but I don't like the desert!

Never been a fan of the desert. Never liked the heat and the fact that there are no "real" trees in the desert and the lack of everything else I love brought me to this conclusion at a very young age. However, every once in a while, something happens that makes me change my mind...at least for a season.

My mom and dad live in Arizona. They began "snow birding" it several years ago and moved there full time about a year and a half ago. It's dry there and there's no grass to be found unless you count that stuff that looks like grass but it really isn't grass how we know it in Oregon. There isn't much water, there is not an overabundance of trees nor is there any stinkin shade when I wanna cool off during hike near the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. But I have to say, I have rather enjoyed this time around in the desert...very much actually.

As you can see from my photo above taken today somewhere between Vegas and St. George, the desert is green...at least for a bit. I couldn't believe how beautiful it looks in green. Just like Cali when we were making our trip south last week, green really looks good on the things that usually aren't so green or not normally green at all. So, our ride through the desert today and our time spent here in December has been quite gorgeous...stunning actually and I still can't believe I am saying that. Remember...I don't like the desert!

I am anxious as we continue our trek north and we will be staying in Salt Lake City tomorrow night. I am on a quest to find the sweetest boutique hotel in downtown then I will search out the food. Yeah...it is still all about the food. I wouldn't be me if it wasn't!

Hopefully the roads will be clear tomorrow, the highways won't be too icy and all the hills hopefully will be green or covered in snow. Now wouldn't that be pretty!

The ride...day two!

Leaving Ashland was a little hard to do this morning. It's the last very sweet town before we hit CA and so the stop at Starbucks before hitting the I 5 really helped.

Ray opted to drive since we were sure to hit some bad weather and he has convinced me over the years that all that fire truck driving prepared him for just about anything. So, I take that with a grain of salt, throw it over my left shoulder and hold on for sure. We did hit some rain, lots of snow on the sides of the road and just a wee bit falling here and there is all. So not so bad really.

Our oddest experience once we got passed some of that bad weather was a total step back to the 1980's in a small town restaurant. That "country" circa 1980 somethin' decor was screaming for a redo but I just crammed that grilled cheese down and said, "now that's not made with Tillamook cheese!" Needless to say, when you are hungry, you'll eat just about anything and I think I did! Thank God...it was time to move on.

Ray had a good idea to take a side road toward San Fran and of course I loved that idea so we jumped off I 5 and skirted the wine country. I was seriously wondering if we had lost our way and somehow ended up back in Oregon. California has had so much rain that everything was so green. The topography and the rolling hills with all those shades and hues that reminded me of home were absolutely beautiful. Drop in a few vineyards, a winery here and there and that warm feeling you get when you have just sipped that perfect red and you would swear we were in the Willamette Valley. But alas...I settled on the fact that California just looks darn good in green. It should wear that color more often...really!

Winding roads...I think hwy 29 or something like that wasn't too fun to drive but it was my turn to do so and Ray's white knuckles clutching his knees were just a hoot! Not really, I'm not that mean but it was fun taking those curves just a tad too fast. But to my surprise, when that wild ride was over, the hwy dropped us on the top of the greenest valley I had ever seen in CA. Then as I looked again, I could swear I was in Italy...wine country Italy. No, I have never been but I have seen enough "House Hunter's International" to know what that place looks like. Gorgeous! I swear I saw countryside I had never seen before and that was only the outskirts of Napa. I can only wonder what "it" must really looks like. Another day, another trip, hopefully soon.

What I learned today out of everything we drove through, everything we ate and everything we did today, is one very important thing...California is going to be doling out some very awesome wines in the next year or two with rain like this. There's just something about this Oregon wine country lover that just knows. Fertility, some sunshine and lots of rain and those grapes are going to thrive. Drink up and enjoy my friends and just remember to share!

Cheers!

Road Trip at Christmastime!

Heading south to have Christmas with our baby girl began today after our last guests for this year checked out of our inn. They were the kind of guests that an innkeeper could keep forever. A sweet family of four with two of the most polite children I have seen in a while. It was nice having kids around a bit because it really doesn't seem like Christmastime without the kids.

