Bluebirds and Butterflies

Christmas in Florida

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas holiday season.  Our Christmas was a bit different this year.   We decided to leave the cool weather and drizzle of Seattle behind and head back to Florida for the holidays.  

As many of you know, we relocated to Washington State eight years ago from Central Florida.   When my parents, who passed away in 2008, were still living, we returned home to Florida every Christmas to celebrate the holidays with them and the rest of the family.   I will always remember these special holidays and keep them in my heart.   I miss my parents every day.....but especially at holiday time.   (Photo ornament on my sister's Christmas tree this year of our parents)

After spending the past three years at our home in Washington State, we decided to change it up this year.   We thought, "How fun would it be to rent a condo on the beach in Florida this year?" :)  After toying with the idea for a while, my husband and I started searching the web for a great place to stay right on the beach for the holidays.  Since Cocoa Beach is conveniently located not too far from my sister's home, we decided that would be the best spot for our stay.   I learned from the experience of booking Thanksgiving stays with friends in Oregon in the past that if you want a great place, you have to start early.  You cannot expect to find a wonderful place to stay if you wait until close to the holidays.  So, with my computer in my lap and a glass of wine on my table, I spent many, many nights in October searching the web on various vacation rental sites.   I kept returning to a great condo right on the beach in the Sandcastles complex which seemed perfect for my family and had all the amenities I wanted.   So, after contacting Jill, the owner of the unit, and working out the details, we were set for the upcoming holiday in Florida!

As the holidays grew closer and the weather got cooler in the Seattle area, we began to really look forward to our Christmas vacation in Florida with our friends and family and our stay at Sandcastles on Cocoa Beach.   As most of you know, my husband and I grew up in the Central Florida area in a small beachtown, so we are very familiar with the Cocoa Beach area and all of Brevard County, Florida.  No matter how familiar you are with the beach though, you never get tired of it.  I love living in Washington State, but I do miss the beautiful Florida Beaches.  Walking a beach is one of my favorite pasttimes.  

On December 18th, we left the cool Washington State weather behind and boarded our plane for Florida.  After a long flight, we arrived at the Orlando Airport.  We had coordinated our landing with my son, Brandon's arrival from Houston for the holidays.  His plane landed right before our's, and he was waiting for us at baggage claim.  I was very excited to see him and give him a big hug.  Brandon and his wife, Amy, would be joining us for the holidays at the condo.  Amy, whose family owns a beautiful jewelry store in Houston, would be joining us in a few days.  The holidays are a busy time for their family jewelry store, and Amy stayed behind to help greet and assist their many clients who visit the shop to select their holiday gifts.   I was looking forward to having Brandon and Amy with us for the holidays this year!   I was also very much looking forward to spending the holidays with my sister, Jeri, and my neice, Jordan, who just graduated in December from college and would be in Florida for the holidays.   So, with our luggage in tow, we headed to my sister's beautiful cottage which she lovingly calls "Casa Bonita."

My sister's home, as I expected, was beautifully decorated for the holidays.   My sister, Jeri, and I LOVE Christmas!  We have been collecting Christopher Radko and handblown ornaments for years.   We both have enough ornaments to fill several trees now, and we each have more than one decorated Christmas tree at our homes each year.  We love ALL holidays, but Christmas is our favorite.  

My sister and I buy each other ornaments each year as part of our Christmas gift.   After arriving at my sister's home, we added our Christmas gifts that we had brought for everyone to her gifts under the tree, and the room began to quickly up with Christmas packages waiting to be opened on Christmas Day.  :)   But, of course, Christmas is about spending time with those you love, and we were very happy to be celebrating the holidays with our family! xoxo   On December 22nd, my cousin, Holly, her husband, Eric, and Holly's son, Jacob, drove from Jacksonville area to celebrate Eric's birthday with us.   I had not seen Holly since my son, Brandon's wedding in Houston, and was looking forward to seeing her!   Here is a wonderful photo of Holly and Eric that I took out on my sister's patio that day.....

I love this photo of them together with their "shades" on!   Holly had just opened her Christmas package from my sister and I, and she is wearing the sunglasses we gave her as part of her gift.  She looked fabulous in those glasses and her beautiful leopard coat.  Oh, how I love anything leopard as you know!   Of course, it is not a birthday without a birthday cake.....

After a nice afternoon visiting with Holly, Eric and Jacob on the patio of my sister's home, we all headed over to my cousin, Suzanne and her husband Bill's home to enjoy seeing more family.  I was looking forward to seeing her and my Aunt Mildred who is my Dad's sister.  My cousin and her husband live on this beautiful lake.   We couldn't resist making a few photos from the dock of their home....
Me with my sons, Brandon and Elliott.   The sun was not right for a great shot but I love this photo of us just the same....


