Like start that resolution list.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!!!!

My Favorite Christmas Music

On the 5th Day of Christmas.....

Our Tree - Fa La La La La

Merry Christmas 2009

The Christmas card I sent out this year.

(all digital & easy) (Gosh, I've got a good looking family)

For Your Listening Pleasure, Actually

For most, a winter white wonderland is a normal experience --- In the Northwest, not so much (although it seems to becoming a normal experience). We've had our first SNOW with about an inch of the fluffy white stuff and another 6" heading our way. Living at the top of a ski slope driveway has it's advantages: privacy, quiet and only woodland sounds. And it's disadvantages: a dusting of snow creates a ski slope with twists and turns for the expert navigator, and we're home waiting for warmer temperatures, 3:00 o'clock sunshine to melt that nasty stuff and a Christmas wish that it only falls on Christmas night and disappears overnight.

A little Christmas Cheer for Scooter!

A Bah Humbug!

Tis the season and it takes ALL kinds of people to spoil the season.....we had some Christmas gift orders stolen from our little red barn. We live at the end of a road - surrounded by a couple thousand acres of woods - up a steep hill - and have a little red barn near the road, for our deliveries to be left. Should be safe, right? Guess not --- a couple of delivered gifts were stolen right out from under us. Bah Humbug!!!! I sure hope the thieves like their Christmas gifts this year. What creeps!!!!!!

Tis the season......

It's only 2 weeks until the fun begins. It's not like it hasn't been fun so far, I think the anticipation of what's to come, building up to the Big Day is lots of fun. Checking those lists, searching and searching for those perfect gifts. Marking the calendar with special reminders of things to do: outside lights go up, Christmas cards to make and send out, wrapping paper and tape to buy, waiting for the "Christmas truck" (UPS) to bring the online purchases, creating some unique wrappings, chatting with strangers in the post office line, make Christmas cookies and Krumkakas, when it's OK to play Christmas songs (24/7 according to my hubby - his singing is getting better, can't say much for the little dance that goes with each song), get tree, trim tree, plan and shop for the Christmas Eve dinner and morning breakfast, marking the date that Andrea will drive up the driveway, and not to forget the December birthdays.

The calendar is full of reminders, events and notices of what to do today. It's a busy time, a thoughtful time and a time to be a kid again for a whole month. It's only 2 weeks until the fun begins.

Where My Journals Hang Out

This is where my journals are hanging out these days --- my Allied Arts Festival Faire booth. The faire is going swell! The venue this year is fantastic and we're getting lots of shoppers (up from last year's count -thank you Canadians). Sales are going great and we're not half way through the event. The weekends are packed with festive shoppers who also enjoy spirited holiday live music and Santa is scheduled to arrive before to long. Fa-la-la-la-la........

dear ANDREA

I was asked by Becky Fleck at PageMaps.com to create a scrapbook layout for her December web site using the sketch below. (The site gets thousands of hits on the first few days of the month when Becky shows her monthly sketches and it may take a long time to upload the site.) My assignment was to take the sketch and make it my own. This is a sketch I was comfortable with since I've done many similar layouts before. Telling my story with a group of pictures running across the page and a journaling spot to tell my tale. However, I hadn't created one just about my daughter. When I found this poem, I felt it was written just for us and I knew this layout had to be done . What better way to celebrate my daughter then with a layout that will be viewed by thousands around the world. (to see the layout up close and personal, just click on the photo.)

the original sketch sample:

The Poem:
You can see it in their eyes,
in tender hugs and long good-byes,
a love that only moms and daughters know.

You can see it in their smiles,
through passing years and changing styles,
a friendship that continually seems to grow.

You can see it in their lives,
the joy each one of them derives,
in just knowing that the other one is there...

To care and to understand,
lend an ear or hold a hand,
and to celebrate the memories they share.

Anonymously, love Mom