SO - What's NEW ???

It has been awhile since I've "blogged" so it's time for an update.  July 4th is always an important date because my only grandchild was born on that day - Ashley is a grown woman now and a mother but I still remember every minute of the day that she was born.  Little Zoey is so adorable and Ashley is generous with sharing pictures as she rapidly grows.

Jessica also shares a July birthday (born on July 2nd) so we also celebrate her special day - but wishing that we lived closer to share the celebration with them both.

Roger has been busy organizing his studio and working on ideas for his new paintings. 

I've been busy building a website for him - still not quite finished, but looking pretty good - with his new business name "Persepolis Art Studio".  We're learning so much, as an example, how to have paintings professionally photographed and how to transfer the images to canvas that Roger stretches onto canvas bars.  It's amazing to see how close the images are to the actual paintings.

Along with Roger's art projects, I've decided to do some "life improvements" such as having the dings and dents repaired and painted on the RAV 4 (2008 model with only 45,000 miles on the odometer), selling some unnecessary furniture on Craig's List, having carpet and upholstery professionally cleaned and generally doing some simple redecorating. 

We've been enjoying beautiful weather - today is my favorite temp at low 80s so the sliding doors have been open all day so we can enjoy the fresh air.

After doing extensive tests on Bella (big $$) we've learned that she doesn't have congestive heart failure.  The best guess is that she has a problem with her trachea so we'll keep working on a solution.  She still coughs and chokes a lot but her appetite is good and she has lots of energy so we are encouraged about her future.

Roger had his quarterly chemo this week so he's still "dragging" a little but he continues to have an excellent attitude and we're hopeful that he'll be back to "normal" in another day or so.

This weekend I'm going to attend the local "O'Gallerie Auction House" with the hope that I can start selling sterling again.  The prices have leveled out so now I have to see what people are bidding. 

Tomorrow is my favorite day when I can visit the Farmer's Market.  This time of the year everything is fabulous so the refrigerator will be full when I get home.

Enjoy summer and the weekend !!

We're All Going To POT....................

It has been amusing to read the extensive information about Oregon's newly implemented "pot" law.  We've read a full newspaper page about pot questions and where and how to grow our own plants.

Today, we're getting a lesson on "How to handle marijuana etiquette in social settings".  I have a full complement of wine and cocktail glasses so it looks like I'll have to stock weed paraphernalia to become the perfect Oregonian hostess..................................

Just kidding................. of course

Ashley and Zoey....................

Little Zoey is almost three months old and mom Ashley is more beautiful than ever.

Life is good........................

5 course dinner at Mucca

www.muccaosteria.com


Tonight Allison and I enjoyed a "once in a lifetime experience" with a five course tasting dinner that included a special wine with each course.

We didn't realize that we were getting TEN different dishes - therefore becoming a "tasting" since we ate off of each other's plates (something we have no problem with).  Here's a list of the dishes that we remember:

One appetizer was prosciutto with a creamy cheese sauce and something else (we were too excited to write it down.

Octupus Terrine with Roasted Bell Pepper Gelato

Seared Sea Scallops Truffle-Parmesan Fondue
Roasted Quail (with a sauce that was delicious)

Northwest Cod Ravioli, Tagglasche Olives, Sundried Tomatoes, Capers and Pine Nuts
Egg Pappardelle Pasta with wild mushrooms (that's all that I can remember)


Roasted Fresh Halibut
Pan Roasted Pistachio Crusted Squab Breast, Garden Veggies, Red Beet Puree

A trio of desserts:
Cioccolatine (a Flourless Belgium chocolate cake)
Semifreddo all/Amaretto
Pannacotta

We're not done.  With each course of two different dishes we were served a fabulous Italian or Spanish wine that complemented each dish.  Yes.................. there were eight different wines - all exceptional.

This special treat was complements of the Chef/Owner Simone Savalano, so the waiters were generously thanked for the excellent service.

Allison and I agree that this was truly "an experience of a lifetime" - one that likely won't be repeated.  Life is good................. and we LOVE Portland ................

In this picture, Allison looks very mellow but she's still looking ahead to her dessert.

Notice the eyes?  This is a girl who has drank a little too much wine.  But.............. it's OK - right?

Happy Father's Day.....................

It's a gorgeous day in Portland so we enjoyed lunch outside at River Front.  Even Miss Bella got to go along.  Roger is enjoying being a VIP today so he gets to do whatever he chooses.  What would that be?  Well, starting with a cup of tea, a chair nap and maybe.............. starting a new painting - that's about all.

Time to Barbecue.............

Gorgeous weather - so it's time to fire up the barbecue!  We started tonight with chicken legs marinated all day in soy sauce, dry sherry and catsup with some sliced fresh garlic and fresh herbs.

My favorite is corn on the cob that Roger barbecues for about 30 minutes so it's caramelized.  Guess what I'm buying tomorrow....................  I clean the cob, slather the corn with butter and seasoning.  Then I wrap it in double thick foil and Roger just lays it on the grill and turns it every few minutes.  Try it - you'll love the flavor.

We're told that it will be 100 degrees next week Sunday so I'm thinking that I need to talk Roger into a drive to the ocean where it will be much cooler.  Summer is definitely here!

Blue Ribbon Kitchen - Cordon Bleu Cooking Class

This morning I headed out early to attend a six hour cooking class at the downtown Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute.  The theme today was "Mexican" which included:

• Fresh corn tortillas
• Adobo Roast Pork
• Carne Asada
• Frijoles Negros Arrox (black beans and rice)
• Pico de Gallo
• Salsa Verde
• Guacamole
• Nopales Salad (cactus)
• Cinnamon-sugar Churros
• Mexican chocolate dipping sauce

There were seven in the class so we divided up to take individual charge of a dish.  I made the Salsa Verde and I was amazed at how differently it tastes from that little plastic container that comes with your taco at a food cart.  It has a rich flavor that tastes wonderful on everything.  Then we had a chance to work with other students who had more complicated dishes so I also learned how to make a delicious hand made corn tortilla and two meat dishes.  (My next purchase will have to be a sturdy tortilla press).

Not only did we eat a fabulous lunch, but we were able to bring food home so our 'fridge has two salsas, black beans and Adobo Roast Pork.  (Sounds like Sunday lunch to me!).