Life is sooo good...

Living in the Forest

2025-08-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

Summer is just about over, and it's been a whole year since we moved to Vancouver, Washington. We've all pretty much familiarized ourselves to the area. I don't know that it feels quite like home yet, but I can finally get around most areas without having to use navigation. One thing I can say about Vancouver is that it is really beautiful. We are surrounded by trees and trails, rivers and lakes, and views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. Chris says it's like living in a forest. It rains so much here, everything is green, although it has been a pretty dry summer with some heatwaves raising temperatures into the high 90s. It's supposed to hit 100 degrees today. I don't know if this is typical for the summer, but I am definitely not a fan. I am looking forward to the fall and cooler weather, and hopefully more of this.

Last winter, we had two snow days, and it was so pretty and peaceful. Relic loved it. I am looking forward to a cold winter. Here are some photos of Salmon Creek trail, just when of the trails that runs near Vancouver neighborhoods.

It's a very popular trail with walkers and cyclists. Great for morning strolls and walking the dog. I will try to get some more photos of the special areas of Vancouver up soon. For now, I am going to keep cool in my house. Thank God for AC!

Wooden Show Tulip Festival Revisited 16 years later

2025-05-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a couple years since I have posted anything. Life has been busy, everyone's getting older. Penelope is now 17, to think I started this blog back when she was just a baby. This last fall our family made a big move back to the PNW. We moved to Vancouver, WA. It's been 10 months now; Penelope is finishing up her junior year at her new school and will soon be a senior. I've been busy with work and trying to get adjusted to our new home, but all has been going well. I wanted to share some photos because we visited the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm again after 16 years. I made a post back in 2009 but unfortunately the photos I had shared have since disappeared from the web. Fortunately, I still have them in a photo album.

Here is our most recent visit to this lovely farm filled with my favorite flower, and Penelope all grown up.

This last picture brings a little tear to my eye because our first visit to the farm we took a photo of Penelope actually sitting inside the wooden shoe.

Here is a photo Chris managed to find on his computer from our first visit. Time passes by so quickly...

Horsing Around

2022-02-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

Living in the country we are surrounded by horses. All our neighbor have horses and ride, some even compete in barrel racing events. So cool! Horses are beautiful creatures and if I wasn't severely allergic it would be nice to have one or two. My horse riding friends say it's impossible to own just one. When Penelope was little I really wanted her to take horse riding lessons but not knowing a lot about being around horses and riding I was always afraid of the idea of her falling and being hurt. Last summer Penelope was able to start riding lessons for the first time at our neighbors ranch. We got her a riding helmet and some riding boots and my brave girl just hopped right on. Of course, this momma was still afraid to see her get on for the first time, and every time after, but I am so proud that she is able to take on new activities with no fear. She's even fallen off a couple of times, eeek...and gotten right back on again. Here are some photos of Penelope's first couple of times learning to ride.

Little Birdies

2021-07-05T09:48:00.001-07:00

The sound of birds singing outside is a constant from inside our home. With the occasional thud because, oops that's a window. I often see hummingbirds that look like peeping toms buzzing around as if to say "hey I see you in there". We see the occasional vulture devouring one of the many bunnies that live nearby and the occasional hawk or eagle soaring through the sky. If I was a bird watcher I would have a field day with my camera snapping away at all the little and big birdies. The quails are the cutest with their pointed feathers on the tops of their heads, they like to linger in flocks pecking in the dirt. The roadrunners are the silliest as they speed across the road and then there is the elusive giant owl. I have only seen him once from afar but the neighbors all say he is huge! We have several bird nests along the eaves of our home, we try to leave them be. We also find remnants of old bird homes out in the field. Nests made out of anything these birds can find, even horse hair from the neighbors horses!

Here are some photos Chris took awhile back when he was playing around with my new camera. Just a few little birdies hanging around.

I should dust off my camera and try to get a few shots of some of the other birds mentioned above that like to visit our home.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2020-12-22T12:22:00.003-08:00

Have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2020-10-31T12:52:00.003-07:00

Happy Halloween!

7th grade, here we come!

2020-09-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I started this blog when Penelope was just 10 months old...

and now here she is going to start middle school next week, at a new school...

and in just a few more months she will be a teenager. She has attended the same school since Kindergarten, and while it is a little sad to say goodbye we are excited about a new start and new friendships and new adventures.

I miss baby Penelope so much! It has been my greatest joy to watch her grow. I am glad I started this blog. I have been looking back at all the memories and photos through the years. Some things I can't even remember doing! Time really does fly be and while it is bittersweet I can't wait to see all the things in store for her and the amazing woman I know she will become. I love you Penelope! You are going to do awesome at your new school. Let's start this online adventure!

WOOF!

