Most people blog about their kids, but since we don't have any yet, we blog about our dog! Here's Cash's new poof coat for the cold and rainy winter. Pretty cute, huh?

Look, he likes it so much he's sticking his tongue out at you!

Actually he really does like it because it means he's going on a w-a-l-k and that is what he lives for. Plus, being such a skinny little guy he shivers when we go outside, so it makes me feel better knowing he's bundled up. He may be a spaz, but he sure is cute :)

Oregon Coast Beach Trip

I can't believe what a beautiful Fall we've had this year. We had so much sun and gorgeous weather...I was starting to get spoiled...and then the rain and snow hit last week!

Two weeks ago Andrew and I went to the coast and enjoyed an amazing weekend away. Our hotel room balcony opened up to the ocean and we could see it from our bed. It was amazing to fall asleep and wake up such breathtaking views and to the sound of the waves crashing.

This picture does not do it justice, but you get the idea. It was amazing. (This is the view from Highway 101, not from our balcony window :))

We took Cash with us and he was so happy and we had so much fun with him. There was no one else on the beach or on our hikes, so we got to let him off leash and watch him sprint, sniff and enjoy his freedom to his little doggy-heart's content. We don't get to let him off leash very often because he tries to bite everything that moves, but out here we were totally alone and he was in doggy heaven. It was really fun.

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year and we were so happy and blessed to have family and friends share our feast with us. Edy and Gordon (Andrew's parents), Joe (Andrew's brother) and his girlfriend Becky, and Bryson and Sean (two guys Andrew works with) all came over. I was in charge of cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year - my first! I didn't burn anything and no one got sick, so I think it was a success. Luckily I had lots of help and wisdom in the kitchen with me at all times too, so that helped.

I think my favorite dish was the fruited, whole wheat stuffing we made. It had walnuts and dried fruit in it and it was delicious and 'sneakily' healthy (i.e. it tasted good to everyone not just the crazy 'almost' nutritionist). Here's the recipe in case anyone wants it.

Fruited Whole-Wheat Bread Stuffing

1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup raisins, dark or golden
1/2 cup pitted sliced prunes (plums)
1/2 cup dried sliced apricots
3 cups boiling water
1 Tbs olive oil
1 large sweet onion, diced
3 celery stalks, chopped
2 tsp. dried ground sage
1 lb day-old whole-wheat bread, crusts removed and cubed
3 cups boiling low-fat, reduced sodium chicken broth
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup toasted walnuts
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cherries, raisins, prunes, and apricots. Add the boiling water and set aside for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and saute for 8-9 minutes until onions are translucent and celery is soft. Add in the sage and saute for 1 minute. Add the onions and celery to a large bowl.
4. Add the bread to the bowl and mix. Pour over the broth, and add the eggs and mix well. Add in the walnuts and season with salt and pepper.
5. Pour the stuffing into a large 9-by-13 inch casserole dish and bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 minutes more until top is browned.