School has started!!!!

This is what the past two weeks looks like in words:

Parent's visited.
rain go away.
rose garden.
powells.
food.
beer.
wine.
food.
beer.
wine.
Ramona & Beezus.
one day of work.
fly to Sacramento.
food. too much of a cosmo.
drive to Pasa Robles for wine tasting.
drive to Santa Barbara.
shop. walk. food.
drive to Anaheim.
family. Germans. Mexicans. Film crew from Taiwan. Baptism. Party. Roasted whole pig.
margaritas. family.
fly to sacramento.
family.
rest.
fly to Portland.
School explosion.
homework craziness.

I'm tired!!!!!!!!! off to bed. full stories + pictures to come.

Our Living Room Makeover

I'm guessing that if I was able to forget to take pictures of the living room that you guys most definitely forgot that I promised to post pictures of the transformation about two weeks ago. Ever since being sick a couple of weeks back I have felt a couple steps behind. Anyway, we straightened the place up over the weekend and I realized that it was the perfect opportunity to finally take some pictures. We have been having people over for meals a lot more recently which has made us really appreciate the new set up.. We feel that the living room is so much more comfortable and cozy this way. So, I present to you, our living room transformation:

BEFORE
[bikes and packages are not normally stored in the living room. FYI]





AFTER

nice new bookshelves
nice new table

no more desk
and more room made in the kitchen

So thats that! What do you guys think? Lucky for my parents, they will be seeing the place in person the day after tomorrow. :) Can't wait to see you guys!

Making Mushroom and Vegetable Stew

A craving for stew + a trip to the grocery store = one good smelling kitchen....

Before we go on I must stop and explain the above pictures. Those things are MUSHROOMS! Can you believe it? Well, yes I know it's believable but, don't they look like something you would go out into the woods and deem as "poisonous." I assure you they are not but I did get a little nervous upon picking them up and putting them in the bag. The chart at New Seasons called these guys "Maitake" mushrooms and said that they were prefect for soups and stews due to their ability to withstand long cook times and the earthy flavor. They were delicious!!!




mmmmmmmmmmmm smells good
Gee Wes, its about "thyme" you grow a mustache. (ha. ha. haaa)


happy cooking!

The Swifts Are in Portland (Plus some Simpsons History for you)

Every September the birds known as the "Swifts" pass through Portland as they are migrating somewhere. I was told this information during our last visit to watch them but I am forgetting now. These birds just so happen to have chosen the chimney at the Chapmen Elementary school as their temporary home for the entire month of September. Every night in September at sunset people from all around come with picnics packed to watch the show. If you watch the above video you will understand what I am talking about. Its quite the event.

Now, what do these birds have to do with the show: "The Simpsons", you ask? Well, its not the birds, its the school they have chosen. The elementary school they have chosen is the school that is seen in the show "The Simpsons." Check out these pictures:

My picture:


The Simpsons Picture:

And Wikipedia will explain some more for you:

"Several characters in Portland native Matt Groening's television show The Simpsons have names based on the alphabetically-named streets in the Northwest District: Ned Flanders, the bully Kearney, Reverend Lovejoy, Mayor Quimby, Milhouse Van Houten (actually in North Portland), and possibly C. Montgomery (also named for the large Montgomery Park (Formerly Montgomery Ward) sign) Burns[ide]. Contrary to popular belief, the character Sideshow Bob Terwilliger is not named after SW Terwilliger Boulevard in Southwest Portland."^[3]



Very interesting isn't it? I thought you'd think so. Aside from all of these Simpson Facts we had a fabulous time. We had a spur of the moment picnic with our friends Max and Kristen, a good time was had by all. We look forward to going again with my parents next weekend! Can't wait to see family!

How Great Thou Art

Few things are more beautiful than these lyrics:

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God,

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all

The works Thy Hand hath made,

I see the stars,

I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout

The universe displayed;

Stanza 2:

When through the woods

And forest glades I wander

I hear the birds

Sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down

From lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook

And feel the gentle breeze;

Refrain:

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Stanza 3:

When Christ shall come,

With shouts of acclamation,

And take me home,

What joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow

In humble adoration

And there proclaim,

"My God, how great Thou art!"

Refrain:

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Bowling

Two weeks ago we went on a date with Caleb and Nina and then went bowling with some friends afterward. It was a really fun time. Didn't get the best of pictures but here are a couple to share. Once again, Nina and I tied for last place. We are probably the world's worst bowlers, scoring totals of about 60. And no, I'm not over exaggerating.

Caleb bowling (have you ever seen a left-handed bowler?)

Wes with his game face on

I guess this is my game-face... ?

A must when bowling is to establish your bowling names. Wes' was "Le Boeuf" (with some spelling errors) hopefully meaning "the Beef." My bowling name was "Stormy."

Inspiration

Not much to say except: Watch these videos. They are to the point, beautiful and most of all, inspiring. These videos make me want to:

ride a bike
smell some coffee
plant sunflowers
cook delicious food
explore a new city
go on a hike
love our earth
care for my husband
celebrate life
and they most definitely make me want to purchase some watercolor paints.

Enjoy, and comment below and tell me what you think! What do they make you want to do?

Video titled: "Art"


Video titled: "Thoughts on My Bike"