New Obession

Some of my health-nut friends encouraged me to try greek yogurt. I had a taste once and was not sure how I felt. I recently got the Trader Joe's Non-Fat Greek Honey Yogurt and it is AMAZING. They were right that it is addicting! If you are headed to the grocery store this week, I urge you to try it!

ZUCCHINI AND RICOTTA TART

I made this earlier in the summer and it was a hit. I meant to post it in the middle of zucchini season,. . .but for those of you who still that need to use up zucchinis for a good breakie dish. . .this is mighty fine!

Compliments of Rachel Ray!

4 zucchini (thin sliced crosswise)

SALT AND PEPPER

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

3 eggs, beaten

1 cup ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for sprinkling

1/2 cup half-and-half

1 pinch nutmeg

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Layer zucchini in a colander, sprinkling each layer with salt; let stand for 20 minutes. Rinse, then pat dry.

2.) Meanwhile, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to remove the creases. Press the pastry into 9-inch pie plate and trim the excess, so the crust is flush with rim. Prick the bottom of the pastry with a fork. Refrigerate.

3.) In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini and cook, turning until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the dill and remove from heat; let cool to room temp.

4.) In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, ricotta, 1/2 cup parmesan and half-and-half; season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in the zucchini. Pour the mixture into chilled pastry crust and sprinkle with more parmesan. Bake until a knife is inserted in the center and comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Let cool slightly before slicing.

America's Finest City

An evening out with Kelly
View of the city from Shelter Island
The Alamo crew
Beach Day at Tourmaline
Ready for a surf

San Diego, CA has a special place in our hearts. It is the city where Pete and I first met 6 years ago in theatre class at Point Loma Nazarene University. The city was our background for falling in love and then we lived there for the first two years of our marriage. Needless to say, we love going back to visit and sometimes wonder why we left in the first place (we love Portland, but you just can’t beat the beaches/weather down there).

We just returned home from a wonderful long visit and had enough time to hit most of our favorite places and see our dear friends and family. Pete was able to get his fill of surfing and I was able to get my fill of beach time and ocean air. Pete left SD before me to head out on his big hike (more to come on this) and my friend Kelly flew in to SD to finish the trip off with some girl time. We had beautiful weather and were surrounded with beautiful people that I miss already.

It is funny because San Diego has such a variety of things to do and different sub-areas, that depending who you talk to you, you could experience the city in many different ways. Pete and I compiled a list below of some of our favorite spots so the next time you are in the area, maybe you can try a few and experience the city how we experience it. We are already excited to head back to SD for our Thanksgiving visit and to re-visit these spots below. It is no surprise that San Diego is nicknamed “America’s Finest City”.

Some of our Favorite Spots:

*Hector’s for burritos (Pete had one almost every morning of the trip)

*Miguel’s for Mexican food (the cheese sauce is out of this world)

*Stone Brewery (great for group dinners)

*Hooley’s Pub (unique Irish bar in Rancho San Diego)

*Wine Steals for wine and pizza

*Chronic Smoothies for a Coconana Crème smoothie (located in Birdrock)

*The Big Squeeze for acai bowls

*Yogurt Mill for frozen yogurt (located in El Cajon-best froyo for your buck)

*Bird Rock Coffee Company for a cup of joe (they roast their own coffee)

*Pacific Beach Ale House for a beer by the beach

*La Jolla Shores beach

*Tourmaline Beach (Pacific Beach)

*Coronado Island for a beach/shopping day (Hotel Del Coronado)

*Sunset Cliffs for running, surfing, or cliff jumping

*Shelter Island for a great view of the city at sunset.

*Mission Beach for a happening spot on Saturdays

*Little Italy for an Italian dinner (down town San Diego)

*W Hotel Beach Bar for a drink (down town San Diego-Thursdays nights they have yoga and wine)

*The Rock Church (Liberty Station)

*Horizon Church (Clairemont)

All the Joys of July

There are 31 days in JULY and each one was filled with JOY! The main reason is because our house/city has been full of some of our favorite people.

. . .Over the fourth of July, our dear friends Mel and Brandon stayed with us. They have been teaching in Hungary for the past year and we missed them greatly. We had a wonderful time catching up, laughing, and showing them our favorite places (which included the coast, fireworks at lake oswego, hot stone pedicures, and of course some good eats). Our hearts were filled with joy to reunite with these life-long friends.

. . .Next up, one of my friend's since childhood-Heather- got married in Portland. Our whole high school crew was in town for the week of the wedding. From the bachelorette party to the last minutes of the wedding reception-it was a blast celebrating together. We've not all been together for years- so this was a very joyful occasion remembering old times and catching each other up on our current lives!

. . .The night of the wedding my brother Zach and his wife Laura flew into Portland. My parents were also in town. We spent the next 4 days as a family going here there and everywhere. Shopping, golf, dessert, wine tasting, and rook were some of the high points. We were all stuffed into our condo-pete and I even camped in our living room (which was pretty hilarious)! The greatest joy of this visit was anticipating and discussing Zach and Laura's baby girl who is due December 1st. We are a proud aunt and uncle already!

. . .Last, but not least our San Diego friends Bill and Amanda came out for my birthday at the end of July. It was thrilling having them here to celebrate. We did a kayak tour and ate delicious thai food. Then we ventured to the gorge for a three day camping adventure with our dear friends Forest and Ashley. The six of us had a blast and even endured a thunder and lightening storm while camping. I felt complete joy when the six of us did a hike to a beautiful waterfall together. It was awesome.

There is nothing like having close friends and family visit. It has made this summer more than memorable. I cherish every minute of time with the ones I love. It makes our home feel even more "homey" when we house the people who make life more beautiful! SO thank-you to all our special visitors. You are all welcome back to Portland ANY time!

Pictures with Our Visitors

Headed out on our kayak tour by Ross Islands with Bill and Amanda!
Nellie at the beach-she loved the visitors too!
with Amanda and Ash at the beautiful waterfall!

Pictures with Our Visitors

with my brother Zach Wine Tasting by Mt. Hood!
with Zach, Laura (and baby :))!
Some of the high school crew (Avery, Kelli, Me, Leah, and Rachel)!
Mel and I matching on the 4th ;)!
Brandon and Pete at Cannon Beach!