bodily substances

Yesterday started out as any other weekend day. The kids woke up too early and wishing they would sleep in for once I wondered why on school days I couldn't drag them out of bed. Of course the first thing the children wanted to do before the sun was even up was to hold the new baby chicks we had just acquired at the chicken swap. Children never seem to want to do anything sensible at god forsaken hours...not read books, play quietly in their room, or listen to their new cd player-no the first idea that hatched in my kids' head before they were even fully awake was to hold chickens. I remember when we (my brothers and I) woke up on the weekends and made even the slightest noise before 10 am my father would roar, "is the house on fire?", through the closed bedroom door. We then would answer, "no", and he would respond, "then not another peep". Instead of this I tell my children that they can go play with the chickens as long as they just let us sleep for a little while longer and change out of their pjs first. That was my first mistake. It only took 10 minutes for the end of our morning "sleeping in" to fade like the remnants of the dream still hemming my thoughts. With a munchkin voice somewhere in the room saying, "chicken poop on the carpet", I shot out of bed like a rocket. It wasn't an easy transition. I rushed out to the garage and found 6 piles of poo lying around, 2 of them with child like footprints and tracks leading into the house. One child had feces from wrist to shoulder, while yet another had remnants on the back of her pant leg and on her back pocket. The 3rd little cherub had tracked the lovely fragrant repulsion through the house. Five minutes later in my robe scrubbing up chicken poop and remember moments ago when I was in a cozy bed, I rued the day I ever decided to have pets. Having taken care of most of the chicken excrement disaster, children bathed, 2nd set of clothes for the day, I began to prepare breakfast (what else are you going to do with 3 shiny faces smiling proudly at their well executed plan to get Mommy out of bed). I noticed my youngest, who always helps with meals, looked a little pale. She complained of a headache (she actually said "my knuckle hurt", which translates to "neck", which when she showed me was in fact the back of her head). She hadn't gotten much sleep the days prior, missing naps and going to bed later than usual because of our busy schedule, so I attributed any lethargy to this. I took her temp. and it registered at 99.1, which is in her normal range, but I gave her some baby Tylenol just in case. I am allergic to red food dye and I discovered 2 minutes after giving my baby "cherry flavored" medicine that she was too, as was evident from the vomit. I gave up trying to wipe puke out of her hair and put her in the tub...again. After she was washed, dried, and dressed, I proceeded to finish breakfast. She needed to go potty so I left her on the toilet, verbally checking in to see when the wiping job would need to occur. After 10 minutes, which was an unusually long time for her to do her business, I went in to check on her only to discover brown streaks on the toilet seat that she was continually trying to clean up by licking her finger and rubbing it around on the white porcelain. The third bath/outfit of the day had me questioning why I ever cleaned up anything to begin with. My favorite part...all before 9:00 am.

Cabins in Oregon (and afar)

When camping with kids, we've decided that if it is raining or if there is a chance of rain (when is there not in Oregon) , and when our budget allows, we will stay in cabins. Mark and I have explored this state for many years, first with our siblings and parents, and then with each other, and now with our kids. The cabins that we would recommend to others are as follows:

Leaping Lamb Farms: Charming cozy cabin located on a small Oregon farm featuring a meandering stream and farm fresh eggs and produce available for purchase. When you stay here breakfast is provided. After enjoying local nourishment and walking the perimeter of the farm, take off your shoes and dangle your feet in the creek. Cocktails and appetizers on the deck complete a lazy summer day. Escape for a relaxing weekend, or even month. Call 541-487-4966 for more details.

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park: These cabins are ideal for several families. You can reserve a block of them, 1/family. Look down the ridge and out toward the coast range mountains over a crackling, wind whipped fire. Enjoy evenings, sitting around a fire, roasting smores, watching kids race bikes down trails. For an adventurous day trip follow one of the newest "Track to Trails" renovations. This trail stretches for 20 miles from Vernonia to Banks with the campground located 1/2 way between these two communities. If you head down to Banks, you literally don't have to pedal for 7 miles. Once you turn around it can be a difficult for children to pedal the entire distance back to the campground. Or you can do what I did and stay at a rest area, hit up strangers for wine, and let your husband hustle up the hill to the van, coming back to retrieve you once you're fully "relaxed" (or you could do a shuttle, but eehhh...I like the husband option, granted he's willing). Call 1-800-452-5687 for reservations.

