Cheese and Crackers

So, we just returned from a sweet weekend away to Tillamook Bay to enjoy some quality time together and lots of cheese.  Holy Moly, did we have some cheese!  I'm pretty sure that I spent a good portion of the trip trying to convince the Mr. that cheese is, in fact, a vegetable and, therefore, good for you.

We absolutely LOVED the place we stayed!  We were greeted with fresh popcorn and complementary *Tillamook* Cheese and crackers every night, and a homemade breakfast each morning.  We are now completely convinced that we should always vacation in the off-season!

We spent an afternoon just reading and relaxing and taking bad-quality pictures in the mirror.

Our hotel was a block from the bay, leaving us with this beautiful view of the fishing boats and sailboats in the harbor.

Cheese, Gromit, Cheese!!!  Seriously, it was like "Picture, Picture" from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood watching how cheese is made.

Heaven.

OH, and Tillamook makes ICE CREAM?!  As if I would forget.....

 

Outside the Blue Heron Wine & Cheese Company... following one of the best wine-tastings ever.

We went for a walk on the beach....

Our dinner out...

I cannot even explain how sweet this time together was... a time to hit "Refresh" and start the new year AND check #1 and #3 off the Forest Grove Bucket List!  We enjoyed rich conversation and the opportunity to plan for the upcoming year. What a gift this man is to me!

Blessings on a new week!

PS - Two years ago, today, the Mr. did THIS!!! And, boy, am I glad he did!


Tweet

ALL is Grace

There are moments in life when I want time to stop.  I feel like I could freeze-frame everything and skip and twirl and be giddy, shameless and free.  Like, my heart is exploding because it's so darn full.

This weekend was such a time. Indeed, what a weekend it has been.  A dream, so far from reality, I thought I'd never wake.

Friday night, after work, the Mr. and I took off for a weekend away at the beach.  I was SO excited to have some time with my husband... All. To. Myself.  (Grad school can be a tiresome mistress at times.)

We checked-in to our room only to find a bottle of champagne sweetly lain across the pillows, and saltwater taffy strewn across the comforter.  (and a fireplace in the corner !!)  The room was perfect.

Saturday dawned sunny and clear - a wonder in December.  We had a leisurely breakfast and strolled through downtown. We spent hours ducking in and out of various shops - dreaming of our future and reliving our child-past.  (1½ hours in the Toy Store... pretty sure we'll never grow up)  What fun we have together!

We found our way to the beach, with the sun shining down and the waves lapping at the shore.  It was perfect.

I could go on and on... the dinner by firelight, the twilight streets glimmering in the Christmas lights, the friendliest people... but that is not what made this weekend so wonderful.  That which made this weekend was the man with whom I was honored to share it.  The man with whom I am blessed to share my life.  Over and over during countless conversations, both the deep and the light-hearted, I was struck by the outrageous grace that I have been given.  Evidenced, quite clearly, in this man.

But also evidenced in the beautiful sun, the soft robes, the hardened sand, the hot morning coffee, and the eucalyptus hand lotion.

In the crackling fire, the smile of a stranger, the grasp of his hand, and the twinkle in his eye.

In the stressful days working, in the long nights studying, in the miscommunications, in the laundry-doing.

ALL is grace.

Today, our car pulled into our driveway.  He turned the key to silence the engine, but neither one of us moved.  Not wanting to end the dream, we both sat.  As if the click of a seat belt or the opening of a car door would jolt us awake cold.

Then, he smiled.  All is grace.  Then, he kissed me.  All is grace.  Then, he took my hand, and we headed back to face real-life together.  What a blessing, what outrageous Grace.



Tweet

Tigers and Pumpkins and Burgers, Oh My!

I’m overwhelmed.  That’s all there is to it.  My heart is full and my head is swimming.  I feel blessed beyond belief.

This weekend, my mom drove 14 hours – roundtrip – to spend the weekend with us.  That’s a lot of driving.  She got in on Friday night and, because the Mr. was playing in a golf tournament, she and I got some special one-on-one time to catch up.  I love my mom.  She is ridiculously wise.

Then, we made Chicken Holy Basil together.  And it was near divine.

Saturday morning was perfectly laidback, complete with a luxurious walk around the neighborhood in the perfect fall weather. It was exactly what I needed as I recovered from a nasty cold/flu thing.  Then, we were off to Helvetia Tavern for lunch where the Mr. put away the JUMBO burger.  What a man.  After that, we went on an adventure to find the little people in the big world.  And pumpkins.

And we found both.

We had a great time tromping around the Roloff farms, staring at Bengal Tigers, and playing King of the Mountain on the hay bale pyramid.  Well, we would have played if there weren't like a zillion little kids around.  I mean really, what are little kids doing climbing all over a pyramid of hay bales... don't they know that that is adult stuff?!  ;)

We had SUCH a wonderful weekend with my mom.  The only thing missing was Dad at her side...  :)  It was the kind of weekend that left us truly refreshed and ready to face the week.  Also, it may just keep the homesickness at bay until we can make it home at Thanksgiving!

Also, we were able to check #4 off of our Forest Grove Bucket List. (things to do before we move)



Tweet

Weekend, er, LIFE Update

It has been brought to my attention by more than a few out-of-town friends and family that it has been far too long since an update. Part of that is due to the pace of life... (See this post) and part of it is due to the lack of interesting things to report.

No one wants to read a boring blog.

Anywho, activity at the Boboth household has revolved - in large part - around his studying, my travelling, and football season. *Can I get an "Amen!"?*   <---- That was a lot of symbols in a row. Such is the price of grammatical correctness.

This last weekend found me bouncing between the Tri-Cities and Dayton, Washington, as I was in a friend's wedding on Saturday.  The setting was the Running T ranch in Dayton. SO beautiful.  But, perhaps the best gift of the weekend was getting to see old friends from college after nearly a year and a half! I had SO much fun catching up with these (and other) clowns.  What a sweet thing friendship is!

Sweeter still, however was the reunion with my sweet man.  Two nights apart was TWO too many!  Last year, when I left for travel season, it was so hard to leave my brand new husband.  This year, I figured that it wouldn't be as bad... afterall, we've been married for over a year, he'd need to study, blah,blah,blah.......  WRONG.   I miss him even more now than I did then.  Distance, and time, truly does make the heart grow fonder.

So this week, I'm on the road touring beautiful Southern Oregon. (pictures forthcoming)  And the Mr. is studying. (pictures not forthcoming.  Because that would be boring.)  But for reals, keep him in your thoughts and prayers... this amazingly smart man has had 3 tests and has 2 more to go.  All in 2 weeks' time. Phew!

Well, that's all to report for now...  we are sure growing excited to be heading home for the holidays!  Can't wait to see our wonderful family!!

Tweet

A Family Affair

I know you've missed me.  *eyeroll* And I know you've really missed our weekend updates. *double eyeroll*

My apologies.

This last weekend, we had the honor of spending 4 (count that - FOUR) days with my parents and little sister.  It was divine.  It was so nice to have a longer-ish weekend with them - and perfect weather to boot!

Words fail me; so, here are some pictures.

Cooking with my bestie

The 2 Most Important Men in My Life

Aren't they adorable?!

BBQ on the Beach!

Is there sand?  Let's bring our Sand Wedges!

Dinner at Pumpkin Ridge after watching the LPGA Tournament.
Cool.

So there you have it!  We had an amazing time; and it was so incredibly difficult to say goodbye.  After we bid them farewell, we collapsed on the couch and marveled at the indescribable blessing that we have been given in our family. Wow and wow.

Happy Wednesday, dear readers!  The weekend is nigh!



Tweet