Bastille Day in Portland

Bastille Day Fête at Jameson Square

Dear Liza,

On Saturday, Auntie Bridgett was selling her art at a table in Jameson Square. The Alliance Française organizes a Bastille Day celebration that is playful, musical, artsy, and very busy!

Since the Alliance supplied the tent, table and chairs, it was an easy set-up. Grandpa Nelson drove us to the northwest part of Portland and unloaded, then headed home.

There were hours of happy people-watching as hundreds of kids and families played in the fountain. A delightful program of live music, ranging from Cajun jazz to French pop, kept the mood lively.

Auntie Bridgett’s table was busy all day, and she sold a lot of cards, books, and artwork. My favorite painting, “Á Paris”, went home with this lovely lady. I was sad to see it go, but that’s what it was painted for. It was Bridgett’s most successful selling day ever!

I spent most of the day on a bench in the shade close by, to give Bridgett support if needed. I also enjoyed a conversation with Alan, a fellow Francophile (person who loves and appreciates French things). When I needed a snack I walked down to Via Delizia for an éclaire and iced chai latte. It was perfectly delicious and I felt very spoiled.

Later in the afternoon there were even fencing lessons for kids from a local fencing club. It was amazing. Full face cages and nice bendy epées kept everyone safe while providing a really good time.

Thanks, Alliance Française! We’ll see you again real soon.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Frog and Snail for Bastille Day

Dear Liza,

Bastille Day, which is France’s national celebration of its Revolution, was this past Friday, July 14. Auntie Bridgett and I walked down to Frog and Snail on Hawthorne to celebrate.

It has been a hard year for French restaurants here in Portland. Bistro Agnes snd Suzette are gone, and another favorite, La Moule, closes at the end of July. We wanted to do our part to keep this little French cafe in business!

Frog and Snail is not a fancy place, but it is delightfully funky and informal. Named for two French specialties (frog’s legs and escargot) it has artwork celebrating this friendly combination on the walls.

And most importantly, the food is amazing! I had a Farmer’s Daughter blonde crepe (made with wheat flour), and Bridgett had the same fillings in a buckwheat crepe. Spinach, mozzarella, roasted mushrooms, pesto créme fresh, scallions, romesco and avocado all joined to make a perfect lunch. It was so filling, we both took some home for lunch the next day!

We ate, people-watched and chatted with the owner, Chad Bernard. Then we had to get home so Auntie Bridgett could finish preparing for the BIG celebration of Bastille Day at Jameson Square on Saturday.

Of course, I will tell you about that tomorrow.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Tom, Dot’s and la Fete de la Bastille

Dear Liza,

As I said before, Summer days are incredibly busy here in Portland.

This past Saturday we went all over town! First, I watered my growing veggies and pulled out the under-performing radishes. I will plant some carrots in that spot this week and hope for better things.

Then we rode our bikes down to the Clinton neighborhood for brunch with our dear friend Tom! He and I taught together for about 15 years at University Park, and in moving to Portland, I accidentally moved to his hometown. Though he lives mostly in New Mexico now, he still has a house here.

We met him at Dot’s, about two miles from our place. It is a neighborhood classic, but we have never been there. It was delightful! Bright outdoor seating, wacky 1960s indoor decor, friendly service and tasty food all made for a great time.

After we ate, we headed down to Auntie Katie’s Books with Pictures to show Tom the ’new’ shop. Tom has known Katie since she was five years old, and was happy to see her being so successful!

We talked, bought some books, and then all headed off in our own directions.

We had to get to Jameson Square in northwest Portland, where the Bastille Day celebration was on. It was smaller than the previous ‘Fete’ (French for Festival) in 2019. Like everything else, it is still coming back after being shuttered for two years due to Covid.

But the fountain was there, full of happy kids. The wine and Cognac were there, delicious and cold. Beautiful handmade clothes were offered by June, and hung in the shade, allowing us all to feel rich and pretty.

And the music was there, delightful French tunes sung to the accompaniment of an accordion. We sat and listened until the music ended, then caught the bus home.

The day ended with the Giants’ Mike Yastrzemski hitting a walk-off Grand Slam to beat the Brewers! Hooray! And then off to bed.

Love,

Grandma Judy