The Beginning and the End???

There once was a boy named Tyler.

His very first word was ball.

He loved all sports, but early on baseball and basketball were his favorites.

He started playing basketball in the house and the backyard. He had a hoop in his room and he and his daddy would play for hours. Closet doors were damaged, carpeting worn down. But it was a lot of fun!!

He played for the YMCA, he played AAU, he played Boys and Girls Club, he traveled all over, and he played school ball... until this year. 13 years of basketball, only to quit his sophomore year. His coaches asked him to play. They came to our home and spent time trying to convince him. No go. Mom cried.

Baseball was his first true love. We had a long entry that went into the family room clear to the back of the house. Prime ball field. He and dad played for hours and hours. He was only two when they started this fun!!! A bat broke once and speared the ceiling. Fortunately no one was hurt! Mariner games galore, the All-Star game, the Home-run Derby, autographs, clubhouse visits, the first game at Safeco field, Diamond Club seats. This boy LOVED baseball. He played all the time. Made the Select team for Lynden at age 8. Was MVP. Quit after 3rd grade. The varsity coach at the high school has asked him to play for him every year. He was good. I think his dad cried.

Football. Not exactly his sport, but again, coaches asking him to play. He's played two seasons...4th grade and 7th grade. The high school coach still calls every summer asking him to play.
He played soccer spring and fall for years. Quit for about 4 years and then played again in 8th grade. Really enjoyed it and was excited to play in high school, but ended up not playing his freshman year. He is playing this year...Yea!!!... but only because we told him he had to do something...job, volunteer, sport. He chose soccer and seems to be enjoying it, but probably won't play again. Sadness.

I love having uniforms hanging in my laundry room. It saddens me greatly that this will probably be the last time.

I LOVE high school sports and more than that, LOVE watching my son play. He has been given such a gift, yet chooses not to use it.

Tyler...you're a stinker!

Easter and Birthdays!

A little gallery of Easter fun!!!!

I still do Easter baskets, but not every year. Last year I was very lazy and left them in the garage! Had to do something this year!!!

Ashleigh came home for the day and went to our old church. Brian,Tyler and I went to CTK. Lovely service! What a joy to celebrate the risen Lord!!

We went to the Burkes for dinner. Lynda always sets such a pretty table! We were joined by her brother and family and her SIL's sister. Lot's of fun! I don't know what he's so happy about...we were not getting along at home!! He is so cute though and my how tall he's gotten!!! Love that little lamb!

Lynda bought a 22 lb ham.....BIG!!! I cooked it at my house and brought it over. I hope my hair isn't touching it!!

After dinner we played a few games. 14 random questions that we had to answer about ourselves and then others had to read and guess who it was. Found out a few things about some people that I never would have guessed!!!

After that we played an Ashleigh/college game. One person writes a sentence, passes it on and that person has to draw a picture representing the sentence. The first sentence is folded over, passed on and the next person has to write a sentence based on the picture! It's pretty fun to hear how different the two sentences can be!!

We also celebrated Brian's birthday. Happy 48th sweetie!!!!

Tyler and Keaton played a little one on one and later all the guys played basketball, baseball, Frisbee and did a little long boarding.

The girls cleaned up, sat on the couch and watched Martha Stewart bloopers. Hilarious! Maybe you had to be there!!!

In honor of B's birthday, Amsa did a little make-over on Brian...his hair anyway! Now before you go thinking what a sport he is, which he is, but... He loves having his hair combed, head rubbed, etc. so he was actually quite enjoying this. I did leave out the picture with the barrettes though!!!!

We had such a great time with these dear friends!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter also!!

Playing Catch-Up

It's been so long since I've posted...sorry about that!!

Time is flying by, and I've been so busy with work. I'd much rather read everyone else's posts than post my own, so that's what I've been doing!!! You're all so interesting, and, well...I'm not lately!!!!

Last weekend was Ashleigh's 21st birthday, and as I'm writing this I realize I don't even have a picture of her on this post. Bad mommy.

Hubby and I went down to Seattle to spend the day with her and take her to the Food and Wine show at Qwest Field. Had a great time, but forgot to take my camera in with me...of course!

We started the day by going to Fremont where we encountered the Fremont Troll. Handsome isn't he? He actually lives under the Aurora Bridge and if you google him it says that he has been eating small children since 1990!!!

