We have definitely overbooked November. NanoWrimo, sewing classes, Opera, free concerts, fashion shows, and book clubs. Rob took me out for a belated birthday, starting with bacon wrapped dates stuffed with chevre and an almond. The restaurant's name is Veritable Quandry. The cooking staff was all women that night. And we lingered over the meal for two hours. The hazelnut fed organic pork chops melted in your mouth, so juicy and tender they didn't need a fork, the nutty flavor would have made Nero Wolf eat his heart out. I had a drink called the Fall and it was sublime - when I closed my eyes I could see the dancing leaves of color (hey it was only one drink) For desert I had a super natural experience with a chocolate souffle drizzled with dark chocolate sauce. Oh heaven, I tell you! Definitely a restaurant to get reservations at if you ever visit the area. All you foodies -- heads up - Robert smiled through the whole meal.
Next he took me for a short walk up the street and to the Keller Auditorium, where we watched Phillip Glass's Orphee (opera). Amazing! Our only complaint was that the audience wore a lot of perfume. The performance and orchestra where stellar in this modern retelling of the movie. How they worked out the mirror scenes was amazing and clever. It was a perfect compliment to the excellent dinner we just had.
The walk to the bus stop was spectacular- down town was all aglow, the tree wrapped in white Christmas lights, twinkling the falling leaves. A great birthday. Robert bowls me over again!

One of the groups we signed up for, to meet locals, had an event that we attended, an underground tour of Portland. Wow, what an history. It was great fun to listen about all the characters in Portland's past and was totally shocked about all the bigotry and racism that surfaced in that history too. Definitely wasn't what I was expecting but it was a good time and we met some folks.

Back at home Chef Robert fixed braised lamp shanks in orange olive and tomato sauce. Ummm WOW. The meat virtually fell of the bone, no knife was needed and every succulent tender morsel sent me real-ling. The brussel sprouts were tender yet firm, rich in a sauce of white wine and caramelized pearl onions. God I love this guy! (Hey put in an order for this when you visit!)

I made my first pumpkin pie from scratch with gluten free crust, also made an apple pie. They were okay- the crust still isn't perfect yet, practice practice practice. The pumpkins were marvelous though- so yummy and sweet roasted.

Oh and the roller coaster didn't end there. In the spirit of recycle and reuse, I went to the fashion show "Junk to Funk" with one of the women from my sewing group. What a hoot! We also got to be up right up against the runway- great for shots:

junk2funk

Love those shoes!

Okay- I've got lots of excuses for not posting. Not going to spill them here--- just rant ;-).
How come all the restaurants I've been to lately give Rob all the ice in the water? Is it a conspiracy? Do women in Portland not like ice in their water? What? No one anemics here? When I ask for ice, how come the sneer? Okay- started just switching glasses after waitstaff leaves the table. Only notable exception was the male waiter- who never returned to the table. Grr.  NOTICE: Waitstaff, I leave BIGGER tips for ice! (I know it's a compulsion- ice eaters unite!) Bring on the trays!
Now sew...here's my new baby.

Back to sewing, been watching several green sewing podcast videos- so....while Rob was looking for a chic lamp at VV, I bought 20 or so old sweaters (99 cents each) so I can reconstruct into a coat. Washing them and properly tacking them out to dry so I can cut them up and sew them is testing my patience. Whose virtue is that? ;-) So am now covering all the couch pillows with some groovy 70's material while I wait. Dogs dig it man- you know they can't be fully comfortable without a pillow!

Going to be struggle this next month doing NaNoWriMo and trying to balance my sewing cravings, wish me luck and many words!

"What are you mumbling?"
"I'm trying to get all the bad words out of my mouth"
Another Thin Man

Oh I am so spoiled...look what Rob went and got me to cheer me up! Gluten free beer and my very own jug! Isn't he sweet? (note: Yep that's a North Fork Brewery Glass!) won't be feeling anything after this ;-) GO PHILLIES!

