New Year's Eve Excitement

I'm not alone this New Year's Eve, many others are at their homes too. Hubby is at work (I made rolls and soup for him and coworkers), the boys have plans but I am not the only one home with a movie and a thin crust Papa Murphy's pizza. Many, many people were in line getting movies at Blockbuster, stacks of movies, actually. At first the only way the line moved was when someone ahead of me gave up and put their movie back on the shelf. I am not dining and dancing the old year out, rather I am in and happy to be here. So ready to be home and relax. I picked up Mama Mia, The Bucket List and Blast from the Past.
Tomorrow it's time to get going, take down the decorations, get out a new calendar and do some serious goal setting. I'll let you know how I did with 2008 goals. Accountability and all.
I miss him already! Danny flew back to Michigan early this morning. I just checked his flight and he has landed but is not at the gate. Love technology-I've been able to track his progress today. Much better weather, flights and scheduling today than when he arrived. Every connection was on time today. We had such a great visit with Danny, he'll be back soon.

The guy behind Danny is his immature little bro...

I'm Alive- Just Wasn't Blogging

Over the river-I mean over the Pass and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go...

We went to George, Washington to celebrate Christmas. Had a very icy and snowy trip there with Hubby, Max and Auntie Laura. As a family we went out to dinner and celebrated the season with big steaks and yummy desserts. Rosie, at the Idle Hour did the cooking and clean up. There is something good about that.

Home again! Back to work today where I had a busy day at the museum. Lots of troubleshooting. Hubby went back tonight. Danny flies out tomorrow morning. It went so quickly and was all so fun. I'll recap more later this week.

White Christmas

I do love a white Christmas. There is just something so magical and beautiful about all the snow. It is messing with our plans a bit but it sure is pretty. There is just so much of it.

My nephew, Wyatt got this little sweetie for Christmas. So soft and sweet and I was begging for a new baby myself. Hubby reined me in, no more babies. I was reminded about the training and the crying at night. One cuddle with her and I'd forgotten about all of the those puppy issues.

Luckeee. Yep, Hubby got a leg lamp from the guys, it must be from Italy because it said, "fragileee" on the box. Love the movie, "The Christmas Story" and now we have the lamp in our front window. Like I said, luckeee!

Merry, Merry, Merry 2008

Wishing you all the best as you celebrate our dear Savior's birth. Love from everyone at the Stone House...
Enjoy every moment with your families, and enjoy the white Christmas! Cheers!

Dinner Party 2008

By the time you look at all these photos you are going to feel like you were there. We started with Champagne Cocktails and Sparkling Cider.

Our table had an ice skating theme with four cloches with miniature ice skaters, ice skates and greens on the napkins and fur topped ice skates on the menu/name cards.

Festive guests!

More festive guests!

Max and Auntie Shelly trying to "eye" a photo shot.

Ice skaters' wintery scene.

We made our dinner rolls as individual loaves in ramekins and then tied ribbons to match the menu cards. Idea from Matthew Mead's new book.

Glittery skaters.

Main course, not a good photo but you get the idea. Garnish is cranberries and rosemary trees.

Lots of laughs.

Dessert was sooooo good! Pretty too.

Handsome guys!

Wintery scene.

Our menu, if you click on it you may actually be able to read it.

I hope you enjoyed the dinner party!

Hmmmm That was Fun

Yesterday I showed you photos of our dinner from 2007. Sorry, but it has to be a surprise for my guests. Today I will give you the 2008 Christmas Dinner photos. On Sunday evening Max made the Creamy Artichoke Soup and I printed and assembled the menu cards. This is how Monday morning began...a BiG list!

We made parmesan bowls for our salad, which was mixed greens, with Raspberry Hazelnut Vinaigrette and sugared hazelnuts. The hazelnuts were from my folk's orchard.

For main course we did a turkey roulade. Here they are all stuffed and trussed. Danny made a rosemary butter and did the trussing for us.

Later I'll share the table, the guests and the food.

Max & Mom are Cooking

You may remember last year's dinner. Max and I cook dinner at Christmastime for friends. We are busy today, dinner is tonight. We've had our menu planned for weeks and a table idea for months. Twelve to be exact. We started right after Christmas last year on 2008.

