What's life without food?

Of course, I have to take pictures of anything yummy I come across. Even if everyone at the table rolls their eyes when they sees my phone come out and power into camera mode, I'll always do it. It's just my thing, don't judge!

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The Point restaurant overlooked the lake which fed the river where our camp was. We all decided in an instant this place is well worth the 90 minute drive from home and will definitely be taking my dad here when he visits next month. The wait staff was excellent, I mean excellent like we've never had in I can't tell you how long. The owner was one of our waiters and had an awesome personality. Then of course, there was the food and drink. Once the owner, Michael, listed off Oakshire Overcast as one
of the beers on tap, we knew we really liked this place.
On a side note, within the last 6 months to a year I have been struggling with drinking. First world problem, I know. Poor me. My body just can't seem to handle it anymore. (Perhaps it was all that drinking I did when I was younger...oopsie!) Anyways, I finally figured out that I must be the most extreme beer/alcohol snob because I can really only drink when it's off the tap-or it's a homemade gin and tonic. Which makes for an expensive date, but thankfully I'm not all that into drinking anymore, anyway. I digress.
For lunch, my girlfriend had an amazing chicken melt and I got that beautiful plate of food above. Fresh Crab Louie. And do you see that *perfect* avocado? My lord, I was in heaven. It's a "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" moment. But it was so worth it.

Finally

I finally went camping last weekend. First time in, oh about, 3 years! Far too long, I say. I had a wonderful time on the Santiam River. I was able to take some beautiful pictures. Unfortunately, the sun was so damn bright I had to touch up some shots. Here are just a few of my favorites from a trek up the river. 

Going Through My Photo Albums

I find many photos I simply forget about for one reason or another. Here are some that caught my eye.

 

Bad looking boobs, good looking bread

Recently at my work, via a holiday silent auction, I had the opportunity to learn (or re-learn, as was my case) how to make sourdough starter and thus, sourdough bread. It's been many a year since I have made bread, let alone take care of a starter, so I was pretty damn excited to get kneading. 

We began creating our sourdough starters-to take home, yes!- set them aside, then used a ready starter to begin the bread making process. It was pretty fun doing this at work, allowing the bread to rise in my cube, going into the kitchen and watching Sue's amazing kneading techniques and learning her tricks. I took home my bread creation, which I had to make into four balls rather than one loaf (due to me neglecting to bring my Pyrex dish from home).

The bread smelled great baking in the oven, and I couldn't wait to try it. I placed a large baking dish full of hot water in the rack below to get steam and help the baking process. After the timer went off, I popped the bread out of the dish and placed it naked on the oven to get the crusty, golden crust. It became all too obvious, mostly due to the cross-cuts on top I did before baking, what an uncanny resemblance to a certain female attribute my bread had taken. But oh-my-god the bread was good. I think I ate a whole quarter loaf that night. 

Bad looking boobs, good looking (and tasting!) bread.

My New Years Resolution

As we start another year, we all start yet another to-do (or more like to-don't) list called, of course, Resolutions. You know and I know that probably 95% of us don't accomplish everything, or even one thing, on our list, but every year we expect more out of ourselves and say "This is the year I'll finally _____". Why do we do this to ourselves? I don't know either, I was hoping you would. 

I recently read a great article about 10 New Years Resolutions Worth Trying and I found this gem of a quote that I'm going to refer to every January 1st:

"It seems to me the standard (failed) New Year’s resolution has two strikes against it right from the outset. First, it usually involves some kind of annoying self-deprivation I’m not emotionally ready for. And second, I don’t usually have the resources readily at hand to shore up my chances for success." 

With that in mind, I reexamined my personal resolutions and resolved to do one thing I know I can accomplish..... *drum roll*  ....... Rather than deprive myself of all the wonderful food out there in hopes of gaining that 'swimsuit figure' (and face it, that's never fun anyway), I instead want to capture the simple beauty of all the food I'm not denying myself! It's a real goal with added benefits and I'm up for the challenge.

Morning Coffee

In Oregon, you get used to weather predictions about snow failing short 9 times out of 10. So Saturday night was no different for me. We were told snow was on its way, I kept hoping and wishing as I typically due, prepared to be let down in the morning. 

Then 7am rolled around. I was groggy but couldn't sleep, so I took myself to the coffee maker and noticed this white gleam coming through all the windows. It happened. Snow, beautiful snow. Granted, we only had less than an inch, but for these parts that's pretty damn good. 

I filled my coffee mug, grabbed my phone (which substitutes as my camera for the time being), bundled up and went outside. 

 With the sun breaking out from the clouds, the snow looked pristine and perfect. I just stood there, taking it all in, absorbing the icy air into my lungs, savoring the moment, morning coffee in hand.

 

Back on the Road Again

I'll admit, I've been very lethargic in the past 6 months. I mean, pretty damn lazy. Haven't even touched this in who knows how long. Well, I really know how long I just don't want to navigate away from this page to look at the date of my last post. <-- See, right there, la-zy.

Now that the only day out of the year where I get to live out my fat-kid fantasies is gone, I need to get myself back on the road again and tackling my list of shit to do! Although I'll admit, again, that it's been more like 45 days of living the fat kid fantasy, but who's keeping count anyway? Damn my honesty.

Mother Nature Laughs in Flowers

For myself I hold no preferences among flowers, so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous. Nothing is more refreshing than viewing these delicate creatures in the day's full glory.

