Hold Dear

Happy Boxing Day...

I hope this Boxing Day blog post finds you well. Glen and I just finished a leisurely breakfast of yummy leftovers from our Christmas meal yesterday. Fortunately, we bought our food a few weeks ago so we had just about everything we needed before we became housebound. 

I was sitting at the window with my cup of coffee just a little bit ago, watching the birds at the feeder and contemplating what to do today. There's still so much snow even with the rain that came through yesterday. On Christmas eve, Wednesday, Glen braved it and made his way to the shopping center, determined to pick up a few gifts. He said it was slushy and icy out but that everyone was driving real slow and being patient so it wasn't too bad; however, when he got back to our hill, he couldn't get the car up it...even with chains! The snow is melting and becoming increasingly mushy and slushy and it was all on top of a thick layer of ice. Thankfully, a kind neighbor got his truck and pushed Glen up the hill! They then dug out the snow and ice from our driveway so Glen could get the car back into the garage. It was quite the ordeal! Needless to say, we haven't been back out since. Don't worry about us though...we live within walking distance of a market, video store and pub so we still have access to the basic essentials. :-)

One of the things I'll be doing today is starting my list of New Year's "intentions." I know for certain that this year I want to start writing more. Specifically, essays! As you may recall, I just finished up a Writing Composition class and the assignments consisted of reading essays and writing essays. I enjoyed that so much. The first essay assignment was to write about something I know about. I wrote about my braces and it was titled "I was a Middle-Aged Metal Mouth." That was fun because I wrote about those first few weeks of having braces while it was happening!

The second essay assignment was to write a descriptive essay. I chose to write about Glen. It was so much fun recalling those sweet and funny memories of how we first met and what he looked like. I was surprised to discover that my brain was full of rich, beautiful details, just sitting there and waiting for me to visit them! Right after I wrote that essay, I decided that even after the class was over, I was going to write an essay a month for the rest of my life. :-)

I've mapped out the essays that I plan to write each month starting with this month. By starting this month, I figure by November of next year I will have twelve essays.  A Year in Essay. A Journal of Essays. What Did You Essay? Essay What? Okay, I'm done...

I've started December's already. It will be about our Christmas this year and quite frankly, I'm really looking forward to getting this one written. Even though our Christmas was low-key, there's so many good things I'm going to want to remember about this year. Miranda's home, Glen's laid off but still in good spirits with lots of cool things on the horizon, all the snow, and how nice it is to be reminded that the best parts of Christmas have nothing to do with material things. That makes me happy.

And speaking of happiness not being in material things, here's a picture of Atticus (top bunk) and Bastian (middle bunk) from just a few minutes ago...

 

Yes, your eyes do not deceive you, he is that tubby!

 

Be well!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas to all and I wish that you all are blessed with good health, abundance, and joy!

Love, Michelle 

 

Happy Christmas Eve...

Sorry for the unexpected bloggy break. Other than playing around on Facebook (now THERE'S a time zapper!), I sort of went in to a hibernation mode.

My work shut down for two days this week due to the crazy weather and record breaking snow. The snowfall in the Portland area is the most it's had in 40 years! I know that's all my posts have been about lately, but well, up until today's rain, there's been a lot of it around here.

The biggest snow storm was Sunday night and so on Monday, we went for a walk to take a few pix. Here's the house...

 

This is SO gonna be our Christmas card next year!

You can't even tell where the street and sidewalk meet. You can make out the front steps to our door but that's only because Glen's shoveled them a few times.

 

Along our walk on Monday, we found a couple of neighbors also out and about...

 

The views have been breathtaking. Even our fuzzy boys have been enjoying them. The view from our front window...

 

Views from my craft room...

Oh wait a minute, they don't care about the snow! They're just enjoying the view of all the birds that have hanging around the feeders! Now I get it! :-)

 

 

We actually tried to let Atticus and Bastian outside since they seem to have a bit of cabin fever but they won't go! They'll poke their nose out the door but as soon as it starts to close, they turn around real fast and dart back in!

Monday was our sweet Miranda's 22nd birthday. I wasn't sure what we could possibly do for her bday but an impromptu party was thrown together and we went out to Benihana's. We went with our pals who have one of those ginormous trucks that can climb up trees, thank goodness!

The birthday girlie and her pa...

 

After dinner we came back to our house to enjoy the Funfetti cake I made for her earlier in the day!

 

So Christmas has been supremely low key around here since Glen was laid off about four weeks ago. Such a bummer. Miranda was in Hawaii last year and so this year we had were anticipating going all out. But between the lack of fun money and the snow keeping things closed, I'm just not much in to it this year. I wasn't even motivated to send cards. We did get a tree though although I wasn't interested in dragging out the boxes of ornaments. I winged it and made some decorations with stuff around the craft room. Here's the tree...

  

It looks better when it's dark with the lights on...

 

Here's the tree topper...

So tonight we will be logging on to Norad's site so we can track Santa. That's always fun. Who knows, maybe he'll surprise us and still stop by our house. :-)

Wishing you a very safe and cozy Christmas Eve!!!!

more snow...

It's been a very odd week. We've had lots and lots of snow here in the Portland area, which is quite unusual. It snowed last Sunday and then during the week, there was rain/snow mix and temperatures only got above freezing maybe two or three days.

My company was closed for business last Monday and then Wednesday I worked from home. Tomorrow's kinda lookin' like another work from home day if my company doesn't close because we got completely DUMPED on yesterday! I spent the day at a neighbors baking cookies so it wasn't all bad. :-)

 It snowed all day and then in the evening, a big storm came through that dumped another 8 to 10 inches of snow in some places.

Here are a few pictures...

Our street during the day yesterday...

 

Here are a couple of views out our front window last night...

 

After it snowed and snowed, the freezing rain came. I ventured out first thing this morning to take a few pictures!

Check it out...

 

This volume of snow was incredible! We have three steps on our front walk that lead to our door. Here's what they looked like this morning...this is a view from our front door looking towards our driveway.

 

Ice on our magnolia tree...

 

Then here's the neighborhood creek. Absolutely picturesque.

 

And then just a few other random shots...

 

 

 

Warm and cozy back inside, here's the view from out our front window...

 

Glen and I were going to go out again but then the freezing rain started again and then turned to snow. Glen decided to start diggin' us out while it was snowing...

 

Here's a link to the video version of this on YouTube. The snow was really come down (for us PDXers anyways!) at this time and you can see it pretty good on the video!Glen also shows a chunk of the ice crust on top of the snow. Crazy!

Oh and btw, tomorrow is Miranda's GOLDEN birthday!!!!! :-) She was born on the 22nd and she turns 22 tomorrow. Way cool!

Stay safe and stay warm!

 

snow day...

Oh what a weekend!  It was a busy one but thanks to a bit of weather, things got scaled down a bit.

Saturday we were invited to a party at a friend's house...okay...I would be lying if I didn't say I was thrilled to be invited to socialize at a Senator's house. It was super cool hanging out with the Senator and other officials, not to mention the local mayor and his wife. SUPER neat people. Not sure if I mentioned it before but Glen was elected Vice Chair of the Washco Dems a few weeks ago. It's starting to get publicized and it's quite the honor to be invited to such cool events.

Afterwards, we went out and got our Christmast tree. It was C-O-L-D but we had fun, none the less.

Our tree...

 

 

The sky as we drove home...

 

The weather man predicted snow but when we woke up this morning and there was actually snow, I was shocked! Seriously, it SNO-Ho-Hoed all day! I would have loved to just stay home with the fireplace and drink tea all eay but between Glen and I, we had several parties to go to today.

We ended up going to a neighbor's house for a party and then Glen drove us to his airplane club's annual party. I was pretty nervous being out on the road but it actually wasn't as bad as the news channels tried to lead us to believe.

At our neighbor's, I learned of this very cool trick for identifying drink glasses...

 

Instead of the drink charms, our clever neighbor tied different colored ribbons on to each glass. I LOVE this low-tech idea!!!

