Conference in Eugene

Ok, so the name of this entry is Conference in Eugene and the first picture is one of the banners. If you want more information, click here and follow the link to learn more. The name of the entry is just so I remember the time this took place. The rest has nothing to do with the conference itself but about the time that Ben and I shared when I wasn't in class! This was a beautiful barn that we past along I-5. The weather was pretty and the scenery even better. There was just the slightest amount of snow on the mountain tops and the grass became greener as we moved more and more into farm country.

There were sheep everywhere and adorable baby lambs. I know that lambs are baby sheep but saying "baby lambs" makes them even cuter. They are just so cuddly. How could anyone want to eat them? We're at the hotel and it didn't take Ben long to relax and unwind. We have both been working way too much and it was so nice to be away from the day-to-day grind even if I had to go to class all day! Too soon, the conference was over and we headed back home. We stopped in Albany for lunch and laughed about the fact that Ben had come all the way from Albany, Louisiana to have lunch in Albany, Oregon!

Before getting back on the freeway, we saw this sign and I had to take a picture. I was pretty sure that we were actually in Louisiana because I just am having such a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that there really are rednecks in Oregon. I realize that Ben has shown them to me numerous times but I can't believe... there in giant letters for all the rednecks to see... Denny's Sports Lounge! No seriously!

This water tower was cool to me!

What trip down I-5 is complete without a side trip to Lakeshore? I love that store and I can spend lots of money and someone else will pay the bill. How great is that?!

We made a side trip to Albertson to pick up some milk and look what we saw. We were so lucky...first we saw baby lambs and then we saw a cute panda!

Look how cute he was when he waved at me!

Changing subjects quickly, this is a bridge we go under on the way to church. It's very cool and all of a sudden, we saw...

Max coming! Hurry and take a picture... that's so cool!

Hold on, subject change again...maybe I should be tested for ADD, oh wait, there's a squirrel... Well not really a squirrel...just wanted to show you this cute little car. I love the Soul but I would never drive one because they are ugly. But they are so cute when hamsters drive them! Don't you agree?

Celebrating cont.

Twilight was a clue when Ben was telling me where we were going. I didn't remember that the Prom scene had been filmed at this historic landmark. But I did a little research and I was so excited to be going to such a romantic setting for dinner. And then I did a little more research and discovered its haunted side and I was ecstatic...romantic and ghostly, YES!!! View Point Inn is officially in Corbett, Oregon. It sits on a bluff overlooking the Gorge. It seems like if you look hard enough, you can see all the way to Portland! We started out exploring the grounds. This was a cool storefront that looked like it was right out of the wild, wild west. As I started to sit down on the bench, I heard noises and realized it was chicken coop! Someone spent a lot of time building this beautiful but functional home for chickens!

We had to have one kissing picture! It is our anniversary after all!

Around front, this is the sign we saw. I hold my breath looking for ...

OMG! There was one that said Edward Cullen & Bella Swan Forever, another said Emmett and Rosalie, there were 3 bricks with Laurent, Victoria, and James. (Not enough room for all of them!)

I can just see myself on a quiet afternoon, sitting on the lawn, enjoying the sun!

My handsome prince...

Isn't this a beautiful sight? And the Gorge is lovely too!

I could so get used to this! Time to start the meal. This is Amuse Bouche (Course #1) Chicken Pate on Petite Toast with whole grain Mustard.

I love you darling! {Note to self...keep smiling and don't think about what pate really is.}

Soup (Course #2) Carrot l'orange Soup. It was delicious! Ben laughed and said there was grass in his soup!

We had our moments of class! {BTW: we were very discreet taking pictures. There was no hint of "hillbilly" in our actions, lol!}

I didn't take a picture of the next course- the Lamb appetizer. I wiped the tears from my eyes and pushed my plate over for Ben to eat. I can't get past that cute little face, baaaaa! Course #4 a wonderful Mediterranean Nicoise salad topped with seared Ahi Tuna {don't think about any faces other than the one sitting across from you!} This course was so very yummy!

I almost forgot to take a picture of the Intermezzo- Meyer Lemon Sorbet with orange zest. This was the best lemon sorbet I have ever eaten!

For our entrees, I chose the delectable Sea Scallops in Blood Orange sauce...

and Ben chose a mouthwatering Filet Mignon over mushrooms & potatoes (I forgot the fancy name).

This was Ben's dessert, a Rouge Valley Bleu Cheese Cheesecake atop a Marionberry sauce. I have never tasted a more delicious, heavenly cheesecake. WOW! For dessert, I chose a Creme Brulee that was to die for! It was scrumptious! The sunset was a beautiful end to a most amazing day. When we got home, we opened a bottle of champagne that our friends Steve & Rebecca gave us for our wedding. It made for delicious toasts to end the night. Thanks friends!

My wonderful husband took the time to plan out every detail to make sure that our 1st Anniversary made memories minute after minute, hour after hour all day long. I am so very grateful for a wonderful time and a wonderful husband!

Celebrating 365 days of wedded bliss!

