Snow Day!

After starts and stops, fits and flits, the snow came. Sort of.
Martin, the tiny Innocent 20 pound kitten stretched  under the covers  looking up as if to say, "What now mom?"
 The truth is, it was cold, and there was a tiny bit of white dusting, but it wasn't really, well, snowy.

 Fixed the french press, and curled back into the blankets to think of how to spend the gift day. Nothing in the house was calling to me.

Then the phone buzzed. Sister Gal friend Liz , texting.
 Thank God Most Gracious. Some one with the  Desire for adventure and the willingness to set out in the snow non-event.
 ETA times were coordinated,  Make up was done, and we found our selves at the door of  Jade Tea house in Sellwood.

Vee and I had been to Jade last week and found the Tea to be of the highest freshest quality. I was anxious to try the food. I was also in need of the severest economy.

 For five dollars and fifty cents, I was in possession of the finest Hom Bao and big steaming cup of Lapsang Souchong tea I have ever tasted. NO EXCEPTIONS!
 The bun itself was exactly spongy, puffy enough. just the touch of sweetness you want. Perfectly raised and steamed.
 No kidding, it would not have fit in the palm of my hand if I had been the kind to measure. Liz, who has both traveled  and lived in Asia was as stunned as I was by its enormous tender beauty.

 The filling was fantastic. Tender  flavorful veggies that were in large pieces but cooked perfectly,  like those veggies your mom used to make around the pot roast when you were a kid, all resting up against each other tenderly, but still definable.
 Liz had the Udon.  It came floating huge, giant, shred-chunks of tender white chicken meat, along with lots of other other goodies.

 After much sighing and wriggling from pleasure, we ventured on.
 Hopping the Max to the Chinese garden from the Lloyd Center parking lot was Pure Genius.
 NO ONE WAS THERE!
 Except for the staff, and one other visitor, we had the place to ourselves!

 As we wandered through the pavilions,  along the pathways, it started to snow, swirling beautiful flakes. The white fluff circled the red and gold New Years lanterns that hang from every eve, and landed softly in the lake. Butter yellow Edgwarthia buds have begun to unfold. The scent entwined with the drifting floating flakes as they lowered peacefully from the sky. Liz remembered to try and get pictures, and by the end the flakes were so big that they even showed on our cell phone photos.  We left, cold cold cold but happy. In the gift shop she found Two pretty Year Of The Rabbit book bags, and bought them, as she is a very sweet rabbit.

 A warm up stop in Peets coffee by LLoyd Center. Then a brisk walk to Dava Beads on N.E. Broadway.
 So many dreams to be had for any ones inner crafter. We mixed and matched, oohed and awed, made plans for hours of summer beading projects, and finally headed home.

 It was a wonderful Snow Day. Just the best medicine.
 Time spent laughing eating and exploring with a dear friend, who had the vision to see a different sort of snow day and invite me along.
Once at home, garden kitties were fed, jewel yams set to roast, Cuban style black bean and rice congri steaming on the stove.
 Then  time to reflect on the satisfying mood of this unique adventure.
Like receiving a special present that will never be duplicated. 
Every moment was exactly perfect.

So Good To Hear From You!

It was so wonderful to hear from you! Glad you arrived safely.

 I'm excited to learn more about your new apartment, for instance, is it new? I imagine lovely old buildings with pretty detailing in the windows and door sills, but realize I have no idea what it would be like to relocate to a country with such history.

It is also wonderful that the cafe around the corner has Wifi. Hope it also has great coffee and pastries, but its France....the odds are pretty good.

  When you mentioned the smaller cups of coffee, I remember noticing the same thing in London. The Americans stood out, pacing around the city looking for big huge "to go" cups of coffee. I was also impressed with the less casual clothing styles. When you mentioned that you are not seeing the sagging sloppy pants and de rigure baseball cap I have renewed hope that its one trend they never import from the U.S.

On the home front, its been a busy week. The Chinese Garden is decorated in Red and gold lanterns for the New years. Certain budding plants are beginning to scent the air with promise.
Each walk reveals progress as the cities devoted home gardeners begin to clean up after the mucky, soggy, urban winter in the Willamette Valley.  Still had time to notice a smattering of very early blossoms.

The news report says to expect a killing frost and possibly snow toward the end of the week, but its Oregon, So who knows. Even if they are gone after just a few short weeks, I was greatly cheered to see the blue of the tiny miniature iris peeking out between the violets that have gradually replaced grass in my front garden.

After our Belly Dance class on Tuesday, a few of us went out for a Day After Valentine's treet.  We found our selves at Bastas in Northwest Portland. It has been on my list of places to try for a number of years, and did not disappoint. The atmosphere is attractive enough, soft lighting, rich colors, to lend a "special'" feel to the visit. They  have happy hour from Five on till close, so it was affordable as well. Choni had a Ceaser Salad that was generous and fresh. Vee had Musseles in a broth that looked wonderful. They split the pork ribs, which disappeared quickly enough, and we also had one of the pizzas. I have to say, at  five dollars for the dinner plate size serving, it would have been impressive even if it was not one of the best of the artisan crust pizzas I have ever had.  This is going to seriously divide my attention with the seeded flat bread wood fired at the flavorspot. Previously there was no competion to my knowledge, but now.......Now my heart is torn. This crust was  a combination of thin, crisp and soft at the right places. Topped with a garlicky olive oil, the thinest purple onion rings you could possibly imagine, a blend of grated white cheeses, and capers, it was heaven in every bite. On  the menu it has anchovies, but the waitstaff seemed cheerful about leaving them off.
Dessert was lovely. A trio of delight as chosen by one of the artistic kitchen staff. Perfectly ending our sweet Late Valentines Girl Date.

We are looking forward to hearing more about your adventures, and I hope every moment is just as exciting as we imagined it would be. If you can, it would be exciting to see pictures of your new home and the other places you are enjoying.

Lift off!

I see you in my imagination. Lifting your shoulder bag, adjusting your hold on the suitcase handle as you work your way up the line to the counter. Guys are checking you out appreciatively. A woman on her own, flying out to make her new destiny.

 I know you are nervous. Starting a fresh chapter in life is never with out challenge.  As you move past the lines, airport cafes, seating area, and finally take your place on the plane, bravery wins over indecision. When the plane lifts off you know it was the right  choice at the right time in your life.

 Your friends are sending you wishes of joy and success. Maybe the ultimate success is right now. One of us has made it. Past the vague longing for someplace new and far away. Beyond the large stack of daily disappointments and petty cares we stack up as we slip into middle age. The Victory is exactly this; You are The One Brave Woman among us. The person who says "Now!...... I'm Going Now."

 Over the last few months you set your life in order, put Stuff in storage, made your rounds of goodbyes.  Now, for all of us still grounded in the every day humdrum world of obligation and duty there is triumph in your  escape. Maybe one day it will be one of us. As you sail toward the Atlantic and on to Paris from Portland I see you in my imagination, drifting off to sleep as the plane flys toward a new morning.