A Day in Court and a New Favorite Portland Eatery

It’s officially Autumn! This is my favorite time of year with cool, crisp mornings and mildly warm days. The trees are beginning to turn and the deck is already lightly scattered with yellow leaves. It’s about time to break out the winter clothes and boots, put away the canning paraphernalia, think about heavier, slow-cooked meals (like beef bourguignon), and make plans for the holidays.

We returned from our trip to Missouri and were home just long enough to do laundry and repack our suitcases for a trip to Portland. This was our fourth year attending the Northwest Quilt Expo and it was as inspirational as ever. My Santa Barbara quilting friends, Sally and Sandy, flew up for the show and, of course, a little fabric shopping at two of our favorite shops. However, the inventory was marginal compared to last year’s truckload sale and the discounts weren’t exceptional. Although disappointed, they still managed to fill a couple of suitcases with their purchases.

The day before our company arrived we visited Lauren’s work at the Multnomah County Courthouse in downtown Portland. I have to say this was the highlight of our trip. We have been hearing stories about the Courthouse and Judge Bloch and Joanne, the judicial assistant, for almost two years now. Our trips to Portland are always packed with lots to do and we’ve never found time (actually, we’ve never taken time) to visit her work and meet her work family. We arrived at the Courthouse just before lunch and started our tour by going through visitor’s security. I was carrying my purse that was crammed with all kinds of extraneous stuff (you know how it is when you travel) and it must have taken five inspections of my bag and twenty minutes to get the go-ahead. A bit embarrassing as the guard scanned my belongings for explosives and other contraband, but I am comforted that they’re so careful. After all, my baby spends a good portion of her life there and sometimes encounters some pretty unsavory characters.

We toured the first floor and then gradually made our way upstairs to the fifth floor where she works. Judge Bloch and Joanne were there to greet us, all of us happy to make each others acquaintance. I’m sure they’ve heard as many stories as we have and were curious about their clerk’s parents. Lauren took us into the jury room (where she sometimes has her lunch), through the judge’s chambers, and into the courtroom, where her desk sits directly below the judges’ bench. Unless court is in session, she has the room to herself to read and research, write memos and opinions, and on a slow day, call her mommy or chat with friends she’s made in the courthouse. It was a great experience.

Lauren planned lunch for us at a Courthouse-favorite downtown restaurant, The Picnic House (www.picnichousepdx.com). We decided to drive even though she said it was only four or five blocks. She walks all over Portland and her estimates are sometimes a bit skewed. The last “short walk” with her must have been a good mile, so she’s proven herself to be untrustworthy. Her choice of restaurants couldn’t have been better, though. It’s our new favorite! We’d give it four stars or forks or whatever ranks it among the best. The food was outstanding (I had a curry pumpkin soup that was incredible), the décor and ambience charming, and the service couldn’t have been better. I can’t wait to go back.

We love Portland. To think Lauren could have gone to law school in Florida…it makes me shudder. Attending Lewis and Clark and then remaining in Oregon to work was one of her better decisions. It has especially been good for us, because we get to visit her several times a year, experience all that makes Portland wonderful (and weird), and then return to sunny California and all of its goodness. The best of both worlds!

P.S. We stopped by the Portland Police Department hoping to see Nick Burkhardt, detective and local Grimm, but he was out chasing Wesen. Hopefully, next time.