While sitting at the Hob Nob Grille this morning drinking my $2 dollar mimosa (mmmm good) and eavesdropping on those around me, I remembered that I hadn't posted my photos from my birthday. So here they are:
Birthday09
I had a blast downtown, at the Chinese garden - I took over 200 photos- but thought I would share the highlights including the surprise of a gluten free beer - fresh on tap. Thanks Deshutes ! Note no photos after the beer- just happy I got on the right bus to come home ;-0
It just goes to show that the simple things are the best- a leaf caught up in a whirlpool, the foam on a good beer and public transportation.
Also I made a plan for November (you know NaNoWriMo is here again!). I'm going to hang out at the Hob Nob, drink Journalists (awesome martinis) with my laptop and water pistol and play Hemingway. Sound like fun? WARNING: this might be the mimosas speaking.
I can't think of a better spot than the local bar/restaurant to find story ideas.
Tonight the temperature is dropping, the leaves are rustling and fall is stretching it's cool fingers our way. Here comes my favorite time of year!

Whew- what a roller coaster. My legs are still a little trembly and eyes are trying to focus. If I didn't strongly disbelieve in the flu shot I'd tell you all to go out and get one ;-) But the world has turned right side up (I'm allowed out of bed and on the computer- Yea!) Got a few shots to share with you from before the whole retching business. I'm going to put up an album with all the interesting houses that I stumble upon. Here are the first two:
High Living:

Okay the one from above was for the dogs...they didn't get out much this week.

Many new events and happenings here. MJ and Grace had their first experience on leash at a public park- with (gasp) other dogs (I'm having a little sleep in problem so don't get to the park early enough). Gracie handled it with glee (she's Happy the Dog) however MJ wanted and thought by right the park belong to her exclusively (Hollywood Star syndrome), how dare someone else bring their mutt on her property and hey you in the tug boat, you are too close to shore and my park! (Bark, bark- I'm sure there was a few choice words I missed in translation as she did her "Doggy Dearest" impersonation- where's that wire hanger?)  Alas it was fun for both of them and they napped for the rest of the afternoon. Unfortunately I didn't get any snapshots- too busy with the scoop bags, leash de-tangling and snack/small dog (and yes those are interchangeable) look out. Better luck next time, although MaryJane may be attending some "finishing school" classes. Poor Zero, hasn't settled in yet to go to the park- he still thinks the mailman is a threat- but at least is no longer trying to bite the mail coming through the mail slot in our door, and that little boy down the street really sounds like a dog whistle to him (the pitch is high enough believe me!)
Rob and I have also have had a few firsts, starting with VegFest (vegan festival) which was a grazing event - yum! Oktoberfest at Belmont Station (the place of 1000 beers) and guess what? Six- count them six gluten free beers! Embarrassing to say 2 beers (I didn't get to sample each!) and well I was wishing I hadn't worn heels, or had to hear Rob's snickers. The staff was very kind. Luckily we live only a few blocks away.
Our first guests arrived! Whoo Hoo! Jeff and Janine stopped by on their way to visit family. Not only was this a first in our new nest, but I realized that it had been since November 4, 2004 since we've had visitors. (Another stigma of the Bush regime) Here's a photo of our first brave guests (on one of our only chairs):

We really enjoyed their visit and hope they didn't notice how rusty of hosts that we are. The babies out shined us by behaving really well. Only a few howls from Grace (I'm sure she was singing her joy) and MJ was gracious. They know good people when they meet them ;-) Thanks Jeff and Janine

A few other surprising firsts that we have stumbled upon: full buses of polite and respectful people, gluten-free bakeries, restaurants that have a gluten free menu and gasp- know what gluten is without explanation, libraries open on SUNDAYS (twilight zone!), neighbors who welcome you to the area and want to get to know you (they actually swap insurance and emergency information in case of accidents while you are away), blocks and blocks without Starbucks in a big city, Burgerville- a fast food chain with a conscience who only buys locally and where the majority of its waste is compostable or recyclable!, a main drag with only one corporate chain (yes I have driven and walked back and forth several times up and down to verify) and shock- a three week wait to put gas in the car. (Felix is feeling neglected)
Hope y'all are out there enjoying some firsts of your own. Would love to hear about them!
Peace
M