LOVELY RITA at the Hoxton Hotel in Portland Chinatown

Lori and Pam have a friend who bartends at "LOVELY RITA", a restaurant at the Hoxton Hotel in Chinatown so we went to see her and have breakfast.  Frankly, none of us were expecting anything special, but we all figured that "nobody can mess up eggs and bacon".  Well, we were pleasantly surprised to find that their food is fabulous!!  The menu has complex breakfast dishes - all sounding so good that we had a hard choice making a decision of what to order - (definitely no simple eggs and bacon on the menu).

In fact, the food is so excellent that my plan is to get my Portland girlfriends together to pay another visit soon.

After breakfast we headed out to St John's to check out the small village (about a five mile drive from downtown Portland).  


The bridge over the river is unique and the village is charming.  There are lots of apartments and a downtown shopping area filled with local boutiques, cafes and businesses.  Now we're all taking a break to relax, nap, read and get ready for an evening at Old Town Pizza.

THANKSGIVING and More ..............

Lori and Pam flew in from Sacramento this afternoon so the Thanksgiving festivities have begun.  Dinner tonight was the traditional feast of too much food to eat (leaving wonderful leftovers) and lots of wine and conversation.

Tomorrow is lunch at "Q" and a streetcar ride to 23rd Avenue where we can shop at small locally owned boutiques.

No "Black Friday" for us - we're looking ahead to a festive and fun day..

City Lights in Downtown Portland

It's the holiday season so Portland is filled with lights everywhere we go.  The photo that you're looking at across the street from my condo of three police cars, however, is a more typical "lights experience".  Unfortunately, it is one that we see, year round.  Homelessness is a serious problem in the downtown area and it brings out all kinds of emotions.  Because of how I was raised - "If you work hard, you'll have a good life", it's easy to judge these people who have no home, no job, very little money, and none of the comforts that most of us enjoy.  In reality, I've learned that we need to have compassion.  So, at this Thanksgiving time, I'm reaching out to help those who need a greeting, a little money, and a little encouragement.  JOIN ME, IF YOU CAN ................

Stephen King THE INSTITUTE

I just finished reading Stephen King's newest book, "The Institute".  It's disturbing, creepy, touching and horrifyingly believable, all at once.  

Allow some time to read this because once you start, you won't want to put it down until you're finished.  My head is whirling and I'm starting to feel the "hum".  You'll know what I mean when you read it.

SATURDAY AT PORTLAND'S CULINARY WORKSHOP

Saturday started out early for me with a holiday artisan breads class that began at the Culinary Workshop at 9 a.m.  

I was one of twelve students that included two men.  We prepared and baked a Povitica, a traditional Croatian pastry.  It's made from buttery pastry dough stretched very thin and covered with a mixture of walnuts, sugar, bittersweet chocolate and a few other ingredients.  It's rolled into a strudel and baked.


Our next project was Hefenkrantz, a German bread that is braided and shaped into a wreath.  Traditionally, it's a sweet bread but ours was savory, using pecorino cheese and finely minced fresh rosemary and thyme.  The students made one of each of the above breads to take home so both are wrapped in the freezer, ready to defrost and warm on Thanksgiving. While our breads were baking we enjoyed a demonstration of preparing a Christmas Star Twisted Bread that we all enjoyed with cheeses and fruit during the break.

The class was a perfect way to get some "holiday spirit", learn new skills and meet people who love to cook and bake.  It you're in the Portland area, check out their website.  The school offers a large variety of cuisines and they offer cooking classes for children, as well.

Duckhorn Pinot Noir vs. DECOY Pinot Noir

When I'm in a fine dining restaurant, there's always a temptation to order a Duckhorn wine from the Anderson Valley in California.  Only one problem - at least for me - the cost is way above my budget.  Recently, however, I found a second label DECOY that is bottled by Duckhorn (I'm presuming that it's one of their second labels).

This is my second bottle of Decoy Pinot Noir and I'm hopeful that there will be more to come.  If you like a smooth and fruity light red wine, please give this a try.

CHEERS .............. and Happy Thanksgiving

Ready for a new dining experience in Portland? JACK RABBIT

Today I scheduled another Apple class (this one on lenses and tripods that can be added to the iPhone camera).  Did you know that when you take a selfie, you don't have to press the big photo button?  You can take a picture just by pressing either the up or down audio buttons on the side.  It's much easier to hold the camera while taking the photo.  OK, I admit it.  I've never taken a selfie - but stay in touch - I'm working on some soon ...........

OK, now it's time to talk about "JACK RABBIT".  It's a newer downtown restaurant that advertises that it has a celebrity chef, Chris Cosentino, in the kitchen.  It's close to the Apple Store so I decided to check it out.  Good?  OH, YES.

