Camping Trip

Last weekend we had a great time camping with our ward. I really wasn't sure about the whole camping thing, I just don't camp, but Jeff talked me into going and I had a fun time. The campsite, Cape Lookout, is right on the coast by Tillamook. It was such a nice campground and we had a wonderful time being so close to the ocean. We shared our campsite with the Lyman family. The Lyman's are so great, and we were very excited when we found out we would be camping with them. We got there Friday night and set up our camp. It had been raining in Portland that day and I was afraid that the coast would be the same, but we had great weather, it was just a bit cold. I should clarify, I thought it was cold, Jeff didn't think it was cold at all. There was also a ward BBQ Friday night and it was fun to visit with everyone. Saturday morning Matt Lyman made breakfast for us. He made crab cake sandwiches, along with bacon and eggs. We brought a fruit salad and juice. It was a delicious breakfast. After breakfast we took a walk on the beach and then packed up our stuff to head home. On the way home we drove along the coast before heading back to Portland. It was a nice weekend getaway. I would go camping again, I would just recommend we get a bigger tent, I got a bit claustrophobic in the middle of the night, but overall I had a wonderful time. Here are some pictures of our adventure.

Here is a picture of our tent, again I think we should get a bigger one.

Matt and Jeff making breakfast.

Crab cakes, eggs and bacon.

A Sand Dollar we found walking along the beach.

I love these houses along the coast.

Mills Family Reunion

We had a wonderful time in St. George at the Mills Family Reunion. On Thursday we flew into Las Vegas and then drove to St. George. As soon as we landed, we headed to the nearest "Jimmy John's" for a sandwich, both Jeff and I love their sandwiches and we wish they were here in Oregon.

The next day we all went boating. It was so cold, who would have guess it would be so cold in St. George in June? I didn't get too many pictures of us boating, I wish I would have remembered to take more.

On Saturday we all went shooting. My grandpa loves to go trap shooting, so he wanted us to go with him. I have never been before so it was quite an experience. I can't say I loved it, Jeff finished my round, but I did enjoy watching everyone else. Jeff did really well shooting considering it was his first time. The reunion was so much fun, we really enjoyed spending time with everyone and we can't wait for next year.

Here is the house that we rented for the weekend.

My Dad is on the wave runner and Vern and Deb are on the boat.

Deb, Statton, Jake and Johanna

Jeff at the shooting range

Jeff shooting

The next group getting ready to go.

Grandpa and my Dad getting ready to shoot.

Me and Jeff and the shooting range.

Family pictures

Me and Jeff with Grandma and Grandpa Mills

I'm baking bread now!

So I've been interested in baking bread for the past few months, but honestly was a little intimidated with the bread making process. My mom's a great bread maker, but I remember all the time it took. So when I saw the post on Lifehacker on how to make artisan style bread in five minutes, I jumped at it. The recipe is taken from a great book "Artisan Bread In Five Minutes A Day" by Jeff Hertzberg MD and Zoe Francois. Jamie's mother showed us another bread she cooked in a dutch oven, so I looked up their website and found how to do this with their recipe. It's super easy just like their bread. The bread is so good and we've already devoured our first loaf and have made our second one. Here's a photo of the results while cooling. I'm looking forward to enjoying this loaf too! :)

Summer Reading

I remember when I was younger I couldn't wait for summer break so I could catch up on all my reading. I loved to relax by the pool with a great book. Since I haven't been working, I've had a lot of time to catch up on some reading. One of the books I finished a couple of weeks ago was "The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency". I loved it. I can't believe I haven't read these books before and they've been out awhile, I guess I'm a bit behind on this trend. It's a 10 book series and right now I'm half-way through the second book and it's just as good as the first. I can't wait to read all the books. Anyway, if you haven't read them or heard of them, it's about a woman who opens a detective agency in Botswana and she helps people solve mysteries in their lives. It's a wonderful book that reads more like a story than a mystery. If you are not into reading, HBO has done a series on the books. I can't wait to see those once I've read all the books.



Another book I read a few months ago is called "Rigged: The True Story of a Ivy League Kid who Changed the World Of Oil, from Wall Street to Dubai". This book is about the Mercantile Exchange and how two guys helped set up the exchange in Dubai. I found this book to be fascinating, but I love anything to do with Wall Street and the Stock Market. I think it goes back to when I saw the movie "Wall Street". There was just something about that movie that hooked me. Anyway, if you like Stock Market books, this is a good one.


What books are you reading this summer?