Beaverton

It's been interesting being here. I've gotten lost a few times; like up past Portland lost. I blame "Jane", my gps, for those adventures though, and chalk it up to learning experiences. I'm not too far along on getting my cosmo license renewed, I just seem to always have something better or more urgent to do. Like getting my Oregon drivers license. That was a little upsetting, it just makes this so permanent.

The most challenging thing is getting our 940 square foot apartment furnishings to fit into our now 640 square foot apartment. The crash helped some, but we're using a lot of our damaged stuff rather than replacing it in hopes that when we get into a more permanent residence, we'll be able to trash a lot rather than move it. Again. And we had a hard time finding things we could AGREE on....

But here is my new apartment. If it looks crowded and cluttered, it's because it is. :) Cozy is what my mother-in-law generously described it as. I don't mind it too much- mostly because I cant think of anything else to do with it.

Andrew is so excited that I'm taking pictures!

That's the bedroom and bathroom through that door- nothing you all need to see.

Ahhh. These book cases are new from Ikea. A big compromise, but I ended up really liking them. I think of them as sort of a "Where's Waldo" game. I have books, games, decorations, cake pedestals, gloves, fabric, and who knows what all else on them. Such a life saver! The computer desk was from before, but I had a mini refurnishing fit and sanded then stained it blue. I've been changing the color scheme slightly by trying to add more blue and getting rid of the yellow.

My tiny kitchen. The window is right by the front door- so anyone who knocks can see that I'm at home, choosing to ignore them. Nice. It doesn't even offer much sunlight, but it helps make it seem a little bit bigger.

And these are my latest creation! Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies. Pretty good, I thought they'd be fun for a Valentine treat, but they aren't as red as I had hoped.

cream together:
1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

blend in:

2 eggs
1 tsp soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

add:

2 cups flour

fold in:

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 big handfuls dried cherries (about 1 1/2-2 cups)

bake for 10 min at 350.