Stanford's Knife and Fork Crab Sandwich

If you are on the west coast, I recommend Stanford's Restaurant.  Their menu is casual but delicious.  Sea food and meat with well done side dishes and many other treats.  I love their Knife and Fork Crab and Artichoke Sandwich.  It is open face - A creamy mixture of crab, artichoke and Parmesan cheese in an herb mayonnaise.  Additional cheese and a tomato slice is on top.  The whole thing is broiled, melty and bubbly good.  

I've decided to attempt to reproduce it at home.  Since Husband claims not to like artichokes, it's all mine and I'm not attempting a huge batch. 

Open face Crab and Artichoke Sandwich

1 6 oz can of crab meat, well drained.
6.5 oz jar marinated artichoke hearts, rinsed well
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1T. fresh chives, well chopped
Sourdough Sandwich Bread
about 1/2 grated mozzarella cheese

I put the artichoke hearts in a colander and rinsed the marinade off with water.  Then dry the artichokes with a paper towel.  Make sure the crab meat is well drained so that the sandwich isn't soggy.  Cover and refrigerate this mixture to help firm it up.  

When you are ready to eat, preheat the oven to 350.  This is 2 - 4 servings, depending on how hungry you are.  I put a quarter of it in a separate oven safe dish and put it in the oven for about 10 minutes.  Nice and sizzley and good smelling.  

On one piece of sourdough sandwich bread, I spread my mixture and topped with tomato slices and mozzarella cheese. 

Back in the oven to broil until the cheese and tomatoes were very hot.

Okay, so it doesn't look quite as tidy and beautiful as Stanford's, and I may not make it at home again.  It tastes like Stanford's sandwich and the texture is about right.  Oh, and I know it has a million calories, but...

Remember to be good tomorrow.   

Day 4; Back on the Train

We slept a long night in the "roomette."  I woke to daylight which doesn't happen very often.  But then, I rarely stay up until midnight and we had walked miles and miles the day before. 

Husband was awake and sitting.  He said he had seen Mt. Shasta.  I found my glasses and looked out the window.  Drifting by was the most amazing sight.  I subsequently spent the next several hours looking in awe.  We had been through here in the dark the first trip.   

But first we made our way down the train, back to the dining car and was served a satisfactory breakfast.  Train food is not fantastic, but it was hot and tasty.  I enjoyed it even though I had been stuffing way too much food in me for days. 

If you've never travelled on a train, let me try to explain my experience.  Beyond the clickity vibrations and shudders, there is a sway back and forth.  Each car sways independently.  Occasionally, the sway is a lot. 

  

Traveling from car to car can be a bit exciting.  At either end of the car is a door like this.  There is a handle to press.  It is in the lower right corner of this picture.  If you press the handle, the door pops open.

 

Here you are looking at the space between the two cars.  You step across and press the corresponding button on the door to the next car. 

But remember that the cars are swaying back and forth.  The first half of the floor in this compartment is swaying one direction while the half beyond is swaying the other. 

 

Reminds me of some Fun House at a County Fair.  I'm not afraid of muggers, but this got me just a bit.  The floor moving back and forth below me and all that.  

Any ways, back to what I saw outside our window.  Snow covered everything, mountains, trees, rocks, as straight and pretty as you can imagine.  There must have been no wind because the trees were heavily laden.  We sat there and watched it go by for hours, one amazing scene like a post card after the next.  Surely, there were roads, towns, people, houses, even I-5, close by, but we saw none of it.  Only a peaceful and beautiful wonderland.  I found myself wishing that we weren't heading home quite yet. 

But the next day was Sunday.  Payday at our business had been Friday, but we were off for the holidays.  My assistant had put the payroll on my desk on Wednesday, but I always check it before we hand it out.  On Sunday, I would be working, but today I drank coffee and watched out window.  We happily shared our "roomette" in silence for hours until we started coming into Eugene and familiar territory.

