It's a Miracle

A few miraculous things have been happening lately and I couldn't be more excited.

Miracle #1: I FINALLY got a good hair cut!!! Now, all you women may know what a big deal this really is. To get a haircut that you actually like if truly a miracle. Too bad Wes wasn't here to mark the occasion. He usually has to hear me wine and complain about my "bad" hair cuts for weeks.

(just thought this was funny)

Miracle #2: Sid spent a whole day home alone, without being trapped in him exercise pen and without tearing up the carpet. This is HUGE progress. Now I just hope that when Wes gets home, Sid doesn't revert back to him old ways.

Miracle #3: 6 posts in 1 month. Our new record!!!

A Year Already !?

I haven't been keeping up my end of the blog lately (after all, my name is first in the title and that brings with it certain responsibilities). Anyways, I've been thinking a lot lately about the past year. A few days ago I hit the one year mark working for Island Conservation. Things started a bit rough, and are still rough at times; but overall I really like my job. In the past year I've slept in my bed here on San Nicolas Island more than I've slept anywhere else. Its sad to say, but sometimes this feels more like home than home.

Over the past year I've come to sort of love a crappy, ugly rock in the Pacific. I've come in tune with the little rhythms of the island. I've come to appreciate the beauties that aren't so obvious.

Also, I got a chance to go to Desecheo Island in the Caribbean. That trip was a test of my mental and physical endurance. I'll never forget hiking back to camp in a torrential rain, with the wind blowing, walking along the top of a steep ridge with nothing but a quick and painful trip to the ocean awaiting me if I slipped. Only a few times in my life have I felt like such a badass.

Also, this job let me and Sandy move to Portland, which we both love. I was gonna post some pictures but just realized they aren't on this computer. So, instead as a late Fathers Day tribute I'll post a picture of me and my dad.

Good Food

Here is a recipe that I really enjoy. It's quick, easy, and delicious. You should give it a try.

Soda Noodle Salad with Ginger Peanut Dressing

6 oz. soda noodles
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 Tbs. agave nectar or maple syrup
1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
2 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 tsp. fresh lime zest
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and sliced (1 1/2 cup)
1 small red bell pepper, sliced (1/2 cup)
1 large carrot, grated (1/2 cup)
2 Tbs. peanuts, chopped (optional)

-Cook noodles in boiling salted water according to packages directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
-Puree peanut butter, vinegar, agave nectar, ginger, soy sauce, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, and 1/4 cup cilantro in blender or food processor until smooth and creamy, adding 2-3 Tbs. warm water to thin, if necessary.
-Toss together noodles, cucumber, bell pepper, carrot, and peanut butter mixture. Garnish with remaining cilantro and chopped peanuts.

Am I Right?

After moving in to our new place, I noticed that I had misplaced a few things. One of these items was a very cute picture of Gabe and Katherine (one of Wes' prize possessions). I felt TROUBLE!!! You think Wes would cut me a little slack since I had to move everything myself (wrong). Anyway, I looked a few placed and given our small apartment, there were only a few places to look. Finally the picture turned up. HOORAY!!! Now it may appear that I would be the one to blame for misplacing the picture, but wait, hear me out, I think Wes may be the one at fault.

Since I did ALL the grunt work with the move, I started a small list of chores for Wes. One chore included hanging the living room curtains. The bag that contained the curtains was the exact location of the lost picture. So now if you think of it my way, Wes is to blame. Had he completed the chore months ago when he got home from Puerto Rico, the picture would have been found before it was even lost. In that case Wes if the culprit for the lost (but now found) picture. Am I right???

Now matter who's fault it is; we are both glad to have the picture back!!!

Pics from Utah Trip

Just thought I would share a few pictures from the Utah trip.

Gabe and Katherine at the Jolley Family BBQ

Is that a wink? ;)

Who knew an Easter basket could easily be turned into a helmet

Dana and me with the twins, 2 1/2 weeks old. Aren't they cute?

I hope I get this right. I'm pretty sure this one is Tess (they look so darn alike!)

...and cutey Claire!

Sid has really outdone himself since my last post. I took care of the problem of his last escape and now he has learned how to hoist up the panels and crawl underneath. What I am going to do with him?!?

i don't know how he did it

As some of you may know, Sid does not do that great being home alone. To minimize destruction and give me some piece of mind, we bought this exercise pen to add to his crate.

To Wes' surprise, this is what he found when he got home from work today. Sid was not in his crate as he should have been. Instead, he had jumped over his crate and escaped. Now, let me put this in perspective, the silver paneling is 3 feet high and the black crate + my purse (which at the time I thought would be a good enough deterrent) measures 27 inches. You would think that would keep him in! Now I have to think of some way to jimmy-rig this thing to keep him from escaping.