Cruising Through the Memories

I finished a little project today. My sis, Kathi and I took a cruise this fall. To thank her for taking me on the 'suitcase survivor contest cruise' I gave her all the makings of a mini book. I bought myself identical supplies. Kathi finished her mini book while we were at Whistler. I can't wait to see them together.
My book cover.
While shopping for supplies I kept thinking about the colors of the kayaks and the fun we had out on the Puget Sound.
I am not a hardcore scrapper. Really. Okay, I'll convince you and confess. My baby doesn't have a baby book. There. I said it. He is fifteen and ever since he figured out this void in his life I have been trying to make it up to him. Anywhoo, I am pretty proud of this page combo, I used acetate and vinyl. Like a pro.
My back cover. The flag was such a pretty sight on the yacht.Good memories.

Homemaking

I'm having some time to scrap this weekend.

And I'm having some time to enjoy a cozy house this weekend. I'm so thankful for my wood stove.

Guys all worked today while I did laundry, baking, cleaning. I really enjoy being home and homemaking. Thankful today for a day to be home and get things caught up without feeling rushed.
Have a good weekend!

Tire Treads or Tread Lightly

Friday morning- Max takes a shower and then casually mentions that the tire treads on his leg, where Sam ran over him the night before really hurt while in the shower this morning.

WHAT!?

Well, you seeeeee, Mom...

Midday Friday- Sam calls my cell and asks, "Mom, did Max tell you I accidently drove over his leg last night?"

Friday early evening- I mull this over, wonder why I got two similiar stories, yet very different stories and WHY me?

I've been assured by both Sam and Max that, "it won't happen again, Mom."

This comes under the label- "you can't scare me, I have BoYs".

Gotta run, just remembered that Sam is picking Max up from Cassie's house and he may not actually StOp the car...
apparently, it happens.

Grandma's China

I have my Grandma's dishes, Autumn Gold. I think she collected them through the grocery store or Quaker Oats. My guys have been blessed to go to my folks for Sunday dinner just as I was blessed to go to Grandpa and Grandma Dykstra's farm for Sunday dinner. Sometimes we ate in the kitchen and sometimes in the dining room. If we ate in the dining room my Aunt Clarice and I would set the table with the good dishes, Autumn Gold. So, these dishes bring back lots of good memories, smells, sights and tastes.
Grandma's dishes had been used pretty heavily and so I have picked up more of the dishes at garage sales, thrift stores and estate sales. I probably have twice as many as Grandma.


Last night we used Autumn Gold for our table. My parents, siblings and their spouses came for dinner. They brought their calendars, we planned the holiday parties and dinners and drew names.
Hubby and I served Honey Sesame Pork Tenderloin, Pioneer Woman's Creamy Herb Potatoes, Orange Glazed Carrots, Hubby's Homemade Dinner Rolls, Applesauce, and J & K brought a pretty and delicious green salad. I baked a Pumpkin Roll for dessert. It was a cozy fall dinner.

What Not to Do

I was going to totally do a tutorial on my blog this week. How to Entertain Midweek Even if You Work Outside the Home. Catchy title, eh? Nice for the coming holidays.

Hubby and I are having a small dinner party for eight guests and ourselves tonight. I was going to be all organized and lead you through the party prep, with recipes, table setting and tips on how to keep the house tidy in the days leading up to the dinner party, even though I am at work during the day.

This is what happened instead...First, I was overcome with a desire to scrap book on Monday evening and covered every flat surface with scrappin' stuff. I should have been fine tuning the housekeeping, choosing linens and recipes instead of scrapbooking. But after a long dry creative spell I had to put a mini book together. Weird. Procrastination, maybe.

Hubby and I did go to Costco and Trader Joe's on Monday, our days off. Good thing. Only foresight this whole stinkin' week.

Secondly,everyone has a mini-depression going on here, very. tired. of. the. rain. Cranky people.
Thirdly, sinusitis has set in and Hubby's throat is on fire from drainage-nice. Mine is winding up for a sinus infection also.
So, this is not a tutorial on how to but rather how not to...Don't start a project, don't get sick and don't let the guys dog picking up after themselves.

Anyway, dinner is tonight. I'm sure we'll throw a lovely party, it just won't be quite as lovely as I had once planned.

Tomorrow I'll post recipes, the table setting and how my house looks with all the dimmer switches hiding the mess.
I am very thankful for my dimmer switches today.
Oh, and that I made the dessert last night.
And that it is not raining this minute.
Now, I just need a miracle cure for Hubby.

The Family That Reads Together...

While in grade school either Dan or Sam, I can't remember who, brought this book home, 'Holes' by Louis Sacher. Our entire family read it and enjoyed it. When the movie came out in 2003, we went and loved the movie too.

I picked up this one, 'Marley and Me' by John Grogan at the bookstore on Camano Island. We all read it and laughed and cried. This Christmas, the movie comes out on December 25th, starring Owen Wilson amd Jennifer Aniston and a very sweet puppy. I hope we can go as a family, I'll bring the kleenex.

'No Country for Old Men' by Cormac McCarthey, Sam brought this book home. He and Hubby read it and I'm next. The movie has come out and Sam has seen it several times.

Have you ever chosen a book as a family for everyone to read?
It's not easy hitting everyone's reading interest or level. If you have any good titles to share, I'd like that. Sometimes Hubby and I read the same books, or Sam and Hubby read the same books but it is difficult to find one that we all enjoy. When we do find one it is almost like a family book club. Try it.
*photos courtesy of Amazon