The Annual Golf Extarvaganza

Each year at the family reunion, we host the Annual Millar Golf Outing. This is played by one and all whether you play golf or not. The only entry criteria is desire and $10. I always take a photo of each golf team but won't bore you with those here. There are a few standout photos, at least IMHO...

This is "Golf Central" in the orange shirt and his equally talented  (and side-kick) cousin. You gotta love those "gettin' ready grins.  They are as fun to be with as they look...even to their nice old aunt. LOL

Next up is a future golfing  "hall of famer", I am sure. If there is a golf ball, you will see Mason with club in hand.

This year was the First Annual Mini Putt contest. Awards were given for such things as Best Grip, Least Putts, Most Putts, Best Time. Look at the anticipation on these young faces, waiting to see what they won.

My personal award went to best golf shoes worn by a competing athlete...

Need I say more. I rest my case.

Photographing Fifty

My husband is one of ten children and for the last 23 years with a few other years sprinkled in, this family has had a week long reunion in Somewhere, USA. We've been east, west and places in between. I have been the family photographer most of these years.

This is where it all began...

And then, this crew showed up.

Which resulted in this. 

And that's only 46. Another 19 are missing. Hey there is still room at the table. LOL
It has truly been a joyful experience.

Skyped Yet?

My son lives in Amsteredam but I can talk and look at him as if he is across town. Thank you skype. It is wonderful to see his face and to know that he is OK.

He can give us a tour of his apartment, his view, his roommate...just whatever. It make me feel so close to him in spite of the fact that he is miles away. Gotta love it!

Portland vs Tomatoes

Every year I try to trick Mother Nature into providing me with an abundance of home grown tomatoes before September. It's hard to do when the sun doesn't shine until July 4. This year was not different on either count. It's late September and some of the tomatoes are thinking red.

Others, not so much.

My local garden shop had large tomato plants in trellised pots. Seemed like a win-win. I chose one called Early Girl. By name alone this should produce red tomatoes before September. Well here they are, red but small like cherry tomatoes and hard like cherries.

What's an early girl to do?

St Louis' Finest Eating Establishments

On a recent summer trip to St Louis, my home town, Rick and I visited some old restaurant favorites.

First up was Rigazzi's on the Hill. Known for its fishbowls of beer and toasted ravioli, this was one of our hangouts during our single and softball days of yore. The toasted ravioli thing was invented here. Others have tried to duplicate it but oh so not so. These little nuggets are toasted to perfection on the outside (not tough as leather) and the meat mix on the inside is tender. They sprinkle with butter and Parmesano - reggiano cheese and provide a meat sauce for dipping. YUMMO!

When I sent that picture to my kids, they each asked only one question. Did you get the toasted ravioli? It's genetic:).

Next up on our fine food places was Ted Drew's. That place has been around since FOREVER. How do I know? I'm not saying my age but I was a carhop there when I was 16 and no, I did not wear roller skates. I did spill a chocolate shake down the inside of some guys white interior convertible. It slipped, OK?

Anyway, Ted Drew's had concretes long before DQ ever thought of a Blizzard. Vanilla cstard ice cream with add ins, always served with a turn of the cup upside down and no, nothing ever fell out.

This place is just a little custard stand along a city street. Well, little in my day but they have expanded since. There are 15 counter spots across the front and every one of them is at least 12 deep with people waiting to be served. They have a policeman directing traffic. When we were in B-school, we used to try to calculate the profit per minute. This little stand makes BIG $$$$.  Here's another image that gives you a sense of the crowd. And this wasn't a special occasion, just any summer week night in St Louis.

Our last delicatessan came from Bush Stadium. Nothing is finer than a baseball hot dog...the skinny ones with mustard, onions, relish and ketchup. OH Yeah! And an "ice cold beer, HERE".

Amen!

The Kettlecorn Guy

If your looking for some humor on a Saturday morning, go directly to the Farmers Market near the Safeway at the corner of Cornell and Murray. Look for Sweet Old Larry's Kettle corn. It comes in three sizes: Yum, Yumus Maximus and Yumus Gigundus! They only vary bu the amount of Yum you get. Larry will let you sample.

He's done scientific research on his product. This sign lets you know that "massive kettle corn consumption is a sign of superior intelligence" (per unsupervised studies conducted by good Old Larry himself).

After he pops the corn, it goes into this trough for cooling and salting. Yes it's a little sweet and a little salty just like Good Old Larry! We thought this trough would be a great serving dish for any wildly, wild party. 

