coffee in the garden....

Went for a walk in North Portland with the walking group from the club, then had coffee at an Italian cafe, where a case full of Italian sweets tempted us!  I split a huge, wonderful biscotti studded with hazelnuts with one of the gals, and vowed to come back for a meal.  The street there also had a funky cafe where parts of old cars served as a tables and even awnings over windows!  The inside was covered with not only car parts, but toys and tea pots, and collectibles of all kinds.  Fun, fun!  Definitely will go back there as well, with Clem in tow, so he can see it.  The photo stream has several shots.  The group does a monthly "field trip", but they walk too fast for photos!  Glad I had taken the little camera along just in case!

Portland Rose Test Garden

 On such a glorious afternoon, I decided we should go walk around the garden, where we have not been in some time.  4.5 acres, 700 varieties, and something like 9000 roses!  About a month behind due to the bad weather, but that was to our advantage.  It was stunning! Wish I had taken my good camera.....and I intend to do that again early in the day very soon,  The light here was mid day and harsh, but wanted to put a few in.

They are offering tours this year, and surprisingly, Clem suggested we do that!  And he thoroughly enjoyed it!  He remarked that his Dad loved roses, and would have enjoyed the garden.  Everyone seems, to, rose lover or not.
 In August, there are summer concerts here in an amphitheater, which are very fun to attend.

It always brings a smile to my face when I see a dog riding in a car with his head out the window and especially if his ears are blowing in the wind!  Rarely is there an opportunity to get a photo, but this car was driving in front of me on the way to the gym, and pulled into the turn lane.  Guess he wondered what I found so interesting!
The sun was shining for a change!  We were ALL enjoying it!

and the "fruits" of my labor............

Two batches of Marionberry Jam.  It is uniquely Oregon, and Clem's favorite, so I think this year I will only make this kind.  The last time I made Strawberry, Marionberry, Raspberry, and Peach.....a little over the top maybe.  He loves peach, too, but it is so delicate that it does not get used as much. (can't stand up to peanut butter!)  While making it, I did notice a recipe for mixed berry, and I may be tempted to do that.  

Berries!!

The weather is not so great, and our tomatoes may reamain green, but the berries are coming in!

And Loki appreciates them, too!

This was taken the same day as that car show, in Oregon City.  There is an interpretive center there, for the end of the Oregon Trail.  Signs posted about were taken from journals of the settlers that made the trek, and this one held sort of a special meaning for me.  Wonder why that might be?  :-)

I just like this shot!

Taken at the car show some weeks back.

Car Show in the Park Blocks

A gorgeous Saturday afternoon, and we went to see this weeks collection of Mercedes and BMW's sponsored by the Art Museum.  There will be different cars every weekend, drawing attention to their exhibit "The Allure of the Automobile."  We went to see that last weekend, when it was a total downpour on Sunday.  It was totally amazing!  Cars I had never seen before, all worth multi millions of dollars.  We topped off a lovely afternoon strolling around the city with "Tartberry" self serve yogurt.

Fruit Trifle

Made this for the 4th of July.  Desert and Fireworks on the deck after dinner at friend's house.  It was a new recipe for me, and a huge hit with all, as they went back for second helpings!  Definitely a keeper , with home made chocolate cake layered with a fantastic cream and the fruit.  I chose the blueberries and strawberries for the Red, White, and Blue!

Ahhhhhh......the sunshine returns!

Chilly Day

Weather has been pretty awful for July, with very few sunny days, and mostly cloudy, cool, and often drizzly.  Except for this past weekend when it POURED!!  Very unlike Portland!  Loki decided a warm dryer was just the place to curl up for the afternoon.  Of course, my laundry chores came to an end waiting for  his nap to be finished!  Are these cats spoiled, or what???

Orphan's Car Show

Clem's friend Ed has an antique car that he showed one sunny weekend in Oregon City, and we went.  First not understanding the title of the show, it was explained that these cars stopped production, so are Orphans!  A ton of Studebakers!  

Loki got ashes????

He followed me out into the garage, and came back like this!  Can't imagine what he got into, but it is greasy, and though I have rubbed it many times, it is still there, though faint, several days  later.

A walk in Alberta Neighborhood in East Portland

Funky area, and lots of interesting things to see, like the plastic horses tethered to the old horse rings. 

And this 1969 Dodge camper that a young man is turning into a juice bar.

Or just this brightly painted "fence" someone constructed.  Did a City Walk from the book of the sam name with friend Winnie.  Always fun.