Decking the Halls

 We've been busy decorating for Christmas.  I need to put together a centerpiece for the dining table, decorate the front door, finish upstairs and then stop the madness.

 I put one of our aluminum trees in the kitchen this year and filled it will Putz houses and churches.

I've picked them up at estate sales and didn't realize how many I had collected.

 I went back to red and aqua in the kitchen sink window this year.

 The tree doesn't have tinsel on yet but but I am hoping to have the energy to finish that tonight.

I'm subbing a lot right now.  It's good though because Christmas Vacay is on its way!

And y'all know just how much I love it when the house is ready, I have no where to go and I can just look at my tree or run past it and watch the tinsel sway.  It's a thing.

Some of This Hurts Me to Say It

My birthday is coming up and it's a biggie. When an article popped up in my news feed, regarding fashions that make a woman look older, I felt compelled to read it.

Since I love all of you, and many of you  all of you are also getting older, I am going to summarize and add my own opinion.

• Wearing skirts that are too long. It's true.  I've always thought above the knee is better.  Between the knee and ankle, not so much.  Obviously, no mini skirts though.
• Too matchy matchy, some women in my hometown may be offended and think I am calling them out, I'm not.  I am just passing along some good fashion advice for all ages. Remember, only one animal print at a time.
• If you have baggy on top, wear slim on the bottom.
• Too trendy.  I know, I know, it's cute.  It's cute on a five or twenty one year old, not someone my age.
• Dressing in all black. Ouch!  That one hurt just a little.  I love my black!  Changes will be made.
• Wearing something for sentimental value.  I break that rule every Christmas and wear my Grandma's fur coat. I plan to continue to break that rule every Christmas.
• No jersey fabric. The article suggested leaving jersey for bed sheets. 
• Not defining your waist. I had some panic here.  I am never going to tuck a blouse into my jeans again.  Can I get an amen?  That said there are ways to have a waist without a belt. Some of my black t-shirts are more flattering than others  because they define a waist.
• No turtle necks, but I like them.  I knew this rule though and I haven't worn one for years.  With the exception of snow shoeing. I did almost buy one this weekend on the sister's trip, I still like them.  I think they still have their place, in moderation and some aren't up to your ear lobes so they work.
• The right bra and panties.  Enough said. It is suggested that we wear a bit of shape wear on top, everyday. Good idea!
• Glasses that are too trendy.  Oops! I just ordered new glasses and I may have gone a bit on the trendy side.  For the most part, I wear contacts so I'll just have to live with this faux pas for two years. And honestly, I don't care.  I have seen some older women with some fashion fun glasses and I love it.
• Wearing chunky shoes can make you look old.  I am super self conscience of my feet as I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.  It is difficult to find shoes that look good, are comfortable and don't leave my feet out there for the world to see.  
• Say no to tweed.  It's back but really it will age anyone.  Hipsters are trying but it's goofy.
• Tying a jacket or sweater around your waist.  Buuuuut, I don't want to carry it around.  I won't do it again, but I am kicking and screaming all of the way.  Around your shoulders is best.
• Carrying a large, designer, old lady purse.  I carry a smaller bag but if I'm gone all day I keep a large launch bag in the car.  I like cross-body bags for shopping.
• Too much costume jewelry.  Coco was right.
• Tan pantie hose, no worries there. I don't ever want to wear those again. I wore them every day for five years at the bank, even maternity. Ugh!
• Make-up. It's suggested to lose the powder, this is hard for my shiny nose.  I have gone to a very light weight. minimal powder.  Wearing too much blush will add ten years.  Give up the black eyeliner ladies. Careful of your lipstick being too dark. I'm lucky just to get out the door, this a lot to think about every day.
• Getting a tan.  I wear a lot of sunscreen but I still love me a tan.  It takes off ten pounds, for crying out loud.
• Wearing too much floral.  That doesn't mean you can't wear floral.  Moderation.
• Not getting your hair trimmed and shaped.  I love my hairdresser, Hi Glenda!,  so this isn't something I avoid.  I am questioning the coloring.  When should a woman stop coloring her hair.  I see some older women with jet black hair and honestly, it looks funny.  Or a 75 year old woman with bleach blond hair.  It's not natural, folks.  I am hoping I know when to stop.  Is it 60?  Chime in!
• Sweatshirts and tees with logos have to go. No problem.  I am super cautious that my clothing doesn't look like PJs. I'm scarred by something I wore when I was pregnant and shouldn't have ever worn.  That's just my thing though... I guess you won't see me at Walmart in my pajama pants.  After 5:00 p.m. in my own home, all bets are off!

