This week in The Pearl – April 24, 2026


We had some nice weather this week, with just a bit of rain to remind us that it is still spring, not summer. Walking is our major form of exercise and we are blessed to be in a place with so many options. Just a few blocks away is the Willamette River Walk, our favorite….

This week in The Pearl – April 17, 2026


Friday, I made something new, French-onion-stuffed mushrooms with gruyere, these are definitely on the do again list – with a blue-cheese and pecan salad it made a perfect lunch. Sunday, Alexis and Joe came over for Sunday lunch, and to celebrate Joe’s birthday. We started with one of Tricia’s best things, salmon chowder, this batch…

This week in the Pearl – March 27, 2026


We stayed pretty close to home this week but still a few highlights stand out – especially with food and people. Saturday morning we had a WhatsApp video chat with Shirley and Jim, our friends and former neighbors in Mukilteo, who now live in Paris. Though technology can be a pain, we are thankful for…

TheTravelsketcher’s Tuesday – crispy aubergine


I know it is Monday here in Portland, but it is Tuesday in New Zealand and Australia where some of you folks live. In last Friday’s post I included a photo of a crispy, cheese-filled, aubergine. The Travel Architect, one of my favorite bloggers, asked about the recipe, so here it is. Tramezzino di melanzane,…

This week in The Pearl – March 6, 2026


We had a wonderful weekend. Saturday we celebrated Alexis’ birthday by going for high tea at DOJA Tea Lounge in Tualatin. It is next to Tualitin Lake at The Commons. Tricia had the ‘Vegan’ – the rest of us carnivores had the ‘Citrus Menu’, though there was only a tiny bit of chicken on one…