Janet's House

Catching Up

I’ve been neglecting writing so have decided to play catch-up as I look outside to our little winter wonderland.  Portland gets snow irregularly, but these last few days are making up for it.

Raleigh and I took a long walk this morning before it started snowing again. He’s an ‘only dog’ now that our funny little Harper has gone to live with his Mommy (my daughter) in California.  My son and I drove him down in January and stayed a few days, enjoying the beautiful weather.  Hard to believe that we could drive 500 miles in the middle of January and have nothing but blue skies both ways.  We timed it perfectly!

We spent time in the city, lots of walking and ogling the homes in the Billionaires Row area ( yes,  Google it; it’s a real location)  for views like this. All the hills earned us some wonderful meals.

I love fresh looking gardens in January. These Euphorbia have the greatest shape and color.

Back home, with only one dog, we spent a beautiful day at the Oregon Coast. The perfect day; yes,  still January!  A lot of grinning, happy dogs and people filled the little beach town.

 

    

 

I’ve been catching up on my reading and cooking while holed up and a bit snowbound. This book (all 784 pages, although I’m reading it on Kindle), is the perfect book to really spend time on.  Wonderful characters, set in New York City, and a small painting as a large part of the story. I’m not finished, so I’m hoping the snow stays a few more days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When in the Bay Area, I found this grain called Farrow.  I had heard of it, an heirloom wheat grain.

I cooked it up, chopped onion, carrots, celery, avocado, and the juice of one lemon and it was a delicious salad.  If you find it, make sure you get the semi pearled variety; much faster cooking.

So there you go, all caught up.  Stay warm everyone!

Hugs goodbye! Love you Harpie!

Autumn in the Country

Oregon is well known for its cloudy, wet weather, but it rarely stops any of us from going outdoors.  Last weekend we took a drive to the Oregon Wine Country and it couldn’t have been more beautiful.  The colors were vibrant, the weather was mild and the wine was delicious.

 

           The tasting rooms allow you to enjoy the flavors and learn the process of winemaking.

 

Each winery is unique.  The personalities show through the architecture, the wine labels, and the descriptions of each varietal.  The tasting room staff are always knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their favorites.

 

We stopped at Red Ridge Farms for a tour of their small olive oil facility and gift shop.  I’m so happy to see olive farming coming to Oregon.  The perfect companion to the wine industry. 

 

                      A drive in the country is always good for the soul.  It’s good place to breathe.  

A Cabin for the Weekend

There’s nothing quite like staying in a cabin in the woods.  Our family has enjoyed the cabins at Odell Lake, high up in the Oregon Cascades for many years.  We spent a week each summer and an occasional winter weekend, and watched the kids grow up loving it as much as we did.  This weekend we took the two dogs and headed back up to the mountains for a mini vacation.

We  lucked out and watched as the first snowfall of the season covered everything in white.   At 5000 feet, the snow fell hard and fast and soon our world was blanketed in winter beauty.

   I love seeing the dogs so happy.  It’s a bit more work to add dogs to a vacation.  They were unsettled at first, trying to figure out what was going on, but as soon as we let them off leash, they knew they were in for a good time.  Running and playing like little kids on a snow day.

 

Odell Lake Resort offers cabins as well as rooms at the lodge for year round rentals.  From tiny one room cabins for 2 to  large roomy cabins for families to share, there is something for any sized group.

There are many other campgrounds and resorts in Oregon and all over the Northwest. The current issue of Sunset Magazine  offers a cover story on the West’s Best Cabins.  Spending your vacation in a cabin is like the best of camping but with indoor plumbing and a cozy bed.  You can enjoy the outdoors, hiking and exploring and then come inside for a hot shower and a good night sleep.  Many cabins and small resorts allow dogs for a little extra cost.

 

If there’s any doubt about taking dogs, just look at our boys. Raleigh, the brown one is 9 years old but acts like a puppy when we head for the mountains.  Harper is the younger one, and this was his  first real vacation in the woods.  He had a ball exploring the wonderful sights and smells. It's such fun to see their unabashed enthusiasm!

 

I think a cabin is always a good idea, winter, spring, summer, or fall.  Try it sometime and enjoy!

A Long Weekend in The Bay Area

Last Thursday my son and I drove south for eleven hours to San Ramon for a visit with my daughter.  We took her pup with us and spent some of our time in the several dog parks in the Tri-Valley area and lots of time on short dog walks.  Saturday we took the short drive into San Francisco to wander through the Farmers Market, The Ferry Building and a tour of Alcatraz. I love having the time to spend with both kids. Lots of laughing and catching up with one anothers' lives.

 

                                                                                            Love the flower stalls

 

                         We had a great Mexican breakfast of Chilaquiles Verdes, outside with a view of the Bay Bridge

We took a short, but cold, windy boat ride out to Alcatraz and enjoyed the audio tour that was included in our ticket price

                                   Home to a number of famous prisoners including Al Capone and ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly

 

Alcatraz was an interesting culture of prisoners in a high security federal penitentiary and the families of the wardens and prison guards.  The grounds included what remains of social halls,  apartments and the headquarters to the prison. 

      San Francisco is just a mile across the water, giving the prisoners a constant reminder of what they were missing.

Another eleven hour drive and we’re back home. Lots of driving, good food, happy visits and of course dog slobber.

Driving Around Oahu

Today we stayed with our plan and rented a car to drive around the island.  We lucked out and rented a bright blue Mustang convertible which added to our fun. Leaving downtown Waikiki with the top down, we headed west then north enjoying the fresh air and the drive. We reached the North Shore area just in time for lunch at the recommended shrimp tuck, Giovanni’s. The garlic scampi did not disappoint. We were soon full and set off to continue the journey.

As we began to head south and east we stopped at a couple of beach waysides to take in the view and take pictures.

 

As we continued south we took Interstate Highway 3 that would cut us through the Koolau Mountain Range via the Tetsuo Harano Tunnel. The change from beach to mountains was extraordinary. 

                       Suddenly there was the entrance to the tunnel in the side of the mountains.

