Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wednesday, Part 1


This apple crisp is amazing! It's a definite summer-dessert-must! I always have vanilla ice cream with apple crisp. It's tradition. Yet this apple crisp can stand in the spotlight and garner a standing ovation all on its own! Yum! Steve declared after his first two bites, "MMM! Magnifique!!" He does not use that word lightly. If ever. ;)

(If above link doesn't work, copy and paste this URL into the address bar: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-crisp-ii/detail.aspx)

Wednesday, Part 2


"There's a rat in our yard,
Dear Landlord, Dear Landlord.
There's a rat in our yard,
Dear Landlord,
A rat!

So fix it, Dear Landlord,
Dear Landlord, Dear Landlord.
So fix it, Dear Landlord.
Dear Landlord,
Fix it!"

*Lyrics: Kari Hornaday
*Music: Traditional German Folk Tune


Monday, June 27, 2011

Sweat * Blood * Tears

Wanting to get in shape, feel healthy, and have fun, I set about the task of creating my summer goals. I decided to make my goals realistic, fun, and highly visible.


I then decided to work toward accomplishing them. I had an idea they would be demanding, but wasn't exactly aware of how demanding:

Thought it would be cool to color coordinate with my bike.

Steve and I did some off-road riding today. It just so happened to be the day a disgruntled fallen log would take its revenge for the deforestation of its family. Luckily, I got away with most of my limbs intact.

Sweat. Blood. I'm sure the tears will follow eventually.

This post sponsored in part by Band-Aids & Wal-greens Antiseptic Spray.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Chalking it up...

Managed to fit a quick project into this crazy week. I bought some terra cotta pots that already had the colored glaze on the bottom half. Then I used some spray paint chalkboard paint - just a simple black one (about $5 at Home Depot) - to coat the top rims. I think they turned out really cute! During & After photos:








Thursday, June 23, 2011

If I were a painter...

We (Steve, in reality) decided we should ride our bikes to bible study last night. We were only 17 minutes late -- earlier than we are most nights! Steve doesn't get home from work until after 6pm and bible study begins at 7pm. So, between trying to grab supper and get everything together, we're usually late.


Afterward, we rode down to the Union St. Ped Bridge again. I love that place. I finally snapped my own shot of the view from the middle of the bridge - facing North. The Willamette River is so beautiful from far away. We always seem to get there around the Golden Hour (when the sun perfectly warms everything up with soft, golden light). We'll have to bring our Canons next time instead of my iPhone. If I were a painter, I would greedily stake my easel on that bridge and bring that view home with me. =)

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Ride Around The World

Why ride your bike? It relieves stress, saves money, and gets you in shape while having fun. After a surprisingly stressful day that had Steve halfway to comatose and me in tears, we pedaled. I fought it for awhile, thinking of how exhausted I feel at the start, how much my bum hurts afterward, and how much I hate hills. After a few good cries and watching my husband literally spinning in circles from boredom and the need for endorphins, I wheeled the bikes outside.

As I expected, my legs were not thrilled... However, I've found that it takes my body longer than most people's to warm up. But once it's warm, it's good to go for quite awhile. Be patient -- the hardest lesson I'm learning. Patient with my body. Patient with pedaling in the lowest gear to get up a huge hill. Patient with pedestrians and inattentive/insensitive motorists. If you know me well, you know patience is extremely difficult for me. Lord, help me!

The heat yesterday was exhausting. Yes, it was only 83F, but we weren't built for this. We're translucent people - not just white. We have fair skin & freckles. Our faces look like overripe tomatoes when we workout. We spend seven months of the year doused in rain and buried in cloud cover. It's like a mole waking up in a tanning bed. Shock and misery. Yet we press on. ;)

We biked around the world...

As the sun set in the west...

And the ducks waddled around the sand bar...

Steve taught me how to ride UP a curb - something I've been scared to try for quite a long time. I did it! I also managed to pop my rear tube. =P Steve added it to his to-do list. I'm betting it will move to the top of the list since he is so enamored with his new bike and riding with his wife. I love that we have found something to do together again instead of sitting on the couch and watching sub par TV shows.

We're looking forward to the BMA annual meeting our church is hosting this weekend and for having room to host some friends: Justin, Marie, & Gracie Reardon. We're also excited to possibly see Ray & Kelly Siler next week as they are visiting in our area. We're very blessed with godly, wonderful friends.

Now I'm going to finish this up and enjoy the rest of my Jamba Juice Razzmatazz ~ made at home! Check if they have it in the freezer aisle at your local grocery store. It's so easy and cheaper than driving across town for it. (I know there are those of you who have your own amazing smoothie recipes. Pass them on!) I like Jamba Juice kits because I am a very impulsive person and it's simple, quick, and delicious without the wasted gas and time in traffic.


Hope you have a wonderful summer day!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Summer Ride - I've Lost Count

Steve and I headed out on two rides yesterday. The first was short and sweet to a coffee shop in town. The second was longer and more rejuvenating as we pedaled over paved trails, bark trails, river rocks, and highway. My favorite parts of the whole ride were being with my best friend and the wild daisies along the sides of the trails.

Friday, June 17, 2011

3rd Summer Ride


We took Wednesday off. It was much needed. Steve had taken off of work early to head to a motorcycle graveyard to find a part he needed for his motorcycle. He actually found what he needed and got a good deal (still $$) on the carburetor. Then he headed over to Jon's to install it on his bike. In the end, the carburetor broke, breaking Steve's heart a little and dashing his hopes for his bike to run reliably in the near future. Sad day. We stayed home to salve his wounds with some video gaming and unwinding time.

