Some Wine Taste, We Apple Taste

I think we can all agree this past weekend was an absolutely gorgeous Oregon fall weekend. Leave are falling in our neighborhood and I love to walk along the leafy path just to hear the crunchy sound. You know you do it too. Yesterday we checked out the Apple Tasting in southeast Portland. This was so cool! I had heard about it from a co-worker and we thought it could be a fun new fall time tradition to try out. 

Walking in the Portland Nursery area was full of hay bales (hay bills if you say it like moi), pumpkins, fresh cider and LOTS of apples. One of the first activities you came up to was a booth area of a few folks throwing apples into a big barrel machine to prep them to be squeezed for fresh cider. Like so...

 There was apple cider tasting going on with all different types of orchards represented.. given the choice though we opted to do the apple tasting (quicker to get through), bonus: it was free (the apples, not the cider).

I had zero idea what to expect for an "apple tasting" event. These folks take it seriously and make it a cool experience. You selected a line to go through (all the lines had the same apples).

And they also had directions of how to have proper apple tasting etiquette.

Watch as Travis will attempt to demonstrate the poke, pull and pop.. (their words not mine). :)

 

This was such a fun fall afternoon date. It is something that we would probably do again next year and probably go for the cider next time. Only downfall - I have been on the hunt for apple cider donuts. They are no where to be found in the Portland area. I would LOVE to know where some may be. They are so delicious and perfect with a cup of tea.
There were lots of bins of all the different apples that were available to have a taste and we came home with a good bag full of different types (my fav - the Honey Crisp). I am excited to make an apple pie again this Thanksgiving and may try out an apple crisp with a few of these guys.

Here we are with our favorites and heading home.

He's totally the apple of my eye.

Where's That?

When family or friends ask us where we live (unless they live in the Portland area), they almost always say: Where's that? when we tell them Fairview (not to be confused with an awful institution that is no longer!). 

Some fun facts about Fairview*:

1. There is an amazing wild rabbit population.

2. It's where people who want to get away from Portland city life go to veg out.

3. There is zero sign of elderly people - really - we have yet to see any members of the senior community.

4. Amazing restaurants are within a 5 mile radius.

5. population: about 9,700.

6. Fairview has a newsletter in lieu of a newspaper.

*completely made up by S and T due to our observations. except for #5 - that one is pretty much true. And #6.

To kick off the summer in our new little city we ventured over to Blue Lake Park for an afternoon. It is so gorgeous and huge! So many play structures for kids, family bbq's and some crazy Frisbee golf games. Take a look at our afternoon in the park via 2 videos..

Seriously YouTube? You pick that photo of me to be the default photo for that video. Good grief. I know it looks like I'm giving it the wow one of the cats just used their box stink face, but it was such a fun and pretty day. 

I was going through our summer time photos and videos because I'm someone who just loves loves loves the summer time and could have it for 3 seasons instead of just 1. (I'd make an exception for winter time - peppermint hot chocolate, Christmas, snow flurries.. ahh.) But since meeting this guy..

I've been changing my tune about this whole fall thing slowly but surely. Maybe a new pair of mid-calf, slouchy brown boots have something to do with it? Well time to start making our home 'fall ready' .. and by that I mean I am making several of these..

via Pinterest

Have a lovely week. Toodles friends!

Labor Day Weekend!

Ohhh summer evenings. I am going to miss nights like this in a few weeks. Right now I can look out the window and see the gorgeous sunset and pale pink sky. Oregon you're so pretty.

ever road tripped with a kitty? we have! (I think this was in 2009.)

Over Labor Day weekend we were with the Waltz family down in southern Oregon. I love visiting my husband's family. They are only a 5 hour drive away (instead of having to hop on a plane to visit mine - but always makes for a fun trip to California or Florida). We have a routine set nearly every trip we go down south. Load up the car, drive 2 minutes, drive back to our place for something we have forgotten to say g'bye again to our furry kids, stop in Eugene for coffee + snacks, pass the Rogue River and be welcomed by Medford. 

So this trip was full of a few firsts for me. Well - first we did watch the Ducks lose not play as well as they could have.. but still had a good bbq with all the Waltzes that night. After a late night DQ run it was time for bed since we were heading to Crater Lake on Sunday! I had never been and it was sooooo beautiful out there! 

We took the trip with Travis's brother Kevin and his wife Bonnie. Here are a few photos of our afternoon at the Lake.

Sunday night it was bbq #2 with Travis's sisters and brother with their spouses and kiddos. Love summer nights, bbqs and kids running around shoeless. =]  After more food and ice cream, we had a long game of Clue to round out the night. I so love these nights with Travis's family. Food, ice cream, board games and lots and lots of laughs. 

A couple fun photos of the evening.

so cute right? She is a giggly girl. And just one of the reasons I love being an Aunt.

Monday morning we were packing up and getting ready to head out to Travis's Grandma and Grandpa's farm. I got to feed a horse for the first time! Although I was scared he would eat my hand, I made a new friend in a brown horse named Shorty. I LOVE going out to his Grandparents house. It is way out in the country, beautiful scenery, family photos everywhere and his Grandma is the best cook! Before getting out to their house we picked up our other niece and nephew to take them to Starbucks (they already have a puppy, what's a little espresso going to hurt?) .. kidding of course. We got them hot cocoa and a smoothie. *With extra sugar. ;)  One of the traditions Trav and I have with them is to go to a book store and get one book each under $10. Below are their finds..