I am sure my cousin and her husband enjoy many beautiful sunsets from their dock.....
We had a wonderful late afternoon at my cousin's home.  Thank you, Suzanne and Bill, for the delicious lasagna dinner and the wonderful company.   Wish we could see each other more often!  Soon the day came to check into our beach condo in Cocoa Beach, and not long after our check-in, my husband and I enjoyed a nice walk on the beach.....

After the cool temperatures of Seattle, it was nice to take my shoes off and walk barefoot on the beach.  In December no less!

My husband, Mark, casually dressed for a walk on the beach...
When not walking the beach, we were enjoying some magnificient sunrises and sunsets from the comfort of our balcony at the condo....

The wrap around balcony was perfect for entertaining....plenty of seating.   Can't you just see yourself relaxing with a mimosa or glass of wine?  

May I take you on a tour of the inside of the condo?   Let's take a peek.....

There was plenty of room for relaxing in the living room.   There was a game table, leather sofa and fold out sofa.   The owner had set up surround sound for the tv which we enjoyed in the evenings while watching a movie.   The view takes center stage, however, with windows looking out at the balcony and the beach beyond. 

The kitchen was large and had a granite countertop with a bar and plenty of seating....

You can see the ocean from the windows in this next photo.....
There were three bedrooms in the condo.   This was the room my son and daughter-in-law stayed in.....

This was my son, Elliott's room....

In between the two bedrooms, there was a full bath...

And this was the room, the master bedroom, where my husband and I stayed....

The master bath....

The master bedroom had a private entrance to the balcony....

There was also a closet full of anything you might need for the beach...beach chairs, sand buckets, beach towels, suntan lotion, frisbee, coolers, tennis racquets for the tennis court, etc.   There was also a washer/dryer for your convenience.  It didn't take us too long to realize that this was the PERFECT condo for us for a get-a-way.    The best part, however, was what mother nature provided.....

Just look at this amazing sunset!   You can see the Disney Ship heading out for a cruise in the horizon...
My sons had a few good friends over for a cookout one afternoon.  This amazing sunset was taken on the day they entertained.  The condo had a grill at the community room, and my son, Brandon, and his friends made some delicious hamburgers and chicken on the grill.
Brandon (center) with his two best friends, Aaron (left) and Mike.  They have known each other since jr. high school and high school....

Aaron and Brandon decided to take a walk down the beach while Aaron's sister, Michelle, Mike, Elliott, my husband Mark, and I relaxed and took in the gorgeous sunset from the balcony....

Thank you to the condo owner, Jill, for even thinking of cozy throws for chilly evenings on the balcony....
This was the prettiest sunset ever....

You can see Brandon and Aaron waving at us as they head back to the condo from the beach....

The condo had it's own private path to the beach.  Here are Brandon and Aaron back from their walk....

You can take a million photos of the beach at the same spot, and each photo will look different depending on the time of day and the weather.    It was so great waking up and going to sleep each day to the sound of the ocean.   When Amy arrived from Houston, we were so very happy to see her.  One night, we all went for a night walk down the beach with just the light of the stars and the moon above.  I love the way the moon reflects on the water at night.  It is so beautiful!  We used the light of our cell phones to look for shells along the way.   I love walking the beach at night.   This is a great area to watch the sea turtles lay their eggs at night in the summer.   A few years ago, we stayed at a different location at the time the sea turtles were coming up from the ocean to lay their eggs, and we had the pleasure.....the honor.....of watching that miracle of life happen.   Very exciting to see!   You must be very careful to protect their privacy and not interfere with the natural instinct of the sea turtles.  
I decorated my home in Poulsbo for the holidays, even though we would be spending part of the holidays in Florida.  As I mentioned, I love Christmas.  I couldn't let the holiday come without some type of Christmas tree at the condo, so............   I went out and bought a little inexpensive tree with lights just so we would have one even though we would spend Christmas day at my sister's home who had many beautiful decorations.   These are the decorations that I didn't ship ahead of time to my sister's home as well as some from Brandon and Amy.....

On Christmas eve, our entire group went to a restaurant in the area for a special dinner together.  Amy's Mother, Nancy, as well as one of our very close friends that I have known since I was 16 years old joined us for for the occasion at The Old Heidelberg Restaurant.   This restaurant has been in the area for many years, and the food is always delicious.  They have a jazz bar right next door that is part of the restaurant.  Here is my niece, Jordan, with my husband, Mark, at dinner....

Clowning around....
Amy's Mother, Nancy (left) is pictured here with my sister, Jeri (center) and niece, Jordan...

I am so happy to be spending Christmas Eve with my family and friends in Florida...   So blessed.

After attending a beautiful Christmas Eve vigil at a local Church, it was time to say goodnight.   Santa would be arriving the next morning!   Time to head off to my sister's beautiful home, "Casa Bonita,"  for Christmas Day.....   Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!   Santa has arrived!  Mark and I loaded all our gifts up in shopping carts that were available at the condo for toting things out to your car.  Wow!  We filled up two entire carts!  LOL

After loading up the gifts in the car, we headed over to "Casa Bonita" for Christmas day with the family. 

