Menu: Week 108


Its been another week and I'm kind of glad that summer is over. I'm ready for the cooler weather, the rain and the warm sweaters. Plus, who doesn't like pumpkin everything?

For this week's menu I have some amazingly delicious recipes for you. Also, check back on Wednesday for a sweet and sour pork recipe you have to try. It's delicious!

Enjoy this weeks menu.

Monday
- Mongolian beef

Tuesday
- Butter garlic chicken wings

Wednesday
- Southwestern taco salad

Thursday
- Japanese hot cakes

Friday
- Parmesan pesto tuna melts

Saturday
- Pork shnitzel

Sunday
- Chicken Caesar salad


Winter is coming - and you're gonna need some boots

With my kids going back to school and the talk of cooler weather on the way, I have this urge to get all my winter boots out of the closet. Winter is my favorite season. Warm sweaters, tall boots and pumpkin everything. To get a jump on things, I've compiled a must have list of boots for the coming months.

These boots from Sole Society are only $89.95 and they come in many different colors. If you don't have a pair of gray ankle boots, you  need to get a pair.

Free people have these amazing boots for $285 and they also come in several colors. I would wear these boots on a hike or to a early winter bonfire.

Over at Modern Ego you can pick up these flannel boots for $46. That is super cheap and who doesn't need a pair of these in their wardrobe. I totally want them.

Combat boots are a huge part of my life. They are so comfortable. Check out this pair from UOIonline.com

I would love to own this pair of boots. How cool is the yarn pattern? If you would like to buy them for me, I am a size 10 and you can get them for $49 at Lulus.com

Here are some of he boots in my wardrobe. I especially love my brown ankle boots from Clarks. They make me six feet tall :)

Share your favorite boots with me and I'll feature them here on the blog, or leave me a link below in the comments.

Findings Friday

It's been a long week, but it's Friday again and I've found some awesome things to share with you.


  • I've been really into cute animals this week. If you want to check out some of the adorableness that I've found click here.
  • If you want to know how to paint swallows on your walls, check this out. I know I wan't to.
  • With fall fast approaching, everyone needs to pick up a few pairs of over sized warm socks.
  • I have a pair of brown boots like this, but I might need to get me a gray pair. Plus they are a good price.
  • I'm already thinking about Halloween so here is a list of 90's pop culture to get some inspiration from.
  • If you're looking for some Harry Potter humor, check out this harry wizard list.
  • I love Captain America and this fan art is amazing.
  • There is a fall harvest wreath on this site that I want to make. It looks super awesome!
  • Hedgehog necklace. Enough said.
  • I would definitely wear this world map dress. It is the coolest thing I have seen this week.
That's all for this week. If you have any suggestions for next week, send them to me and I'll feature them on Findings Friday.

At Home in the Family Cabin

Today I am excited to share the family cabin with you. Its like a time machine from the 70's that you wont want to miss. We come here every year and it never changes.

 The walls are a soft salmon pink throughout the whole house, along with many golden trinkets and mirrors dotting the walls.

 What is a beach cabin without the many coastal nick nacks and art? These are lost of fun.

 One of the best pieces in the cabin is this lamp. Its made of a thick glass, tinted orange (My favorite color) and it hangs over a prime reading spot near the windows.

 A high backed couch adorned in a floral pattern. This is the place to read a book on a cool summer evening while you listen to the waves crash on the beach in the background.

 Love this clock. It wouldn't work in my house, but it fits in with the beach decor at the cabin.

 More gold over the well used fireplace. It keeps the place nice and cozy in the cool evenings.

 Another shot of the trinkets. You have to have little fat statues. It's a must!

And of course there are the little cups. They barely fit in your hand, but they are great for sipping your favorite beverage. Just forget about quenching your thirst though, there isn't one cup big enough for that.

We had a blast this year in the cabin. I can't wait to go back again next August.

If you have a home or special spot you would like me to feature, please send some photos to me at shendersonphoto(at)gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Book Review - Clariel by Garth Nix

Because of my busy schedule and corralling my three young monsters, I don't have a lot of time to read. While we were on vacation though, I made it a mission to finish a book. It took me all week but I did it.

The book I chose to immures myself in was by Garth Nix called Clariel.

I had been waiting for this book for a long time. There are three other main books in the series that I absolutely loved, along with a few short stories and novelettes.

Clariel is a prequel that addresses the issue of Charter magic vs. free magic. It's a very interesting concept that wasn't fully explored in the previous books.

