Blame It On Sisters

One of the reasons for being AWOL from the Pahk, I had SISTER company. Last weekend, we had a half reunion, that is, 3 out of the 6 of us. Not bad, considering there was no occasion, and it was on the WEST coast. Linda came out Thursday night from Boston, fresh off of chaperoning a group of 41 high schoolers to London and Paris. Talk about serious jet lag! We headed straight to McMinnville to Mary's as soon as we picked up her bags, arriving at 10:30 or so. By midnight we were mellow enough to head to bed.

A fun Friday in Mac was had by all. We tooled around, shopped downtown, dropped Syd off at swim practice, then headed to the very nice R Stuart Wine Bar where we each had a red flight to taste, along with some yummy roasted rosemary cashews. We made it back to the pool in time to see Syd's last practice dive...she was not pleased with us. We were immune to 'the look'.

Next stop, our favorite restaurant Red Hills Provincial Dining in Dundee. Nancy was out on a catering gig so Richard was holding down the kitchen solo. It turned into a busy night with lots of concert goers needing an expedited dining experience, so we were the cool patient people in the corner. Linda and Syd amused themselves with their spoons. We had our usual crab cakes and montrachet stuffed grape leaves for appetizers. I ordered the outrageously delicious lamb shanks with barley, the others had the even more outrageously delicious noisettes of beef. The sampler of home made ice creams was shared by all. You MUST dine there, sometime in your life. Seriously.

Syd wanted to stop and visit her friend and neighbor on the way home, they were expecting us and chilled some champagne (which we did not need) so we extended our socializing until nearly midnight again.

We made our way back to White Salmon on Saturday after stops at Lange Winery (another favorite) and The Bistro for lunch. We got back to White Salmon just in time to go to Hooba's for rib night. Hooba was happy to pose for a photo with yours truly.

Always the memorable dining experience, the hillbilly smoker may not look like much, but it never disappoints. Ribs and pulled pork combos got highest ratings from our visitors. (Sorry about the JayHawks tonight, Hooba. It was just not meant to be a repeat.) Does it sound like all we do is eat and drink wine?????

Sunday was exploring day for Linda. We went to the usual places, the Husum Falls, BZ boat launch and path to the falls, Trout Lake to feed the tween at Heavenly Grounds Espresso (she didn't need caffeine, but she did need food and a huckleberry smoothie), then back to introduce Linda to Joel at Wind River Cellars. Lloyd tapped some wine from the barrel for the girls to taste. Knowing I had mouths to feed, I picked up an assorted case. Good thing, as you'll soon see.

A quick hike up to Coyote Wall to see the lava tree, see Mary and Syd inside, runoff waterfalls and some wildflowers. We finished up the day making homemade pizzas and playing Pictionary. It was a very close race, with Mary and Syd barely beating out me and Linda. I won't whine and say they got all the easy ones....

Monday we were a bit lazier. Richard and Nancy arrived with three year old golden retriever Basil in tow for a little R and R from the restaurant. Mary, Syd and Linda drove up Snowden Rd to check out The Columbia Gorge School of Theater Camp, where Syd wants to go this summer. We took Richard and Nancy out and about, trying to convince them to come visit more often. Then it began.

The marathon dinner and wine experience. We knew it was coming. Friday night at the Red Hills was just a warm up. First course: mussels. Very fresh mussels that R and N had picked up in Portland on their way. Cooked in some of Joel's gewurtztrauminer. We paired them with some wonderful champagne that Richard brought, followed by some of Joel's new release pinot gris. Meanwhile, Linda made some mushroom risotto while I grilled a butterflied boneless leg of lamb outside. Don't ask me how, but it came out perfect.

Now we were ready for the serious stuff. We opened a bottle of WRC Lemberger. Then another. Then some of Richard's own pinot noir. Two bottles. The crowd asked for more...out came some WRC Cabernet Franc. After midnight the count was nine bottles (including the cooking wine). Must be a house record.

Now everyone is gone. They left Tuesday after mass quantities of coffee and homemade huckleberry muffins. The laundry is done. The guest beds remade. All I need to do now is restock the wine rack....


Thanks Linda for some of the pictures I stole from your FB to spiff up my story. I was missing some key elements...but I'll leave the hot tub photos on FB!!!