Addy's Birthday '09

Addy's Birthday was June 9th, last Tuesday. She didn't want to do anything big or crazy, so we kept it low-key. We went for an easy 4 mile run first thing in the morning, to get it out of the way. We decided that we were going to start our marathon training, so this was our first run. Addy had scheduled a few appointments for the morning. We went to those together which didn't take much time, really. Then we went to Tin Shed (on NE alberta) for breakfast, which we have talking about since we started dating. The sun was out and they have great patio seating. We sat outside waiting for a table with our coffees and enjoyed the slow pace of our morning. Breakfast was good, Addy's wrap and my veggie scramble with rosemary gravy. We decided to go back home for a minute and water the lawn, while we let digestion do some work. After a short break, we went to Portland Running Co. to get some new running shoes. It was the kind of place that sells real running shoes, the ones have certain design elements that make it a better shoe for certain runners. For example, by watching Addy run for a half block, the saleslady was able to tell Addy that she pronates and fitted her with shoes that give her more support to accommodate for that. After picking up some nice new shoes, we drove back toward home, but stopped in Woodstock for some frozen yogurt at the Surf Shack. We walked down the strip with our yogurt and checked out a few of the little shops that we still hadn't been in after living nearby for nearly a year. One of them was Otto's, a small deli that specializes in sausages and during the warmer months, always has a grill going out in front creating the pleasant aroma of grilled meats drifting down Woodstock. A pleasant surprise is that they have a small, but good beer selection, as does the small wine bar/deli further down the block. The short stroll came to an end when we realized it was time to go meet Addy's friend Daryl for drinks. We met him at a local pub on 82nd, appropriately named 82nd Street Bar and Grill. The place was not hip, not a big surprise given its locale, but seemed friendly enough. And the bartender, Wes, was all about serving us the $2.50 well drinks that were the special during happy hour, which didn't end the whole time we were there. My neighbor on the barstool next to me was pretty funny and kept us entertained and laughing. We started getting hungry and decided that it was finally time to leave. We went to a new restaurant called Eastburn. It is a neat place with different areas to hang out, good beers on tap, and, as we found out, good food. We had the fry basket, which was a mix of sweet potato fries as well as regular, skin on potatoes. Addy had a wrap (surprise) and I had a portabello sandwich. Everything was delicious and the ambience was chill, it was just a little loud. When we finished our food, we left for the night to retire. I had a great day, but more importantly, Addy said that she had a great day.

Yard work this weekend

This weekend, we had planned on putting in the front lawn and garden.  Because we were at phil's party until 4:30 in the morning, we had a late start on saturday and i had some heartburn from the Fish House Punch.  so, it ended up being a lazy day for us.  i got completely caught up on Heroes, though.  and we finally watched The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (which was good, but sad, ladies).

sunday morning, we decided that we were going to go for it.  we went and rented a tiller, bought fertilizer, seed, and mulch.  from 12pm to 9pm, we worked in the yard.  we went to work, basically.  but i always enjoy working with addy.  she holds her own and always does more than my midwestern unconsciously sexist mentality thinks she can.  and she makes sure that i know!  she is hilarious and awesome and i love her so much!  i tilled the front yard, garden, and a few other little spots.  i had lots of fond remembrances of working for gary at Just Scraping By throughout the day.  i had forgotten how physical the work is; my hands hurt from using the roto-tiller and my back hurt from shoveling and raking and lifting.  we raked and graded the front yard, then rolled it to make sure it was flat and level (cause i want to be able to mow with our rotary mower).  then we seeded and threw such mulchy stuff on top.  i wished that i had the machine i used with gary, where we mixed it all up and then sprayed it on the lawn nice and evenly.  it is much harder to do by hand.  during the day, we also weeded, trimmed the bushes and trees, and cleaned up the back  yard.  i've been saying that we would get this stuff done for a while and i'm glad that WE did it!  i'm excited to see how the lawn comes in and plant our garden.  maybe next weekend.  

Phil's Cocktail/Bday Party '09

This past friday, our friend, phil, threw a party at his apt.  If you have read my past posts, you know that parties at phil's entail a lot of drinking, mostly classic and uncommon cocktails (phil is a great bartender and consummate gentleman, as well as a good friend).  Phil had sent out invites weeks earlier for everyone to come meet his friend, Jen, from NYC at the party and show her we knew how to get down.  This was to be a respectable party, so suit and tie and dresses were the required garb.  For those of you who know me, you probably suspect the truth, addy had to take me out and find me some "dress-up clothes".  

We showed up to the party, for once not early.  And received a warm welcome from phil and those already there.  For those of you who don't live in portland, the weather has been miraculous.  80's and sunny for nearly the past 2 weeks.  and if you don't live nearby, you don't know this, but the summers in Oregon are unbeatable.  it is sunny and blue and gorgeous.  and everyone comes out of hibernation and frolics in the sun.  this is the feeling going into the party, everyone smiling and warm and happy.  and that was the feeling throughout the night.  there were a lot of people i hadn't met before, but we all had a good time, drinking, talking and just enjoying the gregarious atmosphere.  phil had asked several of the ladies to bring appetizers to keep everyone going, since his drinks were ridiculously strong.  

Now about the drinks.  phil had obviously spent some time researching and debating what he wanted to have for us.  he had two punches pre-made for us and a make your own mint julep station.  for those of you who don't know phil, let me invite you to watch a short video by his new bartending idol from new orleans. http://www.gumbopages.com/looka/archive/2009-05.html#2  this guy is obviously amazing and is more historian/bard than bartender.  phil sent us this to whet our appetites leading up to the party and to educate us on what a "true" mint julep is.  the two punches were both 18th century as well.  one was called Claret Cup, which was based on a red wine, then "fortified" with other liquors.  very strong and full-bodied, if you will, but also a little flat on flavor compared to the other drinks.  the other punch was called Fish House Punch.  i don't really remember what was in it, but know it was super tasty and was finished much sooner than the Claret Cup.  i wish i would have gotten pics of this, but above each punch was a short write-up about the drink, its history, ingredients, and a quote about the drink expounding its strength or eliteness.  everything was written by phil, except the quote of course.  the mint julep station actually had step by step directions, so that you made it correctly.  and it is delicious.  i suggest everyone having one this summer on a hot day.  but make sure you are getting the real deal, not some schmo using some pre-mix or something.  its a simple drink, and that's part of the draw, you can taste each of the ingredients with each sip.  

it was a great party, where no one puked, everyone had fun and i met some new people and had some great talks with friends i hadn't seen for a while.  thank you, phil!