Christmas: Simple Memories

Well,......here's a start. I have a few decorations up. It's has been really nice, enjoying the slower process. Most of it is done on my own time, instead of the short hurried time when everyone can get together. Other years more family has been involved, which it GREAT, but then I'm directing, there's more hustle and bustle, all the personalities - fun times, precious moments, memories, and exhausting being in the center of all that. Even though it is busy, I try to keep things simple. It is the family times, memories, what we have in our hearts that make Christmas. Next Sunday all the family that is in the area will come and we will have a tree decorating party. We have done this for many years, one of those family memories. As we decorate, the kids remember years past, and laugh over their ornaments they made and so lovingly have hung every year. There is one Snow White ornament that is affectionately fought over every year. It is one person's tattered treasure and most others abhor it. Outside, wreaths adorn every window, garland is swagged along the porch railings. The posts are circled in dark red ribbon. Inside, a light in each window, the old tradition of welcome, and lighting the way for travelers. .

The sugar cookies are ready for the grand kids decorate.
Peanut brittle and other goodies are ready.

My work areas are stacked with sweets. We have a big family and many friends who will eat most of this....thankfully.
Cranberry garlands are swagged over the cupboards.

Blocks, giving word to the message of the season are set.



Reindeer visit.
Today I will go and harvest pine and fir boughs to make wreaths and garland. There will be sprigs of green and holly tucked most everywhere. The house will take on the aroma of winter Christmas. There will be bowls of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and star anise scenting every room. There are still the Christmas village, Nativity, angels, etc. to set out. As I'm decorating, I'm thinking of making memories for my family. Thinking of the peace we can experience because of what happened so long ago, the precious gift we have been given. That gift is always at the center of our celebration.

Showers and Weddings

Weddings are fun! Our family has had several weddings the last few years. Our backyard is one of the places that events around weddings or the wedding itself takes place. Two weeks ago, I gave a wedding shower for my sister in the back yard. It was a simple event, yet even simple events can, and in my case do, take quiet a bit of work. The yard is rather wild. The flowerbeds are full of culinary and medicinal herbs. The "lawn" is mostly clover, selfheal, English lawn daisy, and plantain. Around the chairs, I put bamboo poles into the ground and tie ribbons on them. they are festive fluttering in a small breeze.
Scattered around the yard are torches, candles, and lanterns. As the evening grows dark, the yard becomes magical looking. I forgo the usual cake and use the seasons bounty to make pies for dessert. Deciding what pies to make is a huge problem, there are soooooooo many! I finally narrow the selection down to eight.

Topping the list is strawberry pie. I love this no fail receipe.

I tried a new receipe from the Better Homes and Garden magazine. pie.
White chocolate Cranberry Pie. YUM!!!!!
Then.............
This past week, the wedding.
We rearranged the chairs. Added lots of tule, as bows on the chairs, streaming between the poles with lights hidden in the layers.
We added more candles and lanterns.As people arrived, the light faded, candles were lit.Vows were spoken.

I'm very thankful that our place has hosted so many special events, and created so many memories. Last night, when Gerry and I were sitting in front of the backyard fireplace, we recounted memories, family times, what life is about, our relationships. The memory of an events, simply done, so much lasting joy.

Viking House

Come take a short tour with me. It's the Viking House. The Viking house class builds one every year. The students take woods, and construction classes as prerequisites. Then they apply to take this class. Not everyone is picked to be on the crew. They earn college credit along with their high school credit, and are able to go on to advanced building technologies at the college level of work in the field.
This is the 2008 house. They have built almost every part .
Before you go inside, you will see custom woodwork that is a hallmark throughout the house.
Wood floors throughout, this medallion greets you in the entry, and was a senior project of one of the students.
Painted wood paneling lines the hall.
Looking down the hall, to the great room, the wood floors and ceiling reflect the soft lighting.
The great room is dominated by the stone floor to ceiling fireplace. The ceiling sores 14' high in this part of the house, giving the feeling of space. The house has 7 skylights. You can see the light playing on the paneling and molding.
Custom kitchen, everyone's dream. There are so many unique features here and through the house. Every space is used for efficient storage.The spacious main bathroom. All the cabinetry in the house has been made by students also.
The tile walk in shower in the master bath. This is one small corner. No bumping your elbow on the wall here. It's huge!
It is all truly amazing work. Each room has built in custom features, all made by these students, this school year.
This is my son, who was part of this project. I'm so proud of him and the rest of the crew. He is a senior and graduating. I'm glad he has these skills to use as he takes this next big step in life.

