Steven Shomler Author

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am wishing each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving marked by Love and Joy!

I am often reflective during the holiday season.

Looking back this has been quite the year for my wife KC and I – lots of Joys and lots of Challenges.

All of that being said – I still have an abundance of gratitude in my heart and much to be thankful for.

I came across this Thanksgiving poem from 1885 by noted Poet Hattie Howard, and it spoke to me:

Let Us Give Thanks

If we have lived another year�And, counting friends by regiments�Who share our love and confidence,�Find no more broken ranks,�For this let us give thanks.

If we have somehow worried through�The ups and downs along life's track,�And still undaunted can look back�And smile at Fortune's pranks,�For this let us give thanks.

If, since the last Thanksgiving-time�We have through adversity trod,�Yet with serene and smiling face,�For this let us give thanks.

Hattie Howard 1885

PS – I took that Oregon Coast photo at Oceanside, Oregon on Oct 27, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow! This has been quite the year for my wife KC and I – lots of Joys and lots of Challenges.

All of that being said – I still have an abundance of gratitude in my heart and much to be thankful for.

I am wishing each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving marked by Love and Joy!

I came across this Thanksgiving poem from 1885 by noted Poet Hattie Howard, and it spoke to me:

Let Us Give Thanks

If we have lived another year�And, counting friends by regiments�Who share our love and confidence,�Find no more broken ranks,�For this let us give thanks.

If we have somehow worried through�The ups and downs along life's track,�And still undaunted can look back�And smile at Fortune's pranks,�For this let us give thanks.

If, since the last Thanksgiving-time
We have through adversity trod,�Yet with serene and smiling face,�For this let us give thanks.

Hattie Howard 1885

PS – I took that Oregon Coast photo at Oceanside, Oregon on Oct 27, 2025

San Antonio, Texas ~ My Summer 2025 Adventures

This past summer I took a trip to San Antonio, Texas to cheer on my son Zac Shomler. This was quite an eventful & emotional adventure for me.

During the 4 days I was in San Antonio I spent quite a bit of time at Lackland Air Force - “Gateway to the Air Force”, had some incredible meals, and did lots of reflecting on my hopes and fears for America.

My next five posts will be about this trip and the adventures I had while I was in in San Antonio.

Recording a Culinary Treasure Podcast Episode at The Hip Chicks do Wine Portland, Oregon Winery ~ My Summer 2025 Adventures

I have been cheering Portland, Oregon Winemakers Laurie Lewis & Renee Neely for a very long time.

I am so glad that I was finally able to meet up with them and capture their inspiring story.

By the way – They make very good wine and if you are visiting Portland, or in you live in the greater Portland, Oregon metro area I highly encourage you to visit their tasting room!

Steven

Laurie Lewis & Renee Neely Hip Chicks do Wine Portland, Oregon Winery ~ Culinary Treasure Podcast Episode 119

In this episode of the Culinary Treasure Podcast our Host Steven Shomler visits with Laurie Lewis & Renee Neely the incredible couple who make the Wine Magic happen at the Hip Chicks do Wine Portland, Oregon Winery.

You Can Listen to this episode of the Culinary Treasure Podcast right on the Culinary Treasure Podcast website or wherever you listen to podcasts

The Culinary Treasure Podcast 411

The Culinary Treasure Podcast is brought to you by the Culinary Treasure Network, and this episode was recorded at the Hip Chicks do Wine Portland, Oregon Winery.

Steven Shomler is the Host and Creator of the Culinary Treasure Podcast a Food Travel Joy Media Production.

You Can Listen to the Culinary Treasure Podcast on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Pandora, Audible, Amazon Music / Amazon Podcasts, Audacy, Deezer, Gaana, JioSaavn, Radio Public, Player FM, YouTube (audio only), Boomplay, and many other podcasts outlets.

The Culinary Treasure Podcast: Chefs, Winemakers, Distillers, Bakers, and More – Culinary Stories You Will Love!

