A First

When the boys were little it was all about the 'firsts'. First tooth, first time they stood on their own, first dry night. I recorded many of these 'firsts' for Danny and Sam.

By the time Max came along I lost my momentum and so, as many of you know, he has no Baby Book. Before you get all judgmental, I had three boys, was working full time, Hubby was self employed and it was crazy busy.

Now I journal on the blog and Max has a sort of Teen Book. He's a lucky guy. Since Danny and Sam have left the nest the blog is more about Max. Melinda suggested I change it to The Teen in the Stone House. That is not happening as I remind Max everyday that it's not all about him.

Last night Max and Kassie went on their first date. He may have passengers in his car now. He's been at Kassie's parents house so much I think they let Kassie go on a date before she turned sixteen just to get Max out of their house.

He planned the whole evening. Googled the directions to D'Anna's several times so he wouldn't get lost. He checked their menu on line. He cleaned his car and got dressed up. And then after dinner and a movie they stopped here so I could get a photo. Kassie's dress was darling.


I couldn't be more proud. My baby is growing up. Nicely, I might add.

Bellevue Babes

My sisters and I Christmas shopped in Bellevue yesterday. We talked all the way there and back. We ate yummy city food. We found treasures and took them home.

Paper Source had such beautiful ideas. Pottery Barn was sparkling, and I had a light bulb moment while there. The sales clerk was so excited for me, she helped, I scored and when I left she said,"I am so going to do this too." It's for the Mom and Max dinner party.

A very good day, indeed.

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

Yep, it is the same photo as last year, it's my favorite Thanksgiving photo.

So grateful for God's love and guidance this year. Life changes and moves forward, sometimes too quickly, but through it all God is good.
* I am thankful for my family, those under our roof and those away, my guys and our extended families. I'm thankful for my husband, my bestest friend ever.
* I'm so blessed by my friends and am thankful for each one of you.
* I am grateful for our home and all the projects.
* I am thankful for my Bible and God's love for me.
* My career, and I use that word loosely, at the museum.
* Our country and the freedoms we enjoy.
* Grateful that Danny is living closer this year.
* Hawley, thankful for him too.
* For the past, the learning curve hasn't always been a cinch but I'm getting there.
* So grateful for good health.
* I am thankful for my eddie bauer snowglobe collection.
* For all my sistas - in Christ.
* Yes, I am even thankful for boot camp and my people there, three days a week at 5:50 a.m., rain or shine.
* Overwhelmed with thanksgiving that Sam has done so well at basic training and graduates next week at Fort Sill, OK.

I would like to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving today. Blessings my friends-

It Is What It Is

It was rookie night at the Stone House last evening. Veteran scrappers new to December Daily. The concept is that you assemble the album ahead of time and then in December just add photos and a bit of journaling.

Now unless you have a crystal ball you aren't going to know what's going to happen every day in December. Take a risk and just make it work. This is more difficult for some than for others. Eventually I screamed, "It is what it is." Over thinking just won't work with this project.


We all got busy churning out the pages. I decided I wanted to make a page involving sewing. I have a machine I use for table cloths, curtains and some mending.

I wanted to make a page like my friend Paula. Using her page as inspiration I got busy. I really don't sew and forget how to thread the machine and I can't see worth a toot anymore...all leading up to a melt down.

"For the love of Pete, could someone help me!" Yep, they were all nicely working, listening to Christmas music, sipping wine, sharing snacks and tips when I lost it.
After asking who Pete was, Janis helped me. Thanks Janis!

And WE made this page. I don't know what will happen on December 14th but it is what it is and my page is ready.

Oh, and I made a pretty page for Tolo, Kassie is wearing blue.

Good Fellowship

Our church offers Dinner for 8. We signed up for Saturday evening and we were not disappointed. Hubby and I were hosts, which is like having a caterer show up. The other three pairs bring salad, main and dessert while we had to provide rolls and drinks. I'm pretty handy with bread and wine so that worked out just fine.
Our eight had no trouble keeping the conversation going. Our guests hit every season of life and were well traveled. It was an evening where I felt very blessed to be a part of the family of God.

We lit the wood stove and many candles and had a cozy setting ready for our guests, who brought amazing food.


Oh, and I added more to my to do list including spending Holy Week in Rome and making more friends.

Deck the Halls

The next few weeks are going to be a bit busy so I am beginning to deck the halls. Today the blog, on Monday we go to Ad's place and then bit by bit. Traveling in December makes a girl get her game on!

Chicken Enchilada Soup

We've definitely got the soup weather going on in the Pacific Northwest. Lots of wind and rain. If I think we might lose power I make soup in the morning and can keep it cookin' on the wood stove, if need be.

