PDX

Usually for the May long weekend the Amis rough it up with a bit of camping but this year there was only a few of us available so decided to switch it up and head south to Portland.

I have really fond memories of Portland from my childhood so I was beyond excited to revisit this fun, quirky city. Here are just a few highlights:

We stayed at TheAce which I would highly recommend, full of fun corners to lounge in, the lobby was always bustling with people flowing through from the adjoining StumptownCoffee and ClydeCommon and the retro music was always playing. Perfectly situated in the Pearl District close to oodles of shops, restaurants and the always magical Powells.

Portland is known for its abundance of micro breweries and what better way to see them then on a 15 person 100% green party machine! The young couple that runs Brewcycle are great fun and definitely know how to have a good time.

The food cart experience in Portland is truly something to behold, the fact that they had blocks fully dedicated to food carts bogled my mind, but I knew right away which one I wanted to hit up. The EuroTrash food cart was featured on one of my favorite food network shows so I veered straight to it and got myself one of their Squid Fana sandwiches, messiest, most delicious thing!

Ending the trip with a visit to Pastaworks on Hawthorne St. truly brings me back to my childhood, owned by family friends I have been visiting this place since before I could walk. Thought to be one of the pioneers of the slow food movement, here you can find all sorts of Mediterranean treats and not to mention all that freshly made pasta!

xo J

When in Rome....

…there is so, so, so much to do and see! But we all know the major sites, coliseum, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, etc. So I thought instead I’d share two new discoveries that were a refreshing break from the crowded tourist route.

Wandering the ancient roads of Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica, approximately a thirty minute metro ride outside of Rome, is the harbor city of ancient Rome. If you like ruins but don’t like the masses of people getting in your way, then Ostia Antica is a welcome site. You can truly invision the harbor city in its glory days and can easily find yourself wandering an ancient road all by yourself. When we went there were a lot of school groups but they tended to stay on the main path so detour onto one of the parallel paths to feel like you are stepping back in time.

Escaping the heat at the Protestant Cemetery

"Life is divided into three terms - that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present to live better in the future" - William Wordsworth

The Protestant Cemetery

The Protestant Cemetery is surely the best quiet, cool oasis on a hot day in Rome. It is like stepping into a dream (yes, I know I am talking about a cemetery) but this is possibly the most peaceful lovely one there is. Located in the Testaccio neighbourhood it is reserved for non-catholic foreigners and is the oldest cemetery that is currently still in use having started in 1730.

I may have geeked out for two reasons here, firstly being a literature major I was reminded that I need to haul out my big old anthology of poetry after having seen the graves of Wordsworth, Shelley and Keats. Secondly, there is a cat sanctuary attached to the cemetery so in the hot afternoon sun you can finds cats finding shady spots among the grave sites.


As Rome is one of those cities that everyone should visit at least once, I highly recommend these wo spots as a break from the crowds.

xo J

La Bella Vita

I have returned! More pictures to come once I actualy get myself unpacked, since I have returned home I have gone straight back to work and am just feeling now like I have gotten over my jet lag. The trip was great, here are just a few highlights!

Rome in all its glory

Looking for the graves of famous poets in the Protestant Cemetary, Rome


Fine Italian Leather!

Beach time in Palinuro

Pizza Vesuvio...stuffed with fried eggplant, ricotta and fior de latte

xo J

Ciao Bella

An American Girl in Italy - Ruth Orkin

As I have been mentioning, I am off to Italy, my parents have kindly decided to take my brother and I on a trip to see the village my mom is from, among other places. I am looking forward to seeing this dusty little mountain town I've heard so many stories about, meeting the family still there that I have never met, revisiting the wonders of Rome and not to mention the shopping, food and wine, and enjoying a few lazy days at the beach.

So this will probably be my last post for a few weeks, hang in there loyal readers, I know we have been a bit sporadic lately with our posts!

xo J

Las Vegas Bites

Hey Mes Amis!

Last week I went to the sunny land of Las Vegas - and my goodness did the sun feel good! Besides the oxygenated casino floors, towering construction and 24 hour fun, the food was deeeeeeliscious!

Here's a few highlights:

Tried bone marrow for the first time - super rich, soft, meaty and surprisingly yummy!

Ok this was in Seattle on our way home, and yes it was before 11am, but I never say no to an oyster shooter.  Holla to my briny bivalve lovers out there - I feel ya!

The world's most over-the-top sundae: yup the cup pictured is as big as a pint glass and includes fudge, caramel, sprinkles, nuts, cereal treats, vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, whip cream and 2 gummy cherries on top. Whew! As my guy said, it's like they let a little kid loose in the ice cream shop and the kid went wild!

