Random Again

 Max came for a surprise visit this weekend.  He arrived with a suitcase full of dirty laundry and left with a suitcase full of clean clothes.  I actually made dinner Friday night.  We had a guy snacking on our couch.  It felt just like old times.  Except he is a grown up and he leaves to go back to his own place and he agreed to a walk with his mama.  I think that shows a depth of maturity, to walk and talk with your mama, means that he isn't too cool for me anymore.  Nice.

 You may remember last year I actually carried through with a Pinterest idea and made our Christmas cards into a mini book.  I did it again for 2012.  This year I used a card we received on the cover.  Gretchen makes her Christmas cards every year.  I loved the white glitter and just had to use it front and center on my cover cuz it's just soooo pretty.

 I glue cards the same size together and then mix up the sizes through out.  The card from Eddie and Charlie had two sides so no glue was used.

 Yesterday I put together another book base because I hope to start working my way back.  It could take me a month of Sundays to get to a caught up but I am determined to make some progress this year.

I went to Stampadoodle and cut heavy black chip board for the covers.  All the same size with the same hole placement for year to year consistency.

MOST IMPORTANTLY...

 Happy 23rd Birthday to That Sam I Am today!  He loved to set up his dino collection and have me take a picture when he was little.  I have piles of pics of Sam with his collections, rocks, GI Joes, dinos, stuffed animals, matchbox cars, Lego, playmobil and books.  I still have his collections in the attic.

 Now Sam won't send me pictures or let me take them of him without a fight so I have resorted to stealing them off face book.  This picture is of Sam and his Army buddies, I think they are on their way home from a weekend of hiking and camping.

Happy Birthday Sam!  I love you and treasure the day God gave you to us.

Although I don't actually treasure THAT day since you weighed 10 pounds 4 ounces.

But all of the other days have been great.

Have a fun birthday!

Did you get your package?  Hope so.

RIP

 I am taking it pretty hard over here.  How about you?

 Can't we please go back and rewrite this twist in the story?

Random Thoughts Cuz I Couldn't Sleep

I've been editing some photos from 2012.  The NYC pictures make me smile.  I found some fun party favors for the girls.  We need to set a date to finish our Smash books.  And to laugh, have a glass of wine and reminisce because we are very good at all of the above.  Nancy!  Book a flight!

Hubby and I research prior to making purchases.  Why do sales associates try to get us to change our minds when we go to make the purchase?  Why do I think, "well, they're in the business so they know best"?  They don't know us.  I am going to resolve to stick to my guns in 2013.

Do you ever have this problem?

Is one side of Maui better than the other side?

I started working on our tax return for 2012.  Even though I am not a math whiz I do enjoy the process.  Weird, I know.

Until I have to pay, then me no likey.

I purchased paint for the kitchen and upstairs landing yesterday.  As much as I dread the prep involved with painting I do love the fresh results.  We have a 2013 punch list, we may as well begin the projects.

My morning started at 4:00 a.m. today.  I just couldn't sleep.  I never have a problem sleeping so this morning I have a lot of sympathy for those that have this problem on a regular basis.

The cold, sunny days have been a Winter time treat in the Pacific NorthWET.  According to the forecast they are coming to an end, the good news is that there are SNOW flakes in the forecast.

That's all.  Probably enough.

Seattle Gift Show 2013

Hubby and I went to the Seattle Gift Show this week for three days.  We had long days, in fact the first day was so long we missed happy hour at the Dragonfish.  Hubby wasn't too happy about that error.  Thanks to his parents we stayed at the Camlin.  It has many vintage touches throughout the lobby and rooms to remind you that they have been in Seattle for many years.  The old doorknobs are in shadow boxes in the rooms, and the lobby has a grand piano to remind you of the piano bar that was on the top floor many years ago.

We had a courtyard room and enjoyed our stay.

Our days were long but I felt like I had a successful show as I found many new lines for the museum gift shop.  I placed some orders and took home catalogs and ideas.
Trends I noticed include bicycles(which when the museum had a bike exhibit two years ago they were not to be found), mushrooms,  Paris scenes and owls are still strong, lots of the color grey and lots of brights too.
Salt and pepper shakers are everywhere.  I like that idea, back in the 40's and 50's it was huge.  Honestly I saw such darling sets that I am singlehandedly going to bring it back.  Vintage, collections, nostalgia, salt and pepper shakers, these are a few of my favorite things.

We walked to the new West Elm store.  Many pretty things with an edge.  Fun urban shopping across the street from Whole Foods on Westlake Avenue.

We went for a drink at Oliver's Lounge at the Mayflower Park Hotel.  Thanks Shawn and Jannette for that recommendation.  We loved the atmosphere and the menu.

On our way home last night we stopped at the Burlington Costco to pick up a few things.  An amazing shopping experience at a Costco.  We found what was on our list and then just walked around enjoying a Costco where no one was rude, my ankles did not get slammed by others' carts and there were no lines.  We browsed!  Because we could.

Now we are home, once again inspired by the city, ready to restock the store and feather our own nest.
There's no place like home!

