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Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Come in...


I'm so glad you found my house. I should have told you to look for a cranberry door. My entry is exposed to the outdoors. If you look through that big window you can see the ocean. Here is where I sit and read, with a blanket over my legs, a lamp behind me, a fireplace log burning brightly most days.

Come in.
We'll have coffee and a savory focaccia while we talk.
I can whip up a focaccia in no time.
To go with our freshly caught crab and fresh picked greens.
I cook when I'm tired of reading or writing.
I cook when I need to think.
I'll be talking as I cook; would you like a glass of pinot? Great wineries here. Great mushrooms and berries and grass-fed beef too.

Now that the rains have stopped, I garden and grow food. The focaccia will have savory baby onions and baby beets. I can pick some lettuces and pea shoots too, and drizzle some fruity olive oil over it all.

Did you get lost on the way?
You know that I'm as Far West as one can get. If you traveled this far, you reached the end of the continent, the end of America.  You're in Oregon, a green state, full of wild rivers, majestic mountains, lots of forests and beaches.  We have lots of rules here that protect the environment, that establish priorities on how we treat  land,  water,  ocean.

Glad to have company! We're isolated here. When company arrives, we all rejoice.
So, tell me where you are from?

50 comments:

Nance said...

I'm from the Air Force, currently (only twenty years now) trapped on the SC coast.

Such a welcome! It all sounds divine.

My favorite spot so far in Oregon is Gold Beach; it's been a long time since I first saw it, but it stuck in memory as meeting your description of home. I'm sure its changed, but I like what I saw.

Patricia said...

Sounds like a little piece of heaven! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Grandmother Mary said...

You make it seem so inviting. I'm from Boston originally and now live in Italy (our little corner of the world). I love rosemarino in my focaccia and the crab and fresh greens you mentioned. Have you had Trebiano wine? It's a lovely white from Abruzzo so I'll bring it. The fava beans are ready here and peas fresh out of the pod. So yummy. If I come to Oregon, I will visit. And you are welcome here anytime. I think we'd get along great! Prego!

Helen said...

Oh Rosaria! I simply cannot imagine walking through your bright door .. with a view straight to the ocean! Your home looks just like you!

Brian Miller said...

wow with that kind of welcome i may just head out now...it may take a day or two to get there...but...

Linda Myers said...

I'm from Seattle, but used to live in Roseburg, Oregon. I love your welcoming view!

potsoc said...

I'm from Longueuil, Qc, and I live about three kilometers (2 miles) from the great St-Laurent river, in the plain. I have about 350 000 neighbours...but I'm most likely more isolated than you are.

Jane said...

I'm from a teensy hamlet about 9 miles from Shrewsbury, which is the county town of Shropshire, in England. My property is surrounded by rural views, hills, woodland, fields with sheep, cattle and agricultural crops. The Hunt often passes across my view after harvesting is finished.

Your place sounds absolutely wonderful. I want to come and visit with you and see it all for myself.

The word verification, amazingly, is 'nesses' and I live at one of the Shropshire 'Nesses' - Little Ness and Great Ness - what a coincident nuh?

Unknown said...

I wish I had met you before we made our trip out west...I'd have loved to share some foccacia and look out at the ocean!

fernenland said...

You write beautifully - and enticingly - Rosaria. I live in the foothills of the southern alps in New Zealand but I was born in North Borneo. When I went back seven years ago, logging roads criss-crossed the lush primeval jungle, when seen from the air, and more and more of it is being cleared to support palm oil plantations, so the rest of the world can eat chocolate and use vegetable oil spreads. In New Zealand, the world's insatiable demand for dairy products leads to the destruction of once wild rivers and wetlands, and steep increases in pollution... The only place I have visited in Oregon is Bend. Your place sounds lovely.

Anonymous said...

I'm in Colorado, at the foothills of the Great Rocky Mountains, just east of Boulder. I was born and raised in Golden (20 miles south) and cant imagine living anywhere except this area!
However, I have wanted to visit Oregon and its beauty for a long time - Ill put it on my bucket list!
Being landlocked, the ocean both fascinates and scares me!

Z said...

I used to live in Lowestoft, the Easternmost town in Britain and I had a sea view too. Now I'm a few miles inland, on the edge of a village, surrounded by fields. Not at all dramatic, it's a gentle, pastoral place.

I have blog friends in Washington, Oregon and California, but I've never visited the US, let alone the West coast. Maybe one day!

Anonymous said...