After this party, we ventured out to the next party. I SO wanted to go to Sue's Studio Open House but it was SO snowy. We considered staying in but Glen was commited to attending his airplane club's meeting so I went along with that. If nothing else, it got us out of the house to take some pix. Here's our house in the snow...

   

The view from the upstairs deck...

And then around the creek by the house...

 

I'm happy we went out to "enjoy" this unusual weather but I'm so glad to be home now, all warm and cozy.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring. It's pretty windy out and the temps are supposed to be in the teens for the next few days so this snow is gonna last for a few days. 

I was chatting with Dale and was totally motivated to rent Dr. Zhivago to watch this weekend. I didn't get a chance to do that this weekend but who knows, if the weather keeps up like this, I may get my wish and have an excuse to work from home tomorrow. If that's the case, I'll most def be venturing out to rent Dr. Zhivago and watch it during my "lunch break" tomorrow!

 

slowin' down and catchin' up...

Hi there...

I have a few pix from life this past week to share. We actually had lots planned but I had to take it down a notch because after my appointment at the orthodontist on Friday, I was not a very happy camper.

Friday night, Glen and I went to the Christmas tree lighting in our little town. I was trying to do the self-portrait thing but it was tough since I was trying to get us, the tree and the moon in the shot...

A kind stranger saw us fussin' and offered to assist us...

 

Thank you, kind stranger! :-)

We thought of going into Portland to go to the Holiday Ale Festival but we bagged that idea. Instead, we went to Gustav's for cheese fondue and beer. That helped my aching teeth DRAMATICALLY!

Saturday Glen was off doing his thang all day so I pretty much spent the day laying around watching lots of dumb television and being lazy.  In the evening, I went over the Andrea's house to hang out and craft with a group of ladies. Very fun. I took a circle journal to work on so I could officially pass off two to her. I still have two more to go and then I'm done with circle journals...or at least for this year. :-)

Here are a couple of the pages...

 

Closer...

 

 

Sunday Glen had another appointment and Miranda and I had planned to have a play day. She decided to stay home to study and so I went off and had my one woman play day. I went to Goodwill, SCRAP, and then the Portland Art Museum. It was super dreary and rainy that day but I enjoy hanging out with me so it was all good. Check out this TREASURE I found at Goodwill...

 

This definitely falls into the category of "best Goodwill find ever!"

Oh and before I go, I MUST show you some prezzies that my sweet pal Lilli sent me for my birthday two weeks ago.

 

A package of pretty glittery paper, a pack of her gorgeous fabric tags and a wall quiltlet of my very own! Aren't those fall colors exquisite? And Lilli knows I love those kitties so this is so thoughtful!

Just look at this widdle face! Isn't he cute?

I wuv it! :-)

Thank you so much, my Lilli!!!

Jessi's Cookie Exchange...

Hi Kids...who wants cookies!!!!?

I'm joining inSweet Jessi's Second Annual Cookie Exchange!

My most favorite cookies in the whole world are Chocolate Chip Cookies and my favorite recipe is good ol' Betty Crocker! It is the best the best the best! I like chocolate chip cookies cakey...

Here is the recipe

1 1/2	cups butter or margarine, softened
1 1/4	cups granulated sugar
1 1/4	cups packed brown sugar
1	tablespoon vanilla
2	eggs
4	cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
2	teaspoons baking soda
1	teaspoon salt
1	package (24 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (4 cups)

	Heat oven to 350ºF. Mix butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs in large bowl using spoon.   Stir in flour, baking soda and salt.   Stir in chocolate chips.   My FAVORITE chips for these cookies are Ghirardelli's semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfection!
	Drop dough by rounded measuring tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.
	Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light brown. Cool slightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack; cool.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) Bake 13 to 16 minutes. A little trick I do is in between the batches, I lay a damp hand towel over the batter so it doesn't  dry out sitting in the warm kitchen!   I LOVE this point of the baking process..cookies everywhere! Done, cooling, hot and fresh out of the oven!   Ready to eat! These cold winter nights, I like a cup of tea with my cookies.   A work of art!