Suttle Lake Yurts: Although we didn't have a pleasurable experience when we went (thanks to buckets of rain and no wood), a magical weekend could be had if you had plenty of fire wood and snow was plentiful enough to snowshoe/cross-country ski around the lake. It could actually be quite magical and peaceful if weather conditions cooperate (which they usually do at this elevation). Makes a wonderful mid-winter getaway.

Harstine Island: This is the one structure not in Oregon, but it is a great destination if you want to spend time on Puget Sound. It is remote and best if you bring all of your food for the entire time. If you correlate your trip with a minus tide the amount of sea life to explore and observe is absolutely breathtaking. Kayaks and canoes are great for the experienced but must be used with caution (Puget Sound can be dangerous and cold-hypothermic inducing 45 degree water). Great views, enticing decks, and right on the beach, this house is a great location for isolated time with family and friends. Call 503 936-3664 for more information. Also if you could mention my name if you do make a reservation I'll get a little monetary reimbursement.

Restaurants that don't suck (and are kid friendly)

Living where we do, I feel a bit spoiled when it comes to good food. The slow food movement, abundance of small farms, more choices for organic and local foods along with increased knowledge about pesticides and mass produced food have led many communities in the Willamette Valley to embrace natural, whole, organic, local, sustainable foods. We are sandwiched between two larger cities which spotlight the culinary arts giving us many amazing choices for where we eat and what we put into our bodies. Although, I enjoy eating anywhere I'm going to focus on the nourishing places that exist closer to Corvallis.

Buena Vista House Cafe and Bed and Breakfast: Nestled under apple trees, with a guitar's song weaving through branches, pizza's waft blended with fragrant blossoms, the tables are dressed for guests. The tri-fecta perfection is present on the menu with local, organic, and seasonal food and wine. A blend of outdoor friendly weather, 2 to 3 families, a reservation and pizza make a memorable evening. The Buena Vista House could not be located in a more appropriate location as this Willamette Valley that spotlights quality farm to table dining. Dinners are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Brunch is also available Saturday and Sunday mornings. Reservations only. Call (503) 838-6364 for more information.

Cornucopia-Eugene, OR (the one on 17th): After picking up my husband from the airport, a bite to eat was in order. We wanted to eat outside (it was uncharacteristically not raining), allow the kids to have some fun, and we wanted good food as well as an exciting beer selection. Cornucopia on 17th in Eugene provided all of these things. After sitting out back under the arms of Douglas (Fir) and some awnings/sails, we basked in the few minutes the sun peeked from behind the rain makers. They do have a kid's menu, but since I steer clear of these (non-nutritious nasty stuff-that tastes awesome!), I chose food for my chillens off the grown up menu, splitting plates for their dining pleasure. The beer selection is fab, on tap as well as an entire self-select double glass paneled refrig. full of the stuff. Since it was Friday, fish was what we craved and their fish and chips were splendid (not too greasy). The kids adult grilled cheese was so cool according to Anna because there were two colors of cheese (white and orange). Salads looked amazing, soups wafting over from the next table smelled heavenly, and other entrees left me curious enough to want to come back again. For hours call (541) 485-2300.

Papa's Soul Food Kitchen: After visiting Memphis several time as the Nanny of a family who's relatives were from there, I learned the delectable delight of pulled pork with slaw on a bun. As I sunk my teeth into this not just a sandwich, I was instantly hooked...no addicted. Being raised on Mormon casseroles, rice and raisins, and other large family fare, which definitely have their place, I had never experienced much in the way of spicy, deep, smoky, intense flavor as I experienced that night. I had no idea what a dry rub was. Pork shoulder? No gravy? homemade BBQ sauce that's spicy? It was amazing! Since that day and many other sandwiches from The Commissary in German Town, TN, later, I have been on a search for the perfect pulled pork sandwich in the Northwest. I think I may have found it at PSFK. Along with their lovely outdoor seating (very agreeable to kids) and adult kool-aid served in mason jars (not agreeable to kids), PSFK is a don't miss spot when headed to Eugene. Located on Blaire in a funky neighborhood. Call (541) 342-7500 for hours and directions.

