Under a Red Roof

Biking for Pancakes and Sunshine

June 20, 2010 in Eating, Exploring by Colleen | Permalink

Can’t you just hear the Jackson Five? A-B-C, as simple as 1-2-3, do-re-mi, 1-2-3, baby you and me girl!

I’d like to start with a shout out to our fabulous neighborhood newspaper, The Southeast Examiner. It’s a neat publication of, as you would imagine, all things local. It’s always worthy of an afternoon. One of my favorite sections has listings of fun activities in the area. Without it, we would not be here today, or, for that matter, out at that fine square dance, for both were found there. I also scored a 10% off coupon for one of our favorite wine shops Mt. Tabor Fine Wine, getting a delicious Toro Albala 1982 PX Sherry. We had a glass at Genoa (a phenomenal meal in celebration of our 17th(!) wedding anniversary a few weeks back) and liked it so much that a bottle had to be procured. Unlike any other sherry I’ve tried, it’s very dark, starts out tasting like a port but finishes like a sherry. Delicious.

Anyhoo, to today’s topic. Last Sunday, when the weather was utterly fine, unlike the steady drizzle of today (good for pulling weeds and spreading bark mulch, however), we got up early and rode our bicycles to the Viking Pancake Breakfast. It’s been listed in the Examiner for ages but this was our first time giving it a try. It’s located in the basement of the Norse Hall (no surprise there, I hope), a fine building erected in the late 1920’s.

It’s kitschy and lovely and filled with sweet people of all ages noshing on crepe-like pancakes with berry compote, the breakfast links of my childhood, fresh strawberries and cantaloupe, orange juice, and a bottomless cup of coffee or tea, if you so choose, all for $6. We loved every bite and moment. One of the highlights was the cute gentleman serving coffee and telling joke after joke about a funny couple named Helga and Olaf. We’ll definitely be back and maybe upstairs, too. They also have dances! Square dances sometimes. Yippee!

After all of that eating and drinking, and because it was so lovely out, we took full advantage of the weather, riding south on the Esplanade and Springwater trail to Sellwood, then back north, and home. It really could not have been a finer day.

Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Birthday Bridget!

Tags: Portland

Swinging the Praises

June 9, 2010 in Exploring, Learning by Colleen | 2 comments

I’m feeling pretty grateful Under a Red Roof today. I received some super kind comments about yesterday’s post, was treated to an awesome early birthday lunch at Stickers, one of my favorite places, by Petra, my friend, boss, and naturopath extraordinaire. I received a super sweet card and gift subscription to Sunset Magazine from the best and most hardworking financial adviser we could ask for, Sean Stansfield (call him – he’s terrific!), and am loving our new fly through bird feeder with the help of my favorite Backyard Birdshop employee, Laura. It is clearly a day for soaking up the love and caring of the generous people in my life. Thanks everybody – your sweet ways go straight to my heart!

Add to that, the veritable cherry on the top, last night we went to our first square dance, or at least first square dance since being the age of single digits some thirty years ago, that is. As you can see from all of the smiling, it was mighty fun, too. A come, as you are affair, minutes from home, we twirled, stomped, did more than one do-si-do, held hands, laughed, whooped, and hollered more than I can ever recall. We can’t wait to put on our Western wear duds and do it again.

Many thanks to the mighty talented Rabbit Foot String Band, Paul Silveria and his fine and instructive calling, and all the friendly, happy dancers, especially Etienne and the really tall guy who kept us all on track. We’ll be seeing you!

A New Path

June 2, 2010 in Being, Exploring, Gardening + Nature, Learning by Colleen | 2 comments

Einstein famously said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results. This path and the surrounding area are a perfect example of his definition. For the first eight years in our house, the hubster and I weeded and weeded it (I even spent a few weeks digging up ALL of the weeds, only to have the majority return the next year – heartbreaker), planted grass seed, watered, fertilized, and mowed, but got the same result. More weeds, more ugly, more mowing, and a whole lotta cursing.

Then, only after being ostensibly whacked over the head by a giant imaginary hoe, we got sane and tried something new. We planted a tree and two yellow flowering currants (friends of the birds and bees!), followed by a whopping sixty kinnikinnick plants. Slowly but surely, the area and our feelings for it began to transform. There was an increasing amount of green and shade. We no longer had to fertilize, water, or mow, leaving more time for more fruitful projects.

This included moving some pieces of stone from another spot in the garden and watching a path emerge (though it is still a little wobbly). Then there were more new ideas. The placement of stumps, the moving of hostas, and the purchase and planting of more than a dozen native plants: strawberries, huckleberries, and bitter cherry trees. No longer an eye sore, it is a pleasure to gaze upon it, as I often do now, from a perch in the bedroom. I look at it and feel grateful for the shade, the clean, cool air wafting through the window, the sweet berries I’ll eat one day, and the blessed sanity of changing one’s path.

Tags: Gardening + Nature

Aloha! Part III: Land

May 5, 2010 in Drinking, Eating, Exploring, Shopping, Traveling by Colleen | 3 comments

This final Hawaiian post is a long one. Grab a beverage or a snack and sit for a spell, won’t you? We’re starting out in Hale’iwa on the North Shore, the surfing capitol of the world. There are lots of charming shops selling all kinds of goodness, and equally charming people. We’ll definitely be back here.

