christmas at the square

November 23rd, 2007Tags:
| christmas, fun, just stuff, portland | chris | 0 comments

tonight was the tree lighting at pioneer square. it was pretty cold, about 36 degrees and dry(thank goodness). we went down early to take a trip in to the apple store and get a good seat at the tree lighting. a load of people made it out for the festivities, although there was already plenty of people out doing there black friday shopping.

when we went into pioneer place(a mall downtown) a strange anxiety set in. people everywhere, christmas songs playing, consuming, consuming, consuming. after we squeezed our way out of the apple store we were frantically searching for an exit. isn’t it funny how it’s so hard to get out of those places. whew!

anyway, we got our hot coffee drinks and sat down on the pioneer square steps to start this holiday season. with music by the portland jazz orchestra with valerie day, it just warmed you from the inside out. something about christmas tunes and jazz, i guess. with everyone dancing and singing, santa made his appearance with a giant plug to light up the tree.

so they lit it up, the singing continued, and we made our way home for a hot apple cider.

next thursday through sunday the holiday ale festival will take place at pioneer square. you’ll be sure to hear a few stories from that too.

flickr pics

giving thanks

November 22nd, 2007Tags: , , , ,
| autumn, family, friends, good food, life, portland | chris | 0 comments

November Roses in the South Park Blocks
today was a good day. of course sleeping in always makes for a good morning, prepping a big thanksgiving meal is also a good start to the day.

we got up and went for a walk through the south park blocks. we stopped at the park avenue coffeehouse and chatted about our weekend plans, stopping and taking pictures of the brisk morning and the november roses.

when we got home we started in on our thanksgiving meal. on the menu: cornish game hens with cranberry-orange glaze, roasted garlic mashed potatoes(with a cranberry-orange reduction), a jelly fruit salad, and of course, pumpkin pie with real whipped cream. it was all so delicious.

its been a very relaxing day. its kind of strange to be so far from iowa and family and friends. mostly its weird to not be around those things that we would normally associate with thanksgiving. Fight with a game hen. I won.obviously family and friends, but the first dusting of snow, seeing people we haven’t seen for awhile, those little things that in the back of your mind you may not see them, but when you don’t you wonder where they’ve gone.

despite being so far from the familiar, being here with deeann and preparing our own meal and talking about what we are thankful for, there is a certain joy in that. it’s good. being here is good. it’s different and sometime quite weird, but its good.

i hope you all have much to be thankful for. i know i do. happy holidays to you all and i hope to hear from you soon. :)

gameday in portland!

November 13th, 2007Tags: ,
| just stuff, portland, randomness | chris | 1 comment

GO HAWKS!!

GO HAWKS!

first day of school

November 13th, 2007Tags:
| good stuff, school | chris | 5 comments

well, the first day is behind me. and boy, am i in for a ride!

i’m really excited for what is coming. right now i’m taking culinary skills 1 and food service sanitation. they are two classes that kind of piggy-back on to each other. i stay in the same classroom for the whole five hours of classes from 7am-12noon. in this class we will be going over basic knife skills and the general rules of the kitchen regarding sanitation. we learn about a lot of food borne illnesses and how to prevent them, which is probably an important part of food service.

i’m really looking forward to it. so far i have really appreciated the high standard that western culinary institute holds. it makes for a better learning experience all around when both the students and chefs are holding higher expectations, from the strict uniform policy to the attention to great detail in skill.

things are going to be crazy, but i’m going to have a blast!

rob bell in portland

November 10th, 2007Tags:
| fun, good stuff, just stuff, portland | chris | 0 comments


so we have tickets to see rob tonight on “the gods aren’t angry” speaking tour. he’s going to be here in portland less than a mile from our place at the roseland theatre. i honestly don’t know what to expect. i’m sure i’m going to have my mind blown. that typically happens when listening to him speak.

anyways, if you’re interested in who rob bell is and what he’s about here are a few links of the things he’s involved in. i’ll keep you posted as to how tonight goes.

marshill.org + marshill.org/about/rob
nooma.com
author of velvet elvis: repainting the christian faith
everythingisspiritual.com
callingallpeacemakers.com
author of sex god: exploring the endless connections between sexuality & spirituality
sexgodtour.com
thegodsarentangry.com

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