30-Day Minimalism Challenge

This chart is fabulous!

Why take your life?

On November 3, I posted “Cherish One Another”.  It was inspired by my friends’ lovely wedding reception. Continue reading “Why take your life?”

Auld Lang Syne

 

The Second Annual Italian New Year’s Eve Party, 2015!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days o’ auld lang syne?

We took a cup of kindness along with prosecco and wine as we celebrated the passing of 2015 and the start of 2016.   The pictures tell the story!

Jack, Julia, Ruth & Alan, Mike F.  NYE 2015Holly & Jana NYE 2015

Continue reading “Auld Lang Syne”

Italian New Year’s Eve Party!

image

For me a lot of the fun of a trip, an event or, in this case, a party is the anticipation.  It is the same with the Italian New Year’s Eve party that happens tomorrow!   Continue reading “Italian New Year’s Eve Party!”

For the love of Italy!

Italian Book Club Nov 2015

Cliff Newell from the Lake Oswego Review was our special guest at our last meeting of the Italian Book Club at Nicoletta’s Table in Lake Oswego. Here is his article that does a wonderful job of describing the spirit of our group.

“For ladies who love Italy and can’t enough of it, the Nicoletta’s Table Book Club is just the place to go.

That is if you can get a seat at the table. Continue reading “For the love of Italy!”

Lauretta Jean’s

 

Lauretta Jean’s,  3402 SE Division St, Portland, OR    www.laurettajeans.com

2014-04-021215-laurettaJeans_dbooio

I love visiting  this bakery/cafe on Division Street.  It has a vibe and great food—especially the pies—that make every trip a pleasure.

Here’s a recent article from the Portland Monthly Word of Mouth

“Your guests can eat oatmeal at home. Lauretta Jean’s serves a proper breakfast meal: oven-fresh biscuits, each containing euphoric amounts of butter, served every way imaginable-French toast to vegetarian Benedict, or just cradling fresh pork sausage, an egg and maple butter. Slices of breakfast pie (pictured) are drawn from a serious collection including fresh pumpkin and a hazel-nut crowned honey pie, also available to go.”

For serious breakfast eaters, this is the place to go! Of course, a slice of pie is a good thing anytime!

 

This is your Life…

life-is-simple12After a leisurely lunch at Tucci’s in Lake Oswego, I noticed this plaque on the counter.  I just had to take a picture.  It says so many important things especially now in light of the Paris attacks. Continue reading “This is your Life…”

Quotes

Tutti li miei pensier parlan d’Amore.
All of my thoughts can only speak of Love.
~Dante Alighieri

Who Are We?

The Little Prince“Grown-ups love figures… When you tell them you’ve made a new friend they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you “What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies? ” Instead they demand “How old is he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make? ” Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Perhaps you can surmise from the quote above that I am loathe to cross-examine or be cross-examined when I make a new acquaintance.  I don’t want people to draw conclusions such as “She does yoga so she must love green tea.” Or, “She lives in Portland so she must be a tree-hugger who never shaves her armpits!”  I much prefer getting to know a person by spending time with them.  This allows me to experience them rather than pigeonhole them based on extraneous factors.   I will share with you that reading and learning are very important to me.  I also love to travel but not as a tourist getting off and on the bus sleepwalking through ten cities in ten days.  I prefer to visit fewer places and savor the sights and locale.  I love good food and workout regularly so I can eat more delicious food.  I also love good books and good movies that engross me regardless of the topic.  I love solitude but not being alone all the time.  Even though I relish my private space, I do “play well with others”.

Reading, Eating, Conversing Italian Style!

image

The best book club ever!   No one has to cook, clean their house, or clean up afterwards.  Just pay $20 and show up at Nicoletta’s Table in Lake Oswego.  The ambiance, the food, and the lively conversation will transport you to Italy for a few hours.   I always feel as though I have been on a mini vacation! Many thanks to Shari Newman, proprietor and her talented staff Liane and Suzanne for making these meetings so much fun.  They spoil us with a yummy 3-4 course lunch including dessert and prosecco.

The next gathering is Wednesday, Novmber 18, 11:30 -1:30 P.M.  The book is An Italian Journey: A Harvest of Revelations in the Olive Groves of Tuscany by James Ernest Shaw.  I downloaded a copy on my Kindle.   Make a reservation by calling Nicoletta’s Table at 503-699-2927.  Ciao!