Mercato

I stumbled upon a new restaurant while going between the two Powells on Couch. I almost tripped over the reader board stating the lunch items of the day. I was intrigued by the listing of onion, ale and gorgonzola soup. The soup sounded yummy and I was hungry. I wandered in and ordered my lunch. They offer a bowl of soup and half a salad or half a Panini for $8. I am very happy to find half orders for lunch. The bowl of onion, ale and gorgonzola soup came in white soup bowl that was lower on one side. The salad was on the side of the soup bowl. The napkins were white cloth, what a treat. The soup was delicious. I was sorry when my bowl was empty. I would like to make the soup at home.

Mercato 904 NW Couch St. Portland, Or 97209 503.219.9966 www.mercatopdx.com

Halibuts

halibuts
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

The halibut fish and chips that we had for lunch at Halibuts was just right. They serve half orders. The two pieces of fish was the right size. I don’t care for getting too much food in restaurants and love it when I can order half an order. The beer battered halibut was light and fluffy not heavy and greasy.
Live Jazz and blues is played in the bar Halibuts II on most evenings.
2525 NE Alberta St
Portland, OR 97211
Phone: (503) 808-9600

Tulip Wine Down

tulip mickey mouse
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

This looks like a fun way to see the tulips and benefit charity.
Saturday April 19 and Sunday 20, 2008. Admission is $10, cash only. Must be 21 with ID. The Tulip Wine Down is an all Charity base event helping non-profits within the Mid-Willamette Valley. There will be over 10 wineries including David Hill vineyards, Eola Hills wine cellars and Willamette valley Vineyards. An additional tasting fee is charged to taste the wines. The Tulip Festival is extended to April 27, 2008
$5 per vehicle Saturday and Sundays.
33814 S Meridian Rd, Woodburn, OR Follow signs off I-5 Woodburn exit or from Hwy 99E in Woodburn.
www.woodenshoe.com

Portland Nursery

Portland Nursery
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

I don’t need a reason to stop in this nursery. It has an amazing variety of plants to tempt me. Portland nursery carries a large selection of native plants. The native plant of the month of April is Native Trillium ovatum. Trillium is such a pretty plant. I find trillium to be easy care plant in my yard, each spring it pops up under the shrubs. Portland nursery has a large selection of herbs, sedum and roses in stock. There are varieties of plants that aren’t available in the other nurseries. The help desk provides expert advice. When you tell them the growing conditions of where you are going to put a plant, they will tell you if it will thrive under those conditions or suggest something else that will thrive in your yard.
5050 SE Stark Portland, OR 97215, Spring store hours: Sunday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m; Friday and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
www.portlandnursery.com

MagnoliaHoyt Arboretum

Magnolia
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

Recently I hiked along the Cherry trail to the wildwood trail through the winter garden to the Magnolia trail then back up the hill to the Visitors Center. I was looking for flowering trees. I was disappointed to find that Magnolia Collection had very few blooms open. I checked the dates on my photos from last year. I went too early. I took the pictures of magnolias in late April last year. I intend to go back to hike and take photos. Hopefully the dogwoods will be in bloom then along with the Magnolias.
The Magnolia trail starts by the winter garden. Make sure that you find the sign that says magnolia trail. If you take a different trail like Oak or Beech you will not see the Magnolias. It took me a few tries to find the correct trail.

www.hoytarboretum.org

Rain or Shine

This garden supply store has everything. I shop there for my seed starting supplies. They give expert advice on starting seeds. With their help I have been very successful starting seeds and growing seedlings ready to plant outside. They have the trays, cells and soil for stating seeds. They sell grow lights, green houses and pond equipment. I have a hard time sticking to my shopping list when I go there. They have so many different things that aren’t available any where else that it is easy to get temped to add something to my purchases.

www.landscapeusa.com

Rain or Shine 13126 NE Airport Way Portland, OR 97230 (503) 255-1981‎ (800) 248-1981‎ - Toll Free

Springwater corridor Bike path

mile marker
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

Sunday Afternoon was a lovely afternoon for a bike ride. I went for my first bike ride of the year. It was great to be out on my bike. I started my bike ride a Gresham Main city park. The park is on Main street in Gresham just off Powell blvd. I rode east on the Springwater path. I heard many different bird songs as I rode along. I got passed by a child happily signing while being pulled in a bike trailer. People of all ages were out enjoying the path. The busy street crossings are well marked. There are posts along the route telling you the mile markers. Springwater is part of the 40 mile loop. It connects to the 205 path when it crosses 205. On the East end bike lanes connect it to the esplanade or the Sellwood Bridge. Trail map at www.40mileloop.org/maps/map_springwater_corridor.pdf