ChinaTown Northwest Style

Portland is just a great city. The more I experience it, the more I love it. Portland's Chinatown makes for a nice outing and so a bunch of us headed up to see get some Asian culture into our afternoon. Of course, the day started out with a laugh. We met up at the stake center parking lot so we could all carpool. As we were chatting, the green VW Bug that we were leaning against started to move. Oh, yes. Morgan had forgot to put her e-brake on and left her Bug in neutral. An opportunity for a prank like that just can't be passed up, so we pushed the car to the opposite end of the parking lot and left it there for Morgan to find. Word is, that when she came out to get her car, she though that it had been stolen. Sad! She found it after a minute though and from that day decided to always put her car in park ;)

Chinatown was really neat. Unlike San Fransisco's, it is a bit small, and CLEAN. We got some great food and got to hear Jason order all our food in Mandarin.

Welcome to Chinatown.

Jackie & I

Here's a view of the sidewalk outside the Chinese gardens.

Jason and Jared

Me and Joe, totally cheesin'.

Here's us outside the Chinese gardens, we didn't go in--it was $9 and we didn't think it was that worth it. We took a pic outside it though ;)

Jared, Jackie and Joe look at souvenirs in the bookshop. Looks like Jared was a bit warm! Thanks goodness for Chinese fans!

I saw this store and had to take a pic. "Moshi moshi" means hello in Japanese and is what my roomie Patsy would say all the time when answering the phone. It was a windy day as you can see...flyaway bangs!

Of course, we had to stop at VooDoo Donuts, the shop known for having the craziest kinds of donuts you can find. Perhaps a maple bar topped with bacon strikes your fancy? No problem! We got one topped with Butterfinger pieces and it was so yummy!

We also walked through a craft fair and there were amazed by this one-handed musician. He could really play! It just goes to show, no matter what life deals you, you can do anything if you put your mind to it!

After such a long day, we were pretty wiped out. Todd grabbed my camera and had to snap this pic of Jackie and I as we were taking a break.

It was such a great day!

Apple Cake Recipe

By request, here is the recipe for the Apple Cake that I talked about in my "Autumn is Apple Cake" post. Enjoy! :)

* Use Golden Delicious apples in this recipe if possible, because they are so sweet and hold up well when cooked.

Cake Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
2 large egg whites
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup plain non-fat yougurt
2 1/2 cups cooking apples, cored & diced
1/2 cup chpped nuts (optional, I like it better without)

Apple Glaze: (Although not needed-the cake is yummy by itself- it sweetens it up if you have a sugar tooth)
2 Tbsp frozen unsweetened apple juice consentrate, thawed
1/4 cup sugar

Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar. Stir in beaten eggs, egg whites, oil and yogurt. Mix well. Add apples and nuts.

Pour batter into a 10-inch bunt pan generously sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. (You can actually use any kind of baking pan. I like the 9x9 square pans.) Bake until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Brush on glaze, if dezired.

To amke the glaze, combine concentrate and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over low het until the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Yeild: Serves 16

Per Serving w/Glaze: 229 Cal, 10g fat, 34 mg Chol., 111mg Sod. (it may not be the healthiest snack, but oh so worth it!)

Tagged!

So I've been tagged a couple of times and as I am in the mood to veg a bit, I thought I'd follow through this time.

8 Places I like to Eat:
1. Zupas (My favorite soup & salads in Provo)
2. Cafe Rio (Their sweet pork is so yummy!)
3. Spoons (The cutest little cafe in Salem)
4. Strings (It's a family favorite)
5. Applebee's
6. The Guadalajara Grill
7. Mimi's Cafe
8. P.F Chang's

8 Things that Happened Yesterday:
1. I woke up BEFORE my alarm.
2. Actually did my laundry.
3. Took the Twins to get their senior pictures taken. It was pouring rain and we got soaked! Hope they turn out though!
4. Drove an hour to Eugene, and then another hour around Eugene trying to fine the stake center!
5. Worked on the YSA humanitarian project coloring education kits.
6. Listened to the most amazing fireside by Brother Bartholomew. Seriously, it was just what I needed to hear.
7. Danced at the YSA Conference. I haven't danced in forever! The funniest part was watching Daniel, Joe, Jared, Aaron and Todd dancing to Dancing Queen ;)
8.Went hot tubbing at the hotel.

