2018 in a Looong Review

 I took some time this morning to think back on 2018. God is good.

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him." ... Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.  Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.

Psalm 135

The Instagram hashtag #livehappy popped up for me yesterday. I do try to choose joy everyday. There are days where it isn't easy.  But I've been blessed with many days that it is easy to choose joy.

I wanted to share some of my favorite photos from 2018.  It turns out that I had many, many wonderful days in 2018.

The photos are in no particular order.  That would have taken me a lot of time as my computer has completely scrambled my pics. That hasn't made me very happy or joyful this year.

Hubby and I living our best life.  I love my guy.

 I loved seeing Sam and Levi both so happy at Levi's wedding.

 This was such a good photo at Silver Lake that Kulshan Brewery used it too.

 Oh mylanta, these guys make me laugh. 

 The Pie Pals give me joy and it was fun to be reunited for an afternoon this summer.

 Jessica received her masters degree and Danny will in April.  My heart gets the chest tights for Jess and Danny, they are so happy and work so hard to reach their goals.

Entertaining gives me joy!

 Huaka'i Annie gives me joy!  My morning coffee gives me joy too.

 Oh my, Hubby and I can have so much fun together.

 My extended family brought back the Vander Haak camping trip.  It was so good to have the next generation show up, sleep in a tent in the pouring rain and still baby Aurora was good as gold.

 This tribe on the Naches River is so much good and happiness.  I'm tearing up looking at this photo because they are such a blessing to us.  If I'm not crying, I'm laughing cuz there is a lot of laughing with them.  Steve and Jean, I miss you.

 Get outside!

 Oh Liz, we don't see each other enough!  Her hubby Eric couldn't come with her to the rally this year but he told me on the phone, you have the best Liz, she is so happy with all of you and that is the Liz I love the most.  I think Liz chooses joy and it felt really touching to me that her hubby sees that in her.

 What does Tami want?  Waterfront campsites.  Rivers, lakes, oceans and pools are my jam.

Annie!

 Seeing Hubby excited to try something new makes me happy.  He took a class from Scott and Renee this summer and he is jumped on the Lodge Dutch oven bus.  The added bonus has been delicious food and less camp cooking for moi.

 This is always one of the best days of my summer. #floatingismyfavorite

Some of my trailer tribe gals!

 Hubby and I finding new breweries and enjoying the journey.

 A spontaneous day trip with Mark and Karen to Winthrop was so fun and the ride was gorgeous.

 I got running water this year.  You have no idea what a happy camper this has made me.

 Max loves his in-laws and that give me joy.

 The Fourth of July in George, family weddings, Hubby and I love his in-laws too.

 We'll be reunited in January 2019 and I am counting the days.

Mostly the guys bring me joy unless they're making mama crazy.

Thanksgiving season warms my heart.

 December is my favorite.

 

 I celebrated my 60th birthday in December.

There was a spa day from my sisters and brother and a beautiful dinner party from friends.

A trip to the W in Belllevue and Snowflake Lane with Hubby. He treated me like a queen.

 Sam graduated from fire academy in December. It is so good to see him reach this goal and feel good about himself.

 I brought back Friendmas.  It was fun to plan and a fun evening.

I didn't make the guys wear ties or have etiquette lessons like the good old days.

They are grown up and have good manners.

 Vern and Shelly with their kiddos.

 Christmas!

I bought this painting at Pike Street Market this fall.  It will always remind me of the good time we had in Seattle with friends.

  I said goodbye to my Mom and that was hard.  Still is hard. 

But my joy for her makes it easier for me.

 My guys took good care of me on the day of her funeral.

 Our last Mother's Day with Mom.

My sisters carried me through.  My Sisters on the Fly tribe and my sissies, Kathi and Jodi were such a beautiful blessing for me in 2018.

Happy New Year Friends!  #livehappy #choosejoy

Cheers!

Vintage and Present: Beautiful Women and Their Christmas Trees

 I shared on face book a series of photographs of women with their Christmas trees.  They were from the 50's, 60's and early 70's.  So many of you loved those photos that I asked my sister, that is a Snapsister, Jodi, to help me bring it back. 

First, let's take a look at some of the beautiful vintage photographs of women and their trees.  Oh, the dresses are gorgeous and the tinsel is used with wild abandon.  Just how I like it!

The Lady in Red

Her dress is so pretty and I love the fir bough above her window. She looks like my Mom or her cousin, Janet.

 Can We Be Friends?

This woman looks like we could be besties.  She has paper whites, tinsel, a dog and a cocktail, absolutely, my kind of gal! Her taste is impeccable! She looks comfortable in her gorgeous dress and shoes and with herself.  Confidence is beautiful.

Come Hither, Darling

Speaking of confidence, she's got it!  Wearing her baby doll nightie, she loses her scary, school secretary look that she wears during the day.  You go girl!

On the Floor and Not Happy About It

Her tree, her red dress, her red shoes, the lamp shade, the wreath in the window, the dog, her side table with an espresso and ashtray and lastly, her pearls, are perfection.  She has impeccable taste and style, just no smile.  Looking happy is beautiful, my friends.

S.T.Y.L.E

 Sweetie, I have more style in my pinkie than you'll ever have in you whole, miserable life. 