 

 

                              We were in. It was loud, fast and reminded us of a ride at Disneyland.

It was quite exciting. Upon exiting the nearly mile long tunnel we  were treated with more spectacular views. The convertible proved handy as I could hold the camera high above my head and snap away.

                            We felt suspended above the trees looking down on a dense green jungle.

                                  We cruised away from the mountains going south back towards the shoreline.

                                  Although it’s called Sandy Beach, there was little sand to be found.

 

Our last stop was at Ha lona Blowhole. A beautiful place to end our journey round the island, Oahu is full of surprises. Waikiki is wall to wall shopping, condos and resorts.  At only 1 square mile you never forget for a minute that you’re in a big modern city. Step or drive outside its limits and you’re taken back to nature, tradition and rich cultures.

We had a great quick trip, No down time but it allowed us to see a lot in our short visit. Until next time, Aloha!

Hiking in a Crater

Today we did as planned and hiked to the top of Diamond Head. We used the convenient city bus system to take us to within a half mile of the trail head then walked up to the Diamond Head Monument to begin our journey. The trail is paved for the first part and then it’s kind of an irregular rocky concrete. A bit hard on the feet and you must watch where you’re going. I watched people come down, assuring myself that if they could do it, I would certainly have no trouble. I wore good walking shoes while others chose flip flops and silly little shoes, but up we all went, young and old. The most difficult part for me was this long tunnel. It continues to move uphill, it’s dark and I couldn’t see the end. I was breathing hard and I’m sure a little wild eyed when I saw a photo flash. A lady laughed and said “look for it on Facebook.” Gawd, I thought, I know I’m in her picture; that’ll be a nice one! Keep any eye out for it, I’m sure it will bring a good laugh.

After that you climb super steep stairs that are between 65-70 degrees. By then most everyone is puffing a bit.

But, then you are at the top and you get to see this:

and this:

and this:

The air is warm, the wind is blowing and you know that no photograph will do it justice but you keep taking pictures anyway. It’s a little bit hazy but you take it all in and the scary tunnel doesn’t matter anymore. On the way down the tunnel’s end can be seen upon entering; I count and it’s only 100 steps to the other end.  A small price to pay for such a beautiful view.  The rest of the day was spent leisurely by the pool, then out for a well earned dinner.

Tomorrow we are renting a car to get out of the Waikiki area and see what the rest of the island is like. Stay tuned. Aloha!

Snorkeling in a Crater

We had an opportunity to spend 5 days in Honolulu this week. To make a free trip even better, we cashed in some air miles, lucked out having the college boy home to dog sit and off we went. No need to rent a car in Waikiki; it would be too expensive to park. You can get a shuttle or city bus to most anywhere you need to go.  Yesterday we spent the day at Pearl Harbor and today we took a shuttle out to Hanauma Bay Beach Park.

It’s a Nature Preserve and a Marine Life Conservation District where snorkelers are allowed to view the reef, fish and appreciate the beautiful nature.  After paying a small fee you are required to watch a short video then walk down a fairly long trail to the waters edge.  The view from above is amazing but the view underwater is truly another world.

         

My husband had great fun with his new underwater camera.  The fish were everywhere as we simply swam through the shallow waters.  It’s important to avoid contact with the reef so we were careful to look but not touch.

Yesterdays visit to Pearl Harbor was full of history at the exact place the history happened.  Serving as a tomb to the 1,177 victims of the attack on December 7, 1941, it is a place of great reverence.  We toured the museum then boarded the boat for a ride out to the memorial itself. Floating like a bridge overtop the wreckage of the Battleship USS Arizona, rusty pieces of the ship are still visible, over 70 years after the attack. It’s a wonderful memorial and an amazing way to learn history and hear the stories from survivors. It’s a sobering experience that I highly recommend.

Tomorrow our plan is to climb Diamond Head.  I’m told it’s a relatively easy hike, but I’m never in charge of these outings; I just ask how difficult so I know which shoes to wear.  We’ll head up in the afternoon, and I’ve been promised that we’ll be back in time for happy hour. Perhaps a foot soak in the ocean too.  More tomorrow, for now… Aloha!

An Afternoon in Danville

The last day of our California visit was spent in Danville, a beautiful little town which is part of the Tri-Valley area.  We spent time at the Blackhawk Museum, walking through a wonderful collection of classic automobiles.  Two floors of cars from Rolls Royce to Alfa Romero, and everything in between.  Although I would never consider myself a car buff, I must admit I really enjoyed our visit.  Such an amazing collection of cars that are truly works of art.

            We learned that the phrase “It’s a Doozy!” came via the classically beautiful Dusenberg.  It really is a doozy!

The beautiful museum is available for parties and catered events.  The elegance of the automobiles and the dramatic setting lends itself well to the many weddings, meetings and social events held there every year.

After the museum visit we wandered through downtown Danville.  The restaurant Bridges is the setting for the final climatic scene in the 1993 Robin Williams movie Mrs. Doubtfire.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner there last time we were there and had fun spotting the seating areas from the movie.

That’s it! Back home to Oregon, a little drizzly and much cooler. Northern California remains a favorite spot to visit, not just because our daughter lives there now, but how nice of her to land in a place I love to vacation.

                                                                                                Rolls Royce Hood Ornament

Healdsburg, St. Helena and Napa

                                  Tuesday began with breakfast in Healdsburg at Costraux French Bakery. Delicious!

We then headed over to Moshin Vineyards for our Winery tour. Moshin practices  sustainability, using solar power and gravity flow to process their small lot, hand crafted wines. It’s a family affair started by Rick Moshin in 1989. Our tour was led by his sister Janet, who was there from the beginning.

A wine tour is an entertaining way to learn more about the making of wine from people who are passionate about just that.  We learned the details of how the winery began and the practice of raising grapes to finishing wine.

Our tour ended we decided to indulge ourselves by joining their wine club.  We’ll enjoy six of their bottles twice a year.  It’s fun to support a family business, especially when we agree that their wines are outstanding.

