Fill in the Blank Friday

Made in Oregon!

Happy Friday! We made it through the week! Jose is visiting me from Mexico this weekend and he just got here last night (Jose is my bf from Mexico FYI). After his flight came in we went downtown and walked around and found an amazing restaurant called Violetta.

If you live in Portland or near Portland you cannot miss out on this place! Super cheap prices and amazing food! I had black truffle fries and let me tell you, out of this WORLD good and only 4 bucks! Jose had a burger and it was super tasty as well. I love locally run, sustainable businesses like this one. Such a great find, I will definitely be returning! I snagged a Fill in the Blank Friday from my dear friend Lauren's blog so enjoy and have an amazing weekend!

1. My favorite thing about this week has been Jose coming to visit me and me not having to work today AND the fact that blueberries are showing up more at the market!

2. The weather this week has been AMAZING! I am loving it... except my apartment doesn't have AC so that kinda stinks.

3. The last (interesting) item I received in the mail was Coupons for pizza hut... not very exciting at all, but at least it wasn't a bill!

4. The last movie I saw was Ratatouille, one of my all time faves, puts me in a good mood no matter what! and I've been watching old Paula Dean episodes on DVD, does that count?

5. If I could be doing anything I felt like today I would I actually get to do this cause I have the day off in honor of Jose's visit. So we are gonna go get delicious Mexican food and then hike silver falls. Not a bad day all together!

6. As a teenager I was awkward and had poofy hair, and bad taste in fashion

7. I wish I could trade lives for the day with maybe Harry Potter, it would be pretty freakin sweet to do magic, but only AFTER Voldemort is taken care of, cause I wouldn't want to meet him!

mmmmmm... black truffle oil fries

Couldn't wait for a bite!

Voodoo Saturday

Happy Saturday! I hope everyone is having a fabulous Saturday, I know I am! Started off with a maple bacon bar from Voodoo Doughnuts (thanks dad!!!!), and ended by helping my dad cook up a special dinner to enjoy with my cousin, her husband and their son visiting from Washington. In between, my sister Anna and I did some antiquing in Sellwood and discovered a GREAT thrift store, "Really Good Stuff." I got three cute little plates for three bucks. I am sure they will be making an appearance on the blog very soon. Here's some pictures of highlights from the day. More to follow with the recipe for Dad's Special Beer Can Chicken, Lemon Asparagus, and Champagne Vinaigrette Marinated Veggies. Be excited cause the recipe's are awesome just like my dear old dad! I will get them posted soon so check back ☺

Voodoo!

According to this vintage ad, salt is the way to a man's heart.... good to know!

This is easily the most terrifying antique photo I have ever seen!

It's true! I do!!

Saturday Market

One of the things I love most about Spring/Summer weekends is the plethora of farmers markets. Lake Oswego has a pretty great one that I usually hit about every other weekend, especially when it's blueberry time! It has a wide variety of produce and other yummy treats and the best part is that they are all produced locally. Fresh really is better. I also enjoy watching all the different types of people and their pets that flood to the markets. Last time I went I snapped a bunch of pictures of all the beautiful flowers, food, and people that I encountered. I like to go to the market early to get the freshest produce, but really any time of the day will yield amazing finds. In addition to the Lake Oswego market, I have been to the Portland Farmers market and the Northeast Portland Farmers market that is held on Sundays. The Northeast market is by far the smallest of the three, but if you live over that way it is worth stopping by, one of the booths has amazing raw honey for sale that works great for granola recipes. The Portland Farmers market is the biggest and has the most variety, but the Lake Oswego market will always have a place in my heart because of my memories of going there with my family. I am hoping to try out the Beaverton market in the next few weekends so I will be sure to give it a thorough review after I finally manage to make it over there!

My FAVORITE snack! Light, cinnamony, Perfect!

From Hoffman Dairy Gardens

This dog was huge, and he was still a puppy!

This booth was new to the market, I sampled their Maple Bacon ice cream, which sounds weird but let me tell you it is soo good! It's a perfect combination of sweet and salty. I am officially hooked!

They don't have a blog... yet... but they are going to be opening a food cart on NE 7th and Burnside. They have a facebook page so look 'em up! I grabbed their flavor descriptions from their page and posted them below. The maple bacon was sublime but their other flavors sound great too, I will definitely be back for more.

Products:Flavors --

Tahitian Vanilla:

We swirl fruity, tropical Tahitian vanilla with a hint of swarthy, smoky Mexican vanilla to create this epic ice cream. This will change the way you think about vanilla.

Maple with Bacon:

Imagine crispy bacon piled high over stacks of maple-drizzled pancakes. Yummy maple ice cream studded with humanely raised, nitrate & hormone free bacon.

Caramelized Apple:

Inside is a pint of award-winning Washington apple cider boiled down into a buttery, bittersweet caramel. The flavor of fresh, tart apples shines brightly.

Stumptown Coffee:

Starring Stumptown's perfectly-balanced organic Latin American and East African coffee. They buy the beans directly from the farmers so everyone gets their fair share.

Slabtown Whiskey:

Just down the street from our kitchen is House Spirits Distillery, Portland's finest purveyors of small-batch libations. Whiskey's fire is quenched by cream & sugar.

Coconut-Lemon-Saffron Sorbet:

An alluring blend of creamy coconut milk and lemon, infused with saffron, cardamom, and star anise. This sorbet is an intoxicating journey down the silk road. A dairy-free delight. (Vegan)

Seriously... hunt them down and try it!

YUM!
Flowers from Vang's Gardens.

Best butter horns around!

Irresistible....


Baked goods from Blue Ribbon Bakery.

Keeping Portland Wierd

I was walking in downtown Portland and spotted these chained up to a bike rack. I have no idea who they belonged to.... but I am sure they are awesome!