Ashley and Zoey....................

Little Zoey is almost three months old and mom Ashley is more beautiful than ever.

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

5 course dinner at Mucca

www.muccaosteria.com


Tonight Allison and I enjoyed a "once in a lifetime experience" with a five course tasting dinner that included a special wine with each course.

We didn't realize that we were getting TEN different dishes - therefore becoming a "tasting" since we ate off of each other's plates (something we have no problem with).  Here's a list of the dishes that we remember:

One appetizer was prosciutto with a creamy cheese sauce and something else (we were too excited to write it down.

Octupus Terrine with Roasted Bell Pepper Gelato

Seared Sea Scallops Truffle-Parmesan Fondue
Roasted Quail (with a sauce that was delicious)

Northwest Cod Ravioli, Tagglasche Olives, Sundried Tomatoes, Capers and Pine Nuts
Egg Pappardelle Pasta with wild mushrooms (that's all that I can remember)


Roasted Fresh Halibut
Pan Roasted Pistachio Crusted Squab Breast, Garden Veggies, Red Beet Puree

A trio of desserts:
Cioccolatine (a Flourless Belgium chocolate cake)
Semifreddo all/Amaretto
Pannacotta

We're not done.  With each course of two different dishes we were served a fabulous Italian or Spanish wine that complemented each dish.  Yes.................. there were eight different wines - all exceptional.

This special treat was complements of the Chef/Owner Simone Savalano, so the waiters were generously thanked for the excellent service.

Allison and I agree that this was truly "an experience of a lifetime" - one that likely won't be repeated.  Life is good................. and we LOVE Portland ................

In this picture, Allison looks very mellow but she's still looking ahead to her dessert.

Notice the eyes?  This is a girl who has drank a little too much wine.  But.............. it's OK - right?

Happy Father's Day.....................

It's a gorgeous day in Portland so we enjoyed lunch outside at River Front.  Even Miss Bella got to go along.  Roger is enjoying being a VIP today so he gets to do whatever he chooses.  What would that be?  Well, starting with a cup of tea, a chair nap and maybe.............. starting a new painting - that's about all.

Time to Barbecue.............

Gorgeous weather - so it's time to fire up the barbecue!  We started tonight with chicken legs marinated all day in soy sauce, dry sherry and catsup with some sliced fresh garlic and fresh herbs.

My favorite is corn on the cob that Roger barbecues for about 30 minutes so it's caramelized.  Guess what I'm buying tomorrow....................  I clean the cob, slather the corn with butter and seasoning.  Then I wrap it in double thick foil and Roger just lays it on the grill and turns it every few minutes.  Try it - you'll love the flavor.

We're told that it will be 100 degrees next week Sunday so I'm thinking that I need to talk Roger into a drive to the ocean where it will be much cooler.  Summer is definitely here!

Blue Ribbon Kitchen - Cordon Bleu Cooking Class

This morning I headed out early to attend a six hour cooking class at the downtown Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute.  The theme today was "Mexican" which included:

• Fresh corn tortillas
• Adobo Roast Pork
• Carne Asada
• Frijoles Negros Arrox (black beans and rice)
• Pico de Gallo
• Salsa Verde
• Guacamole
• Nopales Salad (cactus)
• Cinnamon-sugar Churros
• Mexican chocolate dipping sauce

There were seven in the class so we divided up to take individual charge of a dish.  I made the Salsa Verde and I was amazed at how differently it tastes from that little plastic container that comes with your taco at a food cart.  It has a rich flavor that tastes wonderful on everything.  Then we had a chance to work with other students who had more complicated dishes so I also learned how to make a delicious hand made corn tortilla and two meat dishes.  (My next purchase will have to be a sturdy tortilla press).

Not only did we eat a fabulous lunch, but we were able to bring food home so our 'fridge has two salsas, black beans and Adobo Roast Pork.  (Sounds like Sunday lunch to me!).

Time for an update...............

It's often said that "no news is good news" and that's pretty much how it is here.  May and June, each year, are my "body improvement" months when I have appointments with my eye doctor, dentist, dermatologist and general practitioner for my annual tuneups. 

Added to that little Bella has been visiting her doctor more often.  Besides her heart problem, she has a dislocated knee on one hind leg caused by arthritis so now we're calling her "hop-a-long" because she has a hard time putting pressure on her leg. 

We're all definitely showing the signs of old age, but when I complained to my doctor about all the little quirky things that age has caused, she said "but, isn't that a good thing?"  Well, yes................ I've reached old age and that definitely IS a good thing.

Portland, this time of year really rocks with the Rose Festival.  Today's parade was estimated to have 100,000 viewers, even though the high temp today was in the 90s.

I decided to go to the Farmer's Market instead so we've been home enjoying our air conditioner and the fresh caught salmon, berries and veggies that I bought at the market this morning.

Roger's busy cramming for two final exams and a ten page essay so that means that Bella and I can do "girl things".  Tomorrow we're looking forward to an early dinner with Allison at River Front.

We're told that temps will be in the high 80s and low 90s for the next week so it's time to get all the white stuff out of the closet!

In May and June we've celebrated the birthdays of very special people - Lori on May 19th, Helia and Pam today on June 6.

YES - I Know...................... That.............

I am adorable..........................

Precious ZOEY is already TWO Months Old !

Little Zoey's personality just SPARKLES.  

She's two months old as of June 1st.  

Check out the belly laugh on the second photo.  Maybe her nick-name should be "Happy".......................