twomeakins

pronghorn resort

2012-02-15T14:39:00.000-08:00

I'm just now getting to blogging about this little hidden gem in Eastern Oregon, even though we visited last December. I just couldn't go without mentioning this wonderful place to everyone, because I think so many people don't know about it. Our friends Maggie and Pete asked us if we'd be interested in trying it out, and especially after the deal we got on Living Social, we could hardly resist.

This golf resort was designed by Jack Nicklaus, the famous golfer. We don't know much, but we did hear that the resort used to be exclusive and they have recently opened it up to the public. Everything we saw seemed brand-spankin' new, and of the highest quality. Unexpectedly we had sunny and dry weather the entire weekend. Jeff and Pete went golfing on what is apparently one of the top golf courses in the world (got an incredible rate too because it was off-season). Maggie and I had a little spa time at my favorite spot (Zante) in Bend. Ahh, a very relaxing weekend.

If you ever have a chance to visit here, DO SO!! We got such an incredible deal, and we couldn't even believe what we got for our dough. A two bedroom townhouse, overlooking the golf course, huge top-of-the-line kitchen, giant floor-to-ceiling fireplace, outdoor kitchen and fire pit, huge bathroom, and you name it. I'd love to come back in the summer!! Keep your eyes out for more Living Social deals!

ahh, the food on provo!

2012-02-08T15:10:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite parts of vacation has to be eating out in the evenings. You spend all day on the beach, covered in sunscreen and sand...as sunset approaches, make your way back to the room for a tropical cocktail and to get ready for an evening out...which includes exploring not only the local spots, but the local cuisine as well. YUM. This is my favorite little routine. :)

Anyways, just in case you are ever to visit these islands, here are our favorite spots!!

Providenciales

Magnolia Wine Bar - set high up on the hill overlooking Turtle Cove, you can see all of the lights down below, and the water. The food was probably our favorite all trip - among the things to try: The house specialty (seared ahi), and lobster pasta.
Las Brisas - right on the shore of Chalk Sound. Open-air and wonderful! Yummy food and definitely a memorable dinner.
da Conch Shack - a totally casual (yet spendy) little spot with picnic tables set right on the beach. They serve fresh conch just about any way you can imagine. And pitchers of rum punch!
Mango Reef - the restaurant at our hotel. Set right on the beach. Delicious seafood, probably our favorite grouper and snapper the whole trip. Can't beat the view. We ate here a few times for both lunch and dinner. At lunch: amazing lobster quesdilla, fish tacos, and club sandwich. Dinner: like I said, you gotta order the fresh fish of the islands!
Hemingways - also on Grace Bay Beach, a romantic oceanside restaurant!
Tiki Hut - visit on Wednesdays for their chicken & rib night - the place is packed!!
Shark Bite - if you want just a causal burger or fish sandwich, go here. You can watch the sharks swim in Turtle Cove right below your table (there are lights shining into the water at night).
Baci - Italian, right in Turtle Cove

North Caicos

Last Chance Bar & Grill - If you take the boat across to North Caicos, YOU HAVE TO GO HERE!! It's owned by a retired couple, who are just enjoying every minute of their quiet island life. Literally three tables in the whole place, and it's set right on the cliff of the most turquoise water you've ever seen. Spectacular. Be careful too or your head might hit the ceiling...the building is OLD! The owner claims to have invented the Rum Runner (cocktail) back in the 70s, and so of course we ordered a round. Tasty! Must try the FRESH fish sandwich!!

turks & caicos

2012-02-08T14:39:00.000-08:00

The three of us just returned from 9 days in paradise, also known as the Turks & Caicos Islands! These small islands are British territory, located in the Caribbean right next to Cuba. The water here is as turquoise as you can imagine, and calm and shallow which makes for great swimming...and an even better place to take kiddos (....Yep! We took the little babe!).

Here are some pics from our adventures, as well as a few family shots mixed in. We invited Jeff's mom and stepdad to come along with, which was SO fun (we each had rooms at the Alexandra resort). Lots of relaxing, laughing, swimming, snorkeling, and sipping back a few beers or rum punches. :) Our hotel was located on Grace Bay, just voted the best beach in the world....and we agreed! Fortunately we were also able to explore many other beaches too though, as well as the North and Middle Caicos islands which were far less populated (can we say off-roading jungle adventure? oh and did I just bring my baby along?!). The food....ah, the food...on Providenciales, the island we stayed on, did not disappoint...we had several memorable meals. But more on that later!

fresh fish...my fav

2012-02-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

I am borderline obsessed with seafood....and a fresh fillet of fish is hard to resist, I must admit! The local grocery store I frequently visit suggested their Cod, because it was so fresh. When I asked for suggestions of how to prepare it (I always love new ideas), here is the recipe the fish guy gave me. Jeff and I tried it that night and it's to die for! So much flavor.

1 stick of butter, softened

1 shallot, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

zest of 1 lime

zest of 1 lemon

zest of 1 orange

Fresh/dry dill

Blend or mix it all together. Form into a log-shape in saran wrap, and freeze. Slice after it's frozen (I only used a little bit and then re-froze the rest). When you bake your fish, put a pat of the butter underneath the fillet before baking. Then after the fish is baked, throw another one on top to melt. YUMMERs!!!

nostrana

2011-11-16T19:51:00.001-08:00

Almost a month ago now, Jeff and I got out for few hours for a date night...leaving our babe with her absolutely wonderful and sweet nanny, Natasha. We have a list of restaurants we haven't gotten out to yet, and Nostrana was on it even though I visited several years ago. Nostrana has been here for years (I went six years ago), and it's packed tight on weekends. Definitely make a reservation!

I have to say, the atmosphere was one of my favorite things about our evening. It's dimly lit, cozy, yet in a large warehouse space. A big pizza oven sits in the corner wall, and just gives off a warm vibe. We split a bottle of wine, a delightful cheese platter, each had delicious entrees, and shared an insanely yummy berry cobbler. I chose a seafood pasta, and Jeff went with the roasted chicken (not his favorite but I liked mine). Next time we will absolutely try pizza, which Nostrana is known for.

What a great date night spot, and what a special date night! So important to get away, as much as we adore and love our babe, and we were reminded to do it regularly in the future.

If you haven't been to Nostrana, grab your significant other and try it out!

jeff on notcot

2011-09-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

We found out today that Jeff's portfolio was featured on a big design website, NOTCOT! On this site, an internal team combs the internet for post-worthy design items, which means I'm so proud of my hubby for being featured!

Check out his portfolio posting on NOTCOT here. So proud of you lovey!

jeff goes to africa

2011-09-23T21:56:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Jeff was told he might have the opportunity to travel to Africa for a work project. AFRICA!!! So awesome. And yes, quite an opportunity! Weiden and Kennedy is doing a project with a non-profit organization called The Girl Effect, that was started by the Nike Foundation. He would travel to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. This trip couldn't have come at a more "inconvenient" time...being that we just had a baby seven weeks earlier, and Jeff was going to be gone over two weeks. However, you all know our extreme passions for travel. I wanted to go just as much as Jeff did! We really struggled back and forth over whether he should go...Ella was still so little, only a few weeks old, and it was an overwhelming thought for me to be on my own for so long with a newborn baby. But in the end we both knew I would be okay and we both would've hated for him to miss out on such an incredible opportunity. That's one thing I am proud of in our relationship - we've always let each other do what we needed to do - and I hope we can continue to always be this way.

Now it's already been almost two weeks and Jeff will be getting home on Monday. I've spent the past twelve days in Seattle with my family, and what a wonderful time it's been. Such a treat to have so much time with them. My parents and Alison got great bonding time with Ella, which helped me a lot, and I too had a great time with my babe...also seeing friends, shopping, and relaxing with my fam. We had lovely weather almost the entire time and my parents spoiled me.

I will certainly post more details and pictures of Jeff's trip, but in the meantime here is a collage of photos Jeff took while at a wildlife refuge (?) in Kenya. While there he saw a ton of amazing animals...even lions eating zebras (sad!!!).

More details to come!! :) xoxo

Saying goodbye to Ella at the airport :(

seattle for labor day

2011-09-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

We spent the long Labor Day weekend in Seattle - and wow did we choose a good weekend for sunny weather! It was the warmest I've seen it up there in a long time. Saturday night my Uncle Tom and Aunt Janice hosted a family BBQ for all of the relatives (my side), which was also fun because Ella got to meet everyone. We're just a bit bitter and not even going to mention the Duck game, which was taking place at the same time....Jeff watched most of it, and I caught glimpses of some, but it was a sad sight! Hopefully the Ducks do better this season than they did in their first game!

Here are a few pics from the weekend...

Auntie Alison with El and Chloe

Cheering on the Ducks

Oh what a view!

Ella and her Great-Grandma Dorothy

black butte

2011-08-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

A couple weekends ago we took our annual summer trip to Black Butte with Jeff's family. Always look forward to this every year, and only wish we could've stayed for longer. The sun was shining and it was HOT! Here are some pics of the relaxing weekend - loved getting to share Ella with her grandparents and extended family! She was passed around like a little hot potato...I'm sure she just loved all the attention. ;)

Ella with her great-Grandma

Ella with her Grandma Susie

Afternoon snuggle time with Grandpa Terry

getaway to the beach

2011-08-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

The week before Jeff had to go back to work, we decided we needed to get out of town. We had a lot of visitors, which is amazing to have so many wonderful friends and family, but we found ourselves really needing some time just our family. We took off to Cannon Beach for a couple of days, with Chloe too of course, and soaked up some great sunshine and really were able to relax. The weather couldn't have been more perfect! We really enjoyed ourselves....opened a bottle of wine we'd been saving for months....and even had a lovely little date at a yummy Caribbean food restaurant, Tini Tiki Hut (meanwhile our sleeping angel didn't make a peep the whole time from her carseat below - lucky us).

Morning walk with our coffee

beach tradition - beers outside at the Warren House Pub

the past two weeks (and ella's first two!)

2011-08-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

The past two weeks have been two of the most amazing and awesome times of my life. Full of new challenges and definitely frustrations…but also full of new memories and lots of fun. Jeff had the past 19 days off which was such a treat for the three of us to be together on "vacation" (for the most part it really did feel like one). The first week home from the hospital we were lucky enough to have my mom here for an entire week…she took such amazing care of us, and everything around the house, so that we could focus on our little babe.

I expected to feel exhausted…and overwhelmed…don't get me wrong, there were those moments, especially after the delivery…and the first couple nights home from the hospital. But for the most part, I felt surprisingly rested. I guess everyone's experiences are different - and maybe it's because Ella is a good sleeper. I have found myself even more smitten with my husband than I was before, and just totally in awe of the fact that he is mine - he is an incredible daddy, a helper and a true servant like you wouldn't believe, and I have just so enjoyed our time together these past few weeks. I keep thinking to myself how blessed I am to have these two people in my life.

The first few days of Ella's life were spent in the hospital, as you read about in the post below. The first days back at home were low-key, with a few outings here and there - errands, lunch out, etc. Recovery was uncomfortable and annoying, but I have to admit I was surprised at how quickly I felt better - around day six I was feeling a lot like my normal self again. Jeff, my mom, and I were able to get out and do lots these past couple weeks, which is always what I pictured because I've never been one to do well sitting at home. One afternoon Jeff and I met his parents out at Bergstrom winery for wine tasting and a picnic lunch. Last week him and I spent a couple days at Cannon Beach, with Ella and Chloe too of course - went for walks, had beer at our favorite pub, went to a nice dinner, and took long walks along the beach. I spent an afternoon with my mom and Maggie getting mani/pedis, and Jeff got away golfing a couple of times (and to watch LA Galaxy vs. the Timbers). We BBQ'ed here one night with our moms and Jeff's two brothers Andy and Phil. We had nightly happy hour on the back deck together…when it was warm enough…silly weather. My mom and Jeff had a little outing to get coffee and pick out a new Mac laptop for my mom - quite the bonding experience they both said, haha. Went for walks to Peet's coffee. Did some yard work and built steps on our deck. Did some shopping. Ate a yummy dinner at one of our favs, Piazza Italia, downtown. Visited the Beaverton farmers market one Saturday morning. Went to a couple of our first pediatrician appointments (Ella - 28% for weight, 92% for height…string bean? :) Got Ella's newborn pictures taken. And…last but not least, Jeff made it to his best friend Gregg's wedding in Eugene, where he was the best man. Whew! Sounds like a whirlwind…and it kind of was…but there was lots of relaxing and snuggling with our baby girl going on too.

Just wanted to share some of the moments from the past couple weeks. I hope I can remember these times forever!

Hours after Ella was born - and the cute little hat my sister made for her :)

No mistaking this baby is a girly girl!

Her many expressions are priceless

Our favorite spot - out on the back deck

Smiling in her sleep

Focusing SO hard on that book!

Getting in lots of snuggle time with Daddy before he goes back to work

These two love to nap!

Another great face!