One of Everything Cookies

One of Everything Cookies

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup oil

1 cup butter- softened

1 egg

3 1/2 cups flour (okay, maybe not one of EVERYthing, but close!)

1 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup Rice Krispies or corn flakes cereal

1 cup coconut

1 cup chopped nuts (my guys don't like nuts in their cookies so I never pollute cookies with nuts)

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup chocolate chips

Cream together the sugars, oil and butter.  Add the egg.  Mix until fluffy.  Add the flour, soda, salt, tartar and vanilla and mix.  Then add the other ingredients.  Use your cookie scoop and bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

I mixed these cookies up during the Seahawks game because I get so nervous that I can't sit still.  I baked them last evening and I think this recipe is a keeper.  I used mini and regular semi sweet chocolate chips and threw in a few extra as I was not adding nuts.

Enjoy!

Some Stuff and SNOW

 *Last January I actually used a Pinterest idea and put the Christmas cards we received into a book.  I already have the 2012 cards punched and on rings.  I just have to make a cover.  This is one of the best ideas from Pinterest that I have actually used instead of just pinning.

 *I am organizing, going through shelves, drawers and cupboards to prepare for the BiG painting project I have planned for 2013.  I'm also collecting paint swatches and making decisions.  Some paints have such great names I'd almost choose them based on their name.  I better consider the color though.

 *In my quest for organization I am finding new uses for old things.  The boys had marble and rock collections in old candy containers.  I'm taking them back for ribbon and craft supplies.

Don't worry Sam, I'm keeping your rock collection.

*It feels good to have projects and purpose in the new year.  I've always loved lists and goals and there are many this year.

*I talked to Danny yesterday.  He is busy with double shifts at work, putting his resume together and spending time with Jess.  

*Sam is supposedly going to be moving to Fort Lewis this summer.  He will be on the west coast instead of the east coast and that is the good side.  He may deploy and that is the bad side of this move.

*Max is taking 23 credits this quarter and has 7:30 a.m. classes every day.  That is a heavy load and a busy schedule.

*Next week is the Seattle Gift Show.  I had planned to take the train but mudslides are making that tricky.

*Snow is in the forecast!  I love snow!  And best of all it's not just a flake at the end of a ten day forecast but it's this week.  Rufus says it's coming but there are many variables so we will just have to wait and see.  Rufus did use the word, significant.  And I'm doing the SNOW dance...

If you're a hater I don't even want to know.

*If the Seahawks win on Sunday I am going to be on the hunt for Seahawk t-shirts to send to my out of state guys.  Seahawks are worth bragging about this year.  Isn't winning fun?

*We saw Les Mis on Saturday and both of us enjoyed it.  I don't usually like musicals.  Some of you know I have an uncomfortable, awkward, uneasy feeling when people sing.  Not groups, but individuals. 

Sadly, my boss knows this and so yes, Troy sings.  Awkward.

*It really hit me on Saturday that we are empty nesters.  We went to the 3:20 p.m. matinee.  I wasn't at Bender fields, in a gym, doing a pile of laundry, baking for the week.  

Hubby and I were doing our own thing.  It's fun.

Have a good day!  I'm off to the museum and organizing at home.  Oh, and doing the SnOw dance.

The January Scenerio

I have untrimmed the museum, our friend Adelene's place, and most of our home.

The tree in our living room took me most of Tuesday.  The picture of the tree is AFTER I had removed and packed away 200 of the ornaments.  Poor naked little tree...

 Our bedroom tree is still up.  I enjoyed that tree more than any of the others.  I turned off the lights as I fell asleep every night. It was dreamy.

 I'm also stalling on taking down the shiney silver wreath in the sitting room.  I love the sparkle.  It's hard to part ways with that shimmer, however; I will store it in the attic this weekend.

 The dining room table looks bad but it is the command center for the the reorganization that is taking place at the Stone House.  There are  paint chips, bills being paid, ideas from magazines, new light recipes, calendars being updated, vacation plans being made, labels being printed and lists galore.

It's so exciting to have a new year and a blank slate!  Isn't life grand?

Grace in 2013

Why yes, yes it is still a BiG mess here.

I'm making my way slowly through Christmas decor, reorganizing storage, and putting all of the bits into a spot where they belong.

All of the beds got stripped yesterday, the shiney brite tree is undecorated, the fridge is cleaned.

I have two more trees to take down, a job to go to today and lots of laundry.

The good news is... I have time to do it.

I am not going to panic about getting it all finished in a day.

It's a new year and while I have lofty goals I am going to give myself grace.

I will not have everything sorted  and neat in a day.

I won't have Christmas decor down and organized at home, the museum and at Adelene's by tonight.

I will not prep and paint two rooms by the weekend.

I will not lose 20 pounds in a week.

I won't be reading the entire Bible by next month.

I won't have my closet clean by next Tuesday.

I will not organize the 99 gallon tote of photos by Spring.

The upstairs doors won't be replaced by tomorrow.

And they won't be painted either.

All in due time, enjoying the projects, completing the projects, but no unrealistic deadlines here.