1st Anniversary and 76th Birthday

We had  a great time; first celebrating our first wedding anniversary and then my 76th birthday at the coast in Astoria, Oregon.  Sunday we drove to Astoria and we stayed at the Elliott Hotel, downtown.  We won't stay there again (but that's another story).  Roger and I both believe in "making do", when we have to, so we were determined to overlook some of the hotel's deficiencies.  The good news is that we found a "drop dead gorgeous" hotel right on the Columbia River that offers reduced winter rates so we're already excited about returning. It's the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa.  It was chosen as Sunset Magazine's "Top 25 hotels in the West".

We enjoyed our anniversary dinner at the Bridgewater Restaurant that overlooks the Columbia River.  Seafood is "king" there so Roger enjoyed a halibut dish and I had cioppino.

Monday, the drive over the Astoria-Megler Bridge to Washington State was exciting because it was Roger's first time and we both enjoyed touring the coast of Washington.  There is so much history there that we're still learning.  My goal this coming year is to find a class at PSU that teaches Oregon and Washington history.  They generally offer it on one of the semesters so I'll keep an eye out for it.

It's easy to walk through the Astoria downtown area and there are cute shops, cafes, and galleries so there was plenty to do.

Of course, there was also time for napping, reading, and just being lazy.




Our second night we just walked across the street to T Paul's Supper Club to celebrate my birthday.

Roger doesn't believe in Hallmark so he surprised me with a beautiful handmade card that included a sketched portrait.  I learned that he spent several nights after I went to bed, creating it.

Then, the final part of the celebration was to learn that we had a special delivery waiting for us when we got home this afternoon.  Thanks to the Smiths for the thoughtful gift - - and - - an extremely delicious gift.  I couldn't resist the heart shaped piece of pineapple, half dipped in chocolate ............ oh, my .....................  Now, Roger and I are already looking forward to having more for dessert.

Yes, we're back to "normal" but that's good, too ........................

One Year as Man and Wife ................

Today is our first wedding anniversary.  We've actually been together for a total of seven years but marriage has left a special mark on our relationship - now it's "forever".

We're on our way to Astoria for a few days to celebrate our love ................

College Friends..............

Tonight we had the pleasure of entertaining Austin and Stephanie.  Austin and Roger shared several classes at PSU and they became friends.  Austin is starting a website development company and he has just renovated Roger's website that we'll introduce in the next few days.

We were eager to meet his friend, Stephanie, so we had a wonderful evening enjoying Roger's Persian food and good conversation.

Sunday Morning at Sur la Table Cooking Class

 I enjoyed a great Sunday morning; first by taking the streetcar to Pearl Bakery to get a baguette for dinner and to enjoy a pastry and coffee before walking down to Sur la Table for a morning cooking class.





The theme today was Brunch with a menu of:

• Crunchy Granola Partait with summer berries and bruleed Greek yogurt
• Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
• Fresh Blackberry Syrup
• Homemade Chicken Apple Sausage

Yes, everything was made from "scratch" so we hand beat the egg whites for the pancakes, cooked the berry syrup and ground the chicken thighs for the chicken, apple sausage.  I am most grateful for the kitchen assistants who cleaned up after all of the mess (which there was plenty of).

We learned how to make a brulee crust using a blow torch and the dozens of combinations of nuts, fruit, seeds and grains to make homemade granola.

I was unfamiliar with vanilla bean paste which is used in place of a vanilla bean or bottled vanilla.  It's very delicious and it keeps well in the refrigerator.

The cooking class was a great experience with hands-on practice and the people attending were delightful and lots of fun.  Now I've promised Roger some homemade chicken sausage and I'm going to make blueberry syrup for our next breakfast.

Dapper, Debonair and Darling .................

Roger is so proud of his new hat that I couldn't resist taking his picture.

Behind him is one of his paintings that looks wonderful in our dining room.

He's been working on updating his web site so we'll be sharing it very soon.

Meanwhile, I always know where to find him - he has been in his studio all week painting and he is currently working on a scene with horses (his favorite animal - besides, Bella, of course).

Park Blocks, Portland Farmer's Market

Fruit and vegetables are at their peak in Oregon so the downtown Farmer's Market is more popular than ever.  Because temps are going to reach 101 today, I made a point to go early so I was back home by 9:30 with a bounty of wonderful things.

Farm fresh eggs, a giant artichoke, freshly dug small potatoes and onions, red peppers, black berries, fresh basil, green beans, shitaki mushrooms and ......... the best of all .......... giant fresh grown tomatoes.

This time of the year I take a rolling cart to carry everything and the best of all is that now I can hop on MAX to shorten the trip.

Yes, we still are in love with Portland ........................................ more than ever !

Uptown Billiards Club, Portland ....................

The Uptown Billiard's Club is a fascinating place that more people need to know about.  When you drive down 23rd Ave., you will see a sign and a doorway - nothing else to indicate that inside is one of the best Portland restaurants.  When you open the door, you face a dark carpeted stairway that makes one believe they are either in the wrong place or entering a speakeasy.  Two stairways up when you enter the bar area, you are now convinced that this is hidden treasure.

Yes, there are pool tables (lots of them) in a roomy bar area.  If you're there to eat, there is a small alcove with about 7 or 8 small tables.  This is where the adventure begins ..................

The chef offers two menus; one traditional with great choices and a five course tasting menu that features one specific food item.  The menu changes every two weeks.  Ann Olsen and I chose to go this week because each course of the menu featured berries.  I'm showing the menu so you can see the complexity of the food.  In addition a specially chosen wine accompanies each course.  It's probably 3 ounces or so - a perfect amount that enhances the food.

Temperatures in Portland are close to 100 degrees for the next three days so this was a great way to relax, enjoy conversation and stay cool - plus enjoying a memorable meal that we'll be talking about for weeks to come ............................

First Thursday ART WALK in the Pearl

The Portland art scene is vibrant and energized with clusters of art galleries throughout the city.  Many galleries are operated with volunteers so the hours they are open are limited.  The "First Thursday" of each month, has become the favorite way to see many of the new exhibitions because the galleries remain open until 9 p.m.  Some even serve snacks and wine and often local musicians provide music.  Basically, it's a big party.  Last night Roger and I visited five galleries in the Pearl on 9th Avenue and here, I'm showing two pieces that we found interesting.  The fabric panels are light weight so they move gently with a breeze.

The painting below measures about four feet square and it was our favorite (probably because it's painted in a style that is similar to Roger's art).

It was a lovely way to enjoy a warm summer evening ..................................

The Innocents Movie

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-innocents-2016

Allison and I just finished watching "The Innocents" at the Portland Living Room Theater and it's one of the most exceptional films that we have ever seen.  The movie is based on a true story of nuns who were raped in their convent in Poland while the Russians were occupying the country after WWII.  It's the story of how the women managed to keep this abomination a secret and hide the pregnancies of seven of the nuns.  It's an Italian movie subtitled in English.  See it if you can !!!

A Pleasant Surprise ....................

Jessica and Ryan came into town yesterday evening for a quick overnight stay on their way home to Folsom.

Fortunately, this morning I had time to introduce them to Zell's for breakfast before they headed back home.

It was great to see you both.  Hurry Back !