Christmas Field Trip

Lynda organized a field trip to Snohomish for all of us today. We wanted to see all the cute shops decked out in their Christmas sparkles ! We even had some snow on the way down!!! Our first stop was at a little antique store where we have a favorite ,primitive vendor. She always has great stuff , but unfortunately has now retired.

Not to be deterred, we went to another favorite store, The Speckled Hen. The name alone is "Swoonable" to quote Lynda! It is a darling little store with antiques, primitives, wool, fabric, beautiful displays and the loveliest ladies, one of which was kind enough to take our picture!

Karen and Lynda looked so cute walking in front of me and Terry that I had to snap a picture!
Cute little scoop with a candle tucked inside.

We also went to the Cinnamon Stick and Joyworks, but no photos from there. I should just ask if it's okay to take them, but I don't and then regret it later!!

The lady at the Speckled Hen sent us to a cute little shop in the country called Kackleberry Country Store. It was out in the middle of nowhere, near Granite Falls, but it sure was cute!

A view from the road...the excitement was building and the squealing began in earnest!!

There were cookies, cider, and coffee to greet us upon our arrival and the cutest stuff ever!!!

Candles in hollowed out apples, candles floating in enamelware dishes with cranberries, greenery everywhere...beautiful!

Lynda at the Potter's Shed, looking like Lorilai Gilmore I might add!!

Cute, cute barn all decked out, Christmas music playing in the background.

We got all kinds of goodies, and everything was wrapped with cute tissue paper, put in cute bags with a candy cane tied on with a primitive bow. Gotta love the presentation!!

Fun, fun day with the girls!

We need a name for ourselves, you know, like the Farm Chicks...we'd love to hear your suggestions!!

When I got home, Ashleigh was here for the weekend. We headed out to Lynden Christian for Blue and White night and a spaghetti feed. All the basketball teams, boys and girls, from 7th to 12th grade played exhibition games. There were also alumni games. Two teams of graduates before 2000 and two teams from after 2000. One of Ashleigh's friends from 2006 was there who played for Portland State. Her room mate can't believe that kids in Lynden are as tall as she says they are so we set out to get some proof! So, Ginelle, this pic's for you!!!

Here is Kyle Coston, at 6'8", and Ashleigh at 5'7"!! Asleigh had more than a few girls in her class that were over 6'! And Tyler has a few in his class that are 6'3"! The Dutch are very tall people!!!

We ended the night with the family having coffee at Woods Coffee, which I forgot to take a picture of!!! Home to jammies (for me!), popcorn , a little TV and some ping pong!!!

A pretty great day!!

Pour yourself some cider...it's a long one!!

Last weekend we went up to Whistler with Fred, Tami and Max where we were blessed to enjoy Jeff and Kathi's condo. What a treat!!
It was snowing when we arrived and never really let up. The village was so beautiful, all sparkly and shiny!

We tried to get some Christmas card shots. Ashleigh doesn't like to be in our photo anymore so we asked this snow lady to step in. What do you think?

I think this one is good for Fred and Tami. They needed two substitute sons...snow Danny and snow Sam.

We thought maybe we could try one with the Olympic sled. Do we look competitive?

Very exciting to have the games so close. I pity those poor people who think getting there will be easy! We'll be watching from home!!

Tami looks so cute! I look like I've been stuffing my hat!

Tyler, Max and Brian had plans to snowboard and ski on opening day. People camped out all night to be the first one up the mountain. The boys didn't like the long lines, especially with only a few runs open, and decided to bag it. Instead they built up a jump and had fun playing around with that. Brian took a lot of great pictures of them, but Tyler loaded them on the comp. and I don't know how to get them over here!!!

They had a lot of fun...until Max fell and broke his wrist! What a bummer! The R's spent about 3 hours in the emergency room. I'll let Tami tell you about socialized medicine!!

Tami holding the official coca cola torch!

A beautiful trip!! I'm so glad we had the chance to go! Brian hiked up to the top of Blackcomb and saw the sledding tracks. He got quite a few pictures before security asked him to leave! They are on my other camera which I can't get to load on my computer:(

We had lots of great food, wonderful walks, coffee in the snow, scrap booking and stitching!

