Happy Birthday, Oregon!

February 14 may be a day of love for most people, but for Oregonians it's also the day that our beautiful state actually came into being: February 14, 1859. And so on this 152nd birthday of my favorite state in the Union, I wanted to celebrate a few things I love about Oregon.

We are a very green state -- both in terms of plants and sustainability. Yes, we love to reduce, reuse, recycle, renew!

Oregon in the spring is beautiful. Our winters tend to be mild but rainy and so when things finally start growing and flowers start blooming we remember why we suffered through seemingly endless dreary days.

Of course, there are some things that make the winters more cheery: beer.  Oregon has good microbrews.  I would say we have the best, but that could be my bias... :-)  At least we grow plenty of hops and many people try their hand at making their own beer at some point when living here.

Hops!

Oregon also has a pretty good wine industry.  Right now there is an overabundance of grapes on the market because it seems like everyone wants to try their hand at the winery business.  But who am I to complain?  I love a glass of wine with dinner each evening.

On days when it's nice -- and even when it's not -- we enjoy the beautiful scenery in the state.  We have everything!  High dessert, mountains, valley, coast, all within a few hours' drive.

Mt. Hood -- my view wile driving, February 2010

Seaside is not our prettiest beach, but it's still nice.

 There are so many things I love about this state!  Happy birthday, Oregon!