Happy Birthday Sammy

Picture taken in June of Sam, Blake and Jesse.

Sam celebrated his 19th birthday yesterday. Friends, Jesse and Blake came for dinner. Sam's choice, roast beef, potatoes and gravy, caesar salad, corn, and applesauce. The kind of dinner that guys love. I made the trader joe's vanilla cake with a blueberry sauce and ice cream for dessert.

I told Jesse I remembered when he was born. He looked a bit puzzled until I explained. Sam was late and my Mom would call me in Marysville and say, 'Oh, you're home...' Yep, still home. Then she would tell me that the Iaconettis had their baby, the Huleatts had their baby, the Kaemingks had their baby... Sam took his sweet time, ten days late and over ten pounds. Blake added to the conversation, he was early and weighed ten lbs., eleven ounces, and had a double chin. His poor Mama.

Good kids, lots of fun, all enjoying gap year. Gap year is the British tradition, taking a year off between high school and college to work and travel. I usually like all things English, gap year, not so much... No it's fine, really. As long as it's A year.

Lavender Fields Forever

Trader Joe's lavender dryer sachets are so um, I can't think of a word, yummy, sweet, neato, posh!
The dryer sachets smell like lavender which is a scent that helps to relax you. Perfect. My hubby knows I love him when I make the extra effort and use lavender and when I iron the pillowcases. I don't always have time to iron the pillowcases and when I don't, he pouts, he thinks I don't really love him.
Yesterday, I ironed. I do love that guy.

Clean sheets, lavender scent and ironed pillowcases make for sweet dreams.

Poof! The Blog Disappears!

Oh for crying out loud. I just want to be like my friend Jerrie and update my blog and poof! the whole stinkin' set up disappears. Please bear with me... And my limited techy skills. I am sure one of the guys will be able to help me soon...

I {heart} Hotels

While in Seattle Hubby and I stayed at the Grand Hyatt. I am not a travel agent or travel writer, I wanted to clarify that for you. That being said, I do as 'josie tourist' have a few tips for getting the best hotel value.

First, I scout around on the internet using the usual sites, travelocity etc. I also visit the chain hotel sites. At this point I have an idea what hotels are charging and what would be a good rate. Then I begin calling the hotels, directly. I ask for the reservation manager. I don't always get one but I ask. Then I ask for their best rate, I let them know I am shopping for rates. I also mention that I have an entertainment card, a Costco card, AAA or whatever they may need. I also ask if it is less on a different day if my travel dates are flexible. Ask about parking too, although I haven't done well with downtown parking lately. They charge, a lot!

Once I have a reservation I ask them to please email the confirmation. When I receive the confirmation I reply to an individual telling them that we are looking forward to our stay at their hotel.

Closer to the stay I email again to confirm and usually ask a question regarding the rooms. After I get a response I email back my thanks.

By the time I arrive, they know me! I've been polite and excited about their property.

So, when I check in...yes! The upgrade to the Executive King Suite.
Nothing like more bathrooms in your hotel room than in your home. An entry way, I don't have one of those at home! A walk in shower and soaker tub, robes, huge TVs, remote window shades on the floor to ceiling windows, a bar and a living room, with a low rate!






Seattle Grand Hyatt is recently refurbished and super clean. I like that. The staff is helpful and the view is great, at least from the 30th floor.
When we checked in, the manager came around the counter to introduce himself and give us his card so that if there was anything we needed during our stay we had a direct line. The bathrooms had phones so really, at any time we could have called. We didn't, but we could have.
*If true, leave a good review and name names of the staff that made your visit memorable. You may want to return.

Seattle Gift Show 2009

At the Seattle Gift Show I always have a primary goal and then some other lesser goals. Primary goal is to find something new, exciting, that no other store in the whole world sells. This is a difficult goal...

So, on to lesser goals.
{My overall thinking and feeling during the show was that quite frankly, our economy is scary. I try to be little Mary Sunshine about the economy but it was difficult with what I saw in Seattle.} I don't even like to write about it. So...
I decided to work with what I saw and anticipate my customer's needs.
We are thinking about our environment so I will be ordering some reusable shopping bags and refillable water bottles. No reason they can't be stylish and functional.
I looked for gifts that the recipient could use. Inventory that is new and looked fresh were the paper items, so I will order some stationery items. Very pretty colors. Practical, but pretty and fresh for Spring.
I found some great new toy lines because shoppers still buy birthday gifts for kids. I try to have an affordable and wide variety of toys. A gift for a child to bring to a party shouldn't break the bank.
Hopefully, the museum shop will thrive in 2009.

