November 14, 2016. Cozy inside, rainy outside.

LOCATION:  House-sitting in Portland, Oregon WEATHER:  Portland is living up to its rainy reputation.  Rain all day. Highs in 50s   The house where we are house-sitting has a beautiful Japanese garden in the back.  The autumn leaves on the paths make it look even more authentic Japanese.

  I love the bamboo, but the owners say that they really have to keep it from getting out of hand.

There are pretty moss-covered Japanese lanterns.

  We have done some raking, but the leaves keep falling...

 

Even though it was raining, we took an hour hike to the post office and back. Like a Portlandier, we donned rain gear and grabbed umbrellas, and off we went.   DINNER:  In keeping with my goal to make lots of soups while we are here, I made a delicious asparagus and pea soup. It really filled us up and was not laden with calories.