We're getting a bit better at balancing and with our popups. We've decided on some boards, but we aren't going to get them until after the spring. We want to make sure we are going to stick with it before purchasing what we need. But, I will be honest, surfing is addicting. It's almost like you crave it when you aren't there. The feeling of the water under the board, the determination, the excitement once you get up, there's nothing like it, really. We spent the weekend on the ocean, in a little town named Pacific City. The area we enjoy is Cape Kiwanda. We were there until the sun went down and before we knew it, nine hours had passed. I tell you, it's a great sport and I'm disappointed that we didn't start sooner.
Five Simple Things (January 17)
Hello.
It's been raining almost constant this past week and we are so over it. The worst part of living in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, is the rain for days and sometimes weeks. There's no sun, no color in the sky, just gray and rain. It's quite depressing at time. I used to love the rain, but not so much this kind of rain. I enjoy thunderstorms more than just a downpour of water and grayness. With one sun break for about 30 minutes one day, the rest was wet, gray, and blah. Hopefully, before the winter season comes to an end, we might get some snow. Our fingers are crossed.
1. This Shadow.
Five Simple Things (January 10)
Hello.
The year is picking up quickly and getting back on track in the right direction, I think. Hopefully, it stays that way. I maybe having some surgery planned coming soon and I'm a bit worried about that. It's a surgery I've been wanting to have for awhile, and have just been too afraid. I'll speak more on this at a later time when I'm more comfortable, maybe. But, as far as for now, we are getting things cleaned out and figured out for the new year. One thing we've been doing a lot more of is simplifying things. What does that mean? Well, we are making everything in our house earn its place. If I can't find reason in keeping it, it gets the boot. If you're looking for ways to start your own process in minimizing down, there's a link at the top of my blog to help you, it's labeled Minimalism. I'll slowly be adding things over this year to that link in order to help others. Hope you find it useful. In the meantime, here are five simple things from this week.
1. This Cabinet.
Another Day at the Coast
I feel like we've been spending a lot of time on the coast lately, but it's been such a great way to get out of the Willamette Valley. We've been looking at wet suits for ourselves and also some beginner foam boards. We've found a great company out of California, Degree 33, and their associates have been walking us through the process. Since our surf lessons, we are anxious to get back out in the water soon. We are looking into fully committing to selections after the spring of 2020.
Jalapeno Poppers
I can't cook. Anyone that's around me for longer than three months knows this. I do try, but I honestly can't stand cooking, so me sharing a recipe is a huge deal. Plus, I'm a picky eater, so the things I eat, that I've cooked are rare. Some of it is a failure, but I am getting better with knowing what I can and can't cook. Here's one of the things I actually enjoy making and cooking. And, plus side, they are easy to do.
- 20-30 jalapeno/poblano/Anaheim peppers (seeded and cut lengthwise) **use gloves for this**
- 3-4 (8oz) blocks of cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of pepper
- 1 teaspoon of salt (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon of jalapeno juice (this adds some additional spice to the mix)
- 2-3 jalapeno seeds (if you want it spicier)
We Took Surf Lessons
Yep. Just as the title says, we took surfing lessons and let me tell you, you loved it! We have always wanted to take lessons just to see what it's like. We went through a surf shop in Lincoln City and our instructor was amazing. He's name was Declan and he is a world class surfer, so he knew a thing or two. He taught us the basics, how to avoid ocean currents, how to balance, popups, riding small and large waves, and pretty much everything we needed to know to begin. He stayed with us for about three hours making sure we had down the basics to surfing and then allowed us the boards and suits for the remainder of the day, which was about six hours more. We just couldn't get enough of it. Skylar got up on his board about three times and rode in some waves straight away. Jeff and I took some time getting our balance, but once you get up once, it's really a lot easier than you think. We have never had so much fun in the Pacific Ocean before and it is definitely something we will continue doing.