Woodburn is the home of a huge tulip farm that features 40 acres of fields of blooming tulips. This year (2018) the festival runs from March 23rd to April 29th. Oregon had a colder winter so we're going to wait another week or two before going to see the flowers.
The photo was taken on a hay wagon three years ago. Sweet little Bella always got to go with us when we went to the farm so this year will feel much different without her.
Persians celebrate New Year at the moment that Spring arrives. In Portland the time will be 9:15 a.m., Tuesday, March 20th. This custom goes back at least 3,000 years and there are rituals that accompany the new year. Many symbols are used to celebrate rebirth, fertility, sweetness of life, health and beauty, love, good health, patience and age.
We wish you all a Happy Nowruz and we welcome the beauty of Spring.
The American Plaza has two trees that start to bud in the winter and as soon as there are a few sunny days in a row, these beautiful waxy looking flowers start to appear. This photo shows the very first flower so the tree will be completely in bloom by the end of the week. Portland weather is beginning to evolve into Spring.
Now we're looking ahead to celebrating the first day of Spring which is Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
SOUTHPARK SEAFOOD is a popular downtown restaurant that is a convenient walk from most of the hotels. It was the first restaurant that Lori and I dined at when we visited Portland about 11 years ago (and promptly fell in love with the city). After seeing a movie at Fox Tower this afternoon, I walked over to the restaurant for a late lunch. I got there at 3 o'clock so I was able to order their fish stew off of the lunch menu and a great red house wine for the happy hour price of $6.00. Oysters are their specialty and they offer fresh Oregon and Washington Coast fish in season and lots of other good stuff. They are also close to the Schnitzer Theater if you're attending a symphony performance.
It's Oscar night so it's time for Old Time Pizza on Davis Street in Portland. If you're in the area this is a "must" place to visit. You'll hear a lot of history, see some ghosts and a tunnel downstairs that goes all the way to the harbor. The best thing is the pizza and craft beer - all fabulous!
My favorite is the house special - basically salami, Italian sausage, olives, peppers and red sauce.
My dear friend, John Hagy, introduced me to Henry's House of Coffee in San Francisco many years ago and I have been enjoying their fresh roasted blends ever since. Yes, Portland also has wonderful coffee but Henry's holds a special place in my heart. Check out their website - they ship for free if you purchase at least two pounds. Henry's Blend and Bella Finca are my personal favorites so about every two months I just reorder the same two and they arrive here in Portland in two days.
SWEET LITTLE ZOEY IS ENJOYING PLAYING IN THE SNOW. SHE'LL BE THREE YEARS OLD ON APRIL 1st. WATCHING HER GROW AND ENJOY LIFE IS A TRUE JOY.
Friday was a "me day" starting with watching this great movie at the Portland Living Room Theater on 10th and Stark, followed by lunch at Kenny & Zukes (across the street from the theater) and then a manicure on my walk back home. All this was possible using the downtown streetcar and I got some much needed exercise walking, so it was a carefree way to enjoy my afternoon.
I was in my late 20s when the Pentagon Papers were revealed and the movie gave me a much better understanding of the turmoil and hatred of the Vietnam War. Needless to say, Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks do a spectacular job of making this movie "real". Please see it if at all possible.
The American Plaza has two trees that start to bud in the winter and as soon as there are a few sunny days in a row, these beautiful waxy looking flowers start to appear. This photo shows the very first flower so the tree will be completely in bloom by the end of the week. Portland weather is beginning to evolve into Spring. 
SOUTHPARK SEAFOOD is a popular downtown restaurant that is a convenient walk from most of the hotels. It was the first restaurant that Lori and I dined at when we visited Portland about 11 years ago (and promptly fell in love with the city). After seeing a movie at Fox Tower this afternoon, I walked over to the restaurant for a late lunch. I got there at 3 o'clock so I was able to order their fish stew off of the lunch menu and a great red house wine for the happy hour price of $6.00. Oysters are their specialty and they offer fresh Oregon and Washington Coast fish in season and lots of other good stuff. They are also close to the Schnitzer Theater if you're attending a symphony performance.
It's Oscar night so it's time for Old Time Pizza on Davis Street in Portland. If you're in the area this is a "must" place to visit. You'll hear a lot of history, see some ghosts and a tunnel downstairs that goes all the way to the harbor. The best thing is the pizza and craft beer - all fabulous!