Please tell me how to make Foccacia. Sounds wonderful.
I love the Oregon coast.

Joani said...

Love the cranberry colored door. The ocean sounds beautiful to the ears and the eyes. The gardening sounds devine. Not much of a fish person...more of a beef person.....love the bread & wine though. I live in Arizona, I'm a native. Have been in other areas but always came back to Arizona. I can't say I love the heat but it is just one of the things we put up with. I'm the granddaughter of a rancher of beef and horses. I tend to live in the city though....better schools....better venues...etc. So glad to have found you here though I'm not sure how I was so lucky. Have a great day.

amalia said...

ciao Rosaria,
Patricia is right "sounds like a little piece of heaven" I live in Italy near the sea.
Focaccia is an italian food,I like it very much.

Monkey Man said...

Cranberry door. Only appropriate for your neck of the woods. I can smell the ocean spray and the focaccia.

Pun intended.

quilterliz said...

G'day Rosaria.I would like to visit you one day for your company, the focaccia,the ocean and your lovely cranberry door. We make great wines here in Australia. I will bring some to share while we talk.Take care. Liz...

NitWit1 said...

I am from northern Arkansas, via north central Texas,via Morocco, Via Maryland, via Virgina, and via again Texas. My life in one sentence.

#1Nana said...

Greetings from Hermiston, Oregon. It's supposed to be the dry part of the state, but our recent rains have everything lush and green.

It was fun reading about where all your readers are from. You really have connected with the world.

Berowne said...

That's a place I'd like to visit -- any place with a cranberry door. :-)

ellen abbott said...

what a lovely place. our good weather has passed til fall. now it hot and humid here on the Texas Guld coast. highs in the 90s and pushing to triple digits already.

yaya said...

Thank you for invite and the lovely welcome! The menu sound divine and the view to die for. I've been to Alaska and thought that was heaven..I think I need to hit your special piece of heaven and decide! I'm in Ohio..green, rolling hills, Amish country, the heart of it all! Originally I'm from Chicago..but this is much more quiet! Thanks for sharing your home!

Terra said...

Your invitation is enticing, and like you, I am right on the western coast of North America, though further south.

Arkansas Patti said...

Love that cranberry door and the marvelous welcome.
Lived in many places, have trouble with that root thing.

Amanda Summer said...

oh rosaria - your invitation it too delicious!! i would love to sit by the fire and chat with you over a glass of cold pinot while listening to the waves......you live in paradise and you sure know how to enjoy it♡

Melissa Ann Goodwin said...

Oh my gosh! I've lived in the Southwest for the past 10 years and I so yearn to live at the ocean again. I lived on/near the beach in Maine for many years. I have never been to Oregon, but when we sell this house and get our RV, we will surely go there. And the focaccia - you are making my mouth water!!

rjerdee said...

You're so darn hospitable! What a delightful post...I'm just over the mountains and across the plains...Iowa, thank you and I'll come right over!!

dianefaith said...

It's hot and humid here in north Georgia (can't even imagine south Georgia today!), and your invitation is particularly enticing. I love the cranberry door, your view of the ocean, the meal and the wine. Wish I could be there!

What About The Girl? said...

It would be lovely to exchange pleasantries with you over a glass of pinot.
I'm from Bicol originally.

Oh, if you don't mind, may I have some focaccia to go? ;-)
Love this post!

Marguerite said...

Such a lovely entry way and door! And with that view of the ocean, I might never leave! Thanks for the invitation, and likewise, if you should ever find yourself in Cajun country, my red door and view of the bayou are always open.

Cathy said...

Hello Rosario
Thanks for the invitation and for your lovely welcome - I don't mind a cup of coffee but have a very sweet tooth so would it be alright if I have a piece of cake please.
I live 'down under' otherwise known as Australia. East of Melbourne in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges.
You should come and visit me some time
Take care
Cathy

Still Waters

Diane said...

Enjoyed the visit and the coffee and a savory focaccia were just perfect :-) Diane

Rob-bear said...

Hi, Rosaria. I've just arrived from the Prairies of Canada (like the Plains states of the US). I've driven south from the Vancouvers (in B.C., Canada, and Washington State), past the massive sand dunes which block the view of the sea from the highway. Now I'm in delightful Port Orford.
Your surroundings remind me a bit of the rugged north of Ontario, which is where I did some of my growing up.
I really love focacia, especially focaccia with herbs. I've brought a package of delightful green tea for you. Perhaps we could have some of that, since my stomach doesn't tolerate beverages alcoholic.
So, tell me more of your world, while we listen to the ocean, and watch for gulls and shore birds.

