Simple Living

It's hard to believe we have already been home two months - the same amount of time we were gone. So, although they are long overdue, here are some moments we wanted to share from our summer. We lived simply in the rugged coastal mountains of British Columbia at Beyond Malibu. We didn't take our camera out much, but here are some images from a dress-up dinner on the dock, life around base camp and 10-day (guide training).

This was etched into the wall of our cabin. A good reminder to live fully every day.

James is always good for a laugh

Our lovely head chef, Jillian

Yes, they were like this all summer...

Kjel and Annika

Sarah and Lauren

Kate

Us

Holly

JB

All of us at base camp

a rough life

Chaz

Ben

Chad

Tyler and James

His favorite past time

Cole

Tessa

Jeff and Finley

Where the journey always begins and ends...Egmont BC

It will be good to return again someday

Absolutely Floored

Monday Morning. 8:28 am. No Coffee...yet. Sun up and rising.


I want to say all students are amazing, but I lack the emotional and intellectual capacity to make that statement. However, I have been fortunate to work with some incredible students at Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA), which is the high school I have been teaching at for the past two years. Instead of write it myself, I will let you hear what others had to say...their words could be more believable.

From Left to Right: Isaac Solverson, Mac Tadie (back ground), Jake Stortini, Logan Jones, Joe Holcomb.

Above article is from the Tacoma Weekly Volcano

Link to the Washington State University Article.

I am inspired to work hard, plan diligently, and be creative with many more students. And hopefully, they will become inspired as well to create into the future.

CB

Inspired

Most of the books I've read in the past year have been on the topic of food.

First, there was Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Her story challenged me to think about where my food is grown. It inspired me to grow my own food; so we started a garden. Then came another memoir/gardening book and many how-to gardening books as I tended to my own garden over the summer and fall.

Next, I read The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollen. It challenged me to think about how my food is grown - meat or vegetable. It inspired me to shop and eat differently; to make concious choices.

Currently, I am devouring Molly Wizenburg's A Homemade Life. I am inspired to cook, bake and create; luckily it's spring break and I find being in the kitchen extremely relaxing and fun. I have spent lots of time creating soups, salads, and the cookies pictured above. These are my favorite creation of the week. The pretty pink color makes me hopeful for spring. The taste of the shortbread cookie and the cream cheese frosting is unmatched. The ones pictured are the only remnants left in my own kitchen - they are so rich I had to give many of them away. Although I may make another batch before the week is over and hide them in the freezer for a later date.

-Abbie

a new season

Winter has passed and we forgot to share our pictures and stories. So here is a recap: better late than never.

Winter officially hit Tacoma a week early. Snowstorms caused Winter break to begin 3 days early so we hit the road and drove to Montana to meet Mom, Dad, Tim and Theo (dog) for a week in Red Lodge.

Roscoe loved the car ride and mostly sat with his front paws on the middle console so he could look at the open road. We were able to visit Ian and April and Cody, Beth and Greta in Missoula for a day. It was great to see everyone; the new family member and a new home.

We were greeted in Luther with snow and horses. It was a beautiful place to be. We cut our own tree, made delicious food, drank hot chocolate, skied cross country and down the slopes, spent time with family and played in the snow with Roscoe and Theo. It was as wonderful as it sounds.

Roscoe couldn't believe all the open space to run - right out the front door!

The tree

I love Big Sky Country

The road home...with a tired puppy in the back

As for 2009, we have been busy but with nothing as picturesque as Montana. We have filled our days with teaching math and science and our evenings with the gym, reading, cooking, watching Northern Exposure and 30 Rock. Our weekends have hosted visitors (Abbie's Dad and Cyrus' Mom), Sunday night dinners and Beyond selection committee meetings. We painted our living room and office, went backcountry skiing, rock climbing and downhill skiing too.

Roscoe broke his fifth digit on his front left paw. He had a splint and was on house arrest for 6 weeks. He's finally back to normal and we are too. The days are longer and we're outside more often. We are back to running and going to the park, endlessly throwing the ball for him to chase.

And Abbie got a new bike (thanks to a wonderful husband and generous family and friends). I can't wait to ride more as the weather improves. Pictures to come soon.

Wishing you all a happy spring!

What is Green and Brown?

Fall + Tacoma = Rain


Big Maple Tree + Fall = Lots of leaves


[(Wire mesh + Cedar boards)*
(Leaves + Correct Food Scraps) + TLC ]^Time =
Awesome Homemade Compost to go in the new garden beds



Our New Compost Bin: Made from mostly recycled materials



Our New garden beds: made of fir 2x8s. I did want to make them out of cedar, but that was a little expensive for us right now.


Roscoe wanting to get on the other side of the fence. I think he is giving me the evil eye. Can't you see it....

I had the amazing opportunity to go to the regional NSTA (National Science Teacher Association) conference in Portland, OR this last weekend. Picture this: thousands of nerdy science teachers, who all have the maturity of an 8 year-old and the intellect of a rocket engineer, descend on one of the greatest cities in the nation. Portland has great people, great sites, great coffee, and great beer.

To my fortune I was able to tour OHSU's (Oregon Health Science University) new LEED Platinum Certified building, which was incredible. We toured the building with one of the main architects who worked on the project. By combining about a dozen different technologies and techniques this building uses 60% less energy compared to a building of similar size and use. Meaning: If a building of similar size and use used 100 units of energy, this new Platinum Certified building would use 40 units! It also has its own waste water treatment facility, so it dumps no waste water into the Portland system. Not only is it efficient, it's a sophisticated and inviting place to visit. I have been totally jazzed after seeing this building and learning about the creativity of many different people out in the world.

Thanks for reading and Happy Thanksgiving. Cyrus

Jack

This is the newest member of the Stevens Family.

And this may be the best picture I have ever seen

I am glad to know Whiskey loves being a big brother...

Congratulations Sean and Shannon!

Friends

Good company....Roscoe and Miles

"Packs On"

the title is a phrase from our beyond days. it is one of our favorite things to do. we got out a few times this summer with packs on. enjoy the scenery.

elisa and wilder

abby o'issacson

andy and wilder

hiking through tubal cain meadows

camp at buckhorn lake

wilder and roscoe wrestling in camp

roscoe thought the firepit was quite comfortable

on the trail up to marmot pass

roscoe was so excited when we hit a small snow patch on the way up to the pass

he tried rolling in it but the backpack didn't help much

it was hilarious

he knows snow is the best stuff to hike in, up or down

family pic

handsome hiker

tubal cain meadows

a day hike to noble knob

bliss