Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Thinking of Spring

 Photo by Fig

Thurman Street is starting to brighten up with it's yearly show of pink blooms, it's sunny one minute and hailing the next, and farmers markets are beginning to pop up around town.  This all means Spring really is on it's way and I'm waiting patiently for summer to soon follow.  While scouring through my food album in iphoto (yes, I do take pictures of my food on a regular basis) I came across the fresh blueberry puffed pancake I made at the end of summer '10 with handpicked Sauvie Island fruit.  Berry picking is one of my favorite Summer activities and I can't wait to head down the St. Helens Highway in a few short months to get another year's supply.  Who's coming with me?

Monday, March 21, 2011

Event: Benefit Concert for Japan

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Local & Green

Photos by Fig

My two favorite items in the kitchen this week:  Two dozen farm-fresh eggs from Afton Field Farm, and my Shamrock plant.  Have a safe and festive evening!


*If you live in Portland and would like access to Afton Field Farm's goods, take a peek in to their Metro Buying Club

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Wine Club: Spain

Architects and designers tend to magnetically attach themselves to each other, talk about architecture, the latest Brian Libby post, and how CAD crashed on them at least twice last week.  It's true.  It's like a social security blanket for most of us.  But when one of my architecture buddies suggested we start a wine club, I thought would it really work?  Would we be swishing Cabernet and spitting out Corbu?  With Sebastien and Hope at the helm, our first meeting was truly all about wine.  Not a cad layer in sight.

 Photos by Fig.  Next time I'll remember to bring a real camera.  Phone pics just aren't the same.

I won't pretend to be an expert in this arena.  I've ventured to plenty of NW tasting rooms- swished a few glasses, and declared my allegiance to many Pinot Noirs.  Truthfully, I didn't really know what I was doing.  Our first wine club meeting taught me the art of the taste, how to focus on the wine, and what elements help create it's distinct character.  We focused on Spanish wines, moving from Cavas to rich reds.  Sebastien is our resident expert, and detailed our evening on his blog, Downcellar.  Take a gander at his tasting notes- perhaps it will help inspire your weekend meal.

My husband and I are on tap to host next month's meeting.  We're thinking of profiling an area in South America or perhaps even tackling a region in Italy.  Suggestions are welcome!

Salud!
Jenny

Monday, March 7, 2011

Tea Party: Farrow & Ball 2011


Farrow & Ball's 2011 color releases are so artfully and gracefully presented.  Time for Tea?