to Iorio last night for an Italian dinner.  They make pasta fresh, daily, and the food was exceptional. 
We've been enjoying out first fresh apricot pie and Roger brought more apricots home tonight - maybe a hint that he wants another one?

We've had about five days of drippy weather but today we see that the next week will be perfect temperatures in the 79s abd 80s with no rain.  That's cause for a celebration here.  It's Rose Festival time so there will be lots of action and activities, including a starlight parade this Saturday night and a Rose Festival parade next week Sunday.

Life is good.............

We're enjoying a quiet and pleasant weekend.  Friday the Portland Museum featured free entrance so Roger and I took advantage of it and spent a couple of hours viewing a wide variety of art and sculpture.  After enjoying lunch at Shiraz Roger continued working on his latest painting.  He's been in front of the easel for two days so I pry him away for meals and a little stretch and relaxation - then he's back to work.

The holiday tomorrow is a special day to remember the people who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and it's also a day to remember those who have gone before us.  Among my group of friends, we've experienced the loss of parents, spouses, children and many people from our extended families.  It's a good time to stop and take a few moments to remember our love and respect for those who are no longer in our lives.

May 24, 2008

In Memory

Happy 98th Birthday, Marie

Steve Smith's mom, Marie is celebrating her 98th birthday this week, starting with an overnight stay in S.F. and tickets to the Giants game.  During intermission, Marie was acknowledged on the teletron and the audience sang "happy birthday".  An anonymous person sent her a shot of Silver Patron and she surprised Steve and Vicki by just making it "bottoms up".  I should have asked who won the game, but today............ it was all about Marie.

Happy Birthday!

Celebrating Beauty.............

Happy Birthday, Lori

51 years ago on a Saturday afternoon, my first child Lori was born.  Of course, she was perfect (and still is) so today is truly a day to celebrate the life of a talented and beautiful woman.

Happy Birthday, Lori !! 

Crazy Egg Lady

 We've all heard of "crazy old cat ladies" so I'm a little worried about my obsession with eggs.  Not just any egg - eggs from the farm laid by chickens that can scratch in the dirt and eat worms............

More and more farmers are bringing eggs to the Saturday market so today I bought eggs from a new vendor because the colors were all so interesting, plus she sells quail eggs.  In Europe you can buy quail eggs everywhere so we enjoyed eating them the month we were in Paris.  Now I'm going to try something creative and elegant when I cook these cute little guys.

Another Finished Painting

This acrylic painting is another of Roger's class projects that needed to be completed for today's class.  The assignment was to create an art piece that symbolizes both life and death so Roger has used a clock, candle, easel, book, a butterfly and skull with fruit and a bird.  He'll receive the critique for the finished work in today's class.

 

"Ari-Maria" at Triangle Theater

After an early dinner at the East Burn Restaurant, Allison and I went to the production of Ari-Maria at the nearby Triangle Theater.  It recaptured the era of Onassis and Callas.  Considering that it is a small local theater, the production was professional both in singing and acting talent. Allison and I highly recommend it to our Portland friends. (503 239-5919 for tickets - until May 26th)

While walking from the restaurant to the theater we found a yard that was filled with beautiful blooming flowers and I particularly loved the Chinese poppies.

Gatsby & Ringside Fish House

Roger is in school until 9 p.m. so this was my day to "play".  I just returned home from enjoying a matinee of The Great Gatsby and Happy Hour at the Ringside Fish House, next door to the theater.  It was a perfect afternoon.  The movie is great (don't miss it) and the happy hour menu at the fish house is unbelievable.  I had a three course early dinner starting with clam chowder ($2.75), Caesar salad ($2.75) and a shrimp roll with large fresh cooked shrimp ($3.75).  That means for less than $10 I had a delicious dinner.  Drinks, of course, are almost full price but still............  It's my new favorite place but I understand that Chef Paley, one of our award winning chefs, has opened another restaurant (Portland Penny Diner at 410 SW Broadway)t and one of his specialties is a chili dog.  I guess you already know where I'm going next.............

 http://www.portlandpennydiner.com/menus.htm

http://www.ringsidefishhouse.com/images/pdf_menu/ringside-fish-house-happy-hour-menu.pdf

My Mother's Day Gift to Myself

We're enjoying a quiet overcast day in Portland.  Roger is preparing a traditional Iranian dinner so I decided to treat myself to a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, "The Scarlet Letter".  It's on my Kindle so I read it several years ago but today it was like reading it for the first time (old age memory problems?).  Now I'm thinking that after dinner it would be a good idea to watch the movie.  It's a look at Puritan history and also a story of revenge.  Speaking of "Revenge", tonight is the two hour finale of the TV show Revenge.  This is turning out to be a perfect way to spend a Sunday!. 

Mother's Day

Today I want to honor my dear mom who lived to the age of 93 years.  She gave me unconditional love and support and I have many sweet memories of her.  In this photo she's 90 years old.

As a mother I celebrate my son, Michael and my daughter, Lori.  Life would be very empty without their love and kindness.

In recent years my family has expanded to include Teresa, the mother of Jessica and Tony and Carolyn who is mom to Josh, Rachael and Chris.

This is a beautiful day to celebrate and remember the moms in our lives and I also want to recognize Cindie who is mother to my lovely granddaughter, Ashley.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in our lives !!

Steven Smith Teamaker

http://www.smithtea.com/

Take a look at this web site.  Smith is also the founder of Tazo Tea, a business he sold several years ago.  Now he's selling tea leaves in mesh pouches - but using real tea leaves and not the "floor sweepings" of tea found in other tea bags. 

Roger is undergoing his third round of Chemo today and tomorrow so I bought a bag full of darjeeling, his favorite.  They sell a 1st flush and 2nd flush and also a mixture of the two so Roger will be able to sample them to see which one he prefers.

The tea shop is small and quaint and it's a relaxing place to visit and enjoy a pot of very delicious tea.  For my Portland friends, they are located on Thurman next door to Olympia Provisions (another great place to visit for charcuterie).

Mid-Term Portrait

Roger worked late into the night to finish my portrait for one of his classes this morning  I don't see many wrinkles.  Isn't he sweet?

Look Familiar?

Roger is painting my portrait for a class project that is due tomorrow.  I suspect that he'll be "burning the midnight oil" to finish it but he's enjoying the challenge.

PCC Spring Art Show

This is the finished painting that Roger has been working on for several months.  The PCC art department is sponsoring a spring art show in their gallery and this painting was accepted for the show.  This afternoon we attended the gallery opening reception where awards were handed out.  We held our breath with the hope that this might win some recognition but.......... maybe next time.

Happy Birthday, Carolyn !!

Today is a special day - Carolyn Hatefi's birthday.  We hope that you have a happy and exciting day.  Enjoy every minute !

Happy Birthday, Liz

Birthdays are like frosting on the cake of life.  Enjoy the day - Happy Birthday, Liz !!

What Might Have Been...........

May 3, 1959.  A date long ago when two teens walked down the aisle and committed to a marriage that would last them "until death do you part".  I remember our 49th and last anniversary celebration when we spent two nights in Long Island Washington at a small bed and breakfast.  We thought our life together would never end..............

Oregon Culinary Institute Restaurant

It has been years since Roger and I went to lunch at the Oregon Culinary Institute (different from the Cordon Bleu that used to be downtown on 10th Ave. - now closed).  We're so glad that we remembered to try them because lunch today was spectacular.  They serve three course lunches for $9.  Roger had fresh halibut and I enjoyed veal saltimbocca for our entree.  We're looking forward to a return visit.

http://www.oregonculinaryinstitute.com/restaurant/