Today

If nothing else, I kicked the last poinsettia to curb today.
The orchid looks better, it makes the living room less tired looking.

Olympic Readiness

Jodi asked on face book, "Are you going to the Winter Olympic? Do you want to?" We live pretty close to the Vancouver 2010 games which makes it easier.

So, are you going?

We have no athletes training at the Stone House however; we are doing a bit of Olympic prep. Hubby had CNN and NBC at work yesterday, making sure that he is ready.

Max is working after school every day this week, making it easy for the official Olympic buses to leave their prep lot and cross the border to Canada. When hundreds of buses leave at the same time the gravel gets pretty torn up. Max's job is to smooth it out.

I am going to Whistler with my sisters in February to help Kathi spruce up their condo for their Olympic guests. Tough job, hee hee, it involves scrapbooking, shopping, snow shoeing, hot tubbing and relaxing. Just my kind of job. Really, we have a lot of work to do.

We have no plans to attend an Olympic event, yet. We'll see. Chances are we'll all be too busy with prep to actually go. Hubby would love to see a hockey game but tickets are rare. We'll probably watch it on TV in the comfort of the Stone House.

Now all we need is CoLd and SnOw!

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

Or gets tired?

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I get up at 5:30 a.m. for boot camp. This week Hubby has to go into work early so I am getting up with him. So, it is 5:30 a.m. every day.

I make a lunch for my guys to take with them for the day. They have no other options. Hubby may not leave work and Max may not leave school. So sack lunch it is.

Hubby takes yogurt, a banana and a diet coke and Max likes a water otherwise they have the same lunch. Homemade cookies and some packaged stuff, string cheese, fruit, fruit snacks, chips, sandwich, pretty standard stuff.

With Hubby's schedule and guys either in school or at a summer job I make someone's lunch almost 7 days a week. Someone always needs a lunch.

Do you make lunches everyday? Any new ideas?

Some mornings I get notes regarding lunches. These were no ordinary pretzels, they were TJ's peanut butter filled and chocolate covered pretzels. And there were only enough left for one guy's lunch. Now I know everyone loves these pretzels but I had to give Max the A for effort and the pretzels. Oops! I think I may have rewarded lying.

So, the early bird gets the worm and the liar gets the pretzels? Something isn't right here.

AND-

My kitchen is starting to look like LoVe WeEk. Oh, baby!

Hotel Review and Other Important Stuff

Hubby and I went to the city this weekend. We attended the Seattle Gift Show for the museum gift shop. This year I got a great rate at the new Hyatt, Olive 8. Lovely eco-friendly hotel, comfy king bed, super happy hour selections, however; the doors are thin and we heard our indecisive neighbor all night. They just could not decide if they should stay in their room, forgot a key every time they left and had to knock to get back in the room. Hubby thought there was a lady of the night in the room with customers coming and going. Plus the ice machine outside our room didn't help.

So, lovely but loud sums up my review.


In Other News-
*Max baked a cake last night, all by himself. I am so proud.

*We stopped in Edmonds and had coffee with Danny on Monday. He is doing well and we enjoyed the coffee shop Red Twig with him.

*The trend at the gift show for next Christmas was red and grey. It's okay but I like things a bit more festive at Christmas than grey.

*Smaller gift show due to the economy but a more upbeat feel this year than 2009. Could it be we have all adjusted to the new normal?

*If I don't clean my house soon the health dept. will shut me down.

*Sam has his 20th Birthday this week! I mailed him a package yesterday. Thanks Cheryl!

*After more than two months, Hubby is on days. It is so great to have dinner as a family again. Max is happy too, Mom is cooking again. Although last night Hubby BBQ'd the chicken and cut the fresh pineapple. I guess I am cooking with help.

*Thrift Store Wednesday...woot, woot, if it floats your boat.

*Enjoy the sunshine today!

A Smattering of Information

Yesterday I made a peach pie and some rustic bread. Two loaves of bread because I added the water and then couldn't remember how much I had put in, added more, didn't look right so I mixed up another loaf and let them rise. They both baked up just fine. It's me I'm worried about.

I started a mini book project yesterday. I started with a 25 cent board book from the thrift store.

I painted the edges pink.

Then I cut a pattern for my paper.

And then...I went to Safeway and got some groceries. Hubby and I have a friendly competition going with our savings percentage. I was pretty proud of 39%, especially since I bought two Dutch soup mixes and they NEVER go on sale and have doubled in price. He told me he'd be impressed when I got in the 40%+ range. Game on!