Yummiest cookies in the whole wide world!!!

 

Okay time to go and eat!!!! I hope you like the cookies I baked for you!!! :-)

 

And super big hugs and thank you to Jessi for hosting this fun cookie exchange!!!! To see the other bakers and find more recipes, head on over to Jessi's Cookie Exchange on her blog!! Enjoy!

 

ETA: I am NOT happy with the "new and improved" Typepad...my pictures keep coming out all wonky!!!! Sorry about that!

SUCH a week!

It's sure been busy here in Geller Land!

Monday night was my next to the last night of my Writing class. Only one more week and one more essay to go and then I'll have another four credits under my belt. Happy. :-)

Tuesday night, I made cookies to practice for Jessi's Cookie Exchange tomorrow! I also made a batch of Grapefruit Martinis. I don't usually drink booze during the week but Satsuma Mandarins are only around for a short time and they MAKE these martinis so ya gotta grab it while the grabbin's good! I shared the recipe on this previous post.

Wednesday evening I met up with a few artsy gals for Show and Tell and chit chat. VERY fun aside from the music being incredibly loud and intrusive!

Today, Thursday, I gave my first speech in the Toastmasters group I joined at work. That went great! I didn't feel nervous but doggonit, my hands and voice were still shaky! I think my brain is programmed to think I should be nervous and so my body parts betray me!

Tomorrow, Friday, I have an orthodontist appointment which means I get to leave work early! Yippee! Then in the evening, Glen and I are going to our little town's Christmas tree lighting ceremony and then afterwards, we'll be heading to the Holiday Ale Festival in Portland. We went last year and all I can say is I BARELY remember it being freezing that night! Yeeeee-hawwww!

Oh and Saturday evening, I'm heading over to Andrea's house, who apparently has forgotten how to blog!!! *wink*wink*! :-), for some crafting and feasting shennigans! Can I get another yeeeee-hawwww!???! Oh yeah!

Sunday we may take a trip to the Portland Art Museum. I got the free pass from work but Glen's been super busy so he's not sure if he's gonna be around. If he can't make it, I'll go by myselft! The exhibits at the museum right now are incredible!!!

Remember, tomorrow is Scrappy Jessi's Cookie Exchange so in the morning, I'll be posting pix and THE definitive cookie recipe, in my most humble opinion!

Take care and see ya tomorrow!

projects and new friends!

Hi there...I hope you don't mind but I have to make another post! I know I know...three posts in five days...that's CRAZY talk!!

Anywho, in addition to all the fabulous sitting around, watching movies, eating and relaxing with a little school work thrown in I did over this past weekend, I also had a pretty productive art weekend.

I joined a calendar swap that my sweet friends, Lore and Carol hosted. The premise of this swap was that 12 people made twelve 8 1/2 x 14 original calendar pages for their assigned month. Then we each are mailing one of our pages to each of the participants. I chose the month of May because, well, Iassociate flowers with May and I'm inspired by flowers so I thought it would be fun coming up with a design. Here's my page...

 

I created an original page, photocopied it, stitched it to a 8 1/2 x 14 piece of cardstock along with a few riboony elements and then colored in all the detail with my DREAMY Copic markers.

 And you know how I loves me some quantity so here are all the pages laid out...

...and a couple of sweet spots...

 

 

Once I receive all the pages and bind them, I'll show you what they look like all together! I can't wait!

Also, yesterday I got to go hang with a bunch of really wonderful and talented artists: Denise, Melissa, Diane, Marci, and Sue. I had such a great time! Thanks again ladies for letting me join the group!!!

Marci led us through creating our very own snowmen, as pictured on the cover of the current Cloth Paper Scissors. Here are all of our snowmen lined up...

 

Hello...? Are these not the cutest things ever??? Here's my little guy...

 

Eeek! He's so cute!!!

 

Thanks again Marci...and thanks to everyone's generosity in the group in sharing your treasures and treats!!!

See ya later...Happy December!!!