weekly gratitude

thank you for an evening warm enough to bust out the rainbows

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What if greetings matter?

This was the question John Mark promted us with this morning.

Even taking it out of the faith context, just appreciating how one human addresses another, think about the way Paul addressed letters...

He began each of his letters, to cities full of his friends, brothers & sisters, with the same greeting:

Grace and peace to you.

To him, greetings mattered because people mattered.

To begin his conversations with the people he loved by wishing them grace and peace was his way of showing people how much they mattered to him.

And I like that.

People matter.

Do you guys even realize how much you matter to me?

Sometimes I feel silly saying the dreaded sentence out loud: I have a blog.

It somehow seems to just be awaiting criticism, or a snarky comment, an "Oh, of course you do, isn't that nice."

But then I get over it as soon as I remember the friends I've made through this little land of ours, the incredible women I've come to know who create beautiful things, raise their sweet babies, support their men when they go to war, uplift their friends, praise the One they love, bare their very souls to a world that could easily strip them of their shame and yet... Joy and courage win out over everything. 

And why?

Because in my experience I have found that this little community of ours if chock full of grace and peace. 

All of you radiate these things, you offer them up freely to people you (most likely) have never actually met in "real life" without hesitation. 

Amazing.

And so in the coming week I wish you all grace and peace. 

Oh, and of course, gratitude.

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1. Thank you lilacs! They're in full bloom all around, and at the winery in particular. I nabbed a few sprigs on my way out of work today and stuck them in the vents of my car (instant air freshener!). Since Portland has decided once again on a downward spiral of weather, it makes for a nice pop of spring to get me from one rain-soaked place to another (and remains, next to lilies, my favorite flower smell in the world)! Happiness!

2. Thank you for brunch all by my self! I know, I know, but bear with the little introvert... The other day I had an appointment downtown so Jodi and I made plans to grab brunch at Cafe Nell (home of the "man-mosa": a pint glass full of bubbly with what is basically a shot of grapefruit juice - now there's a ratio I support). I finished with my appointment around 10am, sent Jodi a text that I was headed to Nell and was then peeved to find out it didn't open until 11. Oops. No worry! I decided on my old standard Tasty N Sons (open at 9!) I gave her a quick call but to no answer. After a little more time and dallying I got a text from Jodi telling me she'd fallen asleep after Scott (her husband) left for work and with her phone battery dead, she was completely out! Good call though because sleep hadn't exactly been her best friend the past week. So not wanting to miss out on one of my favorite past times, I decided to just take myself to brunch anyway! Along with a good book (and some very amusing texts from Blake which may or may not have included more than one Will & Grace reference), I treated myself to a grapefruit mimosa and a granny smith apple & gruyere omelet (oh dear goodness). I'm thankful for those quiet mornings alone to indulge in my hermit like tendencies while still being in public (and appearing semi-social). 

3. Thank you for friends living the dream. Friday night Dean, Robin, Jared and I downed some delightfully greasy burgers and fish & chips at a nearby bar before diving into North Portland to see our buddy Mike's band play (Mike - not to be confused with Michull). It was the first time I'd seen Stonecold Dreamers (who, apparently are between band names and decided for the night to be known as "Too Many Mikes") and was seriously impressed. Even the venue itself was awesome, an old warehouse in the middle of who knows where. I would know where but Jared and I fell asleep in the backseat on the way there so somewhere between exit 300 and "under the big Thule sign" (Dean should never be allowed to navigate) we eventually found our way to the big loft area with exposed beams and local artists' work covering the walls. I love seeing anyone living out what they love in life, but especially when it's someone I know. Not many musicians get to perform to a crowd of eager listeners who actually appreciate what they're doing. It's pretty cool. 

4. Thank you for a teacher who never stops learning and is willing to admit mistakes. I've said it before, but I'll say it again - John Mark is one of the best "teachers" I've ever encountered (about God, yes, but also just life in general). I was talking about it with a gal at church this morning and we both commented on how his zeal for learning is contagious and makes everything come alive in a way it never has before. In all the churches, in all the denominations I've experienced throughout my life, JM is one of the rarest of the rare (really, only Francis Chan and my old religion professor Dr. Jerry Rushford ever had this position in my mind before). He never sits on a high horse, he is the first to admit he is flawed to no end, and when he slips up, he apologizes and does what he can to repair the situation (even if it's just a silly Twitter remark). I like a teacher who is forever a student. I respect a teacher who learns from his "students" and takes a humble step back to emphasize that he is in no position to pretend he's any better than the rest of us. In that way he reminds me a lot of Tom and inspires me much the same way. 