Junkyard Dogs: The best hot dogs west of Chicago or even, dare I say it N.Y.? and they have a choice to honor every famous hot dog city. You have spicy, jalapeno, neon green relish dog, Louisiana style. Dogs with pickles, dogs with mayo, french dressing, cheese, if you like dogs and toppings there's a hot dog there for you. They also have kids' trays with a hot dog on a stick and a hot dog candy (gross-but they love it)...if you're going for hot dogs you may as well throw healthy eating to the wind, even for the kids! The outdoor seating is fun but can be a little distracting when a semi rolls by (keep the kids close). On 99E between Harrisburg and Junction City. For more information call: (541) 998-3232

Block 15: Consistently the best beer of any brewery that I've been to. Not only do they have their very lovely "regulars" but their ability to come up with interesting, amazingly strong and tasty selections wows me every time. I also love that they support many local small farms and provide many organic and sustainable (the tri-fecta perfection again) meals. The chalkboard tables and happy hour menu pair perfectly with children as does their story book menus. Only drawback are the crowds. Get there early for dinner (like 4:30). 541-758-2077 is their phone.

Nutcakes: I love having high end baked goods, especially done right at a French Bakery, however there is always a need every once in a while (I've been here 4 times in the last 7 days) for a good doughnut. Maple bars with bacon, Smore's bars with marshmallow cream filling and graham cracker sprinkles on chocolate frosting, and lemon curd filled doughnuts is just a sampling of the amazing selections at this newest shop in Philomath, OR. They also have started to serve lunch and breakfast, but I think their doughnuts are the shining star. Their prices are also amazing. A box of 15 to 20 day old doughnuts is $8.00. They just have coffee, not fancy lattes, which I kind of appreciate (specializing in the one thing you do well is sometimes lost). Once you discover this place you may have to erase your memory before you have to erase some extra booty. Sitting outside in the early sunshine, enjoying coffee, and delectable doughnuts while your kids destroy the flowerbed searching for bugs and tromping on plants, nothing could be better (Hey kids get outta there). For details call (541) 929-3333

Destination Restaurant

Beck (Not Kid Friendly): It is very rare for a restaurant to get it ALL right. Atmosphere-waterfall wall, floor to ceiling windows overlooking Whale Cove as waves crash over the rocks, view of simple manicured garden below restaurant on bluffs, tables spaced far enough apart to afford a little romantic privacy. Wine/Beer-extensive list many local choices and pairings with food, including special meals, where each course is paired with a different wine. Service-never lacking, someone always meeting your needs. Creative-if you don't see something on the menu you like let your server know. Chef is open to wowing you. And lastly and most importantly The Food- Amazing, inventive, simply delicious. I will go back every time I can afford to. Hands down the best place ever to eat a meal. The chef has even been nominated by Food and Wine magazine as Best New Chef. Located just South of Depot Bay. Call 541-765-3220 for hours and directions.

Summer Fun in Oregon

Mark and I, I must admit are the adventurous sort. We car camp at places with few amenities (mainly no flush toilet or showers), hike, take the long way, travel most of the summer, and love to find out of the way places. With summer coming up and people asking where some good places to spend some time off the beaten path that may be hidden, I thought I would list a few.