I ordered Grilled Little Gem Nicoise that is prepared with confit fresh albacore, tapenade, steamed potato and soft boiled egg, pickled red pepper and a cream sauce.  The combination of flavors was incredible.  The atmosphere is beautiful, service is good, so I'll be back soon.  If you're in Portland, I know that you'll love dining here.

Portland's Amazon HUB LOCKER at Pearl District Whole Foods

If you're in Portland and you're looking for an Amazon drop off, check out the new hub locker at the Pearl District Whole Foods Market.  You can get in two ways; at a street entrance on the corner of 12th Avenue and Burnside or inside the market (go up to the second floor).

The reason that I prefer this Amazon location is that Whole Foods Market offers free underground parking with a $10 grocery purchase.

Downtown Portland provides so many conveniences - how lucky we are!

NIXON BY NIXON: IN HIS OWN WORDS - a fascinating look at history

The documentary featuring Nixon's resignation from President is a look at the Vietnam War, negotiations with China, the Pentagon Papers leak, his battles with the Press, the Watergate scandal and much more.  If you missed seeing it last night, you can till see it via CNN on Demand from today, November 17th, through November 21st.

Not only is it a glimpse of political history but it portrays the immense responsibility of a man who served as President of our great nation and the danger and repercussions of straying from the law.  

I couldn't help but shed a tear for the ending when he left in the Presidential helicopter - still standing strong, but leaving in disgrace.

Please watch it, if you can.

A Lovely NOVEMBER WEEKEND in Downtown Portland

Today is a marvelous fall day, starting with a misty fog early this morning and ending with wispy white clouds in a deep blue sky.  Fall colors are everywhere except for the trees that have already lost their summer coat, but the ground is covered with a mosaic of colors - all the way from Burgundy red to soft pink.

I had an Apple class scheduled for 10 a.m. (when the store opens) so MAX took me right to the front door at exactly 10:02.  I love the Apple classes and I learn so much but I still have to regularly return to learn more, especially after there's an update.  Next week I'm returning for another class on accessories to enhance I-Phone photos.

Q is only a five block walk from the Apple Store so that was my next stop for brunch.  My favorite seat at the Chef's counter was available so I settled in with a French 75 and then a veggie Benedict prepared with 9 different fresh mushrooms and fresh spinach.

Downtown was quiet this morning but there's already a sign of the upcoming holidays.  The huge Christmas tree was trucked in a few days ago to Pioneer Square and many of the downtown trees are already twinkling with bright lights and huge snowflakes hanging from the branches.  The weather is just cold and crisp enough to put me into the holiday state of mind.

This afternoon it's time to get the fireplace going and enjoying my new book, "Where The Crawdads Sing".  It's on the NYT book list so I hope that I'm not disappointed.

There's so much to be thankful for and now it's time to think ahead to the Thanksgiving festivities.

CANARD Cafe on Burnside in Portland

Tonight was a memorable experience with my friend, Ann, who treated me to Happy Hour at the fabulous cafe, CANARD.

Picture this:

• Foie Gras Dumplings with butternut squash, roasted grapes and sage
• Chorizo and avocado terrine with fajita shrimp salad and cream
• Garlic fries with gouda, chermoula and green goddess dressing
• Steam burgers

Yes, we actually ate all of this plus enjoying our cocktails.  Now we're talking of a return visit because we discovered that they open at 8 a.m. for breakfast and then they turn to a brunch menu, then a lunch menu, a happy hour menu and finally the evening menu.  The food is unforgettable and the best part was sitting at the Chef's bar where we could watch the cooks and talk to them with our questions.

Another great dining experience in Portland.  Lucky us ..................

CELEBRATING TIME WITH MY SON, MICHAEL, IN PORTLAND

The original plans were for Mike and Teresa to both come to visit us this weekend, however, Teresa is a manager at Kaiser Hospital and there is a pending strike that keeps her tied to her office and job.  We really miss seeing her but having Mike here has been a pleasure.  

Friday morning Mike took the train into town from the airport and we hopped onto MAX to meet him at Mother's for a great breakfast.  That started out the day with lots of talking and "catching up" so time went quickly.

Saturday, of course, is Farmer's Market so Mike and I did a little food shopping and then had Biscuits and Gravy at the Pine Street Biscuits Food Cart at the market.  They have a restaurant on 23rd Avenue and the food is fabulous!

Today we planned a tour of the Columbia Gorge waterfalls but Mother Nature didn't cooperate.  The forecast was for sunshine and 60 degrees - - - reality was fog, followed by rain, followed by wind and a low temperature of 54.  We decided a brisk walk and lunch at Jake's Crawfish was a better idea.

It has been a great weekend but the fun is almost over.  Mike goes back home tonight ......