Our Lighted Christmas Parade

Our little town has a lighted Christmas parade on the first Saturday in December.  Local businesses and groups go all out and create some great entries.

 Emilyn was spending the night with us.  When we got to pickle Grams front porch Ellie was there.  Ohhhh, when classmates find each other there is excitement.  Em was running from the curb to the porch for treats so much that she overheated and had to take her coat off.

Jodi and I made hot cocoa for everyone.  The hardest part is always trying to get the hot water to the parade.  If anyone knows of a good hot water system, please let me know.  The adults particularly liked the marshmallow vodka.  The kids liked the mini marshmallows and the red and green Christmas mallows.

  

It was a fun family time! 

Sweet Reminder

 There is a hustle and a bustle that comes in December.  A lot of decorating, running errands, baking and crafting that comes with the season.  I decorated for our friend, Adelene, this week.  I use a lot of poinsettias at her place.  I have one poinsettia in our home and quite frankly, I'm sure I'll kill it before Christmas and have to buy another.  Growers love me.

On Friday I was with my sisters shopping in Seattle for the day.  We didn't spend the night this year but technically we didn't get home until Saturday.  University Village, Alderwood Mall, Hobby Lobby and a stop on the way home for a Target and Marshalls.

We split up to shop and then traditionally we meet back at the sofa at Pottery Barn.  Sometimes when I get back I'm not sure if Jodi has actually left to shop.  She's guarding Melinda's bags and always looks comfy and cozy.  Pottery Barn is a fantastic place to meet.  Not only do they have those comfy sofas but they always have a  small tucked away restroom.  If you didn't know about their restrooms you can thank me for that information next time you see me.  Pottery Barn also has claim check and they let you add other packages to your Pottery Barn shopping bag.  Last night I picked up my bag, which was double bagged and rehandled because it was so heavy.  Groaning at the weight the sweet store clerk handed it off to me with these words, "may the force be with you."  Fortunately Mel had scored a parking spot right outside the door, a Christmas modern day miracle

This morning I shopped locally at my library.  It was a wonderful craft sale put together by kids.  The kids made some very cool crafts and treats.  It was fun to shop and to visit with the shopkeepers.  Some of the kids have been very busy crafting so that they could donate their profits to buy goats and hens for families in third world countries.  Gift tags, ornaments, sachets, hair doodahs and Rudolph candy canes were some of the treasures I took home.  

In all of this week's hustle and bustle  I found a sweet rock from a little guy named Ezra.  Such a humble reminder of of my reason for the season.  Thanks Ezra, I love it!

It's a Small World

About 6 years ago Sam got to know Nathan online through xbox live and WOW.  Nathan lives in Australia and is here on holiday.  It has been fun for the guys to finally meet Nathan, except for Sam.  Sam won't be home for Christmas leave before Nathan has to go back home.  It's bittersweet to have Nathan here and Sam at Fort Bragg.  I really missed Sam this week.

Blake and Nathan came for dinner this week.  I took this first picture right after I told them, "the potatoes might be HoT, or actually may be like molten lava", and Blake took a big, painful bite.

 We had to show Nathan Sam's old room where Sam had been gaming with him all those years.  The guys wear headsets and chat during the game.  It was fun for Nathan to sit where Sam has been gaming with him for all those years.

 Besides gaming Nathan has been busy finishing Uni (in Australia college or university is referred to as uni) and working full time.  He was saving up for his trip to the states.  He went to the Apple Cup, went shooting, is going to a hockey game in Canada, going to Mt. Baker to see snow for the first time and taking a train trip to San Francisco.  When Nathan gets home he has a job waiting as a chemical engineer for a mining company.

Sam hopes to go to Australia to visit Nathan after he finishes his time in the army.  It is strange to think that when I was their age there was no internet, xbox live, no cyber friendships.  Everything was IRL.

It's a cool world out there.

Tinsel Town

This spring Hubby and I went to an estate sale.  I found many shiney brites and a box of tinsel.  The box of tinsel made me squeal.  It was in its original package and it is heavy weight. One piece has the weight of a locket's chain.  The tinsel in the stores today is so light weight and it's plastic.  Not. The. Same.

 I remember having tinsel on the tree when I grew up.  My Mom reused her tinsel.  Every year she would painstakingly put it on the tree and then after Christmas she took it back off to use the next year.  Mom stored her tinsel in between the pages of our church's magazine, the Banner.

 Today I started to hang the tinsel, one piece at a time, and was reminded how happy it makes me.  It's like therapy in the busy season.  It isn't rocket science and it has to be done slowly.

 When we were single my sister, Kathi and I had tinsel on our trees in Iowa.  Then I got married and thankfully Hubby is a tinsel guy.  Just one of the many things that made me fall in love with him and made him Mr. Right.  Kathi, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky, her guy hates tinsel.  Not good.  They're still married but I feel bad for her as I'm hanging the tinsel.  Because the best part of tinsel is coming...

 Pour yourself a glass of wine, blur your eyes just a bit, have one of your kids run past the tree to create a breeze and enjoy the season.  Come on over anytime, Kathi.  There's room on the couch and it's still amazing!

Thanksgiving 2011

We had a lovely Thanksgiving this year.  My Mom made the turkey, Hubby carved the turkey.  The turkey was so moist, oh, my, it was delicious.

 Jodi and Melinda were taking a picture of  a "perfect bite of cranberry fluff".  I think every bite of fluff is perfect!

 It seems like yesterday that we had three or more high chairs around the table.

 Levi moved to mess up my shot.  Nice Levi.

Oh, yes, it was yummy and it was fun!  I went to boot camp this morning and paid the price.

Those hills just about killed me.  Boo.

Next up... Christmas!  I have three trees up and one to go.  We are putting up one live tree this year.

And the boys are coming home!  I just can hardly wait!

Thanksgiving Week

I am thankful for pinterest and this morning, Max is too.  Sometimes I just pin and sometimes I see something that I have to try immediately or the next morning.

All you need is a tube of cinnamon rolls or as my guys call them, faux rolls (they are faux as in Mom didn't make them from scratch) and a waffle iron.

For the first one I set them side by side.  Set your timer for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes.

Next I rolled one roll around the outside of the first roll to make one BiG waffle.

Drizzle with frosting and enjoy!

Next time I would warm the tube of  frosting in a cup of hot water so it drizzles nicely.  This morning I muddled through and learned as I cooked.  Max gave his approval.

I am thankful for pinterest.  It affirms for me that people are creative and good and sometimes brilliant!