The Feed Store

One of the many things I miss about living in Redmond is hanging out at the Feed Store.  Especially right now because they have adorable chicks and ducks!  We stopped in at Big R today to look at cat food since Yam needs a special kind..diet food.  Check out the pics below.

Baby ducks

Baby chicks

Funny cat toy.  We didn't buy it.

Tempting, but passed on this one too.

I don't know what to say about this.

I also miss checking out the cowboys with their hat and boots.  They are so polite and husky!

Too bad we didn't have time to stop in the shelter and look for a friend for Yam.  There's always next time... 

Beautiful Central Oregon

Yesterday, the weather was gorgeous!  We walked the 3.5 mile loop at the Old Mill and enjoyed the sunshine.  I've been doing okay in my hour of exercise every day during Lent.  Although, I walked in spitting snow conditions on Saturday and survived rain on Friday.  Only 34 more days to go.  No loss of weight, so I better kick it up. 

I asked Emil if I can bank extra time...especially when I walk the Butte two times in a row.  He said no.  Boo.  Seems like I should get a pass for the next day if I haul my butt up the Butte four times in two days, don't you think? 

Here's a pic from yesterday:

Old Mill District

Dairy-free is hard, but I'm adjusting.  Emil misses cheese.  Some interesting menu planning may be coming up...he wants to go vegetarian, but eat cheese.  Where does this leave me?  Lots of meals where cheese is optional/on the side.

Busy week ahead of us!

The Cat Lady

Ugh, I've become the cat lady.  I take pics of Yam sleeping and looking so dang cute.  He picked a favorite person...Emil.  Are you surprised? 

He has many blankets to lay on.  Spoiled!

Sleeping on our bed.  Hmmm......

Time for a nail trim.

Yam is such a good cat!  No biting, scratching, or mischievous behavior.  He does tend to play around at night and yeow, but I sleep right through it.  Too bad Emil doesn't.

I've been trying lots of new recipes these days in my dairy-free diet.  Since I received several new cookbooks for Christmas, it's been fun cooking.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pics of the sweet and tangy brisket.  It was pretty good.  I also made a raw kale, brussel sprout salad with cucumber, golden beets, and mustard vinaigrette.  And, I hate salad!! 

This is one my new favs:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-beets-and-sauteed-beet-greens/

Seems like I'm eating lots of beets these days.  The greens were so good, and I expected them to be bitter.  Not at all!  I tossed in some sauteed shrooms and sweet onions plus a healthy dash of red wine vinegar.

Many thanks to my lovely neighbor, landlord, boss, friend....Annie.  She's a good influence in the food department, and I've become a little bit more adventurous.  I would say less picky too, but that's just silly!

Lent

Ash Wednesday is rapidly approaching, so I'm trying to decide on what to give up or what to work on during Lent.

My first inclination is to give up Juanita's Tortilla Chips.  I love them!  They are a perfect salty snack which I partake in just about every evening.  They are made right in Hood River.  I wonder if they give tours....

I also thought of giving up soy vanilla lattes.  They seem to be a new addiction since my dairy-free diet began.  It's also a pricey addiction.  Emil bought me a recycled cup with a nice discount every time I purchase a drink.  I need to get my money's worth out of the cup, right?

Or, I could go in a different direction.  Say...walk Pilot Butte every day until Easter. 

Elevation gain is about 1,000 feet.  Not much.

Or focus on my book instead of other stuff going on.  So many choices, but I better decide quick...Lent is approaching fast.

On to other updates:  Yam is settling in okay.  He's chosen a favorite person already....Emil.  But, he sleeps in my lap every night during tv time.

We're both busy coordinating a workshop and concert in May.  Aaron Keim, The Quiet American, is coming through Bend.  He's so good!  http://quietamericanmusic.com/. 

It's 4 a.m. here, and I woke up to Yam meowing.  He's ready to be petted and loved on!

Yam fka Skittles

I've been talking about getting a cat ever since we left our house-sitting gig in Redmond.  It was so much fun to have cats to talk to, spoil them, and cuddle with.  I even contemplated stealing a cat in a Redmond neighborhood who had been left behind by his owners.

Yesterday, I saw a FB post from Brightside Animal Center (fka Redmond Humane Society) about a cat named Butterbean.  So cute!  I thought it was a sign since Butterbean is an inside joke between Emil and I.  With a promise NOT to adopt a cat today, Emil agreed to go look at Butterbean.  Bwah ha ha ha ha.  That's my sneaky laugh.

We spent lots of time looking at cats and narrowed it down to five cats.  I could instantly become The Cat Lady and adopt all five!  Each cat had a distinct personality, and I loved them all.  Butterbean was shell-shocked and shy at being there after 10 years with the same owner.  Crete was young and friendly.  Skittles was perfect.  Sassy was playful and shy.  Yoshi was laid back.

Finally we decided on Skittles!

Sitting on his perch

Very distinct stripes

 While the animal clinic did our paperwork, we ran out to buy some supplies.  Emil insisted on buying cat toothbrushes. 

Good luck using them!

The mouse is too big.

We still need a few scratching posts and a bigger bed.  A 14.5 pound cat takes up quite a bit of room as it turns out.  Now for the adjustment period....Emil's the disciplinarian.  I'm the softie.  I'm also the one who's an obsessive cleaner and doesn't like hair everywhere.

As we watched tv last night, we threw around some names and settled on Yam.  He's the color of a sweet potato and kinda hefty.  What a sweetie!

On a side note, if you're thinking of getting an animal, please consider adopting from a Humane Society.  There were cats who have been there for two or more years.  Just makes you want to take them all home!

The Providence Crew

Our friends, Sylven and Karen, came to visit from Providence, and we had a grand ol' time.  Exercise, beer, ukes, soaking pool, food, and the ocean.  What else do you need?

Emil picked them up from the airport and headed straight for a super cool tour at mya-moe ukuleles in White Salmon, WA.  They hung out with Aaron and Nicole Keim, Gordon and Char Mayer, and a host of beautiful ukes.

Shop for a new uke!
http://www.myamoeukuleles.com/

Load up your iPod or learn clawhammer!
http://quietamericanmusic.com/

On Friday, we hiked up Pilot Butte and played ukes.  It was fun to learn new songs.  We also made a quick stop at Deschutes Brewery for the short tour, a beer at Crux Fermentation, and celebrated Karen's birthday!

Sylven and Emil

Me, Annie, and Sylven playing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

Happy Birthday!!

Charcuterie Board

Love the vibe of Crux

Four free samples at Deschutes Brewery

Cornichons!

Sunset

After lunch at Jackson's Corner, and a hike on the Deschutes River Trail, we went to the soaking pool at McMenamin's.  SO relaxing and warm.  Time for more ukes and food!

Time for a BLB

Deschutes River

On Sunday, we drove to Pacific City and up the Coast, took a long walk on the beach, and stopped in at New Seasons Market.

Karen took lots of great photos throughout the trip.  Check out her website.  Maybe on her next visit, she can take pics of Emil's workshop for his website.  Something to lure them back, so we can hike, drink more beer, and sightsee!!

http://karenphilippi.com/

Breakfast at Pine State Biscuits the next morning and back home!  Time to research more on self-publishing and screen-printing!

Very cool art at Pine State.  For sale!  Hmmmmm....

The Chatfield

Pine State Club

Kung Pao Tofu.  I WILL make this at home!