Leaving our inn at the holidays is getting harder to do every year but not being with our kids is way worse so we trek to SoCal to enjoy cuddling our kids, laughing and waking up on Christmas morning together. Today we began that trek and hoping and praying for good weather and a safe journey kept us on our toes most of the first days short drive.

We saw some snow, lots of rain and a few crazy drivers but we made it safely to Ashland where we are spending our first night on the road. Some may wonder why we piddle when we could literally make it in one days drive. Well, we love to piddle, peruse and procrastinate just enough to make the trip enjoyable. Hence, our first night at the Ashland Spring Hotel. A little pampering, a nice dinner and beer at Standing Stone Brewery and a night cap at Tease and now I'm in my snowflake jammies posting pics on Facebook and watching my 21 year old son deal out a game of cards for us to play in a sec as he sits on the bed with a shower cap on his head. I am quite sure that he will never grow up. However, why should he?! Isn't it way more fun to be a kid all your life? I am betting that it is!

Ray is already downstairs with his cigar in his heavy smoking jacket probably creeping some folks out with his beanie covered head and swirls of smoke encircling most of his figure in the freezing cold Ashland evening. I guess he has to have his fun too!

Tomorrow we will enter California and "leave" Oregon and even though it's not for long, I will miss it. Smitten, in love or whatever you wanna call it, I do love Oregon. Gazing out the window today even off the I 5, I was amazed at the rolling hills, the cattle grazing in huge pastures, the deer sneaking the clover in the field next to the barns, the sheep huddled to keep warm, the snow covered mountains and I could go on forever. It's just amazing here!

Follow me tomorrow and let's see how far we make it. We'll be looking for that delicious food and hopefully a nice brew somewhere fun. We'll be careful driving over the passes too. We do have precious cargo for sure. That case of Deschute's Mirror Pond Pale Ale, the nice bottle of Sweet Cheeks Pinot Gris and those delectable chocolates from Victorian Chocolates will arrive in SoCal safe and sound.

...live to ride!

The Inn's New Kitchen!

No, this isn't the inn's new kitchen. It is however the window dressing in downtown Portland's William Sonoma. Oh how I wish I could have that stove in the picture though. And yes, we have had this conversation before. It is several thousands of dollars and if you want it delivered and hooked up, well that's an additional 2 or 3 thousand too! So, I will settle for my "good deal" at Lowe's.

We have ordered our gas range, a second dishwasher (and yes, every busy inn needs two dishwashers), Marmoleum for our flooring and very nice material for counter tops too. Our cabinet guy let us go to his shop and pick out our Knotty Hickory for cabinets as well. We are keeping the open upper cabinets as they are pretty sturdy and we love this new quote..."old is the new green!" So, we keep what we can and replace with as much natural product as possible.

For the month of January, our inn's kitchen will be ripped out after not being touched since the 1970's. Ooh...scary, very scary. I have wanted a new kitchen since we moved here but like a good wife, innkeeper or whatever, I have been patient and it will soon pay off.

So, when I get that gas range hooked up, I'm gunna hook myself up with some very yummy vittles and prepare a huge feast. Yes, you are invited! Could I ever not invite you? Geez...I'm hoping you'll bring the wine.

Hit us up for dinner in February. We'll be here with a spatula in one hand, a glass of Pinot Noir in the other and our table set for you! Bon Apetit'!

"Merry Christmas From The Inn!"

Hope you love our new video! Our annual "inn" Christmas letter will follow but I need to be in front of our gorgeous Christmas Tree at the inn when I write it. Inspiration is everything!

We are sitting at our loft in Portland in the Pearl on the eve of our trip to Las Vegas. My parents will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday along with about 100 friends and family. So, have a great weekend. Stay warm and we hope to see you soon!

The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn

Culinary tourism in Oregon begins here!

Culinary tourism in Oregon begins here!

Small town Oregon, tons of delicious restaurants, chef's making their "own" creations, using all local ingredients of course! So, what does one do with resources like that? Well, we create a food tour of course! Tastes, sips, bites...a nosh perhaps?

