Portland

After weeks and months of long hours in the office and a very hot summer in Kansas City, we enjoyed a week in Portland and the Oregon coast.  Not only was it nice to see a new part of the country, we also appreciated their weather--60s and 70s with even cooler temperatures in the evenings and on the beach!

We checked into room 316 (our anniversary date!) of the Ace Hotel, then set out to explore, walking to dinner at Lincoln Restaurant.  Although we'd never met, our server seemed to know our tastes and we appreciated all of her recommendations--including a foie gras and rainer cherry 'parfait' and watermelon salad.

Sunday morning we borrowed bikes from the hotel lobby and spent a few hours exploring the northeast neighborhoods before our brunch reservation at Beast.  The experience was amazing--Beast is a very small restaurant which hosts about 20 people at 2 community tables.  We had a great view of the open kitchen where the chefs prepare the menu which varies daily.  We enjoyed talking with other foodies seated near us, each of whom shared their thoughts on the best things to see and taste while in PDX.

We returned the bikes, then set out on foot to see the Rose Garden, Japanese Garden and do a little shopping.  We also enjoyed a samplings of ice creams (Sea salt with caramel ribbons, coffee and bourbon, NW wild harvest berries and crisp feuillietine flakes with woodblock's ocamare chocolate and cherry wood smoked sea salt ice cream) at Salt and Straw to tide us over before dinner at Le Pigeon.

On Monday we explored the Halprin Fountains, Tanner Springs, Powell's Books, and Voodoo Doughnuts but the highlight of the day was a sunset kayak tour on the Willamette River.

Tuesday morning we rented a car and drove to the Columbia River Gorge where we enjoyed several hikes in Beacon Rock State Park, lunch from the 'Four and Twenty Blackbirds' food truck and stops at several produce stands with views of snow covered Mt. Hood.  Back in the City, we dined at Clyde Commons located in our hotel.

After fueling up on breakfast at Kenny and Zukes Deli and coffees from Stumptown, we left Portland for the second part of our trip--Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast where our KC neighbors were renting a beach house.  Soon after our arrival we strolled into the quaint 'town' of Cannon Beach for a lunch of seafood and chowder.  The next few days were spent walking on the beach, discovering sea life exposed by the negative tide, roasting marshmallows around the on-beach bon fire, watching the Olympics, playing pool and laughing a lot!

On Thursday Scott, Monica, Mike and I took a day trip to The Willamette Valley--wine country--for tastings at Erath, Argyle and Torii Mor as well as lunch at The Dundee Bistro.

Sadly, our fun had to come to an end so the following Saturday, after one last early morning walk on the beach, we headed back to the City, boarded a plane and returned home to KC.

congraduations

This weekend we were in Keokuk, Iowa to celebrate our niece's graduation from Keokuk High School. The festivities began on Saturday afternoon with an open house followed by a family dinner on Saturday night. The graduation (or congraduation, as our niece Olivia tells it!) ceremony was held Sunday afternoon. We are very proud of Chelsea's accomplishments and look forward to her college days at the University of Northern Iowa.

blondes have more fun

While perusing the seafood counter for what would be our dinner, I noticed that in addition to the typical salmon choices (wild, farmed, sockeye, king...), that they had a 'blonde' offering. I asked the butcher the difference between the typical red/pink salmon and the blonde. I was told that the blonde is rare and was accidentally shipped to the store as they typically don't carry it. I was intrigued and it did not disappoint! The flavor was a bit more mellow (maybe 'buttery' would be a good description?) If you see the blonde salmon offered at a store or restaurant near you, I suggest you try it!

mission accomplished

It has been awhile since we have participated in First Friday so we were excited when some friends invited us to dinner at their loft after the evening's festivities. We started at Mission Underpants, a Project Change event sponsored by Women in Design, which collected socks and underwear for those in need. Not only did we win a gift certificate in the raffle, we also made it on the news segment promoting the event (click the link to watch the clip)!

