Turkey Day

Our Beautiful Bird

Since I've worked to change our food buying practices this last year I didn't feel right settling for the "free" grocery store turkey this year. It went against everything I've been doing. I bit the bullet and paid the price. 

And it was worth it.

When the farm we purchased it from (Family2Family Farm) posted on facebook that it was turkey day I was excited that one of those turkeys was going to be sitting on my table Thanksgiving day. It felt right driving to the farm and meeting the family that just the day before had butchered my turkey. 

I was nervous that I would end up with a dry turkey and wondered if I should do something special to my turkey. I have never worried about this with grocery store turkeys as they have added salt and fluids. You can never touch a baster to them and have a moist bird. (In reality I just typed birth instead of bird and had to change it. I find this very humorous!) But in the end I just mixed the fresh herbs the farm included, along with some from my own garden with some butter and smothered that bird. I put it in a baking bag and went shopping. When I arrived home the bird was done and the meat was falling off the bones, moist and tender.

Like I said before....

It was worth it.

And, I feel good about my choices.  

 I had to add this picture of Amos trying to get to the turkey. When we brought it home G and Amos followed us from the door to the kitchen and both were trying to get to it. By the time I got to my camera G was gone. 

I love this picture of myself!

It symbolizes how I want my daily life to be: Surrounded by beauty, full of laughter and free from worry. 

It reminds me of my youth when I woke up every day with a body that functioned free from pain.

Summer Reading

Love it when the kids get so into reading they can't put the book down, spend summer afternoons lounging on the couch and stay up too late. That was how my girl spent much of her summer.

Kayak Tour

Before summer even got here (well, did it it every really get here?) I purchased a Groupon for a kayak tour around Ross Island. I kind of let the summer fly by without booking the tour, but lucky for me they honored my coupon after it expired. We picked the most beautiful Saturday afternoon we've had in a long time. As soon as we arrived at the dock the clouds disappeared and we were showered with sunshine the entire afternoon. It was warm and beautiful and we had a wonderful time. My shoulders were aching the next day, but I'm ready to go again. Emilia thought the whole thing was boring, so we won't be bringing her again. Teenagers!

 

Mario paddling away

Yes, I was at the back of the pack the entire trip!

Emilia getting the hang of the kayak

Downtown Portland & Ross Island Bridge behind me

Wedding Day

Alexis & Shawn

Calli & Tyler

Mario & Rolando

Mario, Kelli, Josie, Hayde, Rolando

Chial

Chandler & Drea

Fun & Family

Susie, Hayde, & Josie

Sometimes you meet someone and you feel like you've always known them. That's how it is with these women. The first time I met them I felt an instant connection and family bond. They have welcomed me into the Alba clan with open arms. They make me smile and laugh until I think I'm going to pee my pants. 

They drove from Utah to Portland for Alexis' wedding. They were only here for two days, but there were late nights, lots of laughing, and shopping til I dropped. And it would be an understatement to say they had my back and gave me the support I needed to attend the wedding.

Car Accident.

Yes. It was her fault.
No. She was not texting.

So grateful she is safe.

You Might Think I Have A Problem

My girls came over to help me find an outfit to wear to my step-daughter's wedding. I was then looking for a pair of shoes and in order to find the ones I wanted I had to pull all the shoes out of my closet. The reality is, this isn't even all of them.

You might think I have a problem from looking at this mess. But my problem isn't what you think it is. I actually hate shoes.

I. Hate. Shoes.

I would rather wear no shoes or flip flops every day. I find shoes uncomfortable. They hurt my feet. I don't think they look right with my outfit. I think I have so many shoes because I'm always searching for the shoe that will fit. That will match. That won't hurt.

I think I'm going to try a new strategy. Stop buying cheap shoes. Stop buying cheap, used shoes at Red, White & Blue. Invest in a few GOOD QUALITY shoes that won't hurt my feet.

Like these:

I love my "new" Dansko's that I made my sister give to me. They are comfortable and go with many things. The RED is funky, fun and stylish. Going to go here and pick out a new pair pretty soon!

Last Child-First Day of High School

Hard to believe I only have four more years of making lunches, driving to football games, missing the bus and first day's of school. This girl has become such a delightful, generous, loving young woman. I am so proud of who she is and thankful that we had the summer together to hang out and have fun.