Thursday night was the Lynden downtown Christmas shopping night. I love to go and see all the stores and decor. I wish it was better attended, but I didn't see that many people. Please get out and support your local stores!!

This is the Kitchen Konnection, where I work. It looked so pretty and bright and Lori was serving up some awesome samples!! She had a lot of traffic and lots of sales!!

There were carolers wandering the streets ...

This is Surroundings, above Dutch Mothers. Got some nice goodies with my purchase!!
Love the colors on this tree!

Tami, http://theladyinthestonehouse.blogspot.com/ , runs the gift shop at the Lynden Pioneer Museum, my first stop!! She had some fun antiques for me and of course the new Christmas Gooseberry Patch book!!!

She and Frosty make a pretty cute couple! Wish you could see her sparkly, red shoes!!

Friday was the 2nd annual autumn pie party at Lynda's. This is such a fun tradition that she started and I'm afraid she has to do it forever now!!!!

Using the timer on the camera...not the best...but here we are!! Karen, Lynda, Terry and me!

Aprons are required and everyone brings a pie. Lynda serves up a lovely lunch and provides us with a stitchery to work on. Missed taking pictures of both of those!!

My BFF, Betty, aka Lynda...I'm so blessed to call her friend!

Lynda liked my shoes and took a picture. My legs looked so skinny (which they aren't) that I had to add them to the post!!! To put it in perspective, that is my apron, not the tablecloth!!
Just focus on the legs please!!

A festive autumn table with adorable chalkboard name tags.

I'm the only one who got a decoration on her tag...I felt very special!!!

There was a game with about 30 possible correct answers. I won! I got 4 right!!! (It was a very difficult game!!!) Got to take home all the tags!!! Sorry girls!

What a feast!

Karen's blackberry pie...

Lynda's caramel apple cheesecake pie...

My apricot pie...

And Terry's peach pie...which I forgot to take a picture of...sorry Terry!!


We had such a wonderful time together! Thank you so much Lynda!!! Life would be so empty without you ladies!

The pictures just keep coming!!!

Please feel free to pause and nap at any time!

Got the carpet in last week, the couches arrived and we've started putting things in the room! Not much in the decor department as I don't want to take it all down when I add Christmas.

The computer got moved into the sitting area. It's tucked in a little corner. Love being able to play my Christmas music and Aunt Ruthie's music too!!http://sugarpiefarmhouse.com/. Plus I'm able to blog and watch the finals of Dancing with the Stars!!! I'm rooting for Donny as he was going to be my husband at one time. I wore the purple velvet skirt, had the Donny lunch box and all his records. Plus I practiced writing Holly Osmond over and over!!!

this used to be our dining room and we've made it into a sitting, game, computer room. I really like the coziness of it, and the openness to the other room.

We got our new couches! Chocolate brown! I must admit that they were much comfier in the store, so I've been jumping on them to loosen them up a bit!!! Tyler worked on them tonight!!

I need to get some blinds on the window, but I hate to cover them up!! Will make it a little cozier in here though and we won't be on display to the neighbors!!

The fireplace is used every day! It's wonderful!! On a remote and has an adjustable flame, which is really nice! Tyler's been taking lots of naps in front of this thing!!
I'll start decorating for Christmas this week. It takes me FOREVER!!! I'm sure it will take even longer as I figure out where everything should go now! Can't wait to see how it looks!

We'll be heading to Bainbridge Island for Thanksgiving and look forward to spending time with family.

We're so blessed and thankful to live in this great country, in this amazingly beautiful part of the world. To have family nearby and dear friends who bring us such joy. We're healthy, have a warm home to live in, abundant food, and more than we could ever possibly imagine. God is so faithful and I am so thankful for His provisions. So many people are hurting and alone, and feel as if they have no hope. May they feel God's presence this Thanksgiving and may His blessings be upon each and every one of you!