We left the train at around 4 p.m. on Saturday.  The air had felt dry much of our trip.  Being a native Oregonian, dry cool air feels odd.  I had applied lotion the entire trip.  Truthfully, menopause has something to do with this.  But as I stepped off the train to cool moist air with mist hitting my face, I was happy to be home and grateful for my small vacation and all the adventures and bits of luxury and adventure that it had brought with it.  Step Son was there to whisk us back to our lives.  Just remember to go back to work.

Day 3, Part 2

When we were "mugged", we were on our way to dinner.  Earlier we had seen a McCormicks & Schmicks, which we recognized as a company is based out of Portland, Oregon.  We are quite familiar with it and decided we could use something familiar, so we headed there.

I had steamer clams and Husband had fish, I can't remember what kind.  Now I consider my self fairly schooled in a few foods and beverages.  Steamers is one of those foods.  I love them and have eaten them everywhere and every chance I get.  These weren't too hot.  Bland and too chewy.  Too long cooked, I think. Sorry, McCormick's.  Quality control people need to be sent to Sacramento.  We sat there as long as we could.  We decided to have a drink.  Better to sit in McCormicks & Schmicks than the train station.

We are nearing end of the story for this day.  We headed back to the train station to wait for our train at about 10 p.m.  I was only a little bit freaked out because of our last experiences.  But arrived unharmed we did.  

We had had a little fight about the the scheduling of the train.  How could I have possibly scheduled a midnight train?  The fight renewed with some tense words, but it didn't last long.  We are a pretty steady team in the clinches.  We get a long well during most tough times.  It's when things get to easy, that we sometimes have problems. 

I recovered our baggage from storage and we sat down to wait.  I nice older lady came and sat next to us.  She started talking and continued for most of the wait.  She was retired from working in the DMV.  She was from Sacramento but she lives in Klamath Falls.  Her family still lives here.  She had been visiting family here.  Husband went to buy coffee from the concession stand.  He returned for another 3 more times.  Well, I drank my share of it.  

The train was scheduled to arrive at 11:59 p.m.,  although it was 20 minutes later when they announced it's arrival so we are technically into Day 4, but I'll continue.  We had another little fight about whether we should stand in line or wait until the line got shorter (maybe it's time to go home, ya' think). But eventually we made our way onto the train and was greeted by our porter, Lorna, a big friendly black woman with a very kind smile.  I liked her immediately, but it was time to go to sleep.  We found our "roomette"  and settled in for another night like the first.  This one headed North.  Since we are into Day 4 now, I'll leave the rest to later.  

Our Trip; Day 3 part 1

Day three was a very long day, very long.  And yes, we are going to end up back in the "roomette." 

It started waking up at the Citizens and going out to breakfast at the Capitol Garage on 15th and K.   And no I didn't have reservations.  It was suggested from the lady at the front desk at the Citizens.  http://www.opentable.com/capitol-garage  And it was good.   


Then back to our room.  We would be homeless as soon as we needed to vacate our room and we planned to stay there until check out time.  We did a couple things that grown up married people do.  Then we watched a movie.  Somehow, we fell asleep and woke up just after check out time.  We jumped up and got ready to leave.  We hadn't intended to stay so long.  Out the door and down to turn in our door card lock keys.


We were walking down the street several blocks away when Husband says "where are my rings?"  Then, "I don't have my wallet."  We walked back to the Citizens and marched up to the front desk to tell the young man that we think we left some personal property in our room.  A steward was called and Husband went up to get his rings and wallet, as well as his reading glasses that he hadn't missed, yet.  And my toothpaste.


Again, we headed down the street pulling our bags behind us.  We made it all the way to the train station where we turned in our bags for storage.  We wouldn't be boarding for hours and we had other plans, so shedding the bags made sense.  But, in the process, I realized that I also didn't have our train tickets.


I racked my brain while Husband looked at me.  I thanked him for not yelling at me.  Then it occured to me that I had given the young man at the front desk at the Citizen the garbage from my purse, which he had put in the garbage can for me.  I had to have given the tickets to him.  Where else could they be?  I don't usually loose things and I was sure they had been in my purse.