Meeting My Dear Friend Steve Woolard at Reel M Inn ~ My Summer 2025 Adventures

Reel M Inn is a fantastic Portland Dive Bar, and it happens to be in my personal “top ten list” of Portland Dive Bars.

I met my dear friend Steve Woolard there in the middle of a warm sunny Monday this past summer.

Steve and I have had many fun adventures together – from Food Carts to Beer Festivals and it was great to catch up with him!

And as always – the Reel M Inn Fried Chicken & Jojos were marvelous!

Breakfast at Alice's Country House Tillamook, Oregon ~ My Summer 2025 Adventures

This past summer I had two multi-day trips to the Oregon Coast.

The last day of my second visit to the Oregon Coast included breakfast at Alice’s County House.

Eve was cooking the morning I stopped by, and the White Gravy Chicken Fried Steak she made me was amazing!

I would love to someday record an episode of the Culinary Treasure Podcast with Chef Eve – I am betting that she has a great story

If you have not ever been to Alice’s I encourage to make your way out there. They are located just outside of Tillamook about 8 miles down Highway 6.

A Char-Broiled Bacon Cheeseburger at Kitty’s in Tillamook, Oregon ~ My Summer 2025 Adventures

This past summer I had two multi-day trips to the Oregon Coast.

My second time out there included lunch at Kitty’s in Tillamook, Oregon.

I have been to Kitty’s a number of times and the burgers are always awesome, and this visit was no exception.

I had a bacon cheeseburger, fries and an IPA and I was a very happy man.

Pro Tip – Park in the back and sit at the bar.

Martinis and Dinner with Kendra & Allan on the Oregon Coast ~ My Summer 2025 Adventures

This past summer I had two multi-day trips to the Oregon Coast. My second time out there began with a delightful visit with my dear friends Kendra and Allan.

During this visit we enjoyed Martinis and Kendra made us Salmon Dip, some terrific Meat Loaf and her acclaimed homemade Mac & Cheese!

Truth be told - Kendra and I had martinis and Allan had one or two of his signature PBRs.

Both Kendra & Allan are part of my very small inner circle*, and I can’t wait till the next time I am back out at the Oregon Coast enjoying their company.

A Few Words About Kendra and Allan

Sometimes you meet people and right off the about you know that you are destined to be best of friends. I loved both Kendra and Allen from the very moment I met each of them.

I can’t tell you how many fantastic meals Kendra has cooked me. If you have not had the utter joy of enjoying Kendra’s cooking - you are missing out.

Allan is a giant of man with an even bigger heart. I feel so blessed and honored to have his friendship. One fun note – Allan and I share the same birthday!

Both of them are salt of the earth kind of people - they are not perfect people, I have heard told – I can’t say from who – that Kendra can be a bit cantankerous now and then - but they are who you want to have your back when the chips are down. They are both loving giving people, who are very loyal to those they care for.

And Yes! – they do have a phenomenal 6 ft tall dragon in their front yard.

I have learned over the many years I have been working out in Tillamook county that not everyone shares my high opinion of Kendra.

I have also learned that when a person doesn’t share my opinion about how awesome Kendra is, they usually turn out to be a no-account POS. I said what I said**

*Inner Circle

Your "inner circle" describes your closest friends. They are your “ride or die” crew. If they call you at 2 am and say they need you – you go – no questions asked – you get in the car or you get on a plane and get to them as fast as you can, Conversely, they will do the same from you.

**I Said What I Said

"I said what I said" means the speaker is standing by their previous statement and has no intention of apologizing, retracting it, or changing their mind, even if others disagree or find it controversial.

In others word - if you disagree with me about how awesome Kendra and Allan are – G*Y

At The Movies with My Daughter-in-Law Molly ~ My Summer 2025 Adventures

I really wanted to see Superman with my son Zac…

Superman opened July 11 and on July 9 Zac left Portland, Oregon to go to San Antonia, Texas for Air Force Basic Training (Boot Camp).

Thankfully my awesome my Daughter-in-Law Molly was available, and she went with me to the theater to see this fantastic movie! For my money this was the best superman movie I have ever seen.

