Click HERE for the NORAD Santa Tracker and follow the big guy today as he makes his way around the globe!
:)
Friday, December 24, 2010
He's on his way
Click HERE for the NORAD Santa Tracker and follow the big guy today as he makes his way around the globe!
:)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Finally, the tree saga ends
Being a sixth-generation Oregonian, I believe only in driving to the country and selecting the perfect Christmas tree from a family farm. Between memorial services and other family obligations in early December, we squeezed in a trip with Mom, Dad and Eryn to select trees. It was a beautiful dry winter day.
We got one:
Eryn got one: 
Mom and Dad got one: 
Here's the finished product at Mom and Dad's house: 
But life got in the way, and our tree stayed on the porch for a while. Then it was in the garage. We finally got the tree in the house a week later. But I immediately realized that it's presence apparently offended that cat, and he had sprayed it in the garage. The tree was thrown onto the back deck.
Bad Linus.
We finally had time to get another tree, but no time for another trip to the farm. Plus, it was now wet outside, and we didn't want to wait to dry another one. So we went to ... Home Depot. Seriously... saddest day of my life :(
We didn't even know what it looked like. And this scene nearly made me cry: 
But it went up really quickly! A little consolation. 
But no time to decorate. It sat all dark and lonely in the corner.
A few days later, Brad came to tell me he had "some bad news"... he just watched Linus back up to the tree and spray it - right in the living room. WHAT?!?! I cried again.
Good thing the ornaments were still in their bins and presents were still unwrapped and hidden away. Linus, who's never shown any interest in the Christmas tree before, has spent all his time since in the garage. Not sure what we're going to do about him.
Do we get ANOTHER tree? Do we just skip it this year? I cut off all the bottom branches and called it good enough. It looks stupid, but we have a cat-pee-free tree. And FINALLY, with the help of Eryn, it's now decorated!!!!
It only took 2.5 weeks. But just in time :)
We got one:
Eryn got one: 
Mom and Dad got one: 
Here's the finished product at Mom and Dad's house: 
But life got in the way, and our tree stayed on the porch for a while. Then it was in the garage. We finally got the tree in the house a week later. But I immediately realized that it's presence apparently offended that cat, and he had sprayed it in the garage. The tree was thrown onto the back deck.Bad Linus.
We finally had time to get another tree, but no time for another trip to the farm. Plus, it was now wet outside, and we didn't want to wait to dry another one. So we went to ... Home Depot. Seriously... saddest day of my life :(
We didn't even know what it looked like. And this scene nearly made me cry: 
But it went up really quickly! A little consolation. 
But no time to decorate. It sat all dark and lonely in the corner.A few days later, Brad came to tell me he had "some bad news"... he just watched Linus back up to the tree and spray it - right in the living room. WHAT?!?! I cried again.
Good thing the ornaments were still in their bins and presents were still unwrapped and hidden away. Linus, who's never shown any interest in the Christmas tree before, has spent all his time since in the garage. Not sure what we're going to do about him.
Do we get ANOTHER tree? Do we just skip it this year? I cut off all the bottom branches and called it good enough. It looks stupid, but we have a cat-pee-free tree. And FINALLY, with the help of Eryn, it's now decorated!!!!
It only took 2.5 weeks. But just in time :)
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Timberline (12/22/10)
In town for just a few days from Manhattan, Brad's sis, Jill, wanted to take a ski trip to Mount Hood. You don't have to ask us twice! Sean joined us today for a day at Timberline Lodge on the mountain's southern slope.
It snowed a couple inches overnight and was still snowing lightly when we hit the lifts for the 9 a.m. opening. (By the way, we still had gift cards from holidays past, so Brad and I skied for just $6 each - Thanks, Aunts Kari and Vicki!!!!) The temperature was mild and the wind was tolerable at the lower elevations. We'd heard it might get sunny, so I was prepared with zinc on my exposed skin.
