Local Access Only. Daddy, bicycle. Daughters, bucket.

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September 2, 2010, there was some sort of street fair on NW Raleigh Street which had been closed as a thoroughfare--Local Access Only. Daddy's taking his daughters there in a bucket situated on a bicycle, a very smart way to avoid trying to find somewhere to park in that part of town, period, street fair closure or no street fair closure. As near as I can tell, that black cable dragging the ground beneath the bicycle and the bucket goes from the center of the back wheel up to the right side of the handlebars and then the brake lever. I guess that's what you call the part that you squeeze shut when you want to put on the brakes. I noticed these three Portlanders while I waited at the southbound 15 bus stop on NW 23rd Avenue, in my bag a bunch of fresh vegetables from the nearby Thursday evening Northwest Portland satellite of the Portland Farmers Market. I'd let Mama know that I was going to stay on the 15 and go shop there after work. (Please don't be confused, this photo was taken four months before she died. She was tickled about the prospect of fresh, home-cooked veggies.) Interesting that the farmers market in that area has now moved to the very street that Mama and I lived on, four blocks east of our apartment building.

Supper. I love leftovers!

I cooked this on Sunday, intending to have it as supper, off and on this week. First I put the two chicken breasts in the glass bowl--sprinkled with salt and pepper, drizzled with olive oil--and baked them for one hour in the oven, 350 degrees. Then I got them out of the bowl so that I could use the drippings and olive oil mixture elsewhere.


Here's where I used it, in this great big saute pan so that I could first cook my cippolini onion and carrots, then braise my variety of greens and spinach. I think that I have Kale. Is that kale, y'all?

So, you see the fresh vegetables which I reaped at the Portland State University Farmers Market which opened this past Saturday. Yummy. I also bought a jar of Mango Madness, a fine pepper jelly from the Rose City Pepperheads, some Chevreddar goat cheese from Farmucopia in Woodland, WA, some other cheese from Ancient Heritage Dairy, Opal Creek, from Scio, OR. I thought I read on their sign that it was sheep cheese--now that I look at the label I see that it is described as "Artisan made on our farm with raw cow milk, cultures, enzymes and salt." Oh, well, I won't each much of it at one time so maybe the lactose tolerance problem won't kick in. It also says "aged at least 60 days." It ought to make a fine grilled cheese. I also go two smallish chocolate chip cookies sprinkled with fleur de sel (sea salt). Actually, I bought one, succumbed to its tastes and texture, then bought the other one and ate it right then, too! The best morsels I popped in my mouth as I made my way through the market!

The Dinner Party

Back story. This week, our second anniversary of the move to Portland week, we also had company from the South. Here all week from Georgia, learning about his new job was Jeff, the husband of our dear friend of many years Christy. Here for a few days for a wedding of a beloved friend, Tony and Melissa, our dear friends from Jackson, Mississippi. When I talked with my son Leland about which restaurant to take them to last Thursday night (since we knew we were going to Three Doors Down Sunday evening), he said, "We'll be grilling, probably. The sun's supposed to be out. Why don't you bring them over here?" Thrilled, I replied, "Really? Find out what Lamont thinks and let us know!" Friday Lamont called and said, "You want to have a dinner party?" "Yes," I said, "if it works for y'all. I'd love for y'all to meet Jeff and Tony and Melissa." That's how we ended up at their house enjoying what I called a "Big Chill" time, minus the angst. Let me tell you, if Lamont and Leland's daddy were alive today, we would've celebrated Father's Day that evening, too, since the guys have to work today. He loved to have family and friends over for good food, a trait you can tell that his two sons inherited.

So this is my Happy Father's Day post to all of you. Enjoy!




Grilled fingerling potatoes, Walla Walla Sweet Onions, yellow squash, and globe zucchini.

The guys shopped for these vegetables at a local farmers' market that happens every Thursday, not too many blocks from their home in a church parking lot.

Flank steak marinated in tangelo juice, zest, and rind, olive oil, garlic, and shallots for a couple of hours, then put onto the grill.




Happy Father's Day, Tony! And Happy Late Mother's Day, Melissa!


Happy Father's Day, Jeff!






For dessert, the guys got local fresh strawberries and fresh, organic ricotta.

With bits of basil added, the dessert tasted great.