A Much Needed Weekend Get-Away

In early October, Kenny and I were quickly realizing we needed a "reset" button. We had struggled with some family stress, trying to balance our new life together, and still sad over having to give up our puppy (see update at the end of the last blog post). So we decided that we would take a night and travel to Skamania Lodge. 

Kenny surprised me by upgrading our original room to a fireplace suite. We enjoyed drinks by the fire during a foggy autumn evening.

During the Sunday Brunch, we quickly realized that we MUST come back. All you can eat. Bottomless champagne. A stocked Bloody Mary bar for Kenny. Eggs Benedict. Bananas Foster French Toast. Need I say more?

As we were leaving the concierge told us how beautiful the lodge becomes during Christmas time and how they often get snow. I am thinking we may need a weekend away after the holidays. Maybe birthday weekend?

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Signed, Sealed, & Delivered

While hitting the three month mark until the wedding, my mom and I were busy assembling the beautiful invitations designed by our dear friend and wedding planner, Taylor, so much was happening. (And we saved so much money having her create the design concept and print them at Kinkos!) It was a relief to be able to cross this off my long list of to-dos.

It has been one of those times in a year when everything seems to happen all at once. I needed to get invitations out, our beloved family cat of 19 years passed away (deeply missing her), I'm in the process of selling my car, there is a zillion things I have to do before moving and the wedding...oh, and, our microwave decides to die! 

So on Monday, with no sub job and record breaking early-May heat, my parents and I decide to take a trip to Bridal Veil, Oregon to mail our specially-made, necessarily-hand-canceled parcel invitations. At first we missed the little pioneer-isk wood shack of a post office (Kenny even commented in seeing pictures later, "...but, that's not really the post office...that's for posterity-sake?" No, that's really the post office!), while driving down the road and I yelled, "That's it!" in time for Dad to turn the car around.

After counting over 80 invitations and choosing our special hand-canceled Bridal Veil stamp, Mom and Dad and I drove another 50 minutes up the Gorge to The Dalles for lunch at one of my favorite pit stops (delicious comfort food and fresh seafood, as well as historical significance). The old Baldwin Saloon.

The saloon is nearly unchanged from the turn of the (20th) century (minus the modern conveniences), except for its top floor now being its main floor (the original saloon is in the basement and is now the kitchen). The Dalles was raised a whole story after the 1894 flood.

As always (when we drive home from The Dalles) we took the scenic route on the Historic Columbia River Highway, which takes us through Corbet and up to Rowena Crest (one of the best views in the Gorge). Every time we drive down this old highway, I can't help but think of the people living here before us and those who viewed the Gorge so much differently than us (prior to dams and modern infrastructure). There is one old home (in Mosier) that I have coveted for years. The last time I drove down the old highway (which has now been a couple of years), the home was for sale and falling to shambles. So it was such a surprise to see the home being refurbished to its original glory. And not only that, but the new owners have also started harvesting grapes (along side the old cherry grove the home stands by) and will be opening their tasting room memorial weekend! (I found the old home online, so if you're interested in reading more and seeing an old photograph of the place, go here.)

Maybe one day Kenny and I will have our dream home (like this one!) along with our Christmas tree farm...

From the old home, we continued to climb up the old highway, up to Rowena Crest where we were delighted to find the wildflowers in bloom against an azure sky and a 2D view (as I always felt large crevasses, like the Grand Canyon, are hard for my mind's eye to fully grasp) of the Gorge.

To close a much needed get-out-of-town-for-the-day trip, we all got Dairy Queen soft serve and headed home to enjoy a cool evening at home (it was 90 in the Gorge!). Now life can resume again...

I can't wait to start receiving RSVPs! As I told Kenny, each little step closer makes it seem more and more official and I get more and more excited for the big day! I can't wait to marry him!
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Romance in the Snow

In the snow @Skibowl.

Yesterday Kenny and I ventured up the mountain for our wonderful engagement shoot in the snow with Jennifer O'Donnell Photography. A few miles outside of Welches, Oregon we found some romantic snowy paths surrounded by snow-dusted trees. The snow was beginning to melt and fall from the trees, but we kept each other warm with laughs, smiles, and kisses. If you would like a sneak peak of the engagement session, there are a few photos posted on the Jennifer O'Donnell Photography Facebook Page. We couldn't be more pleased with how the photos turned out and can't wait to see the rest! (Definitely makes us ecstatic about our future wedding day photos!)

Not finished with our fill of snow, Kenny and I drove a little further up the mountain and were able to take some of our own pictures at Skibowl. On our way back down, we were talking about how much we love snow and the Cascades—so it was not hard to dream about one day investing in a romantic cabin in the mountains. We talked about how great it would be to sit by our stone fireplace, with coffee or a hot toddy in hand, watching the snow fall. There is just something so romantic and peaceful about the snow covered landscape, which encourages us to dream about our future together.

Cleansing the World, while Cleansing the Body

The sunset before the storm.

As the snow fell in our Portland metro area over the last few days off and on, I was able to revel in its beauty. It blankets the world and muffles all noises, and I feel surrounded by a peaceful world.

Snow falling.

While the world was being purified by snow, I began my juice cleanse.

A blanket of snow.

