Weekly Wednesday #1

With my mom, sis and I all now working at Tigard High with several weeks off in the summer, we decided to continue our Weekly Wednesday adventures. Eryn's condo finally sold (in process, at least), so this week we helped spend a bunch of her soon-to-be money for those projects on her new house that were on hold until the second mortgage was satisfied.

Our day took us to several home stores, including IKEA! We bought a front door, closet doors, trim, a bathroom vanity and mirror, hardware and lots of other odds and ends.
Lunch was a brief stop at our favorite Tigard eatery.

I've said it before... spending other people's money is very fun! I wonder what we'll do this week???

:)

Add your name!

James Dobson doesn't speak for me. Does he speak for you?

Strawberry goodness

Fresh Oregon strawberry crisp... YUM!
(I'm lazy and didn't "cut" in the butter... I melted it and just mixed it in)

:)

All done!

I'm officially on summer break today! I had a great start to my new school career, and now I'm having a great start to my summers off! First up, volunteering at THS with some of my CE2 students. Kinda ironic, I think.

Lots of other stuff planned for my 7 weeks off... stay tuned :)

Tigard Festival of Balloons

During our hike last Saturday, Christine mentioned that she wanted to go to the Tigard Festival of Balloons early Sunday. It was perfect launching weather, so we decided to get up at the crack of dawn and join her.

We could see the first balloons lifting off as we walked to Cook Park. But never fear, there were lots more getting ready to go! The soccer field was packed with colorful aircraft, busy crews and excited (and sleepy!) onlookers, most armed with cameras. Soon, the sky was filled.
Here's where my new banner came from:
Christine is truly camera-crazy!

It was worth the early rise! :)

Woof

Dog Mountain was the hike for our sunny Saturday. Christine, Brad, Steve, Karen, Sean, Eddie and I joined about a million other people on the popular Gorge trail near Stevenson, Wash. It was a great workout with a terrific payoff at the top: views of Hood, St. Helens, Adams and up and down the Gorge. Oh, and don't forget those wildflowers! Have you seen "The Sound of Music"? Well, the hills were alive with flowers!

Despite the warm sun, it was really windy at the top. Good thing Brad keeps a king-sized wool blanket in his training pack!
Afterward Brad's mom, Donna, had dinner ready to celebrate birthdays for Steve and me. She made this awesome birthday cake of the whole family on a campout, sleeping around the fire pit :)

Tim Russert, 1950-2008

We are mourning the loss of Tim Russert, who died today while working at NBC's Washington bureau (read more). The "Meet the Press" moderator was a giant in the world of politics and journalism. The 2008 presidential election will not be the same without him. Our Sunday mornings will not be the same without him.

Testing, testing

I took a trip to an allergist today to get tested for food sensitivities. For as long as I can remember, eating (one of my favorite hobbies!) has made my tummy less than happy. On the advice of a friend, I finally took the plunge. A skin test showed almost nothing... a possible sensitivity to filberts (which I don't like anyway), peaches, raspberries and wheat.

The doctor suggested that I try eliminating "staples" from my diet and watching for any reaction. That means avoiding a particular food for three days, followed by binging to see if anything negative follows. Repeat a couple times to validate the results. Since the wheat bump on my arm was slightly bigger than the others (I couldn't see a difference), he said that's where I should start. He also said that's the worst one. As a carb craver, I agree.

So it's no wheat for me for the next couple days. I hope that's not it, though it would be nice to know what causes my upset. Then I guess the choice is mine.

-Liz

Still going strong, despite my old age!

My fam and I celebrated my 32nd birthday weekend with a nice, warm hike today at Tryon Creek State Park in Lake Oswego. Eryn shared her awesome Mickey Mouse birthday hat!

Next up, presents(!), eating the Cheesecake Factory cheesecake we were too full to eat last night and then dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Davidson's. By then, Brad should be home from his latest rock-climbing adventure so I can finally open that pile of presents he put on the table before leaving for the weekend.

:)

Pomp

Last night, I attended my first graduation as a THS staff member. Though I've only been there a couple weeks, it was great to see our CE2 seniors, many of whom overcame big challenges, walk across the stage. I also got to see my favorite band kids graduate! I got to wear a robe and sit on the football field (yes, in the rain!) with my new colleagues. What an honor :) I look forward to many more.

CONGRATULATIONS THS CLASS OF 2008!!!!

Pear bundt cake

Preparing for tonight's garden night potluck, I searched the pantry for something I could create. How about a dessert from a can of pears... perhaps a cake? A quick Google search turned up this super-simple recipe. I'll try it!

INGREDIENTS
1 (15 ounce) can pears in light syrup
1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
2 egg white
1 egg
2 teaspoons
confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS
Drain pears, reserving the syrup; chop pears. Place pears and syrup in a mixing bowl; add dry cake mix, egg whites and egg. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. beat on high for 4 minutes.

Coat a 10-in. fluted tube pan with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour. Add batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

I thought I had a bundt pan... I do not. So I baked it in a round French White dish. I also had pears in juice, not light syrup. It was super yummy! Definitely a winner, especially because of the simplicity.

:)

Girls' weekend

Brad's rock-climbing class has him tied up most weekends this spring. Instead of sitting around home by myself this time, I decided it was the perfect excuse for a girls' trip to my grandparents' beach house in Oceanside. Sickness and a death in the family kept two girlfriends home, but Sarah, Sarah, Irene (& Abram) and I still had a very relaxing weekend away. We watched a little TLC, read magazines, chatted, ate, walked, ran and watched "License to Wed" (very funny robot baby scene!).

Of course, we had to hit the Tillamook Cheese Factory on the way home.... cheese samples and ice cream!! Sarah V. enjoyed a double-scoop waffle cone for her first visit. YUM :)
A bat or two or three often hang out (HA!) on my grandparents' porch. We were lucky enough to see one of them this weekend. So cute!

Good friends are true blessings :)