Winter To Do

So Christmas is over and we are now having more "typical" Oregon winter weather.   Rain, rain, and more rain.  Oh well we really shouldn't complain as December was dry, very dry which was so nice with all the running around and in and out of stores you have to do this time of year.  Plus soon oh so very soon I will be in the land of mai tai's and hula skirts. 

Here is my list for Winter

1. Take a cooking class - this is leftover from the Fall list and we still have the coupon so we must do this
2. Try a new restaurtant
3. Paint the family room
4. Walk on the beach
5. Try a new recipe
6. Make Valentines treats for work and/or friends
7. Update Shutterfly'organize pictures
8. Take a knitting class
9. Clean and organize garage
10. Clean and restore quilts

I believe



via here



May your day be merry and bright.....

Mele Kalikimaka

Getting crafty

I was lucky enough to be able to take a couple of days of vacation right before the Christmas weekend.  This gave me an opportunity to do something I hadn't had the time to yet - get my craft on.  Not that I did anything huge mind you but it was fun and something I hadn't tried before.  It gave me time just to slow down and take a couple of moments to do something I enjoyed.
So.......I made some body scrub. I think this is where I got the idea - Bake at 350 .   I used a slight different version and I think this is pretty much how I did mine.  

1 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup White Sugar
1/3 cup almond oil
cinnamon
nutmeg
Scoop in container with a tight fitting lid - I got mine at the Container store but there are a tons of options you could use here.

Also, when I made pickles this summer I made extras in pint jars knowing I would include them in holiday gifts.  Recipe and process found here from a post back in July.  I had some labels made as well a while back to put on anything that came from my kitchen.   They fit perfectly on the tops of the pickle jars.

I found some great little baskets at Joann's this week and put the whole thing together with some ribbon and mini ornaments I had on hand in my gift wrap stuff.

Here's some pictures of the finished projects (safe to post now that all baskets have been delivered)

I also painted part of the living room yesterday.   I LOVE the color.  Will post some pictures when its all complete.   One thing I am not good at is the part up by the ceiling.  I am lucky enough to have a husband that will come in and help me with such things. 
Today is Christmas Eve and the sun is shining with a pretty blue sky.  I think we will go have a nice lunch - perhaps at Sinju and catch a movie.   We will be on our own tonight but that is fine being that G is still recovering and I don't want any set backs.   I might just make some fondue for us for dinner and crack open a bottle of bubbly.  T&R are arriving tomorrow for Christmas dinner of Prime Rib, Asparagus, and maybe these.   For dessert we will do a variety of baked goods with some peppermint ice cream.  I've already got the table set.......

.....but more on that later.

Merry,merry!

Wednesday Wisdom

Do you love it?!   Or is it just me and my weird sense of humor.  Something tells me these as well as others are going to get funnier the closer we get to this weekend.   If you want more they can be found at Naughty Betty

Merry merry everyone!

In the spirit

The countdown is on!   I have my shopping done! 

Went to Salem yesterday and saw T&R decorations.  Very pretty and classic.  Angels, and gold, with a Hawaiian and Asian flare.   Should of taken some pictures but I didn't but trust me its pretty.  She had made Snowball cookies for G - can I just say delish as well as some Liquor Balls.   Some would call them Rum Balls but the difference with these is that half of them have Pendleton and Courvoisier in them.   Don't want to eat those babies and drive.  But hey don't confuses this as a complaint.   She says they will mellow with time as most things do. 

This year Christmas seems to be coming like a freight train.  I don't know if its because we have to work right up until Christmas Eve.  Maybe it's because I have no idea what we are doing with half of our family.   Or maybe its just because time seems to be flying by just in general lately.  I am waking up in the night worrying about what is left to be done.  This is silly because really whatever is left isn't all that big of deal.   All presents are bought.  All presents are wrapped.  Isn't that the main thing?  The only thing left is the crafty gifts I want to do for my friends.   And I still have time.....kinda.  Oh and it would be great if I could get the kitchen and family room painted by Saturday.  Ha!

