this bright day

yesterday

2012-01-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

today.

quiet

2012-01-13T18:58:00.000-08:00

much needed.
lunch today. by myself.

.

fourteen

2012-01-08T14:54:00.000-08:00

out on the trail.
not many days left to get in swim suit shape.

.

white

2012-01-07T10:08:00.000-08:00

it finally snowed!
i was so happy to see the landscape change overnight to white.
i spent the morning shoveling and imagining building snowmen in various shapes and sizes.
maybe, just maybe its time to keep those winter boots and hats close again.

.

britt

2011-12-30T09:36:00.000-08:00

i count myself lucky to have had coffee with this incredibly talented friend.
you made my day.

http://chudphoto.wordpress.com

.

all things

2011-12-25T17:46:00.000-08:00

time with those we love.
the brightest, merriest gift of all.

.

sweet

2011-11-21T14:25:00.000-08:00

2011-11-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

dinner with friends.

angels landing

2011-09-25T08:11:00.000-07:00

the best prize of all for sleeping on the ground.
twenty one switchbacks, 1500 foot elevation gain
"only an angel can land on it."
or me after a steady strenuous climb.

.

late night

2011-09-22T21:45:00.000-07:00

dinner on the patio. hello autumn.

.

the one

2011-09-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

so sweet

2011-09-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

afternoon

2011-08-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

fresh black currant scones and tea to celebrate.
i'm so glad you were born.
oxox

.

ace

2011-06-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

damn you look good.
photos delivered here in 3 minutes.

one stop, on one magical day.
a heart on my latte, how did she know?

evoe

2011-06-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

the beetnik - ciabatta roll with roasted beets, ricotta, mint, lemon and arugula
the gallego - sardine, fennel and hot pepper slaw on a toasted ciabatta roll
spring soup - peas, mushroom, asparagus, spinach, garlic
salmon carpaccio and sea scallop
pickled beet stems and the most refreshing pear cider

silver falls

2011-06-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

the trail of ten falls - 8 miles
+ south falls (177 feet)
+ middle north falls (106 feet)
+ north falls (136 feet)

i couldn't imagine that one would be more magical or spectacular
than next or the next or the next.

soter vineyards

2011-06-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

mineral springs ranch - willamette valley.
fully sustainable.

a private pairing of wine and hand churned strawberry ice cream.
an explanation point on the whole day.

stumptown

2011-06-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

a must everyday but a very special treat in the pearl district.
i love.

olympic provisions charcuterie

2011-06-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

+ mixed greens, fine herbs, sunflower seeds, grana padano, red wine vinaigrette
+ salamis, pork rillette, pickled egg, idiazabal cheese, grain mustard, bread
+ shaft's aged blue, bucheron, strawberry preserves, bread
+ potato salad

we sat, laughed and savored every last bite.
the magic of passing a simple hour together enjoying an everyday moment.
it was all pretty grande.

pix patisserie

2011-06-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

top shelf liquors in a crystallized sugar shell dipped in chocolate.

one taste is all it took. we had to go back a second time to sample the macarons
as well another chardon or two.

eat

2011-06-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

i didn't mind just enjoying the smile on his face while he dined. it was heavenly.
i ate take-out cha cha enchiladas in the car en route to our next stop.

.

on the road

2011-06-19T22:49:00.000-07:00

miles and miles to go.

.

love of peony

2011-06-12T02:30:00.000-07:00

nineteen long hours and at the end of it all,
it became beautiful again.

hand picked

2011-05-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

wild asparagus. yum.

after it rains

2011-05-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

may day

2011-05-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

peep.

2011-04-24T18:53:00.000-07:00

peep.
have a happy easter friends.

the summit

2011-03-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

oh how good it feels to have lunch with one of my favorite people
while being served by my favorite.

a feast

2011-03-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

+ dry smoked barbecue ribs
+ homemade coleslaw & cornbread with honey butter
+ a long, windy walk
+ jambalaya
+ root beer floats
+ two movies
+ shredded beef taco & enchilada
+ arugula salad with pine nuts, gorgonzola & granny smith apple
+ an hour spring forward
+ waffles made from scratch & fresh strawberries
+ air popped popcorn with butter
+ lots of breathing space

she and i

2011-03-11T09:56:00.000-08:00

she and her kitty slept while i rode my little heart out on the spin bike.

more.