Back home I mod podged over the book pages, covering each page with the paper and after it dried I sanded the edges. This book had 22 pages, I didn't have enough coordinating prints so I used some solids. Solids don't sand very nicely. Mental note for next time-find a smaller book.

Then I went through and mod podged over the pages. I couldn't do very many because they have to dry in between. This one got a bit stuck and I pulled it apart this morning. I think I can cover it up with a border of sorts.

Hoping to make it a Valentine book. You know how I LoVe Valentine's Day.

In other news...
*Thank you so much Michele for the sweet treats and note. The bookmark went right into my Bible. You are in my prayers.

*I have received treats lately including a treat in my church mailbox. I will be using it for Valentine's Day treats and will share. BING! That's no bling, no one had ever left me bling! in my church box.

*Our boot camp group is starting a friendly competition on Monday. I'm scared and not going on Monday...

*I get to have fun with my friend Emilyn today starting with a birthday party at the skating rink. NO, I am not skating. I HaTe to skate. I'm thinking we'll go for coffee afterwards or hot cocoa.

*Have a great weekend. I am going on a buying trip to Seattle.

*Check out my Sam's soldier's blog.

When I Grow Up

Beryl Cook Art

On Wednesday I had lunch with a friend and now I know what I want to be when I grow up. Finally. I want to be a lady who does lunch! We met at Giuseppe and had salads and a glass of Chardonnay, a nice long chat and then a look around at the Greenhouse. Good, fabulous fun and I am going back for more.

While I was in town I made a stop at the Paper Zone. There were many sweet Valentine papers and doo dads, and I may have bought a few. But what caught my eye was the Mod Podge.

When I was in junior high I was the queen of Mod Podge. You know, a piece of wood with a decorative edge, a Holly Hobby picture, some Mod Podge and insto facto I was a decorator. Sometimes I burned the edges of the art for a challenge. It's a miracle that my parent's house is still standing, I did some pretty edgy art back in the day.

And now, I'm not even sure when the crafty bug will bite but I have the Mod Podge in the house and I am ready. Mod Podge Rocks should be a good source. I've seen projects on their site and not had the Mod Podge at my finger tips. But now I do.

Today I will be at Sole Obsession during the lunch hour. Come visit and make me look good.
Beryl Cook Art

Hot Tamales

Right before Christmas Hubby and I had a great day with friends, Mike and Chela and their friend, Rocky. I have wanted to learn how to make tamales for a long time. Chela makes them, she shares with us and since we love her tamales I knew that I wanted to learn from her. Actually, my guys wanted me to learn from Chela.

On December 23rd we met Mike and Chela at Fairway cafe for breakfast, then went to their house and got busy.

The day before Chela cooked the meat, the beans and the chilies. Tamales take two days of prep and cooking.One of my jobs was to place the chilies in the blender and then make a chile gravy with flour and then add to the beef. Chela browned the flour first for a nuttier taste.
There is lard involved, and it is whipped for a long time and then mixed by hand with the masa from Food Pavillion. Chela orders it because at Christmas they run out.

Hubby and Rocky did the honors. It is really hard work. The guys were sweating when they finished. After mixing the two together they had a test. Chela takes a bit and drops it into a glass of water, if it floats you pass, if it sinks you fail. They failed and had to keep at it. Hubby said it was a lot of pressure.

Meanwhile, Chela is soaking the corn husks and keeping her sense of humor.


Chela told me nothing will go to waste. We used everything we made, from the beef broth to the broken husks. The bits of husks were tied into bundles, placed on the bottom of the pan, then the tamales were set on top of them to steam.

Serious assembly line- the husk gets the masa mix, then the beef and chile gravy, a slice of roasted potato, a chile and a half of a green olive. Then roll and tuck.




We all worked nonstop and got finished after six. It was fun as we finished, Rocky's wife and boys came over, Mike Jr. and Johnny came home and the sampling began. Hubby, Mike, Mike Jr. and Rocky's Mrs. all work together, they say we are family.
We made beef tamales, bean and cheese tamales and for dessert, pineapple tamales.

Our family enjoyed them that evening with Hubby's family and over the holidays. They are good alone or with eggs.

We had such a fun time learning this holiday tradition from Mexico. And we learned from the best!

