where i sit

here is where i sit while he makes sure i continue to move through the air. we talk and process new jobs and what to have for dinner. stop by and have a go yourself.

this one reminds me of the dock at beyond. a great view with activity passing by. but a hard seat; i can't sit too long so i soak in the time i do spend here and make frequent visits.

First Part of Summer

It has been a long time since we last dropped a note. Please forgive us, for we have been busy playing, hiring people, changing jobs, making swings, going to Beyond, and trying to stay away from electronics.

I, CB, went on a climbing trip with my friend Eric Mann, albeit unsuccessful but fun not the less. We attempted Chair Peak in the Cascades, just north of Snoqualmie Ski Area. The snow conditions were very unfavorable and it was more difficult on the approach than expected.

Below is a shot with Chair Peak in the background. The South Face is shown, and we were going to climb the North Face. We had a close call, but everything turned out ok. Great views and definitely a climb for another day.

A few weeks after that Abbie, Roscoe and I went to a great winery on the Columbia River called Cave B. The sunsets were amazing and the views were sweeping and beautiful. We tried to take a family picture, but it didn't work so well.

Columbia River in the middle and Cave B at right.

Roscoe had some fun too. He loves to swim...but only if we throw a stick for him.

And if he is really good, he gets some ice cream.

We went camping and climbing after our stay at Cave B, here is a picture of The Feathers at Frenchman's Coulee near Vantage, WA.

After camping and climbing, we headed home.

Roscoe helped up put in some blueberry bushes, which have already produced some berries. They will really be ready in August and September.

We will write more later in the summer to share all our other fun adventures.

Motivate. Educate. Activate.

For now, this is CB...well I guess I will always be CB but you know what I mean.

Food I am loving right now ...

This pancake recipe. Finally pancakes that keep me full until lunch. The first time I made them without blueberries, I will never make that mistake again.

This pizza dough recipe is at the top of my list for pizza or calzones. It's slightly sweet thanks to the honey and wine. And it's light yet it doesn't fall apart - even when I make calzones and stretch to fit it over the endless toppings I stuff inside.

I made this Mexican Souffle last Sunday evening and ate it every morning for breakfast until I ran out on Thursday. Cyrus had some too. I am going to make it again next weekend for friends.

Who knew brussel sprouts could be so good! I didn't grow up eating this vegetable. In fact, I can remember which table I was sitting at upstairs in the SUB the first time I tried them. I have received several batches in the CSA this winter and I am making another batch of these tonight.

And although it's long gone, this recipe for Black Bean Soup is the easiest and tastiest I have found. I skipped the fancy toppings and stuck to sour cream - maybe next time.

Images from China

travels

For the last two weeks we have been on vacation together!

First, we road tripped to California with our favorite road warrior, Roscoe.

We forgot the camera on the kitchen counter so I only have words to share. We stayed a night in the magical town of Ashland, OR - at least it felt that way walking around downtown all lit up with Christmas lights on a cold winter evening. We discovered the local dog park and then drove south to Santa Cruz. We stayed two nights with Heather, Drew and Clara. It wasn't long enough; we wish we lived closer. From there we headed to the valley for Christmas in Visalia. We feasted, talked, walked in the sunshine, watched my favorite movie and celebrated with family. After three days we drove north to Ashland again. Now returning to a familiar place we explored more of this small town and vowed to return again. We ran into Eric and Elizabeth at a crowded store where we stopped to stretch our legs. And then continued home - happy to be in Tacoma again.

We have spent the last few days cleaning, cooking, up-packing, washing laundry and re-packing. I was settling in - spending most of my days in the kitchen with my new cookbooks and dutch oven with occasional breaks to walk the dogs. Cyrus was preparing for the trip of a lifetime. He is traveling to China with a group of students from his school and two other chaperones. They will be in Beijing for two weeks and then traveling to Guilin and Hong Kong. They will be keeping a blog of their trip here

Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year and great adventures in 2010.

bits and pieces

I have been reading a blog called Habit lately. It is a collection of women who take photographs of everyday life and share them, with a few thoughts. My daily readings cause me to pause more often in my own life, something I hope to make more of a habit. I have thought many times about sharing images and thoughts here...I meant to do this along the way but here it is all at once.

I treasure sunny days. Late fall gave us many this year and we spent many evenings and weekend mornings at the new dog park in town. He never tires of the ball.

We discovered the old trains during a visit with my parents. Exploring is one of my favorite pastimes.

Barking Frog: I love the name and the food too.

We were tourists in Woodinville. It was good to drive an hour and feel like you're on vacation.

This was one Christmas tree adventure to remember! I am so thankful for tradition and people to create it with.

Every year I miss the advent wreath...this year I decided to make my own. I am so glad I did.

I love Saturday morning breakfast. Cyrus is the best pancake flipper in town.

A winter wonderland magical vacation to Lake Quinault

I love the snow.

May this season be a time to stop, enjoy, reflect and anticipate.

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