2011-03-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

more snow.
those lovely peeks of tulips and crocus.
no more. they're covered in snow.

finally

2011-03-04T12:06:00.000-08:00

running down by the river again
and feeling spring creeping towards its glorious day of celebration.
the clouds were big and billowy and the sun so, so warm.
i'm eagerly awaiting that magical day.

his day

2011-02-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

part of his present was a night away, a soak in the hot pools and an amazing thai dinner. we also celebrated with banana cream, lemon cream and dark chocolate tarts from this scrump-dilly-ious bakery. i think some of the best treats i've ever had.

happy, happy my mister!

the best things

2011-01-22T20:02:00.000-08:00

watching

2011-01-20T14:17:00.000-08:00

it was all about escaping the snow and cold temperatures. it was about sunshine, blue sky, swimsuits and the greenest landscape we'd seen in months. but mostly, it was about whale watching for my first time. this i know: i love the ocean. i love swimming with all those colorful fish and especially the sea turtles who embody the word grace. but what i didn't know, is that i would fall in love with the whales. those beautiful humpback mama's and babies and male suitors. just the exhilaration and anticipation of seeing them spouting, breaching, pec/tail slapping and sky hopping was amazing. i could not keep my eyes off the water.

the beach

2011-01-19T16:36:00.000-08:00

we're practically professionals at laying around, snorkeling, boogie
boarding and building sand castles. i really needed this.

village trails

2011-01-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

we've done a lot of laying around here balanced with a daily rigorous morning hike. a steep climb with stunning views and a hidden lake at the top. an adventure brimming with snails, singing birds, colorful flowers, innumerable beautiful monarch butterflies, ducks, fish and the greenest landscape. invigorating.

the gazebo

2011-01-17T07:30:00.000-08:00

to start our stay...banana macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup and whipped cream, fresh squeezed pog (pineapple, orange, guava) and big kahuna omelets...all served in a tiny grass shack with an amazing view of the bay. mostly, looking at the color of the sky and the water and feeling the warmth of the sun that first morning is something i won't forgot. not ever.

exactly

2011-01-10T17:36:00.000-08:00

five days and anxiously counting.

new years day

2011-01-01T15:11:00.000-08:00

its become tradition.

good cheer

2011-01-01T00:45:00.000-08:00

in this home.
we dined.
under this amazing light.
toasting the new year!
with beautiful friends.

a heartfelt thank you for the memories
and lovely friendship i share with each of you.
what a year it has been.
cheers!

merry

2010-12-25T14:29:00.000-08:00

merry christmas to all and to all a good night.

2010-11-26T15:07:00.000-08:00

i awoke this morning
with devout thanksgiving
for my friends, the old and new.
ralph waldo emerson

thankful

2010-11-25T19:13:00.000-08:00

i am thankful for a bounty of goodness.
i am thankful for each day with the love of my life and our sweet little one.
i am thankful for our beautiful families and our individual and collective journeys.
i am thankful for the warmth and kindness of friends.
i am thankful for the place we call home.
i am thankful for possibility, creativity and endless dreams.
i am thankful for pumpkin pie and the farmers who provide food for our table.

i am thankful for you.
love and warm wishes this cold, cold night.

2010-11-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

feeling a little restless lately.

anyone dreaming of far away places?

free

2010-10-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

inspired by this beautiful friend to let go.

harvest

2010-10-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

it is in the beginnings of autumn that i am truly grateful for summer and her generous months long offering of warmth. for without her, we would not feast on our bounty of fresh garden delights. we've been savoring roasted beet salad, garlic and lemon sauteed kale, tomato and mozzarella sandwiches, butternut squash soup and zucchini fritters. yum.

everyday

2010-09-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

i'm looking forward to seeing what Fall has to share. i welcome sweaters, starbucks pumpkin spice lattes, tights, crisp nights and early mornings, boots, winter squash, plaid patterns, leaf crunching...may it be a happy one.

what are you welcoming?

bathing suits requested

2010-08-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

we've been marking the last days of summer with celebration...a swim party, a movie on the big screen, a pizza picnic in the park and a sweet, candle lit birthday. it has been joyous. the air has a new crispness and i'm beginning to welcome it with thoughts of warm sweaters and tights. it won't be long before it will be fall.

the miss & her puppy

2010-08-02T19:25:00.000-07:00

next store

2010-06-29T12:08:00.000-07:00

first there was kenny and zukes.
then there was stumptown coffee roasters.
and then there was the lobby of the ace hotel.
splendid!

