My best shot of the year!

Sometimes life just comes together for the perfect moment. This shot was one of my perfect moments this week. After wine tasting with my guests this week in the Dundee area, we decided to explore the herb gardens of The Red Ridge Winery. What is so endearing about this photo is the bumblebee's Antenna! California Poppies are also one of my favorite flowers. I call this photo the Bumblebee Honey Table! Click on photo and enjoy!

~ Come Gather Around The Table!

Chocolate Tour of the Pearl in Downtown Portland...Oh My!

What a wonderful day! A four hour walking tour of the Pearl and discovering nooks and crannies I had never noticed before! Savina of Portland Chocolate Walking and Tasting Tours took our group of merry makers and shared all her passion about chocolate and the wonderful things of Portland in this village.

We started at Sweet Masterpiece, where Crystal and Derek gave us the lessons on detecting the finer notes of Chocolate and then showered us with samples. This is a fun haunt to grab lunch as well. Some very unique dishes to explore: pulled pork sandwiches with chocolate mole sauce anyone?!

As we walked along a few more blocks, smells of cinnamon and dough wafted up to us as we came to a halt in front of Nuvrei Pastries. This hidden gem now has a retail bakery to explore. We went down into below sidewalk level patisserie to poke around. The owner Marius had bags of scones, cookies and croissants for us to take home! The smell alone was enough to keep us there all day!


Verdun was our next stop. This Lebanese chocolate shop truly was a gem. All the chocolates hand wrapped and glittered in the bowl as we struggled to pick out our samples. The Jordon Almond is a prized item for weddings. Savina shared a wonderful poem with us that explained why 5 almonds are always given in the favors at weddings. I will work on getting that from her. (Here it is...thank you Savina!) Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat
To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet.
Five wishes for the new husband and wife --
Health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life!





















Next we headed down the street where Savina unfolded some local history for us. One favorite stop was the pony rings where I tied up a pony at one of the many old horse rings that line the streets in the Pearl. This is called the Portland Pony Project.

The Portland Pony Project

"It seems that we gallop through life in a haze
And don't notice the things we race by every day
Until a time comes when a change will occur
That will cause us to notice, stop and confer
We talk to our neighbors; ask "was that always there?"
"I never saw it before", the neighbors declare.

So it was with the horse rings 'til Scott came along
Thinking "I've an idea that could gather a throng!"
He found some toy horses and tied them up tight
Then sat back to watch and see if they might
Cause people to notice what was always around;
What they had been missing – now they had found.

Now many people will pause for awhile
And others will notice, and they also smile
To see these small horses tied up to the rings
Where once their much bigger brothers had been
And maybe they'll even see a lot more
Of what they've been missing; it's happened before!

His project is spreading and now there's a herd
Of horse-loving folks who've also been spurred
To add some small horses to places near you
Hoping they’ll catch you smiling too.
Watch over our ponies, maybe bring them a rider
And we can make Portland a little bit brighter."

Then Just when we thought we could not fit one more thing, we popped into Cup Cake Jones, a darling shop dedicated to the best in cupcakes! We enjoyed a sample of Downtown Chocolate while Peter explained how it all started. Make sure to check in for the daily special flavors. They publish a calendar for the month so you can make a plan to taste your favorite! Take Fido with you to try the custom baked doggy cupcakes!

On our final sprint to the finish line we dashed into Cacao and took a tour of the World's Chocolate and then made our way to Caffe Umbria where we sat and enjoyed coffees and a beautiful tour of Italian chocolate desserts! Come to Caffe Unmbria during the week and enjoy some Italian lessons!

Winding through the streets of the Pearl we discovered many wonderful places. Lawrence Gallery, 10,000 Villages, and Ghost signs to name just a few! Thank you Savina for being our guide in our own fabulous Portland and sharing your favorite chocolate table locations!

~ Come Gather Around The Table!

You can't put a price on HOME!

My friend Kym and I were chatting on Monday about the weekend and her youngest daughter Logan joined us in the kitchen to catch up and ask a question. They explained to me that they were struggling with what to add to their basic oatmeal recipe cookie mix. They had an afternoon planned with neighbors to make cookies. I suggested they divide the dough and each person could concoct their own best version and I would come back to be the judge...of course! Well it turned into a day of joy as they tried every conceivable combination. My vote... marshmallows with dried pineapple! Yummers!