The writing was amazing. Chocked full of description and world building. You get the sense that you are in the Old Kingdom while Clariel is thrust into a world that she knows nothing about. 

The beginning was a little slow. I didn't really get a sense of story until about the sixth or seventh chapter. After that the main character kept getting into trouble, but just when you thought she would find a way out of it on her own, someone swoops in to save her. So, Clariel's character never really fully develops in my opinion. She is such a strong person and has a lot of her magic side to explore, but you never really get to that point.

With that being said. I love anything that Garth Nix writes and would recommend this book if you have read the rest of the series. It gets a 4 out of 5 stars for me.
 
 

Menu: Week 107

With all the wild fires burning across the state and the wind blowing in my direction, it has been one hell of a week trying to get over this lung infection. The photo above was taken off my front porch on Sunday night. The sunset was a dark red from all the smoke and the air smelled like I had been standing in a camp fire for days. We stayed inside all day, only venturing out to take this photo.

I hope everyone is staying safe as the summer slows down. Keep the firefighters who are risking their lives everyday to battle the fires in your thoughts and prayers, and hope that the good old Oregon rainy season hurries it up a little. We need it!

Enjoy this weeks menu.

Monday
- Sweat and sour pork

Tuesday
- Skirt steak and baked potatoes

Wednesday
- Cajun chicken alfredo

Thursday
- Beef stroganoff

Friday
- Crock Pot Chicken Caesar Wraps

Saturday
- Spaghetti

Sunday
- Family Dinner - Skirt steak and baked potato bar

Visitors Guide to Cannon Beach, Oregon

Updated August 2016

We visit Cannon Beach every year and every year there is something new to look at, do and eat. Over the years we have been to many establishments and had good and bad experiences alike. I have compiled a list of places we've been around town and would recommend to anyone traveling down the Oregon coast soon.

Eats - 

Pelican Brewing - This place has only been open in Cannon Beach for three months, but it is an excellent place to eat. The pricing ranges anywhere from $10 a plate to $25 a plate and the kids meals are around $8, but the food is amazing and well worth the cost. We took the kids here for lunch when we arrived and were very impressed. 

My husband got the 14 hour smoked Tri Tip the first time we went. I tried it and it was extremely tender and full of flavor. The second time we went (For our 10 year wedding anniversary) My husband got the Salmon flat bread which was like a pizza and I got the most amazing mac and cheese ever. I loved it.


They also brew their own beer, and if you have to wait for a while for a table (Which might happen on a Friday night around seven) you can grab a pint at the front counter and sip it while you wait in the beautiful summer air.

The layout of the restaurant is open to the sea air, with large garage doors that they open all around the building. They also allow dogs out on the patio while you eat (But not inside) and the bar is open seating if you don't want to wait for a table.

This is a great place to checkout (Even with kids). You will not be disappointed.

Visited August 2016



Mo's - One of my favorite little place to eat. Mo's at Cannon Beach. Its just south of town in Tolovana. They have some of the best clam chowder on the coast and the restaurant sits right on the beach, so you get a great view of the ocean with your dinner. This is definitely a must. My family goes every time we visit and we always have a great time.

The price is decent from $10-$25 but that seems to be the norm for a good sit down restaurant in the area. Kids meals are a good price around $6 and they have menus to color.

My husband always loves the clam chowder and shrimp coleslaw (Pictured to the left). I tried the fresh tuna salad sandwich this year, which I've never had before there. It was really good and full of flavor.

They took their Neptune plate of the menu, which was a combination of all their seafood treats, but they do have a smaller combo plate that features much of the same things.

Their non-seafood dishes are excellent too, so if you're not a big seafood fan like me, you will be able to find something worthwhile to eat.

Don't forget to check out the gift shop on the way out the door, you can't miss it and get there early. Parking is extremely limited and it gets busy around dinner time.

Updated August 2016

Ecola seafood restaurant and market - Speaking of good clam chowder, we stopped by this little place on the way out of town to grab some chowder to go. Not only can you eat here, you can also pick up some really good seafood to go. So, if you're staying nearby or want to grab a romantic dinner to take down to the beach at sunset, you should stop at this little place.

