Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Thursday, December 31, 2015

What To Do With the New Year?

It is very cold (well, cold for the Pacific Northwest), the frost has not melted for two days yet the sun is shining and beautiful - a great day for considering the new year just around the corner.
What shall I do with a whole new year?



Hooray! Hooray! It's New Year's Day!

The day we start anew.
So this year I've decided
to become a kangaroo.

Or maybe I will learn to fly,
or how to walk through walls,
or how to turn invisible,
or surf on waterfalls.

I'll make myself elastic
and I'll teach myself to shrink.
I'll turn into a liquid
and I'll pour me down the sink.

I'll visit other planets
and meet aliens galore.
I'll travel to the distant past
and ride a dinosaur.

I've got so many wondrous plans.
I'm starting right away.
Yes, this will be the best year yet.
Hooray! It's New Year's Day!
                                      unknown author


Maybe I'll have a cup of tea with friends
Or enjoy the sunrise out the window

Happy New Year to you!
May every great new day
Bring you sweet surprises - -
A happiness buffet

Happy New Year to you!
And when the new year's done
May the next year be even better,
Full of pleasure, joy and fun.
Dream a little this year - enjoy the spring and summer days

Every day is new sacred time to 
reach for your dreams
This will be a year to reflect on 
the large, the small, the important things in life.

Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one

I wish you a Happy New Year, sparkled with endless love, gladness and goodwill.

The sweet fragrance of a fresh New Year

And I shall enjoy the sweet visits from each of you - my heart is warmed by the comments and the new friends I've made this year.  May our friendships continue through the years

Weekend Reflections

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

December Scavenger Hunt

Time for a Scavenger Hunt - christmas makes it even more fun!

Joy
Our grandson Donnie - on their trip to Florida, Santa was eating in the same diner and Donnie got to talk to him.



Together

Cute ornaments from years ago


Tree

Our tree - full of family memories


Ornament 

Washington State Ferry with Santa


Light

Neighbor's lighted wreath


Christmas
Christmas is all the ornaments collected over the years by our family


Sparkle

Sparkle - smudge - whatever it is - it is pretty.


Giving

Gifts for all - giving is such fun!


Food

A holiday buffet


Red

Vintage plastic bell lights


Kitchen

My teddy bear tree in the kitchen - do you see the ornament in the lower middle?  A bear cooking something delicious.


Whatever you want

A needlepoint christmas pillow I made several years ago.


December Scavenger Hunt

Mosaic made on picasa

Wednesday Wee Ones - Happy New Year

We've decided to have a New Year's party - we are all dressed up and ready to celebrate.
We have on our pretty clothes - ohhh Donnie - you still have on your new jammies.  You can't wear jammies to a fancy party.
Donnie's jammies were a gift from our friend Diane, in Florida - he likes them so much he hasn't taken them off since he got them on Christmas.  But you must change for the party. 
 Ok - that's better - all dressed up in your new christmas shirt. 
 Abbey has a white and red dress, red tights and black shoes.
 Poppy is a princess with a crown and a pretty star scepter - and silver shoes
 
 Sally Jo's purse and shoes match her dress
 Happy New Year!!!!
 Donnie - what have you got?  Are you supposed to bring a pony to a party?
 Whoa pony!!
 She's very gentle - come and pet her.
 Everyone will get a chance to have a ride - after the party is over.  Almost time for the new year to begin.

 And now we're ready for the new year - dressed up and nice and cozy in our jammies, waiting for midnight.  We don't usually get to stay up this late.

 Flannel jammies are nice and cozy
 A flannel nightie and a tiara - Sally Jo is a princess now
 A hand knit robe is perfect for this party
 Donnie - again with the pony indoors.  We see that you are riding the pony in your new jammies

 Giddy up - let's gallop into  the new year
  On my pony from our Auntie Jamie
Happy New Year!!
Visit  Diane  too there is always something fun going on over there. 

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Christmas Eve Table

Christmas Eve Open House - fun for all - and lots to eat
 The plates are red and green depression glass - the serving pieces are holly dishes I've collected over the years.  Red handled flatware is a nice contrast.
 Napkins folded into christmas trees 
 I made the plum pudding two weeks in advance
 Lots of cookies - a big tradition at our house
 And Chex Party Mix

 Cheese and crackers and vegetables for dipping
 Gingerbread pigs with pink frosting on their backs - a must-have every christmas.
 Chocolate crinkles, spritz, thumbprint cookies with homemade jam, and brownies - take your pick
 And don't forget the sugar cut-out cookies, sprinkled with colored sugar
 The desserts were taking up so much room, so we moved them

  
Lemon sauce in the pitcher - to go with the plum pudding 

 We moved the desserts to the new china cabinet

 The caroling kids in the background are ones I painted over 20 years ago - they are wearing clothes just like our kids wore when they were in grade school.