The Albany Nosh Tours began this past June and they were a hit from the get go! I think we had them at that Traegered prime rib or maybe it was that homemade pasta that Ruby just prepared and filled with buttered butternut squash or maybe it was even those delicious Class 5 burgers or Rubens to go along with the beer from Calapooia Brewing Co. Who knows and when you are chomping down on a bite of all that is delicious here, it doesn't' really matter, it just tastes soooo good!

Newspaper write ups, flier info, pamphlet lingo and even blogging...ahem...couldn't begin to properly describe what these tours are like. You really need to go on one. And, we just happen to have a few seats still available on our NEXT ALBANYNOSH TOUR!

It's all happening on December 18th beginning at 4pm. We meet downtown, trolley to a few restaurants, taste local wines and cheeses at a local vintage (breathtakingly gorgeous) home, a quick ride through our Monteith District and get the quick tour from our "step on" guide, enjoy live Christmas music all evening till the ending befits the perfection of the evening! Yes, we will end at one of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild Inns!

The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn will open up this night only for a first level tour of the inn. Get your tickets for the this entire tour by calling Cathy at TheAlbany Visitor's Association. Her number is 541-928-0831!

Built in 1908, The Pfeiffer Cottage inn exudes Robust Craftsman Bungalow all the way. Clean lines, oak and fir floors, original leaded glass windows and built in's throughout will make you want to stay! Warm, inviting and decorated for Christmas! Our kitchen will be filled to the brim with sweets from several local home bakers and will be served with Bailey's infused homemade Hot Chocolate!

A perfect way to spend an evening in a small town during the holidays! See you on the trolley!

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PARTY!!!

On Friday, December 10th, Betty's shower will be at 6pm in our SUITE at The Bellagio! For more info on where to meet, how to find out which suite we are in, etc., please contact Debbie at 541-971-9557!

For the men: While the ladies are attending Betty's shower, the guys are planning to meet in the lobby of The Bellagio near the concierge desk at 6pm sharp! From there, Ray will have a plan as to what the guys will do to keep themselves busy. Poker, play pool, have a bite and a beer or whatever he decides or can put together to keep you all out of trouble.

ON SATURDAY!

ROY AND BETTY'S 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BEGINS AT 6PM

ARRIVE AT THE BELLAGIO, GO TO THE CONCIERGE DESK AND/OR CALL DEBBIE'S CELL PHONE AT 541-971-9557!

ONCE THE PHONE CALL IS MADE, YOU WILL EITHER BE SENT OR ESCORTED TO ROY AND BETTY'S SUITE!

ENJOY THE EVENT, THE FOOD, THE MOVIE/SLIDE SHOW AND THE COMPANY OF GOOD FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

SEE YOU THEN!

Culinary tourism in Oregon begins here!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 by Debbie Lusk

Small town Oregon, tons of delicious restaurants, chef's making their "own" creations, using all local ingredients of course! So, what does one do with resources like that? Well, we create a food tour of course! Tastes, sips, bites...a nosh perhaps?

The Albany Nosh Tours began this past June and they were a hit from the get go! I think we had them at that Traegered prime rib or maybe it was that homemade pasta that Ruby just prepared and filled with buttered butternut squash or maybe it was even those delicious Class 5 burgers or Rubens to go along with the beer from Calapooia Brewing Co. Who knows and when you are chomping down on a bite of all that is delicious here, it doesn't' really matter, it just tastes soooo good!

Newspaper write ups, flier info, pamphlet lingo and even blogging...ahem...couldn't begin to properly describe what these tours are like. You really need to go on one. And, we just happen to have a few seats still available on our NEXT ALBANY NOSH TOUR!

It's all happening on December 18th beginning at 4pm. We meet downtown, trolley to a few restaurants, taste local wines and cheeses at a local vintage (breathtakingly gorgeous) home, a quick ride through our Monteith District and get the quick tour from our "step on" guide, enjoy live Christmas music all evening till the ending befits the perfection of the evening! Yes, we will end at one of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild Inns!

The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn will open up this night only for a first level tour of the inn. Get your tickets for the this entire tour by calling Cathy at The Albany Visitor's Association. Her number is 541-928-0831!

