I’m sitting here at Grounded NW Coffee and Teas writing while my husband Ken works at the Chevron Refinery today. Today’s blog will be about the people and places we’ve explored the last few days while in Oregon. Here is a blog post from the last time we were in Portland Oregon.
My son Curtis drove us to the Oakland Airport to rent a car last Monday Memorial Day. From there we stopped a few times for gas, restroom breaks and to switch drivers. We had brought leftover sandwiches from Ike’s Deli to eat on the way up North. Ken doesn’t enjoy eating in the car, but will occasionally go with the flow and break the rules if I’m convincing enough.
After about six hours on the road we arrived in Roseburg, Oregon. It was 4:15PM and our B&B Terraluna had requested we give them an approximate time of arrival. To be clear, James and Gail wanted an exact time of arrival and kept texting us throughout the day. When we got there, they offered ice cold sangria with bourbon and fresh raspberries and a non-alcoholic sparkling rhubarb drink for Ken.
James asked if we wanted to get settled before he gave us a tour of the 100 year old Victorian property. We were ready for whatever surprises he had for us and followed him into the music room. The house was filled with classical music when we walked in and James proceeded to show us his musical collection with great enthusiasm. His love for music was contagious and he had some fancy antique equipment to show off. As if this wasn’t enough entertainment, James then took us into the formal living room where he started the movie Guardians of the Galaxy II and we enjoyed the upgraded surround sound Bose speaker system for about fifteen minutes.
Eventually, Gail led us into the back patio garden where she had to scare away the turkey who was trying to eat her plants. They shared the story of their fancy greenhouse where they had rare houseplants and had recently kept their new vegetable starts from freezing. We chattered about the destructive squirrels, deer, and racoons that frequent our gardens and how to control them.
Passing enormous ancient azaleas, rhododendrons, peach tree, tall Oriental lilies and Japanese Maple trees we walked down the brick path to the rose and vegetable garden. We learned the story about the sewer system that crashed on Thanksgiving a few years back and more.
Gail grows many types of tomatoes, kale, cucumbers, marigolds, squash on the roof so the deer don’t eat them, peppers, and Lincoln roses which Gail makes a jelly with every year. I also spotted California poppies, rhubarb, “love in a Mist” flowers, rosemary, mint, onions, beans, dahlias and strawberries.
James and Gail at Terraluna in Roseburg gave us a warm welcome of which we’ve never experienced before. They truly enjoy owning a B&B, but looked a little tired and weary from all the work. We were warned to be on time for breakfast at 8:30AM the next morning and that coffee would be served in the hallway an hour before. Beethoven would be playing if we didn’t get up and as it was, James played some annoying Christmas music at 8:00AM. He was a Marine in his younger years who played clarinet in the band while he was in the service. His wife Gail was an ICU nurse who raised her three children on her own as a single parent. I kept finding similarities between her and my own Mother who also raised me and my three siblings without financial help from my father in the 1970’s. My mother and her husband Tom also live in a one hundred year old house with a functional basement and adorable wrap around porch. I digress…
I forgot to mention we ate at True Kitchen & Bar for dinner. Chef Rodney was just leaving as we were seated. The owners Brad and Lisa Carens have a nice menu and the vibe is clean, happy and modern. We had the Southwest salad, ahi sashimi tuna, scallops and adobo-lime chicken. I had a glass of Trella Gruner Veltliner grown locally which paired well with my meal. Back at Terraluna James was waiting for our return on the front porch. He greeted us and invited us onto the back patio for a small glass of port, a coconut crust with lemon curd dessert and a warm fire in the brick fireplace. We relaxed and then retired early to get a good nights rest.
Breakfast at Terraluna consisted of Peets Major Dickenson coffee, Dutch babies with homemade rhubarb compote, sausage and grapefruit orange juice. Ken had mango juice and plenty of water. Gail and James sat down with us and we had a lovely breakfast while we got to know them a little better. Gail has a wedding cake to prepare for her daughter’s wedding in a week. We were happy to meet them, stay at Terraluna and be pampered for one night. It should be mentioned that we have great nieces with the names “Terra” and “Luna” whom we see regularly at family parties.
Before leaving town, we stopped into Umpqua Sweets & Treats in Roseburg and met the owner Mandi Dolan. We talked about chocolate while Ken waited on a bench outside. I enjoy hearing about the local businesses and what they specialize in. Howl and Whistle Flower Farm leave their flower bouquets in the candy shop for the subscribers to pick up. I purchased the dark chocolate caramels with sea salt for gifts. Father’s day is coming up and my step dad Tom loves chocolate. Mandi also sells dairy free Inspired Artisan Cocoas, icecream, hand dipped truffles and fudge. She and her husband lived in Crocket and she worked in Walnut Creek before opening the shop in Oregon. It’s a small world.
Just down the block I came across Little Hawk Yarns. The owner Kat Tylee works with yak wool and local sheep farms to provide the best yarn for the community. She will be teaching a local farmer’s daughter how to spin wool and make yarn with Babydoll Southdown Sheep “Penelope” and “Bonnie.” She was inspired to have a yarn shop because her dad did all of the knitting, sewing and crocheting while Kat was growing up. She even has a beautiful feather tatooed on her arm to signify a little hawk feather and the love she has for the craft.
On our way up to Portland, Mandi had recommended stopping at Creswell Bakery in Eugene. There we ordered the ham and cheese pretzel, the chicken pot pie hand pie, a croissant for Ken’s breakfast tomorrow and a ginger molasses cookie for me. The pot pie was fabulous, made with organic chicken, onions, carrots, celery and peas in a crispy pastry. They sell Camas Country stone milled club wheat pastry flour, breads and pastries, local wines, toasted hazelnuts and gifts. I was surprised to see a Mountain Rose Herb tea selection for sale. I have been listening to Mountain Rose Herbs Herbal Radio for a while and enjoy learning about healing herbs since I grow many of them at Smyth Family Farm.
I was happy to discover this enormous herb shop was only twelve minutes down the road from the bakery. Ken assumed his place on a bench outside the store and I bought an herb bible, cardamon, lemongrass, thyme and more. I was tempted to buy the arnica essential oil for the arthritis in my toe, but kept my purchase to a minimum.
We stayed at the Marriott Bonvoy Hi-Lo Hotel in Portland and walked several blocks to Morton’s Steakhouse for an early dinner. Ken and I shared a Caesar salad, he had the lobster raviolis and I had a steak and baked potato. We took a Lyft ride back to the hotel since it was dark.
I dropped Ken off at his Portland office the next morning after we went to Blue Star donuts to get treats for his coworkers. I ventured about town with the rental car, got gas and ended up at Grounded NW Coffee and Teas for hot chocolate made with Hollander Chocolate. I sampled the olive oil donut from Blue Star and it was light and melt in my mouth delicious.
There are so many cool places to write about in Portland and I look forward to sharing my excursions with you. Recipes will have to wait until next time. I’m hoping to find fun thrift shops to go to nearby while Ken is at work.
I’m grateful our boys Curtis and Andrew can watch over the farm while we are away. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy the last days of Spring before the weather heats up.
Teri
Let's Make Mud Pies 