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.