Our Uncle James, who lives in Kissimmee, sent these beautiful red roses to the family.....   Thank you, Uncle James!  We love you! xoxo

My sister had stayed up very late the night before preparing a wonderful Christmas Day dinner for all the family.   Kiss the cook!   Thank you, Jeri, for a wonderful dinner.   Our "Grannie" would be proud of you!

There was no shortage of volunteers to taste the food....

Amy and Brandon made this delicious salad featuring a dressing recipe that one of their friends gave them.   It was delicious!

Soon it was time to open gifts and see what Santa had brought.  We proceeded out to the patio (after all, this is Florida, ya'll) and, obviously, some of us had been VERRRRRRRY good!  ;)    Here is Mark.....  He is wearing the "Bah Humbug" hat that my Dad wore when we gathered for our last Christmas together in 2007.

Mark and I....

Mark and our niece, Jordan...

Our group....

My son, Elliott, and I....
Mark and I....

My sons, Brandon and Elliott, with me....

My sister, Jeri, and niece, Jordan, join my sons and I for a photo...   Mom and Dad's family:  My sister and I with our kids.  We miss you, Mom and Dad!    (Wish my brother, Jeff, and his family would have been able to have joined us for Christmas, however, my brother was down with a bad cold.)

Of course, our furry pets are part of our lives.   Here Mark and I are with Jeri's little dog, "Mr. French"......I might say, "the AMAZING Mr. French!"  :)

Mark and I with Uncle James....

Uncle James with Brandon, Elliott and I....   (Aunt Ruth, we missed you being with us at Christmas this year.   I miss my Aunt Ruth, Mom, and Dad every day of the year xoxo)
Amy and Brandon....

Amy and her Mother, Nancy, share a sweet moment together...

Mark's daughter, Ashley, Perry and grand-daughter, Brenna, and our friend, Jim, with Mark and I....Jordan, Brenna and Brandon in the kitchen....
Dinner was a big hit...

Opening gifts can be tiring  LOL....Our group clowning around...something we are pretty good at doing! :)
A kiss under the not so real missletoe...

Amy and Brandon...

Ashley and Brenna...

Nancy and I.....  "The Moms"    Yes, we are pretty proud of our kids!   xoxo
My sister likes to display photos from holidays past.  Here you see our Dad in his "Bah Humbug" hat and also photos of Jordan...

Elliott relaxing...

Another wonderful Christmas Day!   We left with some great memories to cherish forever, a full tummy from a delicious meal, and special gifts given with love from each other.  The best part was being together!   We headed back to our condo for the night with a happy heart.....

Amy and Brandon enjoying the sunset together from the balcony of the condo...   This photo of the two of them looks as if it could be in a travel brochure advertising Florida! 

One evening, we had dinner at a place that Mark and I love to go to when we head to Florida.   We always have dinner one night at a place called "Grill's" located in Port Canaveral, Florida.   I made this photo of this pelican from inside the restaurant.

After a nice dinner, we headed out to the deck to make some photos.   Here are Brandon and Amy....

Mark and I....

Elliott and I...

Brandon and Elliott...

Amy and I...

Brandon and I...

Grill's has a tiki bar and large deck that overlooks the water as well as an inside dining area.   On the weekends, there is always a band playing out by the tiki bar.   Grill's is a popular place in Port Canaveral.
Amy and Brandon at the entrance of Grill's...

Me with the men in my life....

Time seemed to fly by....too fast....and soon it was time to leave our little condo by the sea.   Amy and Brandon were heading over to extend their visit with Amy's Mom and spend a little time with their friend, Thelma.  Mark, Elliott and I were going to spend a couple of more nights with my sister, Jeri, at "Casa Bonita."    I was sad to say goodbye to Brandon and Amy :(       In a couple of days, we would all be heading back to our homes.  Brandon and Amy to Houston and we would be heading back to Seattle.   After watching the sunrise from the balcony with a cup of coffee, I made this photo of Amy and Brandon on the balcony before they headed out that morning.   Amy has on one of my Christmas gifts to her.....a Gator jacket.   Brandon attended the University of Florida in Gainesville where he graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Mechanical Engineering degree.  He and Amy are big Gator fans.   During the time Brandon attended college at UF, their football team and basketball team won championships.   I love the Gators and the Huskies!  Elliott, my younger son, is currently attending the University of Washington.   Here is the photo I took....

Here are Brandon and Elliott....

And, here I am.....still in my pj's and glasses.   I am not too proud to post this photo of me.  Ha   This was my last hug before they left.   I was sad to see them go knowing that I will not see Brandon and Amy for a few months again.   The next time we meet will be in Houston in March or April.  But, I was sooooo happy :) for the time we spent together.....all of us together again.   