Flowers, Reading, and Memories

Centaurea montana, also known as Mountain Bluet, or Perennial Cornflower, is a cousin to the Bachelor's Button. As you can see, it's in full bloom right now. I love their spidery petals.
They are perennial, and self seeding. They are really good at blocking out weeds. They are good as a cutting flower. They bloom well into summer. They are so easy to grow and are very hardy.
I know, this pile of wood chips isn't beautiful, but I'm so glad it's here. Our city maintenance crew goes around cutting tree branches that are causing problems for the wires. We call the city office and get on a list. When our name is at the top, they come knocking on the door asking us where we want the chips dumped. These are evergreen fir chips. I'll use them for walk ways around the garden.

Beth gave this book to me this past weekend. If you have been wondering about an organic lifestyle, read this book. It's not just about cooking, chickens, and gardening (there is a page about pigs too). It's about skin care, alternative energy, how to make your own polish for your wood floors.
A slice about everything. I've enjoyed the read. Thanks Beth!

This weekend remember all of our people who can't be with their families. Remember those who have served our country. We all have different views about the military, it's action, and how it is used in politics past and present. For right now, let's put that aside, and appreciate their willingness, and what they have given of themselves to us.
Thank you!
Enjoy, and make memories.

More Weekend Memories

I had a GREAT weekend! I hope you did too. One daughter and cousin came to visit. My youngest daughter asked one of her older sisters to come down and take her to see the Prince Caspian movie that came out this weekend. When that happens, the family in the area come home also. It's a rather festive time when a bunch of us get together. We spend lots of time just talking catching up on whats happening in each others lives in greater detail, and revisiting memories. Friday we girls hnd lunch in Portland at St. Honore Boulangeris. It's a French bakery and deli.
They make all this wonderful handcrafted bread. The aroma is fantastic! It's all made in the French manner. They even have French newspapers, for people who know French, to read.
Bread and pastries are baked in this huge brick oven. You can sit and watch them make everything.

The pastries were very tempting........but.....They have a large verity of salads and other lunch items to chose. We ate our lunch at tables outside in the bright sun. Of course, we couldn't leave without buying some bread. The girls said the bread was the size and weight of carrying a baby around.
After, we went to Anthropology's to browse. They have so much to for the senses.
I really wanted to bring this sofa home with me. The pillows would be fun too. It looks like people have already been sitting on it in our home.
A fun weekend making more memories.

Snow, Track, and the Hospital

Snow! Snow??? I know in lots of the country snow is common mid April. But.... this is Western Oregon. Usually we are having a few cold days, but the weather would be warming. Coats would be in the closet until November. Shorts and lighter weight clothing would be the norm. Crazy! Not much snow, but anything over three flakes is news here. Anyway.........In the snow and cold rain I sent my last two kids off to a track meet.
Gerry and I were at this meet two days ago. There is something intimidating about 60+ kids doing their warm up run together. I'm so proud of my kids. They both run distance. In the fall they run cross country. It's a lot of time and commitment to train.

As Gery and I watch, we know it will be the last meet we see for a while. Tues., April 22, Gerry will go into the hospital for a nerve graft, and extensive facial lifting. Last year we discovered that Gerry had a brain tumor. Thankfully, non cancerous. It had been growing slowly for many years. Many symptoms he experienced were attributed to other things. As a result of the 9 hour surgery, the facial nerve on his right side was lost. He has not had the use of the right side of his face for a year. Doctors were hoping that the nerve would grow back. It hasn't. Tuesday, doctors will graft his facial nerve. Hopefully that will give him usage of his right side again. We won't know right away if this is successful. It will take time. Doctors will also lift that side of his face.
So..........I won't be blogging as often or visiting as much for a while. Sadly, I don't have a laptop. It would be lovely to occupy my time , visiting, as I wait and spend my days at the hospital.
I'm stocking up with embroidery and quilting items to take and do.

Thank you for your prayers. Each day this year is a walk with God, learning new things, growing in that deep personal space. He has been so faithful in our lives, not only this year, but for many years. So many blessing have come out of this situation. I don't know what is around this next cornnor of our lives, but I know God is there with us. I can rest in that.