October 30, 2015. Japanese izakaya restaurant

LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon

WEATHER:  Mostly rain. Highs about 60

Today was George's day to run the aerator in the koi pond.  Sometimes it is hard to get started.  Unfortunately, today was one of those times.  He had to work in the rain.  I skimmed off a lot of leaves and pine needles from the koi pond, while he worked on the motor.

We worked on Halloween costumes for a party we're attending tomorrow.  More on that to come tomorrow!  

We drove to the suburb of Hillsboro to try a nano brewery there.  They proudly state that they are the only brewery in the Portland area that does not make IPAs.  They specialize in Belgians,  The brewery is in a garage-type building.  As the only customers, we talked to the owners, who are from Minnesota.

Then, back to Beaverton where we had reservations at an izakaya restaurant.  Izakaya means Japanese appetizers, served in so-called Japanese tapas bars.  I has read that Portland has some of the best ones in the world.  Surprisingly, one  famous one is here in a strip mall in Beaverton.  There is no signage.  You just have to know it is here.

Because it is tiny, reservations are required.  I'm so glad we had them, as lots of customers were turned away.

It is really authentic.  About half of the customers tonight were Japanese.  Our waitress was one of the Japanese owners, speaking to us in Japanese.  Nothing fancy with the decor.  We ordered hot sake and a bunch of izakaya.

A series of small plates were slowly delivered to our table.  First up was mentaiko...spicy cod roe with nori

Next was sanmashi yaki.....a whole, baby mackerel with grated daikon and lemon

Then a platter of gyoza

I had to have one of my memories, onigiri, honorable rice ball with pickled plum inside

We ended with shirakata,...house-made fermented squid

All the flavors were unique.  They don't serve sushi or other  common Japanese foods served in most US Japanese restaurants.  They do serve ramen and soba, to eat after the appetizers, but we just came on home.  

DINNER:  George was still a little hungry, so I warmed up some gnochi soup for him.  

October 29, 2015. Pub crawl in SE Portland

LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon

WEATHER:  Rain in AM. Sun in PM.  high about 60

With a window of sun, George mowed the grass and ran the leaf-blower.  We put away the deck furniture for the homeowners as we think fall has arrived for good, i.e., rain and cool weather.  This is the view from our front window.  I've been watching this tree turn more golden each day.

Then, we hopped on the bus armed with our all day passes.  Today's mission was to visit some of the breweries in SE Portland.  Our first bus took us to downtown on the west side, then we transferred to another bus to cross the river.

This is sort of a gritty industrial part of town, with surprisingly elegant restaurants squeezed in between and pubs galore.  Our first stop was Hair of the Dog Brewery.

In order to pace ourselves, we just bought the 2 ounce tasters at most of the places we visited, or just water.

At the bar, we met a beer afficionados couple from Houston.  They had come to town to taste beer.  So, we paired up with them for the rest of the day.

Next up was Commons, specializing in light, sour beers.  They taste a bit like hard ciders.  

Base Camp Brewery was another stop.  Their specialty is S'more Stout, served with a charred marshmallow on top.  George had one of those, sans the marshmallow.

Yet another stop was Cascade Barrel Brewery.  They specialize in sour beers, too.  Every place we went was packed, mostly with young people.  Don't they have to work?  How do they afford this?  

All of the breweries were within a square mile, so we had walked most of the afternoon.  After our last stop, we caught the trolley back  over the bridge, then a bus back home..  

DINNER:  Using up leftovers before we leave next week.....Steak and onions, repurposed from a free McMenamins steak sandwich.  

October 28, 2015. Good day for a movie

LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon

WEATHER:  On and off rain all day. High about 60

We redeemed a prize on our passports and got two free hamburgers at a McMenamins for lunch.  We actually split one, and brought the second one home for repurposing.  And, we paid for our beers with gift cards we had won!  What a deal!

Then on to Forest Grove, another McMenamins that we had visited before.  They have a movie theater there.  Before the movie, we walked around their beautiful property.

We watched the movie "The Martian" (using the gift cards again),   The theater sells beer and food and is set up with tables for watching movies.  Very cozy.  George is not a good movie-watching partner.  While I was thoroughly enjoying the frightening scenes, he mumbled things like  "this is crap" or "oh come on ".  

DINNER:  Shrimp pasta with capers and goat cheese.

October 27, 2015. Last day of sunshine in Portland?

 LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland

WEATHER:  Sunnt. Highs in 60s

The weatherman said that today will be the only sunny day in a long time, so we spent most of the time outdoors.

We did a little yard work, then went to Forest Park.  It is one of America's largest urban parks.  It takes up a big chunk of western Portland.  We took a 3-mile hike, and stopped for a picnic lunch.

Back home, we took pictures of each other on the homeowners' bikes so we could get extra points on our McMenamins passports (for supposedly riding our bikes to the pub ).  

