Friday, December 31, 2010

Farewell 2010

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.
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2011 is a blank, clean slate, a place to explore and grow and it is my hope for you all that it will be a year of everything you hope and strive for.
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Happy New Year and stay safe!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Hurry! Saveur $3.99 yr.

Hurry and go to here and put in code 7461 where is asks for a code..I think it asks for the code after you submit..anyway in the end it will be $3.99 for the year if it hasn't expired...Hurry!

Friday, December 24, 2010

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
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May you all have a blessed Christmas.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Tree

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
that need just 'a few more small ones'. Finally time runs out and I have no choice but to say "It is finished".
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.



Friday, December 17, 2010

And Unto Us a Child is Given

"And Unto Us a Child is Given" by Edna Hibel

This beautiful collector plate was a Christmas Gift from my daughter several years ago. When I look at it, I slow down and reflect on the true meaning of this joyous season and my heart is filled with gladness.
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Have a blessed weekend.



Thursday, December 9, 2010

Holiday Help

Cook's Illustrated
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Good morning! I came across this link that I thought would be helpful at this time when we could use all of the help we can get. Holiday Survival Guide from Cook's Illustrated. I haven't had a chance to really dig into it but you can't ever go wrong with C.I.
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I am off to the dentist to have an unexpected molar extraction (fun) so perhaps today would be a safe day for me to whip up a batch of those cookies...no fear of eating any of them!
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Have a good one.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Our Little Church

Calvary Chapel Oak Harbor
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Sunday mornings find us traveling to another island to go to church. Fidalgo Island, where we live, is attached to Whidbey Island by the Deception Pass Bridge so no ferry needed. It takes about a half an hour to get there but it is a very scenic drive so no complaints.

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.
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I hope you all have a happy, productive Monday. I will be busy today in usual preparation for the trip south so I am tying on my skates as I type.




Friday, December 3, 2010

Decorating

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.

This box of treasures would normally go to be with the others on the big tree down south but will be given a place on the little tree here.
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So, off I go now as there is no time to waste.
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What will you be up to this weekend?
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Have a good one!


Monday, November 29, 2010

Santa and Little Sherri

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."
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"Impossible, there are very few wishes that Santa can not grant on Christmas. He is ready to see you so let's go tell him.
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"Ho, Ho, Ho, hello Little Sherri. I see you have been a very good girl this year."
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"Yes Santa, I have tried to be very good."
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"So what would you like Santa to bring you this year? Don't be shy, climb up and whisper it in my ear."
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"Oh, I see...hmm, well we will see what the elves can do about that, now run along and be a good girl."
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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.
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Will Santa's idea work? We will have to wait and see.






Monday, November 22, 2010

Little House Thanksgiving

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.
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I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving and if you are traveling that you are safe.






Thursday, November 18, 2010

Amazing

Photo - Etsy shop, Ladies and Gentlemen
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My heart skipped a beat when I saw that Wild And Precious had this on her post today. I totally see why she had to share as I am doing right now.
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I love it....$600.00, I will Not be putting this on my list for Santa.
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An Arctic front is on it's way down to British Columbia and into the Pacific Northwest...that means things can get real ugly, so Mr. B. is taking me today to get new tires so that his precious cargo gets around safely, bless his heart, if they made car seats for dogs we would have them. ha, ha, ha.
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Have a great day!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Festive Hooking

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.
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Have a nice Monday.


Saturday, November 13, 2010

Peaked

"Oh no, is that what I think it is in that pot?"
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"Indeed it is...potato soup. You know what that means, someone is feeling under the weather."
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It is true, I am feeling a bit on the queasy side, but not to fear as I have much faith in the family 'remedy' and look forward to sharing with you a little holiday project that I am working on. The idea developed after following a fun hooky tutorial from the lovely Lola Nova.
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Hopefully Monday will bring a full recovery and I will be able to show you something from the pretty parts above, until then have a delightful weekend.


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thank You Veterans


Willamette National Cemetery - Portland, Oregon
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I want to take this time to thank the Veterans and their families for their service for our country. The many lives and the time given have kept this great country free, may we never forget the high price that has been paid for this freedom.
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I will be visiting my fathers grave today at the Willamette National Cemetery. Thank you Dad for your service for our country.
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Thank you to my loving husband for your service for our country.
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Thank you Colin (son in law) for your service for our country.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Happy Anniversary

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.



It is small and intimate which makes the service great.



That's our table at the bottom of the photo but you need to picture it at night and dimly lit, a perfect setting for a romantic gourmet meal. It was a nice evening and we ended the meal with the best creme brulee that we have ever had, yum! I will be working on reproducing that in the future.
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Tomorrow I will be down the Interstate again (my head is beginning to spin) and have a list a mile long but on that list is some fun things too.
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Have a really nice Monday.



Thursday, November 4, 2010

Little Bits

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!
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I will now pass this award on to three wonderful ladies and they can choose to join in or just keep it in their heart.
*Hood Acre Farm
*A Wooden Nest
*Bord and Butik
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Now I am to tell of 7 things you do not know about me.

#1. I love to drive . . and I drive as fast as I can get away with, which is most of the time, 10 miles over the speed limit..no I don't do that in school zones or around animals etc. . .
#2. I love, love, love coffee and drink a lot of it.
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#3. I drink my coffee with half and half and Organic Blue Agave.


#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.
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#5. I always paint my toenails, for as long as I can remember I have painted them. . my 82 year old mother still paints her toenails too.
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#6. I love makeup. It is more of a challenge to apply it as I get older but I still feel so much better with it on, I guess I could say I enjoy wearing it.


Finally # 7.

James Beard . . .

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.
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So there you have some little bits that you didn't know about me.
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Have a very nice evening.




Modern Prairie Girl Photo Tutorial


Leaving you with a quick link to Modern Prairie Girl blog..she is doing a photo tutorial and is on day 4...looks great but I haven't had a chance to follow along but fully intend on starting at the beginning. Please check it out if you need some great pointers....looks like she makes it fun too.
Be back later today.








Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Three Things

Three things that make me happy in the backyard at the Vancouver house . . . . .

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.
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Have a lovely evening to you all.