Highly Recommend SAATVA Matresses

www.saatvamattress.com

It has been ten years since we purchased a mattress and, frankly, we put off shopping because we hate the hassle of listening to sales pitches and high pressure salesmanship.

To prepare, we went on the Internet to get some recommendations and feedback and that's when we discovered the Saatva Company that sells exclusively on the Internet.  They advertise that their prices are stable (no sales, ever) and that they provide a better quality product with lower prices because they don't have the overhead of salesrooms and salesmen.  Yes - it almost sounds too good but they have excellent customer service (according to lots of positive feedback) so we decided to order one.  We chose the "Loom & Leaf" product, ordered it, and one week later it was delivered.  We've slept on it for almost one week and we love it.  We no longer have neck and back aches and we're finding that we awake feeling much better rested.

If you're in the market for a mattress, we highly recommend this one.

www.loomandleaf.com

Lunch at Portland Chart House

 Friday was "girl time" with Ann and Allison.  We went to an older Portland landmark, "Chart House", located in the hills close to downtown Portland.  The view is dynamic with Mt. Hood at one end, the Willamette River in the middle and Mt Rainier to the left.

Bella loves when my friends visit because she knows that she'll get lots of hugs..............

Bella Update..............

It has been 1 1/2 years since Bella was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and it has been quite a journey.  She has become well known at the Banfield Pet Hospital where she gets regular checkups.  She's now taking three different medications and, even though the coughing continues to get worse, she has a great appetite, is happy and playful.  Her Vet says that love is keeping Bella alive and I believe that's true. 

Marionberry German Pancakes - the way to my man's heart ...

Breakfast is Roger's favorite meal so it's always special in our house.  Favorites are salmon omelettes, quail eggs stewed in chopped fresh tomatoes, blueberry pancakes, vegetable and potato torta, and scrambled egg whites with vegetables - BUT - when I put the German pancake on the table, I always get a giant smile.

We started out this morning with a pancake baked with fresh picked Marionberries that I got at yesterday's Farmer's Market.  I'll admit that there was a smile on my face, too...........

What you see here is only one.  Roger gets a bigger one - - yes, really !

Our Hearts are in Paris with Brian and Carolyn

Yesterday, we bid farewell to Roger's son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Carolyn Hatefi with a Persian lunch and a drive to the airport for their trip to Paris, France.  They landed in Paris this morning (our time about 4:30 a.m.) so I suspect that right now their eyes are having trouble staying open.  It's an exciting trip but also very tiring. 

They will be driving to Brussels with Afran and Philippe tomorrow for a few days so there's many adventures ahead of them.  Some people "leave their hearts in San Francisco".  Roger and I left our hearts in Paris so we're hopeful that we'll return some day.  Meanwhile, we'll enjoy hearing about Brian and Carolyn's experiences ....................

We were so excited about talking about their trip that I forgot to take a parting photo so I'll include one from a recent holiday.

Time for FRESH MADE BASIL PESTO ...........

This morning I made an early start to the Portland Farmer's Market and I was delighted to find the first of the basil this season.  (Here, in Oregon, fruit and vegetables ripen more slowly so they're in season later than what I experienced in California).  Two huge bunches are already washed and stemmed so the food processor will be rumbling soon.

Here's a basic recipe that I've used for years:

4 cups fresh basil, washed and stems removed (pack tightly into a measuring cup)
1 cup freshly grated Parmessan or Romano
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
2/3 cup lightly toasted pine nuts or finely chopped toasted walnuts (sometimes I divide a batch of pesto, using pine nuts in one and walnuts in the other).
6 cloves garlic (or more) minced
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Combine the basil with the nuts, pulse until well chopped - add garlic and pulse again.
Slowly add the olive oil while the food processor is running.  Stop to scrape down the sides and add the grated cheese.  Blend all and add salt and pepper to taste.

Line muffin pan with cupcake liners (I like the heavier aluminum foil ones) and fill each to the top.  Put into freezer while still in the pan and freeze until firm.  Remove each cup from the pan and wrap tightly with plastic wrap.  Throw into a large baggie and store them in the freezer until you're ready to use.

(I can't credit anyone in particular with this recipe because it's a conglomeration of several with a few touches of my own, added.  It's basic and I know that you'll love it as much as we do!)

The Party is Over.................

Time to say farewell to the Smiths with brunch at Zells.  Vicki and Steve are on the road now with a long drive ahead of them.  It's always fun when friends visit !

Zoey - 4th of July

Zoey had a great July 4th, celebrating the holiday and also her mother's birthday.

Happy Birthday, dear Ashley.  July 4th will always be very special for me while remembering the day that you were born......

The Smiths are in Portland................

The day started out slowly with a glass of champagne followed by a leisurely breakfast.  SO - what to do on the Sunday before July 4th?  Choices are.............

• nothing
• read and do nothing
• walk down to the river to hear the Blue's Festival
• go shopping

Shopping won for me and Vicki and Steve opted to read and check out the blues........

Now we've had to add more items to list ............

• fix a cocktail
• order pizza

FINALLY - A Perfect Baklava Recipe........

It has taken me awhile (about 20 years) experimenting with various baklava recipes and finding most to be too sweet.  Today I used a recipe from the Food Network attributed to Ree Drummond and she provides an excellent recipe. 

It's not nearly as hard to make as you might think and her directions are easy to follow.  July 4th we're going to a potluck party given by the condo complex so it will be fun to share it....................