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

It's another week of Weekend Coffee Share. I always love everyone's posts. Are you like me and try to visit everyone? It doesn't always happen but I try. I have loved getting to know different bloggers and I figure if they take the time to write a post, I'll find the time to visit, even if it's a week later. I truly enjoy what you all share and I often learn so much. 

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 probably talk about:

I missed last week because it was a busy weekend with a birthday party for our oldest and then out of town company, which really left me no time to get a post in, but that's okay...those were all worthy reasons for missing. I didn't think I had posted the previous week, but apparently I did on the 10th...I promised I'd share about our weekend but decided to just do another separate post on that. You can read about it here. 

I sure wish the day was more clear but this view was still pretty. Grape vines and the hills in the background. 

The weather: Wowza! We've had some crazy weather in the PNW. I'm sure you've seen on the news all about the "bomb cyclone" and an atmospheric river that hit Tuesday night, and is slated to hit again. We had winds and rain, but not near what we thought. Both the Washington and Oregon Coast were hit as were some other areas north and south of us. It is also the time for the King Tides so lots of activity on the coast. Some areas in the higher elevations got some snow. 

What we're thinking about: This week has been both a hard week and a joyful week. I got word Monday morning that one of my cousins was on life support. She passed away Tuesday morning. She had been sick for a little over a year with cirrhosis of the liver. My heart breaks for her family and for all of us. No one wants to lose a loved one and she was only in her 40's. Tuesday evening I received a text from my other aunt that her daughter in law was heading to the hospital ready to give birth to their second son. I've thought a lot about the cycle of life and death, the sadness and beauty of it all. I was reminded of a quote in a book that said "The secret to a beautiful death is to live a beautiful life". It also reminded me that 25 years ago my husbands grandmother passed away and as we left the hospital I started having contractions. I went to dinner with the whole family that evening but then it was time to go to the hospital. I had our daughter at 3:00 in the morning. My mother in law thought that was such a beautiful thing. The passing of one generation and the birth of another. 

What we're thankful for: I'm thankful for so many things. The comfort of my home. My family. I'm thankful that I had no issues with my teeth after my cleaning appointment last week. Phew. I go every 6 months because it always seems there's something going on so when I get the all good, I'm excited. I have so many crowns I could rule a few countries. 

Around the house: Christmas is making an appearance at our house. Everyone was kind of ready and now that we do an artificial tree we don't really have to wait til after Thanksgiving. I also don't host Thanksgiving so no need to keep up the fall decor, even though I do love it. I'll share a few photos now and then more when I'm all done. We're also going to attempt to put up outdoor lights tomorrow. 

For the love of food: Thursday night I made a really good meatball soup. It was simple but full of flavor. The funny thing was I wanted to make it but then couldn't remember where I saw the recipe..I was looking on Pinterest, my saved folders on IG and FB. Screenshots....nowhere...then I found it on my desk. I had ripped it out of a magazine. For my daughters birthday dinner last week I made white chicken chili and sourdough cornbread and then Tiramisu brownies...none of which I got pictures of, but all of which turned out really good. 

Last Saturday I went to Portland with our friend who was visiting. We stopped at a restaurant called Harlow and I had this awesome scramble. It's a mostly vegan and vegetarian restaurant but it is so so good!

We sat inside (below), but the outside area looked neat.

What we're reading or wanting to read: I've been reading cozy mysteries lately. I'm behind in my Goodreads Goal and probably will not finish my 12/12 challenge. I guess it's just been one of those years. 

I just posted my WOYBS post here.

What we're listening to or watching: If we were having coffee I might ask what you've been watching or listening to. I finished listening to Bono's book Surrender and just started another audiobook called The Bible Tells me So by Peter Enns. I've listened to a few podcasts but haven't really watched much. I did watch a few Hallmark Christmas movies. 

Favorite photo(s):

I don't know who the guy is here and he just kept working, but I loved the saying and the picture turned out kind of cool. 

I love seeing my daughter in action on her photo shoots. 

In the area of Portland we were in, there are a lot of Ginkgo trees and many were losing their leaves. So pretty. 

We beat the rain (barely) and walked across the Tilikum crossing bridge and spied The Spirit of Portland heading down the Willamette river. 

Random or not so random things: 

Last week we celebrated our oldest daughters 29th birthday. I love that we are all still close enough geographically that we can get together. We ate dinner, dessert and visited for a little bit before everyone needed to head home. 

One of her gifts from my inlaws was this bag with $29 in coins...haha. They do this for everyone!

We also had a friend visiting from Tennessee..this was a gal who we knew as a baby, were her youth pastors and now consider she and her husband dear friends. They recently moved to Tennessee and she came out for an extended weekend visit. She was seeing other friends and doing things which worked perfectly since I couldn't take any time off of work. We did however hit Portland on Sunday walking around a few shops, eating some good food, drinking good coffee and enjoying each others company. 

I've been working on my puzzles. I did complete this cute farm one and have just started a smaller 500 piece fall one, then I have a winter one I'll do. 

A few weeks ago I received a text from a friend (the mom of the gal visiting) that said she was sending me something in the mail, but to be careful opening it...a few months ago she had sent me some photos of a bunch of quilts they had found in an old cedar chest on the farm they had bought in Tennessee (the whole family moved)...they were gorgeous. So when I received this text I thought "oh, let it be a quilt". Well it was. It's beautiful and I'll treasure it. She doesn't know the history on any of them but what a special find. 

 Well, it's Saturday now and we are off to a meeting so I'll end it here. I need to get busy and finish decorating so my house can get back in order. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin