If you are looking for one of the most fabulous restaurants in Portland, then Higgins is the one. Tonight we shared a spinach salad with roasted beets and bleu cheese, followed by a small plate of razor clams and finally a flank steak entre with a port wine reduction. To make it perfect we took a 1999 Mondavi reserve limited edition wine to accompany the meal. Yes, I'm still writing about food but when the girls leave I'm going to have to stop dining out for awhile and get back to reality.
We girls are having a great time this weekend. Today all three of us had pedicures and manicures followed with a walk down to Alder Street where there are about a dozen or more food trailers. Everything from a variety of Asian foods, Ukrainian, Mexican, Crepes, Soups, Indian and more. It was fun because we could each choose our own style of lunch and the prices are reasonable. It is so beautiful today that everyone was out so the lines were long.
Pictured is Pam and Lori out on my front balcony. We're getting ready to take appetizers and wine to join our friend, Merry, in her condo upstairs and then we're off to Higgins for dinner. The girls fly out tomorrow afternoon so we've been out every minute possible.
My new shipment of sterling came today from San Francisco so after they leave, I'm planning to get some work done on eBay.
The morning started with breakfast at the condo (we cooked wonderful fresh things from the Farmer's Market). Then after a glass of champagne we headed for the streetcar and rode it all the way to 23rd Avenue. I've always just traveled in the free zone so today I had to learn how to buy tickets. 23rd Avenue consists of at least 12 blocks filled with darling cafes and boutique shops. I've been looking for Chai tea and we found a shop that specializes in it with about a dozen different blends. I have a cup steeping now and the smell is amazing with cinnamon, cloves, orange peel and lots of other spices. After walking through both sides of 23rd we stopped at a cafe with outdoor seating and had drinks and appetizers. Bella was in heaven because there were darling dogs everywhere so she got lots of dog and people attention. She was so tired I had to carry her back home. Before catching the streetcar back we stopped at a small market on 21st and Johnson to buy a baguette, sliced meats, olives and more wonderful things to add to the imported cheeses that Lori brought from her store. Tonight will be a snack night instead of cooking dinner. The weather today is a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 - balmy and sunny with temps about 70 degrees. People are outside everywhere and the parks are mobbed with families. It's truly a lovely and happy day and the girls and I are having a great time enjoying the wonderful things that Portland has to offer.
Most of my friends are still married but now that I'm a single I've learned that it's difficult for an older woman to find a man for love and/or companionship. SO, I have to tell you about the older woman who walks into a bar, sits on a bar stool next to a man her age and starts a conversation. When they start talking she asks him what he does for a living and he says that he was just released from prison. She asks him why he was in prison and he replies that he murdered his wife.
And - she says "So, you're single?"
Well, friends - that's pretty much how it is...................................................
I picked up the girls from the airport at 10:45 and by 11:30 we were at the downtown Farmer's Market. It was later than when I usually go so the pate man was sold out and there were no "happy eggs from happy chickens". We did manage to pick up some breakfast tarts and lamb sausage for tomorrow morning's breakfast. After the market we took the streetcar to Kenny & Zukes Deli where they specialize in pastrami and corned beef sandwiches. That place is amazing and they are always busy so after a wait we sat at the counter and watched the chefs while they were cooking and joked around with them when they weren't busy. The guy in the photo is wearing a shirt "Body By Pastrami" and he is adorable (he cooks well, too). Then we made it to Powell's Book Store to pick up some reading material - then on to Whole Foods where we picked up fresh fish and other wonderful things for tonight's dinner. SO, do we just eat when we get together???? Well - yes - with a little wine to wash it down. OK, maybe lots of wine.
Well, it's 4:20 so it's cocktail time somewhere............................
Oh, my. Tomorrow's forecast is about 70 degrees and we're all practically dancing in the streets. Bella is exhausted after watching me and a new friend having a marathon backgammon game this morning. (Well, I lost - but there's a rematch in the near future).
Friday nights at the Lincoln Tower are a great way for the residents to get together and have a cocktail and appetizers. We consider it a social event (but you really know that we just gossip about everything going on here). It gives me a good reason to try to be discrete but that doesn't always work (smile). Lori and Pam are really excited about their visit and with the weather being so nice, we're going to be "out and about" most of the time. Kenny & Zuke's and the Farmer's Market are on the top of tomorrow's list. Then we need to hit Pearl Bakery, Whole Foods and Peets for some course ground beans for French Press. Why do I always talk about food?????? Because it's a good thing.
Today was a great day because I was able to make over $300 for a local Catholic School who had some items that needed to be auctioned. I volunteer the time and labor and they will get the full proceeds. It keeps me busy and I know that I'm doing something for the community.
As usual the weather report was misleading. The forecast was for thunder and hail storms this afternoon so when I left the condo at 10 a.m. I was bundled up for a winter's day. As it turned out, the sun was out most of the day. I had another class at the Oasis Learning Center - an advanced class on organizing e-mail files and using other tools. I was amazed at how little I knew. After class I walked by Jakes Grill and since it was lunch time, I stopped for the Blue Plate Special ($7.95) and it was delicious.
The day didn't start out too well, however. One of the garden units left water running and it overflowed into some of the storage units (yes mine was one of them). Water came in through the ceiling and along the outside wall. Right now my service room is full of stuff drying out and there will be more things that will have to be discarded when the water stops. Yes, it's still dripping so security guards will monitor the units through the night and try to avoid any more damage.
I'm looking forward to a great long weekend because Pam and Lori will be flying in early Saturday morning. Kenny & Zukes is already on order and the weather is supposed to be dry and in the 60s (crossed fingers). Needless to say, we girls will have lots of fun and lots of laughs.
