On a late Saturday night in mid-December we were coming home from a holiday party in Portland. As we drove down the street toward our home, I asked The Renaissance Man, “Did you check the mail today?” He shook his head no, and so I stopped at the mailbox before heading to our house. Not everyone checks the mail at 11:45pm, but when you’re waiting for a letter from the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering & Land Survey (OSBEELS), you make a point to stop at the mailbox.
Dungeness Crab to Kick-Off 2015
Hello friends and Happy New Year! Sorry I’ve been absent for nine. whole. days. 2015 came in like a lion! We’ve had all sorts of things going on, many of which I’m excited to share with you in the come days. But before I get too far down the road, I wanted to do a quick recap on our New Years celebration!
The New Year for us means spending time with family and friends while sharing traditions. Growing up in a very strong Croatian family means that I have some pretty unique recipes that not everyone knows about. Those recipes have become our traditions and a way to embrace our heritage.
Are you ready to learn all about Croatian Dungeness Crab? Roll up your sleeves, layout some newspaper on the table, and get your hammers!
Happy New Year!
I am so thankful to be spending time with friends and family over this holiday weekend. 2014 has been an amazing year and I’m looking forward to all the possibilities that 2015 brings!
Merry Christmas!
Every year The Renaissance Man’s Grandparents send us a beautiful Christmas wreath. The wreath arrives late in November and it always prompts me to start decorating for the holidays!
I store the wreath hanger with the rest of our Christmas decorations in bins up on high shelves in our garage. When the wreath arrives, The Renaissance Man and I work together taking down the bins and I quickly locate the wreath hanger. Christmas starts almost immediately!
Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies for Santa
Everyone knows to put out milk and cookies for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, but if you want to leave him something extra special…I’ve got just the recipe for you!
You may remember that back in November I was invited to do an olive oil tasting out at the Oregon Olive Mill. As part of that event, we explored olive oil through food pairings. One of the pairings that I was most impressed with were the Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies sprinkled with Jacobsen Sea Salt. They were absolutely divine, sure to impressed dear ole’ Santa Claus!
Below you’ll find the recipe and pictures of the process, enjoy!
Is that Santa riding a Brush Rig?
Have I mentioned that I love living in a small town? Ha! I may have mentioned it a time or two…or three…
Last Monday evening we celebrated the season with the Annual Dundee Fire Department Holiday Parade. It was the perfect opportunity to make some hot cocoa, bundle up nice and warm, stand on the sidewalk, and take in the sights! Around 6:30pm, I could just hear the faint sound of sirens so I quickly ventured up to SW Dogwood Drive to take in the parade.
Holiday Shopping at Rain Dance Marketplace
Shopping for holiday gifts can be so much fun! Especially if you keep things local.
This year we decided to purchase gifts that showcase our new home town and the bounty of the Willamette Valley. With that in mind, it gave me an excuse to go exploring places that I haven’t had a chance to visit. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the Rain Dance Marketplace, so last Saturday we made a point to drive out OR219 to find the “Red Barn!”
First Friday ARTwalk ~ Christmas is Here!
It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just TEN short days away!? Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
I am so thankful I was able to make it to the First Friday ARTwalk in Newberg on December 5th, it was just what I needed to get into the holiday spirit. With caroling, Santa Claus, tons of little kids, and a grand Christmas tree, the ARTwalk was the perfect way to kick-off the weekend!
I learned that this year’s tree lighting marked 30 years of celebrating Santa in Newberg! It was great to see so many families out and about enjoying the ARTwalk and the Chehalem Cultural Center.
Birthday Surprise: Planting Raspberries
Earlier this summer I posted one of my very favorite recipes for raspberry pie! I grew up with a backyard full of fruit trees and berries with a Dad who tended to them like prize possessions, so it’s no wonder that I have such a love of fruit. Summers meant running around the backyard barefoot noshing on all of the fresh fruit I could get my little hands on.
Raspberries are my go-to berry because they’re delicate in nature and can be both sweet and tart. My parents have several healthy raspberry plants in their backyard, and for my 30th Birthday they gifted me enough raspberry starts to get one full row in our backyard.
I have such sneaky parents…they gave me both a gift and a ton of work! ha! Welcome to your thirties Kristen!
#WineWednesday ~ Anne Amie Vineyards
Back in November, we spent a lovely day wine tasting with some friends and family visiting from the East Coast. The Renaissance Man and I love hosting people in Wine Country because the possibilities are endless when it comes to showing people a good time. The Willamette Valley has so much to offer!
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