Tabor said...

Lovely. You must live in Paradise and you are fortunate to know that!

Hilary said...

What a beautiful setting.. and you're making me very hungry!

I'm living in Southern Ontario, just west of Toronto. But I'm from Montreal.. the big city. :)

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Hi, Rosaria: What a lovely visit we've just had! You made me feel so welcome and at home just reading about your home and daily routine! I'm from Los Angeles originally, but last year we moved to Florence, Arizona, a rural area between Phoenix and Tucson. Quite a change, but we like it! Thanks for sharing your wonderful home and time with us!

mermaid gallery said...

If you are cooking that, I'll be right over...I bet you are a super hostess!...Susan from Nelson, B.C. Canada....

Journeyin' Lady... said...

Love your cranberry door. . .very inviting entrance to your home.
I'm orinally from North Dakota (not too many of us out there!) but have called California my home for many many years. Of course, being a full time RVer I the U.S. my home! This week it's Maine!

Dawn said...

You have no idea how much i would love this. And you know what? I don't like cooking but i do like cranberry doors and love the ocean. My dream is to travel the Oregon coast one day. And i will. And i will come for tea....or bring a bottle of wine!

Anonymous said...

Nice post. I live in California near the ocean, but not so close that I can see it out the window. You are so fortunate to have the view - and a cranberry door.

Kathryn Magendie said...

oh! loved this very much!- - *smiling*

now, let's see if my comment will take - ungh!

Vagabonde said...

Thank you for the invitation Rosaria I’d love to visit with you and look out of your window. As you may already know I was born in France and raised in Paris. After having lived in San Francisco, Philadelphia and other places I am now in Georgia, near Atlanta, just a couple of miles from a Civil War Memorial Park and a small mountain. It is pretty here but quite warm – the sea sounds so tempting! and your coffee and focaccia too for sure.

Rosaria Williams said...

p.s.
We never leave in the summer. This is the time for visitors to gather and enjoy our mild climate, walks to the beach, moonlight canoe slides on a still lake, berry picking, clamming, crabbing, bbq's, and riding horses on the beach.

My family (all grown) start to arrive on the Fourth of July for a down-home small town parade and town feed, a car show, a jerry-can run, a beach golf/tennis chase, a kayak flotilla, art shows, a clogger dancing marathon, a quilt show, and open houses all over the place.

We walk out of the house to attend the parade, the fish fry, the art and flower shows and by the time we head on back home, full with food and full of merchandise, we can stop and watch the horse shoe competition for a break.

Our visitors wonder at how many things we can do around town without bothering to drive and find a parking place.

Friends are welcome to join us too.
Thanks for sharing about your neck of the woods.

erin said...

rosaria,
you would cook for me, i know it. you would send me away roly and well with stories rattling in my head. nice to see where you sit. i was thinking of photos of here. there is no knowing, is there? not really.

xo
erin

A Cuban In London said...

I loved your house and you even have an ocean view. Beautiful!

Talking whilst cooking. One of life's greatest pleasures! :-)

Many thanks.

Suz said...

wouldn't it be funny if we all showed up
....I'd love every minute of it
oh..Illinois...

Lydia said...

Charming post, Rosaria. Your entry and the peak into the room are gorgeous!

I am here in Oregon, too...Silverton, and just last night whispered a "thank you" for the three majestic Sequoias in our backyard that, at the moment, were lit by the sunset-making their red bark burning red. We live in such a beautiful state, and you remind me that it has been a year since I have been to the coast.

Simon said...

Thanks for the welcoming welcome and yes, a glass of pinot would be lovely. Your 4th July town parade and town feed sounds like an interesting time to be at.

I'm originally from Malaysia and migrated over to Melbourne, Australia in 1988. Been here ever since but do love to travel.

shopgirl said...

This post fills me with warmth. I would love to come over right now and visit you. How do I describe our home. I would love to paint our front door red, but we live in a condo meaning we have to follow certain aesthetic rules. However, inside we can do what we want, so I have chalkboard painted walls in our kitchen and office and if you visited me, I would offer you heaps of coffee - Italian or American style, Italian desserts, and lots of cookies.

p.s. thanks for your encouragement Rosaria! It really means something when you put your heart out there and people respond with warmth and kindness.

LindyLouMac said...

Late reading this due to our recent trip but I have so enjoyed the glimpse behind the cranberry door. :)