I took a break from posting to take a family trip to Oregon over Easter.  It was so wonderful to see my daughter and family and catch up with everyone in person.  The Oregon coast is so beautiful and majestic and I just feel so at peace when I’m walking or running along the beach first thing in the morning.  I thought I would just share some of my trip with you through some photos.

 

 

Walking the bayfront in Newport is a feast of sound, sight and smell.  As soon as you walk down the hill from my mother’s house you can see the beautiful bay, smell the shrimpy smell from the fish processing plant and the cannery, the salty sea air, the varied scents of food and hear the bark of the sea lions.  I know a lot of people think the sea lions are annoying but I find them charming and cute.  They seem like the dogs of the sea to me.

 

When I go to Oregon I love the variety of seafood I can find.  One night I decided to make some fresh tuna with a spinach and kale pesto topped with fresh goat cheese and a big mixed salad with honey mustard vinaigrette.

 

Easter day was gorgeous and sunny.  Pretty much the whole family was there except for my husband and my sister’s husband who both had to work.  My Mom and I cooked together, which I always love, and prepared a feast.  My daughter’s boyfriend’s mother (figure that out!) brought over all the fixings for Mimosas which was a wonderful addition.  My Mom baked a brown sugar crusted ham and I made a veggie mac and cheese, and we also roasted asparagus and made whole wheat challah bread.

 

 

 

After Easter dinner I walked down the bayfront with my sister and newphew and was struck with the beauty of the boats and the bridge in the water.

 

 

My last morning in Newport I went for a run on the beach.  I had the beach almost to myself and the weather was perfect – not windy or cold and the sun was rising as I ran.  I just inhaled the pure ocean air and enjoyed my time with the rhythms of the sea.

 

 

 

I saw a Whale’s Tail and a Sea Serpent…..

 

 

It was a great trip and so wonderful to be able to spend so much time with my family and by the ocean.  I am blessed.