I found this recipe on Tasty kitchen and we really liked it. I really, really liked it because it is easy.

Ingredients:

The key tool is your can opener. Yep, it's easy.
1 can (15 Oz.) Black Beans, Rinsed And Drained

1 can (14.5 Oz.) Diced Tomatoes
1 package (10 Oz.) Frozen Corn
*½ cups Onion, Chopped
*½ cups Red Pepper, Diced
1 can (10 Oz) Enchilada Sauce *I had a 14 oz. can in the house and dumped it in.
1 can (10 3/4 Oz) Can Condensed Cream Of Chicken Soup
1½ cups Milk
*2 whole Chicken Breasts- Not me!
1 cup Pepper Jack Cheese, shredded

Preparation Instructions:

In a 3 1/2 to 5-quart slow cooker, combine drained beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, and bell pepper. Place 2 chicken breasts on top of the mixture.
*Whoa! I just added about 2 cups of my frozen precooked and cubed Cash and Carry chicken breast.
In a large bowl, whisk together the enchilada sauce and soup. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Pour sauce mixture over ingredients in cooker.

Cover; cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Remove chicken and cut or shred into bite-sized pieces. Add chicken back into the soup. *Not me! I added my chicken ready to go.

*I didn't have onion and red pepper in the house so I sauteed it and added after my trip to the grocery store.
Top with pepper jack cheese and serve. The soup can also be topped with avocado, sour cream, or crushed tortilla chips.
If it is too thick add milk.

I don't have a good photo, we were hungry and so I quickly snapped and tucked right in. Crusty bread and butter and glass of wine made for a delicious dinner.

Enjoy!

Damage Control

As we traveled from doctor's office to doctor's office to x-ray labs this week I read whatever was on the bulletin board. This ad caught my eye.

I wondered aloud, "is it too late?"


"Mom, the class is over and it is too late." -Max

Yes Max, in so many ways it is TOO late.


Today I must dig my way out of the mess we have made at home. Gone last weekend to Whistler, doctor appointments, many museum hours later I am home. And it is a disaster area. I've been at it since 5:30 this morning, boot camp and then damage control.

YES! Shelly, I take my own advice and start with taking out all the garbage, recycling and then change the sheets.

No stopping until it is better here...it's all good.

Tonight a date night with my sweet hubby.

Do You Have Plans Tonight?

The Lynden Pioneer Museum is hosting their Yee Haw, happy day, you betcha, It's Christmas sale tonight.
Great gifts for everyone and at every price point!
Legos, playmobil, Gooseberry cookbooks, Gina B. stationery, Swaps, cute stuff all waiting for you to come in and take advantage of us...

I'll try to post a picture this afternoon but I am crazy busy getting ready for you, my shoppper friends!

See you there... 5 to 8 this eveing!

Short Season

Four doctors conferred and came to a conclusion. Max fractured his ulna at the wrist on the growth plate. He was casted yesterday. No surgery necessary. We are thankful for that decision.

The bad news is cast until December 28, snow boarding season on hold. To be resumed in January...

Going Rogue

My sisters, Jodi and Becky and myself decided to have a bit of political fun yesterday. We think Sarah Palin is kinda a BiG deal. Whether she goes any farther with her political career is not the issue or BiG deal for me. For me I have loved watching a Godly woman with a family go so far in a man's world with such a gracious style.

So after banning the Oprah Show for over a year I watched Sarah on Oprah yesterday. Nothing is ever straight forward with the sisters, so we decided to meet at Homestead Six Horse Grill and watch together, dressed like Sarah Palin.

Don't I have some FUN sistas?

I was Alaska Sarah and wore my parka, hiking boots, Presidential red and my Proud Army Parent pin (she wore her pin too.) Becky went as the Excited Sarah, waving a flag and carrying a sign, Jodi went as National Republican Convention Sarah and had a price tag on her jacket of $3,500.
Of course, we all wore our glasses and wore our hair in the signature Sarah style.



The drink of choice was Alaskan Pale Ale, of course.


Janis joined us later.

In summary-
*Politics can be fun!
*Sarah was poised and gracious on Oprah.
*I can't wait to read Going Rogue.
*After watching I have some theories on what is next for Sarah and her family,(besides Thanksgiving in Washington!) but this blog is not a political chat room so I'll keep those to myself.

And let's all remember whose blog this is...if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Cuz I will delete your comment. Free speech and all you know.

We've Met

Julie introduces a new family in Lynden on her blog this morning. I know them too. Can't stand them.