Action shot! The North Shore seems to be the shave ice capitol of the world, as well. If I do say so myself, our combination of lemon, coconut, and vanilla was pretty darned awesome. Soft, almost creamy, no ice crystals, and that touch of vanilla ice cream in the bottom of the cup was divine.

Anahulu stream bridge in Hale’iwa. I love bridges.

A cute cottage for island living.

Smack-dab in the middle of the Dole Plantation. I have never seen so many pineapples!

Highway 99 south to Honolulu.

Dining at the Kapiolani Farmer’s Market. We indulged in an omelet with asparagus and island sheep cheese, super refreshing sparkling beverages, macadamia flower honey from Kaneohe, and abalone. Despite being slightly worried that we were the only haolies in line for them, they did not disappoint: garlicky, buttery, slightly chewy, a bit like escargot. What a pretty bit of “garbage,” as well.

The Kapiolani Community College (the location of the farmer’s market) has one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever seen. There are a myriad variety of flowers…

And cacti…

And more flowers. This was actually part of a hedge. A hibiscus hedge. It is paradise, after all!

This amazing banyan is the neighbor of the Iolani Palace.

The Hawaiian Crest, it reads:

Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono

The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness

The grand entrance to the Iolani Palace.

Still pretty grand is the back entrance, where our tour started.

The barracks – can you tell Hawaiian royalty was deeply influenced by Europe, and, in particular, Great Britain?

What a fine porch to take in a luau…

Or wait for a tour wearing our special shoe covers. No photos allowed inside. Trust me, it was worth it.

Twin Palm trees and a beautiful view.

The state capitol building is unlike any I have seen before. I really liked the architecture. It is open to the elements, with offices around a courtyard. The handsome mosaic, reminiscent of the ocean, is at the center.

Also on the grounds of the capitol is this quite fine and modern rendering of the gracious and giving Father Damien. A sainted man who cared for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those with leprosy (Hansen’s disease). He worked tirelessly for sixteen years before contracting and succumbing to the disease himself. Mahalo.

Greetings from his Majesty King Kamehameha, responsible for uniting the Island Kingdom of Hawaii. You can see the real cape he wore (made of thousands of red and yellow feathers) as well as other gorgeous finery on the tour of the Iolani Palace.

The grand mausoleum of King William Lunalilo, elected popularly and by the legislature.

Lunch time at the Hawaii State Art Museum. The restaurant was highly recommended by our tour guide at the Iolani Palace. The chef takes a “local first, organic whenever possible, and with aloha always” approach. It is mighty fine.

A tribute to Hawaiian Firefighters. Mahalo!

The Honolulu Brewing Company building, circa 1900. It actually went under a $25 million dollar renovation, but, quite unfortunately, I guess they used some super stinky wood sealer, and the building remains unoccupied. Talk about a bummer. It was, however, used in LOST, in some scenes where Charlie was meant to be in England. This also reminds me, we had one LOST sighting on our island adventure. In the airport on our way home, we saw Jack’s father Christian. He is more handsome and shorter than I expected. Go figure.

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel grounds. As we were walking by, we saw a couple readying for their wedding ceremony. What a place to tie the knot! For my Uncle Chris, and a shout out to Rick, too: we couldn’t find the place you guys had a cocktail, but no worries, we indulged in more than one delicious tropical drink requiring an umbrella and a maraschino cherry. We also had stunning views from the Punchbowl (see below).

Pineapple County Store

An Oahu icon, we had really good burgers and the equally good company of a local who dines here every night.

Leonard’s makes Malasadas, the best doughnut-like baked good I have ever tasted. Trust me, with a particular fondness for fried dough, I have A LOT of experience in this area. We tried them plain, filled with chocolate (like a really good pudding), and a silky coconut cream, of course. Is there a Hawaiian term for Ooh la la?

We’re at the Punchbowl National Cemetery. Located in a crater above the city, the cemetery is a stunning memorial to the sacrifices of our service men and women. Lady Columbia holds a laurel branch and represents the grieving of all mothers. Inscribed beneath her are the words of Abraham Lincoln:

“The solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.”

Amen to that.

It is a somber place of gorgeous vistas, encompassing Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor.

The small chapel.

One of the marvelous maps detailing World War II battles.

A final view of the sea.

Mahalo much, dear Hawaii!

Tags: Traveling

Aloha! Part II: Sea

April 28, 2010 in Exploring, Traveling by Colleen | 2 comments

Hello friends! We’re back in Hawaii (at least virtually) and a tranquil day on Waimea Bay. During the winter, this is literally the center of the Surfing Universe, with waves reaching up to forty feet!

White, very white.

I’m snorkeling in Shark’s Cove. What a delight to have the undersea world opened up to me. There were hundreds of beautiful fish!

Though new to the sport, the hubster is very serious about snorkeling.

Despite the simplistic nature of snorkeling, it made us super hungry. Something about being tossed around by the sea, I suppose. These shrimp shacks line the north coast along the Windward Shore, near where the shrimp is harvested. This particular shack was run by three adorable local teens who were equally comfortable speaking Japanese or English, very cool. We had finger licking good garlic butter and spicy garlic butter shrimp, served with rice, of course. Double yum.

The view from La’ie point. The large hole in the island was caused by a tsunami literally punching through it in 1946. Thankfully we missed out on activity of this variety.