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.