At the pub, we got an additional stamp in the passports as it was a benefit night, with proceeds going to a local school.  We redeemed our prizes, two $20 gift cards, and had a drink.  It is a cozy, neighborhood-feeling place.  

DINNER:  Lasagne.  I used some of the spaghetti sauce I had made yesterday.  

We are watching "Jane the Virgin" on netflix.  It is a spoof of telenovelas, Latino soap operas.  

 

October 26, 2015. Quiet, indoor day

OLOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon

WEATHER:  Rain all day. Highs in 50s.  Afterall, this IS Oregon

We awoke to rain, and the weatherman said it would rain all day.  We decided to stay in and "chill".  

I realized that we will be here for only one more week, and I have filled the homeowners' refrigerator and freezer.

Between now and next week, I need to use up most of the food to be able to move it from this nice, big refrigerator, to fit in our tiny camper refrigerator!

So, we had leftovers for lunch, and I made and froze several meals that we can eat once we are traveling again.  I made spaghetti sauce with tomatoes and herbs from the garden and from a hamburger "prize"  we had picked up from McMenamins.

In between cooking, I read an entire book, with Lola by my side, in my lap, and on my arm.

DINNER:  Vegetable curry.  I used up a lot of vegetables.....potato, onions, mushrooms, carrots, ginger, green beans.  

October 25, 2015. Visiting the Kennedy School

LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon

WEATHER:  Typical Oregon fall day.....rain and highs in 50s

We awoke to rain, and it continued all day.  This is normal for Portland at this time of year.

We decided to spend the day at the Kennedy School, an old elementary school converted to an entertainment center by McMenamins.

It was a neighborhood school for many years.

The converted school still feels like a school inside, with hallways.....

and water fountains at kid level....

The walls are decorated with artwork and photos.  Several of the classrooms were holding special events like wedding receptions.  The school has a movie theater, the old school auditorium.  The former cafeteria is now the main restaurant.  

We checked out the Detention Bar....

Now, a cigar lounge.....

And the  Honors Bar, a cozy bar with a wood stove.  We ended up in the Boiler Room Bar for lunch.

It brought back memories of the boiler room in the old high school I attended, but much nicer.  The one in my old school was a tiny room with smoke billowing from the boilers.  It was considered the teachers' lounge.  They hung out there to escape the students and to smoke.

We redeemed our passport prizes, and drove back home through the rain.

DINNER:  Another delicious recipe from mt brother.  Cassoulet.  A great comfort food on a cool, rainy evening.

October 24, 2015. Portland's East aside

LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon

WEATHER:  Overcast.  Highs around 60

We went to the Beaverton  Farmers' Marlet for breakfast and shopping. 

Today was our day to explore the eastern side of the river.  First, we had lunch at the Laurelhurst Market.  Laurelhurst is one of many charming areas around town, with craftsman-type houses and areas with small shops and restaurants.  This place had been recommended to us.  By day, it is a butcher shop and sandwich place.  At night, it converts to a popular, expensive restaurant focusing on meats.  We had the charcuterie platter.  Wow!

Then we went to the Horse Brass Pub, one of Portland's oldest.  It was like being in a very authentic British pub.

Back home,we did yard work.  I picked herbs and tomatoes.  With the parsley, I made some taboulleh to have on hand....

DINNER:  I made a rolled porkloin from a recipe my brother sent me.  The filling was a good way to use the parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme I picked this afternoon.  The side was Brussels sprouts, also using a recipe from my brother.  Very gourmet! 

October 23, 2015. Day trip to Vancouver, Washington

LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon

WEATHER:  Partly cloudy. Highs in 60s

Every day we let Lola out to play in the backyard.  I'm always paranoid that she won't return.  She doesn't go far.  Here she is preening on the deck.

The tomatoes and herbs are still producing.  The bugenvillia continues to bloom on the deck.

And the camellias in the garden have started to bloom.  

While on a grocery-shopping trip, I decided to get my hair cut.  This is always a scary experience while traveling.  I went into the next door "Walk-in only" beauty shop.  Instant panic set in.  One stylist had half her head shaved with the other long half dyed a bright purple.  Colorful tattoos adorned every speck of her visible body.  The pop music was throbbing at a high decimal level.  My stylist, a buzzed-cut  British guy, took me to his booth  which was covered with Playboy centerfold pictures.  He danced and grooved with the music, then started singing along.  He told me he used to style hair for the stars in Beverly Hills.  (I secretly wondered why then is he in a cheap shop in a Portland suburb?).  I think the cut turned out ok.  At least my head is not shaved or a weird color.

We drove over to Vancouver, Washington, a northern suburb of Portland.  The Vancouver names are very confusing....Vancouver island, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Vancouver, WA.  We went to a McMenamins pub there to redeem  prizes of free appetizers and to enjoy some time on the Columbia River.

With the help of some heaters, it was warm enough to sit on the deck and watch the sailboats. 

DINNER:    Shrimp and grits.  I tried a new  recipe from Bobbie Flay.  Side salad.  