We went to the Fremont market, which was a lot of fun. Pretty granola, but a lot of antiques too. I got an old camera and an old athletic letter, both of which I collect. Again, no pictures... Loved this little guy's outfit! So bright and cheery on a dreary day!! Love the boots!

Hula hoops were BIG!! More than one booth of these! There was a man playing the guitar and these kids were having the best time! My photo of their faces didn't turn out so hot! I think there's a pattern here!!

This little old man was playing the piano-ragtime! He must have been 90, the tiniest thing, with a big bandage on his neck!!! Had a little tip jar and was raking in the money! Notice he's wearing knickers and really long socks! Skinny little legs!!

We ended the day with an ice cream cake from Baskin Robins and eating it with her aunts. She's always wanted an ice cream cake and at $28.00 knows why she never got one!!!! You're only "21" once though!!! Met up with aunt and uncle at Red Robin's for dinner and they took her back home. A fun day! (Hope she thought so!)

Had to throw in this pic of the fabric I picked up the week before. It's called "Whimsey" by Moda and is so cute and colorful. I have no idea what I'll do with it, but I love looking at it!!

Yesterday Lynda called and asked what I was doing that day. I said the dreaded Wal-mart (dis- like that store immensely), Costco, Joann's and Haggen. She had to do the same things so we went together...which made it SOOO much more fun!!!!

We spent way too much at Wal-Mart, whose prices have gone up considerably, and then went to Costco. The peach pies are out and we had the bakery lady take our picture.

A little background on the peach pie....Lynda came over to pre-garage sale at my house when we were getting ready to move and we had such a nice visit that I asked her if she wanted to come in for some peach pie. It's her favorite!! To speed things up and because I can't remember every detail, she asked me right then and there if I would be her best friend!!! She said I had her at pie!!!! We've been best friends ever since...thank you sweet Jesus!!

Anyway, we had a moment in Costco and had to celebrate with a photo!!

In the book aisle we met these lovely ladies, Shari and Katherine. We were talking about a book and got to talking with each other and formed an immediate friendship!!!! My husband says this is such a girl thing!!! We talked for 15 minutes, exchanged cards and emails, hugged and went on our way...guys would never do this!!!!

They live in the town where I grew up, are best friends, and visiting colleges with one daughter at the college of another daughter. Told them about the Farm Chicks show and hope to see them there!!

Today, hubby and I went to Kent and Karen's to look at their chicken coop. By now most of you have seen Heather's (see Farm Chicks post) and now I want one too!!!

Look how inviting her porch is!!! She has such an eye for vintage treasures!

And, she has a cellar!!! I covet this cellar!! What beauty lies on those shelves!! Pickles, beans, tomatoes!!!! Aren't they beautiful?? Yum!!


She also has a greenhouse where her tomato seeds are just starting to grow out of the soil. Cows in the field, chickens in the coop and her family all safe and warm...until the soccer game!!!

Thanks for sharing Karen and Kent!

Brian, Tyler, Max and Jesse headed down to Seattle for a Sounders game. It's nasty weather...even had snow for a bit today!! Ashleigh's on her way up from Seattle to spend Easter with us. And, I'm getting ready for Easter here. We're getting together with some dear friends and look forward to spending the day with them...maybe I'll even get some pictures!!

Good Friday service last night. So solomn, so sad. Why do they call it Good Friday? Good for me, but poor Jesus and poor Mary to have to watch her son die such a horrific death. I'm so anxious for tomorrow's service which will be such a celebration of victory over death. It's my prayer that all of you will be part of a Resurrection service tomorrow.

Have a blessed Easter!!

He is Risen!!!

Weekend in the Big City

It's been a fun and busy weekend here!

Started out on Thursday going to the Lynden Craft and Antique show with Lynda and Lydia. Lynda had to leave right after this to do some "damage control" regarding something at school, but all is well, lest you worry!!!
Lydia and I proceeded to shop...mostly me!
Tami, do you see what I have here? Yes, it's something for you, but it's enjoying a little time on my table first!!
This lady has a business called Home Deconomics. She makes the cutest things. She has a etsy sight, but I don't know what it's called. Maybe just Home Deconomics. Yea, that would make sense!!!!
She makes cute towel, potholders, place mats, baked potato bags, and lots of things with oil cloth.
Adorable stuff!!


Friday morning Miss Betty (aka Lynda) picked me up at a horrid hour and we headed down to Seattle. She had a children's ministry conference and a hotel so we thought we'd play some too!!