I asked Larry if I could take pictures and tell this story on my blog since I love his humor. He said great and grabbed a couple of bags for the shot.

Larry always gets the last word! 

Next summer Stop: Tahoe & Reno

Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places in America. Here is a shot of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island, which s probably the most photographed spot on the lake. I love this image.

We visited the Tallac Historic Site, walking the property, which is being restored to it's earlier times. One of the houses on the Pope property is called the Artists Cabin. Look at the rafters which are shaped like a tree. I loved this building. So cool!

These next two images are my favorite from the entire trip. The colors inspire me. Oh my!

The purpose of the trip was for Rick and Terry to play in a member-guest tournament at Montreaux Golf Club. But I got to do some golfing as well. Here are my partners in crime. Pat, Beachy and Mary Ann. Really nice ladies and really good golfers!

Check out that golf hole behind them. The vertical drop will kill you and the creek you have to clear is way out there. As my brothers likes to say "I only play golf in the 80s. If it gets hotter than that i just don't go. 

And saving the best for last, The Orr's managed to snag 4 tickets to the combined Doobie Brothers-Chicago concert. They played separately and then together. At one time there were 4 drummers, 4 guitars and 6 brass instruments on the stage. Perhaps I am showing my age, but it was fabulous sing along.

07.04.12

What a blast!

Summer started yesterday. Just in time for the annual neighborhood/cul-de-sac potluck, bring your own B & C (bottle and chair) party. It is so much fun to catch up from a winter of indoor activities and see which kids have grown the most, are ready to begin school, are going to high school or college. My last graduated from college and I am feeling really old.

It's also fun to see who is officially old enough to light matches and who is now brave enough to light the fire works too. Definitely, not me.

Another tradition of mine is to put out my red, white and blue quilt. This is one of the first quilts I ever made. I hang it from my deck rail so that all the neighborhood walkers have something to look at as they pass by. Sort of my very own outdoor quilt show.

Rick and I close out the day by sitting on our deck, sipping wine and watching a spectacular FW display from a neighborhood just over.

About Town: Willamette Valley Wineries

Caite came home for her birthday in late June. One of the things that we have never done and so decided to do is go wine-ing. Since the Willamette Valley is known for its Pinot's and I am more of a white wine drinker, I agreed to be the designated driver. This also means that I got to take a lot of photos and what a drop dead gorgeous place to be for that.

Why do I like the underside of umbrellas, especially red ones? I will add this to my collection of similar images.

First stop was Dobbes. Red umbrellas, red chairs red wine...

Second stop was Erath. I loved these barrels. I found a lot of cute wine stuff. I bought some napkins that say "What's a nice girl like me doing without a drink in her hand?" I'm saving them for book group.

And then there is the rose bush on the end of every other row. I learned in New Zealand that rose bushes are attractive to the same types of insects that attack grape vines but the roses show the infestation earlier. So, they are used as an indicator of the health of the vines.

Our last stop was Barrel Fence Winery. The proprietor has a vineyard in New Zealand, as well, and features the Oregon and NZ wines side by side for tasting. Caite really enjoyed this after being introdcued to NZ wines when living in Dunedin, NZ.

Barrel Fence lead me to my favorite shot of the day. Simply breathtaking.....

Caps and Gowns!

This has been a summer of many small trips. The first, in June, was a huge celebration for Caite as she graduated from Santa Clara University. Actually, this was totally Caite's day. Ours was the day we made the last tuition payment. HOORAY!

It's hard to believe that our children are all out of school.

First up is the prep for the big day tomorrow. Ironing the grad gown is not an easy task. Too bad they have to stuff them in a tiny little package. Oops, maybe this is the first of several grad dresses.

Then on to the Baccalaureate.  (Thank God for spell check in blogger :) This was a beautifully choreographed Mass with music and dance in the finest Jesuit tradition. All readings were done by the graduating Seniors. Absolutely lovely!

Immediately following, SCU hosted a reception for grads and their families in the commons. This was a chance to connect with old friends as well. Julianne Brands and Caite have been friends since high school. It was good to visit with David and Julie.

Here is a shot of Caite and her room mates for the last 2 years. Amanda and Caite went to high school together as well. They are, left to right, Amanda, Lauren, Caite and Alyssa.

For the evening celebration, Caite and her roommates chose 71 St Peter Mediterranean Grill for they and their families to share dinner. It was a fun evening getting to know everyone's parents. They hail from Ohio, Pasadena and Portland. Nick drove up from Orange county to add to the good times. What fun!