5. Thank you Sur La Table. Last night I represented the winery at the last of four wine pairing/cooking classes we've done with our wines and their amazing chef Ben Witten. It's been so much fun the last few months going down there to showcase our wines and learn (from the sidelines, granted, but still) how to cook some amazing (and shockingly simple) dishes. It not only furthered my love of our wines, but my love of cooking. I can't wait until November when they start up again!

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As one final note, I need to get something off my chest:

I think I'm developing a bizarre and unexplainable crush on Niles Crane. 

I'm sorry?

Yes. Question mark.

You'd be confused about it too.

(I really need to stop watching Frasier). 

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Oh, and this is beautiful.

wine + cheese

oh, sweet cheese. sweet, glorious, delicious cheese!

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*this is a revamp of a presentation I gave at work - nothing special, just an enthusiastic cheese eater/wine drinker's point of view*

Here in blogland we find ourselves talking about it fairly often and let’s face it, we’ve all done the uh, research. But how much do we really know about cheese and wine? Sure, we live in a time where we are encouraged to enjoy whatever foods we want with whatever we’re eating (and there is great merit to that, lord knows) but still, there are pairings for a reason…

Certain cheeses just taste better with certain wines!

(and vice versa!)

So let’s take a few minutes talk about something we love – food and drink!

(if anyone is opposed to this, I encourage you to eat a piece of cheese as that always seems to help ease the mind – plus, it’s a lot harder to raise opposition with a mouthful of cheese)

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There are plenty of standard pairings for wines and cheese (i.e. champagne & brie, or port & Stilton) but for the sake of this investigation, we’re going to explore some more experimental partnerships in the land of cheese and wine.

And since I for one happen to be at the flavorful mercy of Willamette Valley Cheese already, that’s where we’ll focus.

Interested in a quick history of the company?

Excellent!

From the website: “It’s sunrise at Volbeda Farms. The creek runs cold and clear in the countryside surrounding Salem, Oregon. Rod Volbeda’s jersey cows are enjoying a breakfast of home-grown, fresh forage. Their milk is the prime ingredient for the award-winning line of Willamette Valley Cheese Company brand Gouda, Havarti, Jack,Cheddar,Brie,Fontina, Mozzarella and other farmstead cheeses.”

WAIT!

What does “farmstead” even mean?

From the American Cheese Society’s website: “In order for a cheese to be classified as ‘Farmstead’, as defined by the American Cheese Society, the cheese must be made with milk from the farmer’s own herd, or flock, on the farm where the animals are raised. Milk used in the production of farmstead cheeses may not be obtained from any outside source.”

Glad we got that cleared up – moving on!

Rob spent time as an apprentice with Dutch cheese masters in Holland where he learned some classic European recipes. But back in Oregon, he began to turn things in a more Pacific Northwest direction – that means the importance of keeping Willamette Valley Cheese’s product all natural from pastures to packaging.

(I knew I liked that stuff)

Rod also keeps things interesting by updating those tried-and-true recipes, adding in the exciting flavors of herbs and spices, smoke and aging to create new versions of the classic cheeses he first learned to create.

So where does all this cheesy goodness line up with wine?

It can be agreed on that harder cheeses pair nicely with heavier, tannic wines; creamier cheeses with something more acidic; and salty cheese with something that has a nice hint of sweetness about it.

But now the real fun begins… Time to put these basics into action and kick it up a few notches.

Let’s talk cheese + wine!

- for the sake of this post, I will be pairing Willamette Valley Cheeses with Erath Wines -

Brindisi & 2010 Oregon Pinot Gris – This Italian-style aged fontina was actually created by Rod! Fairly hard and with a nice kick of saltiness, this older fontina starts off pretty sharp but mellows into a rather creamy richness. That quality allows it to pair nicely with the crisp acidity of this classic pinot gris (also, that hint of sweetness compliments that salty component). It is also a nice balance considering fontinas tend to have milk fat contents of around 45%. Fun fact: Rod actually got to name this cheese – “Brindisi” is his mother’s maiden name.

