what a deal

Just had to share - I heard about this website from my dad, and now I check it often. Slickdeals.net.
It lists a few deals from all over the the internet each day. The first time I checked it, I got 2 yrs of US Weekly magazine (normally $136) for $40. It gave me a coupon code that took $96 off at checkout! There was also a deal for a Dyson vaccuum for $199 at Best Buy, when normally they are hard to find for less than $300. Today I just got 2 years of Elle Magazine for $5 total, and Vogue for $9. So check it out! I think it's sorta neat.

tripadvisor

My favorite website you ask?

Tripadvisor.com

If you haven't ever visited this wonderful little website, you simply must. It is practically the encyclopedia of hotels and travel advice in my opinion. Ask a question, and you will most likely find the answer from another traveler who already wondered the same thing. This site is an incredible resource for anyone planning any type of trip, big or small. I use it hundreds of times when planning a trip.

You will find honest reviews from even the smallest bed and breakfasts, as well as candid traveler photos of hotels - one of my favorite features of the site. How many times have you seen picture-perfect photos of a hotel and its rooms, only to arrive at the hotel and feel completely mislead? The candid traveler photos always help me to decide whether I will really like a hotel or not, because they are REAL (and so are the reviews).

You can also type in and click on a city, i.e. Chicago, and it will list the top rated hotels in order starting with #1. I love that the top rated hotels are not always the most expensive either - if you choose a hotel that is near the top of that list, you can never go wrong.

The search feature is fantastic. For example, I was looking into whether a Garmin GPS would work in Europe, and I found dozens of posts from people on this subject. I searched for what others were saying about the weather in October in Switzerland and found my answer right away.

AND...an added bonus...sometimes while sifting through posts you will stumble upon a little something extra too! :) The other day I was reading about another traveler's trip, which was similar to the one we're taking next month, and he suggested eating breakfast at this restaurant in Switzerland, the Schilthorn...

I would say it's a must-visit!

travel inspiration

Once in a while I read things in magazines that get me all jazzed up. Yesterday I came upon this little tidbit in Conde Nast Travel (FABULOUSNESS), in an opening letter from the editor-in-chief. I hope it excites you as much as it excited me!

"There's a new kind of energy shaping the world, we sense, and this issue is a testament to that. We call it the power of travel. In ways large and small, from the hinterlands of Africa to the surprisingly green bowers of Berlin, from Sydney Harbor to the Holy Land, travel inspires and transforms and is, increasingly, an enormous force for change - both personal (what it does for you) and planetary (how if affects the people and places you visit)."

Thinking back on the places Jeff and I have traveled to, we have been so affected by all of the wonderful people we have met, as well as by all of the diverse experiences. So many memories are bold in my mind. Chatting with a wine shop owner in a tiny village in Italy...seeing poor villages flooding in Costa Rica...getting to see wild animals we've never seen before...taking a tour with a local guide through the jungle...trying to figure out what we're ordering when the menu is not in English...hearing the rumbles of an active volcano...getting completely lost in an unfamiliar city...viewing artwork in person that we've only heard about in history books...learning bits of a new language in every place we've been...being hosted by some of the most warm and welcoming people...for me, it has all been a delight, and a learning experience. I only hope we have left positive traces in the places we have visited in the same positive way that they have affected us.

These things have helped shape who I am - as cheesy as it sounds - it's true! Learning more about and immersing ourselves in different countries has been so important in growing our appreciation of what is really out there, no matter how far away it is. Fortunately now too, travel doesn't have to be expensive - not everyone can travel the world whenever they want to (including me). Travel deals are in great abundance, as more and more people are getting the travel itch.

There is so much world to see...I am constantly in awe, and I hope you are too.

mahi mahi with thai green curry sauce

Just made this Sunset magazine recipe, and it is TO-DIE-FOR! Not to mention so easy. This meal should be in a restaurant - it's elegant and super tasty. I used frozen Mahi Mahi from Trader Joe's (cheap! It was $5 for two huge fillets) - make sure you buy plain Mahi Mahi, not the kind that already comes marinated. Another note: below is actually a half recipe - the original calls for absolutely too much sauce, you will have gobs of leftovers. This should be enough sauce even for four fillets.