America: Here and Now, a traveling show of works by national painters, playwrights, poets, composers and musicians opened in Kansas City and we saw a demonstration of BikeShare, a program that will hopefully be introduced in Kansas City very soon.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious dinner of pesto pasta and zucchini cake while overlooking the sights and sounds of First Friday and the soon to open Performing Arts Center.

reuited

On Saturday over 400 women celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Kappa Alpha Theta at Kansas State University. It was great to see many old friends--reliving old memories and creating some new ones. We toured the house, enjoyed the anniversary tea and, of course, an evening (actually 2 evenings) at Rock-a-Belly!

Of course, Bartel and I couldn't be on campus without a trip to Seaton Hall and found a photo op with Willie on the way!

Laissez le Bon temp rouler

We enjoyed another dinner with our friends Lynnis and Larry. This time, our theme was 'Mardi Gras'--a few weeks late, but delicious just the same! Our 'parade of food' featured shrimp and grits, spice-crusted pork tenderloin with andouille sausage gravy, asparagus and chocolate yummy (from one of our favorite cookbooks, Donald Link's 'Real Cajun').

blogged down

It has been a long time since the blog has been updated--so long that the idea of trying to 'catch up' is just too overwhelming! We'll update you on some highlights from the past few months and then try to resume regular blogging in the future.

food on the fourth

Early Friday afternoon, we loaded up the car and headed south for a much needed get away. Our destination was Fort Smith, Arkansas and our weekend hosts were Heidi's cousin, Sean, and his wife, Jessica.

We arrived just in time for dinner reservations at Landry's New Orleans Cafe where both the food (cajun and blackened combos) and the live music were a great start to the weekend. Early Saturday morning we ventured to the farmer's market where Jessica purchased locally made soap, lip gloss and lots of produce--raspberries, greens, onions, peaches, watermelon, flowers and the best cantaloupe ever!

Sean and Jessica treated us to homemade beignets--a great accompaniment to the fresh fruit-- before we settled in for a rainy day watching the Tour de France and talking about our next meal!

The rain stopped in time for dinner (this time at Rolando's), a walk around the Fort Smith National Historic Site, and Fort Smith's fireworks show.

Sunday morning started with breakfast sandwiches on homemade bagels (with bacon, eggs, cheese, avocado, sunflower sprouts and tomato) and the sun was shining in time for a few hours at the pool with friends. Our All American dinner featured the White House Kitchen Garden Herb Roast Chicken, asparagus, corn on the cob with cilantro lime butter, no-knead bread and was followed by a crumb topped apple pie, a blackberry cobbler (compliments of friends Anne and Justin) and, of course, ice cream! We even got to see a few more fireworks.

Sadly, the weekend had to come to an end but we couldn't leave until we had a bit more of Sean's delicious blueberry jam. Yum! Thanks for a fun (and delicious) weekend, Sean and Jessica--we'd love to return the favor when you make it to KC!

greater kansas city day

for the fourth year in a row opening day for the Royals (also known as Greater Kansas City day) did not start off well weather-wise. unlike last year, this morning was warm but no sooner did we start selling newspapers (as a fundraiser for Rotary Club #13 and the Rotary Youth Camp), it started to rain. and rain. and hail. and thunder. and lightning. and rain some more.

we tried 2 attempts at selling papers, both times having to stop due to lightning. you can't say we didn't try!

it was nice to see the sun come out just in time for the first pitch and it stayed out the entire game. unfortunately, the royals lost but it was still a great way to spend a day!

hoppy easter!

we spent easter in kansas city for a change and what a glorious easter it was! friends invited us to join them for church and easter brunch (baked french toast, scrambled eggs with ham and asparagus, fruit salad and mimosas). later, vokey served as grand marshall for the easter egg hunt we hosted for the neighborhood kids.

it was almost 80 degrees and sunny so everyone enjoyed time out of doors and firing up the grill for a non traditional (but tasty) easter dinner.