Sorry, the light was overwhelming so the pictures are not great but you get the idea.

Late afternoon Hubby and I took a break and walked to Anthropologie. I had some fun and left my mark. Love that store! We bought monogramed file folders to use for our tax returns.

Tomorrow I'll share more Seattle.

A Surprise Party

Saturday evening Hubby and I went to a surprise birthday party. It was a lot of fun. Gretchen did a fantastic job planning the party. For Rob's cake she called on Let Them Eat Cake. http://www.letthemeatcakewa.com/Wow! It was an iphone because Rob loves his iphone. Totally personalized with Rush for the music, 35-because he is, etc. It was one of the cutest cakes I have ever seen, very personal. Oh, and it was delicious too.

I'm Going to the City

Unrelated photo of moi. On my birthday with treasures. I didn't want two posts in a row without a pic.

I am so happy and so lucky! Well, not lucky, I don't believe in luck, per se. Anyway. Tonight Hubby and I are going to a party, a catered party. Love a catered party!
And then.
Tomorrow morning we leave bright and early for two days in the city. You know how I love a hotel room. And city food. And shopping. We will be at the Seattle Gift Show and the Seattle Market finding new merchandise for the museum gift shop. When I get home I will let you know about all the new trends, colors and pretty things. My hubby is good at helping me there, he carries all the catalogs and tells me when it's time for coffee because I start to look dazed and glassy eyed. He also tells me when it is time for happy hour. See you next week!
Oh and I look different then the photo posted today. I got a new hair do-with streaks of light, no gray and bangs! Woo hoo.

Sallow: Unhealthy Looking

Who is feeling beautiful? I don't think I know anyone feeling gorgeous right now. I got to boot camp this morning and Melinda was complaining about being, "pasty". I got home, turned on my laptop and the word of the day popped up, "sallow". Nice.

I checked some blogs and the January blahs are taking over. Friends, family and fellow bloggers are kinda in the dumps.

Sallow, pasty, having the blahs... Consumer confidence is in the dumps. It is a bit depressing out there. I've turned into an emotional eater, again. Everything is in a holding pattern...waiting, waiting for what, I'm not sure. Change.

Will change be good or bad?

In spite of our nation's problems, low morale, a lot of poor self esteem going on, there is hope. My Lord God is not changed. He is the same everyday, loving me and watching over me. Ready to help me.

I think I need to make the changes, turn things around, with His help and love, I need to be more positive and proactive.

So, to do my part, I have a plan. Now I need the energy and will power to get started. Starting the year without goals and direction hasn't really been very healthy for me.

But when I am not "feelin' it", it is like trying to move a mountain. A BIG mountain!

Matthew 21:21-22 And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you if you have faith and never doubt you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

With prayer, I can move a mountain. I don't have any plans to pray that Mt. Baker is cast into Birch Bay, just that I get going!

Do you have a plan?

*Sorry, no photo, not even blogger is cooperating...

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a new photo, not leftover from the "leftovers" post. I've had some requests for the cookie recipe and since I made them again today, here goes.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 c. white sugar
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. butter
1 cup Wesson oil
1 beaten egg
1 Tbls. milk
1 tsp. cream of tartar (I heap it a bit)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3 3/4 to 4 cups flour
1 -12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips (my favorite are the mini semi sweet chips)
Beat oil, butter, and sugars until fluffy. Add milk and egg. Add rest of other ingredients except chips and mix. Then add chips. Drop by spoonful onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

I also whipped up some oatmeal cookies with white chocolate chips and craisins. Max tells me they are good.

"Mhmmm, Mhmmmm, delicious", comments Blake. His mouth was full so I'm not exactly sure what he said but he likes them.

On a Positive Note

photo courtesy of Fox News

Malia and Sasha Obama looked very sweet in their wool dress coats today. I love little girl dress coats and their choices were very pretty. I think it is nice that their Grandma is going to help with the transition. I wish them the best.

