Chilly

After a full day of unexpected rain yesterday, it was nice to have a cool and sunny one today.  Now, it's downright nippy at 60˚!

These are a few of my blankets from India (remember the shopping spree to Tuesday Morn?). The striped wool blanket is from the Pendelton Woolen Mill Store in Portland, OR. What wonderful memories. I love it out there. 

It's kinda felt Portlandesque here these past few days.

I love when there is a chill in the air.

Labels:  Portland, Oregon

Street Food

Before leaving for Portland, I did my research on food carts around the city. The kid and I did make our way to them and had a most wonderful lunch. I chose this cart, sorry, I don't have the name (shame on me!). The gent was making pita sandwiches from local produce and meats; so I chose his cart.  Unfortunately--well not really--but the three folks ahead of me got the last of the pita. "Who needs pita?" And this is what he dished out for me.

He threw a big ol' slab of meatloaf on the foil, smashed potatoes and a mustard white gravy. You could have knocked me down. So you see, it wasn't unfortunate at all not having pita. You agree? Talk about food for the soul.

The kid chose The Frying Scotsman to prepare his lunch; and the gent truly was Scottish. His brogue was so thick, he had to repeat himself several times to me. Fish and chips were, of course, his specialty. (No pics as the kid had almost finished his by the time I got back to our little spot on the block; but y'all have seen fish and chips before.)

We passed The Grilled Cheese Grill several times in the Alberta neighborhood where we took our classes. Did we stop and eat there? No. Did I see it on TV after returning home and want to kick myself? Yes. Listen to this: grilled cheese with mac & cheese, pulled pork and caramelized onions. Ok, next time, for sure!

So, yesterday, I'm sitting around reading the local City Paper and find out that Nashville has its own food trucks. Wha? Where? Who???? Guess I've been living under a rock. In fact, I have. I've been calling myself a hermit. Guess I'm going through a stage. ha. Regardless, looky at what I've dug up! Who knew?

 Pizza Buds

 The Grilled Cheeserie

The Bang Candy Company

The Latin Wagon 

Mas Tacos

Tin Can Treats

Barbie Burgers

(No photo, but just think pink camper with barbies on top. Too cooooool.)

And I am extremely happy about our latest addition to the caravan, Taste of Belgium. You know I'm gonna be on this one lickety split!

I've enjoyed finding some new local bloggers while researching all these places today. That's always a bonus.

I'm hoping the hub and I can go testing later in the week. Will let ya know. Wink.

PS Sorry, but most of these wagons only had Twitter accounts. I do not.

Why We Fell in Love With Portland & Oregon

Friendly rallies.  

                                                          

Mass transit. 

 Art shops with . . . CLASSES!

  

Meandering rivers and roads.

Extremely friendly natives.

And the most beautiful views you'll ever find.

Not to mention the best foods! 

And the most beautiful gardens. 

With homes to die for.

Sigh.

I'm Alive, I Promise!

I am so bad, I know. I apologize. I have photos from everywhere to share and I just keep pushing them aside. What is up with that?  Yes, Easter is around the corner, so you KNOW I'm decorating! I found these wonderful chicks stashed in the basement. Bought them at Harrod's this summer (on the 1/2 off table) and completely forgot about them. They are tooooo cute! (Note the Oregonian rocks I carried home?)

Earlier in the week, we got slammed with more storms. I noticed the doves hunkered down on the bird feeder and saw the storm coming (round II). The wind started whipping and I went to get something to tie the bird feeders down with and . . . 

Boom!  By the time I got back to the door, a wall of water hit. Literally. We lost shingles on the roof which I am still finding in the yard. Thank goodness I had already made an appointment for our roofer to come out and do some other work. Lord knows what's going on up there now!

We were so enamored with pancakes for dinner in Portland, we made them again. This time, I made fried pears. 

YUM! And yes, I'm soooo fat!

Recipe for 2:

1 pear

1 T butter

1 T honey

1/4 t cinnamon

1/4 t lemon and/or orange zest

spec of nutmeg

Easy peasy. Enjoy!

Portland, OR

We made it Portland, finally!  I already feel like I'm home.  We are loving it here.

I had my first (and last) Bloody Mary at breakfast.  Yuk.

We found Besaw's around the corner. Yum. Everything was great. Good thing I cleansed before I got out here, huh?

 Of course, we made a bee-line to the big toy shop in town, Finnegan's.

We ran into a peace rally. How cool is this?  Reminds me of my childhood!

Don't think you'd see this in Nashville.

Look at the dalmatian with a message!

 Lunch at Little Big Burger.

Then back to the hotel to look at our goodies!

 The kid's.

 Ours.

And my toys! Smurfs! I remember in high school German class, our teacher brought these back with her from Germany. I love them!

Ok, time for a siesta, now. I so seepy.