Double-Stacked Bookshelves

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! JT's Food Truck A traveling truck through Marion and Polk counties, you can find JT 's at various locations on various days.  One day, you'll find him serving up food at the state capitol in Salem.  The next day you might find him outside the trucking repair shop on the side of the highway in Independence.  Another day might find you visiting the Barrel and Keg or Vagabond Brewing or another Salem establishment.  Yet another might find you dressed in your finest wedding attire while he feeds everyone at a reception.  Wherever you stumble across JT's, be prepared to eat some tasty food.  Sometimes you'll even catch him pulling his homemade smoker behin

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Ixtapa I am a huge fan of Mexican food and Ixtapa does a tasty job of providing that.  A traditional sit-down restaurant with a few locations throughout the state, the location I'm most familiar with is in Lebanon.  Their portions are HUGE, so there's at least two meals for the price of one.  The location is easy to get to and family friendly.  Mmmm.  Via TripAdvisor Recommendations:  The Daniel Special (skirt steak, grilled chicken, fried shrimp, rice, beans, guacamole, and tortillas on the side), Fajitas, Margaritas! You can check out their menu here .   What are some of your favorite I eating establishments? Come back tomorrow for the next installa

Join me for the moth of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Hasty Freez HF is an Albany institution!  They used to have a second location in Lebanon, but that one was closed years ago to make way for a Dutch Bros.  However, the original is still holding strong and is a hot destination for anyone who knows the wonders of the drive-thru/walk-up burger/shake stand.  Everyone who spouts off about how good In-n-Out is has CLEARLY never experienced the glory that is Hasty Freez.  It's all about that American Cheese and special sauce!  And the milkshakes?!  Oh man, the milkshakes!  Via the Democrat-Herald Don't let the exterior or the fact that you might wait a hefty minute to order fool you, this place is a culinary gem! Re

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Grain Station Brew Works With two locations within 30 minutes of each other, GSBW is making a name for itself as a great gathering spot with pretty good brews and some killer food.  Originally located in McMinnville, GSBW has recently opened a second location in the small college town of Monmouth and business is booming.  The vibe is welcoming and you can't go wrong with a visit!  McMinnville location via Yelp Recommendations Brews:  Danksta's Paradise IPA, House Money IPA, Tarrazu Coffee Stout, Haystack Gold Ale Cocktails:  Pear Tree Food:  Cambazola Mushroom Burger, Grilled Chicken Burger, Jalapeno Poppers, Hummus Plate Check out the menu here! Wh

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! First Burger Located in a little storefront in downtown Albany, First Burger has become one of the busiest stops in town.  Operating from an "always fresh, always fast" attitude, you're guaranteed to get a tasty burger in your basket.  Add in some hand-cut fries and this place means business! Recently taken over by one of the former cooks, First Burger has not let up on any of their founding principles.  It's a tasty little gem in a vibrant and growing downtown.  Heads Up...seating is limited! Recommendations:  Mushroom Burger, The Uncle Sam, Fried Pickles You can check out the menu here ! What are some of your favorite F eating establishments?

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Eola Hills Wine Cellars With two locations in the near vicinity (Rickreall and Salem), Eola Hills has a lot to offer its patrons.  While the majority of their offerings are wine (obviously), they do hold a few events that include food.  One of my favorite things that Eola does is Yoga and Wine evenings on the first Monday of the month (1st and 3rd when the weather is nicer).  They have paired with Yoga+Beer , a PNW company that hosts yoga and beer/wine/cider sessions at various breweries/wineries throughout Oregon and Washington, and the event draws dozens of people to the locations. EH Legacy Estates via Made in Oregon Recommendation:  2015 Oregon Pinot Noir, Oregon

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! DaVinci Ristorante In the vicinity of where I currently live, there aren't a ton of "fancier" eating establishments; at least ones that don't take an hour or more to get to.  DaVinci , however, is one of a handful of fine dining restaurants in our state capitol, Salem.  You'll find steak, seafood, pastas, etc on their menu, in addition to an EXTENSIVE wine list .  You will also find much more reasonable prices for the fine dining experience than you would find in larger cities, like Portland.  Via the Statesman Journal DaVinci also offers a pretty great happy hour Monday through Saturday.  The prices are so incredibly reasonable that you could e

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list!   Chowder Bowl at Nye Beach Mmmm...I love a good bowl of chowder.  Or any seafood, really.  But there is something so satisfying about soup and the Chowder Bowl's chowder is pretty stellar.  I mean, they named the restaurant after it!  Of course they offer other fares, but you should go for the chowder and the garlic onion cheese toast.  Drool! Located at Historic Nye Beach in Newport, Oregon, the Chowder Bowl is an institution.  They've been open and operating from the same location since 1980 and there is always a wait to get a table.  While you're waiting, feel free to wander 100 yards down the street to the beach or explore some of the other great pl