Bike Path/Eugene Oregon: The extensive pathway along the Mckenzie River in Eugene, Oregon wind through parks, near community gardens, and at the base of Skinner's Butte, with an amazing viewpoint of the city, if you choose to hike it. You can pack a picnic lunch and eat at one of the continuous green spaces with mature shade giving trees, at one of the expansive and child awing play structures, or within earshot of the river's bubbling course. Or you can choose to eat at Mcmenamins-North Bank or Valley River Inn, both with tables outside within view of the river and right along the bike path. Biking here with the family makes a great family outing. Bring Frisbees, soccer balls, etc. for a side activity. Parks also are inhabited by many ducks that are fun to observe as well as other wildlife. To get there, drive to Valley River Center, parking in the back (near Macy's) and follow the bike paths East. If you want to eat at a restaurant stay on the North Side of the river. If not, the South side is a bit more picturesque and is easier on the senses (less traffic noise). Note: If you are into biking with the fam., there is another path South of Eugene near Cottage Grove that is part of "Tracks to Trails". Running through small communities and open country, this trail is ideal especially if you start at the East end (higher elevation and ride "downhill" coasting most of the way, which makes it a breeze for kids to go long distances,) and end at the West end of the trail. Two cars would be needed, one at each end. Another Tracks to Trails bike path runs between Vernonia and Banks, West of Portland near the coast range mountains.

Lone Pine Farms: Fresh produce (mostly-some from Mex. and Chile), entertaining playground for the kiddos (complete with merry-go-round), Goats that run on an above building ramp that has food bins and a hoist that allows you to feed them, a gold fish pond, local ice cream, and other animals present in the corrals and fields for observing. Perfect for a picnic lunch. LPF is located on River Road, which runs from Junction City to Eugene. For more information call 541.688.4389.

Pfeiffer winery: One of Oregon's oldest vineyards, this winery boasts ponds that trickle into each other providing soothing sounds while you enjoy the ample picnicking space. Although the tasting room doesn't allow children, two families could take turns tasting while kids catch bullfrogs and enjoy a pre-packed snack. Southwest of Monroe off Territorial Rd. In Monroe turn right off of Hwy 99 onto Territorial. Drive about 4 miles and look for signs on the right that will eventually lead you to Pfeiffer. For further details call (541) 998-2828.

Chatoe Rogue: A lovely tasting room with Rogue Beers on tap. Their menu is a little weak, but you can bring your own food (get salami and cheese from Natalia and Cristoforo's in Corvallis). You can only eat the food you've brought outside so make sure the weather is cooperative before heading here. Outside the picnic table and completely flat lawn invite children and adults to play soccer, boccie ball, croquet, and any other number of fun outdoor activities. The farmhouse located on the property can be rented by room or the entire house. If you rent the entire house you can have friends camp on the lawn, making this an ideal place for weddings. Another perk of this particular tasting room is that since it is located on the Willamette River, you can float here from Corvallis and arrange a pick up after you've enjoyed some libation. To get here, take 99w North from Corvallis and follow the signs. This destination is officially located in Independence. Call for more details (503) 838-9813.

Wings of Wonder: This butterfly house and garden is wonderful on a rainy summer day (which we know occurs in Oregon more than absolutely necessary). The butterflies (some larger than my toddler's head) are breathtaking. You may find yourself slipping into childlike behavior as a butterfly alights upon your shoulder and the whole world seems insignificant as you closely examine spots, lines, and metallic shimmers. Wings pulse up and down even when not in flight, children squeal, and we forget about time, dinner, errands, meaningless responsibilities. To find this peek into a rain forest follow 99W North from Corvallis and follow the signs. This destination is located in Buena Vista (and while you're there ride the ferry across the river and back-the kids love this-check the schedule. Hours vary. Call (503) 588-7979 for current closures). Call for more information (503) 838-0976 on WoW.