1/2 c. fresh basil leaves, divided
1 can coconut milk (I used light)
2 Tbsp. Thai green curry paste
1 Tbsp. Vietnamese or Thai fish sauce
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 Mahi Mahi fillets
1 large bell pepper, seeded, cut into rings
Cooked rice (I use jasmine)
Lime wedges

1. Heat grill to high.
2. Puree all but a few shreds of the basil leaves (left for garnishing later), 1/2 can of the coconut milk, and curry paste in the blender. Cook mixture in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, until bubbly, 2-3 minutes. Add remaining coconut milk, 1/4 c. water, fish sauce, and sugar. Cook sauce at a low boil until thickened, 10 minutes.
3. Coat fish and peppers with with 3-4 Tbsp. sauce.
4. Oil cooking grate, using tongs and a wad of oiled paper towels. Grill peppers, covered, turning once, until browned, 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Grill fish, covered, turning once, until just cooked through, 3-5 minutes (cook it until it is slightly underdone - overcooked fish is nasty!!). With a wide spatula, carefully transfer to another plate.
5. Spoon rice onto plates and top with fish. Spoon sauce over fish and rice. Thinly slice remaining basil and garnish. Serve with lime wedges and more sauce.

updates

It's been a few weeks! Don't give up on me...I just haven't had a lot to blog about! Not to mention we've been wrapping up the last weeks of summer, with the usual insanity of activities.

Can I first just say how utterly bummed I am at this sudden burst of rain we are having? I have to be honest - I am so tired of everyone saying how much they are excited for the rain and loving it. THIS torrential downpouring IS GROSS. What's wrong with everyone?!! Either they're all lying or I'm just off. I was just talking with a friend about it today. Aside from the wonderful fall clothes which are emerging, I am DREADING this season change. Some people live for sunshine and nice weather; others love the season changes. I know I would be 100% satisfied living in a climate where the sun shines year round. But that's just me. In my mind, the sun makes everyone happier - not to mention, more attractive (at least for the time being :)!!

So, let's just cherish the memories of the last bits of summer. Here are some updates from the past couple weeks since I've been the MIA blogger...

*Spent a lovely weekend in Seattle with my family over Labor Day - Jeff and my dad spent Saturday at a local "Oregon fan" bar, cheering on the Ducks, while my mom and I power-shopped for the latest fall fashions. We even saw sunshine a couple of the days!

*Have upped the urgency of trying to sell our house - finally lowered the price, and are getting more aggressive. We had an open house on Sunday which was quite successful if you ask me! Jeff and I were just talking about how we felt encouraged through it - we were just reminded not to give up, and that there are still people out there who are/may be very interested even though this market sucks. Last weekend we looked at a couple of "vintage" style Portland bungalows that were actually new or remodeled, and it definitely got us giddy. We are starting to get excited about how much farther our money will go when we do buy again!

*The leaves are starting to change - ahh, fall is here! Enjoying the colors and thoughts of cozy meals as the weather starts to get cooler...

*We are in full-swing trip-planning mode (aka Kelly is spending many hours :). We take off for a trip to Holland, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria in just one month. This will include a few days in Amsterdam, some cozy time in little mountain villages in the Swiss Alps (only accessible by gondola), a drive through romantic Bavaria, Germany, a few days in Salzburg (home of the Sound of Music), seeing the sights in and around Munich, walking through castles, concentration camps, and finally driving the Romantic Road to Frankfurt. It will be quite the adventure, as neither of us have rented a car in previous Europe excursions! Hopefully we don't get lost and buried in the side of some Swiss peak. :)

*Which brings me to...I cannot stop thinking about cheese fondue.

*Duck football season has begun, which means our (well, ok, sometimes I don't always watch...) Saturdays will be filled with passionate hours of cheering for our home team. Go DUCKS!

*Work slowed down for me, for about a week, but now I'm in full swing mode again. Jeff also has had a normal schedule for a couple months now (thank goodness), aside from some freelance projects he's been doing.

So you can see, all is well! At the close of the summer, I have just been feeling especially blessed to have such amazing friends and family in a close range. Being home more the past month or so has given us more time to enjoy everyone that we love so, so much. Despite the icky weather we get here in Oregon, I would stay just because of the people in our lives that we wouldn't want to live without!