I am so glad that this movie was true to the Superman of the comics.

I read lots and lots of comic books as a kid and there is way too much comic book lore and knowledge in my noggin. Just ask me how many types of Kryptonite there are*

As depicted in the 2025 movie and in the comic books Superman is about an immigrant who escaping dying in his birth country, came to earth, settled in America, became a journalist & a hero and like immigrants do - made America that much better!**

Kryptonite

*There are currently more than 15 types of Kryptonite including but not limited to forms such as Green, Gold, Jewel, Silver, Platinum, White, and my favorite Red! Red Kryptonite first appeared in Adventure Comics #255 (1958)

Please Note: I only count Kryptonite forms that have appeared in comic books that considered to part of continuity at the time those comic books were published. I don’t count Kryptonite forms that have only appeared in TV shows or non-continuity comic books.

Immigrants
**In case you can’t tell I am a HUGE fan of the immigrants who come to America. Throughout the entirety of America’s existence Immigrants have made America a better country.

I have yet to meet an America citizen whose ancestors did not immigrate to the land currently known as America. So yeah - if you are an American citizen, it is because someone in your family lineage immigrated here.

At The Movies with My Son Zac ~ My Summer 2025 Adventures

My son Zac left Portland, Oregon to go to San Antonia, Texas for Air Force Basic Training (Boot Camp) on July 9th, 2025

Just before Zac left, he and I made two trips to the theater and we saw Jurassic World Rebirth and F1!

Both movies were fun summer blockbuster type movies - nothing earthshattering just some good quality escapist fun.

While the movies were fun getting to spend time with Zac before he headed off to begin a new life was very meaningful to me.

I really did enjoy both movies. I especially liked the Chris Stapleton song featured in F1 - "Bad as I Used to Be”. I plan to use that song in a summer 2026 social media post.

And Yes! – I really do plan that far ahead – I just put up a social media account that I won’t be using until January 2027.

Recording a Culinary Treasure Podcast Episode at Gin Thai Brasserie in Portland, Oregon ~ My Summer 2025 Adventures

Goodness! The Thai food at Gin Thai Brasserie is incredible!

Amika and Wachira have built a wonderful restaurant and if you live in the great Portland, Oregon metro area - I highly encourage you to pay them a visit.

Every dish I had there was one that I want again – regardless of what dish you order – make sure you get the Thai Iced Coffee with Soft Serve Coconut Ice Cream. I can’t tell you how many times I have longed to have another one of those.

It was a delight to get to tell Amika and Wachira’s story in Culinary Treasure Podcast Episode 118!

Steven

Wachira Wongthawinkul & Amika Bamrungsri Gin Thai Brasserie Portland, Oregon ~ Culinary Treasure Podcast Episode 118

In this episode of the Culinary Treasure Podcast our Host Steven Shomler visits with Wachira Wongthawinkul & Amika Bamrungsri the entrepreneurs who make the Thai Food Magic happen at the Gin Thai Brasserie restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

You Can Listen to this episode of the Culinary Treasure Podcast right on the Culinary Treasure Podcast website or wherever you listen to podcasts

Go to the Culinary Treasure Podcast website to see more than 50 photos from Steven’s visit to Gin Thai Brasserie.

The Culinary Treasure Podcast 411

The Culinary Treasure Podcast is brought to you by the Culinary Treasure Network, and this episode was recorded at Gin Thai Brasserie in Portland, Oregon.

Steven Shomler is the Host and Creator of the Culinary Treasure Podcast a Food Travel Joy Media Production.

You Can Listen to the Culinary Treasure Podcast on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Pandora, Audible, Amazon Music / Amazon Podcasts, Audacy, Deezer, Gaana, JioSaavn, Radio Public, Player FM, YouTube (audio only), Boomplay, and many other podcasts outlets.

The Culinary Treasure Podcast: Chefs, Winemakers, Distillers, Bakers, and More – Culinary Stories You Will Love!



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