Cannon Beach Dining - Newman's

Newman's at 988 in Cannon Beach

Set in a 1910 farmhouse, Newman's is intimate and family-run. 

We started with the Ravioli du Jour w/ goat cheese and crab cakes which were nothing like any crab cakes I'd ever experienced. No breading, no fillers, these cakes WERE crab. Period. Two large cakes of crab, seared and topped with an aioli, it was almost too much and I gladly shared with my eagerly waiting husband.

We followed the first course with a wonderful tomato soup and beet & goat cheese salad. Unlike many beet and goat cheese salads, this one wasn't overwhelmed by an overabundance of cloyingly sweet candied pecans. Instead, it was accompanied by slightly sweetened, crunchy almond slivers, a welcome alternative.

My husband's third course was the rack of lamb entree, which must have been good because he licked the bones clean and mine, the lobster ravioli was so filled with large chunks of lobster that I nearly forgot we were on the West coast, a sight like that is only seen in Massachusetts or Maine. Like the crab cakes, I found myself with such a wealth of delectable goodness that I found it easy to share substantial bites.

We shared a dessert, the butterscotch pudding parfait. The texture was akin to cookie dough and was layered with whipped cream. 

It's been some time since we've visited Newman's and we were thrilled to see the food is just as good as it was the first time. It's also quite a deal. Two elegant, three-course meals with two kinds of warm bread served throughout, plus a shared dessert cost $114; try to find a deal like that in Portland.

Reservations recommended.

Losing Grandpa

My father-in-law passed away recently. It's been a difficult and emotional time for a number of reasons but one of the hardest for me, is how to explain to our four-year-old that Grandpa S isn't coming back.

Grandpa S passed away late Monday evening, past Q's bedtime. I was told by a friend that we needn't say anything right away because she's not going to understand or fully grasp what has happened at this age. I assumed that and it was good to hear confirmation from someone who had dealt with this sort of thing before.

By Wednesday morning, Grandpa S's car was parked outside of our home and as we left for school, Q asked, "Grandpa's car is here but where is Grandpa? Why isn't he here?" Holding back tears, I explained that Grandpa died and we were all very sad because we loved him. She thought about it for a moment and said, "When you're dead, you don't get to eat ice cream anymore and you can't play." Soon her attention moved to the flowers hanging over a wall we pass by on the way to school and that was that.

This morning, Thursday, on the way to school, Q asked me if people come back when they die and I realized how completely unprepared I am to talk about this with my daughter. It's not difficult because she hurts, because she really hasn't grasped the magnitude of it all; it's difficult because I hurt so badly for what she's going to miss. Will she remember her grandfather but for the pictures she sees? She'll never have the opportunity to go hiking with Grandpa S, one of his favorite activities. She'll never get to know him as a 5 year old, a 10 year old or more and he won't get to see her grow. That hurts me so badly.

Q has other grandparents. My mother-in-law and parents are still here and going strong. We see them both and it's wonderful. But I grew up with four grandparents and I already miss that my child won't.

Eggs!

It's raining and I've got spring fever. Pale blues, aquas and all things spring-y are on my mind.

... like this Bird's Nest Pendant by Starry Designs that a friend found. Sterling silver and amazonite for $34.

... and this perfect, Robin's egg blue bird feeder by J Schatz. Also available, egg banks, lamps, planters and bird houses. Featured in Sunset magazine.

The workmanship on this pleated wool and organza dress by David Koma is stunning. I love everything about it.






Available at Luisaviaroma for $6326.

I love these dolls. They are made of cotton by artists in Peru. Cute, soft and mush-able, they have become favorites in our home.

Bug and Baby Bug

BlaBla makes a variety of dolls and other adorable items but these are my favorite. I keep checking the site in hopes they will produce a Giant Buzz the Bee but so far, no.

Alexander McQueen

FRINGE LEATHER BOX CLUTCH
black nappa leather box clutch with hand-tied leather fringe detail and swarovski crystal skull clasp.