Afternoon wine tasting at Bergstrom

Lookin' so teeny tiny in that car seat

Snuggle time

The sibs starting to get acquainted

I love these sweet faces

Chloe is maybe starting to realize that Ella's not going anywhere...

little miss ella kennedy

2011-08-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world, baby girl! Last Thursday, July 21 at 11:18 pm, Ella Kennedy Meakins made her arrival into our little family. She is absolutely perfect - it's crazy how much we loved her from the very beginning. The delivery went better than I could've ever hoped it would!

Tuesday, July 19

At our doctor's appointment on Monday, we learned that my blood pressure was a bit high. I went back the next day to have it checked again. Later Tuesday afternoon, my doctor called to tell us she had decided to induce my labor the next day, Wednesday night, before my blood pressure rose any higher. So...the rest of Tuesday and all day Wednesday, we readied ourselves and tied up any loose ends before we checked in to the hospital later that night.

Wednesday, July 20

Wednesday at 7:00 was our appointed check-in time, so it was somewhat of a surprise when we got a call at 6:15 telling us the hospital didn't have enough nurses, and that we should just wait for a call saying it was okay to come in. My wonderful friend Maggie, who is a postpartum nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital in Portland - and just one of the most sweet, encouraging people that I know - had been ready and waiting for days because we planned for her to be there for the entire labor and delivery experience. I was so comforted knowing she would be there - someone who Jeff and I love and trust, and also who has loads of experience with labor, delivery, and postpartum care.

So, the three of us went and had dinner at Pizzicato as we waited for the hospital to call. We got the word around 8 p.m. that I needed to check in later that night at 11 p.m. It was a relief knowing it wouldn't be postponed for too much longer! I was ready to get the show on the road...which is somewhat of an understatement!

At 11 p.m. I was greeted by my first nurse - Amber - and got all situated in my room, my IV placed, and swallowed a Misoprostol pill which was supposed to get labor started. Maggie, Jeff, and I were up until around 1:30 when we finally caught a few zzz's...my nurse gave me a sleeping pill so I could rest, which I needed especially because some minor contractions were starting up....

Thursday, July 21

Around 5 a.m. things began picking up a little more, after I was given a second dose of Misoprostol, as well as a small dose of Fentanol, to ease some of the discomfort. I think the words "I feel high as a kite" may have been used, but I felt much better and was able to sleep a little more. :) I was sad to see my wonderful nurse Amber go around 7 a.m. when there was a shift change, and she was replaced with a different nurse who…just wasn't as good as Amber (I honestly just think we were a bad match). Maggie encouraged me to ask for a new nurse - afterall, we would be spending the next twelve hours together, and possibly she would be there for the delivery. So Jeff marched on down the hall and took care of things for me (what a great hubby he is :) and I was assigned a new nurse, Mary, who I just adored. The on-call doctor, Dr. Stewart, came in around 8:00 a.m. to check me and at that point I was around 3 cm dilated. Around 9:30, Dr. Olmstead (my OB) finally came in and attempted to break my water, but wasn't successful, so she started a very low dose of Pitocin, which also induces labor. I was a bit hesitant because I have heard such horror stories about the itensity of inductions using pitocin, but the dose was so small, all was under control. By late morning, I was having even stronger contractions, and was dilated to 4 cm. Moderately uncomfortable, and the anesthesiologist was going to be unavailable between 12-1:30. I chatted with Mary, and we decided it was time to get the epidural. This was the part I had been dreading for months. Have you seen the size of that needle?

…But…I couldn't believe, it was no big whoop!! After another dose of pain meds, we were all laughing and joking and talking about Hawaii as the giant needle went straight into my back…I couldn't hardly feel a thing, and couldn't believe I had worried about this for so long when it didn't hurt more than a pin poke. After the epidural was done, my legs began to feel numb and I was able to sleep for a few more hours. Dr. Olmstead stopped back in shortly after the epidural, and saw that my water had actually started to break on its own. All was looking good. By 3:30 p.m. I was dilated to around 6 cm.

By mid afternoon, I started to regain feeling in my right leg…and also started feeling sharp pains from the stronger contractions, but only on my right side. This happens sometimes with epidurals I was told. So for the next several hours, the anesthesiologist kept popping back in and giving me stronger doses of the medication, which would help temporarily, but the sharp pains eventually returned. As annoying as these pains were, they still were nothing compared to what some women go through who receive no epidural…I felt like kind of a pansy, but my mentality through this whole thing was pretty much…if I don't have to feel anything why should I? Oh boy, I'm not going to even pretend to be tough. Maggie and Jeff were so great the entire time…constantly refilling my plethora of different beverages, and doing many other things to keep me relaxed which I honestly don't remember. :)

By 8:00 p.m. I was almost fully dilated, at 8-9 cm. Instead of re-administering the whole epidural, which they were planning to do if things didn't improve, the anesthesiologist was able to adjust the tubing in my back and this corrected the problems with my numbness being uneven. From here on out, I was feeling great! Not a wink of pain. Dr. Lisa Gorenson, the on-call doctor and one who would be delivering our baby, came in and introduced herself. She was so calm, encouraging, and wonderful! Around this time the nurses realized I was running a slight fever, most likely from my water breaking so much earlier that day. They gave me a round of antibiotics in my IV to eliminate any infection. I was then able to rest for the next hour and a half…and all was calm in the delivery room!

At 10:30 p.m. the doc came in, checked me out, and said "oh wow, I can see her head! I think we're ready to push!" I pushed for about 30 minutes, and little miss Ella Kennedy Meakins was born at 11:18 p.m. on the night of Thursday, July 21st, 2011 - exactly 42 minutes before her due date. She was 20.75" long and weighed 7 lb. 8 oz. which we just couldn't stop chuckling about because BOTH Jeff and I weighed 7 lb. 8 oz. at birth!

What a perfect and gorgeous little baby girl. I know all parents say that about their babies. She just couldn't be any cuter in our eyes. I know this little one will change our lives forever.

1 day before my due date! Ready to pop!

Just checked in to the hospital

The white board in my room...no hiding the fact that I am a pansy :)

First minutes of life

Such a proud daddy

Seconds after Ella was born

So happy...and so relieved!

Our wonderful night shift nurse, Mary Ann, who helped the night of the delivery

Wonderful and amazing Maggie, who never left my side!

Chloe meeting Ella for the first time

So sleeeeepy!

screen door

2011-07-17T10:29:00.000-07:00

YUM YUM YUM. Contrasting from the post below, if you're looking for a comfort food, huge-portions type of cozy spot, visit Screen Door! You may have to wait for an hour or two, but it's well worth the wait. Many Portland folks visit for the amazing breakfast, but we went for dinner. Love the open kitchen feel, the simple interior, and the food that sticks to your stomach. But most of all ... I found my new favorite dessert that maybe even tops Irving St. Kitchen's butterscotch pudding.

I would highly recommend the Screen Door Plate, which allows you to choose three selections and also comes with a side of delicious cornbread. I chose the local greens with strawberry salad, crispy fried catfish, and the macaroni and cheese. Yes, I know, a bit heavy :) Oh boy, but don't you just have to have one of these meals every now and then? Jeff went for the traditional southern specialty, crispy fried buttermilk-battered chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, and collard greens dripping in bacon fa--AHEM--juices. I was dying to try the lowcountry creamy grits, but will just have to save that one for next time!

And...oh, the dessert!!! Try the Ban-offee Pie! Our friends Katie and David introduced us to this one, and I swore I wasn't going to eat any I was so full. But when it came around, there was no turning back. Shortbread and pecan crust layered with caramel and bananas topped with whipped cream. See ya later, folks....I'm taking off to go get some right now.

YOU MUST eat here sooner rather than later!! Just a fun Portland dining experience!

DOC - a culinary experience

2011-07-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I are all about the experience when we go eat somewhere special. I love love that he appreciates food as much as I do. Yesterday was our 6th anniversary, and Jeff had made reservations at a teeny little spot we've heard amazing things about, called DOC (make reservations way in advance because it really gets full on weekends). It's right off Killingsworth, on NE 30th, tucked away in an adorable little neighborhood. The restaurant is just about as quaint and cozy inside as it looks to be from the outside (maybe a total of 10 tables?). I knew right away...this is going to be my type of dinner.

Upon entering the restaurant, you walk right through the kitchen, and sometimes even get a little welcome from the chefs. Our table was right in the front, allowing for an optimal view to watch the team prepare their culinary masterpieces. The menu (which is printed every day) listed an array of flavors, and it was obvious that each selection had been carefully planned with great attention to detail. As you can somewhat see in the picture, the chefs took time and care to present everything beautifully.

DOC offers a 5-course tasting menu, which is an absolute steal for $55/person. With this, you get Ken's Artisan bread/olives/butter, two antipasti, two primi (a pasta), two secondi (main course), and two desserts. It's quite a bit of food! We ate a late lunch and weren't too hungry so we ordered a la carte but will definitely be going back for a try of the tasting menu on a special occasion.

Thinking of this blog, I did want to whip out the camera for every course....but I restrained myself :) Among the things we tried...

Ken's artisan bread with olives and butter
A selection of local cow and sheep cheeses with fruit purees (aaaaamazing)
Cavatelli pasta with mutton sugo and pecorino (similar to a red sauce with meat but not really)
Sturgeon with cauliflower butter over cauliflower, fava, and scape (some funny but awesome looking veggies!)
And for dessert....ahh, summer berries with hazelnuts and basil ice cream over top (huckleberries, golden raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries)...a truly amazing combination which I will definitely attempt to re-create at home!

It was the attention to detail that we so appreciated and noticed! Jeff ordered wine, and instead of him just ordering off of a by-the-glass wine menu (there isn't one), they brought several bottles over and let him taste before he chose which one suited his fancy. With our dessert, they poured us a complimentary "house favorite" white wine simply because it paired splendidly with our dessert. Each time a course was brought to our table, the server explained in detail what we were about to eat and where it came from. The service was fabulous, with one server tending to all of the tables. It was such an intimate eating experience! The food was being specially created just for us, and by people who view food as art and worthy of their time.

Definitely would recommend eating at DOC if you are looking for a special night out!

coolest little thing!

2011-07-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

Just saw this great lil' device on my friend Kir's blog, Restored Style, and wanted to help get the word out there. This rad alarm clock was designed by some local Portland peeps, and if they raise enough money by August 19, they will start producing it and make it available to all of us!! I can just see my hubby loving one of these. Maybe then we can finally get rid of our ghetto little clock which I've had since 5th grade. Visit kickstarter's site here, and the Restored Style page here.

preview: nursery of ella kennedy

2011-07-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a little preview of the work we have been doing to get this nursery looking good before the arrival of our little bundle! Hard to tell from the pictures, but the walls are a light gray (not green :), and the rest of the colors don't look quite accurate either. There are definitely still some finishing touches and accessories that will be added - the chair still needs to be covered (in white textured fabric), more colorful pillows added, a mobile hung (still trying to find one I like!), and a couple more things to go on the walls. But, here is the raw finished product!

Here is the chair that still has yet to be covered. The drum shade is from Anthropologie but I found it on Craigslist. Accessories: West Elm. Framed print: Etsy. Shelf: Ikea.

I couldn't resist this little birdie and the matching "bouquet" that went with it from West Elm - added a girlie touch :) And I always have just loved the lyrics to "You are My Sunshine"...

Changing table - I had a changing pad cover made to match the sheets.

I decided to get crafty with some paper, lace, and mod-podge one afternoon...

Another great use for the popular Expedit bookcase from Ikea :) This will hold toys and books! Print: Etsy.

I had all of the crib bedding custom made by an Etsy artist - all of the different fabrics are from the "It's a Hoot" line by MoMo for Moda.

Jeff designed these cool prints! Just love the definition of her name - a bright and shining light.

A better shot at one of the fabrics. The turquoise is actually lighter than this.

Another bedding option, with the bumper on.

Closet organization = success! These bins from Ikea sure helped put good use to the shelving system I designed.

Coco Bloom baby bouncer/lounger, which looks cool, but let's hope she likes to use it too! :)

a lazy saturday

2011-07-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

Well, we are only a couple of weeks away from meeting our baby girl now! Or days? Or hours? She really could be here anytime. Which is one thing I'm not liking about this whole adventure - all of the unknowns, and not being able to really plan for them.

Normally our weekends are pretty busy it seems, but somehow on this long, 4th of July weekend we found ourselves with notta-lotta! Yesterday as we were walking and chatting, we decided it's pretty perfect really - three days together with nothing planned has been an absolute gift in disguise. Jeff and I have had such a blast together, and it probably came at the most perfect time because it could be our last weekend just us two, for a while. Here are a couple pics from our sunny day downtown yesterday - at the Saturday market, a walk along the waterfront, and lunch outside at Cafe Yumm on 3rd Ave.

Our life is about to change. People everywhere keep asking us - are you ready? My answer would be - can we be? for something we have never done before? What is "ready"? It will all be a day-by-day adventure and learning experience. I know it's not going to be all easy. I feel so incredibly blessed to have such a wealth of people surrounding us who have gone through this before and who I know will positively encourage us as we go. We know some things will change...but we fully believe that other things, our little girl will learn to adapt to. Jeff and I both have passions...family, friends, travel, food, experiencing new things, getting outdoors, and the list goes on...and we are wholeheartedly committed to submerging our girl in these things too! No one around us has hid the fact that it will be more work to travel now :)...maybe so...but maybe it'll be worth the extra energy to keep doing what we love and to show our child what is out there in the world? The challenge gets us excited - and I cannot wait for our little family to develop new traditions and passions together too. I look forward to the little getaways we will have just Jeff and I, and also the ones where we will go with our babe. I feel thankful that Jeff and I have had six years of marriage before this to know each other, to travel, to talk, explore, and try new things.