Ride number three was great! The weather was perfect - warm with a slight breeze and plenty of sun! This ride was sort of a tour of parks. We went through a total of 4 parks: Capitol Mall Park, Riverfront Park, Wallace Marine Park, and Olinger Pool Park. If there's one thing Oregon is good at, it's outdoor recreation. I have to say the highlight of the ride for me was the Union Street Railroad Pedestrian Bridge. Such a fun place to ride with gorgeous views of the Willamette River. Here are some "borrowed" photos:

Original Union Street Railroad Bridge


Current Day - Night Time Crossing


Our View Riding Across

I'm so sad now that I didn't take any photos while we were out. However, I'm learning to just enjoy what's going on around me rather than always pulling out my "high tech gadget thingies" as I hear so many older, wiser people say. Next time I'll try to get some photos of the river views from on the bridge. I also love the California poppies mixed with the tall blue flower stalks (blue/purple foxglove?) on the West Salem side of the bridge. So cheerful and bright! Another borrowed photo:

I wish you could have come along! We left home and headed toward the river, passing through the Capitol Mall State Park. Steve walks through it every weekday morning on his way to work. We arrived at Riverfront Park where we celebrated our first 4th of July as a married couple in 2008. It was fun to see all of the kids out playing tee ball as well as some teens swinging blindly at a pinata.

We continued over the pedestrian bridge to Wallace Marine Park where Steve led me courageously through blackberry thickets on an off-road trail -- my least favorite part of the ride. :P Then we headed back over the bridge and towards home. At the last minute, we veered north towards Steve's parents' place. It was his dad's birthday yesterday so we dropped in to wish him a Happy Birthday and take a little break.

In Oregon, I believe it is illegal to ride your bike at night without proper lights. It started to get darker so we headed back home. I was so excited to roll my bike into the patio. We completed a gorgeous, fun ride, and I still had energy when I got home.

We had only eaten a small portion of our dinner before the ride after learning the lesson from Tuesday. So, once home, we got back to eating our Beef Stroganoff. Mmm! Tastes even better after a good workout!

A great evening was had by all. =)

Thanks for reading!



2nd Summer Ride


Went for another ride last Tuesday. (Click on the photo for a closer look at the map.) Second ride in two days. Our bums hurt so bad from the abuse of the hard seats the day before. It was pretty miserable. I learned why you don't eat dinner before you go for a ride. My legs and hands were cramping. My stomach was upset. I felt awful. We didn't go very far, but we went! That's what counts on those days when you would much rather sit at home and watch TV or read a book, right?? =) I'll chalk it up to a victory.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Flood

Not a literal flood. Tears. The last 24 hours -- ridiculous. Last night we mourned the passing of Plexiglass "Plex", our Plecostomus. The death of pets is a terrible thing for me. I don't take it well, no matter their size or length of stay with us. Steve is my super hero in those moments -- well, in most moments. =)

My morning was going great, despite the absence of life in the "pond". Then my mom let me wish my Uncle Norman a Happy 54th Birthday over her cell phone, and hearing his voice triggered a flood of memories as well as longings for home and the precious places and faces stored deep in my heart. That flood had an avalanche effect and left me in tears while ending the call with my mom. Uff da! What a morning!

So much has been happening lately to remind me of the brevity and fragility of our earthly lives. My prayer list is long. So thankful God hears my prayers and give peace and comfort in times of uncertainty and pain.


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

1st Summer Ride

Steve and I took our bikes out for the first ride of the summer. Steve just got a new-used bike. He spent most of yesterday fixing my bike. It had a bent rear rim. So, as a graduation present, I got a new rear rim! Yay!


This is the map of where we rode. Our trail is in orange.


Last time we had been out walking, Steve found this really cool fishing hole. Nobody was there this time and we had it all to ourselves to take a quick break.


Such a beautiful evening out.
We can't wait for more rides like this.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

A few random thoughts...

A boomerang is a lonely man's Frisbee.

Bocce ball rocks.

Chopped apples, strawberries, and pineapple with a dash of cinnamon is a great summer snack.

I love it when Steve offers to run an errand for me!

Steve, you're the best!

Love you!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Spring 2011

BUSY... Busy... busy...

That's life around here lately.

Steve finished Tilly, and has her up for sale:

There may be some issues with the gears or clutch, but we're hoping it's not a big deal! Doesn't she look fun?!?

We had a blast with Phil, Patty, and Maya during their May visit! Missing them so much already!


We recently celebrated our 3rd Wedding Anniversary! I can't believe it's been over three years since this day:


We're even more in love now than we were then!

I, Kari, also finished my college degree! Still waiting for the diploma in the mail, but no longer putting off the celebrating and relief!

June holds a lot of activity and fun for us. We have our friends Rob & Catherine from the Tacoma, Washington area coming to stay for a night on Friday. We'll be in their city in August to celebrate their wedding day with them!

More friends from the Tacoma area will be down for the Church Association meeting at the end of the month. We're excited to see them and spend some time catching up. Chris & Lee will hopefully be here and have their new baby boy with them!

We've spent some time working from home as well as helping some friends move. I was more than happy to spend a few hours watching their baby girl! She's such a good baby!

What does your summer have in store?