Summer highlights

Not sure what this face is saying, except that we had just procured smart phones and were enjoying a bubble tea. First pic from my droid. I think I'll call it...'Ryan'.

Jess, Scott, J & B came for a visit as they do every summer, and we had the grandest of times. Plus a certain 1st birthday was celebrated. Lucky us.

You couldn't pay me enough. The couple appeared to be our age and my heart went out to her. I strongly suspected this was all his idea... BTW, I've seen several of these, both seats occupied, on the road lately. New trend?

View from my current office desk, #1

View from my current office desk, #2

View from my current office desk, #3. I will miss this view.

Celebrating our 5 year anniversary in Bend and sitting with the trifecta of News we've recently received.

This is what greeted us when we sat down to our delivered pizza the other night. We'd never ordered from Lonesome's before and didn't know what to expect. It cracked me up and I wished my brotha-in-law was here b/c he would have appreciated the effort.

This showstopper was part of a masterpiece dinner last night and the presentation made my stomach growl. The platter was empty in no time, as you can imagine.

Sisters, Oregon

R&R went to central Oregon for some r&r...
...and stayed at the beautiful family cabin...

...of the Braunstens'.

This is what we look like when we are rested & relaxed
and presented with our reflection:

The boys conquered the brewery scene like no body's business.
Witness one of their catches-of-the-day:

Nice unexpected symmetry

The setting sun,the Perseid Meteor Shower, and a pesky full moon

If I haven't said it before...

...this is where my heart sings.

To Florence and back

We had a chance to head to the coast this weekend and grabbed it faster than you can say lickety split. I've been returning to this place since I was in high school, and now for the last nine years with Ryan, and always my time there is the closest I've gotten to pure and sweet and heavenly bliss. Especially that first moment, when I step out of the car and can feel, hear, smell the salty surf, and then again when I open the door with my old key and can see straight through the sturdy vintage A-frame, past the large wedge-shaped windows, to the dunes and the water beyond. Yes.


It was a quick trip but memorable all the same. I especially enjoyed dinner at our favorite, the Waterfront Depot*. We had a table by the window and savored delectable treats like a manchego cheese plate (served with roasted bell peppers, marinated, oily, salty olives, and fresh focaccia) and tres leches cake for dessert.

Happy Valentine's Day to you, friends!

*The restaurant's dining room is painted a deep & dark eggplant color, accented with wood floors and furniture, lit with tasteful yet subtle light fixtures, and punctuated by one set of bay windows with a view of the water. In the summer huge barn doors, which serve as the menu board, open up to provide access to the waterfront deck. It's like this:
I love the unexpected, not-quite-black walls and mood lighting, and am thinking there may be room in my house one day to have a cozy little den with dark walls and heavy wood furniture, softened with glowy lights and cushions and plush rugs and a window with a view. Here's another example (its the 'after' in the before & after), this one reminding me of a tree house, painted either chalky evergreen or slate, I can't quite tell. But I love it.

Autumnal drive

Yesterday we took our annual drive through the Hood River Valley. Our first stop was Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood, where we enjoyed hot chocolate and lift rides up the mountain. Then we drove down through the Fruit Loop, stopping for pumpkins and other autumnal edible goodies. Our last stop was at Apple Valley Country Store and Bakery, where we had lunch and did some window shopping. Oh yes! And on our way home we dropped off a stoop full of pumpkins to some unsuspecting friends. I love surprises.

Once home, we had crock pot french onion soup waiting for us along with hot rolls and warm apple cider. It was a great day.

She's 14 weeks old and lives at Timberline Lodge. I think her name is Maggy. I love her.

Larch Mountain

We are home from the east coast* and have been swept up into a flurry of activity around Ryan's thesis and plans for the road ahead. It is an exciting and nerve-racking time.

On Saturday, inspired by the crisp & brisk sunny autumn morning, we dodged our life maintenance chores by hopping in the car and going for a drive to the Gorge. We ended up at Larch Mountain, which afforded us outstanding views of Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood. It was a medley of volcanoes, if you will, totally breathtaking and unexpected.

The day ended up being a wonderful distraction from Life, and we'll be heading back there again soon to explore more trails.

*In lieu of a prompt post from moi on our awesome trip to the east coast, check out my b.i.l.'s overview. He did a great job of sifting through the hundreds of pics and summarizing our time together.

This is the stuff the great Northwest is made of, people: