Earth Day Weekend............

This morning I fixed Roger's favorite breakfast - fresh chopped tomatoes and onions sauteed until soft - then adding quail eggs to "poach" in the tomato sauce.  This is an ancient Iranian recipe and it made me think how lucky we are to live in a world that provides us with beautiful and nourishing food that enriches our eyes and our stomachs.  The appearance of these eggs shows us how, even quail, have an individual style with each egg displaying a unique and beautiful design.

Celebrate Life.................

AMILI - Portland's Newest Restaurant ..............

Amili is owned by one of the condo residents, Luciano Brito,  It's a short walk through a nearby park that is filled with sculptures and fountains so I suspect that we'll make this a regular place to dine.  They have only been open since Wednesday and for the time being, they are serving only lunch and happy hour menus.

The menu is authentic Spanish so we ordered fresh fried baby artichokes battered with rice flour, empanadas stuffed with mushrooms, one pork and one beef taco.  The food is delicious and all the dishes were beautifully decorated with eye appeal.  On the way out the door we spotted their Cesar salad that is served with manchego, anchovies and a boiled egg.  We're already talking about our next visit !

Sunny Weather ...............

We're loving temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s so the first thing that came to mind was "Let's go out for lunch".................. Friday we enjoyed a Persian buffet lunch at Pasha and Sunday we went down to Riverfront for a late lunch.  Even Bella got to go with us because seating is outdoors.  It seems that everyone in downtown has hit the streets - people everywhere soaking up some much needed sunshine and warmth !

Precious ZOEY ............................

Oregon Holocaust Memorial in Washington Park

Yesterday for my PSU class "Museums and Memory in Israel and the US", I drove the other four students to Washington Park where we met with a docent and learned inside details about why, how and when the Oregon Holocaust Memorial was created.  It was an emotional experience to revisit the injustice of Germany during WWII.

While we were walking, I took the opportunity to take some photos of the beautiful rhododendrons that are presently in bloom.  Weather here is perfect for these lovely flowering shrubs so there's color and beauty everywhere in the city right now..............

A Weekend To Remember ................

 Saturday started with a drive to Maysara Winery in McMinnville, Oregon.  They practice holistic farming and their specialty is Pinot Noir.  Prices and styles vary from $20 to $80 a bottle and all are fabulous (Helia and I can attest to that).  We had an enjoyable wine tasting and we both decided to join their wine club so now our house guests will enjoy some of their wines.

maysara.com

Saturday afternoon we met up with Brian and Caroline at Salishan where we had rooms for the night.  After snacks in our room we enjoyed dinner in the Salishan lounge and enjoyed their night club atmosphere listening to a really great singer and musician who kept us dancing and laughing.  Here, Roger is listening to "Happy Birthday" with Brian and another song created special for his 80th birthday.  He looked embarrassed and excited at the same time.

We old folks left the "kids" early in the evening and let them enjoy the pool and the beach.

Today, we took Helia to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and now she's on her way home to San Ramon on a late flight.

And - - the party begins .................

Helia flew in from Oakland, Thursday night so yesterday we had fun shopping in Multnomah Village.  Last night was the first birthday celebration for the weekend at Iorio.  Roger's 80th went neglected when I went to California for Zoey's first birthday so this weekend, it's Roger's turn.

This morning we're getting ready for a road trip to the coast where we'll meet Brian and Carolyn for dinner and an overnight stay.  Weather is lovely so we're thinking there may be time for wine tasting on our way.

Girls Who Wanta Have FUN...............

I was in California with my "girls" from Thursday to Monday morning and I think that we all agree that being together any longer time would not be a good thing.  We just have TOO MUCH fun - mostly enjoying our love for good food and wine and catching up on all of our "girl talk" time.  Here we are enjoying our first night at "One Speed" where we had pizza and munchies.  Now it's time to get rid of the three pounds that I piled on and look ahead to our next adventure together.

It's ALL about ZOEY *****

 Ashley and Jordan hosted a very special celebration for Zoey's first birthday.  Zoey is a lucky little girl to have such wonderful parents.  They do everything right..................

Mike (grandpa), Cindie (grandma), Lori and Pam (proud aunties) and I were honored guests and we got lots of (sticky) hugs and kisses from the birthday girl.

It was fun watching Zoey open her presents.  She started out a little slow but it didn't take her long to learn how to tear paper and dig deep into the gift sacks.







Now, I'm counting on Ashley to send pictures when she gets to wear each new outfit.  It looks like she has enough new clothes to last at least the next year until we get to celebrate #2 birthday.

My FAVORITE Zoey Photo....................