We wandered around St. Helena gathering business cards from shops where my pillows would fit in nicely. Late in the afternoon we decided to drive to Napa and gather a few more photos and business cards.  Lots of beautiful shops.  With the temperature at 76 degrees and sunny, the weather was perfect for lots of walking and photo ops.

Early evening called us back to St. Helena for dinner.  We had a delicious pizza at Pizzeria Tra Vigne.  Those rolls might be the most delicious bread I’ve ever eaten.  They are house made and are served with crushed garlic, olive oil and parmesan cheese.  I was so happy with the rolls I ended up saving most of our pizza for tomorrows lunch.

Tomorrow we head back down to San Ramon to reunite the dogs and daughter. Our day will be full and fun.

                                                       

                                                                                                           Happy sunshine!

Brunch, Beach and Beautiful Views

Sunday began with a delicious brunch at Campo di Bocce in Livermore.  I forgot to take any pictures of the food because I was too busy eating. It was delicious! I asked if they would mind if I took a few pictures of my Wine Country pillows in their beautiful setting.  There were no other diners outside so we had fun setting up for our photos.

From Livermore we drove south to Sunnyvale to visit more family.  We arrived back in Windsor late in the evening after adding another 200+ miles to our trip.  Another long, but fun filled day!

 

      

Monday began with picking up our big brown boy Raleigh from the nearby kennel for his promised trip to the coast.  It was a bit foggy at first, but the sun pushed through and we spent the day hiking any trail we could find that didn’t  have a “no dogs” sign posted. He was so happy to spend the day with us.

 

California can seem a bit unfriendly when these signs are posted at every trailhead. I stopped and asked about one place and was given the go ahead for dogs on the beach.  I’m not sure why one beach or trail is different from another.

It’s so fun to let a city dog run wild and free.  Who would believe Raleigh is 8 years old?  He was a pooped pup at the end of the day when we returned him to his kennel. I think he was looking forward to his bed and a long rest.

 

 

                          One of our favorite views, Goat Rock Beach along the Sonoma Coastline.  Beautiful!

Tomorrow we head to Moshin Vineyard for a tasting and a tour of their winery.  Their sustainable, minimally invasive farming impresses us as much as their wine does.  More on that tomorrow. After that we’ll drive to Napa Valley to my favorite little town of St. Helena for dinner and possibly a bit of shopping.  Should be another fun day in California!

                                                                                                     Wild iris along the trail

The Sonoma Coast

Our daughter picked up her pup and we drove to the Sonoma Coast.  Old dog had to stay because of time constraints at the kennel but we took him for a long luxurious walk in the country, full of wonderful smells and critters.

One dog at a time isn’t such a bad way to go. Kind of like taking each of your kids out for a special day, but this is even better because they can’t tell each other how much cooler their day was (Well, I guess they can’t).  The pictures look like little blondie is getting the better deal but he will be spending his time in an apartment this week while Raleigh, the big boy will be at the dog resort then hitting the beach on Monday. I think they’ll both be very happy.  So far I like the idea of taking the dogs with us and kenneling them part of the time. Fortunately the kennel allows in and out privileges.

       

I always enjoy our time here. It’s easy to find the elegance of the wine tasting rooms and beautiful restaurants, but a simple walk in the countryside is a reminder that there are still a lot of farms and wonderful animals roaming around the fields. Who could resist faces like these to greet you as you walk through their ‘neighborhood’?

Tomorrow we’re off to brunch at Campo di Bocce in Livermore.  Great food and eight bocce courts. Photo ops?? Yes!

                                                                                                 Welcome to California!

Away We Go!

Off to Northern California with dogs and lots of stuff. Our daughter moved to the Tri-Valley area last fall and as long as we’re driving we’re taking a few of her thing with us.  The Tri-Valley area is 30 miles east of San Francisco. It’s beautiful, sunny and close enough to the city for fun but they enjoy more blue skies and less population than SF.

She needs her bicycle so that’s on top.  Although she can’t have her dog in her tiny apartment (yet), she’s missing him like crazy so he’s going for a visit.  We couldn’t take one dog without the other so our big boy is joining us. He’ll stay in a kennel part of the time, but we’re anxious to take him over to the Sonoma Coast for a good long romp.

I’ve got totes full of pillows for photo ops and a few possible sales.  Mostly I want to scout shops and wineries for future contact.  Most of the pillows I have right now are spoken for in the form of a big sale coming up (more about that later). Before the sale I want lots of pictures in beautiful settings and what’s prettier than Wineries and the California Coast?

It’s a ten hour drive but we’ve got lots of music, decent weather and slobbery dogs to keep us company.  And when you get a view like this soon after crossing the California border it’s a good day for a road trip.        

                                                                         Stay tuned to see how it goes!

24 Hours in Seattle

A relatively short drive, 150 miles straight north and we’re in Seattle in time for lunch.  It’s cold, clear and dry, exactly as we left Portland just three hours earlier.  We wander down to the Public Market to check things out.

It feels bitterly cold so we try to warm up by ducking into a café for a quick sandwich and latte before wrapping our scarves around our necks a bit tighter and heading back out to see what’s happening in the market stalls.

                                                          The tulips are so hardy and love the crisp cold air.

We walk back outside and head up First street. The view of the Ferris wheel and ferry is just plain fun. We stop in at my favorite shop, Watson and Kennedy and spend time soaking in everything lovely, unusual and wonderful.

 

 

 

 

We buy cupcakes at Cupcake Royale and decided to drive over to see the Space Needle.  At $17 per person for the ride up we decide not this time. We’ve been to the top many other times so instead we sit and eat our dessert. Later I realize the amazing view we missed of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains on such a clear day. That would have been a $34 very well spent. Sometimes I kick myself for being a cheapskate.  Note to self: Remember that even though we’d be looking out the same windows every time, the view is quite dependent on the weather.

