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Nothing to see here, folks. Just cleaning the kitchen cupboards. I'm getting rid of old dishes and going with white and a few pops of color.

That's all.

Mom's 80th Birthday and Pie Pals

Last week was busy and fun!  My* pie pal gals had a crafting session in Becky's groovy basement.  I actually got a lot done.  I made the menu/name cards for my Mom's 80th birthday party, I turned my Christmas cards into a book and I made a stack of note cards.  More importantly, I had a fun time with the pals. Except for using the cropadial, which is from the devil, himself.

Last week was my Mom's 80th birthday.  We wanted to celebrate Mom but not overwhelm her.   Our family went out for pizza and cake on the night of her special day.

 My sisters and I hosted a birthday luncheon for Mom and her friends. I used her china and since I was short on dinner plates I borrowed Karen's Mom's china.  They tied together nicely.

 Special thanks for Lisa for baking her famous sugar cookies.  Frosted sugar cookies are my Mom's favorite cookie. Since they were so pretty I used them as the center piece.

 My Mom loves birds so I used vintage linens with embroidered birds and a pink crocheted edge.

 It was fun to treat Mom's friends, they are so good to each other.

This week I am cleaning up around the house before going on an overnight field trip to Seattle.

Oh, and I am working on our tax return... almost finished!

*The pie pal gals began when Holly called us to come for pie and coffee.  It was last minute, and everyone showed up.   We all had such a wonderful time that we decided it should happen again.  And so it has!  Next up, Jodi's house, then a field trip and dance lessons.  And it all started with pie!

Good, Beautiful, Bad and Best

THE GOOD:

In a very official drawing on the dining room table I chose a cook book winner.

Adie S. is the winner!  I'll get it to you, Adie.  Congratulations!

I wish I could give everyone a copy but that's not possible.

THE BEAUTIFUL:

 On Saturday I got to go wedding dress shopping with Kassie.  She intended to just look and get an idea of what was available.  So many choices.

 In between shops we had brunch and a mimosa.

 Kassie's Mom, Grandma and sisters came with her too.  Her Grandma Catalina was so cute.  She kept whispering to me, I can get her a sweater.  The Spanish word for a crinoline is very pretty, I wish I could pronounce it like Catalina.  She told me that she always tells Max that he is so tall and handsome.

I told her, well stop it.  We don't need that guy getting all full of himself.

Kassie found a gorgeous dress and it seemed that everyone in the shop was holding their breath until she said YES.  There was cheering and applause throughout the shop.  I don't think Kassie realized how beautiful she looked and that all eyes were on her.  The mamas cried.

THE BAD:

 I cannot stand this Northeast stinkin' wind any more!  I love cold and I love snow but the wind! Ugh!

I hate those 50 mph gusts!

THE BEST:

So I am counting the days until my sunny trips start.  First Palm Springs and then Maui this Spring.

I know I am spoiled.  Poolside. Poolside. Poolside is my favorite word.

Going to the beach, going to the beach, going to the beach is my favorite sentence.

Aloha, stay warm, my friends!

If your power goes out I do have wood heat so come on over.

luv, mum

I am still taking down the Christmas decorations here at the Stone House. It's grueling when you are a Christmas junkie.  I have one tree up yet and I keep hoping little January fairies will come and take it down for me.  I have tried to clean each room as I go so things are shaping up around here.

We had a lovely Christmas and New Year.  I have recovered from my cold and I am still working through the cracked ribs from my fall.  All in all, it's all good.

For Christmas this year I wrote my guys and their gals a cookbook.  I think everyone remembers this post, This Isn't Epicurious.   It pushed me to create an organized recipe book for my family.

When I have a serious or loving text for my guys I sign it, luv, mum.  The cookbook is a serious and loving message, hence the title.

I used Create My Cookbook online to help me get this book written.

I chose it because it was easy to move pages, it offered dividers and it let me use my own photos.

There were many page formats too.  Such as fitting two recipes or a recipe and a photo on a page.

The guys have texted Hubby many times for his Kettle Corn recipe.

It also let me add notes, such as the one on the Cranberry Fluff recipe where I hope and note that someday they all grow up and love fluff at Thanksgiving dinner too.

 I had to include Blake because he ate at our house a lot and no one eats Molten Lava Potatoes without thinking of Blake.

 The Hot Chocolate Cookies are a favorite at Mt. Baker.

And of course, a little subtle humor.  On the dinner tab I used a photo of Hubby and I dancing and singing our song, because I don't always feel like making dinner.  I should have labeled it mom, Mom, MOM, What's For Dinner?

I included two and a half pages of dinner ideas in addition to all of the dinner recipes.  Somethings don't need a recipe, such as tacos or grilled cheese or calling out for pizza.

Each book came with a code so they can get the cookbook as an app.  This is great if someone is in the grocery store and forgot the list of ingredients. I'm already loving the app.

Create My Cookbook did not pay me to share my experience or to make my book.  Once again NO ONE pays me to write this drivel.

Since there was an error with the printing I do have an extra sub par copy of the book.

If you'd like to win this copy I will have a drawing next Monday.  All you need to do is leave me a comment on the blog, face book does not count.

Bon Appetit!