That's it.  You can do with it what you want.  It's just advice on the Internet that I gathered.

I think I'll take it all into consideration and then do whatever I want to do.  That's pretty much how I've gone through life, including fashion.

I did buy myself a Lily Pulitzer dress.  I thought it was time.

Chime in.  I want to learn more.  And then do whatever I want to do anyway.  It's how I roll.

Oh, and where do you shop? That's another blog post.

P.S. I always loved Barbie's dress and it can be bought in my size.  And that is the danger of the internet. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. But I love it!

Friendsgiving

On Saturday evening Hubby and I hosted Friendsgiving with my pie pals and their husbands.  I love to set a fall table.  I used my Grandma's wheat dishes.

 I got out my Mom's Thanksgiving salt and pepper set.  It made me realize that this holiday season is going to be hard.

I put together place cards.  Hubby and I prefer a seating arrangement.  It's nice when it's time for dinner, we are flying around the kitchen, and no one is asking where we'd like them to sit.

 The votive holders are from Crate and Barrel. I filled the bottoms with small fall bits.

Hubby and I took a selfie before our guests arrived.  All looks calm but honestly, we don't entertain as often as we used to and there were some issues.  We need to get our game on!

Since this was the first holiday party of the season we decided to start the evening with a Silver Bell.  We've enjoyed this cocktail at Oliver's in the Mayflower Hotel.  The Silver Bell was created for a Seattle hospital gala with festive in mind.

We served appetizers on the buffet.

 Dinner!  We made pork roasts, grilled turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, Jodi made the sweet potatoes and PW Nan's Cranberry Salad.  I don't have a photo of Holly's relish tray, trust me it was impressive!

 Shelly baked the pies.  They were beautiful and delicious!

 It was such a fun way to begin our holiday season.

 *Many of these photos aren't mine.

Thanksgiving Day is at Bill and Jodi's house.  Max and Kassie are coming and bringing Bo.  Sam will be at dinner.  Jonny too! Hubby has to work on Thanksgiving, so we're having dinner with Max and Kassie and Sam and Katie on Saturday evening.  I'm not sure if I am cooking or if we are going out yet.  On Sunday I am leaving for my annual sisters' shopping trip.  Sisters include cousins Melinda and Lissa.  I am shopping for stocking stuffers.

I have two trees up and I'll finish decorating after Bo leaves.  His tail is dangerous!

Wishing you and yours a very blessed Thanksgiving! We really have so much to be thankful for this year and always.

Is It Monday?

I have spent the entire morning fixing things that really were no fault of my own. 

Banking issues.  Hubby went to theATM and it showed a zero balance.  What?

No one at our bank knows why that happened because clearly there is a balance.

Nordstrom order.  You have no idea how crazy this issue escalated.  I love Nordstrom customer service and online shopping, but I think they have some temps in shipping.  That is a half an hour of my life that I'll never get back.  And it's not fully resolved but I've grown weary for now and I'm taking a break.

Old Navy order.  Everything is en route times two. Don't ask.  Looong phone call.

I'll just make a return.  No problemo.

Dinner reservations that I made a month in advance had a glitch. Fifteen minutes lost.

I know, I know, all minor, first world problems.  I'll post later about the wonderful Friendsgiving we enjoyed this weekend!

November Rambling

This promises to be a rather random post. November is almost half over and I haven't posted yet.  Last November we were getting ready for two weddings and a trip.  My Mom wasn't doing well and one of my guys was going through a tough time. This year November came and I felt a little blah.  Not ready for Christmas busyness yet, but almost bored.  I started thinking about everything that happened last fall and looking back I realized how overloaded and busy I felt.  Much of it was so good! But some of it was hard and sad. I had to step back and look at what a normal November looked like for me this year.

As it turns out some reflection was good and I am ready for a grateful Thanksgiving and a Christmas season of celebrations and joy.

In October, Sheryl and I went to the Glitter and Glitz Vintage Show in Anacortes.  It got me inspired for Christmas decorating. 

I have been walking more again.  I feel so much better when I walk regularly but it is a slippery slope and any change can cause me to stop. Anywhoo, I am back in my groove and that feels good.

 November has been a busy month for substitute teaching.  There haven't been any jobs for Thanksgiving week because of conferences scheduled for afternoons. I am happy to have the week off to do some holiday prep and enjoy being at home.

I had an outing on Saturday to University Village on the Lynden Christian School Polar Express.  I won a trip! That was a first for me.  Karen went with me on the bus trip.  It was fantastic!  Their swag bags rocked.  We got on the bus and did some local shopping first and then went to Seattle for more shopping.  Karen and I enjoyed lunch at Eureka and shopped until we dropped.  Then it was back on the bus for a box dinner, more raffle prizes and fun visiting.