Here are some shots of holiday spirit at the Preston's

Santa Tree

If you know me you know I used to collect Santa's.  I say used to because I still have them but considered the collection to be closed - after all there is only so much room in your house for so many Santas.  I heard someone say on the TV "if you house looks like Santa might live there you might want to dial it back" and I fear that in some cases I need to "dial it back".    Cheers to Coca-Cola for making him into image they have.  If you didnt' know the role Coca-Cola played in the Santa we celebrate today you can learn more here. 

Here is a taste of my love for Santa.....my Santa tree

And some of my favorites on the tree

Merry, merry everyone.

Oh - in other news.  Christmas shopping done!  And most are wrapped and under the tree!   Hopefully I will get some baking done later this week but I might paint the family room instead.

Aloha Friday

via here

I hope that you have all your holiday shopping done as well as your holiday baking.   If not I know what you will be doing this weekend.   I have neither done so you know what I'll be doing this weekend.  Only 8 more shopping and baking days! 

Tis the season to loose your mind......fa la la la la la la la


Merry merry

Wednesday Wisdom

via my friend Rhonda

Today I am grateful that G is feeling better and stronger - among many other things

Top Ten for Fall - update

So I know that technically it is still fall but it hasn't gotten about 40 degrees in days so let's face it - it's winter.

My list for Fall was here.   I did pretty well although I didn't accomplish all those that I didn't will just be put on the list for winter.

1. Try a new restaurant (really this is my goal to do every month)
   Yes!   
   Knead and Feed - if you are ever on the island and in Coupeville this is a must stop for lunch
   Tucci - did a date night here last month.   I had some wonderful salmon and G had some great chicken.   Great little spot in LO and we heard a rumor they might be moving to Blinn's location on the lake.  That would be nice for sure as they have a great little HH.
2. Take a cooking class 
   Nope - will move this to winter list.
3. Clean out the flowerbeds for winter (didn't get to this last year and I paid for it in the spring)
   This I did do - and I will be much happier come the spring because of it
4. Make something on the sewing machine
   Well you see if we are going to be perfectly honest here I kinda broke the little crafting sewing machine I bought.   The bobbin or whatever its called is all messed up so this one would be a no.  
5. Paint the kitchen
   Forget this was on my list - dagnit.  This inspires me to do this - this week.
6. Play cards with my husband
   Done a lot of this.   Actually played this past weekend.  In case your wondering I won the best out of three
7. Go on a ferry ride
   Yes!  Actually went on two.   This of course makes sense.  One over and one back.  If I'd only done it once I would still be on the island and that is not a possibility at this point in my life.
8. Make whoopie pies
   Nope - still haven't done this.   Good night I must do this for the holidays.  Thinking chocolate ones with cream cheese middles and crushed peppermint around the sides.
9. Go wine tasting
   Yes!  Whidbey Island Winery - great little spot on the road to Langley.  Have driven by many times and we finally stopped.   It was a great little spot and of course I had to bring a couple of bottles home with me...hee hee
10. Finish the photo wall in the family room
    This project has been yanked.  I gave up.  I just could never get it how I wanted it.   I think I am trying to do it on the wrong wall.   Now that wall needs a giant letter.....more on that another time

Stay tuned for Top Ten for Winter.  I know you are on pins and needles just waiting for it aren't you??  Ha!

In other news....I went back to work today for most of the day and G stayed home by himself.  I wasn't completely comfortable with that being all the crap he's on but he seems to be doing pretty good.  Day by day........that's how we are taking it right now.  And I'm doing my best to keep anything away from him that might stress him out.  

Merry, merry!

Fa la la la

Just thought I would share with you a couple of my new holiday favorites

via here

And my other favorite

via here

I promise neither will disappoint.  Also I have Dean and Frank - after all what are the holidays without a little rat pack.

Merry merry!

Pain

Yesterday didn't exactly go how we thought it would.  G went in for surgery.   Was supposed to be simple - they were going to fix his deviated septum and removal of his uvula.  We would check in at 8 am and would be home by 2 pm at the latest and I would probably be back on line for work by 3 pm.   Fast forward to 8 pm that evening......this was the time we were leaving the hospital.  

