In the afternoon, we walked to the Lan Su Chinese Garden, located in the heart of Portland. The classical garden was built about ten years ago and spans one city block. It is really an oasis of tranquil beauty in the middle of city life. Similar to the Japanese Garden, the Chinese Garden has been praised as the most authentic outside of China.
Historically, Chinese gardens are meant to stimulate one's mind and spirit while wandering through a beautiful and peaceful natural landscape. Qi, or energy, which is created by the balancing harmony of yin and yang (stone and water, for example) is one of the most prevalent elements of a Chinese garden. (On a side note, qi is also an outstanding scrabble word!!) I feel like everywhere I looked, I could find opposites creating a tranquil balance. The garden had five main elements: rocks, water, plants, architecture, and poetic inscriptions.
As we wandered through the intricately beautiful garden, I felt like I was no longer in the middle of a city. Halfway through, we came across the teahouse where Lindsay enjoyed a white tea and I a peppermint tea.
Overall, the garden was quite lovely. I am sure the next time we go I’ll notice new details. I look forward to experiencing it in the spring or summer when the plants will be in full bloom.
That evening, we made a delicious dinner: tomato, motz, and basil for an appetizer, Fresh Sockeye salmon stuffed with crab, scallops, shrimp and some herbs, delicious rice pilaf, and sauteed asparagus for our main course, and to wrap it all up, I made my mom's Apple Crisp. I was too full from dinner, I couldn't even have any dessert! Trust me, I plan on having some (or a lot) later. For tradition's sake, I also had a Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale.
We had a wonderful early Christmas.
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