Vintage Recipes

Recently a friend was talking about using her mother's recipe for Chinese Almond Cookies and not getting the result she remembered as a child.  Of course not, when you use sugar substitutes, butter substitutes, fat substitutes, what do you expect?  Aren't these un-natural?  I think so!  And they taste funny too.

Back in the day when all the foods we ate were "sourced locally", we'd never heard of the word, organic, or natural in relation to food.  I grew up baking and always used butter.  Now when am asked, "do you use butter?"  I always answer with indignation, "of course! what else?" 

In sorting through my mother's kitchen, I found some really old cookbooks that she had from way before I was born.  That is a very, very long time ago, last century.  Perusing them, I was happy to see no substitutes for lard, sugar, butter, eggs, etc.  What else can there be but the real thing?

Yes, I ate all those things and am still around so I figure they can be all bad...at my age,  ok, doctor, in moderation.

So, I decided to share some of the vintage recipes I've found.  No substitutions please....

Best Shoes for Roaming Boomers

I get stopped and asked by other aging boomers, "are those shoes comfortable?"  I always answer, "YES!, they're not pretty but my feet and back are very happy travelers!"

I discovered MBT by accident.  Went into a shoe store(popular with aging boomers like me)  with aching feet after a long day at work, walking the concrete halls of the State Capitol.  A nice lady was trying on the MBT Kaya -- a mary jane style shoe.  The shoes looked clunky and heavy and bulky.  But the rocker sole intrigued me.  I asked her, "How do they feel?"  She said, "I'm getting them."  Ok, that did it, I tried on the same style and got them! 

Have since gotten a new sandal style every summer, another mary jane style, and the athletic shoe (lace up) style.  Since I am on my feet a lot at work and like to walk, these provide the best support and posture of any shoe I've worn.  And I am a life long fan of Dansko Professional Clogs.  Also wear those a lot.  Some of the MBTs required orthotics for my feet, but this only made the fit and support superior! 

These MBTs have logged many miles in the capitol, and on summer and fall vacations.  I find I don't have to alternate shoes every other day, when sightseeing. 

Try them, not pretty but your feet with thank you

Victorinox Swiss Army Knife--mini size

There are so many handy dandy travel items available today.  My oldest and favorite is the mini size Victorinox Swiss Army knife.  No, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of big brother but sure has come in handy on the road, in the office and in general. 

It is lightweight enough to carry on a key chain.  Has a little scissors, very handy for snipping pesky threads, cutting out itchy labels from clothing, knife blade, nail file, flathead screwdriver, mini tweezers and even a toothpick!

By the way, TSA (airport security) doesn't agree with me.  To date, I have lost/given up 3 little knives in various airports in the US.  Now I make sure the little guy goes into my suitcase before I check in!

They also come in fun colors too, not just red.  check out www.swissarmy.com  The one I have loved and lost is the Pocket knife.  They now come in fun colors and prints!  Retail around $20.00.

Pistils Nursery on Mississippi Avenue

 Discovered this wonderful little plant shop on Mississippi Ave. on the east side of the Willamette River.  Today was the first time we explored this up and coming area of Portland.  The rain had stopped and blue sky greeted us as we drove over the bridge. 

The little planters and arrangements are perfect for homes, offices and gifts.  Clever use of materials made me want to buy one of each!  Too bad I can't take plants back to Hawaii.  (Ag laws)


Glass planters/terrariums



Tiny shop but packed with so much to see 

side/back of Pistils

Love the air plants too!  Seems these are pricey no matter where I see them.

October in Portland 2012

slide show of my photos.

Autumn Leaves, at last!

Growing up in Hawaii, I've always wanted to see and experience Fall.  Well, this October, I got to do just that.  Russ and I were in Portland, Oregon at the beginning of autumn, just when the leaves were yellow and turning to orange and red.  The weather was still a little warm, in the 60's and even 70 degrees one day.  Of course the evenings were a lot cooler, but not cold yet.  Oh yes, and it did rain, not much, just enough to remind me winter is coming.

Farther north, in Bellingham, WA, the leaves were orange and red and started to accumulate on the ground.  It was so exciting to me to experience a changing season.  The air was much colder and the wind picked up the weekend I was there.  It is fun for me to be able to wear a hat and coat and fleece pajamas, and sleep between fleece sheets.  Yes, it was that cold!

Hawaii had been so humid and hot, with El Nino or La Nina or whatever, this year.  This cool-getting-colder weather is so nice; enjoyed walking along Bellingham Bay, though the rain and wind blew us back into the coffee shop.  Not biting cold yet so even being on the bridge over the water was fun for me.

Maybe a salad soon

The cucumber plant is reaching for the sky.  Had to give it support.  Found out these stalks are thorny, even though the fuzzy hairs look downy.  The volunteer tomato is doing well do far.  I see a few tiny flowers, fruit soon, I hope!