Pot Luck

In memory... (4.00 / 1)

...of my childhood best friend, who would have turned 32 today.

We miss you.

.....................
.....................

Good evening, everybody.  Quiet around here lately.

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 06:07:00 AM UTC

The spice shop! (4.00 / 1)

I don't believe I ever did write about the new spice shop across the street since its opening last month.  Turned out to be much more than I expected, in a very good way.

I've been there a few times, haven't made any major purchases but the place is awesome and I will definitely support it to the best of my ability.  Much more than just (heh) hundreds of jars of bulk herbs, spices and teas packed into their small-ish storefront.  

They also have a large table full of produce (whoo!), jars of local honey and other such products, coffee (brewed coffee and bagged beans to go), artisan soaps... all kinds of unfamiliar-to-me tea tools and accessories, mugs / cups and towelry; a small fridge full of random cane sugar sodas and kombucha-ey drinks, and dozens of little pre-filled dime bags full of herbs and spices for 50 cents each, right at the counter.  And more stuff I'm sure I forgot.  Oh.  And friendly people! :)

Casey or Jo, either of youze been there yet?  Their hours are 9 AM to 8 PM, 7 days a week.  I always see at least one other person in the store each time I go in, so that's a good sign.  And the fact that it's sandwiched between an art gallery / tee shirt shop / small concert performance venue and a vintage-y record store in the same building, along with a number of other businesses across the street, in a dense residential neighborhood along a major city bike route sure can't hurt!

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 06:27:02 AM UTC

I keep meaning to go over there (4.00 / 2)

I keep forgetting. Now that you've reminded me, I think I'll check 'em out next Monday when I do my deliveries. I need some new spices. Now that I'm working with stewing hens, and starting probably in February I'll be raising heritage cockerels, I want to start experimenting with different curries and what not.

Today's a slaughter day and I'm going to do up two more stewing hens for me. I'm going to let them rest over night in the fridge and then smoke them for a couple of hours, then cut 'em up and stew them in the crock pot over night.

Normal people scare me.... But not as much as I scare them.

---

by: JoanneRigutto @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 15:47:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

They have everything... (4.00 / 1)

...and the people who can suggest just what you need!

;-P

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 16:44:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Need... (4.00 / 1)

...any help next week, btw?  I'm available.  Pick me up on Monday if you want help.

;)

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 16:47:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I do need help (4.00 / 2)

but I'm back to my same old problem, lack of money. But, if you'd be interested in trading some help for some meat, we could work something out. I have a cow I need to have slaughterred and I have 3 emus who I need to slaughter, I have a lamb scheduled for slaughter on the 3rd of November, and then there are the stewing hens. I also have a young goat I'm going to slaughter here pretty soon. She's too small for me to keep in the breeding herd, but too small for me to want to pay the $20 to have her killed and dressed. And then there are the two turkeys. I'm going to go ahead and slaughter them evenutally too. Tank's having a reall hard time walking, he's got some kind of major ankle thing going on, and there's no reason for me to keep the hen around either.

So, if you'd be interested, I have beef, lamb, goat, chicken, and turkey I could trade you for some help. Also, I'm looking for people to do marketing for me if you'd be interested in that. That would be paying money.

Normal people scare me.... But not as much as I scare them.

---

by: JoanneRigutto @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 18:03:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Forgot the emu in the second paragraph (4.00 / 2)

If you'd be interested in helping me with the slaughter on 3 emus, I'll send you home with half a bird plus half the fat. You don't have to take all of the bird home at the same time, I can store it out here for you and bring it into town when I do my deliveries. I deliver to Portland at least twice/week now.

Normal people scare me.... But not as much as I scare them.

---

by: JoanneRigutto @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 18:05:31 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'll get back to you by Sunday. n/t (4.00 / 1)

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Sat Oct 22, 2011 at 04:39:29 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Email? (4.00 / 1)

What is it again?  Sorry... :)

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Sat Oct 22, 2011 at 19:17:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

loiosh@molalla.net nt (4.00 / 2)

Normal people scare me.... But not as much as I scare them.

---

by: JoanneRigutto @ Sat Oct 22, 2011 at 19:41:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Political Compass... (4.00 / 2)

Just finished my annual-ish checkup.  Heh.

-8.62 / -5.08 this time.

Interesting.  I was like minus 9 something, minus 9 something last year I'm pretty sure...

Come on, everybody.  Take the test.  Give us your score!  It's fun.  :)

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 09:39:24 AM UTC

Alright, alright (4.00 / 2)

-8.12, -7.33 .

One of the biggest problems with us left-libertarians is that we hate authority so much, we ourselves won't lead others. We would never want to tell other people what to do.

---

by: Crider @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 15:08:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

1.50 / -4.00 nt (4.00 / 2)

Normal people scare me.... But not as much as I scare them.