Yes, we miss camping.  We miss packing up and taking off with Annie, our '57 Aloha and we really miss our trailer peeps. Hubby and I were off yesterday so we decided to cook dinner outside.  It was cold but clear.  Sam came for dinner and it was good to see our favorite veteran on Veterans Day.

 We made our sauce first and then assembled a lasagna.

 While it was baking in the Dutch oven we were warming up inside by the fire.

 Success!  It was delicious and we'll take this recipe on camping trips next summer.

Today Hubby is at work and I am at home taking care of some cleaning and projects.  We are hosting a Friendsgiving on Saturday evening. The Pie Pals and their guys are coming for dinner.

I ordered Christmas bedding from Pottery Barn. Cozy. The plaid duvet cover is calling my name too.

Today I plan to put up one of the trees. I want to decorate and enjoy this season.  I have an idea for a ONEandDone gift for the kids this year.  I would like to try some new recipes.  I want to attend some local Christmas events this year.  

It's too early for some of you but not for me! 

Enjoy the season as you wish!

Some New and Some Traditions in October

The blog has been so spotty lately.  I don't have time to post because I am out there enjoying post able events and trips.  Anywhoo, let's get caught up, shall we?

First up, something new!  We stayed in our first AirBnB.  We were trying to camp with Jeremy and Rene' and Larry and Shelly.  We couldn't find a date, then we couldn't get reservations, finally we scrapped the camping and went to the city and stayed in the Big Red House.

Our house was cute and it was cozy because when we arrived our friends had cocktails and seafood risotto waiting for us. The drive was rainy, windy with serious traffic.

Saturday morning the sun came out and we went for breakfast at Belltown Brewery.

We visited the market.

I wanted the pretty peppers but I didn't want to carry them all day.  

We wandered downtown and then took the monorail to Seattle Center.  We had a lovely visit at the Chihuly Garden and Glass. I love that place,  It never gets old.

 The garden has matured since our last visit.

Mr. Chihuly has a trailer collection too.

We had tickets to go to the top of the Space Needle at 4:30.  Perfect time for us and we were excited to see the new glass floor.  Warning: If you sell me a ticket for a 4:30 time slot and then I have to wait in line for 2+ hours, it won't be pretty.  We got a refund and left it for next time.  

On to the Rhein Haus for some bocci ball, the Huskie game on TV, beer and dinner. It turned out to be their Octoberfest that evening.  Oh my!  That was fun.

It was so good to have time with our trailer friends in the city. I love these peeps!

Karen and I have a tradition of making dinner for each other for our birthdays.  We fuss.
It was a special birthday for her this October.

We do a new cocktail, dinner, presents, candles and cake, in other words, we celebrate the birthday girl.

Hubby made us Silver Bells for our cocktail.  We have had them at Oliver's Lounge.  They were created for a hospital Seattle Christmas Gala and have become a tradition for that event.

Hubby and I have a tradition of camping at Silver Lake in the fall. It's just the two of us and we play cards, cook, nap and read and hike and nap and read again.  It's perfect.

This year was really perfect as the sunshine was glorious, and the fall color has been amazing this year.  Since it was October, we couldn't rent a canoe.

Pork loin and twice baked potatoes on the bucket grill for dinner, yum!

Cooking in a Dutch oven is new to us.  I bought a Dutch oven for Hubby at a swap meet this year and he was wanting to try it. He took a class on Dutch Oven cooking at Nile Valley from Scott and Renee, so he had some knowledge.

He decided to try biscuits and gravy.  Full disclosure on biscuits and gravy and Hubby and I... we only allow ourselves to have it once a year.  It's yummy and fattening and we know that. Once I know we are having it I don't want to be disappointed with burnt gravy and gooey biscuits.  Right?

No disappointment here.  Oh my goodness, it was delicious.  We use Jimmy Dean hot sausage and a lot of black pepper.

And since biscuits and gravy weren't enough we also drove to Glacier for Wake'n Bakery coffee and cookies. It took a lot of hiking to justify biscuits and gravy and cookies.

Reading in the sunshine, yes please.

We have a small heater, flannel sheets and wool blankets to keep us warm.  It's fun to camp in the fall and cozy up. There were two other campsites with campers so it's quiet.

Morning coffee is pretty dreamy when you're camping.  Photo credit goes to Hubby.

 Good stuff and a lot of fun.  Now we are home and Annie is winterized and ready to go into the carport for the rainy season.  I am subbing quite a bit and Hubby has a new schedule.
Fall and home feel good.