Astoria offers two very different points of interest to the “modern” history buff. One is Fort Stevens, build during the American Civil War and attacked during World War II. The other, far more famous from a photographic perspective, is the Wreck of the Peter Iredale.
Do you know the way to Astoria?
Good Morning! Welcome to Day 4 of our Oregon-Washington adventure. It’s time to start making our way home – in a very slow, non-direct way. Our forth day had no particular agenda. It was a matter of driving from Castle Rock Washington to Seaside Oregon, with a stop-off in Astoria. Astoria is on the northern most point of the Oregon Coast. It is where Lewis and Clark reached the Pacific Ocean, having followed the Columbia River. Most people would have taken take the quickest route to the ocean along Highway 30, on the Oregon side. We took the meandering route, sticking to the Washington side of the river. It’s the road less traveled, and that suited us just fine.
Welcome August with a Creamy Raspberry Pie
Today is National Raspberry Cream Pie Day. It makes sense, since raspberries are most plentiful this time of the year. These beautiful berries are widely grown in all temperate regions of the world. Did you know that a single raspberry bush can yield several hundred berries a year? That’s a lot of Cream Pies!
Continue reading “Welcome August with a Creamy Raspberry Pie”Exploring Mount Saint Helen
Had we known when we caught a glimpse of Mount Saint Helen while driving through Portland that it was to be our only opportunity to see the full scope of the mountain, I might have taken pictures of that moment. Instead, we took pictures of the Portland skyline like a bunch of country bumpkins that had never laid eyes on a city before. I’m not 100% sure, but there may have even been a gasp or two. I think Portland took us by surprise because we weren’t expecting a skyline. In any case, we ignored the mountain.
Shredded Roast Beef Taquitos with Home-Made Guacamole
We have already established that today is National Avocado Day and that Avocados are more then just the made ingredient for Guacamole. Bet you thought I wasn’t going to get into the whole Guacamole thing. Almost skipped it. I was going to simply share a great recipe for Shredded Roast Beef Taquitos and leave it at that. But then, you gotta have Guacamole with your Taquitos, right?
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An Avocado Everything Menu for National Avocado Day
Today is National Mutt Day, National Raspberry Cake Day and National Avocado Day. It’s been a little bit since I last put together an entire menu from Appetizer to Dessert to share. I don’t know about you, but I love Avocados. Love it on toast, on burgers, on or in just about anything. Creating a complete menu around the avocado was easy. Wow! Avocados and the bounty of the sea is down right delicious. And pretty healthy, too.
Continue reading “An Avocado Everything Menu for National Avocado Day”Oregon-Washington Adventures Day 2
Our hearts were all a flutter with excitement for what lay ahead. Hubby and I had explored Crater Lake before, many moons ago. Our children were just teenagers, and Kiddo hadn’t even been imagined yet. This was his day – to walk around the crater of what was once the top of Mount Mazama. Mount Mazama is a Quaternary volcano, part of the Western Cascade Range. She blew her stack over 7,000 years ago. Oh, but I’m getting ahead of myself. There are many things to enjoy as we head north along the highway from Klamath Falls to Crater Lake National Park.
Summertime and Betty’s S’More Cheesecake Bars
On the National Front, today is Cheesecake Day. It is summertime. Now I ask you, what says summer more than campfires and S’Mores? Growing up, I loved camping. The crisp freshness of dawn and the smokey scents of wood burning at sunset. I still love everything about camping except sleeping on the ground, or an air mattress or anything other than my big, comfortable bed. But then, that’s a rant for another day. Today is all about Betty Crocker’s S’More Cheesecake Bars.
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Crock Pot Pizza Pasta Get a Heavenly Stamp of Approval
Today Brother Dear would have been 62 years young. Over the years since his surrender to cancer, when I’ve felt that need to draw him near, I’ve cooked up one of his favorites. Sure enough, as the aromas float to the heavens, I feel his spirit smile, filling the room with warmth and joy. But the world moves on, and so must I.
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Oregon-Washington Adventures Day 1
Ever since Kiddo was a wee little Kiddo, he has always been fascinated with Earth Sciences, especially weather and volcanoes. When he was four, we spend time exploring the volcanoes of Hawaii. Every couple of years, we head to Yellowstone for the every changing thermal features of the park. While some people like to sit on a beach and sip Tropical Cocktails by the pitcher their entire vacation, we like to explore, to learn, to stimulate our minds. Don’t misunderstand me, we like to relax with a tall cocktail while on holiday. Learn a little, drink a little, talk a little. It’s all part of the vacation process for us. Every day should be a learning experience. Care to come along?
Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
Today is National Chicken Wing Day. So glad to have wings on a day other than the Super Bowl. Only in America can a sporting event cause a shortage in bird wings!
Towering Cake of Chocolate Delights
Today in National Lasagna Day. My original thoughts were to post a traditional Lasagna recipe. Then I realized we would be bombarded by traditional Lasagna recipes. Besides, you know me – striving to think outside the box. That’s when I thought about a Chocolate Lasagna. Always a big, creamy hit in our house. But then I realized the only thing that makes it a “lasagna” are all the layers. And what has more layers than this 14-layer Cake? So I scraped the idea of Lasagna anything.
Italian Panini Sandwich when a Sandwich is All You Need
A little while back, Hubby needed to undergo one of those medical tests that require a very long fast. The last time this happened, Kiddo and I took advantage of the fact that Hubby would not be joining us for dinner and we had a lovely evening tea.

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Buffalo Soldiers
Today is National Buffalo Soldier Day. It should come as no surprise that once upon a time in America’s history, segregation existed even in the military. Although several African American regiments were raised during the Civil War as part of the Union Army, Buffalo Soldiers were established by Congress as the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular Army.
Continue reading “Buffalo Soldiers”Grilled New York Steak with Tomato Bourbon Peppercorn Sauce
Wow, it’s hard to believe that we are nearly at the end of July! Where did the summer go? Our summer road trip is behind us. It’s time to settle back into the routine of delicious grilled steaks and other summer favorites served up in our backyard.
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