Mancakes and Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland, Oregon

Have you ever eaten a doughnut from Voodoo Doughnuts or had a Mancake from Stepping Stone Cafe in Portland?  I never have until today.  Well, I tried a vegan Voodoo Doughnut and it tasted like a doughnut.  I'm not sure what else I expected but it just tasted like a doughnut.  I don't eat doughnuts but when you are at Voodoo, you just can't help yourself.  Covered in frosting and Cap'n Crunch cereal, grape powder or just sprinkles, it's worth the trip.  I'm saving the Mancake at Stepping Stone Cafe for another day.  We played it safe there and tried the tomato gorgonzola soup instead.  

Since yesterday, we have been to Stepping Stone Cafe in the Northwest area of Portland, Stumptown Coffee and Voodoo Doughnuts, downtown then The Clarklewis, La Buca and Montage in the Northeast area.  This afternoon, we went to New York Deli and then to The Benson Hotel's London Grill for dinner.  

Needless to say we had a really full 24 hours.  Don't worry, we left some for you but I had a list and those of you that know me know I love lists.  A few cafes on my list were closed and again you know how well I do with last minute changes too.  But, we had fun finding new places and look forward to taking family and friends on our version of a "foodie" tour.

So, if you want to read my Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild blog to get more info on our travels and "foodie" experiences throughout Oregon, go to www.obbg.org and click on, "visit our blog". When you see one of my blogs, click on my name under the title and all my blogs will appear.  

In closing, I will have to say, our favorite cafe was La Buca in the Northeast area of Portland. Not on "my list" to begin with, but since we dined on several varieties of olives, crusty bread, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and of course a little Oregon Pinot Noir, it's now at the top. 

Looking forward now to another "self-made" culinary tour and hope you can join us!

 

Shirred Eggs In Our Bed and Breakfast...What The Heck Is A Shirred Egg?

I wake this morning to a pot of hot coffee brought to our room at Coos Bay Manor.  We drove the Southern Oregon Coast yesterday after our lovely guests checked out.  We sort of check ourselves out as well and decided to take an over-night trip and enjoy the sunshine and see the Pacific Ocean. What a beautiful trip.  SoCal's coast is gorgeous but is sometimes so packed with people that it's really hard to enjoy.  So, we enjoyed yesterday and are looking forward to a little exploring today as we mosey on back to Albany.

Yesterday we made our guests Shirred Eggs, bacon, Dakota Bread toast with butter and Rhubarb and Strawberry jam with a little dish of diced red pears covered in vanilla yogurt with a spoonful lemon curd.   So, for Janet and our wonderful hosts at Coos Bay Manor, here is the recipe for:

Shirred Eggs

1 teas. bread crumbs ( I use Italian bread crumbs)

2 thin slices Swiss cheese

1 slice tomato

1 egg

2 slices of fresh mushroom

1 Tablespoon heavy cream or 1/2 & 1/2

Parmesan cheese

Spray a 1 cup ramekin with Pam and sprinkle bread crumbs over the bottom of the ramekin.

Arrange the cheese in the ramekin so it reaches up the sides forming a cup shape

Top with tomato and break egg over it

Place mushroom on top of egg

Drizzle with cream and parmesan cheese

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20min. or until egg is firm.

This is so easy to put together and tastes yummy!  I  have also served it before with fresh berries baked with oats, brown sugar and butter, maple sausage and cinnamon crumb cake with butter and lemon yogurt.

So, if you make Shirred Eggs, let me know how you like them in the comment box.  Another side note, I really am not crazy about eggs so when I make this for us, I scramble my egg a bit and make sure it is cooked well.  Sometimes it needs a 30 second hit in the microwave before serving unless you like your egg a little soft.  Never had  a guest that wasn't impressed by this recipe.

Have a great sunny day and hope to make you Shirred Eggs sometime!

   

  

Memorial Day At Our Inn...The Flag We Wave

We don't usually have tanks parked in front of our inn.  However, in November it was a normal event on Veteran's Day to have tanks roaming the downtown area of Albany.  Tanks, trucks, motorcycles, and soldiers marching in our Veteran's Day Parade was quite a sight to see.  We happened to be at the end of the line and enjoyed sitting on our porch with hot chocolate watching the 2-1/2 hr. long parade which we later read was the largest this side of the Mississippi.  

There won't be a parade in Albany today, but we are expecting to hear a 21 gun salute about 11:00am.  A cemetery a few miles away near Millersburg is holding a Memorial Day Service as are many cemeteries across the U.S.   

So, on our breakfast table this morning we set a flag that stands tall and present to remind us who fought and is still fighting for our freedom.  Arthur Garwood Lusk, Roy Arnold Wheeler Sr., and Joseph Blickinstaff, thank you for your service and thank you for helping us be a "free" nation under God.  And a shout out to those still serving.  Stay safe and bless you and your families.

Whatever you are doing today, wherever you are going, watch for "our flag" and say thank you to the soldiers that gave their lives, that fought for our freedom and for those soldiers still serving to keep us free and safe.

 

 

Pictures of my so called life!

So today is a very nice warm sunny day in the Willamette Valley and I thought it would be nice to take some garden pictures. I don't remember if these iris's were here when we bought our house or if someone gave them to me and I planted them.  Maybe it's age but mostly I like to believe that my brain is just really full. That's my excuse and I'm stickin' to it.  

My friend Diane keeps trying to give me more iris's but I flew down to CA the last few times and I don't wanna get into trouble trying to sneak live plants on the plane.  Southwest probably wouldn't let me fly with them any more.  I have heard of people sneaking illegal animals into the US by hiding them in jackets, hats, etc.  Not me, I'm not going to jail for an iris or two.  So, I think Diane is going to have to come visit me in her new motor home to bring me plants.  

The pansy pot above on our front porch came from Vintage Roost.  My friend Debbie Williams has a seasonal gift shop that is the most darling little cottage full of lovely goodies I have ever seen.  She and some of her craftier friends open this little cottage a few times throughout the year and bring in furniture, flowers, baked treats, jewelry, hand sewn jackets, purses and aprons.  Very, very cute stuff! 

So, let me know if you like my blog and just so you know, this blog is the most self-centered thing I can do for myself so whether you like or not, I enjoy blogging and I will keep doing it no matter what.  But I really hope you love it.  

 

Iris's, Pansies and Butta...In My Garden!

Hey, this is my first official blog that I have written for only you!!!  I have been writing blogs for The Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild for a few months now and have been having so much fun.  Thought I'd try it on my own and see how it goes.  So, today I took some pictures of my flowers.  The pansies on the left are an absolute gorgeous purple.  My friend Barbie loves pansies so whenever they grow here, I think of her.  

This blog will be short and sweet cause I just wanna see how it goes.  We are full tonight with guests and looking forward to a yummy breakfast with them in the morning.  I am making them apple cinnamon french toast with pear liqueur, home grown grain fed pork sausage, scrambled eggs with "farmer's market" green onions and parmesano reggiano cheese.  Yum!!!

We head for the southern Oregon coast on Monday then to Portland to stay at the Benson for Ray's birthday.  Going to OMSI after hours to set rockets off while we drink beer and wine.  Might check out a few diners to send family and friends to when they visit Portland.  Going to tour a mansion and of course taste somethin yummy at Clear Creek with my honey.

Watch for more blogging and pictures too!

me