I'll share tomorrow how everything goes in the kitchen today...We have a good start but miles to go. So fun!

The Roads Were Bad

Last night Hubby and I drove south, the weather isn't any better there. Several minutes before Dan's Seattle to Bellingham flight was scheduled for take off, it was cancelled. So, we hopped in the Element, Dan ran to the shuttle. At that point we decided to try everything. Just in case he couldn't get on we started driving. As it turned out we met in Tulalip. Drove through lots of snow, saw many accidents, sometimes drove blindly through white out conditions, saw beautiful trees heavy with snow, and got Danny home a little after one a.m.
I tried to photograph the beauty of it all but conditions were bad (for photography too), and it made the driver kinda cranky when the window was open and the flash was going off.
Just trying to have a little fun.

The important thing is that Danny is home safely for the holidays, and that makes this mama HaPpY!

Oh, and Skagit County does not use snow plows. We knew when we drove into the county and back out, tons of accidents and deep snow there.

National Weather Reports

I've spent the past two days getting groceries, running errands, delivering gifts, baking and checking the weather conditions for Grand Rapids, MI, Minneapolis, MN, Seattle and Lynden, WA. The groceries are bought, cookies are baked and Danny is in the air on the second flight of three. This was the biggie, once he gets to Seattle we can drive to get him if the last flight doesn't work out. Hubby has coworkers at the airport, and they think it's going to be a successful mission. Hoping and praying. Dan is tired and doesn't feel great so we just want him home. We prayed for a window, a few hours between storms and I think it is coming together nicely, so thankful.
Danny is charming though and he flew first class today. He was the first pleasant person the ticket agent had come across in a few days. Confirmed, first class seats. Pays to be nice! And handsome.

Oh, and don't leave your soda pop in the garage... it can freeze.

Stay warm and enjoy the season.

Girls' Night Out

Last night it was time for the annual, whether we need it or not, Girls' Night Out. We have been having a Christmas dinner and gifts exchange since 1983. I'm not trying to age anyone here, since we started this tradition as toddlers. Heh heh heh...
The girls got their own shakers, I was the desi, as in designated driver, no shaker for moi. The restaurant was beautiful for Christmas, the shakers were red to match, the food was crazy good and our server was cute and had the patience of Job. We always warn them to put us to the side or in a corner. In the past other diners get jealous of our fun and laughter and ask to be moved away from our table. Whatever.

I promise you we don't call and ask what everyone is wearing but we always coordinate nicely for the annual pictures.

It is one of my favorite nights of the season. Dear friends, lots of laughs, sharing desserts(we went to a different restaurant this year, Sheryl was worried they wouldn't have dessert so she had some in her bag-good girl), cool, hip gifts, it doesn't get much better.

This morning, not so fun... Danny's flight out of Grand Rapids, MI was cancelled due to snow. Hoping and praying he'll be getting out tomorrow morning. Please pray for better weather across our nation and safe travels. Thanks!

Snow Day

It's a wrap! All finished wrapping. Nothing like a snow day to get things finished.

My kitchen window was a little icy last night. It is better today. Last night it was an icy, blizzardy, snowy, freezing night.

I baked cut out cookies this morning. Now it is nap time, so I'll decorate them another day. What is a snow day without a nap?

Yesterday I mixed up some cinnamon roll dough on the chance of a snow day. When I had snow days as a kid, I would make the Swedish Tea Ring. The recipe was in my Mom's Betty Crocker cookbook, which is 50 years old. It was pretty and delicious this morning for breakfast.

Hoping for Girls' Night Out tonight, Doreen was stranded in Las Vegas, but made it to Seatac so we'll see...

Scenes of the Season

I am enjoying a Christmas book, it's what I call a gentle read. 'An Irish Country Christmas' by Patrick Taylor.

Hot chocolate with a bit of Starbuck's peppermint and whipped cream. Oh, so good. And remember, I made the Cranberry Bliss Bars-I may never have to leave my house again!

