Baking Bread

Sometimes, I bake… a lot. Today was one of those days.

I baked a loaf of beer bread filled with lots of Italian herbs, and two loaves of French bread. Baking beer bread is a cinch whereas the French bread took up a good chunk of the day because of how you have to wait and let it rise. Regardless, if I may so myself, they’re quite delicious. I’m thinking about turning a loaf into garlic bread for dinner to pair it with pasta and some white wine.

The other day, I stumbled into the Pearl District where it happened to be First Thursday. First Thursday is this amazing Portland event that takes place on the first Thursday of each month (hence the name). There’s art galleries that open up to the public, wine and beer, street vendors, live music, and random/cool events like this all over the Pearl.

Two small ramps were placed in the middle of a small street parking lot where skateboarders could do tricks off of. Surrounding that were booths featuring beer, grafitti artists, live music, and what not. Definitely one of the more creative/unique events I’ve seen at First Thursday.

*Photo* Updates on Life

Several days ago, I wrote Updates on Life and I just finally got around to uploading the photos that should’ve accompanied that post. Better late than never, right?

(Click on the thumbnails to view the larger version.)

On the way to Tillamook Cheese Factory and the campgrounds, we had lunch at a steakhouse. Free peanuts, beer served in mason jars, and delicious burgers.

My sister and her BF drove up to visit for a couple days and we indulged ourselves with wonderful food. One of which was my raspberry buttermilk cake, and another was some ohmyfawkinGod delicious bacon pizza. Nomnomnom? Indeed.

Do check out my Flickr because that’s where I upload a lot of my photos.

A few days ago, the BF and I headed downtown to do some errands and hang out. At one point we went to Peet’s for coffee and wait for a phone call that never came (until much later than expected). I got bored–surprise, surprise–and started doodling on the envelope of a card he was planning on mailing.

There’s a fish eating a fish, crabs, hearts, chopped up fish, sushi, hearts, and LAO. The BF crossed out the hearts and is the culprit behind LAO. Yeah, we’re 22 years old with four bachelor’s degrees between the two of us.

Yesterday

I experienced two “bests” yesterday: the best bikram yoga class I’ve had since I started last week and the best ramen I’ve probably ever had. I guess it was a good day for working out and eating.

Yesterday’s bikram class was the first one where I didn’t sit out on any of the poses or think to myself, ‘How much longer do I have?!’ I did all 26 poses rather well and felt very peaceful despite being in a 105 degree room for 90 minutes. I was surprised by how much easier some poses had become and how much more flexible I was. And I was even more surprised when we reached blowing in firm–the last pose–beause I found myself thinking, ‘Did we miss any poses? We’re already done?’

I really like bikram yoga. It’s a nice way to rid yourself of physical and mental toxins. I always feel happier, healthier, and more relaxed at the end of each class. I’ll even go as far as to say that I “glow” for the rest of the day. I keep trying to convince people to come with me but I haven’t had much luck…

I went to grab some beer and Asian food to celebrate a friend’s birthday afterwards. Instead of getting the Hazelnut Brown (as I always do and I think after the huge mug I had on my birthday I’m set for a while), I tried the Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale. It was… okay.

Waiting for our food.

Anyway, beer isn’t the point–ramen is. We went to Biwa for dinner and it was delicious. I really like the funky, clean, and tasteful decor but I liked the food even more. The small appetizers are good but not really worth the money. The ramen, however, huge servings and so delicious. It was $9 but during happy hour it’s only $5… and happy hour is from 5 to 10pm. Yeah. I know. Who has happy hour then?!

It’s a little hard to get to Biwa if you don’t live in the area and don’t have a car (or a bike) but I think it’s within walking distance of a couple bus lines. I know it’s also received some bad reviews but it’s gotten really good reviews from people who know Japan and Japanese cuisine. I guess you can’t please everyone. Oh well, I definitely want to go back to Biwa.

$2.10 Beer, Filipino Food, $3/Free Movie

My Black Butte XXI and the BF's Cascade Ale

Yesterday, Deschutes Brewery celebrated its 21st birthday so they threw a block party to celebrate. The “block party” itself wasn’t super successful. I don’t think they obtained the proper license for it–the Po-Po (Portland Police) had a little chat with Deschutes–and I couldn’t hear the live music even though we were right there. But, who cares, they had $2.10 beer! (Get it? 21 years old, $2.10?) Even happy hour beer doesn’t get that cheap!

 

To kick off the block party, Deschutes tapped their first keg of Black Butte XXI and were giving away free samples of it. I ordered one for myself and found it to be refreshing, heavy, and strong. You know how I like my drinks. The folks I was with and I joined the crowd on the sidewalk to drink good $2.10 beer  and enjoy the warm sunshine. Just the beer and sunshine made me forget about the fact that it was supposed to be a block party and not care about not getting to hear live music.

This afternoon, the BF and I made our way over to a rather lovely park, Mt. Tabor, for a potluck picnic with other Portland-based Filipinos. It was the first successful meet up of the group; I guess food is really what lures in Filipinos. There was a very nice spread of food ranging from laing to halo-halo. Crazy, huh? The people were great but the very pudgy English pitbull was a little too friendly… Haha.

Later this evening, we may head over to watch a movie at either Mission Theater or Living Room Theaters. I think what it boils down to is whether we want to pay $3 to watch ‘State of Play’ or use our free movie passes for ‘Valentino: The Last Emperor.’ I could go either way; both movies sound great and I like the charm of each theatre.