I know what she's thinking and honestly, she's not wrong. I am coveting her dress and gloves and possibly her eyeliner.

 JustWhatIAlwaysWanted

Who wouldn't be happy to open that stunning jacket on Christmas morning?

Hey Santa Baby

 Her elf outfit is cute and she looks like she'd be fun.  Her dishes and stemware are beautiful as is her tree.  Those ornaments are huge and I haven't seen them before.  What disturbs me is the chamber pot next to her feet. Ours is not to wonder why.

 One More Perfectly Wrapped Package

Mad wrapping skills, pretty tinsel and a red dress, she nailed it. She looks like my Aunt Shirley.

 Give Me All The Tinsel

For a shy gal, she sure knows how to put on the tinsel.  It makes me wonder what she's really like.

 On Friday afternoon Jodi and I hit the road to capture women and their beautiful Christmas trees. I asked some friends and family to send me their photos.  Ladies, I am proud of you!  You out did yourselves and everyone one of you is gorgeous, talented and fun loving!

KrisMas

Kris sent me her photo. Just another day in the life of a spiced rum swilling cat lady.  Kris is a lot of fun and this photo proves my point.  hee hee

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Our first stop was at Holly's house.  Christmas is her jam.  She has many trees, a lot of beautiful decorations, yet it isn't overdone.  I always feel like I just stepped into a County Living magazine when I visit Holly at Christmastime.  Holly chose to wear a classic look. She looks just as beautiful and timeless as her tree.

Merry Marjean
Marjean has a sparkling personality.  Her joy is infectious.  I love how her dress caught the lights from her Christmas tree. It's a tall, gorgeous tree.  Everything about Marjean and her tree reflect happiness.

Oh Rosie

Leslie is a berry farmer's wife, so we went out to the farm to take her photo.  She loves animals, we included Rosie in the photo shoot. Leslie came to the door in a gorgeous cocktail dress, sparkly jewelry and heels.  Wow! 

I've heard Leslie say, Oh Rosie, many times because what else can you say about a naughty dog?

MoM

Janna is a busy Mom of three little girls. When I asked her if we could stop by for a picture, she was game.  If you have small children then you know that not only did she have to get herself ready, but she probably also had to herd toys and girls to the play room.  She was working on her Christmas plans and drinking a LaCroix when we came to her house. Janna was meeting girlfriends that evening and was ready to celebrate Christmas wearing the prettiest plaid shoes ever. Janna lives on Front Street so her tree is in the front bay window for everyone to enjoy.

 Beep Beep

Doreen's tree is on top of her VW bug.  She uses her car to go to her beach cabin in the summer and in the winter it is a perfect prop for some front yard Christmas decorating. Doreen has an outfit for every occasion and she didn't disappoint. A fun, hip Grandma, Doreen wore a Christmas sweater that she wore when expecting her girls.  Vintage fun! Poinsettia leggings? Yes, indeed!

Dreamy

Vonda wore a little black dress with teal heels for a pop of color. I always love a little black dress paired with bright, pretty heels.  It's unexpected and pretty.  Every time.  Just like Vonda's Instagram account.  If you don't follow @vondavhoef you are missing out on a pretty flowers, yummy desserts and her sweet family. Vonda is pictured with her pup, Ferris.

Wishing Everyone a Groovy Christmas
My little sis, Jodi is a Bond girl in her other life.  The velvet dress, boots and her bouffant hair do with a Christmas corsage are groovy. Of course, her corgi, Duchess, was in on this photo shoot. Holly helped Jodi flock her tree this year and it is pretty. Can you believe this Bond girl is a grandma?

Beautiful Christmas Sweater Winner

 My sister, Kathi took home first place at an ugly sweater contest this year so she knew what she wanted to wear for her picture.  There is nothing ugly about it. She looks adorable in her Christmas dress!  And she's ready to pop the champagne for guests at her beautiful, new, waterfront home.  Let's all pop by for bubbly, shall we?

Honey, I'm Home

Jodi caught me right at 5:00 when I am ready for Hubby to walk in the door. I've freshened up, put on my Christmas apron, mixed drinks, dinner is in the oven, his slippers are warming by the fire and I've turned on the Christmas lights for the evening. Just your typical week night at the Stone House.

I don't think I have posed by a Christmas tree by myself since 1961.

Thank you to all the beautiful women that agreed to my crazy idea. Women are usually behind the camera instead of in front of it.  The vintage photos were so fun to see and the women were beautiful, I knew we needed to bring it back. It was so fun to see everyone dressed up standing proudly by their trees.  Every tree was beautifully decorated by the women that stood next to it.  It made me sad when they apologized and seemed unsure of themselves when we came to their homes.  We are so hard on ourselves. 

 It was heart warming to celebrate some of my beautiful friends and sisters at Christmas.

Special thanks to Jodi for photographing.  It was a really fun afternoon.

Jodi and I  talked about our Mom, we don't have any pictures of her next to her tree.  It would have been unlike our Mom to have a photo by herself.  That and she had three of her children in December so she was often pregnant or had a newborn at Christmas time. It's our first Christmas without our Mom and we wished we had a photo of her standing next to one of her beautiful trees.

I'd love for more of you to send me pictures of you by your tree.  I'll add them as I receive them.
Merry Christmas!