January: A sunny week in Playa Chacala, Mexico • February: A sad farewell to sweet Zoë • March: A relaxing respite in Arizona • April: Jazz in New Orleans; Blues & Photography in Mississippi; Blues & Ducks in Memphis; Country Music in Nashville • May: A drive into Eastern Oregon • June: A visit to Red Lodge • July: Hiking, camping & fishing at Mount Hood • August: An equestrian retreat in McCall and a quick trip to see the little Goodmans in Arizona • September: McCall to Telluride for Blues & Brews and a visit to the Sawpit Food Club • October: A getaway to the Coast •November: Drive to California • December: Cooking extravaganza and a trip back to Arizona for the holidays!

I’m so far behind on the current project I’m working on it’s getting ridiculous…I’m putting the images together hoping for some divine inspiration…now, I wait.

Ingredients

• 6 (6-inch) corn tortillas, preferably a little old and dried out
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 chilies (My own picks would be a poblano & a jalapeño)
• 4 cups chicken broth or homemade chicken stock
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• Coarse salt (kosher or sea salt)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 ripe medium avocado
• 1/2 cup Cotija cheese
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Sour cream
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Method

Heat a small amount of the oil in saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook onion in oil 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and chile; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in broth, tomatoes and about a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes. Add chicken; heat until hot.

Cut tortillas in half; cut halves into 1/4-inch strips. In 3-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Fry strips in oil, 1/3 at a time, until light brown and crisp. Remove from pan; drain on paper towels; sprinkle them with course salt.

When you’re ready to serve, put out crumbled cotija, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, sour cream, and tortilla chips out to top the soup right before eating.

Planning my next adventure…looking forward to:

• Family & friends
• Relaxing by the pool
• Exploring the French Quarter
• Great music & delicious food
• Taking pictures alongside David Alan Harvey
• Sitting on the porch at the Shack up Inn
• The Juke Joint Festival
• Train to Memphis

Promises for the new year:
Love, be strong, commit, create.

A few highlights from 2010:

Decadent days in Cancun followed by a couple of wonderful weeks in Cuba, Kronos Quartet, guitar lessons and too much time at the vet.

Relaxing in Arizona, long scenic drive home, horseshows, Zoo Concerts, Star Trek in the Park, Sunday Parkways and lots of time and tomatoes in the garden.

Barack Obama back in Portland, turned 40 in Seattle, a ghost tour and a zombie walk in Victoria, rough waters, new friends, Seahawks, jazz, roses and caramel popcorn.