Portland Eats

I ordered the Nobby Hill (an omelet with zucchini, onions, spinach, and goat cheese) 

That lantern lighting, though. 

"EAT ME, DRINK ME"

Introducing Rae's Lakeview Lounge, which offers no reservations, no lake view, but bottomless mimosas until 2 pm! I had never heard of the place until I was summoned to attend brunch with the ladies on Sunday.  I asked "so, where are we going?' once I got into the car, and the response was "Rae's! Bottomless mimosas for $5!" At that point, I was happy to be in the car.  Rae's is such a cute old-school lounge in the Montgomery Park Neighborhood.  I've really been wanting to explore the food side of Portland recently, and find more places I've never heard of or been to.  Why now, after nearly four years of living downtown? This is a question I cannot find an answer to! I can't believe it's taken me this long to want to explore, especially considering it revolves around exploring food. I've even created a list which includes:

Shut Up And Eat

Screen Door

Pine State Biscuits

Waffle Window

Pip's Original

Petunia's Pies and Pastries

Nuvrei

Besaw's

Tasty & Son's

Christopher David

Cafe Broder

Luckily now, Rae's Lakeview Lounge does not need to be added! 

Easter coma

Easter felt a whole lot more like Thanksgiving this year, instead of Easter. It was spent sitting in a chair, with my arm digging into numerous dips as my only movement, and watching endless games of corn hole. Considering I was with the Freeman's and that is their "thing" as I have come to realize. It is at every single gathering I attend with them (regarding corn hole, although endless dips and chips are always present too). I didn't think things through I as indulged in so many appetizers and was full before the Easter meal. I didn't let my stomach hold me back though and I made it through. I even managed to eat a sliver of carrot cake for dessert. I hope your Easter landed you in a food coma for the rest of the night, as mine did!

Also, why do we only have Easter egg hunts for children? I have missed them along with baskets filled with goodies.  Definitely a part of growing up I am struggling with, as everyone thinks I'm joking every year when I ask if there will be an Easter egg hunt.  I'm not joking people. 

those moments

When you wake up in the middle of the night to see that you still have hours left to sleep

When you arrive early to work and have 5 minutes to just sit and enjoy before going in

When a book is that good, you can't put it down until it's finished

When you capture the perfect candid

When a song plays and simultaneously puts you in a nostalgic mood

When a certain smell can bring you back even more distinctively

When you order but get something bigger than was asked, at the same small price

When you sleep in freshly washed sheets

When you laugh until you cry and your stomach hurts

I have experienced each of these little moments in the past week. The unexpected little moments that are never thought about until you're presented with them. And in turn, cannot truly be appreciated until presented with them.  Such. Good. Moments.

endless tulips

This child does not respond to "say cheese," this response is from "say duck"

I almost completely forgot about the tulip festival this year and I blame it on Megan's absence. I'm not sure how it escaped me, especially when I arrived and saw what seemed like endless rows of tulips, take my breath away. It's been beautiful weather in Portland all week so without any lunch plans, swim lessons, or indoor play dates scheduled with Penny, I drove us south to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm. As I walked through the rows I kept thinking how much better it'd be with a friend because let's face it, focusing all of my time on a toddler who just wants to jump in mud puddles and doesn't know how to work a camera, was not cutting it. I immediately thought of Megan and Stephanie and our experience last year and then sat and enjoyed an "Authentic European Bratwurst" and figured that was close enough.

The Ballet

The other day I found myself wandering around downtown because there was a break in the rain and the sun decided to come out. I walked down Broadway and caught a glimpse of that infamous lit up Portland sign at the Arlene Schnitzer. As I walked by, the word 'ballet' struck me and in that moment I had the biggest urge to attend. The most that ballet has ever been apart of my life was the semester in high school Megan and I decided to take it as a joke. Not a joke of the art, just as a joke to ourselves. Ballet is not my forte, as I lack grace and flexibility. I think if I would have started young though, I would have been able to acquire these skills. I asked my mom once why she never put me into dance and she said "I tried! You didn't want to." I guess dance was more of a girl thing, and that was something I was not. I wish it was however, because I admire those who have the ability to perform. The Schnitzer was hosting "Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo" and boy, am I glad they were. As I looked up what they were all about, I had to re-read. A company consisting of a full male cast? A full male cast playing male AND female roles? A full male comedic ballet? Ticket purchased. You know you picked, although I stumbled upon, the right ballet when the older ladies below you are chuckling so hard that one whispers "oooh gawd, my jaw hurts" in mid performance. I foresee many ballets in my future. Especially if the Schnitzer is hosting; I forgot how gorgeous it was.