my oregon trip: a day at the beach

One of the days I was in Oregon I took the doggies to the beach. They really needed it, I could tell from their excitement in the car. When we arrived they were the happiest dogs on the planet, it was so adorable. They ran, got in the water, digged, chased rocks and each other...they just went nuts! I loved watching them because it just made me so happy to see how happy they were. I understand more and more why people love to spend time with dogs, they just make you smile! Lucky dogs; after the beach I took them to the old fashioned handmade fudge store to buy them and myself some ice cream. They got a dog smear and I got a strawberry cone. It was delicious! I had to include the last picture of the Seal Rock store sign. Tamales are being sold with Oregon wine and beer; I thought it was funny...

my oregon trip: kuma, my little friend

In Oregon I have been staying in the cottage house. It is nice, although when I go from the main house to the cottage it is really dark outside. Not an issue for most but I am a wimp. Also, I don't like the idea of sleeping alone. Luckily Jaye and Susan have three dogs on the property, very small but so adorable. I borrow one of the dogs, Kuma (bear in Japanese), for company. She does look like a little teddy bear, so cute and cuddly. Kuma has been keeping me company at nights and it is so nice...I love cats and dogs but I consider myself a cat person. After spending time with the three dogs ( Zoe, Lulu and Kuma) I now see why people can't live without them. With Kuma next to me I feel like I have nothing to worry about.

Uh-oh...I want me a little Kuma.....

my oregon trip: newport farmers market

This past weekend Susan and I drove up to the farmer's market in Newport. I must say I LOVE farmer's markets. They are filled with so much color and such delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as yummy food. At this farmer's market we had a mushroom and spinach flatbread with fontina cheese and garlic. it was so delicious! I fell in love with it. I believe it beats any pizza I had ever eaten prior to this. I am going to try to make it one day because it was just amazing. This time at the farmer's market we also bought some mushrooms for the risotto I was going to cook later in the week...ummm, I can't wait!

my oregon trip: the alsea house

I love coming up to Oregon and staying at the Alsea house with Jaye and Susan. It is such a wonderful place, very peaceful and quiet. A great way to relax. What I love most about it is all the fresh fruits and vegetables we get to eat straight from the garden. Anything from potatoes, tomatoes, herbs, lettuce, beets, strawberries, blueberries, carrots, and much more. I also enjoy looking out at the river, watching the tide go in and out twice a day bringing all types of wild life in its stream, including some fascinating birds.

I am glad to be able to spend time here with Susan, she needs company especially after the crazy surgery she had. Everyone is gone on business trips and if I weren't here, she would have been left all alone to recover. But recovery is always great when you have someone to keep you company, and I am glad to be the one to spend time with her.

We have all of these wonderful plans! We will spend lots of our time cooking, learning new ways of making delicious dishes and visiting old recipes. We are also going to have a reunion dinner. When they bought the house back in 2000, Susan and I came up on our own to begin fixing the place. For one of our celebratory meals we had stuffed cornish game hen, one of my favorite meals. This week we will make the same meal to celebrate being fabulous! Can't wait. Now off to Portland for a couple of days...

every little bit counts

I want to thank everyone who helped make this wedding possible. Every little bit countss and added to the magic of the wedding. Some helped financially, some helped in the planning and creation, other's helped with little tasks, some even learned a dance or two. It doesn't matter what you did...your assistance was incredible.

I want to specially thank Nancy and Joshabel for taking control of everything the weekend of the wedding. I would have never had such a fun time if I had been responsible for running the event. You ladies did such an awsome job...and with so much love and grace, thank you soooooo very much. While everyone was out there dancing and having a fun time, these girls were out there working their buts off to make sure I had a great time before, during, and after the wedding. I love you both so very much!