Settling Down in Bend, Oregon: Our Journey to a Mountain Home and New Beginnings

Hello, wonderful readers! If you’ve noticed a significant lull in content and a prolonged period of radio silence from this corner of the internet, rest assured, you haven’t imagined it. Life has taken us on another exhilarating, albeit sometimes exhausting, adventure, and we’ve been utterly immersed in the process.

Yes, you read that right – we’ve moved *again!* But this time, there’s a profound difference: this move signifies laying down permanent roots. For those who have been with us on this journey, even for a short while, you’ll recall that just last summer, we packed up our entire lives in vibrant Chicago and embarked on a cross-country relocation to Salt Lake City, Utah. This pivotal move was driven by my husband’s demanding final year of surgical training, a challenging but ultimately rewarding chapter.

After five years of bustling downtown living in Chicago, our lifestyle underwent a dramatic transformation. The familiar weekend strolls through the city’s iconic parks and along the picturesque lakeshore were replaced by an entirely new kind of outdoor exploration. Salt Lake City introduced us to the unparalleled beauty of the mountain west, inspiring exhilarating long hikes through rugged terrain, thrilling downhill skiing adventures on pristine slopes, and countless other invigorating activities that only a true mountain environment can offer. It was a profound shift, one that opened our eyes to a different pace of life and a deeper connection with nature.

This dramatic change, though challenging at times, proved to be a welcome balm during a period of immense global uncertainty. It offered a refreshing perspective and new experiences, even as it demanded numerous adjustments and a constant adaptation to unfamiliar surroundings. The transition was a learning curve, filled with both unexpected joys and a fair share of hurdles, but it ultimately shaped our vision for the future.

The Search for Our Forever Home: From Coast to Coast

Remarkably, within just weeks of settling into our temporary home in Salt Lake City, we embarked on yet another significant journey: the extensive process of traveling and interviewing for job openings across the entire country. At this juncture, almost no stone was left unturned. We considered nearly every possibility: a return to the familiar comforts of Chicago, a fresh start back on the East Coast, venturing even further West, exploring the charm of tiny towns, or diving into the energy of major metropolitan cities. The options felt endless, and the future uncertain.

This was an incredibly exciting, yet undeniably daunting, position to find ourselves in, especially after years of having very little say in our geographical destiny due to my husband’s medical training commitments. It presented a vast array of factors to weigh all at once, from career prospects to quality of life. However, amidst this whirlwind of possibilities, a clear set of priorities quickly emerged. We realized that a slower pace of life, the intimacy of a smaller town or city, and, crucially, immediate and convenient access to abundant outdoor recreation were paramount. What can we say? We had truly caught the “mountain bug” during our time in Utah, and there was no turning back.

Fast-forward many, *many* months later, filled with countless discussions, difficult decisions, and hopeful explorations, and I am absolutely thrilled to finally share our wonderful news: we have officially settled and moved to our new home in the breathtaking town of Bend, Oregon. It has been quite the journey to arrive at this point, a winding path spanning nearly a decade, but we feel incredibly fortunate and profoundly lucky to now call this vibrant, adventure-filled mountain town our new *home*.

As you can imagine, the reality of finally putting down roots feels a bit surreal. In less than ten years, we have lived in four different states, called four distinct cities home, and embarked on no less than seven major moves. Each relocation brought its own set of challenges, new discoveries, and layers of experiences that ultimately led us here. If you’ve managed to stick around and follow our nomadic adventures since the very beginning, then *bless you!* Your unwavering support and presence mean the world to us.

Putting Down Roots: Unpacking, Inspiration, and New Culinary Delights

I genuinely cannot adequately describe the enormous sense of relief and deep gratitude we both feel to finally, truly put down roots. This feeling is particularly profound after the tumultuousness and constant upheaval of the past year or two. The sensation of permanence, of knowing we are here to stay, is incredibly comforting. So, what exactly has been occupying our time during this period of quiet? Well, we’ve been incredibly busy settling into our *first* owned home – a dream come true, and thankfully, no more unpacking boxes!

Beyond the logistical tasks, we’ve been relishing much-needed quality time together as a couple and with our cherished family members. These moments of connection and relaxation have been invaluable after such an intense period of transition. Of course, a big move also comes with an endless list of administrative and organizational tasks, from setting up utilities to exploring our new community, all of which have kept us thoroughly engaged.

It’s fair to say that the past year has been incredibly distracting, to put it mildly. Maintaining a consistent creative flow or even focusing on blog content was a significant challenge amidst the chaos of constant relocation and career transitions. However, it feels absolutely wonderful to be settled and to finally have the opportunity to be back in a kitchen that truly inspires me once again. And let me tell you, it’s a *good* one – you can catch a little sneak peek in the image below!

One of the most delightful and unexpected discoveries about our new home in Bend, Oregon, is the presence of several mature fruit trees in the garden. This was an unforeseen dream come true, offering a bounty of fresh produce right outside our door. This newfound inspiration has reignited my passion for various culinary pursuits. I’ve enthusiastically gotten back into the rhythm of sourdough baking, nurturing my starter and perfecting loaves with renewed vigor. Furthermore, I’ve even dipped my feet into the rewarding art of canning homemade pear butter and luscious plum jam, preserving the flavors of our garden to enjoy throughout the year. Life truly does come at you fast, bringing unexpected joys and creative opportunities!

Gratitude and Our Exciting New Chapter in Bend

I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your incredible support and endless patience throughout the rollercoaster ride of this past year. Your understanding, especially during my long and often unexplained breaks from this blog space, means more than words can express. Please know that there has been an immense amount going on behind-the-scenes, consuming much of our energy and focus, which often left little room for consistent content creation.

We’ve truly done a lot of soul-searching along the way, navigating complex decisions and embracing profound changes. Through it all, we are immensely grateful to embark on this exciting new chapter and to have landed in such a truly wonderful place as Bend, Oregon. The vibrant community, stunning natural surroundings, and the sense of belonging we’ve already begun to feel here affirm that we’ve found our perfect fit.

This is just the beginning of our Bend story, and we are so excited to share more of our experiences, adventures, and, of course, delicious recipes from our new kitchen with you all. *More to come!*

Thanks, as always, for being here! We appreciate each and every one of you. xx