Effect

Communicating is hard enough. I do not need someone to attack me for it...

I just wish we all could remember how we want to be treated but alas it is Planet Earth and no one is perfect.

taste of life

I have been obsessed with cake for the last 2 weeks. Nothing has satisfied my craving thus far... I never thought it would be so hard to find a moist, sweet, fresh, tasty cake but alas it is.

It's funny how you can take things for granted. I remember being able to go to the Cuban bakery in LA. All your senses were satisfied with just one visit. They had everything from savory to sweet!

But now in the new city, I need to open my eyes and nose and find those special places that I can remember to not take for granted.

spring

Well I just cannot get over how beautiful it has been! I have never seen a Blue Jay in person and there was one right outside my winder the other morning! And don't let me forget to mention all the Cherry Blossom trees! Every window I look out of I see them!

I got to ride the Max line yesterday and it was actually a great way to see the city! I may just take it more often!

I hope that everyone can look around and notice the beauty all around them...

beautiful times

It was Valentine's Day yesterday. While I did not receive the normal flowers and chocolates from my husband I received something better. TIME! We spent the day together walking, talking and laughing. By the end of the day I felt great!

When thinking of Valentine's Day one should maybe think of love. Love your your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, child, mother, father or whomever... It is not about the material things but love and showing those you know that you love them.

Most importantly, remember to love yourself...

Life changes

I find myself changing these days, like slowly losing my way. It's something new and different. I am not sure if I like it or if it is for the best but it is something I have decided to embrace.

You walk through life trying to be what everyone wants you to be and then one day, you find you don't like it anymore and you want to find yourself. Where does one start? I have always been the little kid, the one who everyone had to take care of. When does one finally say enough? When does one finally say I am taking care of myself? Well, for me that time is now.

I do not know if I am fully ready to take this path along a new and strange road but now there is no choice. I must just walk and walk and then keep walking until I find my way home again...

wasting time

Why do people not tell you they have a problem with you at the time they are having a problem with you, and then tell you too late making it impossible to fix what you have done?

Also, if they are not with you 24 hours a day and are not really aware of what it is you do, why do they have a "problem" with you? Accusing someone of spending to much time watching TV, spending too much money, not working enough... REALLY? Who are you to tell someone what is right or not?

It is easy to be a critic but not so much to be the criticized. I think it would behoove all of us to think of this when judging others: Until you have walked in their shoes and really know what it is like to live their life you have no right to look down on them...

I am not interested in dwelling on the past but seriously, WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE SO DUMB?

my new things

So, I have decided to be more open about trying things. Especially food. Growing up I never was given many different foods. Just the basic meat and potatoes kind of family. Then along came my husband, who was the opposite of me. Always willing to try something at least once. He would try and bribe me to try new and, what seemed to me, strange things. Alas I have opened my mind, well a bit anyways.

Recently we were invited to the Oregon Culinary Institute for dinner. First I have to say the school is amazing and the food, the students make, is more than amazing. They use locally grown, in season produce which makes the experience even more enjoyable. Before going, I told my husband that I wanted to try something new. Not just one thing but all four courses needed to be something new or something I would not normally order. I started off with the butternut squash fritter with quince dipping sauce which also included thyme, which I not only found unique but intriguing. I then had the roasted pumpkin salad, to die for, with frisée, pickled raisins, toasted hazelnuts and dry jack cheese with Saba vinaigrette. Then for my main course I had the grilled venison– parsnip and potato purée, glazed cippolini onions, cavolo nero and sauce Muscovite. And to top off the evening I had the Angel food cake with a sorbet trio.

I have to say it was one of the most fascinating eating experiences I have ever had. I have never eaten veal and had said many times in the past that I would never eat veal. I feel ashamed for not discovering this sooner. It gave me new hope that there are foods out there, that if I am willing to just give a try I will not only like them but possibly love them...