A Windy Day

Max is getting ready for exams, he is sick with a fever and headache that has persisted since last week. Yes, we took him to the doctor. It seems to be viral and persistent and is making him miserable. Kinda starting to make me miserable too.

I made a roast beef in the crock pot for dinner. A coconut cream pie for dessert, Max's favorite. Hoping it helps.

The sticks in the yard got picked up today! I raked and took care of the sticks while Hubby washed our vehicles. There was a short break in the wind and we took care of outdoor chores while we could. It felt so good to be outside. Now, it is windy again. A very small window. The laundry and ironing is caught up too.

I worked on my Daily December album this weekend and it's finished! The album got a little fat but I like it. Last year's album has blank pages because I had no clue or memory of what I had done. Imagine that. This year I was more mindful. No blanks but I think I mixed up a few days...

December 5th- in Dallas, Texas.

December 23rd- we made tamales with Mike and Chela.

December 28th- Blake came home and enjoyed the tamales.

It's a fun album to make, not sure I'd do it again, but I'm glad I have the last two years.

*You may have noticed that I made some changes on my sidebar. Did you notice someone has a new blog? Hahahahahahaha, ok, I'll stop, hahahaha, I can't. It's funny!

Snow Much Fun

I'm trying to leave messes and have some fun this year. When the weather is right it is time to take off rather than pick up sticks in the yard. I keep seeing that life is short and pretty fickle, so I'm making time for family and friends rather than cleaning. It's hard for me to let go... but the sticks are still in the yard, the laundry basket is still full tonight and it's OK. They'll be there on Monday.

When the sun came out this morning, it had been a long time for the Pacific Northwest. Hubby was off work and we decided to go snowshoeing today. Salmon Ridge SnoPark where we usually go did not have enough snow so we drove up to the Mt. Baker Ski area. They have some snow shoeing trails on the cat tracks. Our first choice had a full parking lot so we went to the newer area and took off. It was gorgeous! Snow, sunshine and Hubby, my favorites!


As we enjoyed a tailgate picnic it started to snow. Perfect.

We walked in the door and friends Holly and Meagan stopped by for a visit. They were very kind about the mess I'd left to go snowshoeing. They seemed not to care!

I had friends in my house with a mess and everything is OK. I guess I can leave a mess more often! Lesson learned.

After hot tubbing, steak and salad for dinner with Max, we are calling it a night.

A very good day, a very good day indeed.

That Sam I Am

Sam was texting me last night from Fort Sam Houston. These texts made me happy.

"I have a test on 8 pages of Latin prefixes and suffixes and root words. Thanks for making me take Spanish."

"I get 31 college credits in the next 6 weeks."

I love it when my guys have an ah ha or light bulb moment!

Home Tour - Not!

I pride myself on cleaning up as I go. Baking and cooking are neat and organized at my house. Well, this week I can forget about that. Sunday entertaining ran into Monday morning when I had to make two casseroles. Everything is clean, but everything is a mess. I made Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti X2.

A new recipe takes a lot of concentration on my part and then doubling it. Yikes! I liked the recipe, however; I kept thinking I wanted to saute the onions and peppers even though the recipe did not call for that step. I was disappointed that I hadn't when we ate it. Next time I would definitely make the change. Always go with your gut instinct. The first time I make a recipe I try to follow it closely. I did use red peppers instead of green peppers, always do.

The second time I make a recipe I do my own thing. I have a bit of a reputation for changing recipes, being the know it all that I am. I am enjoying Pioneer Woman's new cookbook. Sam got it for me for Christmas.





A bright spot in a mess. Jodi brought me daffodils. I like to think there is always a bright spot in a mess.

I got a call last night for a Sunday lunch at church. Would I like to bring a casserole or two dozen rolls? I'll take the buns this time, thank you!

Prayers

This is where I have been...

Sunday we had my Mom's birthday lunch at the Stone House. There were 19 of us, gifts, and a delicious layer cake for dessert. A nice day and a special time for my Mom. Happy Birthday Mom!

Hubby and I both had some health issues this week. Nothing serious, just there. It's getting better but everyone is worn down. Hubby called last night and needed to work late, so he got home after four this morning.

Sam is starting his AIT tomorrow. He was texting me prayer requests Saturday evening, he was worried his group would have to wait to get started but at 2:38 a.m. on Sunday he texted that all the rangers were going and he was again in with a great group of guys. YAY!

