Girlz Trip to the Beach

Road Trip

Two yoga buddies, we headed out to the beach in my friend’s adorable Mini Cooper.

Adorable is usually reserved for puppies, but don’t you agree that this is the cutest, most adorable car??

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Red Hills Market

Even though the beach is less than two hours away from Portland, we stopped in Dundee for lunch.

Taking our time.  We were like school girls playing hooky!

We had a tasty egg salad on arugula sandwich and coffee at the Red Hills Market.

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Pretty soon, after conversing about everything under the sun, we arrived in Lincoln City.

The Beach

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My friend and I stayed in her contemporary beach house near Lincoln City.

An open floor plan, two-story,glass windows in the living room and bedrooms with incredible views.

Sunshine and light everywhere with simple elegant furniture and striking artwork.

Even though this was an elegant custom home, I felt comfortable.

She and her late husband designed and built it just in time for their honeymoon.

I smiled at the picture of him carrying her over the threshold over twenty years ago.

Her husband’s life was cut short a few years after the completion of the house.

There were many other photos of family gatherings, meals by the lake and life outdoors.

I felt honored to spend time in this special place filled with memories.

Settling In

We opened a bottle of French red wine to sip while enjoying the view.

After relaxing and watching the water for awhile, we prepared dinner.

I should say Linda prepared dinner.  I did help stuff and fold the dumplings.

In my bedroom, I left the blinds on the windows open so that I could enjoy the early morning sun.

The two large windows on two adjoining sides of the room provided a watery panorama.

At first, I felt a bit seasick watching the water…no joke!

Because it is Oregon in the spring, it rained and rained.

I slept well.

Our last day on the Oregon coast.

An amazing sunrise over the water.

A warm, dry day after days of rain.

Young eagles in the tree outside.

Fresh coffee.  An omelet with Linda’s homemade sundried tomatoes.

A bit of lunch before heading back to Portland?

Let’s go to Bella Beach!

Cafe C’est la Vie

Penelope Cole, the owner, has created a magical French creperie in this tiny beach community.

I always make it a point to go for breakfast or lunch when I am in the area.

The food is always good and Penelope is gracious and charming.

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Cafe C’est La Vie speaks to my heart with its French books, memorabilia and French cuisine.

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I think Sylvia Beach would approve.  As would the grand dame of French cuisine.

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CestlaVie

C’est la vie!  

C’est si bon!  

Cafe C’est la Vie, 8 Bella Beach Drive, Depot Beach, OR 97341

Cafe C’est la Vie, Bella Beach, Depot Bay, OR

Mini Chinese Lesson

I love the whimsical ambiance of Dan Wei Canting.*

I go for the fantastic food but enjoy the atmosphere.

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The staff is friendly and attentive.

It was a great place for an early dinner recently.

It was raining and I had just seen a powerful, one-person play “Golda Meir”.

I was ready to exhale and relax.

Continue reading “Mini Chinese Lesson”

Beauty 3.26.17

Just home from a brief stay at the Oregon Coast.

My mind is  reeling with the beauty I saw.

Beauty on the shoreline.

Beauty in the  parks.

Beauty everywhere in its purest, natural state.

Back at home, I am determined to enjoy the beauty in my world.   Continue reading “Beauty 3.26.17”

Tips to Build Self-Confidence

Wednesday morning.

I feel weary and overwhelmed.

I don’t have much time for reflection or recuperation as I hop on the treadmill of my daily life.

Three more work days before the weekend!

Skimming my emails I found these encouraging words from the Mayo Clinic.

Continue reading “Tips to Build Self-Confidence”

Julia’s Violinist: A Story of Love, Courage, Survival

I miss Julia.

Sometimes my need to know the “rest of the story” competes with not wanting to let the main character go by finishing a book.

I can be almost finished with a book but find that I have to force myself to read the final chapter.

This is the case with Julia, the main character in Julia’s Violinist.

Continue reading “Julia’s Violinist: A Story of Love, Courage, Survival”

Walkin’ in Sunshine!

There is nothing more glorious in the Pacific Northwest than when the sun shows its face.

Rain, rain, rain and then a sunny day to end the weekend.

Walking, I encountered a festive air among people on the sidewalks and at sidewalk cafes. It was chilly but that did not stop sun deprived Oregonians from sitting outside sipping their lattes. Continue reading “Walkin’ in Sunshine!”

You Got a Friend…

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Friends, like flowers, make me happy.

My friend became very sick one night at home.

Her husband was out of town.

There was no one to drive her to the hospital.

So, she drove herself across town at 2:30 in the morning.

She was sick and alone for hours at the hospital.
Continue reading “You Got a Friend…”

Almost 50 Years Later…

University of Kansas, March 18, 1968

Even if we act to erase material poverty, there is another greater task, it is to confront the poverty of satisfaction – purpose and dignity – that afflicts us all. Continue reading “Almost 50 Years Later…”

A Tale of Customer Service

CrioBru
http://www.criobru.com

I have been on a quest to find a local source for Crio Bru Cacao.

So far, no luck.

I was delighted to find the brand at New Seasons Market, a wonderful  local grocery chain in the Portland Metro area.

Sadly, the only kind they had was a pumpkin flavored roast.

Yuk! I hate pumpkin. Continue reading “A Tale of Customer Service”

This Month Needs Your Support!

 

Let’s be fair….

We observe Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Gay & Lesbian Pride Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Native American Heritage Month….I would bet that this is an incomplete list.

These are causes that speak to the heart of life in America and deserve our attention.

However, I must point out that we have another month-long cause that deserves our immediate and unconditional support.

No matter where you stand on issues or what you believe in, I call on you to support Continue reading “This Month Needs Your Support!”