As I gobbled up my cookie I explained to Logan that I had started a new custom of making cookies for friends with a basic recipe and adding to it everything that they would love and then I would create a cool name for the cookie in honor of their birthday or special event. Logan loved this and said it was much better than a store bought gift because...YOU CAN'T PUT A PRICE ON HOME!!!!! I think she has a career in marketing! Love that kid!

~ Come Gather Around The Table!

Graduation recovery!

What a beautiful weekend! I started with the Blessing of the graduates on Friday night at St. Anne's Chapel on the Marylhurst campus. It was raining and we all piled into the the intimate space while performers and lectures showered us with heartfelt inspiration and an emotional goodbye from the space we had all shared for so many years.

Saturday morning I was up early and feeling surprisingly calm. I had spent the entire week fretting over the commencement speech I would give on this day. I had only told 2 people I was doing this so it would be a surprise. Knowing I would have family and friends in the audience made the preparation all week a bit nerve racking. The 2500 hundred did not phase me as much as the 10 I loved smiling back at me. But not one little butterfly took flight as I mounted the stairs and positioned myself behind the lectern. I let it fly, even though the lights were so bright I could not see a thing. It was lovely, what a privilege to be able to say what I was feeling on this special day. Almost 500 graduates, all excited with many people to thank and be grateful for. So here is my speech. I kept it up beat so that I wouldnt cry the whole time :)

Thank you, Dr. Plotkin! and thank you Marylhurst community and guests!

My fellow graduates…
We could have chosen to learn anywhere, but we got to learn at Marylhurst University!
It is graduation day and many have helped each of us arrive at this moment;
for me none more special than my husband Jaime and my daughter Alexandra.

To give thanks to the many who supported us, our precious families and our dear friends, our wise teachers and advisers,
can only be meaningful through the actions of applying and living out what we have learned at Marylhurst.
~
My learning began 12 years ago as I stepped through the carved oak doors of Marylhurst.
On that first day, I was a bit scared and full of anxiety, wondering how my unspoken goal of finally getting my degree could actually be possible. School would have to be squeezed in among the many demands in my busy life.
Would I have the stamina? Well, professor Simeon Dryfuss listened to my story, then calmed my fears and simply said, “Start!”

Over the years of squeezing a class in here and there Marylhurst faculty and staff soulfully guided my individual journey of discovery and growth, always nurturing my spirit and sense of community.
Every class I walked into, I wanted to do a Spock-type mind-meld with my professors’ intellect,
each exploration providing yet another turn in my path like a carefully crafted labyrinth.

My passions were ignited by these amazing teachers! They caused me to question my positions, and guided me to explore the landscape of my thoughts and the critical issues of our world. In the end, it has given me a deep awareness of self and an active compassion for others.

Marylhusrt also gave me the gift of a sacred space to unfold my dreams. For me, it was all about the details of daily life at Marylhurst, the squirrels doing back flips on the lawn…
the Canadian geese under foot…
the Interior Design students running around imagining new inviting corners from where the music of the piano students would drift in through the stained glass windows.…
and Mt. Hood majestically watching over the campus from its distant perch.
These were the details that took center stage as the ringing of the Angelus Bells in the background provided the rhythm of my days at Marylhurst.

Through the twists and turns of lectures, learning yoga on the beach, engaging in heated philosophical debates, traveling abroad to study the mystical religion of the Incas, and writing endless papers that unlocked some new region of my mind, Sister Cecelia Ranger and Dr. Jerry Roussell adapted my educational plan along the way as I leaped from one stepping stone to the next on my journey toward my center.
~
This week, as we prepared to complete our final walk out the carved oak doors of Marylhurst , we’ve been given the room to craft our possibilities to take with us.


I cannot think of a better plan then to be an agent of change by doing my part with each of you by my side! In the spirit of our group projects and many team presentations, I will not get bogged down in what I don’t know, but instead show up and participate with my unique calling and voice, while each of you shows up with yours. As Desmond Tutu says: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

It is graduation day! It is a new beginning for all of us, a special day from which we continue our journey on a course that promises to be turbulent and unpredictable; through a world that needs each of us to contribute our talents and bravely innovate new solutions and ideas; and a time that calls for each of us to step up and live our lives with courage, determination, and respect.


