How to Make a Beautiful Life

LOVE yourself.
MAKE PEACE with who you are.
and where you are
at this moment in time.

LISTEN to your heart.

If you can't hear what it's saying

in this noisy world,

MAKE TIME for yourself.

Enjoy your own company.

Let your mind wander among the stars.

.

Try.

Take chances.

MAKE MISTAKES.

Life can be MESSY

and CONFUSING at times,

but it's also full of surprises.

The next rock in your path

might be a stepping stone.

Be HAPPY.

When you don't have what you want,

want what you have.

MAKE DO.

That's a well-kept secret of contentment.

There aren't any SHORTCUTS to tomorrow.

You have to MAKE YOUR OWN WAY.

To know where you're going

is only part of it.

You need to know where you've been, too.

And if you ever get lost, DON'T WORRY.

The people who love you will find you.

COUNT ON IT.

Life isn't days and years.

It's what you DO WITH TIME

and with all the goodness and grace that's inside you.

.

MAKE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE....

the kind of life you deserve.

Courtesy of a birthday card from my Mom. I found it in a stack in my closet last night. It still resonates.

My Winter To Read Stack

S'pose I'll get through them all (and then a few more)?! I hope so!

It's a good thing I LOVE to read so much, AND that they predict a much wetter and colder winter than PDX has faced in the last several years. Lots of curl-up on the couch with a good book days ahead!

Any recommendations? Let me know. I'll add them to my list and my stack!

Out for a....

I had always wanted to drive the Hood River Fruit Loop. The map has been hanging off my fusebox for at least a year. Set to guide me as I navigated east into the Gorge when I awoke some gloreous morning, ready to just get in the car to drive. I sort of, accidentaly stumbled upon it when I was returning from a hike earlier in the summer. I vowed I'd return. I wanted to go for the Pear Festival. I love pears. I love fruit. I love the Hood River Valley. While my Dad was visiting we did the drive, but we didn't stop at any fruit stands. The forecast for this weekend was rain and more rain. I had more or less decided to wait until next weekend. Pass on the Pear Festival and just going post-festival to gorge myself on them after the crowds. To my surprise, the sun was shining when I got up this morning. I decide to hit the road.

Megan had been the weekend before and recommended Rasmussen Farms. That became destination and stop #1. And, by far, ended up being my favorite stop.

There were all sorts of colorful, and not colorful gourds. One of my favorite fall sites.

And pears...
And a wagon fill of unusually vibrant, orange pumpkins.

I also stopped at a few other fruit stands and farms, but was largely unimpressed. However, there were some adorable Alpacas near my last stop.

I learned something while I was out-and-about also:

Did you know that the Pear is the state fruit of Oregon?! Oh, okay, you did. Well, I didn't. Not until today that is. But I won't forget. Especially since it is one of my favorite fruits and all.

The trees were LOADED!

The sunflowers were blooming and enticed me to remember that I should venture out this direction for Van Gogh Days next summer.

At the end of the day, I had success. I made it home with three different varieties of pears. And, some pretty amazing pear hazelnut fruit spread. DELICIOUS! It was a grand day for a Sunday Dr! :)

There is more...

There is a quote that I love. It hangs, framed, in my living room and I see it every day. I should take its heed every day, especially on those hurried days when I feel that there is not enough time in the day to accomplish all I need to or all that I want to....

"There is more to life than increasing its speed."

~Gandhi

Yes, I have taken more notice of this framed quote in the last few days. Maybe because I just spent what was a very busy, but at the same time restful, extra-long weekend with my dad. Maybe it is because the days of summer have wound completely down now and the sun is setting and darkness is among us what seems like hours earlier than it was a mere month ago. Maybe it is because autumn feels like a season in which we should slow down, a time to enjoy the sights and sounds; from crisp air to crunching leaves to hot spiced cider to the slimy, gooey goodness of the inside of a pumpkin. It is Back-to-school time, football and tailgate party time. It is time to retire my morning-tea-on-the-balcony-times to indoor tea times. Preferably curled up in my bed or on the couch. Replete with many good books and a few great movies. Yes, these are the mornings and afternoons, the days, where there rush and fervor of the full summer months wane and ease me into the gloomy, rain filled days that grace our winter months here in the great Pacific Northwest. These are the days during which I reflect on the events of the summer and gear up for the holidays. The days that I downshift from cramming as much into as few hours as possible, all the while hoping for the best. Not that I don't love those fun-filled summer days. But, without the time to be still, to be calm, to be me, I couldn't grasp and cherish those bustling summer days.

Here's to Autumn, and to life slowing down, or rather, slowing life down.