Gardening in the House

After the holidays I like to bring some Spring into the house. We've miles to go of Winter but I am starting to think about the garden. Not really dying to get out there and go crazy yet, but thinking about it. I start the paper whites, buy some bulbs and cut tulips and feel better about everything.
Yesterday the weather was so sunny that Hubby and I did some gardening. Not really Spring gardening, more like Fall and Winter clean up. It felt good and got me thinking about what I want to do this year in the gardens. Hubby and I both have vision and can play off of each other with ideas.
In the meantime, I like it that we don't really have to start all of these projects yet but that we can come in and sit by the fire and enjoy Winter for a few months yet.

Pots of daffodil bulbs on the mantle.


Cut tulips with blue beach glass on the dining room table.


My paper whites are getting a bit unruly. Pretty much bloomed out. The scrappers that visited Friday evening commented that they made my home smell like the back row of an old woman's funeral. Whatever!

Besides gardening, scrapping, doing laundry this weekend I also started our tax returns.

Yay! Friday!

Love Fridays.
*I made scones for no good reason this morning. Scones are sometimes a Sunday morning treat, not a weekday breakfast. Pictures show no presentation was included, just yummy scones. Butter, whipped cream, jams and lemon curd. I picked up the lemon curd at Barb's in Quincy, WA over the holidays. Really good.

*Sam and Max are on their way to Mt. Baker this morning. Max left an hour ahead of Sam. Max is more like me in that way. I always tried to be on the first chair and the last chair of the day. Sam and his friends head up the mountain at a more relaxed pace. He takes his camping stove and top ramen and does the cooking for lunch for his friends.

*Hubby and I are home alone today...

*Some sisters and a new friend are coming to do some scrapping tonight. Some serious, a novice and Becky, Becky is from MO and when she lived in MO, she scrapped with Brad Pitt's Mom, now she scraps with me. So, I guess that makes me three degrees from Brad.

*The thing about scrapping is that the gals need good light. So, this is not entertaining without cleaning. No dimmer switches saving my bacon tonight.

*"Something's Gotta Give" with Jack N. and Diane K. The movie I watched last night. I haven't seen more than ten movies in three years. Until 2009. I am laying around watching movies like I have nothing better to do. It's great.

*Goals, word of the year, 365 photos, yep, it is in the back of my mind, while I am watching movies. Denial people, it's great!

*Boot camp- still going. Have you ever bear crawled across a gymnasium? And back? Try it. You'll die.

*I made buttermilk brownies last night. To eat while I am watching movies...

*Hubby and I are still pricing snowshoes for each others Christmas gift. Any opinions on brands, styles etc.? He did leave me a pretty gold starfish charm for my necklace in my stocking. To remember Hawaii 2008. Oooh, I miss looking forward to Hawaii. Have to get back to the beach...Hey, that's a goal.

*It is sunny! The long lost golden orb is back! Makes me want to have the guys wash cars, do yard work, clean the garage.

*Have a great weekend!

Ski or Board

Here in the Pacific Northwest there are those that ski and those that snowboard. Sam and friends ski. Max and friends board. What is the better sport, who meets the most snow bunnies, which is most extreme?

Just ask, they'll tell you.

After begging, borrowing and renting, the guys got new gear today.
Max is trying everything out in the house.

I love Sam's ski boots- red, like my favorite shoes! His skis are pretty too.

Friday they will be on the slopes, but not together, after all, different sports and different friends... Same mountain though.

Leftovers

Saturday evening we had some friends, old and new, to our home, for leftovers. A spur of the moment party, although I assured the friends that they aren't leftovers!
Holiday leftovers, not the stuff in fridge since Christmas, (throw that out! ICK) but the leftovers in the pantry and freezer. The appetizers you didn't make over the holiday season but had bought the ingredients for... I had meatballs, pigs in a blanket, some dips, tons of crackers, some bars and cookies in the freezer. We pooled our resources and had a feast. Amazing things showed up.
We also played BINGO with leftover gifts. Bingo can be a lot of fun and competitive. Does anyone know of a local Bingo hall?
I used leftover napkins from all the holidays in 2008. Used them up!
Baked cookies with semi sweet mini morsels, butterscotch morsels and milk chocolate morsels. Used all the leftover chips from holiday baking.

Leftovers can be delicious! They have been given a bad reputation and I think we turned it around. Throw a leftovers party. It's fun.