8 Things I Love About Fall:
1. Wearing sweaters
2. All things pumpkin flavored come out! (IE: ice cream, bread, eggnog, pie, lotion, candles, etc)
3. The leaves changing colors and driving through the country to see them
4. The crisp air
5. Dancing/running in the rain
6. The start of the holiday season and seeing my family on the holidays
7. Cozying up with a warm blanket and a good book by the fire
8. Remembering all the wonderful blessings that Heavenly Father has given me

8 Things on My wish List:
1. That I can just stop stressing and get my law school applications in
2. That my Dad would take a vacation for himself
3. More time...for everything
4. That Allie will enjoy France, but come home soon!
5. A cure for Alzheimer's
6. A missionary opportunity
7. No back pain
8. That my students loans would pay themselves off ;)

8 People That I Am Tagging:
1. Cecily Harris
2. Rachel Stapp
3. Kalli Hamilton
4. Sarah Wilkinson
5. Julie Layne
6. Martha Tanner
7. Mo Olsen
8. Ashley Piorun

Autumn Is Apple Cake

A Megan Memory: Coming home from school was always a special time for me as a child. We only lived about a block from our elementary school and so we walked home most days. I would get Cecily after class and then we would head home together. Mom was always waiting for us with a snack and a bright smile. Snack time was so important. We told Mom all about our day and what we had learned in school. Looking back, it provided some great bonding time.

During Fall, Cecily and I always looked forward to Apple Cake for snack time. This scrumptious treat would be warm and fresh from the oven. It has apple chunks in it and although sweet, is more like a muffin type than a cake. I have great memories of eating Apple Cake and talking to Mom after elementary school.

Flash Forward: I'm 25 and the days of elementary school are long gone. I've just moved home for awhile to help my Dad with his new business after having graduated from college. Life is busy and although I live at home, I am hardly every there. Work, my calling in Relief Society, Institute, and dating fill up almost every day. In fact I have to schedule laundry time. Fall has come, but I've been too busy to really notice. So I come home one particularly busy day and find myself greeted by a familiar smell. I haven't smelled it in awhile and can't quite put my finger on what it is. However, as I come into the kitchen, memories of elementary school fall days come rushing back. It's Apple Cake! My lovely Mom had made it again. It was then that I realized, Hey, it's really autumn! So, I cut a slice for me and my Mom, and we sat at the table and caught up. Cecily joined us and it was almost as if we were back 15 year prior, eating Apple Cake at snack time.

My Own Soccer Star

Kyle has been playing soccer for almost as long as I can remember. Although he started with some of my other siblings, he has been the one to stick it out, playing for numerous rec teams, as well as for his high school. He is now a senior at Sprague High School, playing on his varsity team and one of the student captains. I was able to go to one of his games a few weeks ago and was really impressed, not only with his skill, but with his dedication to his team, his coach, and to the sport. Although the game may not have turned out as he would have wanted, I was so proud of him. Not only could he perform when his team needed him too, but he was super supportive to all the other players. I think those years of soccer not only taught him how to score a goal, but also how to lead a group, how to work well with others, and how to work hard for what you want. He’s definitely a soccer star! I was able to snap a few photos from the game. Although they are a bit fuzzy, you get the idea. He's #11.

Sweets, Spunk, & Samaritans

A few weeks ago, some of the girls and I decided to take a little trip to Portland. It really is a gorgeous city full of spunk and culture. Upon arrival we found the cutest little cupcake shop. Although a bit pricy, they were worth the experience. It pretty much was the best cream cheese frosting I've ever tasted.

Amanda, Brittani, & I with our sweets.

