day in the life of me...

House Update....

Silver Falls hike...

We had a rare mid week day off for Veteran's Day. ENK had a day off and the kids had a day off. After our morning meetings at the house talking with our contractor, plumber, framer, and our cabinet maker, we headed south to Salem to meet up with John and Ken's family at Silver Falls.  I have always loved Multnomah Falls but this Silver Falls was grand. I was really impressed with how close you got to the falls... It was beautiful!  Along the trail, the girls caught a salamander... Sarah called it and she's taking it to her Science teacher.
 

  

Our drive home...just gorgeous!

Meal fit for a horse?

ENK was sick for too long. He was tired of being sick.  He had no appetite for days.....until yesterday, he said "Anyone want steak?  I feel like having steak...."   Usual response to that would be "great, which steak house?"   But I don't give the usual answer to a usual scenario of a man seeking meat.  I make it happen.  When he got home from work, this was his dinner plate. He looked at it.  Paused, and said, "You think I'm a horse?  I can't possibly eat all this"  ENK loves meat. I've seen him eat.  I know one of my three reader Kev is a Kogi Lover like ENK...He can eat too!. The other Kogi lover Dan is a little different.  He just likes his kogi simple... no sidekicks needed for dan.  ENK did finish the meal...He's a big horse eater! He's feeling better.

Menu:
New York Steak

Portobello ravioli with homemade pesto

Long gran rice

Parisian salad

Roasted potatoes with rosemary

 The kids stayed home one more day today.  But they were fighting, yelling and getting on my nerves.   I needed to get away to Costco where I picked up the steak.  When they have the energy to yell at each other, they're okay.  High fever and coughing was scary though for couple of days.....  

Caring for the sick....

Is it inevitable that I will get sick?  The big guy was down since Tuesday.  The Little guy was sick from Thursday night, Allison came back from church today and was feverish and shivering...  To care for my two kids at once, the three of us are going to sleep in one room. So it's coming right?  When will it be my turn?  Maybe I can schedule that in for Thursday this week? 

It's not easy...

Selecting things for the house.  I do understand why people hire interior designers...

I changed my mind once again on the direction of the interior.  I'm going FOR THE "TRANSITIONAL  STYLE" not "TRADITIONAL STYLE".  

These are some of the selections so far:

Island Pendant:

 over the dinning table chandelier. Which one?  Lindsey is not crazy about the #1. Should I venture far out and go for #2?

2 Sconces in the kitchen: 

 Oil Rubbed Bronze chandelier in the Foyer:

Top of the stairs:

Kitchen Appliances: GE Profile

Range: Wolf gas range with Best hood:

Sink: Stainless steel 32x 19 zero radius single bowl: 
Hardwood Floor:Handscraped Hickory:

Kitchen Floor: Chisselled edge honed travertine in Versaille pattern

 

Jeld-Wen Windows with single grid on top:

And of course, there's the carpet selection, cabinet door style selection, cabinet pulls, door knobs, bathroom fixtures, fireplace, interior/exterior doors, etc. etc.  It's not that easy... but it's got to be DONE!

 
 

Koi Fushion PDX...

Remember my fascination with that Korean Taco Catering truck in LA? Who would ever think that something like Kogi would pop up here in Portland!  Are you kidding?  Something like Kogi really did appear in Portland!  KoiFushion is a mobile truck that serves tacos with a Korean twist!  Hmmmmmm... sounds awfully familiar! I'm sure they wouldn't deny that they were "inspired" by Kogi, LA "tweeting" Korean taco truck...KoiFushion twitters too and pops up where young PSU students hang out and artsy part of Portland neighborhoods!  (I read somewhere that the owner of Koi got his blessing from Kogi folks down in LA)  Koreans are entrepreneurs...man, when they hear somebody doing something and they are cashing in, they go right up the alley and start up something similar! Cleaver name too: KOI stands for Korean OREGON Infusion!  I needed to be that smart Korean entrepreneur!  I can see my youth kids, collegiates, young adult members from my church potentially chasing this truck around downtown PDX....but would I dare put the kids to sleep and venture out for some kichi taco?

Rainy day plus this equals....

Gratitude:  "Thanks mom!" as if I cooked up some 5 star gourmet meal! Do you like ENK's bowl?
J/K. We served it family style in the middle of the table.  (This wasn't dinner... it was just a snack in between meals...)

Puppy love...

 I went to Lauren's house to pick up Allison the other night and saw puppies everywhere! Six adorable Goldendoodle puppies came to lick and greet me.  Esther K was "pupysitting" for her Senior Pastor who was away on a pastor's retreat with Pastor D.  I asked Esther whether she's keeping one or any?  They begged Danny for days but he just said no.  Ah come on Pastor Danny..just look at these puppies!   I love the way Randy is holding his little puppy.  It's pure Puppy Love.  We should take them all!

Update:  Pastor D said YES!

House Update...

They will complete framing this week.  It's looking huge already, the other half is still under construction.

Randy is eight...

Randy turned eight today.  He had a wonderful Halloween birthday party with church friends Sat. night.  Because so many of our dear friends showered us with toys and clothes after the fire, we asked for NO GIFTS for R's birthday.  Randy was perfectly fine with this idea and understood. Totally. What a big boy he is.  We told him that with some of his birthday money from extended family members, we would buy him one Lego set of his choice. He was cool with this idea! He knew EXACTLY what he wanted.  Star Wars Republic Gunship!

Today, with his best friend from school, we went out to his favorite place for Mac and Cheese!  Five of us and one adorable blond little dude.  The two boys laughed and giggled and had a blast! Randy and Nathan came home and worked on this Star Wars Lego set with joy!  I think we need to have him return another day to finish putting this 1000 plus pieces together!! Overall, it was an awesome day for Randy!

Happy 8th Birthday to my sweet little boy!!