So here's to the next chapter - an adventure - I can't wait for what's ahead!

father's day

2011-07-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

On Father's Day we had the most splendid afternoon. We spent the day with Jeff's dad (Roger), stepmom (Mindy), and two of his brothers (Sam and Phil), soaking up sunshine and stuffing ourselves silly with wonderful food. One thing I always appreciate about going to Roger and Mindy's house is that they love food just as much as I do. To say we eat well whenever we are at their house would be an understatement! This particular day it was BBQ steaks, shrimp, potatoes, grilled caesar salads...and just when I thought I might explode...(keep in mind that because of the baby my now-miniscule stomach is squished up near my neck at this point, folks)...Mindy served fresh berries over homemade shortcake with whipped cream for dessert. The best summer dessert in my mind! The three brothers were in full-swing boy mode, jumping into the pool with their clothes on, shooting guns, getting into wrestling matches, and doing what boys do. Chloe even took a swim in the pool...she's turned into quite the little swimmer, that little one.

Here's to all of the wonderful dads out there - including my wonderful darling who is soon-to-be one! :)

farmers market

2011-07-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

We have always loved farmers markets in the summertime! Recently we expanded our horizons to the Beaverton Farmers Market, because so many of our friends go there often and love it. I was so surprised to see how HUGE it was - a much bigger market than the other ones around Portland in my opinion (I also have liked Lake Oswego's in the past). I think most of us don't realize how many amazing LOCAL food companies exist - ones that offer such quality foods. Did you know that for each day a vegetable or fruit is traveling/not eaten after it has been harvested/picked, the vitamins slowly diminish? Not to mention, buying local foods = using fewer resources.

This particular morning Jeff and I meandered the aisles, bought some basil and mint plants for the garden; sampled fresh breads, homemade hummus, an assortment of fresh soups, and a host of other samples from vendors. Ate lunch at a wood-fired pizza cart - best pizza I've had in a long time - and then grabbed a juicy, fresh strawberry shortcake piled high with whipped cream for dessert. I think Jeff and I just about started a spoon war as we frantically struggled to scoop up every last bite before the other could get it. DEEE-lish.

It was a warm and gorgeous day - my idea of a perfect Saturday morning with my hubby! Shop local when you can - you'll enjoy the experience, and I think the food tastes better too. :)

gas works park

2011-07-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

Over Memorial Day weekend (yes that was a month ago...so I have dropped the ball on the blogging lately...) we spent a fabulous long weekend in Seattle with my parents. The weather was gorgeous every day for the most part - one afternoon we decided to explore Gas Works Park, which is where this picture of Jeff and me was taken (I am 32 weeks prego here). If you're ever in Seattle, make sure you get over to this waterfront park and check it out!

isn't he a cutie?

2011-07-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

Hee hee, this picture of Jeff when he was little just makes me grin from ear to ear. :)

congrats to my daddio

2011-06-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

My dad surprised us all recently when he quietly announced his retirement from a long career (36 years!) with Social Security, at only the young age of 57. Lucky duck!! I just wanted to acknowledge what an amazing career he had - there are so many people who admired him and respected him over the years. What I observed about him over the years was his ability to lead and manage people with humility, fairness, honesty, and dedication. This picture of him and my mom and sis is at his retirement reception, which unfortunately Jeff and I couldn't be at. Wonderful things were spoken about him, and I wish we could've been there! People keep asking me - what's your dad going to do now? - one thing's for sure, he won't be sitting around folks! This summer is already booked up with twice-weekly hikes through the mountains with my two uncles. And after that, the sky is the limit!

CONGRATS, DAD! :)

jamie jones photography

2011-06-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share the talents of my friend, Jamie, who is a local photographer, and a talented and creative one! She recently did a little photo shoot with me to remember this maternal state I am currently in :) ... but she also does everything else - weddings, senior pics, and amazingly creative newborn shots. She is a sweetie and so fun to work with!

Visit her blog here, and her professional website here.

no way...really?

2011-06-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

Just had to post this pic - my mom was on a plane for work recently and saw this! Apparently this Great Dane was a "service dog" but the only place he could fit was on an actual seat! Not something you see everyday, eh?

butterscotch pudding

2011-06-15T09:02:00.001-07:00

My absolutely favorite dessert as of late - a few of you know this already - is the butterscotch pudding from Irving St. Kitchen. A few times now this lusciousness has graced my lips, and the other day my sweet hubby surprised me and brought it home for my birthday. The restaurant offers a to-go version, also in an adorable little Mason jar, but minus the crispy cookies and whip cream that normally come along side it. The pudding also comes topped with a banana-caramel goody-goodness layered on top of it ... ahh, I am drooling as I write this. You must try it!

baby shower

2011-05-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, my dear friends threw a baby shower for me and baby girl meakins. I am so so blessed to have such amazing friends, and it was special to have the grandmas-to-be there for the afternoon as well.

Check out a few pics of the lovely event - such a classy affair - everything was perfect and pink! :)

Delicious cupcakes, compliments of Karrie :)

Wonderful peeps! Kristin & baby Josiah, Whit, and Kristen

I have so many wonderful mama friends to learn from. :)

My amazing and beautiful hostess, Maggie! You throw one gorgeous party my friend!

My mom and sis, Alison

skamania lodge surprise getaway

2011-05-23T15:33:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, my friend Maggie and I bought Living Social deals that were just too good to pass up - 18 holes of golf with a cart at Skamania Lodge - as a surprise for our husbands. We decided to make a weekend of it, and stay the night at the lodge too. This little secret of ours has been brewing since March and it was fun to finally unleash the surprise on Friday night when we told Jeff and Pete! They were so excited about getting away for the weekend, and even more so about playing 18 holes of golf on a really nice course. :) Of course there was something good in this for us.......we spent the afternoon getting massages and facials at the spa. Ahh, what a relaxing day.

Even more important and noteworthy was the fact that I do not have the best track record of keeping secrets :)...but I did it! Jeff was so surprised! If you ask me, surprise getaways are just about one of the best things you can do for someone. Who doesn't fantasize about being whisked away to a surprise destination, knowing someone took time to plan every detail thoughtfully just for you?

The evening was memorable as well - tons of laughter with our good pals, Maggie and Pete, and a special dinner at the restaurant. We felt like sumo wrestlers as we left, stuffed full of delicious entrees and absolutely huge desserts for each one of us (no sharing!!). Even at breakfast the next morning in the more casual lounge, the views were spectacular from our table. What a beautiful place - we kept talking about how great it is to live in a place where there are so many spectacular spots like this one, only an hour away.

baby girl's closet

2011-05-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I had the whole day to myself to "accomplish stuff" - Jeff was away for the night with his brothers for some guy time (which included 27 holes of golf, lots of beer drinking, and much obnoxiousness I'm sure). Our project list keeps growing as we prepare for baby meakins' arrival, and I decided it was time to do something about her closet. Afterall...we need to take pride in making a beautiful home for our clothes. :) Here is a picture of her closet before I began the project...

I have to say, I was quite proud of myself. This is a project I would never normally tackle without Jeff's help - I loathe activities such as configuring shelves and using a screwdriver, much less making a long trip to Home Depot by myself. BUT...time is precious, and maybe all these pregnancy hormones gave me the extra determination to get this job done.

I looked at different closet organization systems online, but all were pre-set for specific closet sizes, and baby's is quite small (which is unfortunate - thankfully her clothes are pint-sized for the time being :). In the end I remembered a client telling me she used basic shelving from Home Depot for her nursery, so I decided to sketch out a little something just in case this was a good option. I wanted to maximize my shelving space, but also leave a larger spot for a clothes hamper or diaper disposal thingy. Here is my basic sketch...

I took my little amateur sketch to Home Depot and cornered an employee on the closet organization aisle...sir, is this something that would be pretty easy to install? to which he said yes! Maybe about 15 minutes later, my cart was loaded with all of the materials I would need to assemble the organization system, including three custom-cut shelves.

Got home, busted out the screwdriver, figured out how to install some drywall screws, and got the basic bracket system attached to the closet wall. After that, the rest of the system basically snapped into place and wa-la!! Baby girl now has a LOT more room for her growing wardrobe. The picture below is very preliminary! I plan on adding a lot more bins to the shelves for toys, accessories, etc. Shoes will be lined up on the floor below, and the remaining shelf space will be used for folded clothes and other extra gear. Also I still need to figure out what to do about all of that wasted space in the top of the closet.

You should've seen Jeff's face when he got home and see what I had done - he couldn't stop laughing....probably picturing my 31-weeks-pregnant self designing a closet system, going to Home Depot and loading up the cart, then installing it all myself. Now that's determination! :)

drowning islands

2011-05-05T09:38:00.001-07:00

Hi friends! Just wanted to share with you a cause that my amazing sister-in-law, Brook, has been very passionate about and working hard on as of late. She recently was at the UN climate negotiations in Thailand, a conference that is very competitive to get accepted into. Check out the e-mail from her below, visit her website, and feel free to subscribe to her blog! :)

Drowning Islands

I wanted to share a new project that I'm really excited about, and that's been in the works for quite some time.

I just started a blog called www.drowningislands.com- a portal for stories from those impacted by climate change across the globe, as well as interesting insights into the relocation problem and just the intersection of climate change and human rights in general. As you most likely know, I'm an attorney with a solo practice that provides traditional and non-traditional advocacy services for my clients. But you might not know that I also have a climate justice/environmental advocacy branch of my practice that is growing, and it's the area of my practice that really excites me! I went to the UN climate negotiations in Bangkok last month, will be attending the negotiations in Germany in June, and have started putting together an advocacy training course that I'm taking (pro bono) across the globe later in the year to help train non-profit conservationists in the art of advocacy. This portion (the pro bono advocacy trainings) has generated a lot of interest because there are so many beautiful groups of committed and caring people in the world that feel underprepared to advocate for their causes. I am seeking financial contributions for the expenses (air travel, mostly) for these trainings, so if this is something you're interested in helping with, please let me know.

If there is ever something I can do to assist you in your work or interest, please let me know! It is so great to know that there are others out there who are fighting the good fight too!

If you want to do me a favor, tell your facebook friends about the blog- even if you're not an environmentalist or a "humanitarian", you probably have lots of friends who are and I'd love to connect with them. And please subscribe to the blog yourself - even if only to see my pictures from my travels!

Very sincerely,
Brook
www.drowningislands.com

jade teahouse

2011-05-02T19:14:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to post about this adorable little restaurant - Jade Teahouse! My friend Andrea introduced me to it years ago, as a fabulous lunch spot. You will find it's often packed to the brim with people, but usually you can find a spot to eat by the time you order your food at the counter.

A little fact about the restaurant owner that makes this gem even more of a gem...at least I think so: She traveled the world for many years, and lived in all of the places where the food at Jade gets its influence from. On the menu you will find a combination of food from Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and France. France...is that kinda random? you might say. Not when you see the delectable French pastries made in-house by the owner herself...including macaroons and cakes of all kinds. I went straight for the black rice pudding topped with coconut milk and green tea. DELISH.

Go for dinner, or for lunch. All of the food is made in-house. You will find noodle dishes, amazing and tender meats, seafoods, rices, pho, and lots more. Check out the website here.

FRONT: House tea (thanks, baby meakins for forcing me to try tea instead of my usual wine...it was delish), BACKGROUND: remainder of fresh wide noodles with shrimp

Grilled Sesame Beef

Fresh spring rolls!

san diego getaway

2011-05-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we jetted off for a few days to a wonderful, warm, and sunny place....San Diego. Both of us love this city, and it seemed like an easy choice when we wanted (I NEEDED) a few things:

a few days of quality time together before baby Meakins makes her appearance
sunshine and warmth
some delicious food
relaxation!

Jeff couldn't say no to his baby's mama so off we went! :)

Here are some highlights from the trip...most of them include eating, so try not to get too hungry from these pictures. Huge thanks to M+P for the great suggestions all around!

Daily visits (well, 3 out of 4) to Hector's to get the most delicious breakfast burrito on the planet. By end of trip, we awoke with a ravenous hunger as our stomachs became accustomed to this staple.
Beach time!! La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Coronado. The sun was shining and it was pretty much a constant 70 degrees. Our poor Oregon sun-deprived bodies were somewhat sun-shocked and are still recovering....
The most amazing Easter breakfast ever (our one morning not at Hector's) at the Mission restaurant. Order the french toast!!
A sunny afternoon walk and people-watching session along Mission Beach and the boardwalk.
Several romantic dinners with my hubby!
Pool lounging time
Padres vs. Phillies game
Lots of laughs
Exploring Coronado island and the cute little shops, beaches, and restaurants
Four great nights' sleep in a very comfortable bed :)

Several of the above bulleted items are things we may be "missing" for a while once baby girl arrives, so Jeff and I will just be basking in these glorious memories for the next few months. :) But....I know with the institution of frequent babysitters they will soon make a return! Trips like this, even short weekend ones, can make you so thankful for such an amazing husband or wife. So start planning! :)

Sitting on our hotel balcony at sunset, overlooking the marina and the bay to the left

Walking on the pier at Ocean Beach

Mission Beach boardwalk

Coronado Beach

At the Padres game

Good times together :)

Baby bump shot: 27 weeks

Sitting by the pool at our hotel

Hector's breakfast burritos are not to be underestimated...

mississippi avenue food carts

2011-04-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

Despite the rain, on Sunday morning we decided to take my parents to Mississippi Avenue to explore the eclectic shops a bit, drink some quality coffee, and eat lunch at the food carts. Portland is famous for its food carts - you can find clusters of them in many different areas around town, but Mississippi Ave. is home to some of the best ones. One of our favorite spots, Prost, is next door, and they happily allow customers to bring food from the carts into their adorable, light-strung patio area, as long as you are also drinking the delicious German beer from Prost.

What does a pregnant gal do when faced with multiple food carts that all look mind-blowingly amazing?! Stand there, eyes glazed, slowly shifting incoherently from cart to cart, and drool. I got several funny looks from the cart owners...like, "can I help you miss???" Everything looked so darn yummy, I just couldn't make up my mind!!

My mom and I finally settled on delicious savory waffles from Flavor Spot. I ordered a cornmeal savory waffle with a scramble on top, made with eggs, a tiny bit of bacon, green onions, a little cheese, and some spinach. My dad and Jeff visited another food cart for some chicken-fried-steak sandwiches topped with a fried egg and some cheese, all slammed between a brioche bun. Wowsers - gut bomb! But it was de-lish.

So next time you're looking for something to do...stroll down Mississippi Ave!! Visit Fresh Pot for some Stumptown coffee, browse the vast array of adorable shops, pop into the Rebuilding Center just to see what it's all about, and grab a snack at the food carts. Oh, and stop to pee three times along the way (that's what I did...thanks baby meakins :).

The eating area at the food carts - it's covered, but bring your jackets!

My savory cornmeal waffle with scramble on top

My cutie pie parents

blueberries and the start of a garden

2011-04-11T18:19:00.000-07:00

I AM DYING WITH EXCITEMENT!!! For my birthday (next month), my parents' gift to me was to buy me some blueberry plants and help us get a garden started. I am super lucky in the fact that my mom is a landscape architect and knows all about these garden things, because I do not! I have never been one to enjoy getting my hands dirty :) ... but I think we may have entered a new chapter because I have a new motivation for getting dirty...the FOOD (that is growing in the garden)!!

First my mom told me that most blueberry plants do not produce any fruit for several years. Of course I did not like this answer. So I started looking on Craigslist, and found a guy out in Estacada who was selling some eight-year old plants that would "produce a ton of fruit this year" the ad said (time will tell...). My mom said this would be our only option for getting a lot of berries this year. So we made the trek out there, brought home three luscious blueberry plants, and started getting dirty! I could squeal with excitement over picking blueberries from my own backyard this summer!

Jeff and my dad whipped out a hefty garden box in just a few swift minutes, and now we even have room for me to plant some tomatoes, basil, chard, lettuce, or whatever else I choose! LOVE IT! Next year we will add another box next to the current one (maybe two :). Why not take advantage of this free land behind us?!

Jeff sprinkling grass seed to fill in the bare spots we turned over...Chloe inspecting the changes to her playground

Chloe: "Okay guys, I think all is looking good! Now if I could just find my frisbee..."

Dad taking a hard-earned break from the manual labor - Chloe is by his side, as usual

She was happy as a clam on this day - before planting we took a two-hour walk to Peet's coffee and back - bliss!

homemade coconut pancakes

2011-04-11T18:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, well I haven't been successful at locating (besides online) the Stonewall Kitchen Toasted Pancake & Waffle Mix I posted about a couple weeks ago...so...I found this recipe and tried it out on my parents this weekend while they were visiting. I got thumbs up from the eating crew, so I would say it's a winner! We topped with warm maple syrup, but it would surely be amazing with any type of banana topping or tropical sauce. Serve with bacon and eggs for the perfect sweet-savory breakfast combo!!

TOASTED COCONUT PANCAKES

1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
4 eggs, separated
1 1/2 C coconut milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C unsweetened coconut, toasted until light golden brown

Place all of the ingredients except the eggs whites into a bowl and mix to combine. Whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form and then fold into the batter. Lightly grease a frying pan with butter over medium low heat. Cook about 1/4 cup of batter at a time, about 3 minutes per side. You want to see air bubbles al over the top of the pancake before flipping it. Keep them warm in a 200 F oven while you finish making the rest.

the growing belly!

2011-04-08T10:36:00.001-07:00

This is for those of you who have been pestering me to post belly shots!! I have always said I would not be one to post a bunch of preggo pics of myself, but here are a few to make everyone happy. :)

Jeff and I are off to San Diego in a couple weeks for a little getaway before the baby comes...more pics will be posted then I'm sure. Love to you all!

16 weeks along...

19 weeks

21 weeks

23 weeks

maternity jeans... (dare i say these words?)

2011-04-02T18:05:00.001-07:00

So the rubber band trick on my regular jeans has still been doin' the job, but I have to say at this point it's clingin' on for dear life. :) It must be time to get some maternity jeans. The problem is...as my belly grows, all I long for is to wear my favorite jeans that make me feel good, and I CAN'T.

Until now!! A wonderful client let me in on a little secret: DZ Alterations. The owner of this polished and professional little alterations shop used to work for Nordstrom until she opened up her own location. Not only do they hem and tailor anything you want, but they will take any pair of jeans and convert them into maternity jeans for only $25!! I dropped off a pair of my older Hudson jeans, a pair that I don't wear very much, just to test out the process. I picked them up today and was pleasantly surprised - they fit perfectly!! The seamstress even included the original waistband from my jeans so I could bring them in to be converted back after the baby is born. I will definitely be returning with another pair!! What a deal - the Hudson maternity jeans cost around $200, and mine were $25.

Just a little tip for you mamas who are also appalled at the maternity clothing out there these days. :) I was about to start sewing my own!

isabel in the pearl

2011-04-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

Just had to post about this delicious little spot where we had breakfast last week with some friends. Isabel's Cantina is on the corner of NW 10th and Everett/Flanders in the Pearl district, and has an amazing breakfast - not to mention a modern and naturally lit space! Most of the walls completely open up in the summer. Haven't had a chance to eat lunch or dinner there yet, but all menus look superb!

For breakfast I had coconut french toast (lately it's been all about the coconut...), which was insanely wonderful. You can add two eggs and bacon to any breakfast for only $2.50! Other breakfast items which I considered include: Banana blackberry pancakes, a breakfast burrito, avocado scramble, coconut granola, or nirvana (marinated grilled tofu, brown rice, broccoli, zucchini, egg whites, and salsa). Doesn't everything just sound gobble-up-able??!!

Lunch consists of an array of latin flavors: rice bowls, soups, delightful salads, sandwiches, wraps, burrito, or quesadilla. For dinner you will see entrees ranging from an ahi platter (yum) to wild salmon or steak.

coconut pancakes

2011-03-31T08:50:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we spent the night at Jeff's dad's house and got some good family catch-up time in with Roger, Mindy, and Sam. Sunday morning we woke up to heavenly smells in the kitchen...bacon, eggs, and these absolutely delightful toasted coconut pancakes. I think I ate like five. I have been googling ever since to try and find a decent recipe that might compare, but will probably just end up ordering the real mix. Mindy picked up the mix from a small store in Arizona, but it can also be ordered on the Stonewall Kitchen website. Get yours here! We decided they would be decadent topped with carmelized bananas!

rosemary asiago & bartlett pears

2011-03-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

Yum.

I just discovered a delicious new snack. And lately these days, once I discover a snack I like, I eat it ... a lot.

Thank you (hippie) Trader Joe's employee, for launching into a tirade while I was in the check-out line the other day. He was going on and on about how people need to eat healthier, how we are too fast-food dependent, how he feeds his kids healthy snacks and they come running from the nether regions of the house when it's snack time. What does he feed them? Well let me tell you. Because at this point in the tirade, my hungry little foodie ears perked up.

Rosemary Asiago cheese with cold, crisp Bartlett pears. Such a simple snack. Ooooh, but oh so delicious! You may think that this blog post is a bit drawn out for just some pears and cheese, but I think extraordinary combinations such as this one deserve a few extra words.

So try it yourself! I have a little tray ready to go for as soon as Jeff walks in the door from work. I've secretly been sneaking nibbles from the edges while I wait. :)

congrats, karrie and mark!

2011-03-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, we were giddy with excitement to meet the new little baby Addison Grace Fansler! Her parents are Mark and Karrie (Mark is my cousin), some of our close friends here in the Portland area. The delivery was smooth and Karrie was a champ! We are so excited about the growing social network of babies this year - baby girl Meakins will have no shortage of play dates! :)

Addison Grace Fansler, born at 6 lb. 7 oz. to beaming parents Mark and Karrie!

My new neice-y :) (What relationship is my cousin's daughter BTW?)

he's gonna be such a good daddy :)

2011-03-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

Just a couple snapshots I sneakily took (thanks to my trusty new verizon iphone) of Jeff and Chloe - so sweet! You probably chuckle that I am taking pictures of my dog - and yes, I know that this will soon change and I will be taking pictures of the new babe instead. :) But until then...enjoy these cute pics!

updates

2011-03-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

So...lots to catch you up on in these past two weeks I've been neglecting the ol' blog! Jeff started his new job, and all is fantastic! He is getting used to the downtown work life - paying for parking, walking to lunch, etc. and all in all, really enjoying the new scenery I think! There will be an opportunity for some very fun projects which he is excited about. I am sure there will be more updates in the coming months.

I think we have decided to refinance our house for now and stay for a couple more years. It may be the perfect rental property someday, and honestly, staying here for the first year or two of baby Meakins' life gives both of us a sort of peace. There is something serene about where we live, something comforting, and we have completely made it our own. I have always pictured our little one playing in the park behind our house, or rolling around in the soft, shag carpet I picked out. :) Who knows if and when we would find that in our next house, and I think with all of the other change going on, we might enjoy this little sliver of stability and normalcy for another year or two. Jeff and Kelly? Doing something normal and/or staying put? Hmm.

Which brings me to....PROJECTS! Now that we are probably staying, there are a few little things that need to be done. First and most major: air conditioning! But that's not very exciting to all of you I'm assuming. Secondly: watch in the coming weeks for nursery design snapshots - I will be posting things here and there as I have become surrounded with this fun project! There will be a plethora of modern touches and definitely a lot of girliness - can't wait to show you!

And lastly...my pregnant self. I am 20 weeks this Friday which is halfway! Can't even believe it went by so fast. We have our big 20-week appointment tomorrow which we are excited for. Always fun to get more pictures of the baby girl. I am feeling great and trying to eat healthy. Took a snapshot of my typical daily breakfast - don't you love the pattern of "eating for two"? (Which, by the way, I hate that phrase. If I hear it one more time, I think I will punch someone). I am loving those kiwis (so loaded with nutritional goodness), hard-boiled eggs, and whole wheat bread!

Oh and P.S. - speaking of baby girl, check out some of the cute items I have been adding to her wardrobe...just one of my many "projects" as of late. :)

weiden + kennedy

2011-02-08T10:29:00.000-08:00

MORE big news!!

So thrilled to tell everyone that Jeff will be starting a new job at Weiden + Kennedy in just over a week! This is a job many designers dream of, and I'm so excited that he pursued his desires and made it a reality. His new office is located in the Pearl District, which is so fun that Jeff and I will now be working only 7 blocks from each other.

Weiden + Kennedy is an international advertising agency that is Portland based, but also has offices in London, New York, Amsterdam, Brazil, India, China, and Japan. They have won many awards and are among the best agencies in the world. Check out their website here. Their clients include companies like Nike, Levis, Target, Converse, Coca Cola, Old Spice, EA Sports, and Proctor and Gamble. This being said, Jeff is really looking forward to new projects, challenges, and to continue to grow as a designer. I am just so excited to watch him enter this new chapter!

it's a girl! (and I still can't believe it!)

2011-02-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life! We didn't realize how excited we would be! At the doc we were told first, that we are having a sweet little baby GIRL, and second, that she is very healthy and all body parts have developed and are developing as they should be! Two very huge blessings in one day. Jeff and I are still smiling. We can't stop saying, "We're having a girl!"