Boerenkaas & 2010 Le Jour Magique White Pinot Noir – This aged gouda’s name literally means “farmer’s cheese” in Dutch. It is made from raw milk which means the milk was not pasteurized (“Cheeses made with unpasteurized (raw) milk can not be sold in the US unless they have been aged for at least 60 days…. After 60 days, the acids and salts in raw-milk cheese naturally prevent listeria, salmonella, and E. coli from growing.”) This cheese has a fairly buttery texture with hints of nuttiness and even some citrus, pairing up with the creamy decadence of the barrel-aged Le Jour Magique and its lemon and honey on the nose.

Smoked Gouda & 2009 Estate Selection Pinot Noir – This more traditional gouda is taken one step further in flavor when the wheels of cheese are placed downwind of a Traeger filled with smoking pellets of cherry and applewood. The smoke funnels through a pipe into an “oven” where the flavor is absorbed into the cheese. Pinot’s key characteristic is emphasized by the building flavor of smokiness in the cheese, and the toasty notes attributed to barrel-aging are accentuated by a creamy mouthfeel as it melts into your palette.  

Herbs de Provence Havarti & 2005 Neiderberger Pinot Noir – Taking the smooth, creamy and sweetly mild havarti to another level, Willamette Valley Cheese adds the classic blend of herbs (some combination of oregano, sage, rosemary, basil & thyme) to create a flavor-packed bite. Though while the herbs are prominent, the flavor of the cheese is not lost. Pinot noir is a common havarti pairing, and with this cheese especially, a vintage that has definite spice and floral notes, along with the earthiness of the Dundee Hills, all flavors meld perfectly. The deeper cherry notes also compliment the herbaceous quality of the cheese.

Cranberry Havarti & 2010 Sweet Harvest Pinot Blanc – When pairing anything with a dessert wine, it is important to remember that what you eat should not be sweeter than what you drink. With that in mind, sweet wines are often paired with cheese and fruit. Havarti is easily complimented by a bright, acidic white wine and, tending toward mild saltiness as it ages, balances nicely with the high residual sugar of an ice-style wine. With the addition of the cranberry, a bit of tartness lends a hand in producing a mouthful of sweetness without being overpowering or cloying. Fun fact: the textures of the Cranberry Havarti and the Blueberry Havarti are drastically different because of the varying acid levels in the fruits.

                                                                                        

So while this is only the tip of the iceberg, these are some jumping off points to discover new cheese and wine pairings of your own! The key things to keep in mind are balance and compliments.

·      Make sure the flavor of the wine won’t be overpowered by the flavor of the cheese (and vice versa)·      If the wine is slightly sweet, try to balance that out with a saltier cheese·      Find flavors that blend well and compliment one another, like a smoked cheese and a smoky pinot·      Above all, eat and drink what you like! And don’t be afraid to experiment!

                                                                                         

For more information:

www.willamettevalleycheese.com

www.erath.com

instagram

Maybe I've chosen the wrong line of work.

Do they pay people to sit around all day finding the silver linings?

Because as much as people pitch fits about how technology is out of control, Facebook is at least one sign of the apocalypse (maybe more) and that we're becoming too dependent on our iPhones... I would be so bold as to say there is a definite silver - nay - platinum lining to these three things.

Redemption, thy name is Instagram. 

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Bear with me folks...

I might be playing devil's advocate here, but really, when was the last time people slowed down enough to fully appreciate all of the wonderful, little things in life.

(those little things, after all, are really the big things when we look back on it, aren't they?)

But I was thinking about it the other day when about half of The Camaraderie ended up at Pix Patisserie (after another meal at Tasty N Sons - you call it addiction, I call it necessary) (famous last words?). Anyway, Robin and I were happily munching on our French delicacies but not before succumbing to the incessant need to document every. little. thing.

(we are definitely bloggers)

About ten seconds later my 8oz. coffee and rose macaron were live on Instagram for all the world to see. 

We were all already on a high with it being such a beautiful day outside, but for some reason hearing the little shutter snap on my phone clicked something in my brain:

I am so glad that I'm keeping track of things that make me smile.

It really does help you count your blessings. If you are appreciating even the smallest little detail of life, if the corner of that building strikes a chord in you, if that table leg is a piece of art, if you want to remember every bite of that burger from the taste itself to the aesthetic of the cheese oozing over the bun - the folks at Instagram are ready with a platform for you.

(sponsored post? ha, not hardly - just an enthusastic consumer here, thanks!)

But seriously, as someone who has spent that better part of the last decade with a camera in her purse (if not in her hand), I'm happy to have a place to collect all the little photographic treasures I come across on a daily basis. And I love seeing all the happy little things that make people's lives richer.

