As 2015 came to a close, I realized that while I wouldn’t call it the best year, it was full of challenges and events which have helped form me into a stronger (albeit slightly wider) person. As an active Oregonian, it was most difficult for me to hang up my snowboard for the season as well as my road bike in order to make way for bodily healing. I’m happy to report that I am on the mend and look forward to sharing more outdoor adventures with you in 2016, but 2015 was absolutely the year of much cooking and a few outdoor memories. Sometimes life throws you a curve ball, and while I didn’t accomplish all my wishes during 2015, I made many other memories that wouldn’t have been possible if life happened the way I planned.

Below is a compilation of the best of the best:

The best damn olive tapenade e-v-e-r

A most amazing autumn view of Mt. Hood (Lost Lake, OR)

Zucchini “tortilla” and breakfast burrito

Crazy awesome oyster shooters and beer flights at Fort George Brewery (Astoria, OR)

Dahlia Festival (Canby, OR)

Waterfalls at Hug Point (Canon Beach, OR)

About to descend into the Ape Caves lava tubes (Mt. St. Helens, WA)

Avalanche tulips blanketed the way to Cairin Basin (Mt. Hood, OR)

Coconut shrimp with grilled apricots and peanut coconut jalapeno drizzle

Hiking up to Cairin Basin (Mt. Hood, OR)

Mt. Tamalpais view from Larkspur, CA

Veggie Burger (would have been vegan, but I had to add cheese)

New Year’s Day frozen waterfall hiking at Triple Falls (Columbia River Gorge)

Columbia River Gorge view while hiking to Ponytail Falls

Sadly, my family bid adieu to our beloved Aussie-Border Collie mix, Delilah. You will be greatly missed, Miss D.

Mushroom ravioli with roasted butternut squash, hazelnuts and spinach in a cream sauce

First stab at zucchini noodles was a resounding success

Mt. Hood’s profile from Maryhill Winery (Columbia River Gorge, WA side)

A brilliant way to spent 4th of July: Cascade Head (Lincoln City, OR)

First pop up jewelry show for Mother’s Day!

Ground beef and veggie zucchini boat