Here we are as good looking as ever!

Oh, What a Perfect Day!

Today was a perfect day. First, I played golf and thanks to my friend, Laurie, I think just maybe I have straightened out my game. As we discussed. most improvements are about very small changes. Not over correcting. I think I might have the answer. Then lunch and girlfriend stories. More to come.

Next, I went to the dreaded mall to try and find a dress for my niece's wedding. First, I am not overly fond of the mall and you must know that the last time I wore a dress was possibly 10 years ago. Really! (I wondered who got married then?)  I found a good dress in the second store I visited. WHOA! That left enough time to get a PEDI, she says with a huge smile!!!!! Love me a PEDI.

Rick was out so no dinner cooked here. Love me some leftovers. Sit on the deck, sip wine and enjoy the evening's cloud formations.. Like I said, it was a perfect day. 

Oh-um! in zen!

About Town Squared

Have you ever taken a tour of your own home town? Does that seem like and odd thing to do. Well I did and it isn't. Several members of my book group took a walking tour of Portland and how fun was that. I learned

• How Portland got it's name. 
• Back in the day, men outnumbered women 10 to 1, which made women fearful of walking on the streets. Chapman Square was set aside for the exclusive use of women and children. It was also the site of the recent Occupy Portland group who camped there for some number of days.
•  I saw the world's smallest park, called Mill Ends, which is located in the median strip of SW Naito Parkway and measures 452 square inches. 
• There is a fountain officially named The Quest but was renamed by Portlanders  Three Groins in the Fountain.
•  That it's a long way to Tipperary but Portlandia was only a few blocks away.
• The weather vane in Pioneer Square has a "top hat" (my term) that is different depending on the weather prediction. On this day it was rightfully sunny.
• There are stations for charging your electric car.
• And a trash can that features a compactor and a digital code is sent when it is full and time for a pick up. 
• Allow Me the statue in Pioneer Square of the gentleman with umbrella got a few things wrong. Portlanders don't use umbrellas, or wear ties, or sport watches but he is still a crowd pleaser.
• Bicycles are a favorite mode of transportation.
• Food carts abound and seemed to be loved by all.
• The Heathman and the MAX blend the new and the old but both reign supreme.

A

Give your town a go. You will be surprised at what you learn.

About Town

Every once in a while you nab a photo of something that strikes your funny bone.
Here were two that I caught with my camera.

Just how safe is that zone????

And what about these house boats parked side by side...

Good Judgement  next to Seventh Heaven. Now tell me who do you think had more fun.

 Just saying...

Puttin' on the Ritz

Check out this flash mob in Moscow, dancing to Puttin' on the Ritz. It will make you happy! Ya gotta love it.

It Ain't Nothing But the Blues

If you haven't been, you should go see for yourself what It Ain't Nothing But the Blues is all about. 

Here's what they have to say about the show: "From African chants and Delta spirituals to the urban electricity of a Chicago nightclub, from dusty backroads bluegrass to the twang of a country juke joint, It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues is a stirring retrospective of blues classics that summons the soul of American music. Over two dozen musical numbers are included, among them “I’m Your Hoochie-Coochie Man,” “Goodnight, Irene,” “Fever,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “The Thrill Is Gone” and “Let the Good Times Roll.” It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical, and has played to rave reviews all over the country. Through the music that is cherished as an original American art form, the standout group of musicians and singers on stage share a moving American story of troubles and triumph."

Tracing the blues from it's beginnings in Africa through the deep south and then north is very cool. Showing the difference over time and place is very interesting. What they do to the song Goodnight Irene is spectacular. The actors are superb. Portland Center Stage did not disappoint. It was a foot stomping, body swaying, heck of a good time.

Rhubarb Custard Cake

I don't often bake anymore since only Rick and I would eat the goodies and we don't really need to go there. But it's rhubarb season and Nick and Lynn were coming home for the weekend and it's rhubarb season and... I know I am repeating myself but a girl has to make her point...it's rhubarb season.

I cut this recipe from the Oregonian sometime in the last 15 years. It was originally from Chris Christensen's column A Matter of Taste. I know that because I really liked the story that came with the recipe and cut it out too. She tells how a reader, Mara Nesbitt-Aldrich, sent her the recipe in response to a comment about not using store bought cake mixes for cake baking. It was love at first bite and tune changing time. I never thought much of rhubarb until my friend Lee Fowler made a rhubarb pie and I was smitten. Remembering this recipe, I dug it out and now it is an annual thing during rhubarb season. The recipe directions are odd but easy and the cake is oh so delish. Give it a go. You will not be disappointed.

