Ben and Joni Johnston

3 November, 2009

There's something about taking vacation that puts time into a whole new realm.  The month of October went by so quickly that I can hardly begin to sum it up.  The time I spent with my parents was amazing.  It had been a year since I had seen them and far longer than that since they had been to Oregon. 

We started out our visit with an incredible hike to the Bagby Hot Springs, deep inside the Mount Hood Wilderness. 

Upon arriving to the hot springs, we spent an entire afternoon soaking in 135 degree mineral water, bubbling right out of the ground and funneled to hollowed out log tubs where we soaked and relaxed under a crisp blue autumn sky. 

Over the next few days we enjoyed hanging out at home and relaxing.  Another great outing that we did was crabbing in Nehalem Bay!  We rented a boat equipped with baited crab rings which we tossed out into the bay and waited for our great big Dungenous Crabs to climb inside.  Then we would come by an collect our traps and keep the crabs which were big enough.

After a couple of hours out on the water, we finally got the hang of it and managed to catch a few keepers.  Back on shore we boiled up the crabs, using fresh salty sea water, and ate them up.  Delicious!

We also spent some time touring wine country and also hanging out in the city.  The Portland Saturday market was a highlight as well as the pizza at my favorite pub in downtown Portland.  And we also toured the rose garden and Japanese gardens while we were in Portland.

And lastly, the day before they flew out, we spent some quality time in my little town of McMinnville.  We started out with breakfast at Wildwood Cafe and then walked the streets doing a bit of Christmas shopping.

The leaves were just beginning to show their glory as we walked up and down main street. 

The next morning Mom and Dad boarded a plane for Oklahoma where they would spend the next two weeks with my brother and his family and my Grandma who celebrated her 90th birthday.  Ben and I flew into Tulsa for her surprise birthday party and got to see all of my family. 

It was a great month with lots of great family time and lots of great story telling about days gone by and new adventures and all the wonderful things in store.  My brother Joel and his wife Jillian are raising two beautiful kiddos and living in Lawton with all of Jillians family.  They have such a great network of family who support them as they raise their babies.  My grandma is turning 90 and still loving life.  She keeps busy with her garden and bird watching and continues to cook those good ol' biscuits every chance she gets.  Celebrating her birthday was one of the highlights of this month for me!  I can only hope to be as influential as she has been to so many people when I am her age.  What a great example of love and generosity! 

Back in McMinnville I am watching fall quickly pass as winter rapidly approaches.  Ben and I continue to work on the house and spend time with our new friends. 

Life is good in Oregon as always.  It is a beautiful time of year which calls for homemade pies and cider and wood fires and cozy nights and snuggles with the kitty and puppy and hubby. 

Tonight the crock pot is brewing a tasty dinner, and a bottle of Syrah is open and waiting for mealtime to arrive.  A fire will warm our home tonight as we sit and listen to music and enjoy a beautiful Oregon evening. 

Farewell October and Welcome November.

Joni

2 October 2009

I am so very ready for my parents to come visit.  I have been busy as can be getting the house ready and making sure everything is in place for their arrival.  I keep a running check list that gets added to on a moment by moment basis.  Today's check list is nearly complete:

- wash and vacuum Jeep - Check!

- wash sheets and clean guest room - Check!

- make homemade granola for snacking - Check!

- create dinner menu and buy groceries - Check!

- make big batch of Chili and freeze - Check!

- wash towels - Check!

I'm already excited about getting tomorrow's check list completed.  Weed garden, finish laundry, etc...  There's something ultra fulfilling about physically marking an action item off of a check list.  Occationally I will find an old list from months or years past and will be able to remember that exact moment in time based upon what I was attempting to get accomplished. 

Tonight the kitchen is scrubbed clean, the candles are lit, Porter the dog is sleeping under my chair, stars are shining, and my check list is complete.

