To my jaded eyes Portland is the land of Laid Back and Happy Hour, or maybe I just feel that way this morning after yesterday's lengthy afternoon Happy Hour of $4 red wine. Today will be an fruit and vegetable ONLY day........except for the French meal tonight at Le Bouchon. I begin to see that so far Portland is all about eating great food at restaurants a normal recession besieged person can afford. It's a real endurance test to keep it up.


When not meeting friends for food and drink we read. The Forger's Spell (An Art Hoax....) by Edward Dolnick is a great read for anyone who is interested in Art or cleverly designed crime. And who of us in Madoff's NY do not like fraud on a grand scale. Went to Powells (must be photo on flikr) yesterday and got my supply of Book bargains including the at least thousand page book on Lincoln by Donald for only $6.

We also plot our road trip to Colorado to begin middle of next week. I read where it's cold on Pike's Peak so I'll have to buy a cheap warm jacket. Looking forward to experiencing my body's capacity to exist at altitudes above sea level.



Part of my life here is spent trying to master my new IPhone which for some reason won't text etc. Back to Matt at the Apple store.

Lots of Mexican food here. Nancy K. told me her Pork Taco recipe when we dined at the College of Contemporary Arts and Crafts.

Pork Tacos

4 lbs pork Shoulder
Juice of 4 oranges
8 cloves garlic
Salt/pepper to taste

Place meat in big heavy Pot or crock pot with juice and garlic; just cover with water.
Boil on low heat for 4-6 hours or 2 days until meat falls apart
Take lid off and cook down liquid
Take off fat and shred Pork
PART II
1/2 cup brandy or more to taste
Pour into meat
Turn on medium heat and dry out and crisp up
SERVE WITH:
Corn Tortillas
Avocado mashed
Salsa
Sour Cream
Crumple Cheese....suggest, Queso Fresco or Cotija (Mexican cheeses may be hard to find)
Dice lots of Cilantro
Lots of Lime to squeeze on everything.
Beer to drink

Also purchased some wool felt rings in the Arts and Crafts Gift shop and black knee socks with gold painted designs to enhance my 10 minute Frick Talks on HCFrick.


The following day we had Mexican food twice....Lunch with Niece, Melissa and the twin niecelettes at Por Que No? And dinner with Elsie and Rosie at La Colaca Comelana. As you see I've become multi Lingual.



The lovely Elsie said she was serving Artichokes at the beach this weekend with her children.

1 Large bottle of Artichokes from Trader Joes
Put on large Paper plate.
Sprinkle something on Top

Soon I will send the famous holiday Spinach Mold favored by Melissa's Mum

Anyone who makes one of these recipes and writes a review in comments section will receive a PRIZE!

adios