So back we go to the Citizens.  The young may at the front desk may well have thought we had been drinking, but no.  We had just woke out of a sound sleep.  He fished our tickets from the garbage and handed them to me.


Our first stop was the Westfield Mall.  Right in downtown Sacramento, an easy walk.  There is a Westfield Mall in Vancouver.  The sign is the same, so they are obviously connected.  We shopped for a while until it was time for our movie.  We saw the Harry Potter movie.  Pretty cool if you haven't seen it.  It was dark when we came out.  We needed dinner then to get to the train station. 


As we headed down I street, we walked up on a man and woman who were kissing.  You know, kissing.  Just as we came level with them on the side walk, they parted and the woman stepped directly in front of me.  I mean touching me close to me. 


Neither Husband or I are timid or fearful people, really to a fault, and we know it.  My first reaction was lean into her and say "Excuse me?" in my sacastic voice.  Husband's first reaction was to go into his protection mode, grabbing my arm and pulling me back so that he could step between us.  Then, she stepped away and walked off.  I felt the man directly behind me step away and walk away, also.


We stood there for a few seconds looking around.  What had happened?  I think these people were going to mug us.  When they realized we would not go down easily and would fight back, they stopped.  I'm not suggesting that you try this at home, folks.  I'm not saying this was a good thing.  Just reporting what happened.  


We made our way to dinner and later got on the train - just after midnight.  I told you this was a long day.  More story to tell.  I'll continue soon.  

Our trip; Day 2

A pleasant night passed.  I had mentioned that I was concerned that we wouldn't get off the train as planned.  But there were no issues.  The train was late when we got on it.  It had not been able to make up much time - something about having to pull onto a side track to give right of way to a freight train. 

We both woke just after 5 a.m.  I left the "roomette" and traveled down the hall in bare feet to the coffee pot, bringing back two cups - One with cream for me and one black for him.  He went for the second cup.  As promised, the Steward knocked on the "roomette" window just after my cell phone alarm went off saying it would be another 25 minutes, but we were easily ready in time.  Two late August Virgos can rule the world when it comes to organization. 

We were now in California farmland.  My impulse is that it is very dry land, but I grew up in the northern Willamette Vally in a very different climate.   Husband spent some of his formative years in the CA Bay area and feels more at ease in this country.  We talked about his Dad and Mom and Dana and Denise and Richard and Orval.  If you are reading this now and you are one of these people, know that these conversations were happy and reflective.  He cares for you deeply. 

We left the train at Sacramento.  Pulling our bags behind us on early Thanksgiving morning, we walked down I Street, then crossed over to J Street at about the 700 block.  We were headed for 926 J Street and the Citizens Hotel.  You might already have guessed that I had reservations.  I was hoping for one day and night at a very nice hotel.  It needed to be near the train station as we had no transportation but our feet. 

The building was built in 1929 and had been renovated just a few years ago.  As perspective for the young ones, my Father was born in 1929, and I am 51 years old.  Perhaps it would be helpful to say that the building is 81 years old, before t.v., widespread electricity, widespread toilets, widespread plumbed water.  Also before television, cable and internet.  

I've been in renovated hotels without exhaust in the bathrooms, without comfortable heating and cooling and other problems.  Renovating a building that old is very difficult and expensive.  Modern expectations include comfortable  and spacious bathrooms, internet, cable TV.  Code related to exhaust and outside air flow, well, there wasn't any back then.  And then, there is seismic code.  It really isn't easy and I've been in hotels that has been done poorly.

Citizens did it well.  If you are in Sacramento, I recommend it.  

We spent the day walking in Sacramento.  We were shocked by the abandoned areas, closed buildings, the numbers of homeless walking the streets. 

For example, this is the block next to the Citizens.  Refer to the photo of the Citizen above.  The Citizens is to the right in this one.  This was typical.  Whole blocks, abandoned by the owners and taken over by others.  Not good for anyone, including those who took over.   
 
We were "mugged", but scared the crap out of our muggers, and got away without a scratch.  That story is on Day 3.  (Don't worry, we were fine.)  

We spent hours walking in old Sacramento.  Completely closed up for the holiday.  

