before our recent trip home we picked up a new little toy. this little toy allows us to take video and share it with you all. just what we need, right?
a lot of people knew we were making a trip back to iowa during a week off of school. my sister terra, was not one of them. it was killing me to not talk about it with her and could very well be the longest i’ve ever kept a secret.
needless to say she was extremely surprised to see us. it was great to be able to spend a couple of days with them and everyone else we were able to drop in and see. sometimes you just don’t know how much you love a place until you leave it.
overall, our trip back was great. deeann was able to go two days before me and be with her family, then i tagged along for the start of the weekend. then we stayed with our good friends ren & rebecca in the iowa city area. and after a few days there, dove even further east to davenport and the quad cities to see my parents, jax, and taylor. taylor is so happy with my parents, hopefully they are able to say the same for her. she’s playing fetch every day, hanging out in the yard, going for walks; what more could she ask for?
things in portland are moving right along. deeann has settled well into work. it doesn’t seem to be too stressful at this point and the contract at this VA hospital is really going well. i had orientation last saturday and we went to blue night at the school on monday. it was so delicious! a few of the chefs that are graduating get to cook and serve the incoming students. 
here’s the menu: salad: beets, mache lettuce and horseradish vinaigrette with manchego cheese. appetizer: grilled shrimp on saffron risotto cake and basil cream sauce. entree: sauteed game hen on creamed corn with parsley pesto and chanterelle mushrooms. dessert: fresh pumpkin souffle with cinnamon creme anglaise.
a little test of the new digs
spoon&fork
happy 29th deeann!
a recent weekend
not wanting to give in.
summer so far
deeann is here to stay