Wishing You a de-'light'-ful Christmas

The night after Thanksgiving is always the annual tree lighting for the big tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square. I've been a few times and this year, Jenny and Sara joined me. It was pouring rain. In a normal year when I would go by myself I would have probably bowed out. Stayed home and stayed dry watching it on television. But, neither Jenny or Sara has ever seen this event, so we braved the rain and went down. We got there late, which in the end worked out okay because we were standing on the outskirts, and therefore we were able to make a quick get-a-way after the lighting. We hurried to the dryness of a local brewery for dinner with plans to return after eating to get some closer pictures. Here is the evening photo documentation...

Jenny giving the rain thumbs up?! Or was it that we were at the tree lighting that she was approving?!

 Waiting...

 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...LIGHTS! 75 feet of tree lit up!

Post dinner pictures...

You can always count on Jenny for comic relief in pictures. I'm surprised that there are any serious ones that she is in.

 My hair looks so long...I got it cut just a few days after this.

And, the classic "you've been to Pioneer Courthouse Square" pictures with the umbrella man statue. This is the only picture I've had taken with him, too...after all the years of seeing him.

Look at all that water on the ground. It was so rainy and wet that I was clammy and the inside of my coat pockets were wet. Good thing we aren't made of sugar...we'd have melted away.

Thanksgiving and Socks

This is a common sight walking into any Fred Meyer at almost Thanksgiving time. Loads and loads of socks for the Black Friday 50% off sock sale. I hear it is crazy. I will probably never know, because honestly, the preview of boxes after boxes on tables after tables of socks seems crazy enough to me. 

Are you all ready for Black Friday shopping?! Me? Oh, I'll be warm and cozy in my bed at home. The best place to be! 

Preschool Chapel Adventures

Myles started preschool this year. I can't believe the tiny, barely six month old baby boy that moved to PDX with Stasia and Dave is in preschool now. Anywho, I had the opportunity to go to his November Chapel Service yesterday between a doctors appointment and a new electronic medical records training-a sweet thing sandwiched between two challenging things. The kiddos were all so cute and Myles didn't know I was going to be there so he was pleasantly surprised to see me and had a hard time focusing during the service. I was so glad I could make it!

Myles and his cousin John

Myles's 'Indian' name was Jumping Fish, which fits him perfectly because he is a major jumper.

And a good smile from the front!

I'm so lucky to have such wonderful friends and wonderful children of my friends in my life.

Mayan Apocalypse

So, do you suppose there will be free wood?! This sign made me smile when I saw it on my drive. Had to take a picture of it.

Adventures in Holiday Bling

Some days you just have to be silly and have some fun...especially days like today was...and it is always nice when you have a friend to be silly with! 

 Jenny and me having adventures at JoAnn's!

Thanks for the laughs, always!

Walking in a Fall Wonderland

I've been trying to be better about my exercise level lately. Or, I should say my serious lack of exercise. I live close to a couple of trails and in the beautiful, dry fall days we've been having I've been trying to get some good walks in. I love the colors, the brisk fall air, the crunch of leaves when it hasn't been raining, the smell. All things fall. I decided to take my camera along with me on one of my walks to capture the colors (even though pictures don't do color and beauty any justice).

Oak leaves...

Greens and red.

I loved all the water drops on this leave on the street.

Geese....

Albino slug...with all the slugs I've seen in all the years I've been here, I have never seen an albino one...

Yay for fall walks and more exercise.

Hood River: Take 3

Usually I make between one and three visits to Hood River in a year. In the past month I've made three visits alone, and that isn't even counting other visits made earlier in the year. I suppose since autumn is my favorite season, it was fitting to go to one of my favorite places so much in this season. Each trip has been incredibly different than the others, but all have been great. This time around Holly and her son Isaiah joined me (though Holly was the driver-car seat and all). We got a late start due to some scheduling difficulties and changes in plans for Holly and Brian. We headed to Kiyowaka Orchard for some of my favorite new apples (Mutsu's). I bought 20 pounds...and they are oh-so-delicious. I imagine I will be sharing them, too.

Isaiah was amazing with all the apples and the sizes of all the apples. Here he was picking out apples to take home.

On the tractor testing it out.

Exploring the kid sized fort.

We also went to Panorma Point Park. An always beautiful view of the Hood River Valley. A place I really love. Isaiah on Holly's shoulders looking out over the valley at a helicopter that kept landing and taking off.

We stopped in town on the way back to Portland to see the Mt Hood Railroad train cars as Isaiah loves all things boy- trains, planes, trucks, tractors, etc. He was in heaven and informed Holly and I that he would be going on this train sometime.

Isaiah loves adventures and kept saying he wanted to go on another one. It was hard to convince him that it was too dark to go on any more adventures that night, but that he could go on one another day. Even though it wasn't a planned trip, we had a great, brief time away and I now have 20 pounds of apples to enjoy...and I am really asking myself why I didn't get just a few more.

Gifts from the Heart

After Josie (my "Goddaughter" aka my sponsoree) was born I got supplies to crochet her a blanket. I'd decided before she was born that that was something I wanted to do. I went and picked out the yarn the day she was Baptized and started working on it. I worked on the blanket off and on for almost a year, which was challenging as I couldn't work on it when I was with her mom, Stasia (who is my crocheting buddy). Weekly I'd take "alternative and decoy" projects with me all the while crocheting like crazy at home and at work during breaks to finish this blanket. I intended to gift it to her on her 1st Baptismal Anniversary, which was October 30th. I succeeded. It just so happened that the 30th was my typical Tuesday evening to spend with them and I went camera in hand. 