With life comes lemons so I'm making a mixed drink

It's 11:30 am on a beautiful Saturday in July. One of the few Saturdays this summer that the sun decided to show itself. I'm sitting in sun, contemplating the day ahead. I've finally gotten up enough energy (and I admit, courage) to post this blog for the world to see.

Over the past months, this blog has taken on many different forms behind the scenes: photography focused, the trailer livin' experience, foodie focused, etc. I figured I can't limit this to one avenue, or I'll just drive myself crazy. I'm making this a place to filter my creativity and thoughts, provide a platform for my amateur photography interests (including showing off my budding cooking skills), and have a place where my family can keep up with us.

So come aboard and share this experience and journey with us. Check back periodically for random thoughts, funny posts, some pretty pictures, tips for confined living and lots of other eclectic happenings.

Do You Know What You Want In Life? Like, really know?

There are few things in life anyone really knows for sure. But one of those things should be yourself. You should know who you are, what you believe in, who you can turn to, and most importantly... who and what you want to be.

The other day while I was driving to work, I had a serious moment where I just knew deep down that this was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I knew it wasn't who I really was, it was just something I went to school for and (unfortunately) had no true passion in. Going to college to be an administrative assistant was a no-brainer for me; I had already basically been doing that through middle and high school and my mom thought it was a good move because of how outgoing I am. I was stuck in that mindset and now I realize how upset with myself I am. Instead of looking at all the programs LCC offered, I chose the easy path.


While considering this on my drive that morning, I decided I can still make a change, it's not too late, it's never too late. My dad went back to LCC while working when he was in his 50s, being 23 I definitely have a jump on that. (and let me say I am very proud of my father for going back to school. Even if I didn't realize it at the time he has inspired me in so many ways. This simple blog being one of them, but more about Dad later!) This gave me an amazing sense of reality; I don't want life passing me by while I sit in an office cubicle doing paperwork and answering phones, I have more I can offer to the world, my family, and myself. I want to be able to have my passion as my job and also be able to stay at home with my kids, whenever I do have them. This was an important part of my childhood, as my mom was stay at home until I was 19, and I want it to be a part of my children's upbringing. I know I have the drive and there's no reason in the world why I shouldn't follow my dreams, people do it everyday. It will be scary at first but I know I can overcome, especially with  my family's support.

As yourself, what are my passions? My true passions in life are simple: being outdoors in nature enjoying the beauty and bounty Mother Earth brings, in the woods or on the beach, and when I take pictures of the beautiful trees, delicate flowers, roaring ocean and wild creatures, a spark lights inside me. I cannot ignore or stifle this flame, I have such joy when I see these beautiful images I can capture. What a life that would be, having the ability to be outside in nature, enjoying all these things, while taking pictures I can share with other people so they may enjoy the world the way I see it and have these images forever. I want to preserve the things I love the most in case they won't be around forever. I want my children and my children's children to enjoy the simple beauty in a raindrop or the spray of the ocean forever, since the world is ever changing and we don't know if this meadow or that forest will be here tomorrow. 

Having a photography business out of my home would allow me to do so much more with my talents and my life. Not only would I have an excuse to go out quite often and be able to spend time in a beautiful place while taking these amazing, changing pictures of life around me in all seasons. I do not want to be constrained to a building 40 hours a week, instead take that 40 hours and explore this beautiful state. And that's just scratching the surface! Oregon provides thousands upon thousands of beautiful places and opportunities to take pictures of scenery that most people will never be able to enjoy.


There are limitless opportunities in this world and I want to take my chance today.

Rain=Love

Nature is just awesome. I love the sound of rain outside, especially while I'm sleeping. I love the smell after a fresh rain storm and I love rainy thunderstorms.

Quack Quack!

It's that time of the year again, and we could not be happier here in Eugene!!! Ducks Football is back in full swing baby and they are blowing away New Mexico in the season opener this afternoon. I'm high on quack :)

We Miss Our Bryan

In Memory Of Bryan

2 years ago this past Wednesday September 1st we lost a brother, best friend, boyfriend, father and partner in crime. Bryan Roy Morris lost his battle to esophgeal cancer on 9/1/2008, leaving behind a beautiful baby girl named Lilly. The only shining light (however muddled gray it may seem) is that Bryan did not suffer long but it a quick and wicked disease that took him from us in a matter of months. I will always smile when I am reminded of his voice, his funny quips, his laugh. These things can never be taken away from us.

Bryan, we think about you so often and how much of an impact you've had on our lives. It's so hard to see someone that you've grown up with, hung out with, partied with.. become victim to such a horrible disease. We all think we're invicible, that nothing can harm us or prevent us from achieving our dreams, or conquer us before we conquer the world. Alas, we are but made of dreams and dreams are a fragile thing. Thank you for making us laugh, thank you for making us live, thank you for being our friend, thank you for Lilly, and last but certainly not least.. thank you for being you, 100% of the time. Without you, there wouldn't be us. You will live on in our hearts and minds forever. WE LOVE YOU BRYAN!

The Wait Is Over

It only took 1 1/2 years but I have a new job and couldn't be happier. I never really realized how unhappy I was until I was hired on at ISTE. I really can't complain; I'm busy with actual work to do, I have a lot more responsibilities, everyone really seems to like me and I really like everyone here, and people are seeing my potential. I can't wait to see what my future will be like with them. :)

Weekends

First post, testing the grounds! How was your weekend? This gal's weekend was filled with lots of good food, great friends and weekend adventures!