Working on the December Daily album. It's hard. I'm glad I did the album ahead of time. The photo line at Costco is the worst part.

Wearing my new Christmas shoes. Cherry red Danskos from Sole Obsession. So comfortable and and so Christmas. I told Hubby they feel like a new car, all shiney like. His comment was, 'maybe a big Buick.' Actually they feel like a little red sports car.

Fun Filled Weekend

I had a great birthday. It went on and on. One of my cakes had candles with flames in different colors. They were so pretty, I waited a long time to blow them out and then I made my wish. So many on you asked how does fifty feel? For myself , I feel so blessed and happy, I am looking forward to this decade, life just gets better and better.

Saturday night's tolo was a success. Max and Cass looked so sweet and grownup. Max had a lot of fun, until 2:30 a.m.

Sunday was a big worship and party day. Caleb and Emilyn came home with us after church and then we went to Bill and Jodi's for a family Christmas party. They have a mancave, so guys like that.

We gathered some of the kids for a group shot. Too many kids to get them all in one spot for a group shot with everyone. It is pretty hard to get 'little max' to stay still for ten seconds...Courtney was ready to grab him back.

Our lovely hostess, Jodi with Charlie. Don't you love their Christmas sweaters?

These little sweeties found the sweets. So many desserts to choose from, so little time.

Last night our church hosted the Christmas Cantata with some of the members of the Whatcom Symphony. It is one of my favorite nights of the season. We had a light supper at our place afterwards for family and friends. No pictures, I was in the moment.

Sneak Peek

Tolo pictures. More coming. So pretty. So handsome. Loved it.


Later.

Finally 50

Yep, Becky, I am 50 today. I didn't really want a big party BUT I do want to celebrate. And I am. Started on Wednesday and have been partying ever since. Lots of fun! Dinner last night, birthday breakfast this morning, a birthday dinner tonight with friends.
A regular party girl.
So how is 50? Great! Except Yesterday I lost my car in the Target parking lot and as I was wandering around, someone asked if I was lost. Ummm, yes. It was my SIL, Julie. Busted. She drove me around until we found my car. Oh, and I have shin splits-so I am limping and looking OLD!

Gunpowder as a Seasoning

Last night we went to Max's Choral Concert @ LCHS. It was so beautiful. Love the Christmas music.
Shortly after we got home Sam was in the kitchen, I was in the LVRM. Sam was having his second dinner, he does that every night around 9 p.m. This was the conversation, if you can call it that.
Sam-Did you put gunpowder on the roast?
Me-Huh?
Sam-DID you put gun powder on this roast?
Me- What?
Sam-DID YOU PUT GUN POWDER ON THE ROAST?
Me- NO! What are you talking about?
Hubby- HE is trying to tell you that he's had an explosion in the microwave.
Me- Oh, well, clean it up.
Later, I go in the kitchen, yep there was a roast explosion in the microwave.
Nice.


Today I get to go to the dentist! Yay! Hubby and I went in for check ups last month and we had matching cavities. Same tooth, same spot, same reason. Dr. Groen and staff were very impressed.

Get ready for SnOw!

ICK

Before work this morning I stopped at our dog, Hawley's vet, Dr. Berry. Hawley hurt his elbow this week and we have been doctoring. I feel so bad for Hawley, almost as bad as I feel for myself, paying the vet bill and all.
Anyway, if you get queasy easy, stop reading. I just had to pick up some pills and thought I'd be out of there in two minutes.
Nope. And while I was waiting, a large dog with his owner and a bag of runny dog doo came in for their appointment. Then a girl with a tiny bundle wrapped in a hankie came in with an appointment for Weasy. I have NO idea what Weasy is and with patient confidentiality and all I couldn't ask. But if I had to guess, maybe a rodent? Very small and no movement, I'm thinking she was too late for Weasy. Made me nervous. Very nervous.
By this time I'm getting a lot nervous, queasy and icked out when the next customer comes in with Tupperware. I think, Christmas cookies for the doc and his assistants... Nope! A big ole snake! I. am. freaked.
Finally, finally I got my doggie drugs and beat it out of there. Next time one of the guys is making that stop.