 Fultano's Pizza - Who doesn't like pizza right? If you're looking for just a slice or a whole pizza, this is the place to eat. They have gluten free options as well. Score one for me. And for all you salad loving people out there, guess what? They have a salad bar. It can get a little cramped inside, but they do have out door seating, or you can call them up and have them deliver it to where you are staying. Its a pretty sweat deal.
Bill's Tavern - A few years ago, my husband and I were lucky enough to get a night to ourselves for our anniversary. This is where we picked to go. They have a wide assortment of beers, local included and they make a mean chicken strip. It has all the style of a brew house with the flare of the Oregon coast. I love it and would recommend it to anyone.
Tom's fish & chips and Morris' fireside - These are two restaurants that I have not visited but have heard good things about. If you have a review on either of them, please let me know so I can update this section. Maybe i'll get to them next year.

Osburns Ice Creamery - We hadn't really visited this place because in the past they only accepted cash payments and I never carry cash, but this year while my husband and I took a walk on our anniversary (When the temp was 90 degrees by 11am) we needed something cool to get us back to our cabin. We stopped in and ordered milkshakes, They now accept card! If you like marshmallow like I do, they have an excellent marshmallow milk shake that's not too sweat, but its refreshing. A great must with kids (Or without). Their prices are decent so go check them out.
Visited August 2016 


Shopping - 

Once upon a breeze - Is, as you can see, the oldest kite shop on the Oregon coast. Tucked back into the nooks between shops, this little jewel as some of the most cool kites you will find. We've purchased a few ourselves including a viking ship kite (staying true to our heritage). Its awesome. Check it out, buy a kite and have some fun in the breeze at Cannon Beach.

Bruce's candy kitchen - If you are looking for some locally made taffy and other nummy goodies, then check out Bruce's. You can watch them make the taffy from a large window at the north of the building or go inside and be amazed by the wide assortment of jelly beans. A few of my favorite items that are a must when I visit are the dark chocolate dipped sea foam, the all banana runts and the rocky road fudge. My husband is a sucker for the taffy and the kids will eat just about anything you let them.

Updated August 2016

Geppetto's toy shoppe - This shop has been around for years. The kids love visiting this location and frankly, so do I. They have a wide variety of games and toys. My favorite purchase over the years has been the blocks that spell out my boys names. They are pretty cool.

My boys picked up some 100% recycled rocket ships that they played with for hours at the cabin and also the entire two hour drive home. Best money I think I spent the entire trip.

Updated August 2016

 West of the moon - As far as shopping for myself goes, I always like to visit this place. It has some of the best jewelry in the area and their prices are actually doable. Along with jewelry and trinkets, they have some nice clothing and accessories along with some figurines. It's a really cool place to look around, so if you get to Cannon beach you must check out this hot spot.

I purchased a pair of earrings for my mom for $10 and they came from Ecuador. They were gorgeous! Mom loved them and if I wore earrings, I would have bought myself a pair.

Updated August 2016
Insomnia coffee co. - Half way through your day you're going to need a little pick me up. Check out this coffee shop that is located near the beach and grab yourself a cup. Me, I like to fill my Insomnia tumbler with a nice cool flavored tea, before lounging on one of their many comfie chairs while I read a good book. Make sure this is a stop on your list.



Cannon Beach Clothing Co. - So, I know this is a picture of my husband, but this shop doesn't have a plaque outside its doors, so you get to gaze upon what is mine and glance at the hate he purchased at the Cannon beach clothing co. This shop is jam packed full of hip clothing and they rent buggy boards and wake boards for $8 a day. Maybe when my kids are older we can try that.

Cannon Beach Book Co. - This is and forever will be my favorite place to visit. They have a nice variety of new books and they are all jam packed into this little gem. I picked up to new reads this year. Maggie Stiefvater's Scorpio Races and Garth Nix's A Confusion of Princes. I have yet to read either of them, but they are next on the list.

The Picnic Basket - This candy shop is located right next to the book store so it makes it even better for me. It carries taffy and other yummy treats just like Bruce's but it also has ice cream. Its a great location on a hot day. Get a good book and eat some delicious ice cream on their front porch.

My youngest son found his true love here, a very large lolly pop. It turned out to be more of a mess than in his mouth, but he enjoyed it. I mean, look at that smile on his face, he was over joyed. Updated August 2016.


Cannon Beach Snapshots

Every year in August, my family heads to the family cabin at the coast. It's a little hideaway where we can relax and spend some time together away from the hustle and bustle of life in the city.

We went for an entire week this year, spending time at our favorite shops and places to eat. I will have a post about great places to visit soon, but for now here are some snap shots from our vacation.