Paper Whites, Simply Beautiful

Each year I start paper whites. They smell so good and really brighten a dreary winter's day. All you need are bulbs, rocks and a container. Set the bulbs on the rocks and water to the bottom of the bulbs. It doesn't take long for it to feel like spring.
I prefer not to purchase the kits, since I have containers. Ravenna Garden Shop in Seattle sells paper whites by the bulb. This is a simple way to keep things cheerful after the holiday decorations are back in the attic.

Bail Out or Bale Out?

Yesterday afternoon, the guys were bailing or baling, the water was rising and soon it became obvious that we couldn't keep up. It was stressful, I felt a bit like Noah's wife must have felt. It gets a bit tense. BIL Bill and nephew, Levi came to the rescue with a pump from the farm. Going out to the Thiel Road presented it's own set of hurdles. The pump had a hose problem, but it wasn't anything that couldn't be fixed with duct tape and cling wrap. Fortunately, I had some festive green cling wrap. Whew!

So, since they got the pump running, we have turned the pump on for fifteen minutes every two hours and kept the flooding from overtaking our furnace and floors.

Special thanks to Bill, Levi, Hubby and Sam and Max. Hubby and Sam set alarms through the night and ran the pump every two hours all night long. It is much like having a baby in the house again.

I can not imagine what others with big flood issues are going through this week. Please pray for those fighting the water, those who are not able to stay in their homes and for the many, many people affected by the flooding. It is still raining but most of our snow has melted. It was very different to look out the window yesterday and see grass. It had been a long time.

Hopefully, the sun will come out tomorrow...

Weather You Like It or Not

What a difference a week can make...


Here at the Stone House, our crawl space is flooding, this is where our new furnace and hot water tank are stationed. We tried bailing, now we are looking for a pump. The ground is so saturated with the floods that the water is coming up out of the ground. Not so fun, yet very minor compared to so many others.
Someday, when it's funny, I'll write about this morning, my drive to Starbucks and how I almost floated away on Main Street. Still not funny yet.

This is funny:
*Quote for the day from museum docent, Ben Boxum, "Weather. Everyone talks about it and no one does anything about it."

We need to keep our sense of humor.

Monday, Monday

It's melting...

After all the parties, snow, debauchery, a stress fracture in my foot, wining and dining...Monday has come. Time to get off the couch! I went to boot camp this morning, it's been three weeks, it's hard to go back. But it felt good. Routine felt good. Even my muscles hurting felt good, in a weird sort of way.
Sam went back to work, Max went to school (kicking, whining, grousing every stinkin' step of the way), Hubby and I are home today putting the house back together again. Also, putting Ad's place back together again this afternoon.
Routine, schedules, peace and quiet, clean flat surfaces, it's all good. Even the Eat Less, Move More is good. I'm rested and ready, bring it on!
Although, nothing could have prepared me for just how cranky Max was this morning...

Night Sledding Party

My sister, Jodi called tonight and asked if we wanted to have a sledding party... tonight! We made some calls, Max loaded some firewood for a bonfire, I gathered everything for hot cocoa and at 7:30 the party was on. Bill and Jodi live next to a super hill. Perfect weather, lightly snowing and about 30 degrees, conditions were great.
It's dark out there so the photos are not high quality but you get the idea.







Bill held the flashlight while I made hot cocoa for everyone. Truly tailgating.


My BIL, Bill challenged me to a race, face first. Sure. Fifty year old women should not try this at home. Photo is a happy shot taken before the race. Now ibuprofen and bed for moi. We decided it was a draw and that we didn't need a rematch.

R E L A X

Many bloggers are setting goals, vowing to take a photo 365 days in the new year, choosing a word to focus on in the year 2009. Making resolutions and lists!

Um, me, not so much. After Christmas, after driving to George, after Danny's visit, after all the parties and dinners, working, more fun than anyone should have, I am doing nothing! No goals, no projects, nothing. And it is pure bliss.

I'm sleeping, (until after ten this morning!), I'm eating (I'll pay later), watching movies (I've watched more movies in 2009 than all of 2008), reading (author Marcia Willett, a Rosmunde Pilcher wannabe), lounging (I am surprisingly good at it!), and making soup (3 pots, after all I still have to feed the guys).

It feels good! I don't even have a 2009 calendar. I am in the land of Denial and doing quite well, thank you! It's time for tea, again. Later.