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Bunk Sandwiches If you're looking for a seriously good sandwich, one that will drip and ooze and make you close your eyes in pure bliss, look no further than Bunk Sandwiches .  Located in a few separate locations throughout Portland, Bunk has made a name for themselves since their humble beginnings in a tiny hole-in-the-wall location on SE Morrison.  Since their debut on an episode of  Diner's, Drive-Ins, and Dives  in 2009, their business has been booming.  But don't let that deter you from going.  Despite their new-found fame, they have stayed true to their roots and continue to deliver outstanding sandwiches.  Recommendations:  Pork Belly Cubano (the flags

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Arr' Place Tucked away on a quiet side street in Newport, Oregon, a small town on the central Oregon coast, is this culinary wonder.  Housed in an unassuming cottage and run by a three person team (Aymee, Robert, and Rebeka), most would pass right by and never know the delights within.  However, if you find yourself with the opportunity to step inside, I highly recommend it!  What will you find?  Local, fresh, and seasonal foods including water delights caught that morning.  My first visit to this location was on a complete fluke, but I was absolutely sold.  That trip found me diving in to a fresh tuna steak in a light wasabi-teriyaki glaze and encrusted jasmine rice

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl and it's a great way to show what you're loving in list form.  The topic changes every week, so there is always something new to discover! This week's topic is:  Top Ten Books On Your Spring TBR .  Like in the past, my TBR is very fluid and I never really stick to what is on my tentative plan.  In addition, I have been on a kick of ONLY reading books that I currently own...no trips to the library have occurred since January 1st!  I've stuck to this resolution and plan to continue for at least another couple months.  That being said, my TBR for Spring comes from books already in my possession and it will more than likely coincide with the theme of my "bookclub's" next reading challenge (at least the one that currently has the most votes in our FB poll): Reading from A-Z.  Here's what I have: A The Queen of the Big Time   by Adriana Trigiani B The Bitch Posse b

Greetings All!  Sign-ups are still available for the A-Z Blogging Challenge!  Don't know what the A-Z Blogging Challenge is?  Check it out here and here !  Intrigued and ready to join the fun?  Sign Up Here ! I've been participating in this challenge since 2012, though 2016 and 2017 were rough years in the blogging world for me so they got missed.  Regardless, I've signed up and am ready to rock April's face right off!  See my Theme Reveal post for a little insight into what I'll be bringing you for the month :) Happy blogging, fellow A-Zers!

Oh man, oh man!  The 2018 A-Z Blogging Challenge is just around the corner and it's time to reveal the theme of the month :) And, without further ado, I give you:  Noshing Your Way Through Oregon For the entire month of April I will be blogging about my favorite places to grab a bite, a pint, or a tasty treat in Oregon (specifically the western half of the state).  Why?  Because I like food.  It's universal and satisfying for the soul.  And it's my blog!  In return, feel free to share your favorite places to eat in your local area.  Or, if you've been to Oregon, feel free to share your favorite places to eat here.  It's a sharing and caring community! Don't know what the A-Z Blogging Challenge is?  Well, let me tell you!  Essentially, participants (hundreds!) spend the month of April (aside from Sundays...the much-coveted day of rest) blogging about their chosen topic in a corresponding day/letter format.  Day 1=A, Day 2=B, Day 3=C and so on.  There ar

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl and it's a great way to show what you're loving in list form.  The topic changes every week, so there is always something new to discover! This week's topic is:  Favorite Book Quotes .  Now, I love me a good quote.  I keep notebooks filled with quotes from books I've read and they pile up into glorious mountains of words.  Here are some of my favorites: "A snowball in the face is surely the perfect  beginning to a lasting friendship." ~Markus Zusak The Book Thief "If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals" ~JK Rowling Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire "We're all a little weird.  And life is a little weird.  And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness --and call it love--true love." ~Robert Fulghum True L

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl and it's a great way to share what you're loving in list form.  The topic changes every week, so there is always something new to discover! This week's topic is:  Top Ten Books That I Could Re-Read Over and Over Again .  Now, I'm not really a re-reader and, to be honest, there aren't a lot of books I have re-read over the years.  There are too many books I want to read that I can't justify spending time on a book I've already read.  However, here are a few that I have re-read over the years or could potentially re-read: Have Re-Read   Harry Potter (DUH!) Wait Till Helen Comes The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle   Pride and Prejudice   Potential Re-Reads   North and South   The Book Thief Life of Pi The Lunar Chronicles Fangirl A Song of Ice and Fire     And there you have it.  Clearly, not a big person who wil

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl and it's a great way to share what you're loving in list form.  The topic changes ever week, so there is always something new to discover! This week's topic is:  Top Ten Books That Have Been On My TBR The Longest .  I'm ashamed to admit that my TBR is ridiculously out of control.  Like, hide my head in the sand and ignore it out of control.  I have gone through and deleted books recently, but I think that the number is so daunting that I'll never be able to cull it the way it needs to be.   Omega Minor by Paul Verhaeghen...I even own this book and it's still been on my TBR for 10 years! Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family by Thomas Mann The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie (own...) How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World and Everything in It by Arthur Herman (own...)    Harriet