Califoregon Living

Walking in a winter wonderland!!!!

Thankful for 4 wheel drive…

This is a "creek" that runs through downtown Sandpoint…

Grandma and Antee Sara took the boys for the afternoon and David and I had a date afternoon!  We strolled through downtown Sandpoint and bought some late Christmas presents, did some wine tasting at the Pend d’ Oreille winery, and enjoyed lunch at Eichardt’s Pub (we love this place.)

Grandma and Grandpa opening presents…

The boys playing their own version of dominoes…

After church on Sunday, our good friend, Kirsten, suggested we join them for lunch and that she’d just pick up a few deli meats for sandwiches.  The boys could jump on the tampoline with her boys. 

We decided to join them, and after we finished visiting with other friends at church, we headed for their house.  Kirsten ended up treating us to a feast!  There were chilled prawns, quiche, chicken, and, oh yeah, deli meat for sandwiches… Since this was spontaneous, I did not have my camera for pictures, but we have fond memories of some good down time with friends.

Then, on Tuesday, heading for David’s moms house in Idaho, we stopped by our other friends, the Gunnings cabin, in Cle Elum.  She had yummy chicken soup waiting for us (yes, it was yummy, Carol…), and BONUS, snow mobiles for the kids!  The visit was short, but very sweeeeeeeet!

‘A’ gearing up….

‘A’ and ‘M’…

‘R’ and ‘A’…

Here is the conversation I overheard:
"How do I look?"
"You look cool.  How do I look?"
"You look cool too…"


‘R’ is getting psyched up!



David and Mike…

Carol and me…

After visiting with family, David and I decided to take the boys downtown and enjoy some of the old places we used to visit while living in Belltown.  We took them to where we used to live, then took a hot cocoa/doughnut break at Top Pot Doughnuts.  (Top Pot has the honor of being Starbuck’s doughnuts.)


Before we entered, David joked that everyone working on a computer would be using a Mac.  I am pretty sure he was right!

My honey…

My funny honey…

After we were fortified with caffeine and sugar, we drove downtown. We planned on going to see the gingerbread houses at the Sheraton, but the line was too long.  If you are not familiar with this, take a look at this article.  It’s worth it!  We decided to just walk around and enjoy the city lights…

The courtyard between one and two union square…

Inside the Convention Center…

We drove through Pike Place Market and stopped at the first Starbucks established…

The ‘First Starbucks’ icon in the background…

A few years ago, a city wide fundraiser happened where a bunch of companies sponsored statues of pigs that were located all throughout the city.  Here is Starbuck’s contribution.  It is located above their door now.  It is a pig made of coffee beans!

In front of the store…

A ferry in the distance…

Space Needle

For dinner, we went to another of our favorite places, Dad Watson’s.  This is one of many pubs owned by the Mcmenamin brothers, in the Northwest.  It is located in the Fremont neighborhood and David and I spent many evenings playing rummy there.  The McMenamin brothers have their own team of folk artists that create unique spaces at each of their properties.

This evening was a special family memory for us and it reminded me of all the reasons why I love Seattle. 

It also reminds me of the local song,

‘Christmas in the Northwest’…

The wind may not blow
Might not even snow
But there’s nothing like Christmas
Right here at home

It may not be white
Might be a rainy night
But there’s nothing like sharing
The sounds and the sights of …

Christmas in the Northwest
Is a gift that we can share
Christmas in the Northwest
Is a child’s answered prayer

Take away the presents
And they still will have a dream
For Christmas in the Northwest
Is a gift God wrapped in green

That first Christmas night
Under just one light
In a small town, a child came down
The Father’s gift of love and life

And so, I dedicate this prayer
To the children in our care
That we teach them of the gifts of love
He has planted everywhere
Just like …

Christmas in the Northwest
It’s a gift that we can share
Christmas in the Northwest
Is a child’s answered prayer

If you take away the presents
Why, they still will have a dream
For Christmas in the Northwest
Is a gift God wrapped in green

And I know it may not turn out white
But it’s still ‘silent night’
So gather those you love
And tell the story of the gift of living
Believe we see from the one who’s giving
Giving us …

Christmas in the Northwest
Is a gift that we can share
Christmas in the Northwest
Is a child’s answered prayer

And even if you take away the presents
I still would have a tree
For Christmas in the Northwest
Is a gift God wrapped in green

That God wrapped up in green

Christmas in the Northwest
Is a gift God wrapped up in green

The day after Christmas, we met my Dad and stepmom at a restaurant that David and I used to frequent when we lived in Seattle.  It’s called the Blue Star Cafe.  They were accomodating and sat us at the end of the restaurant, where we were able to enjoy our Christmas time together and open presents without interfering with other patrons.

Two of our favorite people…Dad and Julee

Watch out Roseville!  The boys are set now!!