This was a picture I'd taken of the pattern and color...even though a photo doesn't do it justice.

Scalloped edge...

Isn't she a cutie?!

She was good at pulling the tissue paper out.

Just a little help!

And, here is the blanket

She loved the tissue paper balls her big brother made.

Dad even approved of the new blanket...

And, of course, big brother Myles was a bundle of energy and it had been several weeks since I'd seen them all so he was wired. And.He.Had.A.Camera.Dun, Dun, Dun.

Stasia finally got a picture of us without the addition of the camera.

I hope Josie's gift provides comfort and warmth for her for many years to come! I sure enjoyed making it for her

Apples, apples everywhere!

After a lovely trip into Hood River's Fruit Loop region with Jenny, I joined my friend Linda and her clan (there were 13 of us total) for a caravan trip to the fruitful region today. After some slight medical issues, it was nice to sit in the backseat, visit with a friend and just rest. As uncomfortable as it was at times, it was a nice escape. We were lucky enough on this day that was predicted to be filled with rain to have a dry picnic lunch outdoors at my favorite "Point" in Hood River. We then went to a few fruit stands to get fruit. I also got more butternut squash for soup. 

I loved the colors of apples everywhere. These ones are called "Lady Apples" and are so fun with greens and pink/red colors.

 Honeycrisps...lots and lots of honeycrisps. 

Apples anyone?! (I only bought like 5 lbs of apples and pears this visit!)

Happy Birthday, Mary!

From Darcelle and all the Drag Queens! 

 Mary is in the center of the picture below. Several of us got together for her "29th" (read 30th) Birthday! Her dream was to go out for drinks and then to Darcelle's. 

 It was quite a night!

On to a fabulous year to come, Mary!

A Shawl with Meaning

I've always wanted to crochet a prayer shawl. I've looked at patterns, color ideas, etc, etc. I was never "moved" to actually crochet one. Recently, I had a friend from work who has had some struggles, both she directly and close family and friends of hers. One night when I was praying for her I got a strong feeling/message that this might be the best recipient of a prayer shawl. Away I went. I got onto Ravelry (as we've learned before-one of my favorite sites) and when I logged on and typed into the search "shawl" a very fitting pattern popped up as the top on the list. It just seemed to fit this friend. Then I had to figure out a color. I didn't want to ask what her favorite color was, so I just "winged it." I looked back into the Prayer Shawl books of patterns, etc and they had color charts. Black is a symbol of strength and perseverance. It seemed fitting and black goes with almost everything. I got right to work. There was a blessing I read before working on it (all except one time). I crocheted while sitting in silence and while just thinking and I crocheted while listening to my favorite worship songs. My fingers moved fastest when listening to music and I could feel the good energy flowing. It was a really remarkable experience for me and very different than any other crochet project I'd done. It was intentional. I was intentional. I was mindful, prayerful and found it to be powerful for me. I got to give and explain the prayer shawl to my friend, Natalie yesterday. She appreciated it. As did I.

 It was long...something like 69 inches long by 20 inches wide (I think- I don't remember the final measurements).

 Scalloped edges that I added. "Lacy" pattern. 

"God blesses us so that we're able to bless others." ~Unknown

A Whisper of Beauty

I live for these kind of moments that take my breath away. And I thank God for opening my eyes daily to His beauty. There is nothing like it.

“We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness.” ~Unknown

Beautiful Fall Colors coupled with Beautiful Friends

My dear friend, Jenny had a bit of a surgical procedure. She was going a little stir-crazy after two weeks at home. She needed to get out of town, so out of town we got. For the day. To Hood River. It was great.

Here we are at Rasmussen Farms. Creepy no-neck pumpkin people in the background.

We stopped at The Gorge White House for a looksy-loo and a wine tasting. I tried a blueberry wine. Different.

After a few fruit stands, pears, apple, cookies, apple cider, laughs we headed back into Hood River, walked around town and went into some of the cute stores and had lunch. While we were waiting for a table I had to take a picture of this amazing color on one of the trees. Pictures never do colors justice. Eh, it is still nice.

 Here are a few of the leaves on the ground. Amazing red. Amazing. The colors that day were phenomenal. Into the gorge and then back around the south east side of Mt Hood and home. 

 Some of my spoils from our trip! 

I'll be returning to Hood River in a few weeks with some other friends and this trip got me just in the mood for it! I love, love, love Hood River. Thanks for the fun time Jenny! I always enjoy spending time with you and the laughter and conversations we have! 

13.1 Miles

Equals a Half Marathon.....

 And, I didn't run or walk it at all, but this lovely lady did...

 Diane (the one on the right) and her daughter Bronwyn walked the Portland Half Marathon this year after months and months of training. She/They rocked. I told Diane I would come cheer her on. I did. She didn't hear me. I was almost at the finish line. They were finished and just wanted to get the last few yards done...

I did meet up with them in the cool down area...

Somewhere (on Diane's camera) is a picture of the two of us. She looked way better than me and she had been up since the crack of dawn and had walked a half marathon. I have no excuse! :) 

Next year she wants me to join them for the "fun" (read self inflicted torture-I'd rather do a 13.1 mile hike with a stunning view or waterfall as reward)...should I do it? Yes, the marathon, not the hike. Or maybe I'll just do the hike and call it good.