2020-08-12T10:51:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of pics of our doggies enjoying the country air.

The shepherd above is Timber. He will be turning 8 in a few days and has been with us since he was a pup. He is a big, sensitive sweetie and a bit of a goofball. The husky pictured below is Relic. He will be 4 years old in a couple months. He is a rescue that we have had for about three years now. He is super friendly and affectionate and a BIG troublemaker.

Kitchen Remodel

2020-03-21T13:53:00.002-07:00

This is a long overdue post, but seeing as we are now mandated to stay in our homes in California until further notice, and unless we absolutely must leave, I should have some time to do a little more blogging. Last April we had our kitchen remodeled. I have been wanting to do this since we moved in a couple of years ago and we finally had the chance to do it. This is what our kitchen looked like prior to the remodel.

This is after the remodel...

As you can see, we also had a wall taken out, a wall put in, some French doors added, a large island built and new flooring put in throughout the house. It looks like a completely different home. We have since also painted the kitchen white and the rest of the house a more agreeable gray.

We still have so many projects we would like to do our home but those will have to wait for awhile...

Gardening in the High Desert

2020-02-29T14:11:00.000-08:00

One of the first things we did when we moved into our new home a couple of years ago was plant these beautiful Coleus...

And quickly had a rude awakening when I literally woke up to the bunnies chomping down on them just a few days later. We proceeded to try planting some lavender in the same spot and that didn't work. Tried some succulents and again found out these bunnies will eat just about anything. We gave up and this spot under the window but decided on trying to plant some hibiscus in front of the house.

Surprisingly, these have done really well. They have made it through two freezing cold winters and blazing hot summers and have managed to survive and continue to bloom. We tried planting two miniature citrus trees but have had little luck with them.

But, as you can see, the Rosemary we planted is fragrant and thriving. Spring is but a few weeks away and I would like to do some gardening. I have so many ideas, and so many plants and flowers I would like to see flourish, but I am hesitant. I am not sure what will survive the scorching summer I am sure is headed our way and the ravenous bunnies that roam freely on our land. Maybe some more Hibiscus trees are in our future. Or, maybe we can build a tall fortress around our home to keep the bunnies out. Although I have a feeling these cute but pesky critters will find away to forage my garden no matter what. Anyone have any suggestions on bunny safe plants I would love to hear them!

Country Living

2019-11-23T18:28:00.000-08:00

I was going through photos on my computer and came upon these pictures I took when we purchased our house 2 years ago . I thought I would share what country living looks like in southern California.

Our view is that of Palomar Mountain and we can actually see the Palomar Observatory from our vantage point. During the winter you can see a beautiful dusting of snow on the mountaintop and I am hoping this winter it makes it down to our front yard this year. You never know, after all we were around to witness snow in Temecula a few years ago.

2019-04-21T12:26:00.002-07:00

Swapping Again!

2019-04-05T18:17:00.002-07:00

So, several years ago I learned about Swap-bot a fun site where you can create and join swaps of all kinds, with people from all over the world. It's for anyone that loves getting surprise mail and gifting to others. I have posted about past swaps on this blog before but it's been awhile. Recently I joined a Care Package Swap and I wanted to share all the goodies I received from my swap partner Midsummer Dream. Thanks!

This was a fabulous package filled with a bunch of great items. I especially loved the reusable cup and makeup bag. Go check out swap-bot and start swapping!

Obento x4

2019-03-31T17:51:00.002-07:00

I was going through some of of my old pics and I found a few bentos from last last year I had not posted. Here ya go....

This one contains some rolled up Italian meats, half an apple, carrot sticks, tortilla chips w/ hummus for dipping and some colorful Twizzlers for a treat.

At one point Penelope was having allergies so we took her to her doctor to find out what the cause was, she put her on a gluten free diet while we waited for her allergy test results. Here is one of here gluten-free lunches. Tortilla chips, apple cinnamon sauce, salami, some gluten-free cookies, strawberries, carrot sticks and Cherryheads for a treat. It turns out that just like me she is allergic to the cat. Speaking of cats, when we moved out to the country we found we had a mouse problem. What do you do when you have a mouse problem? Get a cat of course! I was hesitant about getting a new kitty after the passing of my Mr. Rat but after visiting the shelter I found the sweetest little black kitten. I took him home and named him Merlin the Meowgician. After getting him home we quickly learned that the cute lil' kitten was anything but sweet. Merlin is a total terrorist, he is one tough scrappy cat and he is definitely a mouser. Our mouse problem was quickly eradicated, the ones that managed to escape Merlin's tummy ran for the hills.