Mostly shops, restaurants and bars.  We are not the touristy types and probably wouldn't have gone except that we had the place absolutely to ourselves. 

 Well, a couple runners.  A few others like us, but just a handful of people. 

We walked these streets nearly vacant, like some creepy movie.  Just our thing! :)

There was a museum, which, of course, we didn't get to go into.  Hello.  It was Thanksgiving.

We returned to early dinner reservations at the Grange.  In the same block as the Citizens.  I love food in all forms and did some research.  The Grange's existence influenced my selection of the Citizens. 

We were served an excellent, traditional, Thanksgiving meal.  If I am going to do this kind of thing, I'm going to have to get better at documenting it.  But it was so excellent, that we slurped it down without a photo.  Until desert.   

This was little cream puffs filled with a layer of pumpkin and a layer of cream filling. Exactly what I don't make at home which is one of the things I look for in good restaurant food.  It was drizzled with a sauce that was both caramely and fruity.  If there was a class on how to make that sauce, I'd be there.  I'd be happy to eat that sauce over my breakfast cereal for the rest of my life.  Notice my finger prints.

The other desert was a cranberry tart.  The crust wasn't anything, but the filling was awesome.  Husband was stuffed and left the deserts to me.  This one was my breakfast on Day 3.  More to come. 

Please come back.       

Our Trip; day 1

I've just returned from Yoga class.  I mentioned to my classmates that I had just returned from a trip.  They said, "where to?"  But, our trip was not about a destination.  It was about the train.  I had planned every detail of this, as is my way.   


We left on Wednesday, the day before the actual day, around 1 p.m.  Step Son took us to the Amtrak station in Vancouver, WA.  I sat in the back seat of our SUV.  Husband and Step Son in the front.  Brilliant Baby beside me, all strapped and travelling, looked at me the entire ride from the house to the station as if to say, "you don't usually ride back here" or "where is Sister?"  I hooked my index finger into his fist and talked to him.  But seriously, when will this child start to talk so I know what he is thinking??? 


My plan was a "roomette" on the sleeper car and a reservation in the dining car for our meals.  The train was late, a full hour.  Step son and Brilliant Baby left us to wait.  We sat next to a nice elderly lady with her walker who spent the time eating the food she had brought with her and talking on her Blackberry.  Really.  She and I talked about her going to meet family in Eugene, OR.  She would be there by dinner time. 


The train arrived and we separated, her to the coach car, us to -- where?  We asked at each car until we arrived and were directed to our little roomette.  Now mind you, I am good at research and planning.  I picked a room we would sleep in and spend time in during the day.  I had taken a virtual tour of the room prior to the trip.  I was disappointed that it was so painfullly small.  Little more than a closet.  We reserved wine tasting in the parlor car at 4 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m.  There was time before we got to the full realization of what I had done to us.  We enjoyed our evening.  Dinner was good.  We hit Eugene just after dinner time and settled into a dark ride through the evening and a night on the train.


It wasn't until we returned to our "roomette" that we fully realized our situation.  We sat quietly for a bit.  Then, we had a little fight.  It would be like sleeping in a small closet.  There was an upper bunk which one of us could have slept in, but we quickly decided that we didn't like the idea and would sleep together on the lower bunk, painfully small.  Longer, but less wide that a standard twin mattress.


A calm set over us.  It was dark, but warm.  There were sounds around us -  interesting and happy sounds.  As we tried to get comfortable, we watched the dark and snowy world go by outside our window.  We snuggled in together, way too close, but cozy warm.


Late at night, I woke and set up.  In the somewhat bleary world without my glasses, I saw trees covered with snow drifting by outside our window.  There was the occasional shake or shudder of the train, but mostly it was a peaceful and rhythmic vibration and peaceful view of a world going by outside our window.  Together with the peaceful snoring/breathing of my sweetheart, a very pleasant and happy feeling came over me.   I was on vacation.


