Breakfast at MeriDons

We wandered down the main strip to find MeriDon's restaurant where we both ordered omelettes.  Look at that biscuit that came on the side of mine!!

I was interested to see they had on display two birdhouses for the University of Oregon and only one from Oregon State University.

MeriDon's exterior.

Z-A Games. Plus a look at our room.

What's vacation for, if not playing some games.  Here we play the last of our "R" games: Robo Rally.  Matt triumphed in a very difficult board.

Our budget included lodging in a bunk bed room.  I took the top bunk.  Here is my view.

And here is my view of Matt, getting ready to play Sentinels of the Multiverse.

This is also the vacation I learned I perhaps have aged out of sleeping in the top bunk.

McMenamins Ironwork Grill

We went all the way to Forest Grove for my 40th Birthday Vacation, and are staying at McMenamin's Grand Lodge for several days.  We began our stay by eating in the Ironwork Grill and charging it to the room, which is one of our favorite things to do while on vacation.

See that blue passport, sitting among the various detritus on the table?  That passport motivated us to get the wine sampler, so we could get a stamp for a Wine Sampler.  Matt contemplates how I am going to drink all that wine, because he doesn't really like wine.  Though he did taste bits.

It came with it's own place mat and a very tempting message.

Once we (I) drank the wine we did flip the sheet to see what, if anything, was on the other side. 

All sorts of quotes that include wine related things.

40th Birthday Vacation: And We're Off!

Having had a wonderful 40th birthday party, Matt and I are packed and ready to go on my 40th Birthday Vacation. 

Vintage Cakes: Watergate Cake with Impeachment Frosting

This is a white cake flavored with pistachio pudding and a pistachio marscapone frosting.  Before serving, caramel coated pistachios will be scattered across the top.

In true Watergate fashion, the layers slid while it was in the cake holder and I had to straighten it out when I unveiled it.  "A disaster, just like Watergate!" my friend Laurie exclaimed.  

In the Vintage Cakes book, the author revamps old recipes of cakes from years gone by.  She found the Watergate cake recipe as part of a marketing scheme to sell more Jello Pistachio Pudding Mix.  I probably should say that the book has you make the pistachio pudding, not buy Jello Pudding Mix.  I don't even know if you can get pistachio pudding mix anymore.  It sounds like old people food.

I chose this cake because I was born in the Watergate year of 1974 and figured I would not have much call for a pistachio-flavored cake.  Sadly, I did not get to taste this cake because a coworker threw away the bit I was planning on eating the next day.  I did hear it was quite good.

Vintage Cakes: Blackout Cake

Birthday cake #1.  This is a dark chocolate cake with a chocolate pudding frosting and chocolate cookie crumb coating.  It was intense.  And very, very rich.  I had trouble finishing my very small piece.

Parchment Paper Sheets are winner!

I've been buying rolls of parchment, but in restocking my supply I came across these cookie sheet-sized papers and decided to give them a try.  The result?  I love them.  They don't roll like the parchment paper does, which eliminates one of those annoying struggles that cause me to not breathe.