Fashion: Simple + Versatile

Back-to-school often means shopping for new clothes. I've been collecting over the summer at thrift shops and yard sales but like these simple, handmade pieces - all found on Etsy - also. Simple and versatile is key for me. Any of these would easily mix into my wardrobe now and for years to come.

Click images for more info and to shop.

My Backyard: Portland State University

This is where I am today. My first day of Art 112 (Visual Design) at PSU. Just an fyi...my blogs will be updated less often for the next 11 weeks due to school. I'm planning on two articles per week pending my homework load. We'll see how that goes and I hope you continue to enjoy the musings herein. Look for more photos of PSU and Portland in the future--but from my camera lens!

Portland State University (PSU) is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in the state that is located in a major metropolitan city. The university is ranked among the "Best in the West" and as a "College With a Conscience" by the Princeton Review. Portland State differs from the other universities in Oregon partially because as an urban institution it attracts a student body older than other rural universities. In the 2006-2007 school year, it was reported that the average age of an attending student was 25 years. A significant percentage of Portland State's classes are offered at night and Saturdays, and some programs only offer classes at night.

Portland State is part of the Oregon University System. The current President is Wim Wiewel, who began his term in August 2008. Its athletic teams are known as the Portland State Vikings with school colors of green and white. Teams compete at the NCAA Division I Level, primarily in the Big Sky Conference. Schools at PSU include the School of Business Administration, Graduate School of Education, School of Fine and Performing Arts, School of Social Work, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. PSU's motto is, "Let Knowledge Serve the City".

Info via Wikipedia.org, images via Flickr.

Recipe: Baked Oatmeal

Autumn is upon us! I always get the urge to bake in the fall, do you? Back-to-school starts for me next week. My classes are all in the afternoon and evening but this looks like a healthy and tasty breakfast I'll have to try. And the topping choices are almost unlimited...yum!

Ingredients
2 cups Quick Quaker® Oats OR 2-1/4 cups Old Fashioned Quaker® Oats, uncooked
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3-1/3 cups fat-free milk
1/2 cup cup liquid egg substitute with yolk or 2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

Preparation
Heat oven to 350º F. Spray 8-inch square glass baking dish with cooking spray.

In large bowl, combine oats and granulated sugar. In medium bowl, combine milk, egg substitute and vanilla; mix well. Add to oat mixture; mix well. Pour into baking dish.

Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until center jiggles slightly. Remove from oven to cooling rack.

Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over top of oatmeal. Using back of spoon, gently spread sugar into a thin layer across entire surface of oatmeal. Return to oven; bake just until sugar melts, about 2 to 3 minutes. Set oven to broil. Broil 3 inches from heat until sugar bubbles and browns slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. (Watch carefully to prevent burning. It may be necessary to turn baking dish.) Spoon into bowls to serve.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time Time: 40 min

Recipe and image via.