rocky pools

2010-06-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

we spent hours wandering the beach, exploring the tide pools, picking up small seashells, driftwood, colored stones and admiring the pure beauty of it all. i'm telling you, i was in awe at the abundance of mussels and barnacles attached to the rocks. oh so many, so so many.

i account it

2010-06-26T18:44:00.000-07:00

...high time to get to the sea as soon as possible.
herman melville

black and white

2010-06-26T15:18:00.000-07:00

hello summer

2010-06-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

she's finally here and we officially welcomed her in by throwing a celebration of sorts. there's no better way to start the summer off than to take a road trip to the ocean. three, four, five loud cheers for fresh seafood and a long walk on the beach. more to come.....

come fishing

2010-06-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

day trip

2010-06-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

to the mountains. oh so grand.

kandy corn

2010-06-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

happy my day

2010-05-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

thank you for all the sweetness you shared with me today.

i'm a lucky, lucky girl.

(amelia the cake was beautiful and delicious)

happily

2010-04-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

celebrating earth day in the warmth of the sunshine, preparing our garden for planting, noticing the beautiful new blossoms on the strawberry plants and taking two long walks along the river.
its been a glorious day.

sprung

2010-04-13T20:49:00.000-07:00

i'm beginning to imagine branches covered in beautiful
tissue pink and white blossoms.

and, on those days when i look out the window and find gray colored skies with sprinkles or down pours of rain...i blissfully listen to the new sounds of spring and eagerly await the sun as it peeks out again. hello.

four years

2010-02-28T09:52:00.000-08:00

in the rising of the sun and its going down,
we remember them.
in the glowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
we remember them.
in the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,
we remember them.
in the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
we remember them.
in the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
we remember them.
in the beginning of the year and when it ends,
we remember them.
when we are weary and in need of strength,
we remember them.
when we are lost and sick at heart,
we remember them.
when we have joys we yearn to share,
we remember them.
so long as we live, they too shall live,
for they are now a part of us, as
we remember them.

sometimes i wish so much that you were still here. i marvel at how much has happened in the last four years since your passing. i know that you are with us and i'm comforted knowing that your love resides deep inside of me.

you truly are a part of who i have become.

i love you dad.

forty

2010-02-21T19:10:00.000-08:00

i still haven't baked him his favorite cake...carrot with cream cheese frosting.
he's been so, so patient. he knows its definitely worth the wait. its that good.
and i know his eyes will definitely light up when he sees all those candles.
it will be a joyous celebration.

ending my day

2010-02-02T18:56:00.000-08:00

with a bit of citrus sunshine.

happy groundhog day and cheers to february.

puglie & grace

2010-01-19T19:49:00.000-08:00

the light changed today and she knew it too.

the blues

2010-01-18T14:15:00.000-08:00

sometimes it felt as if we would never see blue skies again.

its been a good long while since we've had any clean air to breath in the valley. as i walked along the river celebrating the storm we received overnight i didn't mind the cold wind on my checks and tears in my eyes.

launder

2010-01-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

the mice i've heard in the walls have also had a cozy winter bed amongst my gloves. there was no stopping my immediate need to handwash each and everyone.

new

2010-01-08T12:49:00.000-08:00

pajamas and socks, love santa.

2010

2010-01-01T20:11:00.000-08:00

happy, happy new year to you and yours.

wishing you

2009-12-25T20:46:00.000-08:00

all things
merry & bright

gratitude

2009-11-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

making me happy in every sort of way:
- waking up every morning next to b and the sweetest little girl
- embracing our journey of well being and good health
- receiving amazing amounts of love and thoughtfulness from family and friends
- walking along the river and appreciating nature's most simple gifts
- working with beautiful, inspiring friends
- wearing tights and layering to keep warm
- learning to slow down and be more present in the moment
and so, so much more

wishing you a joyous day of thanksgiving
and yummy food with those you love.

illuminated

2009-11-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

i promise there will be an abundance
of celebration and thanks giving this month
for my very favorite...pumpkin pie.

also giving many thanks
for our beautiful moonlit walk last night.

happy november!

until

2009-10-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

i've never been fond of goodbyes.
sadly, today's snow storm and freezing temperatures have not been kind to you. i know that my tummy will ache for your fresh nourishment and my eyes for your splendid colors and growth. darkness is falling earlier and earlier and the mornings are burr, burr cold. i'm slowly accepting and witnessing the changing seasons and thinking of all the new things i will plant in your place again.
until.

mister toad

2009-10-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

currently loving:

