where can you find my new blog?

Over here at typepad.

My new address: http://toansweryourquestions.typepad.com/

how am i celebrating my birthday?

In Austin with Ben, James and Abby in anticipation for Asa to be born.

For my birthday... and the next couple of days we are staying at Travaasa. Ben and I stayed at their sister property in Hana for our honeymoon. Both places are pretty special.

We started the morning with a swim in the Infinity Pool followed by an incredible yoga class. Afterword we met Abby and James for breakfast at the Blue Star Cafeteria.

Thirty-seven years old- so far, so good!

what is the allure of the automobile?

The name of the current exhibit at the Portland Art Museum.

In October when Ben and I became members of the Portland Art Museum, one of the exhibits that influenced our membership decision was their upcoming exhibit Allure of the Automobile. The exhibit promised 16 of the most luxurious, rare and brilliantly conceived automobiles and would be the first exhibition to consider the stylistic development of cars in the context of prominent design movements such as Art Moderne and Postwar Modernity.

The exhibit finally opened and we love it! I think the cars and beautiful and amazing and Ben loves all of the "workings" of the cars. It's a great exhibit for us... and next week my nephews are coming to visit to take advantage of the exhibit as well. We can't wait!

what do i love about maryhill state park?

The rocky beach.

I have to admit, I love the beach. I love the sand between my toes and the salty air. But when you live in Oregon... and the Columbia River is not far from your house, the "beach" takes on a whole new meaning. This weekend summer finally arrived. We spent the weekend at the beach. The beaches I am referring to are the shores of the Columbia River, which in this case are rocky. But they are beautiful and the water is clear and cool. Oh, and perfect for playing fetch with Foster.

what surpirse did i find in my garden yesterday?

A ripe tomato!

I know it's practically August and my family in California has been eating tomatoes from their gardens since March (well at least June 1st). But here in Oregon, we experienced a long winter, a late spring and then came June-uary. I don't think we even planted our tomatoes until late May it had been so cold.

Anyway, yesterday afternoon I looked at the garden and was so excited to see a little splash of orange. I was beginning to think we wouldn't see ripe tomatoes until the fall. So happy summer has finally arrived.

what question can I finally answer for ben?

What kind of convertible I want. The Lexus IS hardtop.

Ever summer Ben talks about getting me a convertible. He talks about which one he would buy and where he would store it in the winter. I know he's not serious, but it's very sweet nonetheless. The other day when we saw an old Mercedes convertible for sale I swear he was ready to buy it for me. If I would have said, "buy it" he probably would have.

Anyway, I never have an answer for him when he asks me what convertible I want because it's not a realistic question. What's the point... that is until I went grocery shopping the other day and saw the car above in the parking lot. It's a great looking car. That's the one I want and I would not mind having the beach that's in the background either:)

Oh, and it's a hardtop, so no reason to store it in the winter. I can drive it year round!

what's special about today?

Fifteen years ago, yesterday, I flew to Dallas, Texas in anticipation of the birth of my nephew, Jake. Luckily, I arrived just in time because the very next day, July 28th, Jake was born. My sister, Jana, chose to have Jake at a birthing center with a mid-wife which resulted in bringing him home just a few short hours after he was born. I remember seeing him for the first time and marveling at how tiny he was and how young! I had seen plenty of newborns before, including my siblings, my niece and my nephews, but it was always in a hospital first. There was something incredibly special about seeing a newborn at home so soon after birth.

In a few short weeks, I will travel to Texas again. This time to Austin for the birth of my nephew, Asa. Like Jana, my sister Abby, has also chosen a birthing center with a mid-wife. I hope to be as lucky with my arrival time for Asa's birth as I was for Jake's. I am so excited! I can hardly wait... in the meantime I am enjoying reading her sweet baby blog found here.

Happy Birthday, Jake!

(you can find the pendant here and the bracelet here)