 

 

 

 

 

That afternoon we check to see if there are tickets available for the evening performance of The Book of Morman.  The guy in the box office tells us no, but that if we’d like to come back two hours before the show they have a lottery and offer the winners tickets for $25 each.  We decide that it might be worth a try so at 5pm we head back over to the theater.  We figure there are bound to be a few others but we consider our chances pretty good. To our surprise there were at least 400 of us, crowded, huddled and in each others way as we  all filled out our little forms, folded them cleverly and dropped them in the bag. We waited as everyone else did the same before listening for our names to be called. Being among theater folk and the possibility of winning, there was definitely a party atmosphere.  The woman with the megaphone was great fun and got the crowd fully charged  with anticipation.  She had us taking oaths to not scalp our tickets if we won and cheering and chanting for the winners as each name was drawn.  Even though we didn’t win, we agreed that it was great fun and definitely worth the try.

 

Off we went to dinner before heading back to our hotel. The next morning was the cold, grey fog I expect from a winter day in Seattle. We walk down the street for a quick breakfast then back towards the marketplace. We stop at a bakery for cookies for the road and before heading home we get our cheesy fill at Beechers. We walk back up the steep hill, attempting to walk off the best macaroni and cheese ever. There are people everywhere. Northwesterners are rarely bothered by grey and cold; it wasn’t raining after all.  We get our car and are back home by dinnertime.  A quick trip to the north is a fun winter diversion.

                                                                       Truly everybody was bundled up for the winter cold.

It’s funny. We didn’t go to the top of the Space Needle on a perfectly beautiful day and we didn’t get to see the theater presentation we hoped for but we left home with no particular expectations so ended up enjoying our short visit north. Sometimes a day trip is just a simple way to break up the monotony of everyday life….and that’s fun in itself.

What a Difference a Day Makes

  

             Good to be home but…the transition might be tough!

Kauai

Where to begin when you are on the Hawaiian Island of Kaua’i?  Walking around in shorts and t-shirts in November, showing no shame in a swimsuit, long walks on the beach, watching surfers, bike rides, snorkeling. The list goes on and on. We are celebrating our anniversary in Kaua’i this year and as always, Hawaii doesn’t disappoint.

The weather has been fairly agreeable, not perfectly sunny, a bit breezy, but nice and warm. Wednesday we rented bikes and rode for miles along the shoreline on a wonderful trail. Lots of stops for pictures and views. We ate lunch in Kapa’a , leaning our bikes up against the café, while dining on fresh Ahi tacos.  Soon we were on our way riding north until we were at the trails end.

The peaceful deserted beach was a wonderful destination. We headed back to the trail into the warm fresh sea wind.

                                           Of course we had to stop and watch the surfers waiting to catch the perfect wave

                      There’s nothing quite like a beautiful sunset to end your day and begin your evening

Yesterday we went snorkeling and met up with turtles and dolphins. It couldn’t have been more awesome. Hopefully my little disposable underwater camera will provide us with a few pictures to share. Until then, Aloha!

Oregon Wine Country in Autumn

Sunday turned out to be the perfect day to drive to Yamhill County, the heart of Oregon’s wine country. The weather was warm, no rain or wind and the views were spectacular. One of our favorite vineyards, Winderlea Winery was hosting a tasting for guests who had joined their wine club.  Their passion is Pinot Noir and they clearly love what they do.

The garage style doors of the tasting room were rolled up and we stood out on the deck and sipped the selections they had chosen for us. November weather in Oregon can be so iffy but this day was perfect. Although it was a little bit like going to a party where no one really knew each other, the great food, wine and this view allowed for simple small talk. The owners moved about the room sharing their story and graciously accepting compliments for their wonderful wines.

Their harvest is over for this year and they are happily looking forward to seeing what our long warm summer did for their grapes.   We are too but while we wait, we’ll certainly enjoy their delicious 2011 vintage.   Cheers!

Riding in the Car with Dogs

We just returned from a fairly quick weekend trip to Missoula Montana to visit our college boy during parents weekend. We decided to invite the dogs along because they were missing their boy too. With a bit of extra planning and effort it turned out to be a great decision. It didn’t make the trip any easier but I think it resulted in a more fulfilling journey.

The Doubletree Hilton in Montana is partially responsible for our good time. Their website said they allowed dogs and they honestly made our pets feel welcome.  They accommodated us by giving us a ground floor room and suggested walking areas nearby.

Here are a few tips for travelling with your best pals:

• Make sure the hotel allows dogs and request a ground floor room
• Before we left I gave the dogs a bath and washed their bedding
• Put up a barrier to keep them out of the front seat area, for everyone's safety
• Make sure other luggage is tethered down to avoid suitcases sliding onto dogs
• Leash the dogs before you open the car doors. You don’t want curiosity and excitement ruining the trip
• Carry extra water, food and bowls
• Lay dog beds behind front seats so you can keep an eye on each other. Lay luggage or totes on floor for a nice even base and make sure there are no gaps for long skinny legs to get caught
• Stop every couple of hours for stretching, water and potty breaks (for everyone)
• Be sure to bring leashes, with dog tags and ID tags with your cell number so you can be reached directly
• Pack a supply of bags for waste disposal, along with hand sanitizer or moistened towelettes.
• Toss in an extra small towel or two to wipe off wet dogs before coming back to the hotel room
• We took dogs kennels, 1 large soft side netted kennel and one typical box kennel for nighttime and for when the dogs were left alone

We lucked out with extra help.  With so many college kids missing their dogs, a couple of our sons friends offered to come stay with the dogs while we went to dinner. These girls got in their dog fix  while they caught up on their favorite cable shows on the TLC channel.

Our boy and his dogs had a good visit with lots of walks and love.  The dogs were well behaved and endured the long ride by mostly sleeping and watching the scenery. The loved each stop and the excitement of new smells to explore but were just as excited when we pulled into our driveway and they knew they were home. It was a very satisfying trip for all of us.

                                                                                                  Good dogs!

The Yellowstone Journey Part 2

8 days, 2100 miles, 5 hotel rooms, countless rest stops and now we’re home. We left the boy in Missoula, making friends and finding his way around campus. I’m thinking it’s the beginning of a wonderfully fun four years for him. I highly recommend planning a mini vacation for mom and dad after dropping off your child at college.  An extra  little trip of your own gives you something to look forward to and takes the edge off the drive home.Leaving Missoula we headed southeast, stopping in Bozeman (the other college town) for lunch. A sweet community with a great main street full of interesting shops and restaurants.   Beautiful views at every turn in the road as we drove on.                       