Yesterday was a struggle, while I suffered from a headache (which just started to subside tonight), and I started with a hot mug of water and lemon juice. My first blended juice was a strawberry raspberry cucumber juice by Daphne Oz (the recipes are from The Chew).

Strawberry Raspberry Cucumber Juice

I continued the day with drinking chicken broth, more strawberry raspberry cucumber juice, and a green juice.

Daphne Oz's Green Drink

 Today I had a delicious breakfast blueberry banana juice along side some green tea and lemon water.

Blueberry Banana Juice

This afternoon I allowed myself some broth based tomato soup and more lemon water. And tonight I had the best juice yet! And the surprise ingredient: a jalapeño! But I promise it is delicious.

Daphne Oz's Secret Juice

I'm hoping each day will get a little bit easier. Tonight, as the snow has passed us and been replaced by rain and wind, I only have three days left. Now, I just need to stay off pinterest, with all the foodie pins—I'm torturing myself!

Using My Laptop as a Lap Warmer

After a cold afternoon outside helping my dad put up the Christmas lights, I am now sitting on the couch adorned in sweats, covered with a blanket, high-top knitted slippers, and my very own lap warmer: my laptop. (The only thing missing—fingerless gloves so I can type without numb phalanges.)

I found this sweet/down-to-earth mama blog, which is very human and a refreshing read.

Love these winterized wedding inspiration pictures!

I've been gradually working on my 2011/2012 wish list for this holiday/birthday season. You may be wondering about the Scarlett O'Hara doll/clothes...those who know me well know I'm obsessed with GWTW and collect anything that has to do with it!

Speaking of GWTW, I am thinking of this being my 2011 ornament. Or add to my Barbie collection this year. I think Kenny would appreciate the Thor ornament. I was looking at all the Hallmark "Our First Christmas" and "New Home" ornaments—can't wait to be able to purchase one of those (or both of those) for our first tree in our first home!

Loving New Girl right now!

8:00 tonight, NBC will be showing one of my favorite classics, "It's a Wonderful Life" in color, in honor of the 65th Anniversary.

I've been spending some time on my other blog, Nightlight Readings for the First Annual 25 Days of Christmas Nightlight Readings. I've already posted on three of my favorite reads: The Littlest Angel, The Night Before Christmas, and Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. Tonight will be on one of my favorite childhood stories about Mr. Edwards and Santa Claus in Little House in the Prairie.

With this Christmas break, I have decided to take a momentary semi-hiatus on wedding planning. This is such a busy month, I thought it best just to use this time to work on little projects, but mostly just enjoy this time with family and enjoy our first Christmas as an engaged couple. We have limited ourselves to just pinning down a couple important decisions by the end of year, so we'll be ready for the home stretch in January (especially after the Portland Bridal Show—on my birthday!).

P.S. Congratulations to my UO Ducks on winning the Pac 12 Championship! We are now heading for Pasadena!

A Cold, Wet Evening in the Northwest

After a very wet and windy afternoon, we hunkered down for the evening. While Thomasina slept by the fire, I made a chicken pot pie casserole.

Per request of my BFF, here is the recipe. Give yourself an hour to an hour and a half to prepare and cook. The recipe requires white wine, so make sure you pick one you enjoy, so you can pour yourself some while you are cooking.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 roasted chicken, shredded
• 1/4 cup chopped red sweet pepper
• 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 1/2 cups peas, blanched
• 1 1/2 cups carrots, blanched
• 2 potatoes, peeled, diced, and boiled
• 1 egg plus 1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash

Directions

Thaw puff pastry according to package directions.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken, sweet pepper, and shallots and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in flour, salt, tarragon, and black pepper. Add milk and cream all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Stir in wine, peas, carrots and potatoes; heat thoroughly. Transfer the hot chicken mixture to a 1 1/2-quart casserole. Place pastry over the hot chicken mixture in casserole dish. Brush puff pastry with egg wash then cut slits in the pastry to allow steam to escape. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes. 

Pour yourself another glass, make a little salad, and enjoy being warm inside while the wind howls, while catching up on DVR-ed shows.

On a foggy, Saturday morning...

Woke up to the fog and frost this morning (my dad is getting excited, because it probably means chestnuts will be ready soon). I have stayed warm under a blanket, with the cat on my lap, eating oatmeal, drinking apple cider, bloggin', messin' around Facebook and Pinterest, while watching college football.

Some of my messin' around has resulted in:

A blog suggested by my dear cousin Kylene: Snippet & Ink. A Portlander's daily wedding blog and local shop owner of Ink & Peat {home and floral design/decor.}

I love the great earthy/healthy recipes presented by Roost: A Simple Life. I specifically want to try these two recent recipe posts that remind me of this foggy weather: Butternut squash & hazelnut bouchons with toasted nutmeg ice cream and Riesling poached pear tart with chai spiced custard & almond crust. She also has a great Pinterest to follow: Coco.

Speaking of weather, I've been keeping an eye out for the forecast in Boston, because my best friend Meagan should be expecting their first snow of the season (in their new home)! Already, there is snow coming down in York, Pennsylvania and New York City.

Now, I wouldn't mind some snow in Oregon this year.

Back to cat snuggling...

P.S. GO DUCKS!