A few more random photos

Looking south from the upper deck. Someday soon the field will be full of new homes.

Olive in our Christmas tree. Blue was wondering what she was doing in the tree.

Looking west from the upper deck. The picture does not do full justice to how beautiful it was outside this morning.

Just some random photos

Looking west from the upper deck of the house. I like the contrast of the fiery tree against the blues of the mountains.

Brooklyn hanging out on the couch. Both dogs like this new couch and the chaise feature on the end.
Blue posing for the camera. He is tough to photograph because he turns his head when he sees me point the camera at him. He is sitting on the couch.
Thanksgiving dinner flower arrangement. From Burkhardt's Flowers in Tanasbourne. I love their work!

The weather

The weather forgot to check the calendar and note that it was still fall and not winter. We had an inch of snow Monday morning. It melted off during the day and then we got another inch Monday night. It was very pretty to see. I'm glad we did not get more because it would have thrown life into a tailspin for the day - Madigan had a doctor's appointment and I had a consultation. They predicted freezing rain later in the week but a bulk of that missed us and hit the east side of Portland; overall it wasn't too bad. I wonder what is next for us weather-wise?

Thanksgiving 2006

The obligatory eyes closed photo. Bruce, Katherine, and Liz wait for dinner to hit the table.

Christopher plays at his bar. This is a popular place in our home.
Shirley samples one of Christopher's concoctions. She said it was very good.

Christopher begins to clean up the mess he made in the kitchen. He prepared the Thanksgiving feast this year and it was delicious.

Lisa and Bruce wonder where they should sit for dinner.

I am thankful for...

...in no particular order.

* my life
* my husband, Christopher
* my daughter, Madigan
* living in the USA
* being female
* having good health
* surviving college at 30
* my family
* my friends
* my ability to think and do as I wish
* my pets
* my volunteer work
* my educational opportunities
* my home
* my insurance
* my body
* my faith
* my freedoms
* being able to vote

What are you thankful for?

Thanksgiving Recipe

It's that time of the year...get baking!

Pumpkin Bars
4 eggs
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
15-ounce can pumpkin
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Icing:
8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.
To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.

My first entry

Hello. I have had this blog for many months and have done nothing with it. Since I am blogging Madigan's life I decided I should talk about me too. To begin with my name is Kirsten and I am 31 this year. I am married to Christopher and we just celebrated our 7th anniversary. Madigan was born at the end of September and she is our first child. We have three furbabies - Brooklyn is 4, Blue is 3.5, and Olive is 3.5 too. We live in Forest Grove, OR and have a lovely home in a quiet neighborhood. I am a college student and my major is psychology. I will graduate within a year. Christopher works in computers and specializes in security. Stay tuned and I'll tell you more about our lives and show you some photos too. I love comments so post away!