I'm feeling much better after a nice weekend and I'm ready to take on the world. Luckily for me, it's a short work week, as we're heading to Tahoe for some skiing and good times with A's friends.

[1. C. lynn]

Getting through the short gray days of winter in Portland is not an easy task, but we can all find ways of tempering the rainy day doldrums with something cozy and chic to slip over our heads. My winter fix has been Beau & Marigold's line of sought-after sweaters. I find them so easy to throw on with a pair of boots and feel so pull together and prepared for winter's chill. Not only are the sweaters knit with luxurious yarns and designed with a nod to timeless style, but the designer happens to be one of the most fantastic and talented women I've met in Portland.

With a second winter underway, I'm amassing a little bit of a collection.

PS: To keep all of my sweaters pill-free, I use a sweater stone.

[1-3. Beau & Marigold; 4. c. lynn]

Today we attended Portland's 12th annual Pug Crawl benefiting the Oregon Humane Society at MacTarnahan's Taproom. It was hilarious to see all of the sweet pugs dressed to the nines with happy faces and lots of tangled leashes.

The costumed pups were adorable parading down the runway as were the lookers-on.



[1-8. c. lynn]

We took a walk to the farmers' market this morning and came back with a delicious shredded chicken tamale, a chive goat cheese, and two big bouquets of fresh flowers.

There were a lot of leafy greens at the market, but I wasn't swayed. I'm holding out for berry season.

[1. c. lynn]

Above: a quick snap of my new cacti

I hope that my mom and T decide to visit this April. I've got my fingers crossed.


[1-2. c. lynn]

I have been feeling so overwhelmed by the news, which I keep opened on a tab in my browser and reloading.

We are so lucky to be here at home.

[1-2. c. lynn]

Just another grey day in Portland since we've been back, but there are blue skies ahead. M is going to visit and things will cheer up, I'm sure.

I am loving the juicy pluots at the market, pork tenderloin with oranges from this book, missed tv shows, daydreams about wearing these clogs in a few weeks, and Uwajimaya for all of my favorite Japanese groceries.

I'll be busy making tuna/mayo onigiri tonight for breakfast tomorrow.

[1. Emilie Hardman]

We have linked up again to enjoy our last day in Tokyo before boarding a plane bound for Portland. A few friends of ours will be on the same flight so even the plane ride will feel a bit like home. Portland is a place where we have very good friends—people who pop over with sweet peas from their garden, throw pie baking get-togethers, organize kayaking adventures, and treat us like family.

I'll be happy to be home.

[1. c. lynn]

Things are on the mend! We finally shrugged off our difficult adjustment to life stateside and went out for the most delicious (and decadent) meal at the Screen Door.

With a strong craving for fried chicken and all its trappings, we split their generous two-piece fried buttermilk-battered chicken entree with collard greens, gravy, and mashed potatoes. We also ordered a few sides including a roasted beet salad with toasted pistachios, avocado, goat cheese, and orange segments finished with a delicious lemon vinaigrette; a plate of heirloom carrots and broccoli, and a small dish of some of the best mac & cheese that I've had in awhile. But unbeknownst to me, this dinner was all really leading up to the most incredible dessert of my life—a three layer chocolate orange cake with chocolate sour cream icing topped with vanilla bean ice cream and candied oranges. Chocolate sour cream icing. I didn't even know that I liked icing. It was unbelievable—like a tangy chocolate cheese in between layers of moist chocolate cake. I wanted to be left alone in a room with it. The pastry chef, Erin Eberlein-Sage is a goddess for creating this cake.

You can see the leftovers below:

[1. Where the fork am I?; 2. ? 3. c. lynn]

Our housewarming is coming up this weekend and I'm so excited to have everyone over. The house is in great shape now that A's office is properly organized and our kitchen is stocked with food and beverages for the big day. I've planned the menu with a few snacks and spreads followed by a vegetarian entree and a pulled pork slider.

