Brilliant!

I've always considered my friend Abby to be creative beyond belief and one who can be trusted as a source for beautiful and clever crafty ideas. Look at what she did this time:
She wrapped up little handmade goodies in a repurposed Yogi Tea box that had been disassembled and then reassembled inside out. Tying a bow on was the perfect touch. Love it.
I just checked her blog - she's done a grand job of describing her methods and techniques. I especially love her shrinky-dink display (people, can we come up with a better name for these marvels!?). Just keep it up, Abby!

Dolly

Our niece Anna is turning one (my how times flies!) and I whipped up a little doll for her birthday.

The pattern is based on one from Black Apple (this lady makes beautiful dolls). I had to modify it significantly for adequate seam allowances, but it served as a decent base of inspiration to start from.

Really Charles?

Do you notice anything strange about these bottles?
(no, its not an optical illusion)
Yes! The one on the left is smaller than the one on the right.
This struck us as odd.

We happened to have two empties on hand to compare,
which looked about the same size.

How can this be?

Ryan: A Study

Birthday bits

Images above are from a recent birthday happy hour

Yesterday was my birthday and, I must say, it was a day well spent. We went to breakfast at Sckavone's with the Greys' and met a few other friendly faces while we were there.

Then Ryan indulged me in the most magnificent way by going around town with me to all my favorite shops, including the fabric store, several kitchen stores (I'm considering purchasing a hand-cranked pasta machine and want the best deal), and the spice shop.

For lunch (and this is the best part, people) we happened upon a tiny & authentic Italian restaurant and were served the most amazing meal by a friendly and beautiful lady from Italy and her charming husband. They fed us lots of fresh focaccia, a small plate of sweet gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, and salami, and two quite perfect pasta dishes. Then there was the tiramisu. I think I've found my favorite restaurant in Portland. It's not your typical place, mind, so check out their website if you're thinking of swinging by!

Yesterday afternoon we got home, I took a nap, and the mister made a grand dinner involving filet mignon, garlic fries, a huge salad, and a bite of cheesecake from New Jersey.

All in all a perfect day.

Healthful dinners for one

I recently discovered the New York Times Well blog - a treasure trove of information on fitness, nutrition, and health. The latest post titled "A More Healthful Dinner for One" caught my attention.

Five recipes in all, they appear to be good for you and fairly quick to make. Ryan and I struggle with too many leftovers and often strive to halve recipes. In this case, we'd double the recipe, end up with just enough, and call it good.

Schenectady, NY visits Portland, OR

Ryan's cousin Justin came for a visit recently from Schenectady, NY (Ryan's hometown) with no less than nine of his closest friends for a whirlwind tour of Portland and the coast. And let me tell you, the lot of them was like one big traveling party, making friends everywhere they went and walking this town like they owned the place. It was great for us because not only did we get to catch up with the coz', but we got to meet some of his friends and be introduced to a few new-to-us local venues on their itinerary.

At the Horse Brass. For breakfast.

Under the Morrison Bridge after dinner at the Montage.

Justin at the Gold Dust Meridian.

Ryan's inevitable self-portrait.

Some atmosphere at McMenamins Kennedy School, where the group was staying.

More atmosphere.

It was a great visit and we hope for another one soon, perhaps next time on the east side.

The flu and food

I am at home recovering from the stomach flu. Those who know me well know that I don't usually get sick, and certainly have never had the flu before. So let's just say the last few days have been my worst nightmare, and that Ryan - bless his heart - has had his hands full.

After subsisting on Gatorade (G Series - whatever that is), saltine crackers, and a little Jello, my appetite is starting to return. That may be, in part, to the package Dad has in the mail to us from Omaha Steaks, which includes filet mignon, sole stuffed with scallops & crab, and cheescake, just to name a few of the tasty treats. The fact that these items sound appetizing, and not the opposite, is a good sign indeed that I will one day enjoy food again.

On that note, I have recently come across a handful of recipes that look so good I hope to be whipping them up in the not-too-distant future:

Ham and Cheese Bake
Chicken Marsala
BBQ Chicken Pizza (I've actually made something very similar before and its good stuff)
The Best Frosting Ever
Perfect Panna Cotta (a new favorite dessert - I'm most excited about this one)

Bon appetit!

After-the-fact add-ons:
(I'm adding these post-post because boy do they look good!)
Spinach and Chickpeas
Caramelized Onion & Prosciutto Pizza
Breakfast Pizza (this one's for my ninja, I mean hubby)

Happy Birthday quilted table runner, in final form

Really, its just a "Let's celebrate!" quilted table runner, probably for girls, with coordinating dessert napkins.

Just like store-bought chocolate chip cookies!

Made these chocolate chippers last weekend. The recipe calls for a box of vanilla instant pudding, which really does seem to make all the difference. Guaranteed "chewy," people. Give them a try.

NW views

On a recent day trip to Hood River, OR:

New kid on the block

There's a new spice shop in town, downtown to be precise, aptly named The Spice and Tea Exchange.

Last night, as part of our date night (which involved some Poutine - thank you Canada - at The Original Dinerant, some art viewing at the Architectural Heritage Center, some happy birthday celebrating for an old comrade at Maui's on Williams, and a late night snack at Burgerville), we stopped in the pretty little shop to take a looksie. It was sensory overload, to be sure, and hard to pick just one thing to take home. In the end, Ryan found some Backwoods Hickory Rub which promises to be sensational and I selected a bag of Black Truffle Salt, something I am SO excited about I can hardly stand it.

I hear the black truffle salt is good on homemade fries. I intend to find out. By the way, the salt tastes like my favorite pizza at my favorite pizza place.

What else can I tell you on this fine and aggressively SUNNY Saturday morning? Just that I couldn't be more excited for this newest shop to join downtown and that its worth checking out stat.

His name is Henry

And he's totally stolen my heart! Tonight Ryan and I got to play aunt & uncle to our friends' darling babe for a few hours and it was sweet bliss. He is funny and happy and all smiles unless you try to put him down for a single instant. Heaven!


Kind of makes us miss our own nieces and nephew over on the eastern seaboard. Sigh.

Hero Bags

I came across these bags in a recent Bon Appetit magazine and grew instantly smitten.

Imagine packing your noon day meal in a Pork Lunch Tote...
...Or bringing a hostess gift in one of these?
Aren't they fun?! These carriers are completely reminiscent of the standard canvass reusable totes, but have a quirkiness to them that sets them apart. I'll take one of each!