Embracing a New Chapter: Our Journey to Settling Down in Vibrant Bend, Oregon

Hello, dear readers! If you’ve noticed the quiet absence from this space lately, rest assured, you haven’t imagined it. We truly have been a bit out of touch, navigating one of the biggest and most exciting transitions of our lives. Our summer, much like the year preceding it, has been an whirlwind of activity, culminating in a momentous milestone that we are thrilled to finally share.

We’ve moved once again – and this time, it’s for good! For those of you who have followed our journey for a while, you know that last summer brought a significant change when we packed up our lives in Chicago and embarked on a cross-country relocation to Salt Lake City, Utah. This move was pivotal, marking my husband’s final year of rigorous surgical training. It was a period filled with anticipation, hard work, and the knowledge that a permanent home awaited us at the end of this demanding chapter.

Leaving five years of vibrant downtown Chicago living behind was a monumental shift. Our routines transformed from leisurely weekend strolls through city parks and along the picturesque lakeshore to exhilarating long hikes through breathtaking mountainscapes, thrilling downhill skiing adventures, and an immersion into the myriad outdoor activities the Mountain West generously offers. It was a profound change, a welcome breath of fresh air amidst a period of immense uncertainty and global upheaval. Yet, as with any major life adjustment, it came with its own set of challenges and required considerable effort to truly settle in and find our footing.

Just weeks after our arrival in Salt Lake City, the demanding process of searching for permanent positions began. This involved extensive travel and interviews for job openings across the entire country. We cast a wide net, considering every possibility: a return to the familiar streets of Chicago, a fresh start back on the East Coast, venturing further West, or even exploring the charm of tiny towns versus the hustle of big cities. It truly felt like every option was on the table, a thrilling yet incredibly daunting prospect after years where our geographical fate was largely dictated by the demands of medical training.

The sheer volume of factors to consider at once was overwhelming, but through our many discussions and visits, 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, unparalleled access to outdoor recreation had risen to the top of our list. What can I say? We had definitively caught the “mountain bug.” The call of nature, the crisp air, and the endless opportunities for adventure became non-negotiable elements in our vision for a forever home.

Fast-forward many, *many* months of careful deliberation, countless conversations, and significant decisions, and I am absolutely thrilled to share the news: we have officially settled and moved to the stunning mountain town of Bend, Oregon. It has been quite a remarkable journey to arrive at this point, but standing here now, we feel incredibly fortunate and blessed to call this vibrant community our new home. As you can imagine, it feels more than a little surreal. In less than a decade, we have lived in four different states, called four distinct cities home, and embarked on no less than seven moves. Each transition brought its own lessons and challenges, but also invaluable experiences that have shaped us.

If you’ve managed to stick around this blog since its very beginning, through all our geographical shifts and life updates, then bless you! Your continued support and readership mean the world to us and have been a constant source of encouragement throughout these nomadic years.

I genuinely cannot articulate the immense sense of relief that washes over both of us now that we are finally putting down roots. This feeling is particularly profound after the tumultuous and unpredictable nature of the past year or two. So, what exactly have we been doing during this period of relative silence? Well, we’ve been blissfully occupied settling into our first home together – a truly liberating experience where the phrase “no more unpacking!” resonates with deep satisfaction. We’ve been savoring much-needed time off, enjoying quiet moments together and creating cherished memories with family, all while diligently tackling the many practical tasks that invariably accompany a major move.

It has undoubtedly been a distracting year, to put it mildly. Between the final stages of residency, the intensive job hunt, and the cross-country relocation, focusing on anything else felt like a monumental effort. However, there’s a truly wonderful feeling that comes with settling down and having the opportunity to return to a kitchen that genuinely inspires me once again. Our new kitchen is a dream – a good one, indeed – and I can’t wait to share more of it with you all very soon (consider this a sneak peek!).

An unexpected dream come true in our new home is the presence of several mature fruit trees in the yard. This bounty has reignited my passion for sourdough baking, which I’ve happily dived back into with renewed vigor. Beyond that, I’ve even dipped my feet into the rewarding world of canning, making homemade pear butter and delicious plum jam with the fruits of our own garden. It’s a joyful, grounding experience that brings immense satisfaction. Life truly does come at you fast, and sometimes, it brings the most delightful surprises.

From the moment we arrived in Bend, we’ve been captivated by its unique charm. This vibrant city offers the perfect blend of small-town friendliness and big-city amenities, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Cascade Mountains. We’ve already started exploring the countless hiking and biking trails, enjoying the Deschutes River, and discovering the lively culinary scene that makes Bend such a beloved destination. The sense of community here is palpable, and we’re excited to contribute to and grow within this wonderful environment. It truly feels like we’ve found the place where our priorities for a balanced life, deeply connected to nature and an active lifestyle, can flourish.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your unwavering support and endless patience throughout the rollercoaster ride of this past year, especially as I’ve taken long and sometimes unexplained breaks from this blog. Please know that there has been an incredible amount happening behind-the-scenes, much of which required our full attention and energy.

We’ve done a tremendous amount of soul-searching along the way, discerning what truly matters to us and envisioning the life we want to build. We are profoundly grateful to embark on this thrilling new chapter, finally landing in such a wonderful, inspiring place. This isn’t just a new city for us; it’s the beginning of a stable, exciting future where we can fully embrace our passions, both inside and outside the kitchen. We can’t wait to share more of our Bend adventures, new recipes, and a refreshed perspective with you all. More to come soon!

Thanks, as always, for being here! Your continued readership fuels this beautiful plate of ours. xx