A Visit from Mi Padre

My Dad had gone to Washington, DC to visit younger brother. While he was driving back to Colorado he decided that is was about time he come see me. I whole-heartedly agree. After all, it had been (just) over 5 years since he had been here. College graduation time. He headed this direction and arrived safe and sound in PDX Wednesday afternoon. I had decided I really wanted to "document" this trip. So here it is:

I had given Dad directions to work and he arrived with these:

A girl always loves to get flowers!

Once I got off work we headed downtown for dinner. We made a quick stop at Powell's City of Books. (It would be visit number 1 of 3 to a Powell's in the greater Portland area.)

Dad amongst the books...

We then headed to Deschutes Brewery Pub for amazing beer (gluten-free for me) and an amazing g-f burger for me and a sandwhich for Pops.

There was dessert on the menu that we wanted, that we didn't have room for, but we decided we'd come back the next day.

I had two glorious days off from work and when we got up Thursday morning we headed to Concordia's campus so Dad could see all the changes. Here we are in between some of the apartment buildings that I lived in once upon a time.

Then, back to Deschutes for g-f cheesecake, for lunch mind you. Yes, cheesecake for lunch. Healthy diet, but delicious nonetheless.

Then we made stop 2 at Powell's and hit-up some other stores in the area. I had tickets for a play that evening so I left Dad to fend for himself. He washed/cut/preped supplies for our picnic the next day.

We got up Friday and headed for the hills. Mountain more like it. Dad had never been to Mt Hood, so away we went. Destination: Timberline Lodge. I was disappointed in the cloudy, overcast day as I love the view of glorious Hood on the trip up, but alas, it was not to be that day.

When we arrived at Timberline the clouds were blowing through. This is the best view we had of the summit the whole time we were there.

Us with the Lodge behind us.

View from inside the Lodge.

An attempt at getting a shot with Hood behind us. You can make it out (sort of).

Once we picniced and came down the mountain the clouds conveniently started parting. If only they'd gotten an earlier start at that. We were coming around Mt Hood and then north through Hood River to do the Mt Hood Loop. It is a gorgeous drive.

This is the view from the west side of the mountain.

We stopped to get some shots with us and Mt Hood.

Once we made it to the Hood River Valley we stopped off at Panorama Point Park. I had seen the sign, but hadn't stopped before. I'm glad we did as it is a gorgeous view complete with picnic tables, ample parking and restrooms. Sweet!

This is the view of us with Hood in the background from Panorama Point:

Mt Hood with the beautiful valley of orchards below.

After amazing views we hopped on the freeway to head back towards Portland. I can't pass Cascade Locks without stopping at this little joint for a mouthwatering Blackberry Milkshake. One of the things I love about my Dad is that he is always up for ice cream-I inheritated that from him. Most definitely.

We then hopped off the freeway to take the Historic Columbia River Highway back into Portland. With a few stops, of course.

Multnomah Falls being stop one.

Next stop: Crown Point. Phenomenal views. Sweet reflection.

The building is also pretty amazing.

I was worn out by the time we got home. I crashed that night and dear Dad let me sleep in the next morning. It was glorious. Dad wanted to say that we stood on a mountain one day and on the beach at the ocean the next. Once I was up on Saturday we headed to the beach, got almost all the way to Tillamook and then had to turn around. I later found out that the traffic back-up was due to a fatality accident. We eventually (3 1/2 hours after setting off from home) made it to the beach. We stopped and had lunch and then walked the beach.

Us with Haystack Rock in the background.

Feet on the beach! It was warm and wonderful!

Pops on the beach.

Me on the beach!

Fun sandcastle that we saw.

On Sunday, Dad's last day, we went shopping for a cute little boys 1st Birthday gift. And then headed to Battle Ground for Isaiah's 1st b-day shindig. Too.Stinkin'.Cute.

After the party we headed home and I had to face the realization that my fun, extra-long weekend was winding down and Dad's time for his visit was winding down. It was a grand trip and I was so thankful for his visit and the time I had with him.

.

Ezme sratched on the door and cried each night when Dad went to bed. So cute!

Dad also spent a lot of time playing laser light with Ezme, which she LOVED.

Thanks for the visit, Dad! Love you lots and come back before another 5 years passes! :)

Purpose

We didn’t come here to fit in.
We came here to be who we are.
We didn’t come here to work.
We came here to live our dreams.
We didn’t come here for the stuff.
We came here to love each other.
We didn’t come here by accident.
We each came here with a purpose
that is uniquely our own.

Be
Dream
Love
Thrive

Always.

~Author Unknown