Downtown Portland offers a lot of beautiful architecture. This is the synagogue from the Jewish neighborhood we walked through.
Britt & I pose before the this Catholic church. It had the cutest, peaceful little courtyard that really reminded me of my days in Spain.
Of course we had to head to the Downtown Mall while we were there. Here's Sarah enjoying a Brookstone massage. I got one too and it was by far the best massage by in inanimate object I've ever experienced. What a great way to relax after hours of walking!
Sadly, upon arriving back at are car, we were met with a little disappointment.

We tried to change the tire ourselves, and although we were giving it our best effort...

...thank goodness for everyday good Samaritans!

Oktoberfest

I have been horrible at posting lately and as I was looking through my camera, realized that I have had some great experiences recently that I haven't shared. So, these next few posts will be a bit of back-tracking.

A few weeks ago, a bunch of the pals and I headed to Mt. Angel for their yearly Oktoberfest Festival. It was amazing. The food was great, the music especially jovial, and the people watching opportunities particularly interesting. It was a great way to welcome in fall.

As it was dinner time, we first headed to get some eats. I got some yummy potato pancakes and on of the best cinnamon-rollish things I have ever tasted. Here's a pic of Todd, Daniel, and Joe enjoying their dinner.

Some of us got more in the Oktoberfest spirit than others. Daniel went all out with suspenders, shorts, and a green hat. This cute old man was playing the sweetest songs on the accordion and although you can't really tell by this picture, was wearing the same exact outfit as Daniel. It was too funny.
Mt. Angel has a beautiful Catholic church. I've been in quite a few through my travels, but was really impressed by the sweet peace that pervaded this chapel. The stained glass was beautiful as well.
There was also section of the town dedicated to artists. They had little booths where the displayed and sold their goods. One of the most interesting booths for me was the glass maker. As you can see from the pic below, this man uses a blowtorch and a few tools to create the most beautiful glass sculptures. It was fascinating to watch him bend and mold the glass.
Here's a pic of me and the boys: Taylor, Joe and Jared. Thank goodness for good friends.This man was so cute. We just had to get a picture! Also, these girls are so awesome. I love Jackie and Lindsay!
We found a polka band and had a blast dancing to their tunes. Here's the groups doing the "Hokie-Pokie." Seriously, I can't remember the last time I did the "Hokie-Pokie" but it was so much fun. This pic is "put your left hip in." Daniel shows us how to "put your nose in and wiggle it all about."
Oh, and did I mention that we did the Chicken Dance? Yes. And guess what? All this fun was had without one drop of Oktoberfest alcohol!

Handbag Planet

Check out www.handbagplanet.com for deals on great handbags like this one. I think this bag is so hot. I love it!

Moon Roofing It

When Daniel gets in my car, he is so tall that his head hits the roof. Luckily it has a built in solution. Thank goodness for moon-roofs!

Beautiful Butte Falls

Things are really good. So good in fact that I haven't had time to post in awhile! I love being busy!

Last weekend a bunch of us went repelling at Butte Falls. It was simply beautiful. I have really fallen in love with green Oregon. Salem is so nice because you just drive 30 minutes and you're in a jungle-like wilderness. Drive 45 minutes in another direction and your in downtown Portland. What more can you ask for?

Well here are some pics from Butte Falls. I had never been repelling before and to be quite honest, I was a bit terrified. But, it was an adventure that I couldn't pass up...so I did it.

Here are a bunch of us before we head down the cliff: Jared, Jackie, Me, Joe, Lindsay, Daniel, & Todd
This is the cliff as seen from across the ravine. It was really intimidating! Notice the waterfall right next to it.

This was the scariest part. Trusting in the rope as you start backing off a ledge is quite the experience. I'm not quite sure, but I am pretty sure that I screamed a bit at this point. ;) It certainly makes you feel alive!


About right here I was thinking, "Why am I doing this?!"

About half-way down.
Almost there

We also hiked a bit around and found some other waterfalls. This is definitely one of the most perfect places in the world.I took this from underneath the waterfall.
Again, from behind the waterfall.

Here's my hiking buddy Lindsay. Love that girl!

Overall is was an amazing day with good friends, beautiful surroundings, and an adventure to boot. Definitely a day worth remembering.