Our menu:
Apricot chutney served over fresh cream cheese with crackers
Guacamole with tortilla chips
Freshly made white bean hummus with mini pitas
Garden salad
Chile corn custard squares
Niman Ranch pulled pork sliders with blue cheese and homemade red onion pickles

and a raspberry tart with a pistachio crust for dessert

[1. D*S]

Last night I had a girls' night out with my friends R and R over at Laurelhurst Market in NE Portland. We had a great time tasting different cocktails at the bar (more on that later) and laughing over dinner. To start, we ordered a delicious beet salad that was served with shaved fennel, pickled blueberries, Cypress Grove chevre, arugula, and a refreshing mint vinaigrette. The pickled blueberries were so divine that I must recreate them. They have a pickled tang on the tongue at first, but then explode with sweetness and antioxidants. Delicious. We ordered the moules frites, a Niman Ranch steak frites, and a burger and I must report that everything was grilled to perfection. Not bad for a dinner without the boys.

Laurelhurst Market is known for its preparation of local, grass-fed or the best internationally-sourced meats available. They operate a much sought-after butcher counter within the restaurant for takeaway and lunch sandwiches. Having recently won the Rising Star of the Year award from the Oregonian, I'm sure that it won't be long before they start receiving a lot of well-deserved attention.


[1. Laurelhurst Market; 2. The Oregonian]

We're having a great weekend with our moms in town. We've already visited the International Rose Test Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, and Multnomah Falls. I'm happy to have family around and to explore the great outdoors in such beautiful weather!

[1-4. c. lynn]

Rose blooms in every color abound at the four-and-a-half acre international rose test garden in Portland. Founded in 1917, the international rose garden served not only as a collection of American hybrids, but also a safe haven for the roses of Europe that were in danger of being damaged and lost forever during the bombings of WWI.

New rose hybrids are tested at each of twenty-four sites throughout the country (including the Portland garden) and referred to only by a code number. The entries are then "evaluated for two years with fourteen different pieces of desirable criteria including plant habit, vigor, disease resistance, color, flower production, form, foliage, and fragrance." The test garden studies up to 200 rose cultivars each year.

[International Rose Test Garden; 1-6. c. lynn; 7. IRTG]

The weather is finally looking up for the northwest with consecutive days of warm sunshine. I love being outdoors—riding my bike everywhere across the bridges to beer gardens, while running errands and visiting the farmer's market. It's been so fun to set up our little garden too and we've put a lot of energy into making the best use of our outdoor space. Here's a round-up of my favorite items that I've been eyeing for our space.

1. Burner, tripod, and paella pan
2. Eco-friendly Adirondack chair
3. Small solar latern
4. Safe oyster shucker
5. Wall gardening unit

I have a friend who just opened a shop not too far from my house in Portland. Alder & Co. is filled with wonderful treasures like Japanese papers and ceramics, Fog Linen Work, Studio Patro tea towels, Frazier & Wing paper sculptures, and the most lovely cotton and linen clothing from Matta.

[1. & 2. Alder & Co.]

After a wonderful birthday weekend filled with surprise visit from a friend who flew in for the occasion, a trip to the Japanese gardens, and feast to remember at one of our favorite restaurants, I have turned my attention to renewing my bond with my dear bicycle that was seldom used in New York. Finding her tires flat and wonky from disuse, I scheduled a quick post-moving truck check-up at Veloshop and after a few pumps of air and wave good-bye, we were off together for a spring day of leisurely cycling.

As terrifying as it may have been to take a ride on the busy streets of Manhattan, in Portland I'm loving my wheels.

[1. Amanda Gilligan]

Just as a friend teasingly asked if I had taken to wearing pumpkin loafers and overalls after leaving New York for what they consider "the country" in Portland, I was prescribed a quick dose of the pleasures of northwestern civilization through the high art of coffee-making at Barista by my lovely and sympathetic fiancé.

At Barista, a simple cup of coffee has been elevated to a craft with a refined process and an attention to the smallest detail that is clearly evident at first sip. Serving only the finest in coffee beans including Intelligentsia, Stumptown, and Coava, it is a far cry from having a cup of joe in the sticks—or in Manhattan five years ago.

Oh you almost had me, my clever and dearest Manhattanites! But the sun is shining in Portland, the air is fresh, and I have the most fantastic, micro-roasted cappuccino in my hands.

[1-4. Barista]