---

by: JoanneRigutto @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 15:43:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Minus 4! (4.00 / 1)

You hippie, you're almost on my scale!

;-P

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 16:50:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

LOL! (4.00 / 2)

I've been a registered democrat ever since I hit 18. I'm a pretty conservaitve democrat, but there ya go.  

Normal people scare me.... But not as much as I scare them.

---

by: JoanneRigutto @ Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 17:51:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Okay, I took the test. (4.00 / 3)

And here is where I came out: 8.62/7.03.

Yep, just an old lefty with a soft spot for anarchism.

---

by: caseyOR @ Sat Oct 22, 2011 at 00:58:04 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

That didn't come out right. Let me try again. (4.00 / 2)

  - 8.62
 - 7.03

---

by: caseyOR @ Sat Oct 22, 2011 at 00:59:43 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

CRIIGEN and U of C. and R. obtained Monsanto's confidential raw data (4.00 / 2)

The data "clearly underlines adverse impacts on kidneys and liver, the dietary detoxifying organs, as well as different levels of damages to heart, adrenal glands, spleen and haematopoietic system," reported Gilles-Eric Séralini, a molecular biologist at the University of Caen.

"If a man is as wise as a serpent, he can afford to be as harmless as a dove" Cheyenne

---

by: Maracatu @ Sat Oct 22, 2011 at 16:15:36 PM UTC

Looking for good Indian food here in Portland. (4.00 / 2)

Jay? Joanne? Do either of you have recommendations? I have a real hankering for Indian food, but in my experience, it can be pretty hit or miss as far as restaurants around here go.

Help me, please.

---

by: caseyOR @ Tue Oct 25, 2011 at 23:21:41 PM UTC

I have three! (4.00 / 1)

Dwaraka, one block from the Hawthorne New Seasons at SE Hawthorne & 41st-ish, gets more good reviews than bad (though "hit or miss" seems to be the general rule there, as usual, it's more "hit" than "miss" according to those who know these things).

I haven't been there, but plan to go soon.

East India Company downtown at 821 SW 11th (just off the Streetcar and MAX Blue and Red) gets very high ratings.  Haven't been there either.  Very $$$$$, probably won't get there anytime soon.

And then there's the food cart downtown at SW 5th & Stark (I plan to finally hit that for the first time sometime this or next).  New Taste of India.  Actually, if you want maybe I can meet you there and together we can try a couple two or three dishes?

Same thing for Dwaraka, actually.  Up to you...

I will definitely be eating plenty of Indian next month (and reporting and taking notes on it!), as my parents currently live in Middlesex County, NJ, home of the largest Asian Indian community in the world outside of India.  I'll be staying with them for at least 6 days over the next month on my trip.  ;)

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 00:00:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes, Jay, let's meet up and try these places.What a good idea. (4.00 / 2)

Before we do that, though, what are your plans for lunch tomorrow? I was thinking I'd go by the Ramen Truck on Hawthorne to eat. Care to join me?

It's open Tues.-Sat., noon-7 PM. I hear that they are running out of food early these days because of all the good reviews. So, I'm thinking lunch, not dinner.

Let me know if you are interested.

---

by: caseyOR @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 01:38:22 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sorry I didn't see this until now... (4.00 / 1)

Crap, would have liked to have gone!  Today probably wasn't possible for me anyway, though.  

Did you go?  Was it good?

If you didn't go today, I'll be able to go tomorrow as long as it's after 2:30 or so.

And when would the Indian cart or Dwaraka work best for you?

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 20:30:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I did not make it to the Ramen Truck (4.00 / 2)

today. So, tomorrow is good for me. And it should be a little warmer, so eating outside will be more pleasant. Is 3 PM good for you?

It is the end of the month, which means $$ is tight. So, can we plan on Indian food at the beginning of November? That is next week. How about, if it is not pouring rain, we hit the Indian Cart on Friday, Nov. 4?  

---

by: caseyOR @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 21:52:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Also, Vindahlo, Indian place in Clinton St. (4.00 / 2)

now has a "Happy Hour" where several of their food items go for $5 each.  Let's put that on our list, too. Are you open to sharing food orders?  

---

by: caseyOR @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 21:54:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sounds good, too... (4.00 / 1)

Yes, sharing is fine with me.

I'll be out of town from November 14 through December 1, so that could work for December sometime, I guess?

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 22:15:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

December would be fine. (4.00 / 2)

As you know, there is a wide world of food choices available to us here in Stumptown.  Plenty of time to explore. And it is more fun with a fellow food explorer. :-)

---

by: caseyOR @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 22:21:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

3 PM tomorrow works... (4.00 / 1)

33rd & Hawthorne, right?

Not sure about next Friday, I generally don't know what my week looks like until the Monday of each one... but I'll schedule it tentatively.  I'll be able to let you know for sure on that by next Monday, though.