The snow was amazing! Fresh, dry powder off the groomers. We skied a bunch of the new runs around Jeff Flood Express chairlift, enjoying the new terrain. And every chance we got, we left the groomers for the deep pow on the sides of the runs and in the trees. (I love tree skiing!)
Soon, they opened the Magic Mile lift and we rode above the timberline to 7,000 feet. It probably opened a tad bit too early, as it was super foggy. The flat light and fog made it nearly impossible to see where we were going. Skiing by braille. It was dizzying and a bit scary, but we all made it down.
The snow was incredible, and a short time later when it cleared up, we headed back to the wide open. The sun came and went, and the mountain finally emerged. I just stood and stared. No matter how many times I see it, I'm always awe struck.
We all needed our picture in front of the summit. (From the top of the Magic Mile lift)
Maybe it was because the snow was so soft and fabulous that I was taking more chances. Or maybe because I hadn't been downhill skiing in a year. But I fell SO MANY times today... and not just little falls. Big, spectacular falls. In the lift line. While standing still. While skiing powder. While stopping. While getting off the lift. In a huge snow drift next to a tree well. I laughed so hard I almost peed myself... several times. It was hilarious. Perhaps I need a refresher lesson ;)
On our last run, Brad and I headed off into some trees near the Jeff Flood lift and ended up stuck in a very narrow, steep canyon. With no way to escape, we made our way down, down, down and eventually came out near the lift. But for a short time, as the sun was setting and the lifts were closing, we thought ski patrol might have to come look for us. It was definitely the hardest terrain we'd skied all day. Always an adventure...
We arrived back at the car and had this view as we loaded:
Absolutely perfect.
Our reward for not dying in the trees was Thai food in Sandy:
A good day.
:)
It snowed a couple inches overnight and was still snowing lightly when we hit the lifts for the 9 a.m. opening. (By the way, we still had gift cards from holidays past, so Brad and I skied for just $6 each - Thanks, Aunts Kari and Vicki!!!!) The temperature was mild and the wind was tolerable at the lower elevations. We'd heard it might get sunny, so I was prepared with zinc on my exposed skin.
The snow was amazing! Fresh, dry powder off the groomers. We skied a bunch of the new runs around Jeff Flood Express chairlift, enjoying the new terrain. And every chance we got, we left the groomers for the deep pow on the sides of the runs and in the trees. (I love tree skiing!)Soon, they opened the Magic Mile lift and we rode above the timberline to 7,000 feet. It probably opened a tad bit too early, as it was super foggy. The flat light and fog made it nearly impossible to see where we were going. Skiing by braille. It was dizzying and a bit scary, but we all made it down.
The snow was incredible, and a short time later when it cleared up, we headed back to the wide open. The sun came and went, and the mountain finally emerged. I just stood and stared. No matter how many times I see it, I'm always awe struck.
We all needed our picture in front of the summit. (From the top of the Magic Mile lift)
Maybe it was because the snow was so soft and fabulous that I was taking more chances. Or maybe because I hadn't been downhill skiing in a year. But I fell SO MANY times today... and not just little falls. Big, spectacular falls. In the lift line. While standing still. While skiing powder. While stopping. While getting off the lift. In a huge snow drift next to a tree well. I laughed so hard I almost peed myself... several times. It was hilarious. Perhaps I need a refresher lesson ;)On our last run, Brad and I headed off into some trees near the Jeff Flood lift and ended up stuck in a very narrow, steep canyon. With no way to escape, we made our way down, down, down and eventually came out near the lift. But for a short time, as the sun was setting and the lifts were closing, we thought ski patrol might have to come look for us. It was definitely the hardest terrain we'd skied all day. Always an adventure...
We arrived back at the car and had this view as we loaded:
Absolutely perfect.Our reward for not dying in the trees was Thai food in Sandy:
A good day.:)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Ah, nuts!