Whistler Love

If you are going to the Olympics I just want to give you a heads up. It is pronounced twenty ten, not two thousand ten. Just looking out for you. I embarrassed myself and my people.

I know that boys don't have BFF's but really they are BFF's. I love these guys.

I was snow happy in Whistler, it was a Winter wonderland.


Holly did some stitching and I did some scrappin'.

Max and Brian are close friends.

This would be a great Christmas card except we're in a store instead of on a mountain. So maybe not.

If you are going to Whistler there is only one place to stay. The Whistler Connection. Check it out.

Whoo Hooo! to Boo Woo

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt...

Max fractured his wrist. Not serious. The doc asked if we knew about growth plates...hahaha... why yes we do! Oh, because it is on the growth plate.

Holly was cooking and cleaning at the condo while we gone, we are blessed!

Don't worry Auntie Shelly, it's not his head.

Love Whistler

The new holiday Starbucks drink, the Creme Brulee Latte, is so yummy. The crunchies for garnish taste just like the scorched sugar on the top of the dessert. It is best enjoyed in Whistler Village, outdoors, under a heater, with the snow falling gently, with someone you love.


Opening Day! They won't be the first on the mountain. Some crazy guys were camping in line last night so they could have that thrill. Tyler, Brian and Max had a good night's sleep at the cozy condo and headed out this morning for a day on the mountain. Holly made a delicious breakfast and we sent them off for the day.

Snow makes me so happy!

DMV

Max needed to go to the DMV this morning for an enhanced driver's license. As I am enjoying my coffee this morning he asks me to check the web site and double check what he needs to take with him.
*Birth Certificate
*Social Security Card
*Proof of Address- but not a bank statement
*A Parent
WHAT?
Seriously. A freakin' guardian.
I was finished with the DMV.
Not so, not so.
Showered, called Troy (boss) and drove to the DMV.

Whoa, it's Thursday. They open an hour later on Thursdays. I forgot.
Whoa, everyone in line is talking about that the DMV computers have been DOWN.
Whoa, yesterday was Veteran's Day, so DMV was closed. Thus everyone who tried to go yesterday showed up this morning.
Fortunately, it wasn't raining. We jumped in line-fifth place, and waited it out.
By the time they opened the line was curling everywhere. Happy to be at the front!

We got to go right up to the counter, zip zap and we're outta there.

*Sidenote- We saw this kid in line and if the fashion police had been around someone would have locked him up and thrown away the key.
BaGGy, huge shorts, like Nike, only BIG! With black socks and patent leather black high tops. I mention this to Max, who I can tell is glancing that way and trying not to stare. It's hard not to look, like a big ole train wreck hard not to stare. I so wanted to take a picture to share with all of you.

Max- "He is a QB for ________JV football team. I hit him a lot."
Me- "Well, you didn't knock any fashion sense into him."
Max-"Mom, I can't do everything."

Too true kiddo.

Driving home I get a bad case of cell phobia. Can't find my cell phone. Flip a U turn at Horton, probably not legal. We're looking, calling my phone. Nothing.
I send Max back in, park and can faintly hear my cell vibrating...yep it was in my purse. Buried deeply in my purse.

I was punished. I had to listen to the Arctic Monkey's at a HIGH volume... all the way home.
Need a vacation? Yep.
Leaving tonight.

Happy Veteran's Day

Thank you to the Veterans who have so willingly served our country. Do you ever go to the store, a football game or church and just feel the freedoms we enjoy? Sometimes I look around myself and am overwhelmed with the blessing of freedom. Sometimes I see people doing things that I don't agree with but I do give thanks that they have the freedom to do what they think is right. Somedays I take it all for granted. Maybe that is the blessing of freedom, we don't have to think about it.

I am a military mom now. It changes how I watch the news. As a family we react differently when we read of Spc. Aaron Aamot of Whatcom County losing his life in Afghanistan while serving his country. His family must be so filled with grief and yet so proud of Aaron. We feel so sad for the tragedy at Fort Hood, we imagine if it was our son. All of these grieving families need our prayers and thanks.

Sam is doing so well. His Dad and I are so proud of him and fascinated with what he is doing in the U.S. Army. On Saturday he moves to the Blue Phase of Basic Training. He has passed many of the requirements. Graduation is coming and we can hardly wait.

Read Psalm 91 today. It's the Soldier's Psalm. Sam and his bunkmates have devotions together and have spent time in Psalm 91. Today because you have the freedom to do so, say Thank You to a veteran, read the Soldier's Psalm, pray for our military men and women, and ask for comfort for the families and friends of the soldiers at Fort Hood and for Aaron's parents and family.

