The Unexpected Tourist

“The unexpected moment is always sweetest”~unknown 

Hi!  How are you doing?

 I hope you had a great week, and that perhaps you’ve planned something interesting, fun, or adventurous for the weekend. maybe something unexpected

I recently returned from a get- away.

If you are new to my blog welcome!

 And if you haven’t visited here for a while there are a few updates. Trip to California , A Women’s Retreat

My last stop on this little getaway was a planned day in Portland.

24 hours to explore the hip Portlandia from sunrise till the wee hours of night.

I couldn’t think of any better way to end my trip.

So after doing some research I came up with a plan.

The plan would include taking the MAX to get around.

Everyone I met raved about how easy it was to ride.

*Note to self: be prepared for the unexpected

I had planned on beginning the day with an early walk among the oldest Rose Test Garden in the United States. more

 I read that the best time to visit this garden was in June. Oh well.

Next, I planned  on heading on over to one of the Downtown’s specialty coffee shops called Heart Roasters click here

 Then I had planned that it might be fun to get lost in Powell’s Bookstore, the world’s largest used and new bookstores. read more  this particular one occupies a whole block! After perusing the bookstore I knew I’d most likely work up an appetite

seems like I’m always eating and planned on getting a bite at Ava Gene’s read more which I had learned served a fabulous farm-to-fork Italian fare.

Sounds like a great plan doesnt it? I thought so However now for what really happened during my 24 hours spent in Portland.

Remember that note to self being prepared for the unexpected 

I did make some great plans, however shortly after boarding the MAX (and not as planned) I met this fabulous lady Melissa think wanderlust bohemian like we struck up a conversation, and in the midst of being engaged in the wonderful moment so much for those  plans

I stepped off at the wrong stop, and spent a good part of the day finding my way back to the hotel. I couldn’t have planned for such an adventurous day if I tried.

It was a perfect ending to a two week get-away. not quite as planned but exciting

 and next time I decide to return to Portlandia I’ll have some pretty great plans all ready to go.

Cheers to a fabulous weekend. ..

planned or not😉

☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕

COFFEE MOUSSE

Ingredients

4 egg whites

Pinch of salt

1 cup heavy cream

2/3 cup sugar

4 tablespoons strong expresso, chilled

1. Beat the egg whites with the salt until very firm and set aside. Whip the heavy cream with sugar. Slowly Incorporate the expresso into the whipped cream. Carefully fold the expresso cream into the egg whites.

2. Spoon the coffee mousse into 6 bowls or cups and refrigerate for at leat 1 hour before serving. Serves 6