What I'll miss about America

Jamie's rocking van

Yellow school buses converted into hippie vessels

The Pacific Ocean

Halloween!

Red velvet cake

Carving pumpkins

Everything is bigger in the USA

Bar food!

The American Experience #2

You've heard the saying.... "Everything is bigger in America."



Not true. Have you seen the mailboxes? They're tiny!! I don't get it... the mail men have to squeeze the mail, letters and newspapers to fit it all. If, by chance, they can't make room for the mail... they often knock on the door, and leave a parcel behind.

This is what met me when I got home this afternoon.

The American Experience #1

Dining in America is quite the experience. It's no secret that Americans love their food.. and their flavors! No need to focus on just one, over here it's expected that the cooks cram into one dish as many flavors as possible. Sour cream, bacon, melted cheese, jalapenos, hot sauce and gravy all piled on top of, say, biscuits. Bring it on, baby!

But in all honesty, I will miss going out to breakfast.

Jamie and I went to "Ye Old Pancake House" on West 11th last weekend. When you order coffee, you don't get a tiny plastic cup a'la Norway. You get a whole thermos!!

That's the way it should be!!

Also, no need to bug the server to bring you sugar, or extra ketchup. The tables are already stacked with all the condiments you need, including my favorite - green hot sauce!

No wonder I've gained weight over here. Just take a look at what we ate:

It's artery clogging on a plate. Yumm!

'Tis the Season!

It's barely the beginning of October, but Christmas decorations are already covering store shelves. Even before people can carve their pumpkins it's obviously time to cue the carolers.

I snapped this picture during a shopping trip at Rite Aid.

Americans ARE crazy about decorating for every occasion, but come on... The Thanksgiving turkey is still kicking!

What do you think? Is this too early?

Lane County Fair: Real American Values!

Two weekends ago, Jamie and I decided to check out the madness that was happening at the fairgrounds. I've only been to the fair once, and that was 3 years ago. I decided I'd go with no expectations or pre-biased opinions. This is all good fun, yeah?



First stop, The Animal Barn!! I adore nothing more than tiny little piglets. I love them! The sight that met me, however, was slightly less heartwarming. Huge, panting animals in small disclosures, trying to escape the sweltering heat. I did see some cute, baby piggies though, and I sent them all my best wishes from my heart. (Yes, feel free to go "aw" here).







Some of the other creatures we saw, were chickens, sheep, goats (some had loooong ears!), peacocks, and rabbits, to mention some. I don't care much for rides, so we skipped that part.





One of my favorites, however, were the displays of produce, jam, bread and other locally grown products. I loved how they tried to re-create the essence of each individual grange. My own personal favorite was the Santa Clara grange. Yay for visualizing true, family values!!