Suttle Lake Surprise

When the phone rang early Saturday morning of MLK weekend Mark rolled his eyes. "Can't we ever just sit here and enjoy our coffee, without interruption?", he whined. I ignored him and answered the phone. "We have a yurt reserved for the weekend and we can't use it because we're all sick", Cindy informed me, "we thought who is spontaneous enough to leave at this late notice and actually make use of our yurt and your name came up". I was flattered that I still could be identified as a "do something at the last minute" kind of person. Mark and I thought, "of course we'll go", packed up the van, and picked up the yurt reservation e-mail from Cindy on the way out of town. Perfect we thought...a yurt in the high cascades, in the snow, on a lake. Scenes of tranquil snow shoe/cross country ski adventures completely dominated our thoughts. We stopped along the way for supplies and since we had read that wood and water were available we didn't bother to bring more than one bundle for our non-electric, wood burning stove heated yurt. Upon arrival, the children were soaked to their core, running from van to yurt. Boots were not removed and within 17 seconds the entire floor of the yurt was blanketed in a cozy layer of mud, rain, and melting snow. Boots were removed and children were forced onto beds, couches and tables while a fire was encouraged to begin it's warming march through out frigid shelter. As the fire began to take hold in reality leaving the desires of our thoughts, the floor slowly began to dry. The rain outside was fierce and the wind threatened to break limbs and topple trees onto our canvased structure. Now what? After 2 hours the children had been through every crafty craft, book, and drawing paper. Hope for a ski or snow shoe was lost as the rain roared. The dvd player, usually my nemesis, now became my savior. One movie while "camping"= neglectful parent, Two movies while "camping" =reporting to CPS imminent, Three movies while enjoying the great outdoors=you may never have contact with your children's, children's pets, because you are showing such horrible parenting skills. The stove was so efficient that we were in our underwear by 10. Many beers and hours later (along with children who would not sleep), we settled into bed, sweaty and unable to sleep because of the pounding wind and blowing rain. At two in the morning as our last piece of wood was turned to ash, the true temperature of our experience snuck into the yurt through cracks in the walls and floor. The children began stirring and pjs were then located and everyone was dressed and re-inserted into sleeping bags. Once we woke up (like we ever slept), Mark looked at me and said, "could you please turn on the heat?" and "whose idea was this anyway?" We packed everything up quickly, stuffed cold bagels down the chicks gullets, melted snow for something to drink, and tried to take a walk to the lake. The two to five feet of snow that existed just 14 hours earlier was all but gone. Dog poo from the host's pup littered every square inch of snow barren ground. At the lake, said dog, greeted my 4 year old with raised hackles, and barred teeth. We showed up at Grandma's and Papa's house 4 hours early and chuckled as we drank Napa Valley wine, curled up with a book next to the wood burning stove, while the kids slept off their winter camping experience. What's funny is that one month after, Mark and I are convinced that we should do this trip again, "it'll be much better if we have wood, water, and towels", Mark says-did he forget the noise of the weather, the aggressive crap filled pooch, or the fact that next time we'd have to pay for this wonderful experience? I think it's a good idea...

Suprising Comfort

As I left our busy neighborhood and drove my daughter and classmates out to their country school, the peace of the wide open space began to seep into my soul like water into a dry sponge. I felt this change like a welcome companion as I left the bustling businesses and traffic choked hwy behind. The majestic beauty of Mary's Peak easing out from under the blanket of fog greeted our progress. A bald eagle rose off the valley floor and flew a man's height above our vessel. Quickly approaching the 40mph twist over Muddy Creek's swollen veins, I spied orange orbs presenting themselves in a small patch on the hillside. The dilapidated dwelling to the South looked like a lonely friend in need of some attention. Unknown horses struck the ground and tossed their heads wrapped like dolmas in their blankets at the corner where a horse my children called "Snowball" once begged for apples. Knowledge of their breathe was revealed in small clouds of condensation escaping their nostrils. Turning onto the final stretch a Christmas tree farm sat neatly in rows shadowed by the coast range mountains. The patchwork quilt of fog and trees clearly presented the inescapable intertwining of man and nature. Dropping the children off and returning on this trip back to my home, I already felt as if I were there.