We stayed in Big Sky for the night. It’s a beautiful ski community with views that live up to its name. Empty ski lifts were everywhere and lodge style homes stood empty waiting for snow.

We arrived in Yellowstone by 10 am and spent the day touring the vast landscape, watching with eyes peeled for the grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves, bison and any other animals who might pose for us.

Bison were everywhere, walking down the road and grazing so close we could have reached out the car windows to touch them (we didn’t). No other wildlife, but we realized that in the two million acres of park they probably didn’t need to hang out by the road. The air was hazy with smoke from fires burning in the distance. We watched thunder clouds roll in late in the afternoon and enjoyed Old Faithful that night from the deck of the Old Faithful Inn, lit up by lightning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Inn is an amazing place. Built in the early 1900’s it’s lovingly cared for and kept as close to its original structure as possible.  Renovations are done with the same skilled care, using  locally-obtained materials and methods to keep the rustic structure authentic. Logs  found nearby are hand carved, forming hand rails for todays stricter safety regulations.

On our second morning the air was crystal clear after the rain. We were there for Old Faithful’s performance every 90 minutes as well as the many other geysers and pools. The amazing colors of some were outstanding.

As we drove out of the park we exited out the north entrance and headed up through Gardiner and on through Missoula towards home. It was a great mini vacation even with the bittersweet sendoff to the college boy.

 

 

I love that he has chosen such a beautiful place to spend the next four years as it will be great to explore Montana. Of course I’ll miss him, but I’m pretty practical and rational and there’s no greater thing I want for him right now than to have the opportunity to attend college. And so off he goes.

 

A Journey to Yellowstone

We just completed our two day visit to Yellowstone National Park. Each time I visit a national park I’m amazed at the beauty but also appreciative for the foresight that allowed our government to set aside these wonderful places to visit.

Whenever we stopped to check out a view we encountered so many other people.  So many accents and languages heard as we passed our cameras around, nodding and smiling as we each took group shots for one another.

In this day and age I am still awed that so many people still really love nature. I only saw two kids playing video games and since cell phone service in the park is spotty, I think everyone put their phones away. Everyone was busy taking pictures.  We enjoyed a thunderstorm one night that cleared the air of the smoke from fires in the distance.

We were on the lookout for wild animals but the only ones out were the bison; they were close enough for easy photos.

We also enjoyed watching license plates from all over the United States and easily spotted cars from 38 different states and 3 Canadian provinces. Figuring many people flew to the destination, there really were people from all over the world. Yellowstone Park covers over 2 million acres and we attempted to see much of it. I’ll share more as soon as I can. Until then, I remain the

On the Road Again

 

Off we go, car packed to the gills with college boy stuff. Trying to make it a bit of a mini vacation so there’s more to look forward to than just dropping off our youngest at school.

 

 

 

 

First stop Coeur d'Alene Idaho. We’ve driven through many times, always saying we should check it out but we’re always in a hurry to get to Missoula so have never even slowed down. This time we’re intent on stalling the destination so we stop for the evening and have dinner and stroll around the town. After the perfect pizza at Fire Artisan Pizza we walked down to the waterfront and enjoyed the sunset.

  Next stop, University of Montana.

Taking Those Moments

The son is off to college next week. Yikes! We’re currently running around looking for just the right things to fill his dorm room.  Bed Bath and Beyond for shelves? Coupon in hand but the shelves looked too girly. Weird flowery grid. Off to Ikea. We found a great shelf which will hold bins. Cool black, no feminine details. Whew! Driving back the freeway was sooo crowded on a Friday afternoon. I took another route, which sent me directly into a work zone. I followed a sign (I thought) and was suddenly going the wrong direction, sailing back across the river. Shoot!(?) The son is looking at his phone to see where we should aim ourselves next and proclaims we are close to Voodoo Doughnuts.  Not the original location, he says, but the east side Voodoo 2.  “Okay” I say.  Who needs to get home when we can stop for a moment of quality time. Besides it’s past lunch time and we don’t want to risk getting cranky at one another.

                                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I order the bacon maple bar and he got the Old Dirty Bastard (that’s my boy). They were delicious and it was a nice moment to get off the road and have just one more minute of fun before he flies the coop. We brought a few home too for the others, just in case they felt left out of the craziness.  Thanks Voodoo!

Oregon Wine Country

Saturday we took a drive to the little town of Dundee, which is full of some of Oregon’s favorite vineyards and is right in the heart of the wine county.  We were starving on our arrival so chose to eat lunch at the Dundee Bistro.Everything on the menu was tempting with lots of local food choices. I opted for the cheese/meat platter which was served on a very country organic style slate serving tray. The salad was beautiful with fresh Oregon blueberries, toasted hazelnuts and chevre cheese.  The meats and cheeses were wonderful; everything combining nicely. The day was hot so we asked our server for his recommendation for a fresh cool wine. His suggestion was spot on with a 2011 Pinot Noir Rosé from the Ponzi vineyard. After lunch and a quick purchase of a couple of bottles from the Ponzi tasting room next door we headed up the hill to the Winderlea Vineyard, recommended by the staff at Ponzi’s. The name Winderlea means wind in the meadow and it’s a beautiful place to sit and taste their Pinots.  We joined their wine club which means that twice a year they’ll select an assortment for us. To claim our wines we join them at the winery for dinner. Sounds like a good plan. I can hardly wait until November for our return visit.

Perhaps these grapes will make it into a future bottle of ours. Notice how red the soil is. It’s part of what makes the world class Pinots that come out of this area. The grapes sure seem to like it. A hot Oregon summer day was the perfect day for the 30 miles drive from Portland. Something else to put on your list of things to do on your next visit to Oregon.

A Visit to the Tsunami Dock

I went to the beach over the weekend.  My sister lives in Newport which is where the dock from the last years tsunami in Japan has landed. I decided I must see it. Sunday we saw cars parked along the sides of the road and droves of people swarming in to take a look. It’s funny what something like this will do for tourism. 