It seems like just yesterday we were in sunny southern Louisiana preparing to get married. We were blessed with a beautiful day in which to celebrate our first anniversary also. This day, we visited some of our old favorite places and discovered new ones. The first two stops were to get my nails and hair done (two of my personal favorites to visit!) After finally heading out, we stopped at Dawson Creek Park for a few pictures and a short walk in the park. We never tire of seeing Mt. Hood and on a sunny, clear day, there is nothing more beautiful than a majestic mountain as we drive along.

One more...

Don't miss the turn! We are heading up the Historic Columbia River Highway to make our way to dinner at The View Point Inn.

We stopped in this interesting little store called the Corbett Country Market. There was so much to see in there as we looked for a bottle of water and some snacks! At the meat counter, there was a deer head hung on the wall and a rooster on the top of the meat case. (I'm not sure if it was real at one time but I wasn't going to touch it to find out!)

I loved that there was a porch on the front of the store. I could just picture old friends sitting there shooting the breeze and watching the cars go by!

Next stop was the Portland Women's Forum Viewpoint. It was very windy but the view was breathtaking. You could see the Vista House and the View Point Inn in the distance.

We had to hold on tight to take this picture. The winds were so strong that it would take your breath away!As we wound our way along the highway carved into the side of the mountain, we came across the most amazing sight. It was like we were transported back in time!

Next stop is the Vista House where the winds were the strongest I have felt in a while. The Gorge is known for high winds but you forget what that feels like until you are in them. But it was sunny- how could you complain?!

We got there right after they closed. We'll have to plan a little better next time! Follow this link for a funny news report that happened recently at the Vista House.

Our next stop was Latourell Falls. I was very glad I had flat shoes to wear before dinner because the path up to the second viewpoint was quite steep. We need to plan a trip back here soon so we can hike around the falls. The area was just beautiful!

We ran out of time to travel on to Multnomah Falls but there is lots more to show you from our Fairy Tale 1st Anniversary Day. Stay tuned for part two!

Chéri heureux d'anniversaire

Je voudrais commencer par deux citations de film, la première .....
I would like to begin with two movie quotes, the first…..

" L'amour vrai est le soul' ; identification de s de son contrepoint dans l'another" ; (soulmate)
“True love is the soul’s recognition of its counterpoint in another” (soulmate)

Un Soulmate est quelqu'un qui exercera un effet instantané sur vous ; Rendez-vous faible
dans les genoux ; prenez votre souffle parti. Un soulmate est quelqu'un qui peut diminuer le
fardeau avec un regard simple, touche votre coeur avec un sourire simple et te fait l'en sécurité
de sentir. Ma sensation de princesse I chacune de thèses avec vous.
A Soulmate is someone who will have an instantaneous effect on you; Make you weak in the knees; take your breath away. A soulmate is someone who can lessen the burden with a single glance, touch your heart with a simple smile and makes you feel safe. My Princess I feel every one of these with you.

Tandis que cela nous a pris 30 ans pour obtenir ici aujourd'hui, je pourrais ne vous ai jamais laissé partir ou cesser penser à vous ou cesser de vous rechercher. J'ai pu l'avoir pas entièrement compris en 1978 ; mais mon âme avait trouvé son contrepoint.
While it has taken us 30 years to get here today, I could never let you go or stop thinking about you or stop looking for you. I may have not fully understood it in 1978; but my soul had found its counterpoint.

La deuxième citation est " ; Revenu au me" ; ..... En raison de notre soul' ; identification de s de son contrepoint ; les nombreuses nuits je regarderais fixement dans le ciel de nuit où je pourrais fixement vous sentir regarder en arrière. Tandis que la distance entre nous a pu avoir été de 2500 milles nous ne nous sommes jamais laissés ; nous avons été toujours reliés. Votre coeur chante une mine de chanson seulement peut entendre.
The second quote is “Come back to me”….. Because of our soul’s recognition of its counterpoint; the many nights I would stare into the night sky I could feel you staring back. While the distance between us may have been 2500 miles we never left each other; we have always been connected. Your heart sings a song only mine can hear.

Je me tiens ici avec vous aujourd'hui côte à côte, 30 ans après pour prendre votre main dans le mariage ; Je vous choisis Patricia Renee pour être mon épouse, pour vivre et vieillir avec vous ; pour rire avec vous ; pour être joie à votre coeur, et à nourriture pour votre âme. Je promets de rire avec vous dans de bonnes périodes, de lutter avec vous dans le mauvais ; pour solace vous quand vous êtes découragé ; pour embrasser le votre arrachent ; au confort vous avec mon corps ; au miroir vous avec mon âme ; Je promets d'aimer, aimer, honorer et se commettre à vous pour le reste de nos vies.
I stand here with you today side by side, 30 years later to take your hand in marriage; I choose you Patricia Renee to be my wife, to live and grow old with you; to laugh with you; to be joy to your heart, and food for your soul. I promise to laugh with you in good times, to struggle with you in bad; to solace you when you are downhearted; to kiss your tears away; to comfort you with my body; to mirror you with my soul; I promise to love, cherish, honor and commit myself to you for the rest of our lives.

Chéri heureux d'anniversaire
Happy Anniversary Darling,
Benjamin