It's looking festive round here!

 Here are some bits and pieces of the festivities around our house. I had a lot of fun decorating this year. We've been having quite a jolly season! I hope you have been too.

I had to end the post with a picture of Napoleon...because really, doesn't he make you smile?  

Thankful

So now that we are into the Christmas Season, let me back track a minute and share with you our Thanksgiving. It was the smallest that either of us has ever had...just the two of us. and Marco, Dora and Napoleon of course. As we were planning our menu, you know, turkey, potatoes, what kind of veggie to do etc.; we suddenly realized that since it was just the two of us, there were no guidelines. So, we decided on a seafaring Thanksgiving..........

with king crab legs.......

fresh king salmon.....

roasted red potatoes, green bean & mushroom side dish.......

...and homemade pumpkin pie with fresh whipped cream....as you can see above, we cleaned our plates and stuffed ourselves full and subsequently needed a nap! After a while we felt up for the pumpkin pie and I whipped the cream for it (using my new cuisinart immersion blender/mixer/food processor). It was awesome.

We spent the day hanging out, listening to records and working on a puzzle......

It was a beautiful, relaxing day. I had to come back to Thanksgiving because I never got to say all the things I'm thankful for here, and I really wanted to share it with you. Because I am so blessed...I'm incredibly grateful for my husband and best friend Greg. He lights up my life with fun and laughter. I am incredibly grateful for my family. Each and every one of you has helped shape who I am. you've all taught me so much. About love, forgiveness, patience, commitment, humor....I could go on and on. For my friends...some of who I count as family. For our furry kids, Marco, Dora, and Napoleon (tiny tim is now Napoleon...yup, he's not going anywhere). For our jobs, our home, car, health...I'm so grateful for this life.

Now, onward to Christmas!!!

Sunrise

This morning on our way taking Greg into work, there was the most beautiful sunrise. I tried to capture it with the camera on my phone. It doesn't do it justice, but at least you get a small taste. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the beauty that surrounds us here, or rather, the beauty of this earth in general. But specifically, the mid Willamette Valley that we call home. The drive into work is inspiring; it never stresses me out like it did in Phoenix. It kind of kick starts my day...driving through all of this beauty, every single day. We are so blessed.

I promise to share our Thanksgiving photos over the weekend, and perhaps some other random things. Until then....Happy Friday! Have a wonderful weekend!

Too Funny

One of my friends at work shared this video with me today. If you haven't seen it, you are so missing out. It is hilarious! Enjoy!

Introducing....

Good Morning! I have some introductions to make...along with a little bragging. First off, let me introduce you to the new manager at SafeHaven Humane Society...

Yup, it's Greg! He was promoted two weeks ago. I'm so proud of him. I can't tell you how good he is with each and every animal that goes through that place. He's always coming home with stories about them; how they came to be there, what their personalities are like, all of the triumphs and all of the heartbreak. There are a lot of heartbreaking stories out there in the animal kingdom. I'm just so glad all of these furry friends have someone like Greg looking after them, doing his very best for each and every one.

Which brings me to my next introduction...... Please meet Tiny Tim! He is the newest addition to our home as we are fostering him (for now....I really don't know if I can let him go back, he just might have to be ours). He is the cutest, sweetest, smallest little Chihuahua mix you will ever find. He is about a third of the size he should be, so he needs lots of observing and time to grow bigger.
Last night, Greg picked me up from the DCA After-hours, and Tiny came in with him to make an appearance. I tell you what, we were there for an hour longer while everyone oohed and aahed over him. They were all cuddling him, taking iPhone photos to email each other, and talking baby talk. It was pretty much adorable. I think cute animals make people so much braver around each other. People I've never talked to just walked right up to see him and talk to us for a long time. Of course, Greg said that as he was trying to get upstairs where the event was, he was stopped by 10 different females. This little guy is a chick magnet!

We've been fostering another kitten and had her for a few weeks now; her name is Abby-dos. Or Abby number 2. But we call her Abby-dos. She is very well behaved, very snuggly, playful, and just all around cute. When we brought Tiny Tim home two nights ago, she and him made fast friends. They played and chased each other around and gave each other kisses! She completely wore him out. And when she realized that he was in fact not going to react to her taunting to play, she decided to snuggle down with him.

I mean really, do I really need to tell you how flippin cute this is? I think not. It pretty much speaks for itself. We are having too much fun with them I tell you. And as for our other permanent residents Marco and Dora, how are they doing with all of this you may ask? Well, they don't like it very much and stay in the back of the house, mainly our bedroom where the visitors don't really go. When we introduced them, Marco and Dora both just hissed a little and then walked off. Eh, cats. What are you going to do? :)
Last I'm going to leave you with this little video of the scene from above. Enjoy your day!