The festivities continued at my aunt and uncle’s condo in Ballard.  Yet another gorgeous day!

This is my counsin Terry’s wife ( Anne), and their little girl.  ‘G’.  She just opened a delightfully annoying Elmo doll that my husband gets credit for…

Terry and Anne’s son, H.  I can’t call him a baby any more!

Me and my Auntie Dee Dee.  Isn’t she lovely?!  Here is her secret to her youthful glow!  Her contact info is on that page at top if you have any questions.

My gorgeous cousin, Robyn, and her beloved, Dan…

The view from their condo.  Yes, I pity them, too…

What a glorious day to celebrate the birth of our Savior!  Spending these days with the ones I love was full of joy and blessings!

We spent the morning at my moms.  Somehow Santa knew that we were in Washington and the boys were excited to see the stockings my mom hung were full of their favorite toys!  My mom made a nice breakfast for us, and we enjoyed playing with our gifts and having a mellow morning.

In the afternoon, we journeyed to my aunt and uncle’s house to continue the festivities.  I should have taken a picture of the incredible spread she presented. An array of appetizers. Three kinds of pastas (homemade mac and cheese, spaghetti pie, and scampi over garlic noodles), green salad, rolls, and a variety of desserts.  My aunt is a master entertainer, with the ability to create an atmosphere of comfort feeling spoiled.

The view from their condo at dusk…

One of the beautiful holiday displays…

We do not exchange gifts, but play a dice game where you win gifts that we all contribute toward.  It is a fun, unique way to enjoy the tradition.



The newest member of our family, baby H! (cousin Jenna and Charles baby)

We went back to my moms and the boys build a couple of their new Bionicle sets…

We were blessed with beautiful weather for Christmas Eve and Christmas.  It was cold, but clear and sunny.  Dado and Dada live on a hill that showcases the magnificent sunsets, assuming the clouds cooperate.  I did not capture a photo, but the sunset was lovely this night.

Here, Dada is showing ‘A’ tiny little nativity figures.  You need a magnifying glass to see them adequately!

Our fabulous couple!

Dada is an excellent cook.  But not only that, she is the garnish queen!  Everything looks as good as it tastes.

Antee Sara and ‘R’ are ready for grub!

Can’t go wrong with Legos!

Go Brooklyn!

While in Washington, we enjoyed dinner with our friends, the Jenks family.  John was our pastor at our Washington church, and remains a good friend and pastor for our family.

Here is John and the boys after service at church one Sunday…

We had dinner at (where else…) Qdoba, and ran into our friends, Lisa and Lynn, enjoying a mom’s night out!

Dessert at Cold Stone Creamery.  Brian (visiting from college), introduced me to the Mud Pie Mojo.  Good times.

Driving to Washington for the holidays, we decided to break up the drive into two days.  We stopped in Medford for the first night and stayed at the Hampton Inn.  This is the perfect place for our family.  They had large rooms, a whirlpool tub, a swimming pool and spa, and breakfast the next morning.  All for under $100!

We arrived early enough to track down dinner.  The hotel clerk suggested we go to Porter’s, but when we got there, the wait was about 45 minutes.  We checked out a few other chain restaurants, but wait times were all high.  We were all road weary from the drive and I was ready to run through a fast food restaurant when David spied Thai Bistro.  The decor is dated and makes the restaurant appear a little "iffy".  But, i was so tired and bordering cranky, I was willing to risk it.

The restaurant was the only restaurant that was not full (not a great sign), but it was not empty either (looking better.)  They sat us at a table right in front of an aquarium.  The aquarium needs alot of love, BUT, it had some of the most unique saltwater creatures we have seen.

We were excited to discover that the menu was full of options that we have never seen before.  We ordered the Pot Stickers, Apple Salad, Thai Beef Salad, and (of course) Pad Thai.

The attentive server brought us a complimentary cucumber salad appetizer.  It was delicious.  Then, the pot stickers.  They were delicious.  Then, the Apple salad.  Guess what?  DELICIOUS!  And so on…

We have discovered a fabulous place to dine in Medford!  The flavors of all the dishes we tried were fresh, simple yet complex, and layered.  The chef is obviously well trained in Thai cuisine and takes it to an elevated gourmet level.  If we closed our eyes, we could imagine ourselves dining at the fine asian Seattle restaurant, Wild Ginger.  It makes me wonder how many people miss out on some incredible culinary experiences because they can’t get past the first impression.

After dinner, we went back to our room and David began the boys first chess lesson.

The next morning, after a simple breakfast, we swam in the indoor pool and spa for an hour before hitting the road.

We had a late lunch in Albany, OR. at the Allann Bros. Coffee I-5 Beanery.  They had a variety of sandwiches, soups, and salads.  But, the bonus was homemade pies!!  YUM!

We made it to our destination (my mom’s place), late in the evening, looking forward to holiday festivities!