this past winter deeann and i decided that we were going to take advantage of this summer and get outside. i would say we have done a pretty good job of that so far. we have several trips already in the bag from the coast, columbia river gorge, backpacking to the tops of mountains, running trails, riding bikes, climbing, and enjoying friends. it has been great fun getting in the sites of the pacific northwest and even in this beautiful city of portland.

since graduating from culinary school at le cordon bleu, portland, i have worked with lovely hula hands (the restaurant i did my internship with) and lovejoy foods (a local catering group). this has been going well, although i’ve been trying to keep working to a minimum so we can keep fun to a maximum. i’m putting ideas together and trying to figure out what i will be doing in the coming months as the summer winds down.

deeann is back to work after taking three months off to rest and enjoy life a bit. she is working at immanuel hospital no longer as a traveling nurse, but on staff. so far, so good. we had such a great time during her three months off, but now look forward to having an income that actually sustains us. thanks honey.

for now, we are enjoying our new home (stay tuned on this news. we moved … just a few miles though, don’t freak) and trying to stay cool as these hot days are boiling us without an a.c. portland has about a week and a half where the heat is crazy hot (around 100-105 degrees) about once a year. next week it should be livable again.