Sometimes you just reach the brink of what your brain can handle and then nothing else can stay in there. Lately I’ve felt like I’m in a brain fog. Too much to do, too many plans, too much stress, too much anxiety, not enough rest, not enough down time.
Having some down time with a girl friend to whine and wine is a good reset button. After work on Thursday I made my way to SE Portland to meet up with my cousin Anna for happy hour.
Night Light Lounge is on SE Clinton–a trendy part of town with bike lanes and lots of cool restaurants. I like Night Light. I’ve been there several times and had a nice time. I got there a little before Anna arrived so I posted up at a bistro table outside with my book and just decompressed.
Anna arrived and we ordered wine. The first glass I got was the Syrah/Granache blend. It was an earthly, bold red wine that was a little stronger than what I prefer.
I love that their happy hour goes late. I ordered the grilled cheese with soup combo. I got the French Onion soup.
The sandwich was great, it was on a crunchy artisan bread. The soup was pretty good but lacking the cheese and croutons on top–which kind of make French Onion soup really good. I still enjoyed it. And honestly, the soup lacking cheese and croutons is lower in calories, so that’s alright.
The soup was in a small cup, so it was the perfect portion size. We sat outside in the strange weather–sunshine, then clouds, then warm temperatures, then the sweaters went back on. At least it didn’t rain on us!
Anna is on her quest for the best mac n’ cheese in Portland (much like my burger quest). She ordered the spicy mac n’ cheese. I had a bite. The mac n’ cheese had great flavor–it was definitely spicy–but it was lacking something. I think it needed the cheese to be creamier.
I ordered a glass of the Tempranillo, recommended by Anna who has been to Spain many times, and it was a lovely, light red wine. It was sweet and gentle. I drank half of it and poured the rest into Anna’s wine glass. I’m such a light weight.
It was a nice time out. I hadn’t intended on eating out two days in a row, but I think my choices were okay. We went back to Anna’s place and talked until I realized how late it was and I headed home.
Friday morning I went out to the garden to cut some fresh lettuce for a coworker and I decided to give her some cilantro because the plant is overwhelmingly big and I thought she’d like it.
Want to know something funny? I don’t think it’s cilantro!! Remember I posted earlier this week asking what the heck I should do with all this cilantro? I got some great suggestions from readers but…
It’s parsley.
I think.
How did I make that mistake?!
QUESTION: How do you cure Brain Fog? And do you have any fun plans for the weekend?
Karen@WaistingTime
Well I like your technique for clearing the fog! Actually, exercise works pretty well for me. Must be the endorphins.
Lisa Eirene
Yesterday was a Rest Day for me so no exercise, but yes exercise often helps!
Tricia
I wanted to make fresh salsa the other day and picked up (what I thought) fresh cilantro. Turned out to be italian parsley. Bummer 🙁
Lisa Eirene
I wonder if that’s what I got??
Kassi
Oh man that gardening story is kind of funny! Dale got the brightest prettiest cilantro bunch at the store a while back so we could make salsa. Only it wasn’t, and I didn’t realize until I chopped some fresh for a salad. Have you ever had a mouthful of fresh, chopped parsley? It was so gross.
Also, even though this is a little bit weird I think I’m going to share it anyways. I had a dream I was riding my bike on the springwater corridor and totally saw you and Michael taking a rest on one of the shady benches! I stopped and introduced myself and you were both very nice and then I went on riding. Nothing too exciting, but it was cool to pretend-meet you 🙂
I hope you enjoy the rest of this beautiful day and have a great weekend!
Lisa Eirene
I’m glad I’m not the only person who has made the cilantro/parsley mistake!!
That’s so cool! I am invading your dreamssssss! Like Freddy Krueger. I’m glad I was nice in your dream. If you do see us on the Springwater say hi. 🙂
Kristina @ spabettie
here I am, the quintessential food enthusiast with “best of” suggestions.
if she’s looking for the best mac & cheese in Portland, she has probably already been to Montage?? THE best. Mmm. they have a SPICY mac, a regular mac, a BASIL mac!
have you ever eaten there – EVERYTHING is amazing. and you have to leave some for leftovers, because they shape them into something (huge) and fun (tin foil).
other must try for mac + cheese – Mothers Bistro! they have a great regular, and a different flavor each day in addition. and it can be made gluten free.
Delta Cafe (is it still open?) was always good too!
Lisa Eirene
We talked about Montage. She felt it was overrated. I can’t comment because I’ve only been once and it was when I first moved to Portland (13 years ago??). Mother’s is good! Forgot about that one.
Kristina @ spabettie
I hardly go to Montage anymore because the older I get, the less I like crowds and tiny eating space… so maybe it has gone downhill. that would be a drag, because when I used to eat there it was amazing. (this was… college. a while ago) 😉
Lisa Eirene
Montage was so cool 13 years ago when I went there. The food was good. The vibe was “trendy” and cool. It was my first experience with group seating/family style. It was weird at first to eat with complete strangers but it was cool too.
Lori
Cilantro and flat leaf parsley look similar. Let some of it flower out – butterfly caterpillars love parsley!
Lisa Eirene
Butterflies would be a nice addition to the hummingbirds and wild rabbits in our yard!
Jane Cartelli
Exercise usually helps me clean out the daily cobwebs but for the real, thick fog, I usually find the best thing I can do is be of service to someone else. It is amazing how often my own worries, needs and responsibilities resolve themselves when I am actively helping someone else.
To think, I used to think dessert was the answer to fog and it never was.
Plans for the weekend: Planning a trip for the last week of August and going with my husband to see Harry Potter for my second time.
Have a great weekend!
Jane~
Keepingthepoundsoff.com
Lisa Eirene
Exercise helps too but yesterday was a rest day and I feel like exercise might be part of the equation. Just feeling tired of everything. Might need a break for a few days…
Helping others is a great suggestion! Going to that benefit last weekend for Michael’s coworker reminded me what is important in life.
Lisa
Cilantro is in the parsley family. Perhaps you have cilantro that isn’t very flavorful?
I am going to the beach, so my exercise plan will include walking on the beach, biking and swimming :).
Lisa Eirene
Oooh the beach sounds lovely! Have a great time!
Dianne
Hi Lisa,
I truly enjoy your blog! Cilantro has a very unique, earthy scent. I’d suggest the next time you’re at the grocery store, find some cilantro & parsley in the produce section & give them both a good whiff. Then go home & smell what you have & hopefully you’ll know!
To me, the light green leaves & little lace-y ends indicate cilantro. I think parsley is usually darker green. But I hope the sniff test works for you & you can be sure!
I’m so envious of your gorgeous garden! My apartment balcony will only hold so many pots, in addition to my BBQ which is collecting dust. Enjoy it!
Best,
Dianne
Lisa Eirene
Thanks for reading Dianne!
I’m just baffled at how I made the mistake. I know what cilantro is and what it tastes like. I use it a lot for Mexican dishes. How I got parsley on accident will always be a mystery. Now I need to find something to do with this parsley! 🙂
Check back in a few weeks…I think we’ll have updated pictures of our remodeled garden!
Jennifer is Always Sick
I have found that when I really get into a funk, a night out with the girls is just what the head shrinker ordered. lol Or even a day out with my family, depending on the circumstances, that is.
And grilled cheese and french onion soup – DELICIOUS! Grilled cheese is my favorite comfort food item. I haven’t had french onion soup in awhile. I made it from scratch before. I should do it again. YUM!
Lisa Eirene
Girl time DOES help! And so does comfort food. I rather enjoyed my comfort food. 🙂