Portland on Monday

Spent the day doing . . .a little shopping . . . and then tea at the Chinese Classical garden. 

And then had dinner with Bruce and Bethany, in their darling garden. Jessie an

d Nicholas came too!

Camp Sherman to Portland

31 August 2008

We had breakfast with Tashie before leaving for the drive to Portland. I also read the eCard from the kids! After we unloaded the car in Portland, Clarke, Liza and I went for a walk, in the "Pearl."  I bought an 

alligator purse at a vintage shop called "Ragtime," and Liza bought a few small kitchen items for the Villa. Checked the email again, and saw the eCard from Samira - I am pleased that the Queen noticed my birthday.

We saw "Kabluey" at a dinner theatre, and munched on chicken satay, pulled pork sandwiches, samosas, meze, etc . . . shared a little birthday champagne too! 

Camp Sherman

Saturday 30 August

Today was beautiful. Wonderful breakfast with Liza and Tashie. Oatmeal and fruits. The  grooming Tashie's feet and hair.  ASe had only five minutes to leave the house,  but it turned out to be an hour and a half. Then on to the west Metolius Trailhead, which was breath-taking. Brought back memories of past visit when we took this trail with so many friends. Unfortunately two of them are no longer with us.

The our visit to the Corbett place - fabulous fabulous vista. Acres of meadow, and the river. Back at Camp Sherman, I had a cold coming. We had lunch with Tashie who had already started cooking - she wanted to surprise us, but we walked in and took over. An then we had a photographing session.

Camp Sherman Day 2

Friday 29 August

We had a late breakfast watching the news about McCain's pick for VP - stupid choice, which hs been a constant pain, The more information we get, the angrier we become, We walked to the market, along the riverbank, and took pictures - met a horse all saddled to go. We saw so many deer, and tried to photograph them but without a telephoto lens, weren't too successful.

Tashie and I went through old photographs, organizing them, and Liza's friend Mabsie came and joined us.

Camp Sherman Day 1

Thursday 28 August

We shopped and cooked for nearly the entire day, preparing for the convention party and Barak's speech. We cooked some frozen lasagna, and Ellen brought salad. Liza made cornbread, and I cooked a chicken dish for Tashie to have when we go - and some for tomorrow night as well.

Barack was awesome. everybody was excited about his speech, and we had debates about him after the speech. And that was that. Exhausted, we went to bed.

Seattle to Portland to Camp Sherman

Wednesday 27 August 2008

We spent a good night at the Silver Cloud Hotel, thanks to Matthew's "points." We picked up some breakfast, and dashed off to pick up Matthew and Nico and Jessie. First we followed Matthew to Boeing Field, where he left his car, and then joined us for the drive south. we had a busy afternoon: dropped Matthew off for his appointment, switched cars at the warehouse (Nick stayed to spend the afternoon with Clarkie), took Jessie to Lake Oswego High School to register for 9th grade, etc. Then I went to the Aveda school for a shampoo and wash while Liza shopped for Tashie and took Matthew to the airport for his flight back to Seattle.

So we didn't get up to Tshie's until about 8:00. On the way, we listened to some of the convention in the places where we could get radio reception. It was nearly dark when we arrived, but beautiful.

Victoria to Seattle

Tuesday 26 August 2008

Liza was working at the Villa until suddenly at 10:30 she started 

packing the car and we raced to 

Sidney to try to get on the Anacortes ferry. We were absolutely the last var, and we left the dock as soon as they put the blocks under our ti

res.

The ferry took us through the Gulf Islands, which was beautiful. . . lots of sailboats out.

Then we drove to Seattle, and met Matthew an

d the kids at their new

apartment, which is just behind Pike's 

Place Market on Western Avenue. 

We went to Triple Doors for dinner and a show, a cabaret just a walk away. The kids ere tired and left before the show started - Priscilla Ahn, who has a very beautiful voice but a dreadful laugh.

The Villa and Victoria

Monday 25 August 2008

I slept like a princess. Woke up and got dressed, and went to the breakfast feast. I was treated like one of the guests at the house: sat at a long tabl;e with everybody else, and courses kept on coming, one after another. I thought I would never eat lunch or dinner after that - but I did! The food was presented with great taste and warmth - it was not like a stiff ambiance. And after talking with the guests, I got up and went into the kitchen and helped clear the table!

Although we had breakfast in the main dining room, which is quite grand, this photo is of the small "Orangerie" where guests can have breakfast in a more intimate setting.

Arriving at the Villa

Sunday 24 August 2008

Liza met me at the airport, and brought me to the Villa, which is fabulous! Arriving at the Villa was a visual shock! I had to pinch myself a few times to accept that it was Liza's place - in the most magnificent setting, decor, colour coordination, antique pieces of furniture - even pieces from the past, from various homes that she lived in. It was sinply breathtaking. Cozy and comfortable at 

the same time it seemed I was in one of the small antique Villas in Italy.

Liam, Liza's partner, is simply adorable - I feel as if I have known him for many years. 

My little room is perfect - it is luxurious, colour coordinated - every little detail is done in utmost taste. It is called the Gritti Palace. And it matched the name.