McTrash

Trash can outside McDonald's.

The Original

I sure love corn chips in chili.

Cocoa-licious - Crossmark on KATU

Yummy treat for a winter day -- warm cookies and hot chocolate piled high with whipped cream. Took this as a promo shot for my wife's latest article on the KATU.com website (though this shot didn't make the final cut).

Hot Dog, Please

Not open for business today. But I've seen this hot dog stand doing quite the business at Portland's Saturday Market on Ankeny Square.

Pumpkin

A tribute to all things pumpkin. Somehow, in the midst of herding two mischievous toddlers and two young boys, my wife and I were able to find half a second to enjoy our trip to a local farm. Brought back some smallish pumpkins as trophies of our venture.

Golden Delicious

A crisp autumn day made happier with an apple tasting festival. Had no idea there were so many varieties of apples, but was glad to discover the "Elstar"--by far our favorite. Evidently, it was everyone else's favorite, too. There were none left for us to purchase.

(The apples in this photo aren't Elstars.)

Choctoberfest - Crossmark on KATU

Piles of chocolate. Promo shot for my wife's latest article on website for KATU television.

Maters

Couple of ripe little guys still on the vine in our neighbor's garden.

Hot Diggety - Crossmark on KATU

Nothing says "summer" like hot dogs on a campfire. Unless it's mosquitos. Or sunburn.

Head over to KATU.com to see Crossmark camping photos featured in a new article by my wife and fellow blogger, the Stretch Mark Mama. Be sure to check out her favorite chili recipe that you can easily take camping for--chili dogs! (A personal favorite of mine.)

Raspberry in the Sun

Juicy red raspberry soaking up the sun. Been gorging ourselves on loads of fresh raspberries and blueberries that we picked ourselves last night on Sauvie Island in Portland. Yum!

Dragon Teapot

A lovely teapot from a tea shop in Guangzhou, China. Though we didn't buy that particular model, we did pick up a simple and elegant set to use a family on special occasions.

Green Gumballs

All lined up in neat little rows.

Hill-a-Beans

Stump Town Coffee, a local favorite hang out, is known for its unique coffee, roasted right in front of the customers before brewing.