Looking for something warm and yummy on New Years ???

Today I'm sharing an idea for a perfect New Year's drink.  It's a compilation of several ideas that I got from local bartenders.  I won't give you specific measurements so you can feel free to make this to your personal taste.

The basics are:

Take a warm heat resistant glass and add honey (I generally use about 2 tablespoons), squeeze some fresh lemon juice into glass and throw the lemon wedge in the glass.  Add whisky or cognac and about 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice.  Stir with a cinnamon stick and add hot water.

Just the aroma is wonderful and the taste is even better.  Happy New Year !!!

Girl's Annual New Year's Eve Lunch at CORBETT FISH HOUSE

For the past six years the "girls" go out for a Pre-New Year's Eve lunch and today, it was at Corbett Fish House in the Lair Hill area close to where we live.  If you're in the area, please check this place out - it's an old time neighborhood cafe that specializes in every kind of fish available.

corbetfishhouse.com

Our lunch together is a wonderful time to discuss the year past and the anticipation of the new year ahead.  



Allison and Rae are in the first photo and Ann and me (Janice) below.



I send much love and happy new year wishes to my lovely friends ....... 














                                                                                                                                                                                                  

An Artist's rendition of a Christmas Card

Special occasions are always even more special when I receive a hand painted card from my artist husband, Roger.

He spends many hours working on the cards (trying to hide them when I visit his studio) so they are truly appreciated.

We are so fortunate to have found a new love at our advanced ages.

Merry Christmas - Happy New Year to you all.

READY for Christmas ???

Christmas celebrations change as we become older - much less activity, fewer gifts, less food  - but, there's still the glow of enjoyment and the sharing of love with each other and friends and family.  

Roger and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a new year that is joyful and filled with new experiences and new opportunities. 

BOMBSHELL and KENNY & ZUKES - a Monday in Portland ..........

One reviewer writes "Bombshell" is a scalding and powerful movie about what selling, in America, has become. The film is about selling sex, selling a candidate, selling yourself, selling the truth."

Ann and I had a "ME" day today; first seeing "Bombshell" at the Living Room Theater (with the prerequisite Irish coffee) and then, lunch at Kenny & Zuke's (Rueben sandwiches).  Portland offers so many options but we must admit that we've started getting into a rut by doing the same routines.  

The sky was blue with puffy clouds - cold but lovely, so we even talked ourselves into a little extra walking (maybe to burn a few of those calories).

My only concern is that FOX TV still features women wearing suggestive clothing (and, of course, they have perfect bodies).  Is that what people want on a news channel?  Just asking ............

A HATEFI CHRISTMAS ................

Christmas came early this year with a festive dinner with Roger's son, Brian, and wife, Carolyn, and grandson, Aaron and wife Leah.

Roger did the Persian dishes and I cooked the rest so it was a combined effort that everyone loved.  



SO, now it's time for us to put our feet up and look ahead to some quiet time (and lots of leftovers).

"PERCEPTION IS REAL BUT THE TRUTH IS NOT" Imelda Marcos

SO - you may be thinking that U.S. politics have hit "rock bottom".  If you do, it's time for you to see the movie "Kingmaker".

One website states "The film about the Philippines' former First Lady Imelda Marcos reveals a grotesquely self-pitying, wholly unrepentant and very rich woman, who has clearly still kept her hands on a great deal of the American aid money that successive US presidents once gave the Philippines in return for suppressing communism and civil rights and showing hospitality to US naval power - cash that she and her husband, Ferdinand, looted from the public purse and salted away abroad."

I highly recommend that you see this movie - however, you'll leave with a sour taste in your mouth.......... and you'll face the reality of corruption and entitlement of politicians, here in the United States and throughout the world.

APPLE Photo Class and Q Restaurant brunch

I found a perfect way to enjoy a cold and rainy Portland day - first by attending an Apple Photo class at Pioneer Square - then walking to "Q" for brunch.  On the way I practiced using my Fisheye lens on my I-Phone.  I'm still using a series 8 phone so the camera capabilities aren't as good as on the newer phones, but I still manage to get some interesting photos using a fisheye and macro lens that I attach to the phone camera.