Brian was already there because he had to stay the night before. So my plan (our plan, because we did talk about it) was to have B pick me up before his meeting, take me back to his hotel so I could sleep and shower and then head over to Bainbridge to see my BIL and SIL and watch some basketball. All was good until I got there and found out he checked out!!!!!!! What happened to the PLAN????

Ended up taking a nap in Lynda's car while waiting for him. Very cozy, but not quite what I was going for!


It was a beautiful day for a ferry ride! Doesn't Seattle look beautiful? What an amazing part of the country we live in!

This is Mount Rainier...STUNNING!!!! While on the ferry we could see both Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker! They are about 4 hours apart, but it was so clear you could see forever!

After lunch and basketball we did a little beach combing. Lots of beach glass and Meagan found two agates and some heart shaped rocks. She has quite an eye! I was so busy looking at the ground that I had to remind myself to take in the view!!

Every year we do the March Madness bracket competition within the family and we were able to get together with a lot of the participants and watch some ball. We all got together for the Gonzaga game, pizza, treats, and a lot of trash talkin!!!

The women are kicking butt!! Except for Nolan who is kicking Everyone's butt, the men are at the very bottom!!!! I used my same scientific method for picking my teams as usual. Things like school color, mascot, do they have a #4 or #12 (B and T's #'s), any family names on the rooster, turnover percentage and points scored. Sienna has a guy named Just In Love plus his last How can you not pick a team when you have someone like that????

Anyway, so far so good. I'm in third! But most people picked Kansas to win it all so I still have a chance!! Go Team!!

Headed back to Seattle after the game and met up with Lynda and Ashleigh. They were at Claim Jumper's having dinner. I couldn't resist taking a picture of their dessert display. That cake looked amazing!!

Went back to the hotel after dinner and gave Ashleigh an early birthday present. She'll be 21 next week and I found this crown at a garage sale.

She was REALLY excited!!!!

Isn't she cute?!!

We ended up hanging out all night, accidentally bought 2 movies on pay per view and had to keep calling the front desk!!

Ash met me the next morning again and we shopped Redmond and U-Village while Lynda was at her conference. We met up with her at Country Village where I got the most adorable fabric, that I didn't need, don't know what to do with, and forgot to take a picture of!!!

Did I mention it was 70 degrees??? Awesome day! Home in time to watch a little more basketball and see my boys!!!

A Great Day for Soccer!!.....NOT!!!

The last time Tyler played soccer was the beginning of 8th grade. He was 13!

He had the option this spring of getting a job, volunteering or playing a sport. He didn't put much effort into the first two, which left him with a sport.

He decided to do soccer again, after saying that he would play last year and possibly this year, but backing out on both until the ultimatum came!!

Today is the first game. It was beautiful this morning, and even until around 1:30. Now, however...

the trees are blowing...

the rain is pouring...

and it's just not a nice day for a soccer game!!!! To make it worse, he's been sick and doesn't have enough practices in to play in a game. Soooo...he gets to sit and do nothing, except freeze! This kind of weather is why I like basketball!!!! Everything indoors!! Mommy won't be going to this game!!

Now onto my little dilemma. We got these new couches when we did the remodel. Got them at Macy's, made to order, picked out the material, etc. The problem is that there is some kind of drug that is hidden in the cushions! (they said it was down!) Less than 5 minutes on these babies and our eyes start to drift shut. This has become quite a problem as we are napping frequently...as in every day!!! We have two of these, so we are both capable of succumbing to the drug laden cushions. We are addicted, literally. Hello. My name is Holly. I am a couch -a-holic.

Is there a program for this?? Help needed. FAST!

Oh, and the quilt doesn't help much. Very cozy on that couch with a quilt on top. And the fireplace. Adds to the problem too!

A Few Things to Look Forward To...

After some of the most amazing weather, we are back to the cold, drizzle and N.E. wind...Brrrr!!!

But spring is almost here and I'm looking ahead to what that brings!

So excited about the Farm Chicks show in June!! Can't wait!!!! Being with dear friends, meeting new ones and Vintage Shopping!!!! Yes sirree Bob!! So looking forward to this annual trip with my dear, sweet friends!

My favorite new tool required for all future antiquing events! This awesome bag on wheels that my friend Tami gave me last year! It folds up into a little package about the size of a Bible, but when it's unfolded...watch out, cuz I can fit many a thing into this baby and I'm not afraid to do it!! A must have!!

