Annd another quilt is done

Touring the Blue Heron Paper Mill site

 Rick and MJ got us into a tour of the site that used to be the Blue Heron Paper Mill (Previously known as "Smurfet"  Yes, really.  Smurfet.) It's a 23 acre site right on the Willamette River at the falls - very scenic, and really cool.  Tony was our guide and was full of interesting information.  For example, when the paper mill was running, they stored sulphuric acid in this thing called, "a Hobson's Sphere."  Or maybe it was hydrochloric acid.  Anyhow, it was dissolve-you-to-a-puddle acid stuff.  And there it sits now, empty and quietly rusting away.  (MJ in the yellow hat, Rick in the white.)

The first long distance transmission of commercially generated electricity happened here at the falls.  The turbines are in a row in the middle of the photo.

Gates to adjust the flow through the turbines were raised and lowered here.

The Willamette Falls Legacy Project is trying to fins someone to develop the site in a way that will be good for Oregon City and the community.  A river walk would be a great start.  And I do hope they can leave these cool old artifacts to add historical interest.

 Willamette falls is a pretty cool place.  I have seen these falls when the floods were so high that this was a big ripple in the river instead of a waterfall.  Come August, you could almost cross dry shod, leaping from rock to rock.

Another power station, across the river in West Linn.  Down by the arches, you can see where the salmon fishermen have anchored their boats.

MJ looking back at the Pioneer Historical Society building with the red roof.

I'm queen of the world!!

This is where the river boats used to tie up when they were delivering wool to the Oregon Woolen Mill, another historical area on the site.

 We were lucky enough to catch an Indian boat headed back downstream.  I don't know why they were there.

And then Kyle, MJ, Rick and I took the Oregon City Elevator because I never have.  As far as I know, it's the only municipal elevator in the country.   A retired Korean War veteran sits inside and runs it.  A job with lots of ups and downs I guess.

The view down- river from the top.  This is a lovely place to live.

Buzzzzzzz!

Remember when we were kids and we would fasten a playing card to the bicycle so it would make noise on the spokes?  Remember that noise?  That's how I feel right now.  Quite buzzed.  The ladies came over for tea (We really need a name for the group since mostly we don't knit anymore.  The Bad Grannies maybe?  The Conversationalists?")

I picked a nice bunch of snowballs from the backyard for a display on the sideboard that stores my tablecloths.

  And since there were going to be so many of us, I set up 8 places in the dining room and 6 in the living room.  (We circulate for chats and giggles.)

 

Mary Lou entrusted some of her lively china to me when she moved away, so, since she has moved back, I used it to set the tables.  Very fruitful!

We had egg-white frittatas, orange biscotti, almond meringues, fruit salad, and warm chocolate melting cake.  The cake made up in richness for all the other moderations.

I didn't have enough ramekins, but I went to the Salvation Army second hand store and found a bunch of sturdy glass mugs that worked perfectly.  I sent a few home to husbands or with ladies who couldn't finish their own portion right then, but did't want to abandon it.  I hope I get my mugs back.  (Hint, Hint!)













Linda joined us and brought Brewster the Rooster from Kauai,  Being the sweet gentleman that he is, he brought a bouquet for Baabette.

And Judy brought Becky, who rides along on the oxygen tank, so we had a very playful crew today.

Because people asked,here is the cake recipe:

Warm Chocolate melting cake

6 oz dark chocolate
6 oz butter
4 eggs – room temperature
6 oz sugar
2 oz flour

Melt the chocolate and the butter.
Mix eggs and sugar and whisk for a few minutes,
then add flour.
Add the egg mix to the melted chocolate and mix
Pour the batter into a greased mold.
Bake at 390 for 14 minutes

Serve with ice cream and fruit garnish  Serves 4

since I've been home

 We spent most of a week recuperating from colds.  Yesterday, Kyle went back to work, and I decided to make a stab at sewing down some of the stash.  I have boxes of fabric stacked up on my workroom floor and it looks like a shot from "Hoarders."  I have to edge between the piles.

So, with no plan in mind, I grabbed the first fabric that came to hand, and got started.  Thank you Lynn, Benita, and Wanietta. Do you recognize your contributions?  A light, warm comforter for some cold orphans somewhere.  Mexico City or Romania or maybe in Africa.  It brightens my eyes to play with colors and patterns.

Monday was Weight Watchers and I was so grateful for the feeling of accountability I took on the trip.  I'm up one eight of a pound.  Warm Chocolate melting cake, a couple of cocktails, even a few glasses of wine.  I managed to enjoy my cruise and still hold the line on the weight.

Today was another gorgeous spring day in Portland.  I was up on the campus of Clackamas Community College where they have a splendid horticultural Department.  There is a venerable Wisteria in front of the Community Center and it delights me more every year.  Thought I would share some of the delight with you.

blooms

The weather has been gorgeous lately, so I got out for a walk.

The rhododendrons are in bloom.

 The rhododendrons are in bloom.

Ohh, ohhh, the rhododendrons are in bloom!

Oh the season comes too often
when the rhododendrons blossom.
Soon the air will fill with pollen
and your nose and eyes will be swollen.
Ohh, ohh, the rhododendrons are in bloom.











But, what's this?  I know it's some kind of palm, but what kind?
















Pansies and shadow selfie.