portlandia.

At 8:45 a.m. EST yesterday, Meredith and I started on a cross-country journey that left us achy from the long flights, sleepy from the time travel, but excited to be here for the International Food Bloggers Conference. After tinkering about in the airport, we hopped on the city’s light rail out to our hotel and were greeted with fantastic warm cookies. Itching for some fresh air, good eats and refreshing beverages, we took the light rail across the river to downtown Portland. We walked a few blocks to Clyde Common and were greeted by a sweet hostess. The Mischa Barton doppelgänger did seem a bit taken aback by our excitement, but everything about the space was warm, inviting, friendly and buzzing. We sat at the huge communal table in front of the main window overlook Southwest Stark Street and ordered the entire happy hour menu: a 6 oz burger, fries with harissa, pickled vegetables, a green salad, fried chickpeas. After polishing off every last morsel, we enjoyed another round of tasty beverages and chatted with two other food bloggers who were also enjoying the happy hour feel and fare. Today we’re heading back to a cute restaurant in the downtown area for a much needed brunch before the conference official kicks off.

 

moxie.

I’ve spent the past few weeks trying to map out my thesis game plan, with my proposal due pretty much…yesterday. It’s not that I thought this process would be easier than it is, but I didn’t think I’d second guess myself as much as I have, nor did I expect to feel as stuck as I am. That’s neither here nor there, because reality dictates the proposal must get done. Along those same lines, I know whatever the final product is, it’ll be fabulous. While I take very seriously the study of contemporary issues, and even an academic approach to pop culture, I sometimes have to remind myself that reading food magazines and journals is real thesis research. That’s usually when I break out the hot pink highlighter and bright magenta baby Post-Its; being serious means taking notes. And highlighting.

cake.

A few weeks ago, I made a cake from scratch. For the first time. I’ll pause for effect.

this week’s miscellany (six/nine).

So it’s been a while since I’ve dumped all the stuff that’s made my head spin, heart swell, brow furrow in anger, face hurt with laughter, or tummy rumble. I’m in a listing mood. It’s how life gets after vacation, I think. And if not vacation, the end of the semester crunch to write for your life, leaves one…wordless? Perhaps.

jamaica.

roasted yellow yam. beef patties. jelly coconut water. curried goat. boiled green bananas. perfectly ripe mangoes. roasted pork. banana fritters. fried breadfruit. bammy. grater cakes. bulla cakes. ackee and saltfish. stewed chicken. curried goat. rice and peas. and more rice and peas. papaya. callaloo. pineapple. red snapper. fried herring. boiled yam. rum cake. mackerel. jerked pork. fried dumplings. boiled dumplings. fried plantains. rum cream. ginger wine.