This was last year's Easter basket and bento. A bunny shaped egg salad sandwich, Cheetos because we were out of carrot sticks, flower apples, jelly beans and Easter egg for a treat. I can't quite remember what was in the small container. Even after zooming in to the pic I couldn't make it out. I am sure it was good whatever it was. I wonder what the Easter Bunny is going to bring her this year...

Finally a prosciutto and brie croissant sandwich, tomato, watermelon hearts, and a heart shaped chocolate because I love her.

It's Me Again!

2019-03-17T18:56:00.001-07:00

Well, it's been awhile since you've heard from me, since May of 2017 to be exact. I did not completely fall off the blogging earth entirely. I am still reviewing products on Girly Girl and I even started a new culinary blogging adventure at Sushi Tea & Me. Check it out, it is where I will be posting on my recipes and food reviews. So, what's been happening since I last posted? A lot and a whole lotta nothing. Penelope has had 2 birthdays since, she is now 11 years old. To think I started this blog when she was just shy of 1 year. We purchased a house in the country, it's on 10 acres and overlooks Palomar Mountain. We are just in the beginning planning stages of preparing for a kitchen remodel and we are pretty excited. I am excited to share all about our new home in upcoming posts. I also started working in a daycare with babies and absolutely love it. After being a stay at home mom for many years and with Penelope becoming more independent I started taking child development classes at our local community college. I have always wanted to work with children in some aspect so I figured why not now?! I am now licensed as an early childhood educator and am still continuing my classes so that I can work with children who have special needs. It's taking awhile since I am not able to attend school full time but hey I am alive and well, gotta do something to fill up my days, right? We went on a family trip to Hawaii, that was pretty exciting. We also lost a furry member of our family and gained another one. Penelope's guinea pig Cheerio died a bit ago and we got a new doggy friend for Timber. His name is Relic, he is one big furry Husky, I will share some pics later. I have slowed down on bento's some since I am a little more busy now but I do have some I intend to post soon. Chris started a new job, he is still working in the oil fields of Alaska but with a different company and I hear he is loving it. What else? Basically just living life and taking in all it brings, the good and the better, the bad and the worse. Enjoying my family and new friends I've made and exploring all the new. Stay tuned for more posts as I plan on getting back at it.

Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival and Bimbo Giveaway

2017-05-28T14:46:00.001-07:00

If you live in Southern California then there is no doubt you have heard of the annual Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival. This festival is a celebration of Temecula's wine country, filled with soaring hot air balloons, fabulous wine tasting, quality entertainment, arts & crafts, food vendors and even a kids faire! This years musical lineup includes some 80's classic bands like Dramarama, The Motels and Annabella from Bow Wow Wow. Since I live in Temecula I have the joy of watching beautiful hot air balloons sailing in the early morning sky practically everyday, but if you live in California outside the Inland Empire you must make the drive over and visit this festival from June 2 through June 4.

This year there will be a new face in the wine country skies, that of Bimbo Bear.

On it's annual Rise & Shine Tour, Bimbo Bear will be making a pit stop at the festival. Bimbo, famous for their tasty baked goods will also be featuring a tent on festival grounds filled with scrumptious sweets.

To Celebrate Bimbo Bears upcoming voyage in the sky, they would like to offer 2 amazing prize packs to two lucky Girl Girl readers.

Each prize pack will include four tickets to the Temecula Festival (2 adult/2 children), which can be picked up at the will-call window. In addition each prize pack also includes the following:

1 picnic basket
1 Cabana-striped towel
4 fans
4 drawstring bags
4 t-shirts
4 sports towels
4 Bimbo Balloon pins
4 sunglasses
1 beach ball
An assortment of Bimbo Sweet Baked Goods products

Which can be picked up at the Bimbo Sweet Baked Goods Tent. You can enter to win by visiting Girly Girl Giveaways

Heading out on a Tropical Adventure, see ya soon!

2017-05-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

2017-05-14T09:20:00.001-07:00

First Day of Spring Break Bento

2017-04-04T15:41:00.001-07:00

Penelope's first day of Spring Break bento! Excited to have a break from school for a couple weeks and even more excited for a visit from the grandparents. Can't wait to show them around San Diego for the first time!

Top Tier: Blueberries, Tulip Turkey and Cheddar open faced sandwich

Bottom Tier: Tulip Hard Boiled Egg, Cuties and Easter M&M's She also had some barbecue chips not pictured.

Happy Spring Break!

2016-12-23T08:02:00.002-08:00

Sew Fun!