The plan was that we arrive in Sacramento at 6:08 a.m.  I had been concerned that we would not awake in time to get ourselves off the train, but the Steward had assured me that it was one of his jobs that he get us off at the right stop.  Plan B was the knowledge that my cell phone alarm was set, as always, to go off at 6 a.m.  If the train was on time and the Stewart failed me, I wasn't looking forward to missing our plans.  That would mean what?  Bakersfield?  Then what? 


Remember to check back for more.

Remember to Enjoy Yourself with Someone You Love

Whoever suggesting eating to live instead of living to eat, needs to get out more. 

Husband and I work very hard.  Pre-recession when our business made, oh, a little more money, we went out to dinner more.  We enjoyed trying new places and sampling things we wouldn't normally eat.  We are humble people from working class families who worked very hard to produce us.  We are grateful.  I don't really mind that we go out less.  In fact, we enjoy it so much more now.  Life can be hard, but you appreciate things more, don't you think?


At lunch we went to Hudson Bay Bar and Grill  It is in the Heathman in Vancouver WA.  One of our favor places in the area.
http://www.hudsonsbarandgrill.com/

I had their house salad with blue cheese dressing, yum.  And the most lovely thing: A bed of barley cooked in a rich stock with herbs covered with sauted prawns, oysters and clams in shell.  I've always said that the best food is eaten with those tiny forks and the hands.  There was a lovely broth or sauce over it.  Normally I can identify the tastes of herbs and spices.  I know only from the menu that it was Saffron which I know very little about except that it is horribly expensive, from a flower that is harvested in France, and it is red.  And judging from my lunch absolutely delicious.  I stuffed myself and we had a great talk, the kind of thing husbands and wifes do, about the kids, the future, the next trip we are planning, our memories about things. 

Husband had corn chicken chowder which was equally delicious.  Isn't in the best thing that simple food can be the best?  It had been up close and personal with cream and butter.  Although it was pureed, there was a very earthy vegetable base.  But it wasn't completely pureed.  I don't believe in baby food soup.  There were some chunks of corn and chicken, small but enough to add texture and feel.  Yum, Yum.

I didn't taste his sandwich but it was thick sliced turkey on rustic bread.  He liked it and ate every crumb.

I didn't have it this time, but try the seafood stew.  Yum, Yum and Awesome.  I would love to take a lesson on the stock for this stew.  I've made soup all my life.  I have several cook books on the subject.  My mother was the queen of the stew pot, this seafood stew is just plain excellent.   If you go at night, they have a pot of steamer clams that are just delicious.  Husband has enjoyed their local fish specials several times.

Remember to enjoy yourself when you can.  But remember to go back to work.

Cannery Pier Hotel

A couple weekends ago we were able get away for three days and two nights to the Cannery Pier Hotel in Astoria, OR.  I can't claim that the town of Astoria is some fabulous tourist destination, but it is pleasant and quaint with some good restaurants and shops and many interesting places to walk. 

We've enjoyed this particular hotel many times when we've needed some relaxation or to escape some particular drama at home.  It is lovely in all sorts of ways.  Service to awesome.   

http://www.cannerypierhotel.com/

I can also recommend the Gunderson's Cannery Cafe where we ate twice will there and have eaten before.  It is consistently good.

I'm a big fan of steamer clams and the ones we had there were really good.

We also enjoy a restaurant called Baked Alaska while in Astoria.  It is excellent.  We even had Thanksgiving dinner there a couple years ago.

The Cannery Pier Hotel has 3 vintage cars which you can reserve to take you to your evening destination and pick you up when done.  It's fun and something different. 

And Baked Alaska has some really yummy food. 

 The kids met us on Saturday. We walked around and saw some of the sights.  With the north Oregon Coast, you are pleasantly surprised and take advantage when the weather is really good.  

Miss Hailey has a hard time putting down the DS, whatever that is.

We walked around; saw things.  Astoria has an interesting history. The city was once known as the salmon capital of the world.  In the 1880s, 40 canneries lined the lower Columbia river producing canned salmon.  The old victorian houses still remain, along with other remenents of the past to explore and enjoy.  It was a happy day.   Remember to get out and take some time to relax.