Even the sugar was over the top!

So there it is - a wee taste of the week's adventures. What was your best vacation meal?

xo

Jenny C

A taste of paradise in February

San Diego has become somewhat of a meeting place for my Dad's side of he family since everyone is spread out all over, this year it was the biggest turn out ever. Since my Dad was born and raised in California I always consider myself somewhat of a "California Girl" and this city in particular will always hold special meaning.

Here are some of my favorite places and images from my little escape to the sunny sands of San Diego:

If you want an old school beach experience stay at The Beach Cottages, they've been around since 1948 and the location can not be beat, right on Mission Beach.

Walking along Pacific Beach

Surfs up at Pacific Beach

Ocean Beach at sunrise, well worth the early wake up call, and a place with alot of meaning for my family.

Classic diner breakfast in Ocean Beach

Munchkins in cute toques

Afternoon family beer pong tournament

As featured on the food network's Diners, Drive In's & Dives (possibly one of my favorite shows), El Indio, since 1940

Carnitas tacos with fresh homemade tortillas....Vanouver just doesn't have stuff this good!

Another amazing sunset, with a heart shaped cloud just for valentine's day!

xo J

Happy Trails To You

Trail's "New Bridge" with the mighty Columbia River flowing underneath

Trail's "Old Bridge"

Why I never liked walking over the Old Bridge (!!)

Ah Cominco - the heart of the town and its eyesore

My grandparents were next door neighbours

Where I would mail long letters to my peeps with the Handy Store in the background

Mmmm Colanders...

Hi mes Amis!

So here it is at last - my hometown Trail, BC. Nestled in the heart of the Kootenays, Trail is a working class town with a beautiful soul. Trail experienced a big boom between the 1930s - 1950s, thanks mostly to Cominco, the lead smelter and ore refinery that employed just about everyone. Trail had/has a very large Italian population, and like many small towns, almost everyone knows your name.

Since its boom, Trail has been retreating into a sleepy old age like a lot of its residents. There isn't a tonne of opportunity there which is why I think it has a hard time keeping young people interested in staying. However, should you find yourself on the Number 3 Crowsnest highway, looking for a place to stay, try popping into Trail. It still has much to offer.

Personally I would stay at the Terra Nova hotel. It's the best hotel in town, and boasts a surprisingly awesome bar! When I walked into it on my last trip my jaw dropped - yours will too.

For eats you have to go to The Colander. Don't bother reading the menu - everyone orders the same thing "the special". The special is a classic Italian salad and bun to start, delicious pasta, meatballs, roast chicken and jojo potatoes. All as much as you can eat - for a ridiculously low price. Wear stretchy pants and be prepared to lug a hefty take-out bag home with you. MMM! I can't emphasize how flippin' awesome their sauce is, and no, they won't tell you what's in it, it's been a secret since Colander's opened! (If you go and have any idea though - please tell me - I will pay you!)

For me, Trail holds a million childhood memories: going to the Handy Store to buy Archie comics, getting a ride to Cominco Arena's library, writing letters to my peeps under my grandma's cherry tree and walking down to Gyro Park to play on the playground.

I'm not sure if Trail would be as interesting to someone who doesn't have all the memories of it that I do. But when I look at my pictures, I still see some hope for the old place, and a desire that more people should see its quiet beauty.

Off the Beaten Strip

I’ve been visiting Vegas on a yearly basis for the last 8 years, with even a 6 month stint in there as a resident, mainly because one of my bestie’s lives there and over the years I’ve made a lot of friends down there. I’ve definitely done the big blow out trips to Vegas, but this time I just wanted to relax, maybe I’m getting too old for the 4 a.m. party nights.

As an alternative to the hustle and bustle of the strip, the endless crowds of tourists and rowdy 21 year olds may I suggest Green Valley Ranch (www.greenvalleyranchresort.com). GVR, as the locals call it, is a Mediterranean spa inspired resort and casino, olive trees dot the property and grape vines run along one side of the pool. It is actually not officially in Las Vegas but is in Henderson (which I relate as the Burnaby of Las Vegas) really only 10 – 15 minute drive to the strip depending on traffic.

Besides the usual amenities, lovely pool with comfy loungers, expansive casino floor and bars (one which boasts beer pong tables which I thought was the most fabulous idea ever!) GVR also has The District, a collection of shops and restaurants designed along a streetscape feel. I think we had all our meals at The District. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for refreshing ice blended beverages (www.coffeebean.com), Lucille’s for some mouth watering BBQ (www.lucillesbbq.com), and Settebello for authentic Napoletana Pizza (www.settebello.net).

Not to mention, I love any hotel that gives me a nice, comfy robe to traipse around my room in!