- Joni

1 October 2009

I have been waiting patiently for October to roll around... not because Fall is my favorite season of the year, but because my parents are coming to visit in a few days!  They are flying in from the Netherlands on Monday.  It has been over a year since I've seen them and far longer than that since they were here in Oregon. 

I have so many fun day trips planned, but I know we will only have time for a few of them.  Here's my itenerary options:

- Hike to Bagby Hot Springs in the Cascade Mountains

- Day in Portland, Tour of the Japanese gardens, Dinner at the Lucky Laborador Pub and Brewery

- Wine Tasting through the Willamette Valley

- Crabbing at the Nehalem Bay on the Oregon coast, hike to the top of the sand dunes and Pacific City, watch the sun set from the Pelican Pub while eating fresh Oregon seafood

- Train to the base of Mt. Hood, picnic, driving tour of the Columbia Gorge

There is way too much fun to be had in the state of Oregon.  But I'm also looking forward to hanging out at home and taking long walks through our little town.  The trees are turning orange, the mornings are perfect for walking.  I want to bake yummy treats for the family to enjoy at home.  I want my parents to sit out on our back deck and enjoy the hard work I've done in the garden. 

But most of all I am just excited to see my Mom and Dad!

Only four more days.

- Joni

27 September 2009

I had so much fun at the beach on Wednesday that Ben decided to take a half day on Thursday and join me and Porter for some sun and surf.  This time the sun was shining and the beach was beautiful!!!  We started out by grabbing a growler of brew from the Pelican Pub and Brewery.  Once again ditching the shoes and leash, this time we all three set out through the trails and picked out a spot with a view of wide open beach. 

After enjoying an afternoon filled with running on the beach, playing fetch, catching some rays, and quality family time, we headed out to the center of Pacific City and climbed to the top of the giant sand dune.  Of course Porter was running circles around me and Ben as we struggled to the top.  The view was totally worth the grueling climb.  The sunset was just starting to light up the sky and cast a beautiful glow on the entire coastline.  I took a leap from the ledge and ran as fast as I could down the huge dune!  SO FUN! 

Once we caught our breath and dusted the sand off our feet, we ate some dinner at the pub and watched the big beautiful sun set into the endless Pacific Ocean.  We stuffed ourselves on Dory Fish 'n Chips and fresh Oysters!  Delicious, delicious, delicious!!!

An hour later we were home and ready for bed.  Porter went right to sleep.  Ben and I spend some time washing the sand out of our ears and other places.

I am just soaking in these last few warm days before the rain and cold sets in for the season. 

Check out the full photo collection on Flickr!

23 September 2009

This morning I got up and checked the weather forecast for the beach... it read "plentiful sunshine, high 74 degrees, light wind."  Perfect.  I packed my bag: water, towel, picnic lunch, binoculars, doggy snacks, leash, water bowl, tennis ball.  A few minutes into the drive out to the coast, the temperature gauge read 75 degrees... off to a good start.  However, about 20 minutes from the beach I noticed a dramatic change.  By the time I reached the beach it was cold, windy, and 59 degrees.  Arggggg....

Instead of driving all the way home, me and Porter decided to drive up the coast a bit to explore some new territory.  Afterall, we're always up for a good adventure.  We made it to the town of Pacific City.  Within the city we found the Pelican Pub and Brewery.  So far so good.  We also found a giant sand dune just off the shore.  Cool.  And a few more minutes of exploring landed us at a sweet beach tucked away in the grass covered sand dunes of the Bob Straub State Park.  Here we ditched the flip flops and leash and went for a long hike through the trails and along the beach.  The sun even decided to come out for a few minutes as we chased the tennis ball into the surf.  After our walk we rested in the warm sand and watched the huge waves roll in.  I kept a keen eye out for migratory whales, but all I saw was a bunch of sea lions and pelicans.  Porter had a fun time chasing seagulls and marking his territory on every bit of driftwood as far as the eye could see. 

Sometimes you never know where the road will lead you.  It was a good day for me and Porter the puppy. 

- Joni