As I turn toward a new year and ponder the old, I must tell you all how my heart has been blessed by you. Last January, I ventured into an unfamiliar place, the blog world, and found it to be welcoming and supportive and I thank you all for this. 
It is almost done. The Tree, the jewel box of our Christmas, my treasure. I wish you could see it in person when it is fully loaded and glistening. It takes many hours but is most definitely a labor of love and well worth it to see the joy it brings to my family.
I never know when enough is enough and always see an empty spot or two
As you can see, the bottom still needs to be done, but for now the bed is calling and so I shall say goodnight to you all and hope you are enjoying all of your holiday preparations. 
Cook's Illustrated
Calvary Chapel Oak Harbor
This is the view we have when we step out of the church, the doors open to this. Thank you Lord!
The Pastor is so popular that even the local gulls attend, it's a full house so standing room only.
If you have a church photo that you would like to share I would be happy to post it. It can be any church that you like. Send me a photo or a link to your blog if you have posted it there.
This weekend will be spent decorating the Little House as I am sure many others will be doing. There will be no dawdling around, for early next week I will be off to do the same down at the other house. 
It is very exciting pulling everything out, kind of like old friends that we haven't seen for awhile. There are always new finds to be introduced to the others such as the two singing angels above. 
Little Sherri stands dreaming about what she 'really' wants for Christmas this year.
" Good morning, are you ready to see Santa now?" Asks Rudolph.
"Yes, but I am afraid that even Santa may not be able to get what I want."
"Ho, Ho, Ho, hello Little Sherri. I see you have been a very good girl this year."
"Oh, I see...hmm, well we will see what the elves can do about that, now run along and be a good girl."
This may be difficult...I quit making the original "Spirograph" years ago, the ones being made now are a joke and don't work. Little Sherri has her heart set on the vintage model, someone must have one in a closet somewhere....I have an idea, I will ask Big Sherri if she might trade some vintage sheets from her own 'very nice personal stash' or some other treasure to make an 'offer they can't refuse', for the vintage Spiro.
We had planned to go to the other house and have Thanksgiving at Mom and Sisters house with the rest of the family but the snow has changed that trip. It will be Mr. B. and I with the dogs. We slid into Mt. Vernon and did all of the shopping for the feast so we are all set.
The table will be groaning with the turkey and all of the trimmings.
We will be all cozy inside, safe from the howling north wind with a wind chill factor getting close to single digits.
I will use this special bowl for rolls. It blew off of the fence 3 times before I could get a few shots to share.
It looks like a wood burning but seems to have been done with a fine instrument...maybe someone knows something about this type of bowl.
Miss E. is all safe and warm in her house, if you look close you can see the far right chimney has smoke coming from her little wood stove.
Photo - Etsy shop, Ladies and Gentlemen
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed having hook in hand. I learned the craft in my teen years from my great auntie Ella and when Lola Nova made little crowns for her pumpkins I was smitten and was excited to follow the tutorial that she offered, thanks Lola Nova.
Please do not look too close as I made some goofs (there might be some extra petals) but I decided to just have fun with these little gems.
How about adding a little cozy decor for your candle while addressing your cards or . . .
. . . while listening to your favorite tunes as you get in the mood to put those decorations up. These could be used at any time of the year and in so many different ways. They are really quite quick to whip up especially after you get the first one down, so I suggest you check out Lola Nova's instructions.
"Oh no, is that what I think it is in that pot?"
"Indeed it is...potato soup. You know what that means, someone is feeling under the weather."
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Willamette National Cemetery - Portland, Oregon
Many years ago I met my sweetheart and my best friend, the man that would deserve my heart and so I would end up giving it to him.
As you can see ladies, it wasn't a real stretch to fall for this man, loving and gentle but with that Green Beret mystique.
He took me out to a marvelous dinner at the Oyster Creek Inn, located on the creek and as you can see the side of the hill. You can't see it but is right by one of the many bays that are in the area. This is the bridge next to it.
Yesterday Lola Nova was kind enough to pass on this award to me . . I am honored, as I have followed her blog since I first started snooping around blog land and just happen to think that she's the best. . . .Thank you Lola Nova!
#2. I love, love, love coffee and drink a lot of it.
#4. I am left handed but I only eat and write with it and most everything else such as crochet, shooting, bowling, batting and etc. I do right handed.
Finally # 7.
James Beard was born in Portland Oregon, where I was born and raised. His family had a beach house on the Oregon coast in a little town named Gearhart. He would always come in the summers and give cooking classes and my dream was to take a class someday...in those days we didn't have the money but I knew someday I would . . .He died before I could do it and I still deeply regret not somehow 'making' it happen ...moral to that story for you all is MAKE it happen when it means that much.
Our beloved big Maple tree, even the leaves that need to be raked.
Molly the Basset Hound that lives next door, even though she has been working for years to get through the fence (looks like she's getting close).
And finally, feeding the squirrels and birds on the patio.