I have to say, over the past month or so, it had become a borderline obsession of mine to try to guess the gender of baby Meakins (apologies to all of my friends out there who listened to my incessant jibber jabber regarding this topic...you know who you are :). The majority of people guessed baby Meakins was a girl (even little 2 year old Mackenzie) - still can't believe they all knew! Confusing me even more was the fact that all of the old wives tales for having a girl were true - headaches, craving sweets, Chinese calendar, baby's heart rate over 140 - how could it be?! I guess this was an easy one, right in front of my face. haha. er, sort of. :)

We went out last night to babyGap and picked out a few things for our new little girl - I am just so excited for gigantic flower headbands, ruffles, and ballet class! Here is a pic of the little sweetie, at 16 weeks 3 days.

rigatoni with creamy mushroom sauce

2011-02-02T19:37:00.000-08:00

So I have been in a bit of a cooking rut lately. Maybe it's being pregnant, or tired at the end of the day...but we've been eating the same ol' same ol'. After a yummy pasta dinner at Le Buca last weekend, my good friend Kar told me about one of her favorite Giada recipes. Ahh, sometimes I feel like Giada might be my soulmate. I should've been born Italian - eating pasta everyday, drinking wine at a long table with my fellow loud family members. :) Just the way she pronounces words like "orecchiette" and "fusilli" are with such delicacy and care...I am so happy someone else realizes how vital these words are to our vocabularies! Anyways, Giada is one of my favorite chefs, and I just adore her recipes.

Oh YES, but back to the recipe. So I really have to give Kar the credit for sending it to me because now it'll definitely be a part of my monthly staples. If you are a mushroom lover (or even if you're not, like Jeff), you should still try this!!! THE FLAVOR IS INCREDIBLE. Definitely tastes straight from a restaurant!

May I make a few suggestions...

Stick with a nice, large rigatoni noodle as the recipe suggests (the bigger ones usually come in a box). Make sure it's cooked to al dente - err on the side of under-done.
For the men out there, this meal may not be enough. I, as you may know, would be perfectly happy in a meatless world - but when Jeff comes home from a workout at the gym, he wants protein! Jeff's suggestion for next time would be to add some grilled chicken alongside.
I used mascarpone cheese as the recipe calls for. However, Kar says she used cream cheese and it still was fantastic. Whatever you can find at the store I guess!

___________________

Rigatoni with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

1 lb. rigatoni pasta (large)
2 T. olive oil
2 shallots, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 lb. assorted mushrooms (cremini, shitake, and button), cleaned and sliced
1/2 c. white wine
1/2 c. vegetable/chicken stock
1 c. (8 oz) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1/2 c. grated Parmesan
1/4 c. chopped chives

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8-10 minutes.

While the pasta is cooking:
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook until mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally, about 5-7 minutes. Turn the heat to high. Add the wine and cook for 3 minutes until all the liquid evaporates. Add the stock and simmer until liquid is slightly reduced. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the mascarpone cheese. Stir until creamy. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water, and transfer to a serving bowl. Add the mushroom mixture and the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss well to coat pasta, adding the reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the chopped chives (I didn't). Serve immediately (my biggest pet peeve is letting pasta sit for too long after cooking!).

passion

2011-01-31T17:41:00.000-08:00

Jeff's heart is at the mountain in the winter. A perfect day for him is spent with good buddies, plowing through powder, and doing scary snowboard tricks that I don't want to ever hear about. He's been getting up to Mt. Hood as often as possible this winter - while he still can! Here's a shot from last Friday - perfect day with two of his favorite people - good friend Justin and his brother Phil. I'm happy he is able to get away and do something he loves so much.

she'll always be my first baby

2011-01-31T17:38:00.001-08:00

I think we both look equally excited for Christmas...don't they say dogs match the personalities of their owners? :)

My nubby bear, she doesn't even realize that ice crystals are hanging off her chin!

I think she may be more sophisticated than us at times...

arizona

2011-01-31T17:06:00.001-08:00

The Ducks played a good game at the National Championship despite their loss...here's a couple pics from Jeff's 48-hour trip to Arizona for the big game! He got to meet up with lots of friends and family on game day, and had an awesome time getting to see his good buddy Josiah too.

Right to left: Phil (brother), Jeff, cousin Michael, and his wife Rikki who live in Baltimore

You played well, Ducks!!

we can't wait to meet you, baby meakins!

2011-01-09T20:04:00.000-08:00

SURPRISE!

We are SO excited to have one more member joining our family this year - we can't wait for the little nugget to arrive so we can start taking him/her on some adventures and developing a taste for delicious cuisine! :)

The big arrival date is July 22 so I am just over 13 weeks along, and feeling great! We just had our second ultrasound a couple weeks ago and it was confirmed that all is looking healthy (so thankful!). Now...we patiently wait for 8 more weeks while I try and play the guessing game with baby Meakins' gender....any guesses??

Stay tuned!

the ducks (and jeff) go to the national championship!

2011-01-09T19:57:00.000-08:00

Jeff is such a LUCKY DUCK - today he flew to Phoenix, Arizona, so he can attend a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity of an event...if for some reason you don't know already, the Ducks are playing against Auburn in the BCS National Championship game on Monday. Yes, this was a bit of a splurge for us, but who knows if it will ever happen again?! Jeff has been a passionate Duck fan since a very small age, and this was one game he just couldn't miss.

I hope you are all watching on Monday - it's going to be an intense game but I know we can win it! GO DUCKS!!

snowy sunriver

2011-01-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year my dearies! I have been such a lazy blogger lately, but maybe life will resume back to normal now that the holidays are over....not that I don't LOVE December, because I do...I thrive on hustle and bustle, and love getting to catch up with all of our family.

The last weekend in December we spent a few very relaxing days in Sunriver with my parents. Jeff suggested the idea only a couple weeks prior and I had no idea we'd actually find something so last minute, but we did, and a very nice place at that! A cozy house, with a huge fireplace and a hottub, that even allowed us to bring Chloe. The weather was spectacular - sunny and below freezing - perfect for a winter getaway. What a BEAUTIFUL place Sunriver is, especially in the winter. One of my favs for an easy weekend away.

The highlight of the trip was a 7-mile cross country ski adventure to Tumalo Falls, just outside of Bend. Jeff had to be persuaded a bit, being the dedicated snowboarder that he is, but we all had fun. The rest of the weekend we read books, ate yummy food, slept like babies, and soaked in the hottub. We didn't want to leave!

Chloe had an absolute blast running around exploring in the snow!

Mom on a ski trail by the river

On the road to Tumalo Falls

Beginning our adventure...

We made it to the falls! Cross country skiing is SUCH a great workout - don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise!

Inside the cozy house in Sunriver - we kept a fire blazing at all times!

holidays

2011-01-03T17:09:00.001-08:00

Whew - that was a whirlwind! But definitely a relaxing couple of weeks. I need to catch you up on December - what an enjoyable month it was!

Highlights:

Getting to have dinner with Jeff's Uncle Bill and Aunt Jan who were visiting from Tacoma
Holiday parties!
A memorable evening at Irving St. Kitchen to celebrate one of my dearest friend Maggie's graduation from nursing school - CONGRATS!!!
Christmas Eve at Jeff's grandma's house. A house full of relatives, ugly sweaters, good food, and people I love.
Christmas morning with Jeff's mom and stepdad. Yummy breakfast, delicious lattes, and present opening!
Christmas afternoon with Jeff's dad and stepmom. Dinner that was to-die-for, lots of couch and relax time, games, laughs, and late-night fun!
Spa day at Gervais with my lovely sis-in-law, Brook, on the day after Christmas. SO AMAZING!
Jeff finding out that he gets to go to Arizona to watch the Ducks play in the National Championship game - a once in a lifetime opportunity! He was over the moon.
A special dinner at Serrato (our go-to) with my parents last week.
Spending the weekend and NYE in Sunriver with my parents: 7 miles of cross country skiing at Tumalo Falls, lunch in Bend, TONS of snow in Sunriver, a cozy house, lounging, hottub, delicious food, Chloe time, and cold, cold sunshine! It was spectacular.

Coming away from such a jam-packed month with all of our family and friends, we couldn't be more thankful and feel more blessed to have all of you in our lives! May your 2011 also be richly blessed with people you love!

la buca

2010-12-13T20:11:00.000-08:00

Introducing this cozy, comfy, yet incredibly delectable restaurant - our new "go-to". On one of my favorite streets in Portland - NE 28th Ave. - also home of Crema coffee house, Screen Door and Ken's Artisan Pizza.

For the longest time I have been reading rave reviews about La Buca...if only I had tried it sooner! Jeff scouted it out for lunch a couple of weeks ago, then the two of us had dinner there on Saturday night. The atmosphere is somewhat dimly lit, romantic, and modern. We found the bar area to be a bit cozier - just a few tables and an intimate room in the back. Everything on the menu looked superb, and my Italian-lovin' self was in sky-high heaven. What to choose?!!?! I settled on a vodka tomato-cream penne with Italian sausage ($8). Jeff ordered chicken marsala ($11). Mine came in a simple bowl and was nothing fancy, but tasted wonderful. Jeff's was very large - his chicken was piled on top of freshly whipped mashed potatoes, a light marsala sauce, and perfectly wilted spinach as a topper. I am fairly confident that everything on that moderately-sized menu is just as wonderful as what we both ordered.

Impressive to me is that the owners of La Buca serve such quality food and keep their prices so low. This is the best date spot - for $40, two people can have a salad, wine, bread, and an entree. I saw a couple kids in there, yet it still felt grown-up and romantic (no offense to those of you with kiddos, but my favorite spots aren't usually where all the kids eat :). The seafood special of the night was a fillet of fresh king salmon with prawns, all served over pasta....for $12.50!!!!

One of my favorites has always been Piazza Italia - because of its simple, affordable, and authentic Italian food. La Buca was some good competition - and although I will be back FOR SURE, Piazza Italia still has my heart (partly because of Allessandro, the little old man who kisses me on the cheek each time I am there, serenades our table, and never fails to drag women out of their seats to dance with him.

Try either one on your next date night! :)

christmas without a tree?!

2010-11-30T21:55:00.001-08:00

I can't believe I'm letting it happen. Christmas without a Christmas tree. Yes, it's true that I'm not very sentimental about some things...but when it comes to the holidays, I always have loved having a (real) tree. I was just telling someone today - having a yummy smelling, twinkling, freshly chopped Christmas tree makes coming home that much more of an event. I love cozying up on the couch in my PJs in our living room, next to this wonderful thing I wait all year for.

But alas...no tree this year. Jeff says we shouldn't, and I suppose I agree. Reason: We are selling the house (still), but as of this week we finally have it listed with a realtor (let's get this house SOLD). A tree will take up too much room, making the house feel smaller...thus not playing into our deception of trying to make buyers think our house is HUGE. :)

So, this is my tribute to all of the wonderful Christmas trees out there - in my friends' houses, department stores, shopping malls, downtown, and even at my workplace - these trees that I will that much more enjoy this year because I do not have my own. :( If I am at your house and you see me sadly gazing at your tree in an obsessive manner...you will now know why!

last stop: rothenburg

2010-11-22T16:24:00.001-08:00

This little romantic town looks like it is straight out of Beauty & the Beast. We had heard it was magical, and it WAS. Rothenburg is a medieval city which started flourishing around 1150; its signature feature is a giant stone wall surrounding the entire city, which guests can walk inside (and we did!). I loved the cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and cute little Christmas shops. Definitely a romantic city!! We were able to coordinate and meet Jeff's sister Katie and her husband Jason here, who live a couple of hours away in Bitburg.

Entering through the outer wall of Rothenburg - this was used to protect the city from attackers

The main town square - many of these buildings were built in the 1200s.

A shot of the city wall - we walked all the way around.

View from the tower

Spectacular, right?

Some of the city was bombed in WWII, but the main part stayed intact.

Most adorable little streets

Katie, Jason, and Jeff about to climb up into the wall

I picture a fairytale happening here...

Highlight of Rothenburg: Nightwatchman's Tour!
This was a reenactment (OBVIOUSLY), but the nightwatchman used to walk around at night and guard the town from danger, as well as watch for fires which could burn down the entire city. This guy was hilarious, and gave a very interesting history of Rothenburg!

Our pub crawl through Rothenburg :)

This bar, called "Hell", is a legend in Rothenburg, so we stopped in for a beer. It was built in 918!

The four of us spent the night at Hotel Spitzweg, just about the most charming place I have ever stayed in my life. Jeff's and my hotel room was from 1556, and was definitely decorated in traditional German style. All of the hotels here are just like this - there are no Marriotts, Hiltons, or chain hotels - which is what we adored about Rothenburg. Our hotel owner, Herr Hocher, was warm and welcoming, and reminded me of Santa Claus. We were treated just like family!

Cutest little room ever - and spotlessly clean!

Rothenburg was a great ending to a fantastic trip - and seeing Katie and Jason in the country they are living in was really special. Our last day we said goodbyes, packed up the car and drove to Frankfurt where we stayed for one night before flying home on Halloween.

Another successful adventure crossed off the list for the Meakins! :)

6th stop: munich

2010-11-12T09:33:00.001-08:00

One thing I haven't talked much about is the driving in Germany; and more specifically, the Autobahn. One word: WOW. The normal driving habits of people on the German Autobahn would land a person straight in jail for wreckless driving if it were in the US. Jeff drove our car upwards of 100 mph (or 160 kph) just to keep up at times, and people were still FLYING past us, one car after another. And I do mean flying. It was truly a sight. There is often no speed limit at all on the Autobahn, so people do take advantage.