I waited until Monday morning. All was quiet and I wandered down early to take a look.  At 66 X 19 feet, it really is massive. I couldn’t help thinking of the movie 2001 A Space Odyssey and the huge monolith that appeared, apparently out of nowhere.  It must have been crazy weird to wake up one morning to go beach combing and come across this. The dock is taller than any of the people wandering by. It was peaceful and I noticed a feeling of reverence among the visitors. People were taking the time to grasp the enormity of it size and presence and most felt it should not be dismantled or cut apart, but rather stay as a relic of the destruction. Unfortunately I think it will end up being removed.

Our Sunday was spent doing fairly traditional beachy activities.  We spent Sunday afternoon walking with the dog, looking for rocks and shells and breathing in the fresh new air.

This rock cliff is covered in the most amazing colors of mossy seaweed, lichen and barnacles. I want yarns in these colors.

Wouldn’t this make a wonderful garden bench?? Those white swirls are shells fossilized in the rock. Ahh, Mother Nature!

   

I'm glad I decided to see what it felt like seeing the dock that has traveled so far. We know there will be lots more debris to come, but this first massive speciman is pretty amazing. After my viewing  I walked back to my car and stopped for a quick breakfast of baked eggs and a beautiful latte. 

                                                        A short but sweet visit to the beach. A fine way to begin July!

If It's Thursday, It Must be Napa

Day four, the final day of our road trip and we headed to the sweet city of Napa. Long known for it wineries and restaurants Napa feels larger and more spread out than the small towns we’ve enjoyed so far. More walking is good for us as we knew we’d enjoy our lunch somewhere along the way. The lush plantings as we walk are enticing.

A walk across the bridge led us to the Oxbow Public Market.  Upon stepping inside we were surrounded by an amazing display of foods including olive oils, meats, cheeses, seafood and desserts.  The delicious scents made us quite hungry.

We ended up enjoying a wonderful wood-fired Margherita pizza, salad and a glass of wine for lunch at Ca’ Momi restaurant. We ate on the little terrace overlooking the parking lot but especially enjoyed the table next to us. The central figures of the Ca’ Momi Winery in Napa were having a business meeting. We couldn’t help but listen in and appreciate the work they do. The pizza with it’s deliciously fresh sauce and mozzarella was perfection.

After lunch and a bit of shopping we headed out of town, stopping briefly in Yountville to check out the shops at the V Marketplace. Located in a beautiful old winery it’s a perfect place to wander and window shop. On our way back we strayed into St. Helena for one last look and stopped again at my new favorite shop Acres to make my birthday purchase. It’s a vintage camel saddle, which sounds very weird, but it will make a wonderful small bench. Photos to follow soon. I also found a very sweet olive tree which will totally remind me of our spring 2012 trip to the wine country. Homeward bound tomorrow.

                                                                                                 It’s been a wonderful visit.

Sonoma Coast and Redwoods

Day three of our Sonoma road trip was a day full of natural beauty. We began our day driving towards the coast. It was crazy windy but breathtakingly awesome. We walked along the shore, picking up perfect rocks while trying to keep steady in the high wind. We made our way up the cliffs to the top for a beautiful view. Truly some of natures finest work.

It was literally so windy that we couldn’t talk. I’d open my mouth to say something and the wind would rush in and keep the words from coming out. Weird! On our walk back we had to lean into the wind so hard that if the wind broke for just a second we’d nearly fall over. It was all worth it though, the sun, the sky the air…all so beautiful.

After a quick bite of lunch at a little shack in Bodega Bay we headed to the Armstrong Redwoods State Park for our hike.

A 400 foot climb over the 2 1/2 miles proved challenging yet ever so wonderful. Some of these coastal redwoods are over 1000 years old and 300 feet tall. It’s really unbelievable to realize how long they’ve been around.

This part of the trail is an easy stroll through the grove. As you look up through the canopy it’s easy to see that they are the tallest living things on our planet.  Check out Armstrong Redwoods if your ever visiting the Sonoma Coast area.

It was a wonderful day seeing so much natural beauty. We had a delicious dinner in Healdsburg at the restaurant Zin . Fresh, beautifully prepared food and local wines proved the end to a perfect day. Tomorrow, the final day of our trip, we’ll head to Napa.

Sonoma Road Trip - Day 2

Our second day takes us into St. Helena, in Napa County to visit a couple of favorite shops and find a new one or two. The St. Helena Olive Oil Company is a treat for the senses. It’s housed in an ancient bank and it contains treasures of oils, salts, vinegars, as well as vintage finds.  The stone walls add to the ambience. Everything is available for tasting and my favorite Weck jars hold salts and mustards. I purchased a tarragon mustard and roasted garlic sea salt. I can’t wait to try them.

                                                Everything has a vintage, old world feel to it; even the tags.

 

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The next olive oil shop we stopped at is called Olivier Napa Valley.

It has a bright, fresh feeling and their oils are contained in gigantic brass tanks which they tap to fill the bottles.

 

 

 

I found a new favorite home and garden shop called Acres. Click on the link and they will direct you to their Facebook while their website is being completed. They just opened in April and the freshness and enthusiasm is evident. The shop is full of beautiful finds, some new, some vintage. Lots of French watering cans and garden tools, books, soaps, pottery, silk flowers, linens, pillows and so much more. You can’t help but fall in love with the whole store. Every product has the feeling of being very well made whether for using in the garden or for display in your home. Check them out on Facebook or give yourself a reminder to visit their website or their shop. If you're anything like me, you'll want to move right in!

Tomorrow we will visit a winery or two and take a hike through the Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve Park located in the Russian River Valley.

                                                                                                              Stay tuned!

On the Road in Sonoma

We’re on our road trip to the wine country in Northern California. A 10 hour drive south from our home, we come out of our Willamette Valley, through the Siskiyou Mountains and into the Sonoma Valley. So beautiful! The weather is perfect and the small towns reflect the affluence and ambience that the vineyards have provided. There are wonderful restaurants for lunch and dinner and there are shops full of artistic and creative artwork and crafts to enjoy.