+ this surprise visitor on our morning river walk
+ eating homemade three bean turkey chili
+ the arrival of this beautiful book in my mailbox today
+ pumpkin spice lattes
+ snuggling under warm blankets
+ burnt orange, ochre and red
+ these wrist worms

fresh picked

2009-09-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

breakfast.

her glow

2009-09-16T22:35:00.000-07:00

tonight i am enjoying a rare moment of quiet. a moment where i can rest my tired feet, eat only french fries for dinner, let the world fall away and give myself some much needed time alone. as fall's almost here, i've been feeling nostalgic and dreaming of crisp, cool evenings under starry skies huddled close to a campfire. oh how i love a good fire. undoubtedly, she always wraps her warmth around me, calms my worries and lets me focus on life's most important bits.

end of summer

2009-09-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

oh hi there. happy tuesday.
how are you?
how was your holiday weekend?

oh i think the last days of summer are upon us.
autumn for me is about shorter days, late night walks under the stars,
craving baked treats and comfort foods, layering clothing and finding
warmth under blankets.

i tried this amazing recipe. its truly melt in your mouth good.
we ate it last night for dessert and i went back to the store again today
to buy more berries.

+++ i mistakenly added 1 cup of buttermilk to my batter instead of the 1/2 cup on the recipe. it made the cake heavier - almost bread pudding texture. pure delight. i definitely would add the full cup again.

we're off for a walk and maybe, just maybe a wish upon a falling star.

an extended visit

2009-09-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

to his space.
to paint.

pina colada

2009-07-27T00:02:00.000-07:00

i'll be away from this space for a little while longer but i wanted to thank you for all the amazing love, prayers and well wishes for b. you have helped brighten many challenging days.

i'm wishing you lots of beautiful hot summer days full of snow cones and rootbeer floats. yum!

orange-rhubarb

2009-07-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

good morning. i just wanted to stop in and share a few photos of this delicious bread i made last night. ever since i brought home two big bags of freshly harvested rhubarb from grandpa's garden i've been collecting recipes. it's so good almost a cake...just the perfect mix of sweet and tart with a bit of cornmeal. oh, how i love rhubarb. it always brings up delightful memories of childhood trips to knott's berry farm for thanksgiving...always a small dish of sweet stewed rhubarb served with dinner.

wish i could share a slice with each of you. have a good day!

**orange-rhubarb quick bread
2 1/2 c all purpose flour
1/4 c yellow cornmeal
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 c sugar
3/4 c butter, melted
3 eggs
1/2 c milk
2 tsp finely shredded orange peel
2 tbs orange juice
2 c finely chopped rhubarb
streusel topping (optional)

lightly coat two 8x4x2 inch baking pans with nonstick cooking spray. set aside.

in a large bowl combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. set aside.
in a medium bowl stir together sugar, butter, eggs, milk, orange peel, and orange juice until combined; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

gently fold rhubarb into batter. divide and spoon into prepared pans; sprinkle streusel topping evenly over tops. bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 - 45 minutes. cool in pans for 15 minutes and then turn out on wire racks.

streusel topping: combine 1/2 c flour, 1/2 c packed brown sugar, 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg. with a pastry blender, cut in 1/4 c butter until mixture is crumbly. stir in 2 tbs sliced almonds, if desired.

a sneak peak

2009-07-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

more to come soon!

the garden needs my attention today and primarily stage four.

a bit of yellow

2009-06-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

they smell so good.

on the dairy

2009-06-09T19:01:00.000-07:00

sometimes...i let myself get dizzy by all the tiny little details and forget to take a deep breath and open myself up to countless possiblities. i wondered whether a visit to b's parents for a short overnighter would be worth the eight hours i would spend driving in the car.

and had i not...i would have missed a delicious catfish dinner at the snake river grill, a peaceful nights sleep, a walk into town for a ham and havarti sandwich and iced raspberry tea, the curious first meeting of grace, mishka and all those cows, an afternoon spent visiting with grandma and grandpa, the warmth, comfort and love i feel just be close to b's parents, the small gifts of yellow roses from grandma's yard and a bag full of rhubarb from grandpa's garden, sitting on the back porch enjoying the wide open landscape of pasture and cornfields, singing in the car and seeing eight beautiful rainbows on my drive home.

these are the moments that remind me of why i do what i do. these are the moments that matter. these are the memories that i will cherish when i get
dizzy again.
it was definitely worth it.