Bits and Pieces

I don't really have anything to say today...not much going on here.
I have been reading everyone else's blogs today and listening to my Christmas music. I LOVE Christmas music and am really enjoying the old stuff. I wish I could make a CD of my playlist as there are some songs on here that I don't have. Guess I'll have to go to itunes! I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!! Tami, in the stone house, says it's a little early, but I usually start way before this, so maybe I'm getting better?!
Before you go please check out my SIL's recent posts with her new holiday paintings,http://www.aserenescene.blogspot.com. I love everything she does, but these are my new favorites!! She's getting ready for two big shows so keep her in your prayers!!
Have a great day everyone...stay cozy...and put on some Christmas music!!

Remodel Update

Thought I'd give you all an update on the remodel. My home has this beautiful view of Mt. Baker, but my view rooms on the main floor were my laundry room and my dining room...which

we rarely used!

We opened up some walls between the LR and kitchen and the DR and the kitchen, pushed the LR wall out 5 feet , added windows and a fireplace. Wow, what a difference!!

It's been fascinating to watch all of what goes on with building, etc. I'm so thankful that our contracter, Ted Brouwer, was able to make our vision a reality.

Step by step we've made it to the finish line. Carpet will be in on Wednesday and then we can move back in!!! And out of our bedroom. I really must document the bedroom and give you a view of that mess!!!

I can't wait to decorate for Christmas and I'm thinking that since we won't be here for Thanksgiving, I can start on Christmas right away!! My family will be thrilled....NOT!!!

Chick Magnets and other scary things...

Happy Halloween!! Or November 2nd!!
Tyler had a 16th birthday party on Halloween (Happy Birthday Jami Jo!!) and I found this costume at Value Village. If you can't tell, he's a "chick magnet"! A few of the chicks had fallen off, but I thought it was pretty cute and only 5 dollars! I think he's pretty cute too!!

Here are a few more pictures from Homecoming/Spirit Week:

We only live a few miles from the Canadian border and Max's dad works for the Border Patrol. He kindly let the guys borrow his uniforms for twin (triplet?)day. Tami and Max spent some time removing all the patches, which aren't allowed, and even found some sheriff's badges for them. Max ended up getting Price of the sophomore class.
There was also" Super Hero" day. Found this costume at V.V. too and made Tyler into Spiderman!

His friend Perry picked him up for school that day and I couldn't resist getting his picture!You have to be pretty confident to wear underwear on the outside of your clothes!! Someone purposely spilled coffee on him that day to make it look like he...well...you know!!

We had a bumper crop of pumpkins this year! Every year we try and get together with friends and family to carve pumpkins, have a meal and roast pumpkin seeds.

This year we had the Shindruks, the Rylarrsdams and a few of Ashleigh's roommates for the festivities
A very creative group! Tami did her house, Ashleigh did "Joe the Plumber", Perry, the pilot, had an airplane, Brian did Max...lots of great ideas!!

This is Brian's likeness of Max...what do you think?

Ashleigh and "Joe the Plumber"!! She had a hard time getting his pants on...that's a good thing right??!!

Tyler, Max and Brian.

Fraser, Alexa and Perry.

Max and Tyler...again...

Alexa, Perry, Fraser, Linda and Julia.

Tami and her Stone House. She has a lot of pictures on her blog also.

Some of Ashleigh's roommates came up for the fun: Ashleigh, Emily, Ginelle and Julia.

We had such a good time! The food was yummy! Linda made homemade rolls and Tami made a peach pie...soooo good!

I made a really easy chicken soup and while I didn't take any pictures, here's the recipe!

Curried Chicken Corn Chowder

2 med onions, chopped

1 bunch celery, sliced

1 Tbs butter

4 14 oz cans chicken broth

10 C frozen corn

2-4 Tbs curry or to taste

salt and pepper to taste, I like garlic salt

1 C flour

2 C + milk or half and half

5 C chicken

2/3 C minced cilantro

dash of cayenne

Saute onions and celery in butter. Stir in next 5 ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour and milk until smooth. Whisk into soup, bring to a boil and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken and cayenne. Sprinkle with cilantro, and enjoy!!


You can also let this simmer, very low, for a few hours, or in a crock pot on low. I like the smell of soup cooking all day!!