Eryn came over this afternoon so we could make Sweet Spiced Nuts from Better Homes and Gardens.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees
1 egg white
1 t water
5 c walnuts (or other nuts)
1 c sugar
1 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t ground nutmeg
1/4 t ground allspice
1/2 t salt
1. Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan and set aside. In a large bowl, beat together egg white and 1 t water with a fork. Add nuts and toss to coat.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Sprinkle sugar mixture over nuts and toss to coat.
3. Spread nuts in prepared pan. Bake 20 minutes. Spread on wax paper and cool. Break into pieces.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We used a combination of walnuts, cashews, almonds and "mixed nuts" from the WinCo bulk section. We made 5 batches and have plenty of nuts to share with family and friends!
Very easy. Very fast. Very yummy!
:)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees1 egg white
1 t water
5 c walnuts (or other nuts)
1 c sugar
1 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t ground nutmeg
1/4 t ground allspice
1/2 t salt
1. Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan and set aside. In a large bowl, beat together egg white and 1 t water with a fork. Add nuts and toss to coat.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Sprinkle sugar mixture over nuts and toss to coat.
3. Spread nuts in prepared pan. Bake 20 minutes. Spread on wax paper and cool. Break into pieces.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We used a combination of walnuts, cashews, almonds and "mixed nuts" from the WinCo bulk section. We made 5 batches and have plenty of nuts to share with family and friends!
Very easy. Very fast. Very yummy!
:)
Banking sub-9!
OK... so I guess I'm speeding up. I decided to combine my need for a run today with my need to deposit a check at the credit union about 1.5 miles away.
I suited up, put my check in my pocket and headed out the door. It was about 45 degrees and dry but fairly windy.
I didn't plan to break any land-speed records, but I DID! (for me, at least) The area around my house is really hilly, and the route to On Point requires crossing a steep freeway overpass. Still, I made it 1.31 miles there in a 8:45/mile. Then I ran 1.22 miles home in 8:27!
I just finished my post-workout chocolate milk (heated for the winter!) and now I must hit the shower.
:)
I suited up, put my check in my pocket and headed out the door. It was about 45 degrees and dry but fairly windy.
I didn't plan to break any land-speed records, but I DID! (for me, at least) The area around my house is really hilly, and the route to On Point requires crossing a steep freeway overpass. Still, I made it 1.31 miles there in a 8:45/mile. Then I ran 1.22 miles home in 8:27!I just finished my post-workout chocolate milk (heated for the winter!) and now I must hit the shower.
:)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Breaking 9!
Knowing I have to run and wanting to run are two different things. Today I knew I needed to get out there, but I'm pooped and kinda down - and it's cold outside. Thankfully, Super-Hubby Brad helped push me in the right direction.
I quickly changed into my capris, fleece pullover, mittens and reflective hat and went out the front door before I could change my mind. Just 30 minutes and I'd be back in the warm house - hot shower and bed.
I decided to run hard to THS, do a few laps on the stadium and then run home. The trip to the high school was 1.19 miles - and I did a 8:53/mile! I don't think I've ever broken 9 before - WOOHOO!!! I did four stadium laps in 13:27. Then I took it a little easier on the way home and did a 9:13/mile for 1.12 miles.
I never regret a workout, even if getting out the door is a bit of a struggle :)
I quickly changed into my capris, fleece pullover, mittens and reflective hat and went out the front door before I could change my mind. Just 30 minutes and I'd be back in the warm house - hot shower and bed.
I decided to run hard to THS, do a few laps on the stadium and then run home. The trip to the high school was 1.19 miles - and I did a 8:53/mile! I don't think I've ever broken 9 before - WOOHOO!!! I did four stadium laps in 13:27. Then I took it a little easier on the way home and did a 9:13/mile for 1.12 miles.
I never regret a workout, even if getting out the door is a bit of a struggle :)
Famous friends!
Mike brought to my attention that our friend, Angela, is in this new George Fox University video! And as I was watching, I noticed that one of our CE2 bus drivers, Dave, is also in there! Check it out :)
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