worm sandwiches

2009-06-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

we had a great weekend. b loves being by the water and he's the happiest when he's fishing. the cooler is always packed with yummy sandwiches, chips and drinks for our picnicking pleasure. but, the most important piece in the cooler is the small white styrofoam container filled those long, fat, juicy worms napping in that dark, moist soil. a little worm, a bright colorful marshmallow and another little worm. he calls it a worm sandwich and its a true picnicking delight for all those hungry, unsuspecting trout in the lake.

blooming

2009-06-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

i love:
this flower.
this artist and these paintings.

happy june!

miss grace

2009-05-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

we celebrated her first birthday.
it was her first fishing trip and one of many puppy parties.
happy birthday miss grace.

slow ride

2009-05-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

i took a trip two tuesdays ago on the train.
i needed a break and it felt nice to get away.
i went to visit b's mama and to wish her a happy mother's day.
it was a glorious day of eating, sharing stories and laughing until my sides hurt.
sometimes all i need is to be close to those i love.

electric

2009-05-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

i can't remember the last time i heard thunder. oh, how i love the beautiful low rumblings of dark clouds colliding high above my head. as a little girl, i loved sitting on the front porch during summer thunderstorms just listening to those sounds, watching the rain fall and delighting in the magic of lightening.
today, i felt that joy.

mr. mcgregors garden

2009-05-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

the tomatoes, squash, lettuce, spinach, cilantro and jalapenos are planted.
there will be plenty of fresh salad and pico de gallo to share.

want to come to a late summer backyard picnic?

my birthday

2009-05-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

sugar and milk and everything nice that's what birthdays are made of.

i woke up this morning filled with a new sense of wonder.
i planted flowers and vegetables in the garden and soaked up the sun.
and, i feel like the luckiest girl in the world holding my new camera.

wishes do come true!

flowers and kisses

2009-05-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

(sweet grandma's house)

happy mother's day.
today we celebrate you and all the sweet joy and beauty that comes from being close to you. you're the one who has always been there and the one we have never doubted loved us. and truly, we celebrate you everyday for as long as we live, you live as a part of us.
hugs & kisses, j and b

happy may

2009-05-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

my find joy list...
one. learn how to ride our scooter
two. cook one new recipe each week
three. spend more time outside

yours?

"wherever you are is called Here"

2009-04-21T22:09:00.001-07:00

there are so many things about the ocean that make me happy. i bring all the beauty and messiness of who i am to her shores and find a place where i can truly be. i'm learning to trust that i am where i'm suppose to be right now. i won't always be here but what i see is nothing short of beautiful.

the last supper

2009-04-20T22:09:00.001-07:00

we spent our last night gathered around the fire sharing stories
and roasting marshmellows.

treasures

2009-04-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

wandering the beach reminds me just how much i love to explore, how much i love to watch those little sandpipers run in and out of the waves searching for food, how much i love to see the tide scatter little treasures all along its sandy shores and how much i hold dear all the gifts the ocean brings me.

2009-04-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

morning, afternoon and night:
starbucks lattes, wandering third street promenade, olive mary janes, walking on the beach, olas mexican, driving pch 1, bel aire hotel, drinking bloody marys, lemon and orange trees, embracing my new friends trudy and mary, pepperdine, listening to dale play the piano, trader joes, savoring homemade lemon meringue pie, literati cafe, standing still in the memory garden, dolphins, touring with marge, laughter, sampling delicious k-chocolatiers, black beans and pico, drawing and painting...and much, much more.

broad beach road

2009-04-19T21:28:00.000-07:00

i am a lucky girl. truly a once in a lifetime backyard to play in
and bed to dream in. sweet, sweet dreams.

millie jane

2009-04-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

to know her is to smile, to smile a lot...at her beauty, generosity, passion for life, at her humor, wisdom and warmth. she's the one you instantly fall in love with and want to be her friend. she's an amazing artist, mother and mentor who shines joy on countless others. and, to know her is to feel like you have found the biggest treasure in your world everyday.

"always changing, never twice the same"

2009-04-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

an unbelievable feast of art, modern architecture, beautiful gardens and a delicious lunch at the cafe.

coming

2009-04-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

good morning. i just finished packing for my trip. i wish i could take you with me. i'm off to find a bright blue sky and a beautiful friend who i just adore. i can't believe the day is finally here and that this afternoon i will be listening to the sounds of the ocean, enjoying the sand on my bare feet and laughing with sweet millie. it should be a joyous time.