Jam

From NW Palate...

Jams to try

King Estate Blueberry and Raspberry Pinor Noir jams

Ayers Creek Damson Plum, Loganberry, Italian Prune and Blackcap Jam available at Foster & Dobbs

Republic of Jam

Marche Berry Jams and Pear Butter

Sassafras Southern Kitchen Fig, Brandied Plum, Sunchoke, Pear and Meyer Lemon and Heirloom Beet and Fennel

Oregon Growers

Pennington Farms Strawberry/Rhubarb

Sunset Valley Organics Blueberry Jams

Favorite Things: Dessert

YUM. None of my favorite ice cream or Coconut Bliss flavors were available tonight when we stopped for an after dinner grocery run. I was a bit distraught until I spied Talenti Sea Salt Caramel. I'd never tried Talenti before but this seemed the perfect opportunity as I love salted caramel. I wasn't disappointed. A beautiful texture with chunks of chocolate covered caramel treasure buried inside.

Rated: Highly Recommended

Prom Dresses, originally posted May 10, 2008

Once upon a time, I had another blog. Like this one, I rarely posted but even less so. I happened across the blog while cruising through pages I'd bookmarked ages ago and decided, rather than maintain that blog, in any form, I'd move some of the posts over here.

I wrote this entry back in May of 2008, seems like a world away now...

A friend of mine recently lightbulbed an idea for her 40th birthday party. She encountered some ladies at a comedy club all dressed to the nines in the best of their worst prom and bridesmaid dresses and thought it was a fabulous and fun idea. It brought me back to about a year ago when I decided to try my old prom dress on, just for fun.

I'm 37 now, so I was 36 when I attempted this feat, about 19-20 years after my Junior Prom (I didn't go to my Sr Prom).

Damn, I was small back then (same height). I know I've put on about 10 lbs each decade but I also know that I'm still very small so wha???? I was sure I'd be able to fit into it. No way, no how.

I slipped it over my hips (ok, slip might be a slight exaggeration even with the zipper being fully open) and then I adjusted it to my waist and prepared to zip.... No can do. My waist is big enough that it was wildly difficult.

I pushed onward. After all, I could just move the skin that was blocking the zipper, right? I sucked my stomach in to minute proportions and then proceeded to zip...

Until I hit my rib cage. Now, keep in mind that I cannot breathe do to sucking in my stomach -- there isn't enough room in the dress to relax as the waist is so tight, it won't even go to the pucker stage; I'm stuck in the sucked in position.

But I must zip the dress.

So I try to shrink my rib cage through strange and evil contortions. I briefly consider removing a bottom rib (hey, they did it back in the day, why not now?). Bad idea.

Finally, I come to the conclusion the zipper isn't moving up no matter what contortions I might try.

I consider a brief diet just so I can say I still fit in my prom dress. Then I realize it wouldn't be a diet, it would be an all out war on my body and health. Sigh...

It's time to unzip the small portion I was able to zip, and admit defeat.

Oh no!

All my efforts have strained the zipper. I'm stuck. I start to panic.

Remember, I can't really breathe -- just shallow upper-rib-cage-only breaths.

What will I do?

I don't want to cut the dress. If I cut it, I won't even be able to donate the dress when I finally let go of the idea I'll wear it someday in the far, far future when I become a skeleton-like 90 yr old (you know the ones I'm talking about; my body type tells me I'm destined to be there someday). Plus, it was really expensive back in the 80s. The glorious big-haired, too-much-eyeliner-80s.

I suck my stomach in 1/2 an inch more. I don't know where I found it in me. I turn the dress so the back faces the front. I work the zipper and FREEDOM!!! (Can you hear the angels sing Hallelujah because I sure did in that moment).

I drop the dress to the floor and step out of it. Defeat.

But wait...

I remember, it had to be altered to fit my teenaged body. Perhaps there's hope after all...

Perhaps, a tailor could let out the seams and I might don the dress again someday...