There are times....

A while ago, my boss sent us this little poem. I liked it so much that I've kept it in my in-box and decided to finally share it here.

There Are Times

To hold open a door.

To surrender your seat.

To thank someone, in writing.

To let bygones be gone.

To remember your parents.

To listen with care.

To surprise with a gift.

To mind your table manners.

To honor tradition.

To give voice to your heart.

Tiffany & Co.

NY Times

October 6, 2011

I just loved the reminder of courtesy, of remembering that there are others out there besides yourself. These days I've been nostalgic. When am I not, really, but lately its only been on the good stuff. I'm kind of coming back to being myself. Slowly, but surely. It is me, after all, who has said time and again that sometimes you have to get lost to get found. I just hope I can always find my way back.

Fall is most certainly here......slowly giving in to winter. It is getting cold and dark and wet. But there is color, vibrant color everywhere I look. In front of our little house too. These trees turn the most beautiful and vivid red. These picture I snapped with my phone just do not do it justice. I really want to bust out my camera, I haven't picked it up since I photographed that wedding. Maybe this weekend I'll put it to some good use....maybe.

As the weather gets colder and colder I'm thinking more and more about the holidays. We have no plans at all except to be home. I'm kind of wishing I had decided to go home (AZ) for the holidays, but between Greg's job and the fact that I have no one close to pet-sit for us, it just wasn't going to happen this year. But, I have to say, I'm kind of relishing in the fact that we aren't traveling. I've been picking up Christmas decorations and can not wait to put them up! I'm going to transform our whole house this year! I can't wait to have a tree and come home to its piney smell. I can't wait to have our cute little home all lit up with string lights and candles. When normally I dread the holiday season, this year I'm filled with nothing but excitement!

Halloween

For the first time in YEARS, Greg and I dressed up for Halloween and went out with our friends Michelle and Dustin. We had too much fun! After much debate, consideration, and shopping, we decided to go as GHOULISH GHOSTS! Can you tell that's what we are? We did consider going as the gang from ScoobyDoo, but we couldn't find just the right outfits at the thrift stores, and the costume shop cheapy costumes were $30+ a piece! Lame. I wasn't about to spend that kind of cash. So I suggested we go get some cheap white sheets, white face paint and go as ghosts. Michelle and Dustin were down, so that's what we did (and all for under $10 a couple). Greg didn't really get a say in it as he was at work, but he was up for it. Half the fun was getting ready. Who knew cutting up sheets and doing makeup could be so much fun?! You know, ScoobyDoo would have been fun, but I have never ever gone as something scary and not pretty. I was so happy to freak people out!!! Hahaha...

This picture really freaks me out! 

What was your favorite costume this year? If I had a daughter, I would have made her dress up with me as a rag doll. How cute is this? Someday.......someday.......

Source.

Hope you had a safe, spooky, but mostly fun Halloween!

And I'm back........

(me, one year ago in our front yard)

Greetings from Oregon; where fall season shows off what it can do with all its splendid color! It is seriously gorgeous here right now! Sorry again for the long absence. September was incredibly busy! And then, wham, all of a sudden it's October! And then wham! It's almost November. Crazy. This month hasn't been incredible busy, I've just been a little out of commission with a small surgery. Ya, good times right? Not to worry, everything is just dandy; so I'm going to spare you all of the gory details. The worst thing about it has been just lying around waiting to feel better so I can go out and do things (other than work).  Instead, I'll catch you up on what went down in September.

Actually, all I want to catch you up on is the Corvallis Fall Festival. As I talked about earlier this year, I'm on the committee for the Kids Art Discover Zone. It was great this year! A lot of work, but so worth it! We tried a new activity; hand puppets!  We provided the material for them and they went at it. What was especially unique about the activity is that most of the materials were donated recycled/reused goods (seriously, you have everything you need to make a hand puppet at home, this very moment). We had all kinds of fabrics, tennis balls (they made the best heads!), leather scraps, card stock, buttons, fake fuzzy fur, yarn...the list could go on! We even had a puppet stage (thanks to Jon and Jenny!) for them to put on their very own show. We're going to bring it back next year for sure. Kids make the cutest little puppets, let me tell you! Of course I didn't take my camera with me- so no photos to share. bum deal. But, below is a picture taken at our volunteer appreciation night a couple weeks prior. It ended up in the Corvallis Gazette Times (really, really wish I had a better outfit on that day, oh well). So thanks to them. Below is me and my co-chairs, Caron and Sarah. They are two fantastic women!