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 22:13:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Meet you there at 3 PM tomorrow. (4.00 / 2)

I'll be the middle-aged woman wearing a Cubs baseball hat. How about you? I know you are not a middle-aged woman, but how will I know you? Red carnation in your lapel?

And, yes, the truck is located at 33rd and Hawthorne.

I'll pencil in next Friday, and you can let me know if it will work for you on Monday. okay?

---

by: caseyOR @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 22:18:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Gotcha... (4.00 / 1)

Lol, yes you are correct.  I am not a middle-aged woman.

;)

I'll be the tall guy, blue jeans, black jacket, green Oregon Ducks hat.  I'll try to get you my cell number later today if we can figure out the email thing.  Heh.  If not, then I guess we'll find each other that way...

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 22:23:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

See ya tomorrow, Jay. (4.00 / 2)

It's not supposed to rain. Yay.

---

by: caseyOR @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 22:31:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I should... (4.00 / 1)

...get you my email, but I don't want to make it 'public' so not quite sure how to get it out.

Oh, I know!  Jo, can you email her my address if you get a second?

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Wed Oct 26, 2011 at 20:35:37 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Can do Jay (4.00 / 2)

Casey, if you like you can send me something and I'll forward it on to Jay.

Normal people scare me.... But not as much as I scare them.

---

by: JoanneRigutto @ Thu Oct 27, 2011 at 06:13:34 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Dwaraka (4.00 / 1)

Of those three, my initial go would be Dwaraka because, you know, lunch buffet! Online reviews are as good as can be expected from online reviewers, I think. I'm surprised the restaurant website does not highlight the buffet. Sharing dishes from the food truck also seems a good option.

In Baltimore, my faves offer weekend buffets that are more extensive than the weekday versions, at a slightly escalated price, but hey! I can't sample everything even from the weekday buffets.

Jean and I went to a Sunday brunch buffet a few weeks ago - we know and like the restaurant and had been to the weekday buffet a couple of times but not the Sunday brunch. $25 but it's a champagne brunch. Actually, champagne, red sangria, white sangria, wine, screwdrivers, bloody Marys, etc. There was even a station for traditional U.S. breakfast food - waffles, pancakes, omelets, hash browns, sausage - but I didn't see one person go there. The Indian food was awesome.

---

by: count @ Sat Oct 29, 2011 at 05:24:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

MAPLE Act and fake syrup... (4.00 / 2)

Just came across this.

Senators Patrick Leahy from Vermont and Susan Collins from Maine introduced legislation last week that would make the fraudulent sale of maple syrup a felony offense, the senators said in a statement.

"I have been alarmed by the growing number of individuals and businesses claiming to sell Vermont maple syrup when they are in fact selling an inferior product that is not maple syrup at all," Leahy said.

Co-sponsored by Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and both of New York's Senators.

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Thu Oct 27, 2011 at 16:12:58 PM UTC

fake syrup (4.00 / 1)

I'm so glad our federal legislators have a laser focus on the really important things.

---

by: count @ Sat Oct 29, 2011 at 04:30:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well... (4.00 / 1)

...it does fall under their consumer (argh, I hate that word!) protection duties.  I see your point, though.

---

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Sat Oct 29, 2011 at 04:48:37 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

could not have said it better (4.00 / 2)

they are fucking useless. Some of them are even making fun of their 9% approval rating.

---

by: LeeN @ Sat Oct 29, 2011 at 10:41:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

sour beef heaven (4.00 / 1)

An old Baltimore German Evangelical Lutheran congregation, dating from about 1835, has a long tradition of serving annual Sour Beef and Dumplings dinners in October. I've never been, although I used to work right across the street from the church. Jean and I had supper there Wednesday night. I fought an urge to return all day Thursday. That stuff is addictive. Green beans, red cabbage cooked in vinegar.

I'm now a big fan of dumplings, at least the ones served at Zion Lutheran. Tender, melt-in-mouth. Seems like the cooks start with a crouton, around which a dollop of dough is packed for the dumpling. I don't remember seeing that before and I don't know how important it is, but those dumplings were yumyum.

I think I'll go both days next year.

---

by: count @ Sat Oct 29, 2011 at 04:38:44 AM UTC

Angela Davis was at Occupy Philadelphia last night (4.00 / 2)

I didn't make it but my daughter did. At least her Facebook page said so (daughters not Angela's)

Speaking of activists/academics Cornell West was on Bill Mahrer. He had to be restrained by another quest as he came to blows with that Republican toadie Ron Christie.

---

by: LeeN @ Sat Oct 29, 2011 at 10:47:38 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ron Christie (4.00 / 1)

Who is Ron Christie?

Ouch.

---

by: count @ Sat Oct 29, 2011 at 13:16:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

here he is. (4.00 / 1)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R...

If you watch cable tee vee you've seen him. I thought Cornell West was going to deck him.  

---

by: LeeN @ Sat Oct 29, 2011 at 16:38:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]