The days surrounding Sunday have not been easy here. Our friends, Len and Sheila lost their son in a farming accident last week. Nick had a loving wife and three sweet daughters. He was 30 years old. It is difficult to understand why this had to happen to Nick, to Kylie, to Taryn, Taylor and baby Lauren and their families. God has the answers and we are looking to Him for comfort. Ours is not to wonder why...

Max is friends with Jon, Nick's brother, and has been at the farm with Jesse E. helping with chores. Please pray for Jesse and Max too. They are tired. It's amazing how our emotions and tears can zap us.

Please pray for everyone involved, this family is hurting. Kylie's Mom asked me today to pray for their evenings as it is so hard for the girls. It made me so sad to think about how when my kids were little they couldn't wait for Daddy to come home. Usually Mommy can't wait either! Nick is at home with his Heavenly Father tonight. Kylie is at home with those sweet twins and baby girl. They need our prayers and love.

This was the passage the family chose for the funeral today-
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

Amen!

Last night I got an email from my friend Ad and I emailed right back to keep her in the loop. She is a prayer warrior and we needed her this week. Big things and little things, God is listening. Thanks Ad.

Now I am going to remove what mascara I have left and go to bed. Oh, and wait for Max to come home. And then - sleep.

A Sweet Reader

Saturday afternoon one of my sweet readers brought me Lloyd Boston's Before You put That On to help me meet my goals this year. She read my post here and then sent me a message letting me know that she enjoys my blog and wants me to have the book. I should not rush out and get the book because she has ordered it for me.

Okay, that my friends, is better than a comment.

I am loving the book. It has a fashion tip to read everyday. You may not recognize me in a few months if I take all of the classy advice to heart.

Thank you so much!

Accountability Bites, Sucks and I Hate It

This is not going so good. I think the pedometer is broken. It doesn't go very high. Monday at boot camp I had over 3,300 steps. Wowza, getting to 10,000 should be a cake walk, I mean I had over three grand by seven in the morning. Woohoo, I feel good about myself, oh yay!

I had a lot to do on Monday, got busy, doing laundry, baking for lunches, vacuuming, running outside with the recycling and getting firewood. Apparently, I need a bigger house because there aren't enough steps to add up to ten grand.

Late afternoon I check my pedometer. I'm shocked and now embarrassed to write, still not at 4,000 steps. WHAT? I run upstairs and back down to make sure it's working. Yes, the pedometer is working. I'm not working, at least hard enough or my house is too small.

Ate less on Monday and Tuesday and then fell off the wagon. Did not put on the pedometer this morning. I just didn't feel like it. OKay? Back off. Don't get all judgmental with me Missy.

I'm at the crossroads. Do I just forget it for another year? Join Weight Watchers? Put the pedometer back on? Buy a wii Fit? Walk outdoors in the rain and wind?

I read a list of What If's yesterday. Instead of resolutions, everything on the list was written as a What If? instead of as I Will. What If I lose weight this year? What If? I like it.

Now, I could hit the delete button because frankly I don't HaVe to be accountable to you people. But I do have to be accountable to myself. I'll keep you in the loop, just to keep myself honest.

How are you doing? Be honest and accountable. Nobody like a liar, even if you are only lying to yourself...

God's Grace

I carry a small notebook with me in my purse. Today I cleaned out my night stand and found several of the full notebooks. In these notebooks there are To Do lists, honey do lists, budgets and bills, days and days of every bite I've taken with calories recorded, grocery lists, mall lists, museum hours, Spring garden thoughts, Bible verses, prayers, walking for exercise charts, Christmas card lists, Christmas gift ideas, clothing sizes for the guys and GOALS.

Goals or resolutions, not just for January, painstakingly written by me, several times a year. Over and over.

As I went through these notebooks I realized that I'm a busy woman, my life revolves around family and friends. I am blessed over and over. God is good. The lists get finished.

But the goals are basically the same every time I write them and they are not completed.
*Devotions- morning and night.
*Pray more.
*Be a better wife and mom.
*Lose weight.
*Stay under 1500 calories a day.
*Exercise, walk, move more.
*Don't go through life on auto-pilot. Think about it!
*Daily vitamins.
*Regular doctor and dentist appointments.
*Be kind.
*Think before I open my BiG mouth.
*Spend less, work more, give more.
*Be accountable.
*And I had several notes reminding me to find a book, Before You Put That On by Lloyd Boston. Maybe I'll just try to do that in 2010... and call it good.

I guess I just realized I am living the mantra 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.' Or more likely, There but for the Grace of God go I.