Whether you drink wine or not, it’s always worth the drive. Beautiful vineyards are around every turn.  The road quite literally winds through the farms, some small and some grand. The homes can be modest or grand European chateaus but each row upon row of grapes is tended with the loving care of the farmers and winemakers.

We stopped at two favorite tasting rooms to sample their prize winning wines and were treated to not only wonderful wines but the history and traditions of winemaking, farming the grapes and the different regions of grape growing.

Tomorrow we’ll go to one of my favorite towns, St. Helena. Picturesque, full of olive oil shops and tasting rooms and wonderful restaurants for lunch.  And we’re promised another day of beautiful weather. The perfect get away!

Travel By Car

 

Even though our driving time to Missoula was 9 hours each way, I can still appreciate a few things. Here is my top ten list.

Top 10 things about traveling by car:

1. You can pack extra pairs of shoes, for any weather, any occasion, or any whim.
2. You can take your own pillow, or even your blanket.
3. You don’t have to crawl across someone in the seat next to you when you have to go to the bathroom—but you do have to get the driver to make a stop.
4. You can choose music, movies, books, magazines, needlework, or a nap (when you’re the passenger).
5. You get to see lots of things you’d miss if you flew over them.
6. If in doubt about the weather you can take whatever clothes choices you want.
7. You can carry your own food with you and can eat when you want, or stop to eat when and where you want.
8. You don’t have to carry travel size everything.
9. You get some good one on one time with your spouse or kid.
10. You don’t have to go through security!!

Montana Bound

We’re off to Missoula Montana this morning. 9 hours in the car, so we’ve brought lots of music (650 songs downloaded to my iPhone) and are excited to visit the University of Montana. I love Missoula with it’s small village feel, yet as with most college towns, there’s culture all around.

I’m eager to check out my favorite fabric shop, antique shop and our favorite restaurants. I’ve only ever visited in the summer so am anxious the see Missoula in the early spring.

I’ll take lots of pictures and try for a Sunday Quote post that reflects our visit. Stay tuned!

Away to Connecticut

We're on our way to Connecticut for a 90th birthday celebration. I promise to take lots of pictures of the party and of the wonderful art studio where my sister-in-law creates her beautiful maps.

Mirador

Mirador is a community store in Portland and is a great place to find things you didn’t know you needed as well as things that you’ve probably looked for elsewhere and couldn’t find.

 

There is a wonderful section dedicated to canning and preserving foods.

It’s a place where you can find  things for your home and know that is is purchased from people who often actually make the products.

 

 

 

 

 

There are sweet oven mitts that are felted in a wonderful colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautifully made aprons make the perfect gift and offer plenty of inspiration to cook with flair!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children’s aprons couldn’t be more perfect! Cook with mom?? Yes!

 

 

 

      

Baskets and brooms. Fair Trade and beautifully woven.

Mirador works with local artists and craftspeople and also with people who enjoy making something that used to be something else. Their prices are fair and their stock changes often. They’re always on the lookout for something fun and new. Check it out, especially as the holidays draw near.

555 Miles

To Missoula Montana, that is. My son and I made the trip to check out the University of Montana and to help my daughter move back to the big city.

Missoula is really a beautiful little city. It sits in a valley surrounded by mountains. 66,000 people but one of those places that you know you always run into someone you know when you’re out and about. Summertime in Missoula brings everyone outside.

We were there during the annual River City Roots Festival. Outdoor, of course with fun music and lots of booths filled with local arts and crafts. Fly fishing is extremely popular in Missoula and many of the booths reflected beautiful fishing flies, as well as jewelry made in the same manner.

I found a wonderful piece of art that was totally unique. I love rocks and Justin Stewart of Ardosia made these pieces to hold pictures. I can’t really call them picture frames but maybe picture displays. He uses rocks from all over, but our favorite was this one made with a nice big stone from Flathead Lake. Perfect for displaying our recent Missoula pictures. I also like that I can change out pictures so simply.

We found a huge Antique Mall located in the old Montana Hotel. Four floors literally crammed with antiques, many of them with a very local feel.

 

 

One of my favorite fabric stores is Selvedge, conveniently located in downtown Missoula and even more conveniently having a sale.  We found several pieces we had to bring home.

 

Ever since the first time I came to Missoula I’ve always wanted to come back. People of all ages out enjoying their city, walking down the street carrying inner tubes to float down the river. I always enjoy cities with a river flowing through; it adds such life to a city.

I suggest adding Missoula Montana to any road trip. Simply Beautiful!

Northern California Wonders

We were back in California a couple of weeks ago for another visit. Yosemite is a wonderful national park with over 800 miles of hiking trails. We climbed over huge rocks and saw the waterfall up close. California proves again that it is not a state just filled with people.

 

We visited Calaveras Big Trees State Park and were dwarfed by the giant ancient sequoias.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our third day we paddled around a beautiful alpine lake in the kayaks we brought with us. The peaceful quiet in a kayak is truly a vacation.

Just driving through the Sierra Nevada’s gave us view after view of natures finest. California continues to amaze and remind me that it’s not just Hollywood, TV and movies. There are lots of people living here, but there are miles and miles of unspoiled nature to visit and enjoy.

          

California Road Trip Part II

Our trip to California was wonderful but of course over much too quickly. We spent one day on a wine tour, learning about wines, vineyards, estate grown and how to properly taste wine. Take a small sip, swish, swallow, wait, take another sip and enjoy. I learned to appreciate the subtle differences in each taste.

Our first stop was Simi Winery, one of the older wineries in Northern California. Two brothers from Italy started the business and after their early deaths, Isabelle, the teenage daughter of one of them took over. Unheard of in the late 1800’s, she was the female pioneer of the California wine industry working well into her 90’s.

I was not only impressed with the Simi wines but also their eco conscious practice of recycling. After pressing the grapes the remaining seeds, skins and branches are used as mulch in the vineyards.

