Adventures in British Columbia

For about a week, I worked with my Dad on his house up in Trail, British Columbia. It was the first time I’ve ever been out of the country, and it was a blast! Canada is super awesome. I can’t wait to go back!

We had to fly into Spokane, Washington and then drive 2-3 hours North to get to Trail. Spokane was not really my favorite place ever.

We found out from my Dad’s property manager that the electricity wasn’t on, and there was no heat in the house, so we stayed the night in Spokane while we waited for that stuff to get turned on.

Heading to Canada, things got a lot prettier outside Spokane.













Made it to Trail!

The front room.

It was a *little* cold in the house, and we found out that the furnace was broken beyond repair.

The view of the Columbia River from the back balcony was pretty awesome though.

The kitchen was where we ended up sleeping–with the oven on and its door open to keep us warm. We drywalled and painted the ceiling in here.

The living room. Drywalled and painted the ceiling in here as well, plus did some patching around the fireplace. Painted the walls.

The little hallway. Painted the walls, doors, and ceiling in here.

The bathroom. When we got to the house initially, we discovered that no one had drained the toilet or put antifreeze in it, so the ceramic cracked and covered the floor with water, wrecking the linoleum and causing it to leak into the basement. So we put in a brand new toilet and new tiles for the floor. Someone had started a project tiling the shower, but hadn’t finished it, so we tore out those and put new ones in there as well.

The front bedroom. Painted the walls and ceiling in here.

The back bedroom. Painted the walls and ceiling in here as well. Notice the refrigerator on the balcony outside the window. Not really sure where that came from or why it was there.

We accomplished everything we started, but as you can tell from the leaning chimney and the chimney you can see through, the house still needs some work.

Working sucks, let’s go skiing! Here’s me skiing for the very first time!

We decided to head to the top of the mountain.

The very top! Behind me are some big maps of all the runs.

Rino’s Run.

Skiing is awesome!

Time to head home.

Back in Washington.

Back home with my cutie in Santa Barbara!

Cranberry Pumpkin Bread

Kori and decided to make this recipe tonight and it was really good so I thought I would share! (Our friend and neighbor, Leslie, still makes the best pumpkin bread EVER! Maybe someday we will get her recipe!)

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
4 large eggs
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cloves
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup raisins (optional)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 (10-inch) loaf pans with nonstick baking spray with flour.

2. In a large bowl, add pumpkin, oil, 2/3 cup water, and eggs; beat at medium speed with a mixer until combined.

3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually add to pumpkin mixture, beating until smooth. Stir in cranberries, raisins, and walnuts. Spoon batter into prepared pans, and bake for 50 t0 60 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.

Enjoy!

"We’re almost to the steep part!"

Casey took Tanda and I on a hiking adventure today! We went on a 9 mile hike from our house to the top of Inspiration Point and back! Casey counted bird species while we counted lizards. He kept telling us that we were “almost to the steep part,” a.k.a. almost to the top, for about half an hour! Goob.


Lunch at the top overlooking the city


Happy to be going down the mountain


Check out our trail:

The Four Deuces Murder Mystery Dinner Party

Robby hosted an elaborate murder mystery dinner party up in SLO last night. Goldie was packed full of friends decked in 1920’s attire! There was a great turn out-about 3 dozen people came and mingled as we all tried to find hidden clues, bribe and threaten each other for information, and achieve our character’s objectives in order to solve the murders. The house was decorated for the 1920’s-complete with a bar and poker table, Robby had a full Italian buffet dinner ready, dramatic murder scenes planned, and prizes! What a fun night! Thanks Robby! Amazing job!