Am I being selfish? Or am I being a brat? I don't think it really matters cause if I stomp my feet enough, I am going to get my way and get my new kitchen!I started taking cabinet doors off the cabinets right after we bought our 1908 Craftsman Bungalow almost 5 yrs. ago! I thought with the doors gone, I would be that much closer to getting a new kitchen. Ha! Jokes on me!
We have remodeled the inn a bit to make sure our guests are perfectly comfortable, we have painted, we have fixed almost everything that needed to be fixed. Now, I really want my kitchen done! And of course as goes the innkeeping business, we are very busy in the summer. So when is the best time for remodeling here? Probably late fall...maybe November perhaps.
We decided it would be fun to send these pictures to the folks at "This Old House!" It's only been a few days since sending my imploring email practically begging them to come back to Albany and do my kitchen. They have been here in the recent past and as I have uttered before, we do boast the most in number and the most varied historic homes and buildings in the entire state of Oregon. Why wouldn't they want to come back here? I'll guess we'll find out!
So, our contractor says, "start looking at pictures to see what you want!" I don't need pictures Greyson! I just want a new kitchen! I want a sink that doesn't soak me when I do dishes, I want, no I demand a gas range so when people walk in to my kitchen they'll think I'm a really good cook. I want flooring that doesn't crack when you walk on it, I need more work space, more storage, more style and please make it look like it belongs to this house! Is that too much to ask? I don't think so.
Well...until we slow down and the cold weather begins to charm us in to believing that it's only here for a season, I will live with my inn's kitchen the way it is. Good things do come out of it. Homemade pecan and cranberry scones, baked french toast drenched in orange liqueur, fritatta's with backyard basil........
Maybe I can wait till fall after all!
Moseying today from the Pearl District in NW Portland, I made my way to the 
nice hike near
began reading one of the last chapters and have been overwhelmed by the story as it takes place in wartime Germany. It has been a struggle to read and grasp. Eventually putting the book away and wanting to get this garden touring going, I stumbled across the 
My trek kind of took on a different feel and I moved on to the gardens. Contemplating the day, seeing the gardens and realizing just how much there is left to experience here in Oregon, I need two more lifetimes to do it all! It's hard to imagine that our visitor's and guests that come to Oregon and only spend a few days here can leave satisfied. I don't think many of them do. The phrase we hear most often is, "we will have to come back so we can do all the other things we wanted to do!"
Yes, there are homes for sale in Oregon...vintage homes in a town that boasts the most in the entire state! Albany, Oregon has over 700 historic homes and buildings and they are all within four historic districts.
perfect location or "hub" for visitors to see our vintage treasures while visiting our awesome downtown and culinary travel destination. Several historic homes, museums, buildings and restaurants will be
waiting to welcome you as you tour our town and see why this region is drawing such a plethora of visitors. Parks, riverwalks, a new promenade, tours and that Oregon culinary experience you have been dying to find!
Pondering what I wanted to serve my guests for breakfast a few days ago, I remembered that I had this egg recipe I got off the 
Following my recipe for fun, we mixed a chef that owns a beautiful
Gresham said "yes" when I asked him a few months ago to give Drew a cooking lesson. Little did I know that this chef and his student would prepare such an awesome feast. Homemade pasta, sauce made with onions, peppers, mushrooms and wow...so good! I couldn't help but peek into the kitchen every now and then to get a picture of these two working together to make our meal. But I made time to explore Forest Springs and take some photos and I do believe this is one of most gorgeous settings I have ever seen!
he prepares for his guests as they dine in the garden and later as he observes as they wed in that very spot. A "secret" space of sorts surrounded by peace and tranquility but not too far from civilization and close enough to get right up to the dining table when he calls you for lasagna!
dinner was delightful surrounded by friends, family, good wine and food and in the middle of an Oregon forest!