Today, I took a field trip with my friend Cindy, that didn’t
involve a high school marching band. I’m
still smiling.
First, we went out to lunch at Olympic Provisions in SE
Portland. It’s tucked back in an
industrial area and the restaurant reflected that style and the minute we
stepped in, we smelled meat. Cured
meat. Salami. Mmm…
We ordered the chef’s choice meat and cheese platters. And Cindy ordered us some juicy Clos de Noi
Monstsant 2009 red wine that smelled like raspberries and spice.
Then we looked through the huge window to watch the falling snow and sipped wine. I looked around
the room and imagined tasting a bite of everyone’s lunch. The orange salad topped with squidgy pinches
of white cheese, olives, and tarragon captured my imagination. But, the pastrami sandwich practically
started talking to me like a Sesame Street puppet. I will definitely return, if only to try the
pastrami sandwich: the pastrami sandwich that got away.
Then our lunch was served.
We nibbled on cheeses and meats.
Took some pictures of our food.
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| picture by Cindy Zosel |
Then we headed off for Portland Nursery on Division
Street. I wanted to show Cindy my
favorite winter get-a-way on a budget.
Whenever the winter rains start weighing on my soul, I visit the greenhouse at Portland Nursery. I usually go sit in
a chair and take in the humidity, water feature noise, tropical foliage, and
the soft light. My miniature Hawaiian
vacation. But today was different…
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| Can you see the snow falling? |
It was snowing.
And we brought our cameras!
Cindy has taught me almost everything that I know about
photography.
We captured light through leaves.
Avoided the hungry venus flytraps.
The snow outside made the musty sweet scent of the gardenias that much sweeter.
I savored the sound of the water and wished for the hundredth time that Portland Nursery would add a tiki bar that sold Mai-Tai's. And add some background music for mood...I'm thinking Hawaiian music or maybe some Beach Boys. Then we went outside to explore and took pictures of snow on the plants.
Cindy took shots with her new
iPhone with attachable camera lenses. I've been wavering about updating my phone, but not after seeing her pictures. I loved how her macro shots turned out. Don’t you agree?
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| picture by Cindy Zosel |
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| picture by Cindy Zosel |
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| picture by Cindy Zosel |
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| picture by Cindy Zosel |
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| picture by Cindy Zosel |
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| picture by Cindy Zosel |
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| picture by Cindy Zosel |
Then we headed back across the river to Vancouver and stopped off at Peet's for a warm beverage to complete our afternoon. Snow days rock.
P.S. If you have any questions about the plants in the greenhouse, check out my favorite garden blogger,
Danger Garden, and read about her latest trip to Portland Nursery on Division.