This drive has always been a bit of a welcome homecoming. My grandparents had a dairy in the coast range mountains West of Eugene when I was growing up. The connection to the land I feel along with the education I received through visiting their farm is invaluable. Food is another direct connection to that land that I cultivate by growing a small amount of what we consume. The following recipe is as comforting as the beautiful scenery I experience when I drive carpool and as relatively simple as anything you can make in the kitchen (you can even grow all the veggies here):

The salad:

1 head of broccoli cut into florets
1 cup of fresh peas (or thawed frozen)
1 cup of shredded rotisserie chicken (optional)
4 stalks of cilantro finely chopped

The dressing:

1/2 cup olive oil or canola oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 Tbls. brown sugar
3 Tbls. tamari
2 Tbls. lime juice
1 tsp. powder ginger or 2 tsp. fresh grated ginger
1 clove of finely chopped garlic

Arrange salad in a bowl starting with the broccoli. Put all ingredients for dressing in a jar with a tight lid and shake vigorously. Pour dressing over salad and toss, or serve salad and have individuals add their own desired amount.

They're not dead, they're just behind the compost pile

A close friend, whose children are good buds with mine, invited us over for a birthday party. It was an uncharacteristically warm day in mid-November and after cake the kids went outside to play. Their house is at the front of their lot and the backyard slopes downhill away from the dwelling. The sandbox is situated under the apple trees and the play house (another favorite play area) is a few feet away on a concrete slab. The 4 1/2 year old children played while the moms cleaned up, looked at the garden, and visited on benches in the yard. When it was nap time for the two year old siblings, the mommies went inside to tuck the toddlers in. My close friend's husband who had been playing with the older kids followed us in to get ready to go back to work. After laying the wee ones down we began gabbing and suddenly realized that our older kids were still outside unsupervised. We went outside calling to them, which we had done many times, usually eliciting a response, and only heard eerie silence. As we called several more times, pausing to hear the munchkin voices respond, being left instead in silence, we began to worry. "What little stinkers, they're probably hiding", my friend hopefully interjected. We opened every cupboard, closet, and checked under each bed. No kids. I went upstairs and out to the street looking in bushes and peering through the underbrush of the deserted lot down the street. The other child's father ran up and down the street yelling for his son. At this point, trying to remain calm and collected, I asked my friend to call the police. She dialed the number and gave them the required information while I began to cry. Hiding my tears and trying to smooth the waver in my voice, every time I yelled, I continued searching for my sweet darling daughter. After scouring every shrub, every shadowed hiding place, for what seemed like an eternity, I stopped and stood in the street feeling the hysteria creep from the edges of my body, centering in the pit of my stomach. I felt like I might be sick thinking about what my father (who used to be a police officer) had planted in my mind. "If you are taken, you have almost no chance of surviving," he had reiterated again and again. "You must fight with everything you have, never get in the car, and run (because your chance of getting taken is much less than the certainty that you will die if you leave the scene of an attempted abduction)." What chance did a 4 year old have to survive in the case of an abduction. So helpless, so innocent...the scenarios played out in my head like a sick horror film. My thoughts went to a happier thought that we lived in Corvallis. A town of 50,000. Was something so awful as two 4 year old babies abducted by a pedophile or kidnapper in Corvallis likely to happen? NO!, not likely...Probably not likely. So where were they. Then my mind went to Brooke. 19. Sweet. Knowledgeable. Full of hope. I had known Brooke as a young girl and as the case of her disappearance had unfolded, the shocking nature of the crime had rocked me, unsettling beliefs of justice and familial/community protection. I couldn't think of what to do to find or save my daughter. Feeling the desire to take action I began knocking on neighbors doors. At the moment I knocked on a neighbor's door, I heard my friend say, "kids are you there?" She looked at me and said, "I think I hear one of them,". I ran into the yard and began yelling frantically. I then saw two faces appear from behind the compost bin. "We found a good hiding spot," my daughter said. "I'm glad you found us because it was getting stinky back there," my friend's son said. I was so relieved I couldn't stop the waterfall of tears that cascaded down my face. I grabbed my daughter and hugged the breath out of her, sobbing into her lavender scented hair. Breathing in her wonderful aroma I suddenly felt angry and didn't know whether to spank her or continue smothering her.

After tucking in the two older kids with books, cozy blankets, and special snugglies, my friend and I debriefed. Humorously she told me how when she had described what the kids were wearing. She first described her sons outfit as a red and white striped shirt, jeans, and boots. When they asked what the other child was wearing she said, "exactly the same thing." We had inadvertently dressed them in the same outfit.