 

They have beautiful garden beds for growing delicious looking vegetables for meals to wine and dine the trade.

 

 

 

The drive through the Sonoma Valley is beautiful.  Vineyards are everywhere, small and large. Many families work with and grow grapes for the larger wineries. The winemakers enjoy a relationship with the farmers and together produce world class wines. 

Our visits to other wineries included VML Winery, a bio-dynamic, organic winery. The interior of the tasting room is warm, earthy and boasts a wonderful collection of artisan crafted Pinot Noirs.

Next was Christopher Creek Winery, where we learned more about grapes, handcrafted wines and an especially wonderful Port.

Our last stop of the day was Moshin Vineyards where the practice of sustainability and minimally invasive are the philosophy. The winery is set at the bottom of the hill and the grapes are gathered in a gravity flow method.

I found it wonderful to learn more of the process of winemaking. Wine, while often considered an affluent beverage is being crafted by winemakers who are serious about taking care of the soil and earth where their grapes are grown. The modesty of the farmer is evident in the love and appreciation of the land. Each visit to the tasting room assured me that these farmers and winemakers are serious about the whole eco-system that produces each bottle of wine.

As I we drove north towards home I couldn’t help but say…

      “I’ll Be back”

Loving California

Heading south down I-5 I spotted this license plate. Fun and just right as we headed to Sonoma. Being an Oregonian I’ve always had a bit of an attitude towards California. I think many of us Oregonians see California as our ill-mannered, over the top neighbor to our south. I was brought up in the “Don’t Californicate Oregon” generation where we encouraged Californians to come visit, just don’t stay.

I’ve totally changed my tune and now have to admit loving California. Who wouldn’t love the weather?  The further we got into California the warmer it got. The clouds parted soon after we left Oregon and we saw blue sky!! (who knew??). Crops were growing, people were out and about; it’s perfect. I guess that’s why so many people live there. 

 

As we passed through Redding we always stop at the In and Out Burger. Really, as burger places go, this one rates an A. fresh beef/never frozen. You can watch the potatoes being cut into fries. The burger contains a big slice of tomato and a large lettuce leaf. Top it off with a shake of course.

 

 

Passing Mt. Shasta’s beauty

 

 

 

 

 

We stopped at the Cheese Factory on the way to Point Reyes. Wonderful cheeses to sample and we watched through the window as the cheese makers were busily creating.

 

 

 

 

 

While visiting the sweet town of St. Helena we found Gott’s Roadside Diner. They served up another great burger and shake. Can’t go wrong with the all-American meal!

 

 

 

 

We stayed in Windsor and enjoyed the sweet farm animals just out our window. It’s fun to wake up to the honking of geese and baaing of the sheep.

Yes, California, I’ll be back! To play, to enjoy your weather and to drink your lovely wines.

More next week on our visits to the vineyards and wineries.

                          

                          Stay Tuned!

Inspiration at Watson Kennedy Fine Living

 

I was in Seattle recently, just for the day, and I made sure to stop in at my favorite shop, Watson Kennedy Fine Living. There are actually three Watson Kennedy shops, each with wonderful home goods, as well as inspiration and creative ideas. The moment you cross the threshold into any of the shops, the mood engulfs you. There is a distinct feeling that you’ve just stepped into another world; Paris perhaps?  Each shop contains a wonderful combination of old and new; handcrafted pieces of art, antiques from Paris, all settled in among the more traditional, but distinctive manufactured goods. Somehow Ted Kennedy Watson pulls it altogether into an inspirational paradise.

The shop is arranged by color and as I head to the green table I find interesting bowls full of funny little keepsakes, vintage goblets and spools of ribbon. One antique saucer contains old watch faces, another holds old keys and there’s a bowl filled with old enameled number plaques.

 

The prices are quite high but all is forgiven because the presentation is so perfect. I think this time I will just soak it all in; of course I don’t need another thing. Then I spy an apothecary jar. Oh good, something to hold my old wooden spools. The enameled numbers are great; I choose a 92; the year we got married. I notice a little book all about vintage, antique and collectible shops in Paris. How could I go wrong??

 

Before I leave, I take one more wander around the shop. I don’t want to miss anything. I soak it all in; ambiance, mood, inspiration; hoping to remember how I might use the presentations in my own home. Watson Kennedy is a long way from my house but it’s a wonderful destination whenever I head north to Seattle

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I’ve found a new ‘widget’ to add to the blog, hopefully making it easier for everyone to keep in touch. You can now be alerted by email every time I publish a new post.  Go to the side bar to the right, scroll down to where it says subscribe to janet’s house. Click on it and follow the instructions. As always, thanks for reading!

 

A Day in Newport

 
 
Newport is located on the central Oregon coast, about 2 hours from Portland. It feels bigger than the 10,400 population but I suppose that’s because it’s a great place to visit. After the obligatory walk on the beach, a visit to the world class aquarium and maybe a visit to a lighthouse or two, you might feel the need to do a bit of shopping.

The 9^th Street Gallery is a wonderful mix of contemporary art and fine crafts. Located at 217 SW 9^th it’s a bit off the tourist path but well worth the visit. The freshness of the gallery is felt the moment you enter. The owner is a fused glass artist and the high ceilings and many windows provide a perfect showcase for the wonderful glass quilts. These fused tiles are made in different sizes to hang in a window as a modern privacy screen. They are a beautiful way to introduce color and style in a room. I think they’d be spectacular hanging in an entry.

 
Along with the impressive glass works you’ll find jewelry, ceramics, beautiful photographs, acrylics, oils and more.  Sara Swink ceramics are bizarrely fun and add wonderful whimsy to a room. Much of the jewelry is quite unique using natural stones and distinctive metal work to offer you a one of a kind piece.

Be sure to go out back in the courtyard where you’ll find unusual glass and ceramic pieces for the garden. There are blown glass hummingbird feeders, large metal sculptures and playful birdbaths. It’s a backyard full of color and creativity everywhere you look.

The 9^th Street Gallery is the perfect place to find something quite unique and truly special for your home, yourself or a friend. Next time you find yourself in Newport be sure to stop in.