Let's see, what else went down in September.....I shot a wedding...but not my best work. Few good ones though. It was a very last minute gig. Hmm, seems like there was more, but nothing else too special to report. Next time I'll fill you in on what's up in Greg's world and other fun stuff.

Now that I'm feeling more myself again, I will get back to more regular posting. Which will be good for me. And hopefully good for you too. I'm actually surprised that  you keep checking back in when my posting has been, well, sporadic at best. 

I have to say though, I'm sure glad you do! xoxo 

Crickets

It's been quiet around here lately. Can you hear the crickets chirping? I'm sure they aren't loud and entertaining like Jimmeny Cricket is. I'll get back to blogging real soon. Just haven't been feeling quite, um, myself lately. Will explain in due time. All good things come in time right?

Image source.

It's that season again...Football! Go Beavers!

September brings warm days, and super cool nights and mornings. It brings Fall, it also brings FOOTBALL! Last Saturday was bright and sunny. The perfect day to kick of football season. You know that I don't follow football or anything, but when I got offered a ticket to go to OSU's opening game, I couldn't pass it up. Michelle's boyfriends Dustin was supposed to go, he's a die hard Beaver fan. However, he got called to duty, and so I got the call to take his place. I accompanied Michelle and her lovely parents, Dave and Cindy. We parked in my work parking lot and took the bus in to the game. That is so the way to do it by the way. I never knew what true blue American culture existed at college football games. It was a sea of orange, tailgating, arm movements for the 1st down, lots of yelling and chanting and well, if you've been, you know. And it was such a myriad of emotions. I mean, just see for yourself with my phone documentation.....

 We arrived with plenty of time before kick off. Hopes were high! Everyone said it would be an easy win. That's what I was expecting....opening game, all the players would be pumped up, ready to play, ready to win.

But by the end of the 2nd quarter, things were not looking so good. not at all. You should have seen the flags flying on the field. I don't even follow football and I could call every error (or what do they call it in football? offense? heck if I know, but I know interference when I see it). We hadn't even scored a touchdown.

This is by the end of the third quarter. I got a good dosey nap in, and the Beavers kicked things up a notch, scored a touchdown, made the field goal, and we were tied. It went into overtime and tensions were high. 

Everyone was standing and cheering. We scored in overtime...all we had to do was hold off Sacramento from scoring and the game was ours.

But all the standing and all of the yelling was to no avail. We lost by 2 points. You see what I mean about teh emotions?! Happy, sad, happy, sad, happy, sad. But it was a great experience and I would so go again!

Body Parts (from a child’s point of view)

Last Saturday, my sis Jeni and I skyped. It was so good to see and talk with her. I even got to see Spencer, Ethan and Olivia. Ryleigh must have been out doing something pre-teenish. Gosh that girl has grown up! Olivia is 3, wait 4? No, almost 4, but still 3. She’s a red headed wild child who I think could probably charm just about anyone to do just about anything.

Jeni was telling me about all of the hilarious things that Livy (short for Olivia) says…which is quite often. There was one particular thing that Jeni said she wished she could blog, but didn’t feel she could because of the youngins that sometimes read her blog. Well, I don’t have such readers, and since we’re all adults here, I’m going to share this (what I thought absolutely hilarious) little story:

Recently, she had to teach Livy about girl body parts and the word “vagina”. (GASP! I just used the word vagina on my blog! Wait for it…it’s about to get worse!) Why at such a young age you ask? Because apparently Livy was going around explaining that “boys have a penis…. and girls have a butt penis!” Hmmmm….an interesting take on that one don’t you think? I laughed until I cried and almost wet my pants.

That’s the hard thing about living away from them….missing the most hilarious moments. Kids do say the darndest things, don’t they? Thank goodness for Skype!

I couldn’t resist sharing a pic from Jeni’s blog of the spitfire Livy.

Isn’t she a cutie pie?! Speaking of her blog…check it out for more hilarious stories (or if you are a big fan of baseball): www.linnloop.blogspot.com.

Yay, it's Friday again!