The problem?   Pain.....hard core, take the color from your cheeks and make you break out in a sweat and just basically knock you on your rear pain.   It was bad - really bad.   His BP at one point was 147/104 and it wasn't coming down.   They just keep giving him pain meds.   Some in liquid cups and some through his IV.   But it wasn't really bringing it down.   At one point they said that he might need to spend the night after all unless he perked up.   G wasn't having that and tired to rally.   Finally around 4 the color came back and he was holding down soft food.  Now if we could just get his vitals to be normal.   The Dr. came by in between surgeries.   Why I'm not really sure to be honest.   He would look at G and say that we could do whatever we were comfortable with - stay or go home.  We were there so long that we kept switching nurses.  The last one - Patty I believe was her name - was by far my least favorite of the day.   And to be honest they were understaffed.   Apparently everyone likes to have surgery in December to get it in for insurance.  The place was buzzing with activity.   Around 6 I ran home to take care of the furry one and stop by Sonic for a bag of ice.   Side note - Sonic has the best ice ever!   So if you are ever sick or having a party I would highly recommend.  When I got back to the hospital shortly after 7 pm he was finally cleared to go home.   Yea!  Now if we could just get someone to check us out......
We got home and this is when the real fun began.   I won't go into all the details but lets just say I probably got about 3 hours of sleep.   We had to be sure to keep him medicated so that pain didn't come back so we would set an alarm and try to get some shut eye in between doses. 
Now if we can just get through today.   We are making progress every hour.   His pain is more managable.  He has keep food down.   The packing is starting to desolve.  And right now I can hear him sleeping next to be in the big plaid chair.   

This is the thing I keep telling myself.   G will get better.  This will be a rough 48 but in the end he will be fine.   Not everyone who was in that building yesterday can say that.  So for this reason alone I am willing to track all doses of meds, loose some sleep, fetch and carry, and do whatever it takes to make him better.   I work with someone who's husband had surgery yesterday as well, however his surgery involved the word "cancer" so my thoughts and prayers are with them both yesterday and today as well.  

Funny thing about love......it makes you do just about anything for the one you feel that for.   After all I believe it was - for better or worse, in sickness and in health.

Wednesday Wisdom



via Pinterest



aloha friday



via here

 So this is what Santa was to me as a child.   I was lucky enough to spend most Christmas' as a child in Honolulu so Santa as I knew it came in on an outrigger wearing board shorts.   You went down to the beach and in he came.   It all made complete sense at the time.  Never questioned where Rudolph, Donner, and the others were.   Probably figured it was too hot so he left them home.   Just seeing this picture takes me right back to Waikiki.....I can hear the waves and smell the ocean.   I wonder if they still do this.   I hope so - sometimes I think we get too caught up in being "political correct".  I hung my Mele Kalikimaka lights at my desk and someone asked me if HR had come to talk to me about taking them down.   They were kidding but geez.....I'm sure that those (and my Christmas tree) have not offended anyone and instead we can all wrap around arms around the spirit of the season and not get caught up in the details.  I know I am.  

The weekend plan is to break out the Santa's and scatter them around the house and put up the trees (yes - I do 2).  G put up the lights outside last weekend and normally I would be done decorating by now but this year I'm behind.   I promise to take pics and post them once everything is done.

Mele Kalikimaka!

Vegan eats

No I haven't turned vegan.   Me with no cheese?   Please....

However my dear friend is a vegetarian and I was at an event recently and recieved gift cards to a new restaurant at Bridgeport called Native Foods so I decided to go and take her.   Have to say it was pretty yummy!   And the thing is you don't feel all bleh after you eat healthy like that.   Forgot to snap some pics but I would definelty reccomend the Saigon Rolls!   Yum!   Also, the cupcakes (you know I'm a sucker for a good cupcake) where delish as well.   The frosting was made with rice milk.   The trainer was there and stopped by our table to chat and it sounds like its just a great place to work.   She lives in San Diego but travels around.  Ah to be young and travel (I remember those days). 

Oh and another highlight of the evening.......Santa sighting.   Can I just say that Bridgeport has THE BEST Santa.   Real beard and all.   He was leaving his little house (probably to go check on the reindeer) and I said - "Hi Santa!"  to which he responded "Merry Christmas!"   Can you stand it?!   Made my whole night!

Merry, merry!