Built in 1908, The Pfeiffer Cottage inn exudes Robust Craftsman Bungalow all the way. Clean lines, oak and fir floors, original leaded glass windows and built in's throughout will make you want to stay! Warm, inviting and decorated for Christmas! Our kitchen will be filled to the brim with sweets from several local home bakers and will be served with Bailey's infused homemade Hot Chocolate!

A perfect way to spend an evening in a small town during the holidays! See you on the trolley!

I am planning to cry!

In a few days, we will be on a plane going from PDX to Las Vegas! We have been planning my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary for several months and they have probably been planning it for almost 50 years. My mom and dad's big party is being held in their Penthouse Suite at The Bellagio. Yes, the Bellagio! I am not a fan of Vegas and I got to plan this shin dig so I picked the hotel. I don't mind "puttin' on the dog" as long as I get to be comfortable and happy doing it.

I have had a blast putting together a slide show for the party. I just got my newest Mac about one month ago and was happy to see a "vintage photograph slides show" option on iphoto. I had to play it a few hundred times to be sure it all worked and thank goodness, it does! Picking out music to go along with it has been fun too. Dion Warwick, Mama Cass, Roy Orbison, The Supreme's, Sonny and Cher, and more from the 50's, 60's, 70's and even some from today's music. It brought back so many memories the first time I listened to all that music and watched the slide show. My parents went through a lot in their marriage, held it together when times were tough, disgusted us kids by showering together almost every single day, kissing too much and making out in front us when times were good. Unfortunately and fortunately for us kids, it seemed that the good times outweighed the bad.

I was talking to someone about my grandma today and then I remembered I had this photograph of her. It's hard to believe but she was about six months pregnant in this picture. Her posturing, how she spoke only good of others, her gentle sweet nature made her a lady in very sense of the word. My grandparents were married over 65 years when they past away a few years ago. Poppy went first on Christmas eve one year and nana onie went only six months later. I still think that is amazing. It's like she couldn't live without him even though she really didn't appear to know he had gone. The mere non-presence of him seemed a fitting reminder to her that her time would near...as it was.

I know my parents will miss a lot of people that are unable to come to this celebration. My grandparents, my mother's brother Dan who passed away about five years ago this month, a few grandchildren that are unable to make the trip and some friends that have plans with their families during this holiday season. All in all though, we are expecting about 100 guests including Fr. Sabin from Italy who will be officiating the renewal of my parents vows.

So, I hope the Bellagio has soft tissues for all of the cry babies that will soak up all the joy in this celebration. We will miss our family and friends that will be missing from this party but we will cherish and love the one's we have the honor of being with.

Happy 50th Anniversary mom and dad! See you December 11th in Vegas!

A Vintage Christmas in Oregon!

"31st Annual Christmas Parlour Tour"

Join us for our Christmas Parlour Tour of Historic Homes!
Churches, Museums and our library along with several vintage homes will be open for touring on Sunday, December 12, 2010 from 2pm – 7pm!

This Christmas tour will feature several historic homes (listed on the ticket with a map), which have been lovingly restored and beautifully decorated for the holidays. Along with the homes on tour, guests will visit the Whitespires Church, The United Presbyterian Church, the Albany Regional Museum, the Monteith House Museum, the Carnegie Library, and Albany's Historic Carousel and Museum.

Marks Ridge Percherons will take guests through the Historic Monteith District Neighborhood tour and the vintage trolley will pick-up the rest of the stops on the tour. This tour is self-guided. Visitors can tour the homes in any order they like. Transportation is by your own vehicle or by horse drawn wagon and trolley.

Music, refreshments, horse-drawn wagon rides, and vintage trolley rides are all included in the $10 ticket price ($8 for seniors and groups of 10 or more). Children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult.

Ticket sales begin at 1pm on tour day at: Albany Visitors Association, 250 Broadalbin Ave SW #110 in Historic Downtown Albany. Tour begins at Two Rivers Market, 800-526-2256 or (541) 928-0911 www.albanyvisitors.com