San Francisco

We went to San Francisco for the New Year...

the view from Coit tower

fresh tangerines from the farmer's market

Alcatraz in the background

chowder and fresh sourdough bread

Chinatown

The Painted Ladies: seen in the Full House intro

We had cannolis and pizza in Little Italy

the house from Mrs. Doubtfire!

the house from Full House!

Our rental house

One year ago today...

David told me that he was taking me to Leavenworth, WA for a few days for my Christmas gift. We had been there once before with David's family and loved it! After dating for 5 1/2 years, my mind starting getting excited thinking this would be the perfect time to propose. But being the very poor college students we were, I knew there was no way David could afford a ring so I tried to not think about it. We left on Monday and drove through the snowy passes for 5 hours to get there. We stayed at Granite Hills Inn, an adorable Bed & Breakfast. When we arrived there was very little snow, but at dinner that night the white flakes started coming down. By the time we woke up the next morning, over 8 inches covered the ground. Later, I found out this was very lucky for David since his plan would not have worked out otherwise.

Our little B & B

On Tuesday, while shopping in town, David told me that he wanted to take us somewhere special for lunch. Having had just eaten breakfast a few hours before, I hesitated but went with it. David drove out of town to a little cabin that does sleigh rides. We walked into the little cabin and the lady said, "you must be here for the private sleigh ride for two". Meanless to say- the surprise was ruined. David told me this was my Christmas present, as his parents present to us was paying for some of the trip- I was very excited. We loaded up the TINY sleigh and bundled up under the blankets. We made our way through the snow covered valley being pulled by two horses, Henry and Mister. About halfway through the trip, David handed me my camera and started taking off the blankets. I was thinking he was crazy because it was so cold. Somehow he managed to get on one knee, and this is where I started crying... and didn't stop. David told me "These past five years have been the best and I can't believe how crazy I still am about you. Every time we are together, I keep falling more and more in love with you. I can't imagine spending my life with anyone but you and I can't wait until I can call you my wife" (this all had to be retold to me multiple times after the proposal because I was in shock and yes still crying). He then reached into his pocket, pulled out the MOST beautiful ring and said "Jenny Rebekah Barnes, Will you marry me?" I nodded because I was still crying and he slipped the ring on my finger. He explained to me after some kissing and hugging that the center stone was my grandfathers (Ponka) ,that passed away a few years ago, and my mom had given it to him. He designed the ring in Ashland and had it made... so perfect! And yes, more tears came. We went back to the town to get some stuff for lunch as we called our family and friends. After a nice lunch of wine and cheese, we dressed up and went out later for a nice dinner. The sleigh ride was perfect, as was the rest of the trip.

The most perfect ring!

After 6 1/2 years together, one year of engagement, and countless memories and milestones I am still so in love with David. I can't wait to be his wife in 7 short months!

Engagement Pictures

Last month, David and I got our engagement pictures taken with our photographer Kirsten Hammerickson. We took them at a local winery- RoxyAnn and an old barn. Here are a few of our favorites...

Pizza and Beer

There is nothing like homemade bbq chicken pizza and beer after a long day...

We bought the dough and topped it bbq sauce, cheese, cooked chicken, red peppers, red onion, green onions, and a little cilantro. Serve with your favorite beer, mine is Blue Moon.

Favorite Salad

I am obsessed with eating this salad. I made a similar version when we had dinner with our friends, but I like this one better.

Mixed baby greens topped with: slices of ripe red pear, thin slices of red onion, crumbled Gorgonzola, craisins, and these tasty candied pecans from Trader Joe's. I top mine with raspberry vinaigrette, also from Trader Joe's (I am dying for them to put one down here!). I have had this salad three times so far this week and I think I will have it for dinner tonight too.

French Onion Soup- take two

ugh I just wrote this whole blog, published, and then BAM it disappeared. I'm sure I was much more clever and innovative the first time around but here we go again.

It is fall- the cold, rain, and darkness by 5:00 is here. I have brought my crock-pot out, dusted it off, and put it to work. We had a fun pumpkin carving party and it got a few rounds of spiced apple cider- my fall time favorite. (Super easy- a gallon or so of apple juice, 1/2 cup-ish of brown sugar, one orange sliced, some whole cloves, allspice, and cinnamon sticks and give it a few hours). I have been making/experimenting with new soups and stews, so far I have made beef stew with rosemary, white chicken chili with roasted poblano peppers, and this french onion soup- which OK was not actually made in the crock-pot but easy could have been.

French Onion Soup

This should serve about 6 but when you live with an always-hungry 23 year old man, well it lasted us one dinner and two lunches for me :)

Ingredients: 3 large yellow onions (I used two huge yellow onions and one medium sweet), 2 TBSP butter and 2 TBSP olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, 1 TBSP or so of sugar, 2 TBSP of flour, 1 cup of dry sherry cooking wine, 2 quarts good quality beef broth, thyme, 2 bay leaves, a fresh baguette- I used sour dough, and good Gruyere cheese

Put the butter and olive oil in a large pot over Medium-ish heat. Cut the onions in half, peel, and thinly slice. Add the onions to the melted butter and oil with the salt, pepper, and sugar and let those babies caramelize. Stir every few minutes (takes about 20-30 minutes) until the onions become a thick, sticky, brown, sweet, oniony mess. Add the flour and stir for a minute or so. De-glaze with the sherry wine then add the beef broth, thyme, and bay leaves. Cook for 15-20 more minutes until the onions are tender. In the meanwhile, slice the baguette and toast on a baking sheet in the oven. Once lightly brown, top with slices of Gruyere cheese and broil until melted. I pour the soup into a large mug and top with one piece of cheesy toast at a time, that way it is kinda crunchy-kinda soggy, and once it is gone, I add another. YUM

Home Sweet Home

A lot of work has been done on our home here in Medford, but I haven't put up any pictures. I took a few after cleaning last weekend. My uncle got married down here- so my Dad stayed with us and we even got to overnight babysit my sweet little kinda-cousin who is 5 months old. There is still work to be done on the house (like closet doors, an entryway floor...) but we are loving it :)

The kitchen and breakfast nook, through the door is the laundry room. So nice to not have to pay to do laundry anymore!

Dining Room and Living room

Living Room with a nice, big fireplace!

The master bedroom, looking into our addition: office/sitting area

Our master bathroom, shower and toilet behind the door