Free House

Free House is one of those great neighborhood joints that make you glad you live in that neighborhood. Perfect location, perfect size, perfect business in the perfect space. We were regulars. That is until one evening last year when we were trying to "showcase" this neighborhood gem and a terrible thing happened - hipsters took it over. Bad service and moronic irony is just too much for us. No one, absolutely no one, wants to listen to Bon Jovi that loud, ever. So we stopped going and tossed our money to other neighborhood joints. Then Free House closed to remodel. This was a good sign - clean up the staff and revive yourself!

Well the bartenders are still the same, but we hope the hipster was knock right out of them, because we really like this place. The new Free House has a great new patio space, revamped menu and a terrific cocktail menu. If only they'd add table service; everyone is tempted to buy just one more drink if you're willing to bring it to them. Other than that our neighborhood spot never felt so good.

Free House
1325 NE Fremont
Portland, Oregon
503.946.8161

4PM-Midnight Daily

Fiala Family Farms

There are so many great farms within the Portland area, but the Fiala Farms in West Linn, Oregon boasts a history of over 100 years in operation. On an absolutely gorgeous autumn afternoon we decided to visit the pumpkin patch, maybe check out the corn maze and buy some local produce. We were pleasantly surprised with a beautiful drive and a u-cut dahlia flower garden.

On the way home we stopped off to see the incredible view of Willamette Falls and Mt. Hood in the distance. Have a great fall!

Fiala Farms

21231 SW Johnson Road

West Linn, Oregon 97068

503.638.4079

Open until Halloween

Life, As of Late

Wowzah! What happened? Summer was here a minute ago and then BAM-it's winter! One minute we're at a wedding reception along the river in sunny gorgeous weather, next thing we know, it's cold & stormy. Winter this year appeared before fall did. Slowly the mind autumn weather returned with incredible evening light and gorgeous fall foliage we love so much about this time of year.

September flew by fast and we're starting a new stage in our lives as poor college students! We're eating lots of meals at home and entertaining ourselves on the cheap; and truth be told, we haven't eaten this well in awhile. We're still allowing ourselves weekly adventures, just being more selective with our choices.

We're cleaning up the yard and preparing for winter, including moving a car-size-pile of mulch out of the driveway. Our neglected vegetable garden managed to yield a bowl full of decorative pumpkins we didn't plant, thanks to the compost, as well as a few volunteer tomatoes! The days are getting colder and shorter, but the beautiful sunny fall weather has made the transition to our eventual hibernation period that much easier and we're looking forward to a cozy winter. It's suppose to be a wild one this year, so we're roaming around outside every chance we get.

Idaho Lake Cabin Vacation

We spent a long weekend at a lake cabin on beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. There was no cell service or tv, but there was a big kitchen, electricity, running water (showers and flushing toilet!), games, good company and an acre of property to spread out on.

We were excited to drive out I-84 east toward Idaho, a roadtrip neither of us have taken. We were up early for the seven hour drive and the sunrise on the Columbia River Gorge was totally worth it.

After a short visit with family in Spokane, Washington, we were off to the cabin. We pitched our tent and was ready for a long relaxing weekend.

The lake is a short walk from the cabin and Lake Pend Oreille is absolutely beautiful. The fifth deepest lake in the US, the lake was crystal clear down the colorful rocky bottom. The lake boasts all sorts of beaches to enjoy from sandy beaches to rock cliffs to jump off of. We spent most of our time at the local residence only Emerald Beach with picnic tables, chairs and fire pits; we floated in the pristine water, skipped rocks, sunbathed and enjoyed the incredible scenery.

We didn't venture too far from the cabin where we ate our weight in little sis's home-cured bacon, played games late into the night (bananagrams is our new obsession), listened to music, enjoyed the serene property and played with the doggies.

The cabin is a short drive from the cute town of Sandpoint, Idaho, where we had dinner our first and last nights. Sandpoint has a park where the only "sandy" beach lies. How lucky are the locals to have such a gorgeous park?

Our last day we visited family friends who have been spending summers on the lake for 30+ years. We enjoyed their private dock and next time we'll take the canoe out!

Soon it was time to pack up the tent and head back to reality.

We weren't ready to head home yet and decided to spend the afternoon in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, which was absolutely adorable. We had lunch at a Southern BBQ restaurant where pulled beef and the most delicious sides was on the menu, as well as fully loaded baked potatoes topped with your BBQ meat of choice - when in Idaho you must eat spuds!

Relaxed and rejuvenated we were ready to head home. The forested area of Spokane County, high grasslands of southeastern Washington and spectacular eastern Columbia River Gorge wind farms made the long drive home go fast. We pulled over on I-84 to stretch and enjoy the sun setting.

It was so nice to unplug, spend some time with family & friends and enjoy some incredibly beautiful scenery. Thank you Byrnes/Smith family, it was much needed and appreciated. Until next time...