Foodie

Have been hanging out with a bunch of foodies and have been indulging in some wonderful cuisine.   I attended a Yelp event at Trader Vic's restaurant in Portland and did a sampling of appetizers which was really, really good. 

Yelp has been having events for its "Elite Yelpers" as a way of promoting business in the area.  I was lucky enough to have a friend who is an elite yelper and got invited as a guest.

Today was another foodie day, and this time it was experiencing Sichuan cuisine with my fellow workers.  The food was plentiful and flavorful and just amazing!

Autumn

Another beautiful fall day in the city of Portland Oregon.  On days like this, it is so easy to forget that we get over 300, give or take a few days, rainy days a year.  But for now it is absolutely gorgeous. 

Celebrations!

 This has been a week of celebrations with friends - birthdays and getting married (bachelorette party). 

As the days get more somber, it is always wonderful to get out and have a few hours of silliness, people watching and a little debauchery with friends. 

The Beauty of Fall

Fall is one of the most beautiful time of the year.  My favorite part is seeing  the leaves changing color.  This tree with its vibrant color is just outside my window.  I absolutely love it!

The Passing...

October started off on a very iSad note.  The passing of one of the most creative person in the design world...Steve Jobs.  Although I don't know Mr Jobs personally, but my home is inundated with products that he had a hand in creating - iPhone, iPad, iPod and MacBook. 

We will never have another Steve Jobs, and I hope that Apple with continue his legacy of minimalist, simplicity and elegance in their future designs.

Rest In Peace, Steve Jobs.  You have put your stamp in this world and you will be revered always.

Summer Offerings!

September marks the end of summer.  And generally this is the time when most of the produce are at its best, especially tomatoes.  As I have mentioned in my previous post, I love summer tomatoes.  After making a small batch of tomato sauce previously, I bought another 20 lbs worth of tomatoes last weekend and made a whole bunch  more tomato sauce with them.  Now, I have ten quart size bags of tomato sauce sitting or laying frozen in my freezer.

I think I am tomatoed out now.  I wonder what I can do the eggplants.  I still haven't figured that out yet.

Busy Weekend

This past weekend had been rather interesting.   Firstly, the weather took a dramatic change.  We had temperature in the 90s for a week and it plunged to the 60s overnight and was overcast.   We had what I would call a "sleepy/sleep-in" weather.  As the weather changes, the hibernation mode kicks in, like the bears getting ready to hunker down for the winter.  In my case, I want to cook or freeze food for the winter.  One of the things that I like most about summer is summer tomatoes.  I went to the farmers market and bought tons of tomatoes to make tomato-basil sauce.  This I would freeze and use them over the winter when tomatoes taste really blah.

The other thing that I did over the weekend was went to the Annual Susan Komen Race for the Cure at the Waterfront Park.  It was a great fundraising event for breast cancer survivors, breast cancer awareness and people that wants to be involved.  These ribbons represent the survivors of breast cancer. 

Oregon Coast

When the weather in the city gets really hot, we tend to head to the coast where the temperature there typically  will be much cooler.   The temperature in Portland last weekend was in the 90s compared to the 60s on the coast.  It was rather cold and foggy on the beach, but it was welcomed!  

Indian Beach - Ecola State Park

Indian Beach

The makings of salt water taffy

Bloody Mary, a house specialty

A New Milestone!

Celebrated a good friend's 50th Birthday at H5O Cafe yesterday. 

Crater Lake National Park

September 4, 2011 - I did a day trip with some friends to Crater Lake National Park.   It was my first time visiting this destination even though I have live in the state for many, many years.   The drive there was rather long, but I am so glad I did it (having great companies also makes the trip pleasant).  It was truly quite an experience and the view was magnificient.  The water is so blue, I mean, sooo blue that it is unbelievable.   We wanted to do a boat ride to the Wizard Island, unfortunately, it was full for the day.  Next time...

Sunday Parkways

I volunteered as a Intersection Superhero at the SE Sunday Parkways yesterday, August 28. 2011.  It was a great experience - enjoyed seeing people and their families riding their bicycles or strolling/walking along a 6 miles loop with no cars along the way.

People came out in costumes and decorated their bicycles and also, there were some very interesting bicycle designs, too.

Gordon House - Silverton, Oregon

The Gordon House is the only house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Oregon. It was originally located south side of the Willamette River in Wilsonville. In 2002, the house was moved to the Oregon Garden where it is currently situated.