Weekend Coffee Share.....Come Sit with Me

Check out all the other posts on Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. I'm off to go visit some now. #weekendcoffeeshare

If we were having coffee we'd catch up on life...we'd take turns talking about....

The Weather: We are in central Oregon for the next 4 days and we're hoping the wind picks up a bit...as we made it over Mt. Hood, we drove into smoke...Coming up from California, you could see and smell the smoke inside the car. The air quality was at 189 which is unhealthy. We may be spending quite a bit of time indoors unless winds blow the smoke elsewhere. 

What we're thinking about: It's 12:30 on Friday morning, I came upstairs at our vacation rental because we went on a bike ride today that totaled maybe 7ish miles and my legs are now screaming. I've lathered them in peppermint oil because it's all I have. I kept tossing and turning so decided to stop fighting it, come upstairs, stretch and hope the aching stops so I can fall back to sleep. So I'm thinking about aching muscles and how much I'd like to fall asleep. But, then, I got on my computer and saw that several military members were killed and wounded in Afganistan, and that is heartbreaking, and makes my aching muscles trivial compared to the loss many are feeling. 

What we're thankful for: I'm thankful for those who have chosen to sacrifice their lives for people they don't even know. Who do what they can and what they have to because they love our country and love the freedom that we have stood for (though much of that is becoming questionable). I have several family members who are or have been in the military and one cousin especially who spent quite a bit of time in Afganistan, and this has been hard for them. 

What we're reading: I've brought a few books to maybe finish while we are away from home. I was going to bring a new one to start but I'd like to finish the ones I have. So nothing new. We haven't decided on a new book for our book club, and my book from Shelfrighteous book box doesn't ship til next week. Many people were sharing their books for the "What's on your bookshelf" posts. I am going to look up several of them. 

Around the house: Well! In the new part of the house, we are having tile in bathroom installed. I'm loving it. The cabinet maker is bringing our cabinet boxes today and setting those...once granite is installed they will come back and put on all the doors and drawers. I cannot wait to see how it's all going to look. We were sent photos and I'm excited. 

I can't wait to cook in this kitchen. My vision for the sitting area of this open room is more of a cozy, hygge feel, where we can sit and visit or just read. It's a smaller sitting area with a gas fireplace. 

In the current part of the house, workers came and demo'd the floor. Tuesday night we took out all the appliances and I finished taking everything off counters. By the time we get home Sunday the floors will be out, we'll be able to put back the appliances and stuff on shelves and kitchen counters. We won't be able to do wood floors til end of September. We have to re-install some drywall and paint the whole kitchen. Part of me thinks we should do this before I put things back on shelves. Hmmm....yep, talked to hubby and he says, yep we should paint first. We will do the same color that is in the main part of the new part of the house.

Everything from the current part of the kitchen is in the living room, and will probably stay there til at least walls have the drywall repaired and the walls painted. 

Stove and fridge on the front porch. Good thing we live on property and it's not an eyesore to neighbors.

My hubby has a picture of it all torn out but it's in his job file. 

Everything taped up and there are zippers so could still access areas if needed.

  

Things are coming along, just going to need a lot of patience. 

What we're learning, realizing or understanding: That for my own mental and emotional well being I've had to "hide", "unfollow" or just not read post that are too charged with strong opinions. I'm not against opinion but I'm talking the ones that offer no place for dialogue or you can just feel like, even though it may not be the case, you are being personally targeted or attacked because of what is being posted. Not sure that made sense. My personality is a peace maker. I don't like conflict or confrontation, so much of what has been going on and posts I see friends and family post from any side have noticeably drained me. I have had to re-evaluate how much I let myself read, etc. 

From our Kitchens: Since we're out of our own house (and in a functioning kitchen) for a few days, I'm making these chicken enchiladas (I seriously need to update pictures), and homemade pizza while we are gone. I haven't made the enchiladas in quite awhile. I've been more and more excited to have our new kitchen done and functioning. Along with the current one again...lol.

Favorite quote of the week:

What we've listened to: I NEED to start listening to some podcasts again. I really enjoy them and they are so good for encouraging and building up. 

Have you listened to anything good. 

Favorite photo of the week: 

The following photos were from our bike ride to Benham Falls just outside of Sunriver Oregon. We caught the Sun-Lava trail in Sunriver and traveled to the falls via a paved and then dirt trail. We visit this area and these falls often when we come but we normally drive and then walk in. This time we decided to ride. I'm glad we did. For the record, the water is that gorgeous. When I edit photos I really try to keep things as natural as possible, unless I'm going for a dramatic effect.

Randomness: We love coming to vacation spots that allow for total relaxation. No agenda needed. No touristy things to see and do. This area in Central Oregon has been a favorite since we got married (we actually took our honeymoon here). There are miles and miles of bike trails, you can head to the city of Bend to do shopping, etc. There are hiking trails. Or you can sit by the pools or on your deck and enjoy the quiet and read. This visit it's been smoky off and on due to California fires and winds pushing the smoke this direction. When that happens we take advantage of the non-smoky days by doing things outside, and if it gets too smoky we just stay indoors and play games, read or watch movies. That would be one time I'd possibly be willing to wear a mask outside...lol. But it would have to be really bad. 

Do you have a vacation spot like that?

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin