This is where I'm at

It's funny how much life can change in the span of one year. This time last year, Jeremy was just getting home from a two month deployment in Mobile, AL. Something to do with an oil spill...you might have heard of it. We had barely lived together two weeks before he was boarding a plane. Airport hellos and goodbyes had been the theme of our relationship for the past 6 years and I can't tell you how hard it hit me when we found out that it was already time for another goodbye. I thought we were done with airports, done with long separations, and finally starting a life together. Physically together, same place, same time.

But life went on. Our Portland friends, who at that time were still "Jeremy's friends", completely opened their arms to me. I remember how much I relied on my "girls' nights" with Dani and Lauren. Looking back I feel so much gratitude for the way they supported me through that time. Two months is nothing in the scheme of things. Jeremy and I had spent much longer apart (try 9 months on a cargo ship in Asia circa 2006). But after building up in my head how perfect life would be after moving in together, I was pretty devastated.

But let me get back on track. I was trying to make a point. We've come a very long way. Now we're engaged. Planning a wedding for next summer. Enjoying our second Oregon fall together. And wait for it...we've become savers. Jeremy and I are saving every penny. It's like suddenly we realized "oh wait, weddings, houses, babies, take a lot of planning!" I guess we always knew that, but we were kind of hoping we could avoid having to do something about it. Let me tell you this is hard for me. I like to shop. We like to eat out. We like to go adventuring. But now that we have these big life goals, that are worth planning and saving for, suddenly life has changed. Yesterday we talked all day about going out for dinner, but when it came time to pick a spot, we unanimously decided to eat in. Look at that! We just saved $40!

Choices like that one have slowly started to catch on. A few months ago I wrote an entry about my wardrobe staples. I heard from a lot of my friends how much they liked reading that entry. So I figure it's time to add a few more "must haves" to the list. But this year splurges are probably not going to look the same. Rather than splurging on a pair of shoes, I'd like to be able to invite a couple more guests to our big day. You get the idea.

So here you go. A few items and pieces of fashion/shopping advice that won't totally break the bank.

1. Here is the most important lesson I can share with you. If you work in an office or you just love shopping at Banana Republic...sign up for Banana Republic emails. I know you probably already receive 8,000,000 emails from online retailers you shopped at once, but BR is worth it. See 'butters, they have something called power lunches. A 3-hour window of opportunity when everything is 40% off. Did you hear me? Everything. Yes, that includes $200 wool suit jackets, $100 wrap dresses, and $70 pencil skirts. Suddenly, items that were once on your dream shopping list are affordable. BR has these sales at least once or twice a month, so bottom line...don't ever buy anything at BR full price. Wait for a power lunch. The offer is good online or in stores.
   You're welcome.
   
2. Zara. Maybe I'm crazy, but I swear Zara used to be an "in stores only" opportunity...meaning no online shopping. But just the other day I went on their website and (hallelujah!) you can shop Zara online now. Zara isn't quite H&M affordable, but they are pretty inexpensive and their clothes a) fit well and b) last forever. Sign me up. I ordered this dress a couple of days ago ($79!).

I'm also considering this dress (below), because it screams Kate Middleton to me.
Screams Kate, but costs only $59.90. Perfect.

3. Last but not least, I would like to share this other amazing sale. I don't know how long it will last, so take advantage of this ASAP. Ann Taylor The Loft is having a $35 sale. Dresses, shirts, pants...a lot of their new line is on sale for only $35 (some shirts are even $25!). I found this sweater dress that I'm hoping will be as cute in real life (with black tights and suede boots) as it is online. Original price: $89.50. Sale price: $35.

Check it out.

That's all I have to share for now, but I will continue to fill you in when I find something worth sharing!

I'd love to hear from you guys if you have a minute to comment. Where were your lives one year ago? And how have you changed?

xoxo. Happy Friday.

I don't want to hear it skeptics!

As most of you who know me have figured out by now...I love fall and I love cooking for the seasons. With autumn quickly transitioning into winter here in the Northwest, I figured it was time to try a recipe I discovered on foodgawker.com a few weeks ago. Pumpkin Chili. Yup, that's right! Two very unlikely things are combined in this delicious and hearty meal. A lot of people I've talked to about making this dish thought it sounded disgusting, but I swear this meal is a must. The pumpkin doesn't make the chili taste like pumpkin, but rather it acts as a healthy thickener...making the chili more filling and the broth creamier (without milk for us lactose-challenged people!). I hope you guys will try this one, Jeremy swears it is one of the top-5 things I've ever made for dinner!

Recipe of the Day: Pumpkin Chili (Serves 8)
Courtesy of The Family Kitchen

Ingredients:

1.5 pounds ground chuck
1 - 15 oz. can light red kidney beans
1 - 15 oz. can dark red kidney beans
2 - 14 oz. cans of pure pumpkin (pumpkin puree)
2 - 28 oz. cans of diced or crushed tomatoes (recommend: fire-roasted diced tomatoes)
3 cups beef broth
1 large onion, diced
1 large green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
3 teaspoons cumin
1 tsp. chili powder (I use 2 teaspoons)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
2 teaspoons dried cilantro
2 teaspoons dried oregano

Directions:

1. Add ground beef, salt, and pepper to a large soup pot. Brown meat. Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until the onions are translucent.


2. Add the ground beef and vegetables to the crock-pot. Then add the dark and light beans, pumpkin, tomatoes, broth, cumin, chili powder, cilantro and oregano. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

A Weekend in Bellingham

Good morning November! It's officially my favorite month of the year :) To start things off right, I will be sharing with you all the great weekend I had up in Bellingham, Washington. Hopefully it will inspire you to take a little drive up North!

As most of you know, my sister is a sophomore at Western Washington University, located in beautiful Bellingham. As you may also know, my parents recently retired and moved to the same town. Bellingham is about 90 minutes north of Seattle, an hour south of Vancouver, B.C. By the time you get up there, you see as many British Columbia license plates as you do Washington state. I've visited this gem of a town about 5 times and each time I find new things to do and explore. Bellingham is one of those places you can only experience in the Northwest. From downtown you can be hiking in the mountains, visiting the San Juan Islands, skiing on Mt. Baker, or shopping in the historic Fairhaven district all in less than 30 minutes.

On Saturday morning Jeremy and I packed up the car with an extra set of clothes, Jeremy's guitar, and Buoy. It was pouring rain all the way through Seattle, but by the time we got to Bellingham the sun was actually out! We stopped at Britt's apartment first and picked her up for lunch. The three of us (and Buoy) drove down the hill to Fairhaven. What an adorable spot! I've included a couple pictures so you can get the idea. All old brick buildings, bookstores, tea shops, cafes, and art galleries...Fairhaven seriously looks like it belongs in some little English or Irish town. We ate lunch at the Colophon Cafe, an adorable little spot where we were able to sit out on the patio. It is on the bottom floor of the bookstore and faces the Farmers Market. This is the spot for delicious soup, quiche, sandwiches, and hot apple cider!

After lunch Jeremy and I headed up the mountain to my parents' house, where we explored a bit and then headed down to Lake Whatcom for a hike. The lake is huge and surrounded by beautiful homes. With the autumn leaves covering the trail it was the perfect afternoon activity! Buoy loved it as well because he knows Lake Whatcom means lots of time to swim.

Saturday night ended with watching the USC v. Oregon football game (I don't want to talk about it), and beef stew my Mom always makes on Halloween.

Sunday morning before we left town, my family all got together for breakfast at Avenue Bakery. The bread here is delicious and they use incredibly fresh eggs and bacon. I definitely recommend this spot. Although, if you're only in Bellingham for the weekend Diamond Jim's is the spot for a classic diner breakfast.

I could make a number of great recommendations to anyone visiting Bellingham, but I'll spare you a million details. Just go! It's a great town with great food and unbeatable outdoor adventures. Not to mention, you always have a place to stay!

Courtesy of Greg

I have been trying to think of a way to close this inaugural week's blog entries. I've been sifting through some of my favorite recipes and trying to think of must do activities, but what I stumbled upon in my Gmail Inbox was a recipe of my Dad's that he sent me last year. Now that I live up here in Oregon, the cold and rainy capital of the world...I seem to gravitate towards a lot of "comfort food" type recipes. This is a perfect recipe for one of those cold, gray days. I'm giving you this recipe word-for-word the way my Dad sent it to me.

Greg's Famous Pot Roast and Noodles:

Shopping List:
Beef...usually a cheap London broil, but most cuts are okay since it goes in the pressure cooker...since it's the 2 of you and you have the smaller pressure cooker I'd say about 3 lbs
1 Box (2 envelopes) Beefy Onion soup and dip mix
1 cup or so of flour
1 stick butter
2 cans beef broth or get a jar of "better than beef" (kind of like a bouillon in paste form) and use water to make broth then you can make as needed
1 or 2 bags of noodles (biggest egg type noodles you can find)
1-2 tablespoons of oil to brown the beef (veg oil or olive or in a pinch butter)

Instructions:

1. Trim and brown the beef on all sides in the pressure cooker w/o lid (in the oil mentioned in your shopping list)
2. When browned, add 1 or 2 envelopes of soup mix and water as per soup instructors (about 1 cup per envelope)
3. Add water and better than beef or broth til meat is covered or a bit more (total liquid should be about 4-6 cups depending on how much meat and room in pot). Pot should not be more than 2/3 full.
4. Put lid on and heat up to pressure...once it starts hissing, NOTE THE TIME and begin to gradually lower heat til it's gently hissing.
5. Let cook for about 50-60 min.
6. During the last 10 minutes of the cooking, melt the butter in a sauce pan and add about 1 cup of flour. Using a fork, mix and de-lump it (technical term).
7. Remove pressure cooker from heat and bleed off the pressure til you can open the lid (if there is any doubt how to do this call me!)
8. Open and remove meat and set aside. Put flour/butter mix in the broth and heat while stirring til it thickens.
9. Cut or shred meat and add to 'gravy'.
10. Make noodles and cover with meat/gravy.
11. Eat...

Note: You can start noodles while you're making gravy.

I hope you guys enjoy this recipe! Can you tell it was written by a man? I especially love the orders to call him if I have trouble opening the lid of the pressure cooker! Dads always look out for their little girls :)

I think you could probably do this same recipe in a slow cooker if you don't happen to have a pressure cooker. Just put all the ingredients in the crock-pot and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8-10. Then make the gravy and noodles! I haven't tried this idea out, but I'm sure it would still taste delicious.

Reason #12903481 I Love Fall

I have to share this recipe with all of you. I found this last year in Martha Stewart Living, but have altered it a bit since then. Below you will find the original, which is delicious but requires a lot of special ingredients. Following the recipe you'll see my modifications, which still create a perfect cup of hot apple cider!

Delicious Fall Recipe: Warm Vanilla Cider

Ingredients for 6 servings:

6 cups fresh apple cider
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar (packed)
2 whole nutmeg seeds
1 vanilla bean (split and scraped)
3/4 cup bourbon (if desired)
whipped cream and caramelized walnuts (for on top, if desired)

Directions:

Combine apple cider, sugar, nutmeg, and vanilla in a saucepan. Gently simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and add bourbon if desired. Remove and discard the solids. Divide into mugs and add the toppers!


Allison's Version of Martha's Hot Apple Cider:

Ingredients for 2 servings:

3 cups Trader Joe's Spiced Apple Cider
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
cinnamon to taste
Jim Beam Bourbon (if desired)

Directions:

Combine the cider, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan and heat (medium temp.) until you reach your desired temperature (about 5 minutes). If you would like to add the bourbon, put 1 shot in each mug and then add the cider. Stir and add whipped cream if desired!

Both versions are delicious. I've found the Martha version to be a little too expensive and hard to make when you have the impulse, because honestly...who has vanilla beans in their cupboard?? The TJ's spiced cider adds enough flavor that you can get by without adding too many ingredients and is just as yummy :)

Apparently I make good bait...

One of the things I always loved about going to college in the Hudson Valley was autumn. The colors of the trees all over campus and along the Hudson River were breathtaking, and I've dearly missed Vassar this time of year ever since. Southern California has her fair share of positive attributes, but fall in Los Angeles just can't compete with the rest of the country. Which brings me to Portland! Who knew this city has such a beautiful autumn?! The trees outside my office building are as vibrant as the ones outside Rockefeller Hall! So in celebration of my favorite season I've been on a hunt to discover the best of Portland's autumnal offerings. I'll share with you what I've found so far:

Fall Must-Do #1: The Haunted Corn Maize on Sauvie Island

Friday night Jeremy and I went with our friends Dani and Jared out to Sauvie Island for a little Halloween fun. Every year they put on a Haunted Corn Maze throughout the month of October. Tickets to enter cost $10/person and plan to wait in quite a long line to buy your ticket and then enter into the maze. BUT it is totally worth the wait. The maze takes about 20 minutes to walk through and it lives up to the hype. There are dozens of haunts waiting from behind the wall of corn and the maze is elaborately decked out to be incredibly spooky and thoroughly terrifying. Jeremy may try to tell you he wasn't scared, but the truth is...after about the third zombie jumped out from the corn...he was yelling, "Take her, take her!" Yup...my boyfriend used me as bait. Perfect.

This is a great activity to do near Portland in the fall. To get directions or find out more information just click here.

And here we are at the Maize:

Fall Must-Do #2: The Hood River Fruit Loop

A co-worker of mine came into work last week and told me all about the great time she had apple picking out in Hood River the weekend before. Being a total sucker for this type of thing, I thought it would be the perfect outing for me to do with my parents the following weekend! So that's what we did. A couple weekends back my parents and I spent a beautiful day driving out to Hood River and exploring the "Fruit Loop". The Fruit Loop is a 35-mile drive through the valley near Mt. Hood. Full of orchards, fruit stands, lavender fields, and wineries...it doesn't get much better than this. The best part about this outing is it's versatility. If you have kids there are adorable farms with pumpkin patches, but if it's just you and your friends or a date there are great barbecue joints, country stores, and roadside stands selling the best produce the valley has to offer. My personal favorite was a stop along the loop called Cody's. They had the most delicious apple cider and a wide selection of produce.

I highly recommend this drive, the views of Mt. Hood all along the way are spectacular. Although keep in mind, most of the farms start to close up shop around the end of October. The next time I head out there will hopefully be for a train ride on the Mt. Hood Railroad. They have a Christmas Tree Train!

For a map of the Fruit Loop and additional information click here.