The Monkey at GoLiNiel

“Hello Monday has designed Copenhagen’s new board game that draws inspiration from classics like Monopoly and Besserwisser. Authenticity is a key concept in the design and brings together historic and contemporary elements to give players a real Copenhagen experience.” —Hello Monday

For now the game is only available for purchase through Danish retailers: gamesweb.dk and DACbookshop.dk.

Popularity: 32% [?]

We snowshoed out from Bennett Pass rest area, along the ridge to one of our favorite viewpoints.
The rains and warmer weather has turned this weeks now into a crunchy walk, hard enough that our poles rarely penetrated the surface. And no snows on the trees at all. We were walking in the low laying clouds, but the temperatures were quite comfortable.

This is an out and back walk, simple to follow, with no significant elevation changes.
Here we encountered a downed tree on the trail that was no real obstacle while on foot.

It is at this point we like to stop for lunch and enjoy the view of the mountain.
Today there was no such mountain view.

Stopping at Timberline lodge, we were afforded a pretty good view through the clouds, of Mt. Jefferson.

Timberline has installed a new walkway to keep the snow drifts from the entrance.
Aesthetically speaking, it isn’t much of an improvement over the old Quonset hut style walkway it has replaced.
It really doesn’t seem to fit into the style of the Lodge, but I suppose its more about function than form.

Popularity: 28% [?]

We took a little time to ride around Oregon City prior to the new Year. It was really pretty cold, but sunny and clear, and with the right layer of clothing we kept pretty comfortable. The ride took us late into the day and snow began to fall as we made our way home. But, we made it home, and into the hot tub prior to the heavy accumulation began.

On the west side of the Oregon City bridge, above the locks on the road to Willamette, we had a great view of Mt. Hood.

The esplanade between Mcloughlin Blvd and the river is complete, and open. It is a great space, well designed for walking and biking.

Just opposite the Oregon City elevator, is Classic Cycle. It was closed on the Monday that we rode by. We hope to return on another day. They have several of these bikes in the area.

The bike boulevard on Spokane street, off Tacoma at the Sellwood bridge is done. These curbs are intended to slow traffic, constricting it, making it safer in the intersections.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Danish aebleskiver on Christmas.

Popularity: 31% [?]

Before all the Christmas festivities began, there was time, and sun, and the opportunity to get on the bike. So I decided to ride out over the bridge to take a closer look at some of the issues before work began. The planned January closing date has been pushed back to allow time for more study, but I was also anxious to see the progress made to the walkway along the river in Oregon City.

Most all the walkway railings are cracked.

In many places the concrete is just gone.

There is cabling stretched around some of the pillars.

All the pillars and arches have cracks in the concrete.
This is actually just the covering over the underlying steel, so it may not be as dangerous as it first appears, but still…..

The bridge is tired, worn and dirty but it remains a visually pleasing structure.

On closer look you can see that work to gain access has begun underneath.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Victorhill Farm.

This is where we have cut our Christmas tree for the last 4 years.  We found it because it opened earlier than most, which allowed us to prepare for a Christmas party. Once there, Honey has discovered that her taste matches that of Blenda the artist/owner. She loves the stuff they sell in their barn, and we spend as much time looking at the wreaths and decorations as we do the tree.
And they have a lot of very good u-cut trees.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Bad news good news.

Honey is gone to visit family for 5 days, so shes not here.

She left me in control while she’s gone.

Popularity: 29% [?]

We have installed hummingbird feeders in front and back.  The feeders have been pretty busy in the dawn and dusk hours.  Honey makes new nectar every week in order to keep it fresh and our little hummers seem to appreciate it.  We have begun to study their habits, and note which birds seem to make the best effort to claim the feeders as theirs.  We have even started to name some of the regulars which help us track their usage.  Tippy seems the most dominant, though Ducky makes frequent visits.  Just the last few two weeks we have begun to see this red headed hummingbird quite every day as well. No name for him yet.

Popularity: 26% [?]

Demolition of the southwest Portland home known as the Canterbury Castle started back in May of 2009. We made a quick trip out to see it one last time.

Haven’t been back there since that time, so unsure where they are in that whole process.
And not much on the web about the progress.  Guess the process of tearing it down is not as big news as the decision to start.

Time for another road trip.

Popularity: 22% [?]

Remember, the Oregon City Bridge is closing after the first of the year.
For like two years.
So, guess that means even more traffic for the Sellwood, Oregon’s most heavily travelled two lane bridge.

Looks like they are going to be shuttling bikes and walker though.
One more reason to ride a bike?

For more info: ODOTs site

Popularity: 21% [?]

Earlier this year we renovated Honeys office space and bathroom.
So………

Before:

After:

Tired:

Feeling Better:

Popularity: 19% [?]

Poffertjes, are a traditional delicacy sold from poffertjes kramen (booths) in Dutch villages and towns in the Netherlands.  Often they are sold from a colorful tent which is pitched at the village for a few days and moves on to market them elsewhere.  We did in fact find a tent in a park during one of our rides, and it was there that we found shelter from the heavy rains, strong Dutch coffee and warm poffertjes.

My first hint that these little things existed is when my first  pannekoeken was delivered, with a shaker of powdered sugar that had a picture of what I mistook for Danish aebleskiver. I later asked our captains wife if they served aebleskiver, and while she was impressed that I knew of such a thing, no, they aren’t served here.  We soon agreed that what I was thinking of were poffertjes.  And while she attempted to insist that they would not be on the menu for the week, under relentless pressure from young Rhian, Linda did in fact surprise us with a small helping during one breakfast.  That lead to the later treats under the tent during the rainstorm.

Somewhat similar to a Danish aebleskiver.  The differences being whereas the aebleskiver are round, and the size of a handball, the poffertjes are more clam shaped, about the size of a golf ball.   And while the aeblskiver is slightly fluffier due to whipped egg whites, they are both very good when they are hot, and covered with butter and powdered sugar!

There are recipes all over the Internet.  This one is from our “Dutch Style” recipe book, that we picked up at the “Scandanavian Festival” in Junction City.  (where you can have fresh hot aebleskiver, but not poffertjes.)

“Pella Poffertjes”

1 cup flour
4 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup hot water
3 eggs
4 Tbsp vegetable oil
butter
powdered sugar

Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add water, eggs and oil.  Mix well until batter is lump-free. Fry on poffertjes grill, or fry silver-dollar-sized pancakes in frying pan. (or try aebleskiver pan ~ ed.)  To serve, spread with butter and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Popularity: 24% [?]