Change Change Changes

We did it! We moved from Mesa, Arizona to Bend, Oregon, and we loooove it! By way of background, Mike and I were raised in Salem, Oregon and that is where Calista was born. We are both only children and both sets of parents live in the Salem area. Due to a job opportunity we moved to the Phoenix area in 2003.

We had been aching for a change for quite a while, though Arizona was fun, with lots of things to do, we began to detest the heat and long for seasons and green landscape. Moving before Calista started high school seemed like the perfect time. We knew we didn’t want to live in Salem but we wanted to be close enough to easily visit family.

We checked out Portland (too big for Mike and Calista), and Eugene (loved the university along with hippie feel – well, really I am the one that loved that), but these cities experience lots of rain and gray skies and Mike and I were not thrilled with this. Then we visited Bend, last Christmas and we all fell in love with it.

It had everything on our list, our list was rather specific, public school with high academic achievement and well rounded clubs, activities, and electives, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, at least three independent restaurants with vegan options, laid back, progressive, hospital, emergency vet, more than one movie theater, natural food store, farmer’s markets, major and independent book stores, you get the idea. Anyhoo, Bend had it all. There is a sense of community here with an independent vibe. Lots of outdoorsy types, which we admire though don’t necessarily mimic. We like to camp, and enjoy walking but, were not sure how adept we would be at biking and skiing. There are great parks and beautiful mountains where ever you look.

Additionally, along with moving Mike and I are able to work for the same employer from home and, I am finally working part time so I can dedicate myself to all these things I have been wanting to do “when I have more time”. First off, I am going to be spending a lot more time on this website, blogging, recipe testing, and sharing with you. So, please check back often to see what’s new. Enjoy some recent Bend area pictures.