Q never lets me down.  I'm thinking that maybe I go there too often because today I was greeted by three different people who knew my name (no, I didn't have reservations).  I always sit at the Chef's counter so the executive chef and sous chefs are accustomed to seeing me each time I eat there.

One of the chefs is from Mexico and he has shared several family recipes with the restaurant so today I ordered CHILAQUILES which is described as "Tortillas in Red Chile Sauce, Scrambled Eggs, Queso Fresco, Guacamole and Creme Fraiche".  Delicious doesn't begin to describe this dish - it was amazing...............

Somehow I managed to escape being caught in rain so the MAX took me there and home again (10 minutes each way).  



YES, I'm still in love with Portland ....................

Happy Holidays !!!

PORTLAND CHART HOUSE ON A RAINY THURSDAY

Lunch for those of us in the "golden years" is an event that we take seriously.  Today, my friend Rae and I drove up the hill to one of our favorite places to dine, CHART HOUSE.  If you're in Portland and you haven't been there - TRUST ME - it's always fabulous with food and service at 5*****.  The view makes it even more special - all the way from Mt. Hood to Mt. St. Helens.

One word of caution, however.  If you're dining there from today through January 2nd. you MUST have a reservation and you should also be prepared to still wait for a table.  (It will be worth it).





I am very fortunate to have some amazing single women friends here at American Plaza.  My friends have wonderful lifetime experiences to share and they all have a zest for life.  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!

SCROOGE IN ROUGE at Triangle Productions

Allison and I just returned home from a matinee performance of "Scrooge in Rouge" at the Triangle Theater at the Sanctuary at Sandy Plaza.  Don Horn, the owner of the theater, is the creator of this hilarious play based on the "Christmas Carol".  We haven't laughed this much in months.  We have season tickets so we get our favorite seats on the front row so we sometimes become part of the "action".  

IF YOU CAN GET TICKETS, DO.  IT'S A GREAT INTRODUCTION TO THE CHRISTMAS SEASON !


Lori and Pam introduced me to "Lovely Rita" so I shared this new find with Allison.  She and I both agree that there is no better meal than a cheese burger and this chef truly makes the best we've ever eaten.  Now we can regret the calories, but not the experience.  

Allison treated me to our happy hour experience so THANKS, friend ..............

Portland's American Plaza MAGNIFICENT CONDO FOR RENT

MADISON 1645 AVAILABLE FOR RENT SOON

Madison 1645 will be available for rent after January 15th.  The condo has 2062 square feet, with two balconies; one facing west to the West Hills and one facing east to the Willamette River with a third view of the OSHU Medical Center.  The views are magnificent. 2 bedrooms, large den/office, 2 baths, upgraded bathrooms, a recent installation of energy efficient appliances and more.  Rent is $3,250.  Assigned underground parking and a storage unit is included.  No pets / no smoking.For more information, contact Janice Friedli at (503) 206-7666 or goldturtle@comcast.net

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALLISON - Another Epic Year is Starting .....

Our friend, Rae, hosted Ann, Allison and me for a dinner to celebrate Allison's 81st birthday tonight.  Lots of great food and wine and lots of "girl talk".  Being in the 80s doesn't sound so bad anymore - in fact, we're thinking it's just plain FABULOUS ............

Rae, our lovely hostess - Thanks for a fabulous evening !!

HOLIDAY BULB FLOWERS FROM Trader Joe's

Potted bulbs are such fun to watch as they bloom, and during the holidays you can get a variety at Trader Joe's - all at a reasonable price.

These little beauties started blooming on Thanksgiving day.

Leaving Thanksgiving - Heading Straight to Christmas .....

SO, the girls are safely home - I'm vowing to "never eat again" - and the house is "beginning to look a lot like Christmas".

Yesterday was the final day of decadence - waffles for breakfast, the movie "KNIVES OUT" (fabulous and fun), a stopover at Whole Foods for a wine and cheese run, and finally ------ home to an authentic Persian dinner, all cooked by Roger.  

CHEERS ..........