All Sorts of Interesting This Autumn

Oregon actually got an Autumn this year! Apparently for the 2nd year in a row... But I do think this fall was more autumny than last year's. I got more hiking in for sure, though the theme of "hard to get to" continued. Here are all of the fall adventure pics. 

What I Did This Summer

So remember how this spring was wet? Well this summer was HOT. Nearly 30 days 90 degrees or hotter... Yuck. But I was able to do a few things this summer outdoors. They weren't really hiking, but I did get some steps in. Here are those photos. 

End of Summer Adventures

Despite the smoke and heat we got (again) this August, I was able to see and do a few things - more towards the end of the month and in September, but it still counts. Here are the photos from those hikes, gatherings, and adventures. 

Spring Outings

Once the rain stopped and the temperatures warmed a little late in April, I was finally able to get outside. Here are the photos from the few day trips I took this spring. 

Autumn Adventures

I wasn't able to get in as much hiking as I wanted to this fall because it was hot until mid-October... Then my car got totaled (yes I'm okay). So yeah lol. But here are some pics of a few things I was able to have fun with. Hopefully once I get a new car I can get back out there again!

Hood River & Fish Adventures

Here are the pictures from Jeanette's and mine adventurous day-trip to Hood River, and the adventure of my aquarium fish getting a new home. Gotta love adventures.

Beating the Heat

While the heat prevented some hiking this summer, I was able to do a couple of day trips. The Canterbury Renaissance Faire & the Maryhill Museum up in Washington.

June/July Vacation

Here are the photos from the 2 day-trips I took on my week off the end of June/beginning of July. It was a good week, though some of the things I'd planned got pushed out to later this summer. But that just means more photos later right?

My Trip To The SoCal Renaissance Faire

I decided early spring I should do more solo traveling this year, and this faire that I've wanted to go to, decided not to reopen in summer, but in spring. I got a weekend off work and voila a new adventure. Here is how it went. 

Winter Adventures

There were a few days this winter with sunshine... Saw a cute squirrel in my neighborhood early January. Visited Marshall Park (complete with ceramic art animals) with friends in February. And on a search for a specific skyline view, I recently visited a few spots in the west hills: Council Crest, with sequoias and a unique drinking fountain - and the viewpoint at Pittock Mansion, which is surrounded by the wildwood hiking trail in forest park.

Westmoreland Nature Park & The Oregon Garden

More outdoor places that somehow I've never been to... Both were smaller than I expected, but nice little adventures. The Oregon Garden pics start with the "Art in the Garden" sign. I actually didn't get to see all of the Oregon Garden because their oak grove area is closed for repairs, and somehow I didn't get to their northern forest (because I thought it was also closed haha). But those 2 areas combined happen to be 1/3 of the entire 80-acre area so I figure a 2nd visit early fall to see those spots (& the Frank Llyod Wright Gorden House which I also didn't know was open today) will be worth the admission price. The rest of the garden is a combination of 22 mini-gardens, & that took me an hour and 20 minutes to see so yeah. Neither of the two central-garden fountains were running since we're in a drought, but many areas had running water incorporated in that space even if you couldn't see it.

Oregon Zoo 4/30/21

I finally got to see Nora back at the Oregon Zoo today! Also the condor statue I took a pic of is made from ocean plastic, as part of an ongoing art exhibit to highlight ocean issues. Apologies about the shaky camera in the videos, I had it on it's side and apparently it's harder to steady that way. Also I was not out of breath lol. I was breathing against a mask, and the microphone picked that sound up.

New Year, New Hopes

I don't know about you, but I was so grateful when the calendar switched to 2021. Even though the covid pandemic is still here, the vaccines have arrived, we have a new President & VP, and artists are dropping new music. God is good, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Here are the top 5 tunes that are giving me hope right now.

1) Great You Are by Jordan Smith

2) Rescue by Lauren Daigle 

3) Angels We Have Heard (Glory Be) by Jordan Smith

4) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Pentatonix

5) No Longer Slaves by Jonathan David/Melissa Helser

What are you listening to?

Autumn Jammin'

Here are the Top 5 songs I'm listening to right now!

1) So Will I (100 Billion X) by Hillsong Worship
2) Drops in the Ocean by Hawk Nelson
3) Speak the Name by Koryn Hawthorne, ft. Natalie Grant
4) You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
5) All of Switchfoot, but mostly songs from their newest album 'Native Tongue'

What are you listening to?

Summer Adventures

Pictures from various things I've been able to do this summer! Enjoy!

August Beach Trip

My Summer Adventures 

Christian Fantasy Discoveries

After being introduced to my current favorite allegorical fantasy author Jill Williamson, she introduced me to one of her publishers, Enclave. All they publish is Christian Fantasy & Sci-Fi!  😂  Faith readers who love adventure rejoice! Some of what I'm going to read next....

 
 

Just Some Great Current Classical Harpists Because Why Not?

                                                   

Emmanuel Ceysson

Principal Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

*I'm A Salvi fan, but this red Salzedo by Lyon & Healy is stunning!

Jana Boušková

Principal Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Naoko Yoshino

Lucerne Festival Orchestra

Yolanda Kondosassis

No. 1 Recorded Harpist

Currently Reading, Will Read, Super Excited

2018 is going to be a great year for reading books, I've already got three on my list! And you all know how picky I am 😉

Currently Reading:                            Will Read:
The Other Side of Beauty                 The Masterpiece
by Leah Darrow                                 by Francine Rivers

Super Excited about:
King's War
by Jill Williamson                   
     
*Even if you aren't into fashion, The Other Side of Beauty has something for every woman because we all have our own definitions of Love & Worth. *I was disappointed with River's last book, so I'm excited for a new book just released that's getting stellar reviews because it's based off a real-life artist. *And who wouldn't be excited for the epic conclusion to the Kinsman Chronicles?!!? After all, we FINALLY get to see who represents Christ! Available now for Kindle, paperback on June 19th! Like I said, a good year for good reads 😤

Kicking Off 2018!

A new year has started, and I'm determined to write more blog posts this go-around! But today I don't really have a good topic... So here are my current favorite things, two days in...

• Favorite Song - Mary Did You Know by Jordan Smith / Rise by Katy Perry
• Favorite Book - Eagerly awaiting King's War by Jill Williamson, but in the long meantime... What should I read?
• Favorite Food - Christmas Cookies I made yesterday 😋
• Favorite TV Show - Mork & Mindy 
• Favorite Game - Celtic Heroes 

Happy New Year Everyone! What are you current favorite things?

The Canterbury Renaissance Faire

Coming to you from the Canterbury Renaissance Faire in Silverton, Oregon! They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so enjoy this photographic journey! It was super, super fun!! Blogger doesn't upload albums, so click on the link to the google photos album I made.