Happy Monday! We’re traveling all over the map today, no clear post topic winner, save the photos.

This is my friend Rob, remember him? Luckily and quite thankfully, business brings him to the City of Roses a couple of times a year, and we have fun adventures that often include photography. This last time was no exception. We headed to the Japanese Garden on a very foggy and contemplative day. We were among the few out, as it was kind of chilly, and enjoyed spending time zooming in on the multitude of sights, giant and ever so tiny, the mushrooms only as big as the tip of my pinkie. Isn’t nature amazing?

In stark contrast to tiny mushrooms, Rob was upgraded to an Escalade after the GPS in his first vehicle wasn’t working, as he is a man who likes a map on the dashboard. So, despite his embarrassment at having a huge ass, pimped out mode of transport (Oh the rims on that baby!), I made him pose for a photo with it, which, I think, turned out rather awesome, save the wires. As a friend once said, only God is perfect.

Quite near perfect, however, are my friend Maren’s drawings for Polite Society! Check them out for yourself. I received the originals in the mail the other day and keep going to the room where I keep them, smiling and touching them with a light hand. My story is so much more alive now, which hardly seems possible, but it’s true. Thank you sweetheart, I love them so!

And for a final skip to a new subject matter, and once of my favorites, FOOD! Do you remember the egg that changed my life? Well, I’m still in love with it and make it all the time, so yummy, and easy and delicious. Redundant, I know, but it’s soo good! Anyhoo, Daniel, the man behind Duckspoon is off on another worthy adventure I thought I’d share with you:

The Open Kitchen, at which he hosts two kind of events: the first is a local chef spotlight dinner where he features a “not yet known” Portland rock star chef and pair them with local farmers and wine makers for a seasonal five course meal.

The second is a Wellness Dinner Series. He receives a list of ingredients from a naturopathic doctor in a growing network and builds a four course “fine dining” meal out of those ingredients focusing on the theme for that month (November was cold/flu prevention). As the food goes out, the doctor explains the effects that the key ingredients have on the body. People take notes, ask the doctor questions, and learn more about “food as medicine.” Pretty cool, I think, though I have yet to try either.  It’s on my list, so to speak.

On another list, for banh-mi sandwich lovers who like to know the meat is sustainable, the  Double Dragon on 12th & Division is beyond awesome. I’ve been twice and am in love, juicy delicious, and with just the right amount of sauce and cilantro. If I could say something clever in Vietnamese, I would. Something like, a good sandwich makes me very happy.

Wait, wait! I forgot to say THANK YOU for all of the super sweet messages and calls I’ve gotten in support of Polite Society being published. Like a good sandwich, this makes me very happy, as well. You are too kind!

Hope you are happy and enjoying 2012!