So we found out that when it's not raining in Portland- it's snowing. We came home from a weekend out of town to find the town a-flurry with snow flakes. Unfortunately there was only snow one night, but it was worth it.
Don't worry- within a couple of days it was back to grey skies and rain.
The rivers were all dangerously full all over Oregon
Update: Normie is great! We think he's adjusting well. Although we don't allow him to jump up on the bed, we do read him bedtime stories and make sure to give him lots of hugs. We have since remodeled his terrarium where we introduced him to a new friend. As you can see they are getting to know each other well.
As the new year has arrived we are trying to think of new and exciting things to cook. Since we've been living together I have been introducing Todd to all kinds of interesting Asian flavors. We decided to make and roll our own dumplings filled with pork, fresh ginger and tons of spices and sauces. He was a natural at rolling the potstickers! We hand-filled and wrapped each one and even froze some for later!
And then this happen....which pretty much ended our weekend and ruined our week.
Meet Norman the Tortie, our new adopted Russian tortoise! Straight from Molalla, Oregon we brought home our little bundle of joy right after the new year. Previously called Squish, his past owners wanted a new home for the little guy as they had recently had a baby and also had a rambunctious pup. Todd and I were happy to take him since we aren't quite ready for the full responsibility of a dog (or any other living creature) so adopting a tortoise was the natural next step for us. We are learning a lot about tortoises and hoping to be good parents. As Todd and I are both dedicated to raising our little guy right we are hoping to be good tortoise parents. The last thing this world needs is another tortoise living in an unsustainable ecological environment without a good education.
Yes, we know what you're thinking...What in the hell is going on with that beak!? We were concerned at first, but read that some tortoises in captivity sometimes have overgrown beaks. Don't worry, we are in the process of trying to find something natural for him to shave it down with. We will update later to see if it works. Until then, we just hope he can get food in his mouth!
Tortoises liked to be soaked every couple of days- it gives them a chance to submerge themselves in a nice warm bath and often times they will do their business when they soak. It took Norm some getting used to but I think he will become a real floater...and hopefully make some too!
We day we are figuring out Norman's likes and dislikes as we get to know him more. We have since figured out he likes kale, oldies soul and roaming around the living room. He dislikes bathing in the sink, ironic facial hair and being cold. We think we may have a budding musician on our hands...
Here are some of Norman's many facial expressions to help us understand him:
As the weather in Portland got colder and colder Todd and I were ready to head home to see our families and ring in the new year with a little warmth! First things first, we were both super excited to meet Shane Ross Welsh, born December 14th to Todd's sis Courtney and hubby Shane. As the "weird uncle" Todd vowed to never leave an awkward moment unturned between the two of them. Contrary to popular belief, Todd was a natural with the baby and was aglow with love and affection! After that, we were lucky enough to get in a quite jaunt up to our old stomping ground San Francisco and took in some gorgeous views at Twin Peaks. After some time in the north bay we headed down to the desert to stay in La Quinta, CA for New Years weekend. Desperately in need of some fun in the SUN we headed out to Joshua Tree National Park for some hiking. As we drove (very, very tiredly) back up to northern CA to fly out on the first of January we reflected on our exciting year together and were happy to be returning to Portland together!
Todd and Baby Shane
The proud new mama!
Todd getting initiated the Melehan Christmas eve party. Shooting whiskey out of a paper cup? He fit right in!
Lounging in SF. We were lucky to have such a clear day. Maybe moving to Portland just makes it seem that way...
We arrive at Joshua Tree! We entered in the south gate and drove through the park headed northwest and took another route home. The ranger suggested a nice route and using our handy map traveled through the three different terrain of the park.
Those long, crazy, spiny trees are called Ocotillos. There is a single patch of them in the middle of the park. They were silly.
Our walk around Hidden Valley. Unfortunately we didn't find any ranch dressing.
Jumbo Rocks. We thought it looked more like a finger head face that was smiling.
A stop through the Cholla Cactus Garden. And yes, those things are as spiny as they look! I dropped that immediately after the picture was taken.
So there is this saying in Portland that was borrowed from Santa Cruz before it was borrowed from Austin, TX. Keep this town weird! Although we were not the first to adopt this adage, I dare say we are the best at it. It is the desire to be unique, to be unconventional, to buck the norm. Its the creative spirit, its the largest and smallest city parks in the United States, its the highest number of strip joints per capita in the Nation, its the most number of people standing on one leg simultaneously (wha?!). Whatever it is we like (some) of it.
May and I took the unofficial tour of some weird stuff just before Christmas. It was a sunny day, which was very weird indeed.
Hippo Hardware is 30,000 sq. ft of pure insanity. Operated in Portland since 1976 this handymans wet dream has everything you could possibly need to refurbish, redecorate, or rebuild your house. The place is owned by Steven Miller and he said there is only one rule in the place, "if you are an asshole, I will refuse you service." It was super dusty in there and my allergies were acting up, so we got out and headed down towards the water to the Burnside Skate park.
Burnside skate park is the stuff of legend if you grew up a skate kid in California. This park was built without permission by true visionaries of the sport, underneath the Burnside Bridge. Its like the cool hangout that your older brother knew about, but you could never go to. Everyday the most bodacious skaters shred this place up. Someday I too will ride its smooth concrete walls and reflect on what it means to be a pioneer.
Speaking of pioneers...Over in the downtown area, we stumbled upon what is possibly the weirdest thing we saw in Portland all day. Say hello to the first ever coin operated 24 Hour Church of Elvis!!!! What?! Yes this coin operated art establishment was created by Stephanie Pierce "artist to the stars" and will provide psychic readings for only 25 cents. For a dollar you can be wed right there by the ghost of Elvis. Hunk a hunk of burning love it right!
Well that just about did her for our exploration of Portland's weirdest and wildest sights!