Our first day in Munich was low-key. We both just wanted to walk the city to explore the different neighborhoods and adorable boutiques. Started off the morning strolling through the outdoor market and loving all of the fresh foods. Walked through the English Garden, stopping for Jeff to get a snack in the biergarten there. Stood around to watch the Glockinspiel - a huge clock in the main square that has figures which dance on the stroke of an hour (as I heard a tour guide explain - "ten minutes of your life you will never get back" :).

At the Virtualien Markt - loads of fresh foods, and all so pretty!

I could probably eat cheese forever. There were so many.

In the English Garden

At the Seehaus Beer Garden (notice I do not have a plate here - I was boycotting. It was so greasy!!!)

English Garden

Glockinspiel (the clock goes off occasionally and the figures "come out and dance" - very anticlimatic)

Our last night in Munich was absolutely a BLAST. We were exhausted, must've walked at least five miles that day, but we forced ourselves out on the town. First stop: Hofbrauhaus! This place is jolly, lively, and wonderful. Everyone is happy, the beer is flowin', and the loud traditional German band is playin'. We sat down at a long table next to a Brazilian couple on their 25th anniversary trip. They only spoke Portuguese, but somehow in a combination of dramatic hand gestures and random word combinations we attempted to communicate, and somehow got by. At the far end of our table was a businessman from Denmark, quietly pounding back liters of beer (yes, liters plural) and chuckling to himself at the exchange between us all. By the end of the night we had lured him in, and were all laughing and chatting. I love our world! Such a jolly time. We finished off the night at one of the best restaurants, Brenner, which the Danish businessman recommended for us. They make their own pasta, the food was for foodies, and the service was outstanding. De-lightful! It was a fun and eventful night out to say the least - maybe one of my trip favorites. Below is a video to help you capture the jolly "scene" at the Hofbrauhaus that we loved so much...at the end of the video you can hear Roberto (our new friend) trying to talk to Jeff in his loud, boisterous voice...and then Jeff's puzzled look as he tries to understand Portuguese...:)

Jeff and I at the Hofbrauhaus - first round!

Our Brazilian friend, Roberto, who we met at the table

Best restaurant in Munich!

5th stop: eagle's nest & dachau

2010-11-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

On the 27th, we left Salzburg and headed back to Germany. On our way to Munich, we stopped in Obersalzburg to visit Hitler's Eagle's Nest. The actual Eagle's Nest was closed for the year due to snow - the road is very steep and ends at the top of a very high mountain. This building was constructed for Hitler's birthday, but he only visited a few times because he was afraid of heights. We did, however, get to visit the Documentation Museum and the bunkers below where many of the leaders of the Nazi party resided during the war. These bunker tunnels go on for miles in all directions, and are fascinating to see. The museum gave us a very detailed account of World War II from the very beginning and included hundreds of documents from that time period.

These two stops deserve their own post. There is so much horror that went on during WWII, and most of us can't even begin to imagine it. For me, just seeing these sites made it so much more real. Jeff and I kept saying over and over throughout the day, "I just can't believe this was only around 70 years ago"... And to think there are still so many people living today who survived this era, but are having to live with those memories. My grandpa was in the German army (not by choice, but because he was a German citizen), and all I could think of was how many questions I would like to ask him. We did have a few good conversations about the war before he passed away, but now that I've seen these things, it brings up a hundred more questions. If you have a grandparent who lived through WWII...pick their brain!

Documentation Museum sitting directly above Hitler's underground bunker tunnels

The bunker tunnels that go on for miles and miles - I will admit, a bit spooky

While processing all of the World War II information and sights at Hitler's bunker (it's so much more real when you are actually there), we headed to Dachau concentration camp for the afternoon. Definitely a heavy day for us. Dachau was apparently the smallest of the concentration camps, killing around 33,000 prisoners. The horrific fact is that these numbers are infinitely smaller than most camps. Sickening. To see it all in front of us was powerful, and so, so sad. The acts that were committed there are bone-chilling. Maybe these pictures aren't the best to look at, but I feel every human needs to be aware of and see what atrocious acts went on there.

The entrance gate to Dachau - prisoners arrived by train, which was just to my right, and then walked straight through those gates.

The gate through which prisoners entered the camp - the words mockingly say "Work makes you free"

Where the bunkers once stood - rows and rows of concrete rectangles mark on each side (two are still standing for viewing purposes). Hundreds of prisoners lived in each one. It's crazy to imagine that these trees are the same ones there during the war.

Inside the bunkers - when overcrowded, they would sleep maybe 4 to a bed. Everything was to be kept in meticulous order or else prisoners were punished (shoes lined up, towels folded, sheets aligned up with edge of bed, etc).

"Brausebad" means showers or bath - prisoners were told this, but it was really a lethal gas chamber.

Crematorium

4th stop: salzburg (austria)

2010-11-07T19:23:00.001-08:00

We got up our last morning in Fussen, ready to hit the road and get to Salzburg. But...a moment of panic hit me as I looked out the window and saw this: lots and lots of snow falling. We tried not to worry too much and instead focused on our decadent and very large breakfast instead. :) And then, we were on our way. Luckily our rental car had winter tires (we never thought we'd need them), so the drive was safe - it was snowy and white the entire way to Salzburg. We got a bit of a late start, but that's the beauty of it being just us two, with no schedule.

The morning we left Fussen...our car is down in that parking lot

The snowy drive to Salzburg

The first day in Salzburg was a bit snowy and wet, so I found myself grumbling as we explored the city. I was damp, cold, and not happy about it! It was a nice reality check when we met an older American couple who reminded us to never let weather ruin our plans :) Those words (and some yummy food) somehow warmed me up a bit. The rest of the day we did some shopping and took in the sights. Salzburg is SUCH AN AWESOME CITY!! And for those of you who don't know, this is where the Sound of Music was filmed (we didn't take the tour though).

Walking around Salzburg - this river pretty much separates the old town from the new

The second day in Salzburg was spectacular. What a cool city. The sun was shining and we decided to take the funicular train up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress. The funicular is basically a train that goes straight up the side of the hill - yes, a bit scary. Up at the fortress we were able to see all of Salzburg, the mountains, and the river running through it. This crazy structure up on the top of a hill was used for protection from enemies, and even includes a torture chamber. The tour was very interesting!

You can see the Fortress up on the hill

View from the Fortress

We were lucky to have another spectacular day - view from the Fortress

Up in the tower

Another highlight of Salzburg was Mozart's house and museum. I was surprised to really enjoy this. The house displayed some of his original music, as well as the pianos he played on. He was such a genius! We also visited St. Peter's cemetery and catacombs, grabbed bratwurts from a street cart, walked through the gardens at Mirabella Palace, ate roasted chesnuts, and went to a typical Austrian pub for dinner (Jeff's request, definitely not mine).

Mozart's house and museum

Yummy pretzels - these are everywhere

The catacombs and cemetery at St. Peter's - the catacombs were built inside that rock wall above

It was so interesting to look at the dates on the headstones!

Old Salzburg

The gardens at Mirabella Palace

Enjoying some yummy beer after a lot of walking and a long day!

******************

Interesting observations about Austria...
*Families rent gravesites for their lost ones, rather than owning them like here in the US. Every ten years, a bill is sent to whoever is responsible, and if the bill is not paid, the remains are dug up and chucked.
*Smoking is allowed in all restaurants, etc. Haven't seen that in a long time!
*Not sure if this is typical, but the (skinny) people sitting next to us at the restaurant each ordered an apple strudel (it was huge), finished them and then ordered two more!
*Food is SO fattening. I felt like fat was stuck in my lungs or something after that one Austrian dinner Jeff made me eat. And I got the fish!
*Wein-spritzers are yummy. These are probably everywhere but the first place I tried one was at a food cart in Salzburg. It's wine mixed with bubbly water and is oh-so-refreshing!

3rd stop: fussen (germany)

2010-11-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

After spending a few days amongst the breathtaking sights of Switzerland, I was feeling bittersweet about heading on to Germany and Austria. However, I was excited to explore a new country where a lot of my family is from or has lived.

Side note regarding our drive into Germany. At one point we did not know which country we were driving in - Germany, Austria, or Switzerland! Everything is so close to each other. No signs were posted. Finally we realized we had arrived in Germany because we merged on to the Autobahn, notorious for its insane driving...which I will definitely get to later.

Bavaria is a large region in southwest Germany (marked with fabulous castles, beautiful scenery, bratwurst, and great beer in my opinion). The state of Bavaria was formerly ruled by the Royal Family; the most common ruler you may have heard of is crazy King Ludwig. Jeff and I chose to stay in a cute little town called Fussen for a few days, because of its location near all of King Ludwig's castles. Fussen has a beautiful riverfront area, as well as cobblestone streets and old buildings. We loved strolling around here; the weather was crisp and very, very chilly.

Driving through Bavaria

"Downtown" Fussen, a couple blocks from our hotel

The riverfront in Fussen

Dinner at Pizzeria Il Pescatore: BEST Italian ever. We found this one on Tripadvisor,
it was the #1 pick. Ahh, still dreaming about it.

That first day we also visited Hohenschwangau castle, King Ludwig's boyhood home. This castle was used by the Royal Family as a hunting getaway. We took a 30-minute tour which was fascinating, as I hadn't been in a castle before. I absolutely loved the fall colors from up here!

Photo of Hohenschwangau taken from above (when we visited Neuschwanstein castle)

At Hohenschwangau castle, with neighboring Neuschwanstein castle in the distance

Walking up to Hohenschwangau castle

View from Hohenschwangau castle

The second day we visited two more of King Ludwig's castles: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. Neuschwanstein was built for King Ludwig just "because he could" I suppose you would say. He only spent a total of around 150 days here - can you believe that? No expense was spared; this was clear in the ornate details inside (no pictures allowed). While touring these castles, I kept thinking of what a cold, dark, un-cozy place these castles would be to live in, especially alone! No wonder he was crazy.

Arriving at Neuschwanstein

The famous Disneyland castle is an exact replica of this one

Exquisite fall colors!

Mary's Bridge - Jeff walked out on it despite the signs "Beware: Danger of Death"...this bridge was where King Ludwig would come to admire the construction of his new castle

Linderhof Palace is the smallest of the three. It felt like a large house to me, and much cozier (if that's possible) than the others. King Ludwig lived here for the last eight years of his life, so it was home to him. It was so crazy to think of him traveling back and forth between his castles though - I guess it would take all day, because they went by horse and carriage and the roads were horrible. It gets SO cold in Bavaria; what a miserable ride it must've been. This palace has breathtakingly beautiful gardens but all of the statues were covered for winter and the grounds were dusted with snow.

Linderhof Palace and its gardens

Standing in front of one of the many ornate gates (freezing - it was snowing outside)

Our last stop was at the Ettal Monastery. Yet another beautiful and very old church. The monks who live here are not just sitting around studying spiritual things, but in fact are very busy. Apparently it's common for monks in the area to brew their own beer and liqueurs. How cool! Of course we had to try some, so we stopped into a local restaurant across the street from the monastery to give the Ettal beer a taste. Yummy!

We LOVED our Bavarian style hotel in Fussen - the Hotel Kurcafe. Jeff actually found this one after a bit of research, and it was a gem. Right in the cute little city square, and only about 5 minutes from all of the castles. Tons of fab restaurants and bars around too. Breakfast here was amazing!! Unlike most hotel breakfasts that are included with your room, the Hotel Kurcafe's was over-the-top. Bacon, eggs, belgian waffles, pastries, mimosas, a chocolate fountain, fresh fruit, crepes with all the toppings, fruit juices, croissants...we were stuffed both days, and if ever in Fussen again, we will be back!!

2nd stop: switzerland

2010-11-01T16:46:00.000-07:00

One word: breathtaking. Switzerland is hands down the most beautiful place that I have ever visited (2nd being the Cinqueterre in Italy, 3rd: Costa Rica, 4th: Venice :). I hope all of you can go there someday if you haven't already. This part of our trip was a nice change from the bustle of a big city - all of the towns we visited were teeny tiny. I was in awe of the different ways people live.

We took a quick flight in from Amsterdam and picked up our rental car in Basel, Switzerland. We had previously bought a GPS with European maps, which made the whole road trip process incredibly slick. No squabbles over directions, no banging our heads against the steering wheel in frustration (I mean, that wouldn't happen in our car anyway but...:)

Our first night was spent in Lauterbrunnen Valley. Here is a shot from our hotel room at the Hotel Staubbach. We were lovin' life as we laid in bed and looked out at this view. Incredible! In the parking lot below was a cow beauty contest - a sight every person has to see. All of the cows in Switzerland wear HUGE bells around their necks, so the farmers can find them in the hilltops. Apparently on this particular day they were having the "Miss Lauterbrunnen" contest, where the best cow is chosen and then all of the cows are paraded through the streets - also something we saw often in Switzerland, as cows have to be exercised regularly.

View from our hotel room

A highlight of this town was our cheese fondue dinner. Switzerland is known for their great cheeses! As you can see, Jeff takes his cheese very seriously.