Rhubarb Custard Cake

1 18 oz box white cake mix that uses oil as an ingredient like Duncan Hines
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 cups of diced rhubarb
1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
1 pint of whipping cream (2 cups)

Preheat the oven according to the cake package directions for type of pan and size.

Cut rhubarb into pieces and set aside.

Prepare the cake as directed on the package and add the nutmeg to the batter. Pour the batter into a prepared 11x15 baking dish or a deep 9x13.

Toss the rhubarb with the granulated sugar and sprinkle across the top of the uncooked cake.

Drizzle the entire carton of whipping cream over the prepared fruit and cake. Do not mix in.

Bake for about 35 minutes or until the top of the cake turns  golden brown and begins to pul away from the sides of the pan. A toothpick stuck into the cake part of the center should come out clean.

Trust me on this one, the cream and rhubarb sink to the bottom and form a fruity custard. The cake bakes on top of this. Amazing, I know but it works every time. And, the cake bottom is the prettiest shade of pink and white. Lovely.

Of course I forgot to take a photo so I searched my files for something pink and white and share this one with you.

Enjoy!

In April, I chose to drive the 1100 miles from the desert to Portland alone. I have always wanted to take a long road trip, solo. Mostly because I don't think driving for long periods is my forté. The first day I drove for 11 hours. Four hours in, the gas would be at quarter tank. I stopped, filled up, hit the necessary, stretched, walked for 5 minutes and began again. It wasn't bad. One of the things I really enjoyed was how the terrain changed from south to north. I snapped this image as I approached the mountains in northern California. It completely captures the essence of my trip.

Jane Pauley and Me!

The first time I recall seeing Jane Pauley was in 1985 when I was home on leave after having had my first child, Drew. She and Bryant Gumbel  kept us company in the mornings through all of our chores. Turns out she is about my age and has the same number and gender of children. It was fun to hear her tell her young adult children stories and totally get it. What a great sense of humor! She spoke in April at the Voices lecture series. The topic was "Reinventing Yourself after 50", which is a series she does on the today show. Most of the audience could relate as we approach that time in life when our children are grown, we have some time and a few bucks AND want to be useful. Afterward at the reception, a friend snapped this picture. How fun is that.

Two side comments.

If you have never heard of Voices, you should check it out. See the link above. Each season, there are lectures by "Four amazing women; four incredible stories." 2012-2013 marks the 20th season.

When asked for the secret to a long marriage, Jane deferred to her husband Garry Trudeau's thought "Leave two things unsaid each day." Solid advice for any relationship or so it seems.

A Rose by any other name must be a Lily

Caite and her girlfriends spent some time with us over spring break. They do know the way to a mom's heart...flowers. When these lilies arrived, they were tight buds. It was so much fun watching them open over the next few days, I have the perfect northern exposure window for snapping photos. This was taken a few days into the bloom and is one of my favs. Gorgeous, right!

Lemon Tree Very Pretty...

Imagine having your very own Myers lemon tree. I do. I hear they are a cross between an orange and a lemon. Whatever! The new fruit is beginning to appear so it is time to pick the old. To accomplish this task, I needed the assistance of some one much younger than me. We girls found our own solution...a lawn chair in the pool to stand on, reaching the perfect height to grab the lemons. YUMMO! 

I'm Learning Spanish and You Could Too!

I watched this U-tube video, actually a TED lecture, by Luis von Ahn, who is responsible for capthcas, those annoying little phrases that you have to type in to prove you are not a spammer. Turns out he is a really smart individual who is conjuring ways to use the 7.5 millions individuals 10 seconds per day to do something useful. Segue forward to his latest project, translating wikipedia into other languages besides English, and you too can help. That's how I am learning Spanish and it is fun and cool. It's at Duolingo.com. I am on my way.

Yo quiero vino. haha

Adios.

Earth Day 2012

Earth Day was on Sunday. It could not have been a more spectacular day to celebrate this event. In Portland, the sun was out and we were warmed to the mid 70's, maybe even higher. I walked around my yard to see what was in bloom and found many beginnings. It was grand.

On a different note, I found this TED lecture by Chris Jordan to be thought provoking. He makes art by symbolizing social issues. Listen, see what you think and leave a comment. I would like to get your take.