2016-10-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl in elementary school my grandmother used to sew me the greatest outfits. They were always in style, I mean she even made me a tube skirt and fluorescent lace top, I rocked the 80's! I even remember someone saying that my family had a lot of money because I was always wearing fancy clothes, which was so far from the truth. I just had the best grandma. When I became a teenager my grandma shared her love of sewing with me and taught me the craft. I made pants, tops, mini dresses, you name it. Unfortunately, I very rarely sew these days, my fault. However over the summer Penelope took a week long sewing camp at Moore's Sewing Center so it's time I dust off my machine and so we can start sewing! When I first signed her up I wasn't sure if she was going to enjoy it, I was also concerned that it might be a little to difficult for her to learn at 8. I was so wrong! In fact one of the amazing ladies that taught the class told me that they had taught their grandchild to sew at five years old!

This was Penelope on the first day of class with her new machine, that she got to take home by the way.

A Limited Edition Project Runway machine with a ton of stitches and much nicer then my machine. The class was a week long class, 5 hours a day. Surely this was going to be too much sewing for Penelope and she would get tired of it. I was wrong! She loved it and never wanted to leave.

Here she is sewing away when I popped into to check on her, what a pro! At the end of the week there was a graduation and ice cream party and the kids in the class got to show off their creations.

Penelope learned to make a backpack, pillow case, pajama pants and a roll-up bag traveling bag. It's too bad Moore's only offers this class once in the summer, Penelope was sad for it to be over. Still in that one week she learned so much. I will definitely be encouraging her to keep at it, in fact she has already picked out a pattern for her first homemade dress, now the fun part, fabric shopping!

Rummaging through the Kitchen Bento

2016-10-12T09:41:00.002-07:00

This is what you get for lunch when I need to go grocery shopping...

An assortment of random things from the kitchen. Oh well, I had not complaints.

2 Hard boiled eggs and a lil' salt, Hello Kitty cucumbers, Hello Kitty jack cheese, "prinkles" as Penelope calls them, seaweed, chocolate chip cookie and a green tea hard candy. I made up for it by slipping in a coupon for an hour later bedtime and taking her out to sushi for dinner. ;)

Hamburger Jun

2016-09-16T20:08:00.001-07:00

I made this version of Hamburger Jun or Korean Beef Patties a while ago but forgot to post. These turned out delicious and Chris, who wasn't very excited at first, ended up loving them.

Hamburger Jun

1 lb. Ground Beef
3 Green onions minced
1 Garlic clove minced
1 tsp. Fresh ginger minced
2 tbs. Soy sauce
1/4 tsp. Pepper
3 Eggs
2 tsp. Brown sugar
1/2 cup Flour
1 tsp. Sesame oil

In a bowl mix all ingredients except 2 eggs and the flour and form the meat into patties. In another bowl take the remaining two eggs and beat with a fork. In a separate bowl add the flour. Take each patty and dip first into the flour and then into the egg. Add some cooking oil to cover the bottom of a pan and fry the patties until cooked through.

Sauce

2 tbs. Soy sauce
1 tbs. Chili garlic sauce
1 tbs. Rice wine vinegar

Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl.

I served my patties in lettuce cups with the sauce poured over the top. Delicious!

My Panda Bento

2016-08-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

Here is Penelope's panda bento. It is a rare pink nosed panda, probably the only one of it's kind...

Top tier: Panda made with rice, olive ears, nori face and a bologna pink nose. Chicken strips and soy sauce in the fishy container.

Bottom tier: Baby carrots, mixed greens, cherry tomato and ranch dressing.

Yep, looks just like him.

Low Carb Chili, No Beans!

2016-08-06T18:51:00.000-07:00

I made some bean-less chili the other day for Chris, who loves chili but is trying to eat a low carb diet. It came out really good, piled on some all beef franks with cheese and jalapenos! I am rather fond of Weinerschnitzel's chili cheese dogs, and he said my chili was better then their hotdog chili. While that may not mean much to some of you, to someone who has cravings for Weinerschnitzel chili cheese dogs it means a lot.

Bean-Less Chili

1 lb. Ground beef
1 Onion chopped into small pieces
2 Garlic cloves minced
4 cups of water, divided in half
15 oz. can of tomato sauce
1 tbs. Tajin
1 tbs. Cumin
1 tbs. Red pepper chili flakes
1tsp. Paprika
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Pepper
2 tbs. Oil

Put ground beef in a bowl and add 1/2 of the water (2 cups) Squish it around with your hands until meat is loose and it looks like a squishy mess. Add all the spices to the bowl and mix well. Set aside.
In a pot over medium heat cook onions and garlic in cooking oil util soft, about 10 minutes. Add the meat mixture and turn up heat to high. Mix everything well. Add the remaining 2 cups of water and the tomato sauce. Stir and bring to a boil. Once it begins to boil lower heat and simmer uncovered for approximately 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The chili will start to thicken up as it simmers.

We had leftovers and Chris and Penelope enjoyed a bowl of chili topped with cheese, sour cream and olives for lunch the next day.