 

I also picked a berry off a berry bush and ate it for the first time. I know I know.. I haven't 'lived', but really I promise I had a great childhood - just 'city style' I guess? One of my favorite things though about our trips to southern Oregon is seeing Travis with his family. I love seeing where he is from, who he grew up with and how everyone meshes together. I am so blessed to be part of this family and always look forward to seeing everyone. Family is super important to us and I look forward to one day starting our own little Waltz crew. =]

We Love Our Ducks

Tomorrow.. college football season! Yes! You know that even on vacation we will watch the game and wear our green and yellow gear. Get ready... !

Sweet + Sweaty Times in Bend!

Vacation days are so fun, yet never seem long enough. Agreed? Well, we got back from our stay-cation in Bend, Oregon a couple days ago and wanted to share some photos (of course!). You've been fore-warned: many photos ahead...! On our first night in Bend we explored part of the downtown area near our lodge. Deschutes Brewery - delish! We went back and watched some Inception and had a craving for a sweet or 2 .. or 3. *On vacation, there are no calories. You didn't know? Oh yeah, total and pure fact. :) We saw a fun spot called Powell's Sweet Shoppe and decided to check it out. When you walk in - it is a candy heaven. Any kind of candy you can imagine is in there with Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory playing in the background. Below, is an old card catalog from a library (there were a couple of these lined up) and you could find a candy (or 5) and keep on shopping.

We settled on a few scoops of gelato.

On to Day 2.. it was time to burn some calories and meet a spot we had been looking forward to: Smith Rock. You may have seen the video in the previous post, but some photos are too fun not to share.

Ok so this photo isn't exactly fun to share, but you can see a portion of the Smith Rock area.

We take our hiking very serious.. ;)

Look Ma! It's a big rock! :)  To answer your question: Yes, my calves are real.

Before a long hot day of hiking, you must get at least a couple cute fresh and happy photos!

We decided to take the River trail first (along Crooked River) that goes about 2 miles around Smith Rock. So the beginning of our trek looked a lot like this....

 

Then when you get to the other side (passing many rock climbers and other sweet hikers) you can start to see the image of Monkey Face rock. Can you find the Monkey face below??

 We started using Monkey to be our guide as to how close we were getting not only to the Summit but it also helped us see if we wanted to keep going around (meaning: UP and at a steeper incline in the 90 degree heat).

We decided: ONWARD!!

Close to the summit!

This is the view from the TOP! We made it and look at how beautiful!

The other side of Monkey.. and the VIEW! That is part of the Sisters Mountains to the left.

We did it!! YEA!!

Beginning the trek down and back to base. Our car is down the Rock we are standing, on over that foot bridge, up the small hill, then up another big hill.

This hike was quite challenging. I have some friends who have hiked it and even if you're in super duper shape, you will find some tough spots! It was a little bit of rock surfing on our way down. That trail is ironically called: Misery Trail and rated most difficult on their guide information. Bend has some fun spots to eat and drink.. but when it comes to their outdoors - they do not mess around! There is a reason everyone there is sun kissed, in great shape and all smiles.

Bend thanks for the fun! We will be back again! 
Next time though.. rafting, kayaking and more Sangria.

Smith Rock: Domination!

We're baaaack! I'm still editing up some photos and will be finishing up a more detailed post in a day or 2 about our latest stay/vacation in Bend, Oregon. Everyone there was tan, happy and super fit. Our kind of city! On our second day there we drove about a half hour out to see Smith Rock and get our hike on. Oh and please excuse the photo icon of the video.. if someone knows how to select a different 'preview' photo, lemme know.. cause as you can see I'm a hot mess glistening image of a wife.

A few lessons and tips we learned on this particular hike/trip..

+ Take LOTS of water with you when hiking in a desert environment. (we did!)

+ Wear sunscreen (oops sorry Trav!)

+ Get a small frozen block to keep those sandwiches (that we ended up keeping in our massive cooler in the car..) cold in the back pack you take on your hike.

+ Take lots of photos (A+ for us.)
+ Encouragement, hugs and laughter make any hike together a bit more fun, not to mention having fresh and cold Sangrias at the end of the day is a wonderful treat to look forward to! ;)

Home - Sweet - Away - From - Home..

So, typically I (Shelby) can be found at one of three places..

Job Coaching and using my supreme Type A skills..

Lodges at Lake Salish - Our home is somewhere in there! ;)

Crunch Gym - gotta keep fit and cute for the husband right? ;)

But for our summer vacation we are heading down to Bend, Oregon and staying at the gorgeous, cozy, "green", and 4 smooches awarded (a la Best Places to Kiss in the NW book) spot: The Lara House Lodges.

One more day of work for us both and then it's off to Central Oregon. Of course, we too would love to spend a week in Maui or go to another beautiful hot spot. But sometimes you don't have to even leave your own state to find somewhere beautiful. We are super excited for our trip and have a few spots planned to visit. I haven't really appreciated Oregon much (due to the whole 9-10 months of rain), but in the last 2 years I have been changing my tune a bit. Oregon is green, lush, full of super friendly people, great brew pubs and Starbucks around the corner. *Go ahead look around the corner - see! :)   Though much of my family lives in other states, I always look forward to coming back home to Oregon. I think many Oregonians will agree you can't beat the fresh air and smell of lumber and chai.. or maybe that's just me. ;)

Have you ever done a 'stay-cation'? What do you love about where you live??