It SHOULD Look Like Christmas....Because It Is Almost Here!

Fun times together. We are blessed with a special guest from Indonesia for the Christmas holidays.
Shopping trips.......this is Home Town Furniture in Lebanon and is WORTH A VISIT! They have beautiful Christmas displays everywhere as well as beautiful furniture. They also have 100's of pieces of history hanging from the rafters. It is a must see for kids, actually a history lesson!
Old Christmas sweaters come out of the closet.....doesn't Donny look stylish! I think he chickened out to really wear it to school but it did look good!

The Nativity Scene on display.....Gramma Arndt gave this to us many years ago. It was made by the Sunshine Center.

Angels on the tree...... this one was hand crafted by Ashley 20 years ago and it still sits atop our tree every year.


Christmas Cookies by the dozens! This is my new favorite recipe found in Country Woman Christmas: Split Second Cookies.......and they are quick, easy and yummy and I think they look pretty too!

Eddy trying out the sleigh...poor pooch! It isn't very comfortable.

Savoring the Fall Season..........Before It Turns To Winter

Enjoying Thanksgiving With Friends and Family

Celebrating 31 Years Together

Raking Leaves With Liesel........

And Raking More Leaves!!

Crunching Through Leaves

Enjoying the Vibrant Colors

Drying Walnuts

Making Grape Juice

On Top Of the World!

Donny is on the cross country team at ELCA and they all ran to the top of Peterson's Butte for a good workout one day. It must be nice to be so young you think running straight uphill is fun!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY LIESEL!

Life Comes "Full Circle" Sooner Than You Think

My kids will recognize some of these old tub toys from years ago.......and they still work!
These are reminders of how the years go by so quickly....just when your heart misses the baby things you get to put them into use again....and that is great fun.

This highchair has seen many sticky fingers enjoying 1ST BIRTHDAY sweets....it is 29 years old!

A Mini Vacation

If you haven't visited Astoria in it's unique and historical setting, do consider a get-a-way. We did at the urging of our son and daughter-in-law. They suggested that we see the Columbia River Maritime Museum. We were not disappointed and learned so much about the importance of the Columbia River to our economy as well as the dangers for cargo ships crossing "the bar". It is the most dangerous water in the world because of the immense amount of water from the river meeting the Pacific Ocean.
The ship in the background is a retired light ship which required a crew of 17 men. It was stationed to warn ships of the bar.
This is a retired coast guard boat capable of going end over end but always "righting" it's self.

We headed south along 101 and enjoyed the beauty of the Oregon Coast (before the fog rolled in!) The beach below was used as the road for many years before a highway was built.
A kind stranger took our picture for us.

RECYCLING

Re-making would be a better term for making something new out of something old. I love heavy crocheted lace but not the price so it is fun to check out our local thrift stores for someone elses "junk" so it can become my "treasure". These curtains were re-made from a queen size bed ruffle and cost just a couple dollars because it had accidently been decorated with a splotch of blue paint. There is enough fabric left from the flat center section to make 2 nice pillowcases as well. Now you try it!

So Much To Learn About This Big World!

A walk is always more fun with a little person...they find great enjoyment in small things like a shoe falling to the ground or a pretty purple flower.....and yes, it did almost make it into her mouth in the next split second......isn't that how you REALLY enjoy something at this age? I believe this abundant wild flower is called "Heal-All" and it is edible and medicinal so it was safe in any case....eaten or enjoyed=)

Pup In the Pile

Speaking of piles of laundry..........which I just read about on another blog........guess who found mine just 5 seconds out of the dryer? Eddy is no dummy when it comes to comfort!

Ridin' High In The Saddle

Mother's Day 2011

A delightful dinner, wonderful company, sweet cards and gifts.....Thank you family! Oldest son carved out a beautiful cedar bench.....Eddy likes it too.

SUMMERTIME EVENTS

We have enjoyed some very special times with family and friends: a Saturday morning brunch with cousins, aunts and uncles and g'amma, a short visit from oldest daughter, a hike to beautiful McDowell Creek Falls, fishing in the pond, driving the jalopy jeep.........the cool and rainy June weather hasn't kept us from a good time! There are hot days just around the corner....maybe!

Bulbs and More Bulbs!

Just a comment about the picture at the top (tulips and daffodils) of this blog. My sweet daughter-in-law was my inspiration. She got right busy her first year here in the valley, and planted bulbs and bulbs and more bulbs! You can guess what her yard looked like that coming spring....BEAUTIFUL!! She adds a few more every year and it truly is stunning. I found myself very drawn to bulbs last fall...hmmmmm....it's catching. Thank you Laura!

A Building Project

Packing tables and gear to target practice is over.... the guys now have a shed to call their own. It all began with rough sketch and then many nails and lots of boards later.......a pretty neat little nook with a built-in table and adjustable stools. It was a great "shop" project for Donny and he learned a lot about construction from Dad. I think they need a coffee pot..... then you just might find me out there on a rainy day.