I love seeing Brigette's picnic basket full of champagne on a spring day, I love seeing the place where Robin and Dean decided to move to Portland, and I love seeing the tangible evidence of John Mark's devotion to teaching. 

This silly little app has sparked a wave of gratitude for all the seemingly insignificant details in life that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.

And I for one am pretty tickled by that. 

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Do you have Instagram? 

Find me @laurenjeanallece 

on therapeutic beading

    

I went a little nuts at the craft store today.

Found fun beads and chains

This is what my life has come to.

It's been a slow winter.

Thank heaven for spring.

Otherwise... 

Wednesday night + a little wine = creative impulses.

I think Hemingway would back me up on this. 

DIY | watercolor quote cards

Are we noticing a trend here?

Apparently I only use two options when it comes to DIY:

watercolors and beads.

I promise I'll branch out soon.

Until then however...

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Supplies:

watercolor paper

watercolors

metallic ink pen

Directions:

- cut down paper to desired size (mine were about 2.5''x2.5")

 - making sure paint is watered down pretty significantly, brush some color haphazardly onto paper and let dry

- use metallic ink to write your favorite quote, word, whatever onto card (read about why mine says "okay" here)

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I want to do a variation of these as gift tags as well!

Again, like so many DIY projects, you can bend and warp it into many different variations - have fun with it!

there's truth in them words

(via)

disheveled

It was warm last night.

Outside it turned cool after the sun went down, but apparently no amount of open windows could coax the loveliness inside.

I took my anger out on my bed. 

I woke up tangled (only one leg mind you - not sure how I managed that) and frustrated. 

My plan for the day includes stopping for coffee at Red Hills this morning to sublimate my sleepiness. 

There will probably be an egg sandwich involved.

Naughty.

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Hope everyone else slept peacefully (I'm eyeing you Jodi Buell!)

weekly gratitude

thank you sunshine for warming my feet

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I'm getting really bad at this.

Slacking big time.

Not getting posts done on their regular days, going days without posting at all... Letting things slide.

But I have a reason!

It's the sun! 

It's making me giddy!

I will not be held responsible for my lack of action - it's 80 degrees in April, we're gonna take what we can get.

Anyway, it's no excuse really but that's the reason nonetheless. I had every intention of coming home after work yesterday to get some work done but alas, the warmth, it was calling me, begging me to bask in its gentle toastiness, even late into the night. 

Tonight's no different, still practically hot in my apartment, making me consider prying the box fan out of storage for the first time this year.

I wish I was sitting outside with a glass of wine.

And while we're on the subject...

1. Thank you for late-night drinks on the patio on a warm spring evening. After the ritual bottle of wine and dinner with Jodi and Caitlyn at Red Hills Market I rolled my windows down and sang Frank Turner all the way home. I had texted Robin that we best be taking advantage of the weather and getting the kids together at Journeys soon. She fired back with the idea of finding a patio somewhere and grabbing a drink right then and there. So I met her and Dean over at a little joint we had frequented all winter but had never taken full advantage of (advantage here meaning there was an outdoor oasis awaiting) (and oasis here meaning the place where I could bask, they could smoke and assorted idiots could drunkenly sing along to The Rolling Stones). In any case, it was warm enough to sit outside until well past 11pm and I am extremely grateful for that. 

2. Thank you Diane for an incredible Saturday morning! I had been looking forward to Generations ever since it was first announced. Diane's blog has been a huge source of inspiration and support over the last year and the chance to finally hear her speak was something I waited for like a kid at Christmas. I still want to do a proper write-up of the event because it was that amazing, but for now let me just say that I am so astoundingly thankful for this woman and now having met her (!!!) I can say she is even more beautiful - inside and out - than I could have ever imagined. I also met some amazing women while waiting to speak with Diane (check out Lauren's blog!) and was happy to not be the only "groupie" there. It was just a really wonderful way to start the day, meeting new people and seeing others whose paths I hadn't crossed in some time - God is so good. It makes me smile. 

3. Thank you for the Revival Tour! Monday night I swung by to pick up Jared on my way back into town from work, we stopped to grab Dean and Robin, then drove downtown to meet Michull and Maggie at Dante's. My God. There's another whole post there waiting to be written so I'll save the gushing (and leave you on the edge of your seat, obviously) for later this week but heaven and hell the show was amazing. Chuck Ragan outdid himself, Jon Gaunt played that fiddle like a maniac, and Joe Ginsberg and his bass (and his mustache) were the envy of all Portland. Oh, and seeing Tom Gabel and being awestruck/intimidated by Cory Branan was pretty rad too. 