During the week, I come up with the most wonderful blog posts. They cover a wide variety of topics of interest, they are colorful and meaningful and funny, witty, well written, all the things you would want out of a blog. And then when I finally get to it, it's all crickets chirping in my head.
I wanted to tell you about last weekend. I want to tell you how proud I am of my little brother Chad for getting recruited to Phoenix College to play baseball. I want to tell you how much I've been thinking about gratitude, and how thankful I am for my family, and for those friends who are like family.   I wanted to do a post about how crazy I can be, and how we all have our craziness, and to thank those of you who continue to love and support me despite my craziness. I wanted to post about love, and forgiveness. I wanted to do a post about what to do if you are ever in a vehicle accident (Random, but I should still do that sometime).These are the things that have been on my mind lately. And perhaps, someday, I'll regularly post here and talk about these things. But for now, you just get a topical glimpse.
I know that it is Friday, and I should be doing a Friday Favorite....but eh, do I really need a special feature? I mean, come on, its just you reading ;) just my family. So I won't stress about making this blog perfect, or worry that it is sub-par on the internet land. I mean, who needs 50 comments and loads of followers anyway? this is just not that kind of blog. You know it and I know it. Maybe, if I had a laptop, I could get really good at this and do it all the time. But for now, you only get bits and pieces of us and our life here in Oregon. And I'll save the rest of my brilliant posting ideas for someday. As my grandpa says, "Somedays do come."

Happy Friday Ya'll! Have a great weekend. I'll leave you with some pics- scenes from last weekend.

This gorgeous flower was a bulb given to us by Kevin (Greg's brother). What a perfect gift.

By the way, I've really been trying to use my own voice here and write like I talk, not as an essay or anything like that. It's kinda scary being me, but can you tell? Thanks again for the love and support you bring, not only to me, but to Greg too! xoxoxooo

Good Gracious, 2 weeks gone....oh, and Friday Fav's

Well hello there! I got an email from my aunt today. It read "I'm bored, update your blog!" And so, here I am. I've been meaning to do this for the past two weeks, but we've been busy man! Lots of stuff with friends and Greg and I have just been going and doing. And then I was "sick" this past week, and I just cannot blog when I'm all drugged up. Ok, and my dear readers, who I'm pretty sure are just my close fam and friends and you all probably know, but for those of you who may not, what I mean by "sick" and "drugged up" is the infamous monthly pain cycle. You know what I'm talking about. Yes, anyways, back to the past two weeks. Well I've been taking pictures with my phone like a mad woman, so I'll just annotate those and spare all the gory, long winded details that I love to do. :)

We've been loving cooking all of the bountiful fresh produce from local farms. I mean, who wouldn't want to eat this colorful goodness? 

 We got the BEST DEAL EVER on this grill. Can you see the tiny little grill that we were using before? It's in the background in our fire pit. Yeah, imagine crouching over that! Poor Greg. So one day we went out for charcoal, and found this grill on super sale for $26!!! Oh yea, Greg is the grillin king now!

Our first meal from the grill....

It was so super delish! Grilled portabella mushroom and bacon sammies. Remember those veggies from the first photo? They went into this delectable pearl couscous pasta salad. It's one recipe that I made up that we both actually loved. Yay me! Wow, I'm a foodie huh? All these pictures of food! I had more, but refrained from posting them. :)

 Fresh flowers from the Wednesday Farmers Market. $5 for this bouquet- they were so so pretty on my table. The Farmers Market is like the only place I will get flowers because they are huge and gorgeous and never outrageously priced like grocery stores. 

My cat Marco. He decided to try to wear my reusable shopping bag. It was sooo funny watching him try to wriggle out of it!

Last Friday we had some friends over for dinner. Greg and I made fajitas. Of course, no photos from the actual dinner, just the aftermath. Not too bad eh? It was such a good time. We had Michelle and her boyfriend Dustin, and Shannon and her husband Kail over. We had a fire in the backyard complete with smores. It was a lot of fun. Too bad Shannon and Kail leave at the end of next month...they joined the Peace Corps and were assigned to Peru! Pretty cool though huh?

Last Saturday my friend Glory had her band debut. They had it at one of the band members homes, and this was the view. Their band, Blue Honey, did a great job. I took their band photos last week. I'll post one up soon, they turned out pretty good.  

My Friday Favorite has to go to this cute little fella. Greg brought him home last night for us to foster until he reaches 2lbs. He just tugs at my heart strings he does! Currently, he is laying on my lap, loving my kitty scratches, making it very hard to type.... so worth it! I'm calling him MC, short for Moo Cow cause he has spots like a cow. Well I cant give him a serious name or else I might keep him! Apparently, some lady found him wandering around and like a good Samaritan brought him to SafeHaven. Kittens are just the best! Now if only our cat Dora could warm up, we'd be set! Or we'd have another cat. Maybe its best she doesn't accept any other animal in the house for now. But later...we might have a problem. For now, kittens are my Friday Fav. 

This weekend we don't have a whole lot planned...just a lot of house cleaning and stuff like that. I think we will hit up the Zimbabwe Music Festival at OSU. We went last year and it was fun. We especially enjoyed a few dancers in the crowd who never stopped dancing! it was great! What are you up to?