white noise

it is dark and the sky is made up of twinkling flakes that know not where they land

downtown the buildings have grown legs and take a few steps back

they make way for the silver lined streets to shine in all their glory

i have traded places with the bustling cars and instead it is me who passes the abandoned transports on the side of the road

my pronounced strides are thoughtfully executed and i smile while i sink into that which we cannot control

there is something about this beautiful mess

what was once bitterness towards the lack of hours spent working

has now morphed into a sigh of great relief

He has decided to sprinkle us with this blessing

it is He who knows what this means for me and my house

and it is Him who has provided

and it is Him who always will

i laugh at the thought of control

as i carve my way to the bus stop i think;

here is this beautiful city- so well thought out

yet we come to the season unprepared and empty handed.

we fell short.

and when i accept my inability to hold up all the strings in life.

there is a peace thats tingles in my chest and brings blood to my snow kissed cheeks.

snow days

the childlike anticipation of the possibility of having your day at work canceled because of the snow has come into a reality for the last four days now. portland has now been one big block of ice since sunday and i am undecided on my scale of approval. i spend my days overcaffinated and nights seem to end with peter and i pacing around the house like the energizer bunny. there is no better time of the year to spend in doors, however...it has created several dichotomies;

to enjoy my days off

or to be anxious about rent due in a few days (with no money to pay it)

to spend this extra time on projects around the house

or finding more and more things i "need" money to fix

reading for enjoyment

or playing papi all day long on my phone

seizing the moment and walking around in the picture perfect snow

or staying indoors and watching christmas movies

my abundance of time has resulted in a facebook account, making some awesome dinners (such as parmesan crusted chicken with a garlic butter sauce over penne), writing a christmas letter, going to ikea and obviously "having" to buy a few innovations that will make life that much better! so if you have any craft ideas, recipes, or some awesome mind blowing website, PLEASE pass it on to me...

merry christmas from portland

whistle while at work

the corners of the brick are chipped to reveal a mossy home;

a home where one may find more then excepted.

the corner of morrison is claimed by the early bird.

the garbage bag covers the sleeping bag with a soul.

how did he get so lucky to get the day off?

free today.

free tomorrow.

freedom that i will never know.

i chose my path.

he chose his.

much more daring then i care to be.

i choose resistance.

he chooses the wind.

'an old fashioned christmas'

yep, that title is another christmas song.

get used to it.

i am probably the biggest fan of christmas you will meet.

ok, maybe not.

i once worked with a lady who had over 7 trees in 3 different rooms in her house with 7 different themes.

and she even converted her garage into a room of different nativity scenes and trains- the kicker was she kept it up year around!!!

but let me tell you, i think that was the most christmas spirit i have ever witnessed.

and i loved every moment of that.

i don't see myself ever being that crazy...

then again i wouldn't mind having a few different trees.

i can tell already that i am going to be one of those crazy moms that doesn't let the kids decorate the big tree.

and instead i will buy them a separate tree so they can put all their crafty 'precious' ornaments on their own-probably clustered in one spot towards the bottom of the tree. cause thats the best way of course!

i really will be a good mom. i promise....

as long as i can make my own batch of frosted sugar cookies, you know without all those fingerprints...

ok, so i may be a little christmas crazy.

but for now here is a small pic of my tree.

all the ornaments or gold, or variations there of.

i picked it a few years ago with the intention that i wouldn't get sick of it. 

and so far i haven't.

i add a few every year. good times.

you give me a red ornament... your going on the back of the tree.

"the season of love is here"

sinatra and i are baking some cookies on this chilly day.

our first christmas in a big city with just peter and i.

our very own thumbprint will mark this holiday.

limit it to just one day- i don't think so!

i will spend this month baking cookies, my peppermint bark, and maybe a recipe you yourself will share with me.

maybe a holiday favorite that will become a new one for me!

there is no way to kick off this giving season then with spending thanksgiving with the ones that matter.

it was a huge hit up here in portland.

we started the morning with some mimosas and cinnamon rolls and kept our bellies warm with wine as we indulged in such a glorious meal.

and now on this first of december i plan to fill my house with my friends and family, some Elvis christmas, and host many a dinner seated around the christmas tree i plan on setting up tonight!

merry chistmas to all.

and no it's not to soon in my opinion.

thanks(for)giving!

i am so thrilled to be hosting thanksgiving for the third year in a row!
(with the help of joey and his big purple barn of course!)
peter's family will all be heading to portland in 2 weeks...
so far it's a list of 17!
as i have mentioned, and most of you know-entertaining is my hobby.
i thrive on cooking and especially for a group of friends.
i love it all-
planning the menu
grocery shopping
cleaning
using all my beautiful cooking utensils and serving dishes
i love presentation
and of course trying all the yummyiness!

my menu thus far:

APPETIZERS
pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
bacon wrapped shrimp
veggies with feta dip

DINNER
turkey (duh)
steak (because peter hates turkey)
twice baked potatoes
garlic bacon green beans
yams or sweet potatoes of some sort (hopefully the ones pictured)
cheesy biscuits
fruit salad
stuffing (joey's request)

DESSERT
rasberry tiramusu
apple lattice pie
pumpkin cheesecake

DRINKS
champagne with cranberry syrup

i will say that several of these recipes are compliments of hope jensen.
man do i miss her cooking 'class'.
i cannot wait!

i would like to hear what you all are having...
your favorite dishes...
and any suggestions...