It's a Marshmallow World

You can disregard that title. I just had to make reference to possibly the cheesiest Christmas song of all. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you're lucky. If so, maybe you'll commiserate with me.

Guess what we woke up to this morning???

The "Artic Blast" the news stations have been going crazy over were right. It snowed and is still snowing. Hard. And the temperatures are at freezing and still dropping. Fingers crossed for a snow day.....

Like I said before, Santa came early for both of us. Thought I'd share some of our "christmas morning" shots.

A new running/cycling jacket for Liz and a yoga mat (I got to open my birthday present too:)

Adam got slippers, new "runderwear" (sport underwear), and gloves. He's got everything on except his new book "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan.

Three more days until the midwest is graced with our presence (and presents). All kinds of cheesy lines in this post...

I'll Have a "Green" Christmas.....

Here's my theme this christmas: Eco-Friendly gifts and wrapping. I figure I can get more enjoyable gifts for people, while at the same time reducing packaging and waste.

Santa came early for Adam. Here are his green-wrapped gifts (brown paper bag packing with fabric ribbon and last year's christmas card snippets for decoration).

I have been browsing various blogs that give tips on how to reduce waste this holiday season. I realized how much "stuff" is given or received over the holidays and how even more "junk" is thrown away as a bi-product of giving (wrapping paper, product packaging).

Here are some ideas I've discovered to keep in mind when considering "green" shopping:

-go for things that you know people would like, that way they won't be wasted. If you're not sure, gift certificates are great!

-handmade gifts or gifts made from recycled materials

-clothes or items made with eco friendly fabrics

-edible gifts

-tickets to an event or other activity

-other gifts to promote green living and waste reduction (steel water bottles, reusable shopping bags, cloth napkins....)

-donations to a charitable organization in someone's name

I hope I don't sound preachy. Its just that living out in the Northwest has opened my eyes to being good to our environment. I just hope to spread the awareness!

***MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT***

Ding DONG!

Okay, so I stole that line from Tracy. (Its in reference to Christmas Vacation, when all the family guests arrive....this is what happened to Adam and I for Thanksgiving...).

Yes, we had a full house of parents last week and it went fabulously. I think I can speak for everyone to say we all had a great time. Adam and I cooked our first Thanksgiving meal (which was a success), Tracy, Carol and Ruth (or the "Rooster" as we have cleverly deemed as my mother's nickname. It started out as the "Ruth-ster", but since she wakes up so early in the morning, and it sounds so much like rooster, we only felt it was appropriate. She likes it. You all should start using it too).

I unfortunately did not take many pictures of the feast, or other outings, for that matter. We did have a lovely trip down the National Scenic Columbia River Highway along the Gorge. We got to show them the wonders of the waterfalls along the way (yes David, we took you there too but it was not raining quite so hard this time).

The next day, we decided to head downtown to the Portland Saturday Market, as well as the PSU Farmer's Market. It was quite enjoyable (except for the relentless walking we made everyone do. Sorry again for that). After our markets, we went to the Portland Art Museum to view the "Wild Beauty" exhibit. This featured old 19th century photos of the Columbia River before it was damned, I mean dammed. No, it was not sent to hell somewhere in the mid 1900s. Quite awe-inspiring. It was a full day for sure.

Walking to the market....

Mother and son looking for some good jam.

Adam checking out the delicious produce.

Here is the beautiful bouquet the Rooster got for me at the market.

We will be home in a week and a half! I can't wait to see everyone for the holidays!!!