so much goodness to share

I wonder. How long can I swoon over the misty mornings and lush evergreen landscapes? Honestly. And looking for sea glass in the cold morning fog? Jumping into a cold river after a hot hike? Having a microbrew in the warm afternoon sun? I think I will swoon over Oregon for quite some time.

It was the perfect sort of vacation. Walking, looking, reading, cooking, thinking, and falling even more and more in love with each other. That is the perfect sort of vacation wherever it takes place, but if you are looking for a stellar vacation location; I humbly and emphatically suggest Oregon.

Our first week was filled with early morning walks, late afternoon hikes, vineyards, microbreweries, cooking, and reading. If you find yourself along the Oregon coast, make your way to Newport to see the beautiful bridge and tour Rogue while you are there. They serve samples of their brews on rustic wood trays, and this is the view while you sip.

After a day of that, if you go inland a bit, stop by David Hill and Anne Amie (click on the link for the picture of the house where you will taste a sip of wine. Yes, it really is that beautiful). The folks love their wines and love the art of wine. The passion for it all made me practically sing as we left, and not because I was tipsy.

And then there was Portland! If I were to list the highlights (in no particular order) from our few days in Portland it would look like this: Baguette at Ken's, Coffee from Stumptown, Pastrami from Kenny and Zuke's, Banana Blossom salad at Silk, Fennel Marmalade at Fratelli's, Apricot Croissant from Petite Provence, and a blue's festival on the river below our hotel patio.

As much as I would like to have you over Saturday morning for brunch and an Oregon photo slide show, that is just not practical for obvious logistical reasons. I do have a secret little brunch recipe in the works here in the cubbyhole that I will tell you about tomorrow or Wednesday, but I suppose you will have to make it in your own kitchen with your own photo slide show. Wouldn't that be lovely if hundreds of kitchens across the globe made (secret delicious brunch) and showed a favorite photo slide show? I think I might be on to something.