God bless America-

Party Season Begins

Friday evening Hubby made salsa. We needed it for a Pioneer Woman recipe for Saturday evening. He made plenty and it was kind of my dinner plan. Pico de gallo and chips, and wine. We ran errands all day. Eye doctor, Lowe's, JoAnne's, Panda Express, Micheal's, Trader Joe's, Haggen's, Office Max, Goodwill, TJ Maxx and Bed, Bath and Beyond. It was grueling.

Then the phone rang.
Then Mike and Chela brought us Chela's famous tamales.
Then angels sang.
Then we had the perfect dinner.
I get to go to Chela's house to learn how to make tamales. This is a very happy thing for my guys. And for me.

Saturday evening we went to the annual pumpkin carving party at the Party Barn. Except this year we were late so we didn't carve. We just ate, laughed, visited and ate some more.
I made this easy appy.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Two cans of water chestnuts, facon*, equal parts brown sugar and ketchup(I used about 2/3 cup each). I wrap 1/2 piece of bacon around each water chestnut. You can make them earlier in the day and bake later.

Just wrap, drizzle, bake. I usually bake at about 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. You want the brown sugar to turn into candy.
Candy + bacon=goodness
That is all the math you'll ever need.
I brought them to a barn, a very fancy barn. They did not come home with me.

It was very difficult to Eat Less, Move More this weekend.
I also baked Mariner Moose MoJo Bars. Don't ask.

The holiday are coming, the holidays are coming. I'm scared.

December Daily

Last December I made a December Daily album. Ali Edwards is the queen of this album and encourages everyone to try it. The album is made ahead and in December you just add photos. In theory it's all good.

Reality was that I missed several days, absolutely no clue what I did. I don't have a good printer so I ordered my prints from Costco. Costco Photo lines are out the door in December.

After last year I swore I'd never do it again... never say never.

I was looking at my album from last year and in spite of it's blank spots it is fun to look back and so, yep, I am doing it again.

Last year I made my own album. This year I found this 8x8 album at Micheals 40% off. For $8.99 I am not making one.

I bought three other supplies, k&Company borders and their small pad of paper and the making memories Mistletoe spiral journaling book. The rest I will use what I had left from last year's supplies.


Jerrie taught me to keep all Christmas scrapping supplies separate from other supplies. Good tip!

I have a good start and on the days we will be in Oklahoma at Sam's graduation I used my Army papers and stickers. I do look at my calendar and see what is coming and do plan some pages. The rest I go with Christmas papers and make it work.

If I miss a day I am not going to worry about it. It's still is a fun book to remember the holidays.

One thing I am doing differently is ordering my prints to be delivered to my house.

This year Hubby's family is coming to Lynden for Christmas. We haven't had them here over the holidays before and we're excited so I will add a few extra pages for those dates.

C'mon make one with me. Let me know if you jump in!

Waste Not Thy Hour

Reverb wrote about Ephesians 5: 15,16- Be very careful, then how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Evil? Read what Reverb has to say about this verse.

I had read his post awhile back and was reminded this week as the Whatcom Middle School burned. I loved driving past that school and seeing those big front doors with "Waste Not Thy Hour" above the entry.

Always wanted to stop and take my pic under that quote, never did and now it is too late.

Fill every day with God glorifying minutes, moments and hours. Be reminded.

Before and After Message Center

Yesterday it was our anniversary, our eight years in the Stone House anniversary. It is the longest we have lived in a house. I hope to stay until the end.

We have what I lovingly refer to as a one butt kitchen. It is small. As you walk into the kitchen from the mud room we have our telephone, calendar, message center. I had a piece of furniture that I bought from my Aunt Clarice when we had a garage sale together. It is an unusual desk, the bottom drawer slides out and has a top for a writing space. She got it from my Great Aunt Lula and until 1986 it had been stored in a barn for as long as anyone could remember, then I took it home and smelled up my apartment.

Anyway, not enough storage, always looked cluttered, but we could not find the right replacement. Only 30 inches wide and 12 inches deep made for a long search. On my field trip to Ikea I found the right piece. One problem, it's press board, which Hubby couldn't believe I would bring into our home. Lowered my standards but I'm okay with it.

BEFORE:



After:


I need a black leather bin for the bottom shelf yet.


Some of my heart rocks that the guys collected for me displayed in a jar. A stack of letters from Sam tied with a ribbon. These are a few of my favorite things.

The three lights are from Ikea and give a nice evening light for the kitchen/entry area.

Everything is labeled and organized. I hope it stays neat and tidy.


I am working on files and labels and a few more ideas to make this space work. I am closer now than eight years ago but still have a ways to go.