backyard photos

We have an open backyard with beautiful, huge trees that descend downhill. Here are some pictures from the change of seasons. I have enjoyed seeing unassuming plants bloom colorful blossoms as if they are coming back to life. Portland is also known as the City of Roses and I look forward to going to the International Rose Test Garden this summer when the roses are in full bloom. My dad got me a baby rose plant before we moved and I think I have revived it after it had almost lost all of its leaves. Landscape Management major what?

wild blackberries are invasive here and grow around the trunks of the fir trees

random snowstorm that came in the first week we moved in

first day of spring

Picture of the Portland, OR Temple I took yesterday. It is so beautiful. I love the detail on the spires. There are so many big trees around it, it was hard to get a good picture of the whole thing, so I included the picture below I found online.

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I am so grateful we are close to a Temple.

We got a full day of sun yesterday and it felt so good. Here's to hoping for more days like that this spring!

stepping stone cafe

They make some d-e-licious whole wheat "mancakes" served on a plate smaller than the mancakes themselves. Also available in oreo, but for another time. Ornaments are strung all over the ceiling and all attach to the front door, so they'll rise and lower as the front door opens and closes. Painted glass window art, I assume are for sale hang on the walls and stepping stone cafe thongs are also available for purchase (not the first restaurant we have seen do this, but a cafe?). All in all, great breakfast food.

powell's city of books

Powell's City of Books is the largest used and new bookstore in the world and occupies an entire city block. It is pretty overwhelming. Other than picking up a few books and doing a little shopping at Pioneer Square, we saw a crab king-konging it on a building, a parade of male and female brides and got a couple of old-fashioned homemade sodas to go with dinner. All I need now is for the Mavs to beat the Lakers and my day would be complete.

 

 

getting our feet wet

We are living just north of Portland across the Columbia River in Washington state. It has been nice buying our groceries in OR where there is no sales tax and still be able to pump our own gas in WA.

The sun found its way back today and we hit up one of the restaurants we have been looking forward to trying in Portland. Just as Texans are proud of being from Texas, Portlandians are proud that their city is known for being weird and the city has yet to fail in offering an interesting sight or experience while there.

passenger seat photos

Between my dad driving me from Texas to Arizona and bu driving us from Arizona to Washington, I didn't get a chance behind the wheel this road trip.

grandma nelson turned 90

"The Luke"

The manliest man and beard ever.