The weather was insanely cold - this town was our first glimpse at "the winter that came a month early" as the locals informed us (lucky us). It didn't stop us though - the first day we took a lift (straight) up to Mannlichen, which runs as a ski area in the winter on one side, but is literally on the edge of a cliff above Lauterbrunnen Valley. The ride was a bit nervewrecking, but I decided to just get used to it - it would be the first of many! I was nearly frostbitten by the time the photography session was over, so we went into the restaurant for some warm drinks (there are restaurants EVERYwhere, literally)! Here are some pics of the view at Mannlichen, and the gondola ride up.

It was a steep slope to say the least!

Here we are pretending we aren't freezing our rear ends off

The second day we parked our car, and took our luggage with us up a different gondola to stay in the teeny tiny town of Murren (only accessible by gondola), to stay for two nights. This was our favorite portion of the whole trip. Such a quaint and gorgeous place. We rented a little chalet that was brand new, warm and cozy, and with a great view (Hotel Blumental, ask for the chalet).

The gondola ride up to Murren

Our time in Murren included several hikes, wonderfully sunny (yet cold) weather, relaxing on our chalet balcony, drinking wine and tasting different Swiss beers, exploring the town, and eating a LOT of cheese. Murren was very low-key, due to the fact that it's off-season (between summer and ski season). We ate dinner both nights at a great little restaurant - thankfully we loved it, because it was the only place open in town (cheese fondue round #2).

The town of Murren - to the right is a steep drop-off

View from our chalet

One of our hikes, from Murren to Grutschalp - spectacular the entire way

Another hike, down to the even tinier town of Gimmewald (200 people). Cows everywhere!

Last hike: up to Allmendhubel, steep all the way up

The highlight of our trip was definitely the visit to the Schilthorn restaurant and viewpoint. Remember the picture I posted before our trip of the view in the Swiss alps? That was it. James Bond was filmed here, and it's one of the highest peaks in Europe. We took several gondolas/lifts to get there, but once we arrived the view was out of this world. Of course we made the most of our spendy little ticket up there and ate lunch and had beers here too, in the rotating restaurant!

On our way up to the Schilthorn - you can see it in the distance on the peak

Enjoying the sunshine!

The spectacular viewpoint, with 360 degree views of the snowy Alps

In Switzerland, this is a typical gorgeous setting you will drive by

*********

Observations I had about Switzerland...

*The locals are often people who come intending to stay a summer, and never leave. It's that great.
*Many new chalets mixed in with the old - like circa 1353!
*Most people have huge gardens and cows roam freely. At certain times of the year the farmers move their cows from lower to higher altitudes. We could always hear the cows because of the giant bells on their necks.
*Manure smells are common...
*The local kids ride gondolas to school!
*We ordered beer at the local Murren restaurant - Jeff asked the owner what kinds they had on tap - the owner nonchalantly answered with a smile, "the kind over there in the barrel!" It's quite a bit simpler, but the beer is GOOD.
*Cheese fondue is to die for.
*Cleanest bathrooms I've seen in Europe.
*Which brings me to...the TP feels like sandpaper, wherever you go. My Charmin Ultra Ultra-loving friend W would absolutely hate it.
*Most expensive place I've ever been. A Big Mac was $12 SF (=$12 US), and it was around $110 to fill up our small car with gas (but that's just Europe's gas prices I suppose). I heart America.
*The language is Swiss-German.
*We could not read any road signs! EVER!
*All of the countries are so close to each other. At one point on our road trip, we weren't sure which country we were in - Austria, Germany, or Switzerland! So funny.

1st stop: amsterdam

2010-11-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

As I say about many European cities...Amsterdam is a truly unique and fabulous city. Similar to Venice, Amsterdam is filled with canals that run between stylishly old buildings, row houses, and market squares (typical age of buildings is 16th century!). The city is very environmentally friendly, much like Portland, and most people ride bikes to get around - there are thousands, everywhere. People come from all over the world to check out the architecture here. There is a very hip scene going on in this city, with great little boutiques and decadent restaurants. We felt right at home!

Our first four days were spent here, exploring the city. We visited the house where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II, went on several boat tours on the canals, visited the Van Gogh museum, walked a gazillion miles, gawked at the Red Light District (yes, the girls are posed behind glass windows, literally at eye level with street walkers, wearing almost nothing - it's shocking to say the least), explored Vondel park, shopped, and had some of the best food of our entire trip. Amsterdam is definitely a city I will return to - I LOVED almost everything about it (besides the prostitution, and they get a lot of rain).

A lovely little canal

I like my savory breakfasts...so, it was a sacrifice to go with Jeff to the Dutch pancake house :)

On one of the main canals

Typical row houses you will see in Amsterdam, all hundreds of years old

This bar we had to stop into for an afternoon beer - isn't it so cute? Been around since 1695!

There are bikes EVERYWHERE in Amsterdam - this is the primary method of transportation

Our second night, we had the most fabulous 3-course dinner of our trip at Seasons restaurant. Charming, friendly, and designed for gourmet foodies is how I would describe it! A must-visit if in Amsterdam.

4 countries, 16 days

2010-11-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

Wow, it feels like we've been gone forever.

Jeff and I just returned from a long jaunt to Europe. So much has happened in the past few weeks! In the next few posts I will attempt to catapult you to the places we explored - the world is a fascinating place and I think it's such a joy to hear and share experiences with other travelers.

So off we go...Holland, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria (with a stopover in Iceland)...all in a nutshell!

travel alert? don't worry. it may be worse here.

2010-10-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

What a fortunate coincidence that there is all of this hub-bub about terrorism in Europe, less than two weeks before Jeff and I leave for our trip. FAN-TASTIC. When my dad sent me an article talking about the travel alerts, of course my immediate reaction was "whyyyy nowww?!" My fingers began flying across Jeff's iphone, googling for more information. (For those of you who haven't heard, a travel alert is not the same as a travel warning - govenment officials have said "We are not, repeat not, advising Americans not to go to Europe.")

Thankfully, I stumbled upon this article in the midst of my research. You have to appreciate such a perspective. Yes, we should be realistic also - terrorism is a threat in Europe, and even more so in the U.S. - BUT, if we are going to start worrying about death threats, we should broaden our worries to other departments besides terrorism. And...maybe this is ignorant of me to say, but it seems like all of this media buzz would deter terrorists to an area less "alerted" perhaps?...

I would rather continue on with my travel explorations as long as the government is saying it's safe to do so (which they are - even government officials who declared this warning are still traveling internationally, only telling people to become more aware). Just thought you might enjoy this, from my good buddy Rick Steeves. :)

Click here for the article.

what a deal

2010-09-19T19:00:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-13T22:37:00.000-07:00

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!

love it here

2010-08-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

Just returned from our semi-annual trip to Black Butte with Jeff's family. Always so relaxing! I swear I could stay in that place forever. The weather wasn't the best, but still we got in some good games of tennis, hottubbin', golf, wine, walks, movies, reading, and yummy food (including my smoked oysters which everyone was afraid to touch :). Sad to see August end, but this was a great last hoorrah!

Sunday view of the mountains from the BB Lodge

The house we stayed at this year - great deck on the golf course

Tennis time

Susie and Terry at Sunday breakfast at the lodge

Jeff and Grandma on a sunny post-breakfast walk

dream house

2010-08-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

Can I just say - THIS is my dream house. Too bad it's just a $300 doll house at FAO Schwartz! Just came across this picture on one of Jeff's design websites. I absolutely love the open floorplan, gigantic windows, rock walls, and modern edges. Someday maybe...

san diego

2010-08-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed with July and August - usually (fingers crossed) it's amazing weather. This summer, just like every other, both of these months have been full of fun weekends - here in Portland, and also a few getaways.

To finish off the summer, I flew down to San Diego for a few days to hang with my good friend Maggie (who lives in Portland): lots of sunshine, good eats, and beach time included! A tradition began last year for Jeff to spend a few days each year hiking a new portion of the Pacific Crest Trail with some good buddies...thus, each year, I am left to plan something fun for myself! Bummer, right?!

Maggie was my tour guide, and is quite the planner - she never lets me down, that one! She had me bustling all over the city, visiting the best beaches, Mexican restaurants, wine bars, and hotel pools the city has to offer. What a fun week it was - and not a cloud in the sky! Highlights from the trip include: Enjoying the beaches (Mission beach, La Jolla Beach, Coronado Beach), breakfast burritos at Hector's, a great dinner in Little Italy, pizza at Wine Steals, the best pineapple frozen yogurt, walking along the beach, swimming at some beautiful pools, sunset happy hour at C-Level, lots of laughs and great convo, yoga night at the W sand bar, getting to know some awesome new peeps, and soaking up oodles of Vitamin D.

Here are some pictures from our girl trip in San Diego...

Sunset walk on Shelter Island - Maggie and I

View of downtown from Shelter Island

La Jolla

Watching the seals in La Jolla

Beach time in La Jolla!

Pizza and vino at Wine Steals with some great gals!

Morning walk on Mission Beach - Mel, Amanda, Maggie, and I

pacific crest trail hike: year #2

2010-08-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile, Jeff was on his second backpacking trip in central Oregon, part of the effort to complete a new section of the PCT each summer (trail runs from Mexico to Canada). Last year the team was just Jeff and his buddy Pete, but this year they added an essential new member, good friend Justin. They started around the Mckenzie View Pass and ended at Elk Lake. The weather couldn't have been more perfect.

For weeks they all get ready for this big hike. Not to mention how many trips Jeff makes to REI, all giddy like a kid in a candy store. There is always something that can be bought at REI for the big hike. Too many times I overheard Jeff muttering to himself about his fabulous new hiking gear...i.e. the other night, he was in our bedroom examining his new sleeping bag, saying to himself "I just can't believe it's SO small!" heehee. Pure excitement over something so small; this must be appreciated. :)

This year they hiked around 45 miles (I think) in 4 days, which is less than last year's 60 miles. Maybe there is a new goal to actually enjoy themselves on a trip like this. Jeff returned with absolutely filthy clothes, a raging beard, and war-wounds (aka blisters) on his feet: all signs of mighty manhood!

Here are some pictures from the excursion. What great memories these three are making! I get the definite impression that it's a great time of strengthening friendships. Jeff's so blessed to have these amazing men in his life!

we're makin' sushi

2010-08-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago we had dinner with three of our favorites, Justin, Jess, almost-2-yr old Mackenzie. They had us over to their backyard oasis, complete with lush garden, white lights, and DIY dinner table (see how-to link here). Of course the eats were fabulous too - they always are in the gourmet Scott household - but this dinner was especially creative I thought (and blog-worthy too!)...HOMEMADE sushi!

I regret not taking more pics of this beautiful spread! We had smoked eel, sticky rice, both smoked and uncooked salmon, mango, avocado, tuna, and more. The process involves smearing sticky rice onto the nori (seaweed), then layering on the toppings of choice. Next, the tricky part (which Justin is a master at): rolling the sushi into a roll! But once this was done, we had gorgeous homemade sushi rolls, and no doubt at a more affordable cost. I kept saying, "I just can't believe we made these!" You must try it!

snuggle time

2010-08-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

I love my bubba boo.

devoted

2010-08-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

Just had to share this picture I took of Jeff over the weekend - we had to run into Cinco (his office) on our way downtown, so he could send a couple of files over to the printer. Can I first just say, too bad this HUGE computer screen isn't a TV loaded with sports channels, because he would have it MADE! Unfortunately, it's not, and he's been spending 50-80 hours a week here the past few weeks. And yay - that is now over. One thing I love about my husband is his endless dedication to creating perfection; never jetting away from work until a project is absolutely the best it can be, for the client, as well as to uphold the creative reputation of Cinco. I am proud of my worker bee! :)

lime-cilantro pork tacos - only 400 calories for two!

2010-08-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

By now, my friends have to know that I will steal the yummy recipes they make and put them on my blog for the world to see. I get excited about food I like, and I crave to share it with everyone (see the recipe below also for another stolen recipe :). My friend Whit made these the other night, and I was shocked at how low fat, yet incredibly tasty they were. I just made them again tonight for Jeff and he loved 'em too!

1 lb. pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into cubes or thin strips (Whit did cubes)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. olive oil
1-1/2 c. chopped onion
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 c. fat free, less sodium chicken broth
1/2 c. chopped plum tomato
3 T. chopped cilantro
2-1/2 T. fresh lime juice
8 flour tortillas (I use the uncooked tortillas from Costco - soo yummy)

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Add oil to the pan. Add pork, and saute 4 minutes or until browned. Remove pork from pan; place in bowl. Add onion and jalapeno to pan; saute 5 minutes or until tender. Add broth; reduce heat, and simmer 1 minute, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Stir in tomato; simmer 2 minutes.

Return pork and accumulated juices to pan. Stir in cilantro and lime juice; cook 1 minute or until pork is done.

Heat tortillas according to package directions. Spoon 1/2 cup pork mixture into each tortilla; roll up.

