Streetcar to the Pearl

I just really loved this exterior wall of a building we passed on our way to lunch. Here Arne is trying to figure out how to get a ticket out of the machine while we are on the streetcar to the Pearl District. It took dollar bills! You could get an "all day " pass and there are "free zone" areas that don't cost anything to ride in.
A beautiful arbor -looking thing we saw in our travels. Waiting for the next streetcar back to town. The weather was so great. This area seemed so clean and quiet! Of course it was on a Sunday. So that could be why it was so quiet.
The lamp posts added a quaint touch to the neighborhood.

Visiting Dublin Bay Knitting Co.

When I saw this knitting shop online, I knew I wanted to find it when we got down to Portland as it promised to carry some lovely wool. And it surely did! As well as many other fine sock yarns and a variety of other yummy finds. Here's their site:
Dublin Bay Knitting Co.

They were so kind to help me find the perfect Aran Wool, imported from Killarney, Ireland. I believe they are the only shop in downtown Portland that have the Kerry Woollen Mills wools.
And so kind of them to help me wind, and wind ...and wind my skeins. It took her forever, but she was still smiling. The shop is located in the Pearl District and we rode the streetcar which was very easy to do to get there. Since it was an Irish wool, of course I chose a lovely green called Green Bushes with flecks of blue and brown. It will make a fine warm sweater one day! If you ever get down to Portland, there are a few other yarn stores downtown as well. This was my only yarn stop this trip. I recommend taking the easy trip on the streetcar to see this one! A beautiful store and well worth the trip!

Portland City- Bay 13

For our second eve out, we ate at Bay 13 in the Pearl District and it was also a fantastic place to eat. We were also able to walk to this one from our hotel easily. The weather was nice for outdoor seating. There were modern lounge chairs behind us. My entree was this beautiful braised beef on potatoes with red onion and wine sauce. Real rocks in resin decorated the wall by our table. My dessert of peanut butter chocolate tart and salted caramel ice cream which I "shared" with my husband. Ha! We are so full from eating all this food now...

Portland City Trip -Benson Hotel and Sauce Box

The Benson Hotel is right on Broadway in downtown Portland. We found it was very noisy on that side of the building on the weekend, so we asked for earplugs. The decor is elegant.
Lobby carpet was pretty...
The ceiling in the lobby was very ornate. We saw a wedding party get photographed on the steps in the lobby and another bride and groom arrive on Saturday.
We ate at the Sauce Box the first night just down the street. It was a very "happening" place and was popular with the younger crowd. The food was amazing. The wait staff knew their stuff. Candles were on the stairs so you had to be careful going up. Two Bachelorette parties were going on in the room we were in. This was our view into the lower dining area. Reservations a must at this place. Lots of goodies to try. Tapioca dumplings were interesting and yummy. Everything well presented.

My salmon with fried leeks, spinach...good but on salty side.Arne's squid which he really did eat in that curry sauce. He really did swallow it whole! Ew!

Pedicure and Parade

Time for a summer pedicure! They sat me in the chair and turned on the chair massager and I couldn't turn it off! It was nuts! I thought I would fall out of the chair. Meanwhile, the one lady is doing my feet while the other is doing my hands. Surprised she could even do them straight. But she did pretty good. Hope it lasts a few days for our trip to Portland!

We went to the Mountlake Terrace Parade and it was big-time fun for a small city! Complete with Sea Fair clowns...one of which sprayed my daughter with a huge super-soaker! A gorilla.... Sea Fair Pirates....and their cannons (BOOM!) And the famous Toe Truck that used to live downtown. And of course drill teams, fire trucks and the whole nine yards. It was a rip roaring time! Off to Portland we go!........

Still Eating

Here we are still eating away....I would have to say that I am doing more eating than knitting, and it's got to be because of the fruit thing and the summer thing going on. This is my absolute favorite appetizer in the world. Fresh mozarella on Vinta crackers with ripe tomato and fresh basil. Got the live plant at Trader Joes and it is great weather for keeping it alive. Sometimes I bring it in out of the sun to let it have a break. Nothing like fresh basil!

The nectarines get ripe quickly in the heat and must be made into Peach (I use nectarines) Pie of course! No need to peel the nectarines. This is a great recipe my sis- in -law gave me and incorporates a little sour cream in the buttery crust and also in the topping you pour over the peaches (nectarines). It is baked covered most of the time, then uncovered to get finished off. A family favorite. I'm sure you could use other fruit in the recipe as well.

On the grill we tried halving the nectarines, brushing with oil and grilling a few minutes each side. I made a raspberry sauce with fresh raspberries and some of my raspberry jam to pour over. Delish!

We had never tried using our cedar planks on the grill so this was our first attempt at doing salmon. You soak the planks first. Another recipe says to oil the plank first. It turned out really nice. The wood burns this way though so I would use a new plank each time if done this same way.

Blueberry Sweater Sleeve

I am taking my cue from Busy Bea Knits and doing some summer food and knitting pairing. Check out her site! She has the most tempting raspberry salad and socks you've ever seen! You will love all her latest sock creations! She and I go way back...We met in CA many years ago. And recently discovered we are kindred knitters. She's the one who got me blogging. Thanks, Bea!
So, in honor of you, here's my version of today's colorful garden edibles paired with my second sleeve on the needles:
Looks good enough to eat! Maybe the colorway for this yarn should be called "Blueberry" instead of "Air".