4. Thank you for encouragement. Every month at our staff meetings we have an informational portion where someone does a little presentation about this, that or the other. This month, after being prompted by my boss, I led the troops in a session about cheese and wine pairings (another post yet to come - that's three posts I've promised here - hold me to it). Admittedly, though my job is to talk and basically put on a song and dance for strangers everyday, I was a bit nervous. But it went off beautifully and everyone gave me such nice feedback. I was elated. It almost made me miss doing presentations for school (almost). So thank you to my amazing coworkers and bosses for being so sweet and humoring me as I prattled on and on about two of my favorite pastimes: wine and cheese.

5. Thank you sun. That is all. 

6. Thank you Laura for giving me the greenlight to go to Montana!!! 4th of July weekend I'm off (hopefully with Ashley and Maria!) to Big Sky Country to hang out with my girl, her boy, her man, Montana Man and the whole Laurel gang! Summer, whiskey, rodeos, fireworks, dancing... Oh, I am so excited! 

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So getting back to it, tomorrow is day five of five at work and then I'm left with my belated weekend to catch back up with life. There are big plans to clean, cook and write.

Oh, sweet thrills.

(no really, I'm seriously looking forward to this)

Happy week to everyone!

generations

I'm going to this tomorrow morning!

If you're in the Portland area and think you might fancy hearing what Diane has to say, check out more information here!

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Hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful weekend!

(it's supposed to be in the 70's here, can you even stand it?!)

routine procedure

Little darling, it's been a long, cold, lonely winter. 

OK, only two of those things describe this past winter, but you can take that up with George Harrison. 

The main point is that it's been cold. And while everyone else is busting out their sunscreen, here in Portland it's still in the 50's. Which, to be honest, only halfway irritates me because amidst the pile of hunting socks on my floor and an ever-growing scarf collection whose residence on the coat-hooks next to my bed is feeling neglected (I've given up on returning them to the hooks each night knowing they'll end up right back around my neck in the morning), I've developed a cozy new routine:

(and no, it's not writing the longest run-on sentence in blogland)

Most nights when I get home from work, after I've had dinner and done the dishes, odds are it has dipped back into the 40's and while a glass of wine is often on the menu, more often it's a mugful of hot tea (or milk & honey) that finds its way into my hands to warm me as I snuggle down into a nest of blankets on my ancient green couch. 

With rain pelting the skylights, I feel little regret at spending the evening indoors catching up with the adventures of the women (and men!) of this little community I've landed myself in. Curling up with my legs stretched out and my laptop propped on my thighs, I tend to keep something Netflix-y open in one window for some background noise (again, damn you Frasier) while I read through what my ladies and gents have to say.

And you know what?

It's quite a happy little part of my day.

It's cozy and allows me to travel around the world without the damage to my bank account. 

I can visit New York and Port Hueneme, Scotland and Monterey,  Fort Wayne and Okinawa, and right back here to Portland, Oregon. 

And since I've never been fond of falling asleep on airplanes (my god, is there anything more uncomfortable?), I don't mind so much if I drift off on a sofa that is arguably more comfortable than my four year old $99 mattress. 

Basically what I'm saying is that come spring (and I mean actual spring when I no longer have to hide under blankets in order to maintain a normal body temperature) I'm going to be a little sad to retire this routine.

Then again, when the smell of summer seeps in through open windows I doubt I'll put up much of a fight. 

It just means I'll have to take my computer out on the front porch while the sun goes down. 

how "titanic" should have ended

Laughing in public is highly encouraged when viewing this.

There was enough room for Jack.

Rose, you're such a greedy door-whore sometimes. 

(via)

update on our soldier

Late last night (after The Revival Tour - more on that later) Jared updated me on how Nathan is doing over in Afghanistan!

He's doing well and, by our time-change estimate, was out on a mission as we spoke. 

Thank you all so much for your prayers and well wishes for "our" soldier! Keep 'em coming! 

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Deployment is never easy, and it's a sacrifice on all fronts - both the men and women fighting and the men and women back home (Elise wrote a wonderful post about it here). 

I am so grateful to everyone for their service and support! 

Also, totally snicked this photo from Terra's Facebook because it's just too cute. 

Nathan's got a lot of love coming his way!