October 22, 2015. Self-guided beer tour of Portland

LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon

WEATHER:  Perfect, crisp fall day. Highs in 60s

We found some Portland beer tours online for $80, so decided to do our own on the cheap.  We bought all-day passes for the bus/trolley/light rail, and headed into town.  Today we will do the west side of the river, and perhaps explore the east side another day.

The light rail dropped us off at Union Station.   We looked at the Amtrak trains leaving for far-away places.  

Then, a walk and trolley to our first stop, Bridgeport, that had been highly recommended.

We had a bowl of vegan chili for lunch...really tasty.  I had an IPA and George had a red  ale. We strolled around the area.  Cute lofts, condos and apartments with neat shops below.  

Then, trolley to Deschutes.  It is a beautiful building with lots of wood carvings.

We didn't drink there, although it looked good.  Have to pace ourselves....

On to Rogue.  George had an interesting German IPA.  I passed. 

A short walk took us to 10 Barrel, which sadly has just been bought by Anhuiser-Bush.

We just talked to people there, and didn't order a beer.  

Then, on to a McMenamins.  We shared an apple cider there in order to get a passport stamp.  Then, we redeemed our prize and picked up two free hamburgers.  

DINNER:  Back home, we shared one of the McMenamins burgers.  

After dinner, we hopped back on to the light rail, and traveled to Hillsboro, another Portland suburb.  There, we enjoyed an evening of scary story-telling about doctors and dentists at the museum.  Fun!

October 21, 2015. Salem sipping!

LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon

WEATHER:  Morning fog; PM sun. Highs in 60s

Today was plant-watering day.  The homeowner has some beautiful flowers and plants.  I hope I don't kill them!

We had planned a day trip to Vancouver, Washington (north) but missed a turn in Portland and ended going south.  So we changed plans and drove to Salem, Oregon's capital.  Great to be able to be flexible! 

We had lunch in an old historic house, renovated by the McMenamins. We redeemed a prize on our passport and ate free.  Also picked up a $20 gift card.  Loving this!

We took  country roads back toward Portland, through wine country.  Our homeowners had recommended the Domaine Serene winery for tastings.  Beautiful setting.  Very good wine,  but expensive. 

We stopped at another winery that someone recommended....

Back home, we watched some TV with Lola on our laps.  I saw my first Christmas ad.  Oh no!

DINNER: Dungeness crab cakes that I bought at the farmers' market last weekend, with a side of butternut squash.

October 20, 2015. Crystal Ballroom in Portland

LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon

WEATHER:  Rain overnight and in the AM.  Sunny, nice in PM

We figured out the bus system and found a bus stop just a few blocks away.  On the way, we saw this house decorated for Halloween.

The bus system is great.  It coordinates with the trolley and light rail system.  The drivers are all very helpful.

Our first stop downtown was the Cyrstal Ballroom, one of the McMenamins properties.  We went on a tour to learn about its history (and to get a stamp in our passport!). It is 101 years old.  In its heyday, famous musicians like Ike and Tina Turner, James Brown, and Jimmy Hendrix performed here.  It was derelict for awhile until McMenamins bought it and restored it.  It is now a concert venue.

It has a small brewery which supplies the Crystal Ballroom hotel and bars.  The kettles are brightly painted.

The downstairs bar was packed with teenagers waiting for tonight's concert.  Some had been in line since 3:00 AM.  

We played some pool (for another passport stamp) in the bar.  We walked around the area, called the Pearl District.  We checked out another brewpub, then stopped at another McMenamins bar/theater.  They were having a trivia party later, but we didn't want to stay long.  So, we munched on some popcorn and painfully watched an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, playing in the historic theater. And.....another passport stamp. :-)

DINNER:  Mushroom pasta.  I used the rest of the wild mushrooms we had bought at the mushroom festival.  I made a creamy sauce with them from an online recipe.  Really delicious, and again, quite inexpensive.  

 

October 19, 2015. Beer club meeting

LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon

WEATHER:  Drizzle most of the day. Highs in upper 60s

We did a little yard work, weeding and trimming dead hostas, before it started to rain.  

It was a great day to stay inside.  I read "Call the Midwife" from start to finish. It is more factual, medically-focused than the TV show.  A great, easy read.  Lola sat contentedly on my lap, serving as a heater.

George had previously contacted a local beer club, and they invited us to their meeting tonight.  It was a homebrew judging, called Iron Brewer.  Like the TV show Iron Chef, each brewer was required to use a unique/weird ingredient.  

Some were quite strange.....licorice, sarsaparilla, chicory, sassafras.  We tasted them all, and participated in the judging.

Some were tasty; all a bit strange.  

Everyone was super friendly and gave us suggestions of brewpubs to visit while we are here.

DINNER:  Lamb  pitas.  When I first bought the ground lamb, I thought it was a splurge at $9.  However, this is our fourth meal using it, with some leftover for scrambled eggs tomorrow morning!