Thank you, Marylhurst for the many gifts!

Thank you class of 2009! Let’s go overwhelm the world!

We all received our diplomas and hoods and then the bag pipes played us out of the room!

Our weekend was then filled with parties and celebrations for all the other graduates in our life. By Sunday I was sent off for a massage and relaxing morning while our home was transformed into a beautiful nest for my celebration. Dear friends and family showered me with love and support as we all shared memories and ate yummy food. My beautiful daughter put together a very special day for me! My husband and friends made the last four years a possibility! I am grateful and so ready to begin the next great adventure!

~ Come Gather Around The Table!

Mint!

Mint leaves. From left to right peppermint, Eau de Cologne mint (M. citrata), Japanese mint (M. arvensis var. piperascens, also known as var. japonica), horsemint or silver mint (M. longifolia), Moroccan green mint (M. spicata), pineapple mint (M. suaveolens) and Carinthian mint (M. carinthiaca = M. arvensis x M. suaveolens)

Photo and description from Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages.

I love when I go to my neighbor's house for dinner or a visit, she always offers me mint herbal tea over ice. Made fresh from her garden, I have become fascinated with how good it makes me feel. So, after some poking around I found it has so many wonderful benefits for the body and soul. It is known as the symbol of hospitality in Greek mythology, but that is only the beginning of its many uses.

Mint makes a revitalizing foot scrub or rub. Combine 1 cup of Epsom salt, 1/3 cup olive oil and 6 drops of Peppermint essential oil. Scrub your feet, or better yet, ask someone else to scrub your feet and do the same for them. Rinse and enjoy the tingle!

Lake Austin Spa has a wonderful recipe for taking away dandruff. Add one sprig of mint and of rosemary in 8oz of cider vinegar, let sit for a week, and then use after shampooing.

As a feel good all over, put mint in hot water to steep, then serve hot or over ice. It is fun to play with herb combinations, for a fun summer blend try basil or pineapple juice! Mint soothes the tummy and muscles.

Mint is also know for curbing hunger. Smell or sip tea and it will satisfy you enough to avoid those snack habits. Peppermints are low cal usually and provide the same benefits...but only one please!

At the end of the day, to get the full relaxing benefits of Mint, head over to NE Portland's Mint 829 Restaurant and enjoy a Pan American Bistro with influences from the Pacific North West, the Mediterranean and Latin America. "Located in the historic Frederick Torgler Building, Mint's sleek, yet cushy interior allows the vibrant drinks and cuisine to take center stage, inviting guests to relax and enjoy."

~ Come Gather Around The Table!

June 2009 Make and Take!

It is only June 2, and I think I have reached my canning threshold for the summer! The Make and Take gang slaved over a double batch of BBQ sauce today, and it turned out delicious, with a kick! Our double batch yielded 14, 8 oz. jars. We created our own recipe by adapting the best from several recipes and adding our own ideas, which was fun to imagine the savory finished product.

Make and Take BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:
3/4 cup olive oil
6 cups diced onions
6 Tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 cup chipotle chilies in adobo, diced
2 Tablespoons salt
3 teaspoons pepper
3/4 cup molasses
3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 cup cider vinegar
3 28oz cans of crushed tomatoes
1 cup brown sugar
juice of 1/2 a lemon
2 cups ketchup

Start with olive oil, onions, and garlic. Cook 10 min or until transparent. Add salt, pepper, and all remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered for 2 hours. Puree in blender, heat then jar sauce and follow published canning process for tomato sauce.

Delicious! Yes, the onion glasses do work!

For lunch we had the amazing Giada recipe for stuffed artichokes, doctored and baked by Monica; Rosemary Chicken, which I made by skewering chicken onto Rosemary twigs and covering with rosemary sprigs and herbs, Bake 350 degrees for one hour; and peach pie twists from the June issue of BHG. Yummmmmmers!

Our conversation today zeroed in on a wonderful topic that Pam shared about doing something fun everyday for 10 minutes. No matter how tough life seems, carve out that sacred space to simply have fun! The impact this has had in her's and others' lives was inspirational to hear about. What would you do with 10 minutes today?

Time to fire up the summer BBQ plans!

~ Until Next Fall's Make and Take, Come Gather Around The Table!