Guess I should work on my tan too, because I DO NOT look like this now! More like the white shelving in the picture!!
I'm hoping to hit the Two Women antique show in Spangle this year too. Just hasn't worked out, but I love their stuff and do manage to see them at other shows. I really want to go see them! Got a great old farm table from them last year...Love It!! You can see a corner of it in the picture. It's the green one on the right!

I love their poster and they have a necklace just like it that I may need to purchase!!
Love this! In a quilt shop in Waterville. Another favorite stop along the way to the Farm Chicks.

And I can't wait to get my garden in again this year!!! I've got some broccoli and cauliflower starts growing in my kitchen and hope to put them in the ground in a week or two. Notice this is a picture from last year and I am not including one of how it looks now!!!! The raspberries are cleaned out and tied up, but the rest, not so pretty!! I only want you to see my pretty things!

Had fun visiting with the girls last night after work. They were scapbooking, but I didn't have much time, so just admired theirs and ate their food!! Win Win!!

Tyler's been sick, to the doctor, missing school and soccer. Not fun. It's so hard for the high school kids to miss a day as they are instantly behind. So, they go to school when they are sick, get everyone else sick and can't keep up with things anyway!

I quit my kitchen shop job today, after 7 years. Hard, but not getting many hours and don't want to work so much in the summer. I so hate to let people down! I asked my hubby if he would quit for me, so I wouldn't have to see the disappointment in my boss's eyes! He laughed and said, "if you really want me too!" Isn't that sweet? Or maybe he only said this because he knew I'd never take him up on it!!!

Working on a Buggy Barn quilt and can't wait to get it all together. I haven't used my sewing machine in so long, but it sure feels good to be back at it! Too bad laundry, bills, errands, meals and cleaning all get in the way of my fun!!

Have a great weekend everyone! And don't forget to set your clocks on Sat. night!!

Heavy Metal Monday and Homestead Blessings

Before I get started with the heavy metal I wanted to share this picture that I took this morning of....SNOW!!!! It has only snowed once this winter and that was months ago!! But this morning we got a little taste of the white fluffy stuff and it was quite pretty! The sun was shining, the trees were blooming, the birds were singing and it was snowing!!!!! It's supposed to be cold here this week and we could see a little more, but it was fun seeing a bit today!!

Now, on to my "heavy metal"! I don't know how many Mondays I'll have of this, because sooner or later I will run out of metal, but at least I have a steady Monday post!!!
A few items in my hutch: cookie cutters,

flour sifters and old lids, and a few vintage utensils. I love the red and green of old!!!

I LOVE old cookie cutters! I remember as a girl, going by peoples homes in the evenings, when lights were just coming on and wondering what they were doing. Were they having dinner? Making or baking something? Just talking about the day? I still do this...I don't know why!!! But, I do imagine homes of old with mama rolling out the cookie dough and little hands cutting out the cookies with one of these old cutters. I loved making sugar cookies with my mom and my kids loved making them with me! Oh, for the good old days!!!

I canned 16 pints of chicken this morning and then headed over to my sweet friend Lynda's for lunch, stitchin' and a movie!!!

We watched a Homestead Blessings video on canning by the lovely West ladies!!! It was so joyous!!!!! They are a mom and daughters group that does these cute little videos and they do a great job. I think there are six total. You can get them on Amazon or at Vision Forum. I brought these two home with me to watch a little more!!! At the end of today's video they did a little strummin' and singin' down by the creek...barefoot, no less!!! It was so pleasant!!!! Lynda and I can't quite see our daughters participating in such an event, but one can dream!!!!

Lynda made this yummy soup out of the Farm Chicks cookbook. It was really good, but we'd add curry instead of the cumin...just our personal taste!! Very creamy and hearty and she made a great salad to go with. We had tea and rice krispie treats, courtesy of Roger dear, and worked on our little projects! What a joyous day!!!! Thanks Betty!! ( She prefers Betty, and who can blame her??? It was her sweet Grammy's name and very fitting for this girl!!)

I've got another 16 pints of chicken in the pressure canner and am considering working on my sewing room. Just considering, mind you! After all, the Gilmore Girls are on in a few minutes,and while I could watch them upstairs, it's much cozier down here!!!

Have a wonderful week!!