Nutritional information: Calories 416 (28% from fat), Fat 13.1g, Protein 30.2g, Carb 43.1g, Fiber 3.6g, Cholesterol 75mg, Iron 3.8mg, Sodium 569mg, Calcium 101mg

katie's granola

2010-08-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

Just like the recipe above, I stole this one too! One of my friends, Katie, made this granola and I was lucky enough to get to taste some last weekend while camping - I knew I HAD to have the recipe. Lately I have been trying out different Trader Joe's granolas as a healthy breakfast option, but they don't even come close to the one Katie made. I have never been a huge granola fan, but I am SOLD. Make this and you will have a wonderful breakfast every morning and feel amazing afterwards! :)

Katie's Granola
Makes 6 cups

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking)
1 cup sliced raw almonds
½ cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
¼ cup unsalted pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds) or shelled sunflower seeds
½ cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher sea salt
1 cup dried fruit (such as raisins, currants, cranberries, cherries)

Heat oven to 350° F.
On a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, toss the oats, almonds, coconut, and pepitas with the maple syrup, oil and sea salt.
Bake, tossing once, until golden and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes.
Let cool, then add the dried fruit and toss to combine.
The granola will keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 3 weeks.

happy anniversary

2010-07-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

years ago! July 16, 2005 was such a happy day. Thus, we celebrate.

*****

This year we decided to keep it low-key for the anniversary weekend, as we've had a lot going on lately! On Friday, Jeff surprised me with dinner at Wildwood, one of our favorite restaurants (he had picked out an awesome Pinot Gris ahead of time even - nice touch!). Yum yum, we always love eating there.

Saturday morning we packed up the car and headed out to a new little discovery for us - Paradise Creek campground. Who says camping isn't romantic? It's just about 30 minutes away from Hood River, just a bit over the Bridge of the Gods.

We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived to Paradise Creek - it's our new favorite place! Right on a creek, in a lush forest, and large, private campsites. The day involved a lot of lounging, reading, napping, eating, wading in the creek, obsessing over the new camp stove and lantern (JEFF), and exploring. It was really a fabulous anniversary just chillin' and bein' together. Here are some pics of our time there:

Side note: My friend Karrie tosses her head back in laughter over the fact that I claim to be a "foodie" yet have no problem stopping for Taco Bell at the nearest truck stop. My answer to this is: Foodies cheat!

Camping is the perfect example. Nobody wants to eat crab legs while camping (hmm actually that sounds pretty good now that you mention it...). I immediately plan for the mac 'n cheese, hotdogs, top ramen, s'mores. On the more gourmet side you have spaghetti, breakfast burritos, canned oysters, or brie and crackers. But let me tell you - everything tastes better when in the woods.

and we're off again!

2010-07-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I will be traveling around Europe again in October - our tentative plans are to see Amsterdam, Germany, Switzerland (possibly Austria and Prague too). If you have traveled to any/all of these places and might have suggestions of things we simply cannot miss...please send me an email! Kellyameakins@yahoo.com. We are trying to take care of the planning in the next month or so and will be doing a bit of research, so all of your shared experiences are helpful! Thanks!

perfect little pots

2010-07-11T23:08:00.000-07:00

My mom has a major talent with designing yards - most of you know that. I have always admired her pots - even in Seattle where their primary yard is a patio - there is an array of pots which cluster together, making it feel as though you are in a lush garden.

This past weekend I asked her to design my pots, so that they popped out and didn't just look like the randomness that I would create. Here is what she did - keep in mind I they still have a lot of growing to do (note to self: remember to water, and snap off dead flower buds).

I loved the way she approached designing the pots - finding colors that worked well together, as well as finding plants that brought out hints of other colors in nearby plants. This method (and her talent) really make a boring old terracotta pot look amazing! Thanks, MOM! (Oh, and thanks for the rest of my yard too...:)

2010-07-07T23:29:00.000-07:00

It was a memorable family weekend of events over the 4th of July. These pictures explain it all.

Alison and Jeff in a cornhole match in our backyard

Jeff and I on 4th of July BBQ

What a handsome dad!

Chloe baby at Cannon Beach on Saturday

All of us taking a nap at the beach

Eating lunch beachside at the Wayfarer

Such a pleasant afternoon.

Wow - what a silly bunch we are.

The 4-hour campfire.

gas station man

2010-06-25T17:23:00.001-07:00

A few days ago, we were headed back from a relaxing 24 hours in Eugene to celebrate Jeff's mom's birthday as well as Father's Day. We stopped to get gas in Junction City, by Jeff's dad's house (no offense, but it's out way in the boon-docks). After pulling in and turning off the engine, I found myself getting irritable over the fact that the gas station attendant - mid 50s, gray hair, tall guy - was standing there yacking away with the driver in the car in front of us. I grumbled at Jeff, "gosh, look at the nerve of this guy" or something like that. He had finished filling up their tank, and was apparently giving them his life story along with it. We waited for a couple of minutes, and then he came over and - to my astonishment - in a friendly, country-bumpkin-type manner, asked us how he could help. He began filling up the tank, and then...took out a squeegee and washed our entire front window....flawlessly. Well, you older folks may find it hilarious that I was shocked by this, because I know that's how they used to do it in the good-ole-days. But in my generation, people do not wash your windshield for you anymore. After he was done, he wished us a good afternoon and left with a huge smile.

I wanted to blog about this incident, because I found myself being especially negative all week prior to this incident, complaining about little things here and there. Then on Sunday, after my strong irritation at the man who was going "too slow" for my schedule, I found myself somewhat slapped in the face at the way he then turned around and was such a gentle, kind, and helpful man who was only trying to serve us (and no doubt improve the day of the person in front of us by chatting happily to them as he finished their gas). It's a reminder to me, and to us all, that these small details I choose to get annoyed over, should not be details I get annoyed over! Also, that I need to get rid of any negative thinking. The world teaches us to think in a negative way - I wish I had recognized this man for who he was, rather than thinking he must be a rude guy who just wanted to waste my time. I don't think he realized how much he improved my attitude through his simple actions.

I wish there were more people in the world like this. I want to strive to be one. Okay that's it - deep thought for the day from the mouth of Kelly. ha. :)

wine: located!

2010-06-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

Just an update:

The Mohua Sauvignon Blanc can be found at Market of Choice (another of my favorite grocery stores, found here in the Portland area and also in Eugene). Yay! Hurry and go buy some!

if dogs could smile, this is what it would look like

2010-06-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

chicken cordon bleu

2010-06-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

I will definitely be making this one for my dad next time he comes to visit - he loves chicken cordon bleu. Who doesn't? Cheese, chicken, and ham all rolled up into a tight little pocket of gooey goodness, breaded, and then baked. And even though sometimes I think chicken can be just downright nasty, I love this recipe. Last night was the first time I made it, and it turned out wonderful - everyone loved it!

*4 chicken breasts, pounded thin (the bigger the better - try to pound them so they are rectangular shape)
*8 slices swiss cheese
*8 slices canadian ham (or whatever kind you like)
*Italian breadcrumbs
*2 eggs
*Flour
*Canola/olive oil
*Toothpicks!

1. Start by pounding each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap.
2. Begin the wrapping process: On each piece of flattened chicken, lay down 2 slices of ham first, and then 2 slices of cheese, somewhat overlapping but covering most of the chicken breast. You will want to leave a small border so that you can fold each side inwards (like a burrito).
3. Fold the sides of each chicken breast in a little and then roll it up like a burrito. You can use the plastic to roll it if that helps.
4. Anchor the top and sides with toothpicks. Make sure to pin it fairly well, otherwise the cheese will melt out.
5. Drag each chicken through the flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Shake excess off.
6. Brown each piece of chicken in oil for a few minutes, turning so all sides are browned.
7. Arrange in baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

SOOO YUMMY!

my new favorite vino!

2010-06-14T17:55:00.001-07:00

A MUST TRY! My mom introduced me to this wine last weekend. She does her grocery shopping at Metropolitan Market, which I am convinced is one of the best grocery stores ever - the wine selection here is quite diverse and there is always an expert nearby to help out if you have questions. A must-visit if you are in the Seattle area.

This Mohua wine is a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. From the minute I picked up my glass and took a sniff, I was amazed. Such a passion fruity aroma, with a very peach and grapefruit-y taste. Crisp, not sweet, and similar to a Pinot Gris. And only around $12. I will NEVER get sick of this wine. Watch out for updates - I will post as soon as I locate a retailer for this wine in P-town!

weekend eats

2010-06-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

Ahh, just had to share with you the delightful foods I saw and ate while in Seattle this past weekend - reason being: isn't food just wonderful to look at? Also, maybe this will give you ideas about what to do when making your own food at home. :) Most recipes I try are inspired by foods I have eaten at some of my favorite local restaurants! Simple as these are, I found them delightful...

Homemade ricotta gnocchi tossed with with housemade sausage and fresh tomato sauce
(La Rustica in West Seattle)

Okay, so this wasn't mine; it was Karrie's, but it looked amazing. Salmon pesto skewer over dark greens, tossed with almonds, cranberries, and blue cheese
(Steamers on the pier in downtown Seattle)

This one was mine :) Fried scallops which I saturated in fresh lemon juice - heavenly!! Someone else ate those fries!
(Steamers)

sunshine at last!

2010-06-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we finally got what we have been waiting for - sunshine! I spent the weekend in Seattle with my family, Karrie and Mark, my aunt Chris and her boyfriend Tom. My aunt was visiting from the east coast, so we bounced around the city all weekend doing tourist type stuff. Saturday we took a morning walk along Alki beach, then rode the water taxi from my parents' neighborhood to downtown, then walked around Pike Place Market, took a visit to my mom's and dad's offices, ate a yummy seafood lunch out on the pier, and soaked up the wonderful sunshine. It was 75 degrees in Seattle! Finished off the day with a BBQ of fresh salmon purchased that day at Pike Place. Yum yum. I just love our local seafood in my 2nd home away from home!

Ahh, I love this city!

View from my dad's desk/office in downtown Seattle

Karrie and I on the water taxi

Walking down the hill from my parents' house, to the water taxi

View from La Rustica, Friday night Italian restaurant

oh joy eats

2010-06-09T21:25:00.001-07:00

I am proud to be a foodie. Definition: foodie is an informal term for a particular class of aficionado of food and drink; foodies are amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news. Nothing to hide here folks - everyone knows I am obsessed with food. If I could, I would make it my job to taste all of the latest and greatest foods at local restaurants and blog about them (dream #2 is that I would be getting paid for this :).

Which brings me to . . . you simply must check out www.ohjoyeats.com. Glorious!! My good friend and fellow blogger, Andrea, turned me on to this amazing blog about food! The site describes food as it should be - an art. Something to be cherished. Something to be lusted after. I hope you like it.

Watch out - if I ever get time to start blog #2, it will be about food. I adore the idea of documenting beautiful meals and fresh, local food.

Life is too short not to enjoy whatever food you like. What do they say? All in moderation! Sometimes just a bite will do. Other times, NOT. :)

time with the bros

2010-06-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, Jeff got to spend some much needed guy-time with his two brothers. Andy flew in from San Francisco, and Phil lives here in Portland. I was a fly on the wall at some points of the weekend, and was constantly chuckling at these three. Below are some pictures of their adventures (wish I had documentation of the 6-hour golf game they played, when they were splattered in mud from head to toe because the golf cart got stuck in the ground). They had such a great weekend catching up and doing brother stuff. There's something about those Meakins boys when they are all together - it's their own language they speak, I swear! One thing I observe every time I am around them, though, is that their bond is unique. Their strong relationships with one another will always exist, no matter what happens in life.
Other weekend highlights:

Hawaiian Time for lunch (yep, it's here in Portland now!)
Sunny, 77 degree weather
Sitting out in the sun at Rogue Ale House, enjoying a beer and the weather
Late night BBQ at home after long golf game on Saturday night
Yummy pizza at Hot Lips
Cribbage
Night out at Ciao Vita, Branch, and Prost with Dane and Bryan - good times!

Enjoying the warm weather at Hawaiian Time

At Prost (a German bar on Mississippi Ave.), they all shared this "boot" of beer

Drinking out of the boot was hilarious to say the least

frog lake

2010-06-06T15:06:00.001-07:00

Memorial Day weekend we went camping at Frog Lake - silly weathermen kept changing their minds - rain - then sun - then rain...so, we went anyway.

Sunday morning we started off the trip with a huge breakfast at Mt. Hood's Timberline Lodge (stuffed ourselves silly) - oh the fresh squeezed orange juice alone makes the $12.95 well worth it. Not to mention the omelet bar, fresh belgian waffles, pastries, bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy....it's pure wonderfulness.

Once we arrived at our campsite, we set up camp, made a fire, and read books the rest of the morning. Afternoon rolled around...the guys left and returned with fishing poles and year-round fishing license from the local Chevron station. Awesome. So the afternoon consisted of watching the guys fish on the shore of the lake, right next to a very loud family with insanely amazing fishing poles that somehow managed to catch a huge fish with every cast. It was a frustrating sight. The day also included some BB-gun practice with soda cans, eating yummy homemade spaghetti, and getting rained on all night long. Luckily we all stayed completely dry in our tents. By morning we were ready to pack it all up and get home.