Goodbye Cocoa Beach!  Don't forget the times we had together during this holiday season!   I will certainly remember....After Brandon and Amy left, we got our things packed up in our suitcases, did a little housekeeping at the condo, and soon it was time for us to leave.   We made a few photos of each other on the balcony.  (Our balcony is second from top)

Me...

And Mark...

With great memories and happy hearts, we said goodbye to Sandcastles and drove over to spend the last two days with my sister, Jeri.   I was glad to have a couple more days to spend with my sister.    Goodbye to the beach for a few months again....

Driving out of Sandcastles, my husband and I talked about how much we enjoyed waking up to the beach and the sunrises each morning.  It was great watching the beautiful sunsets each afternoon and hearing the crash of the waves at night as we drifted off to sleep.   We have been talking about renting a place on the beach for a few months each year when my husband retires.   How great would it be to enjoy beautiful weather all year long!  The weather in Seattle is fabulous in the summer and Florida is sunny and mild in the winter.  This year, we truly understood the thinking of the "snowbirds" as Florida residents call them.  These are the people who travel south each year for nice weather in the winter.   Yes, I think I could be a  "snowbird!!!"  :)     We will see what the future holds for us....but, for now, I have my wonderful memories of our Christmas on the beach with my family and friends.   The best part of any holiday is being with those you love!!!!

And especially....this guy.   Mark, you bless my life in so many ways.   I love you more than you will ever know! xoxoxoxoxoxo

I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season.   Keep Christmas in your heart all year long!  Wishing you a fabulous 2013 and hope it is off to a great start so far.   (((((hugs)))))   Kim xoxo

(This post is dedicated to my parents, Lil and James Thompson; my Aunt Ruth; Mark's parents, "Boots" and Sadie Singer; his sister, Doris Littlefield, his brother, Bill......and to all our family and friends not with us each holiday season.   We treasure our memories of you and we love and miss you!******Also, to my dear lifelong friend, Paula, who recently lost her husband and her father.    Jeri and I love you, Paula xoxo)    

Thanks for visiting me at Bluebirds and Butterflies today.  Have a "bluebird day!"   :)

What I Did On My Summer Vacation....

Hello to all my dear friends and followers on Bluebirds and Butterflies.   I feel like I am coming home, so to speak, as I begin today's blog posting.  As many of you know, I have taken time away from blogging over the past few months....a summer hiatus, if you will, to spend time and giving love and support to my family and enjoying some time with them.  :)  After all.....home is where your heart is.  xoxo

Today, as I begin my post, I am reminded of being a child (oh so many years ago) in elementary school.  Visions of my teachers and friends are beginning to pop into my head at this point.  Remember those days of being asked to write a paper on "What I did on my summer vacation?"    Well, my posting today will be my version to you of just that.   I want to share with you just a few memories of my summer of 2012.   I have had a wonderful summer but you have all been missed.   Here is what I have been up to:

As many of you know, around the 21st of May, I was in Houston, Texas, to celebrate the 29th birthday of my older son, Brandon.  His sweet wife gave him a wonderful party and invited several of their close friends.   I was so happy that I was able to travel to Houston to be a part of his celebration and help in any way I could.   The party was a lot of fun, and I had the opportunity to meet a few more of their wonderful friends. A couple of days later, I had the pleasure of taking my son and his wife out to enjoy a birthday dinner at a restaurant I love in Houston called, "Brenner's Steakhouse."   I have always loved this restaurant, and used to have dinner here, occasionally, when I lived in Houston many years ago.  At that time, it was called "The Rainbow Lodge."  The name is different now, but the food is still just as wonderful and the atmosphere just as great.  Some places are great and just stand the test of time.  This is one of those places.   Here is a photo of my son, Brandon, and I on his 29th birthday at Brenner's Steakhouse. 

You can see what beautiful grounds surround the restaurant.  Great place for dining and also for making some great photos while you are there.  

I had a wonderful time visiting my son and his wife in Houston.  Time flew by, and, too soon, it was time to leave to fly back to the Seattle area.    As all parents will tell you, it is hard to live farther away from your children than you would like to.   You savor all the time you get to spend together, and look forward to the next visit.   I was sad to leave, but happy for the time we had together.  Thank you, Brandon and Amy, for the wonderful hospitality and visit.  Here is a cute photo of the two of them.....

With my memories, I headed back to our home.   Home is where the heart is they say, and I was happy to see my dear husband, Mark.  Over the summer, Mark and I spent a lot of time relaxing on our balcony in the late afternoons.   We experienced so many beautiful sunsets......right from the comfort of our balcony which looks out at the Olympic Mountains on a beautiful summer day and also down to the waterfront.   The sunsets in the Pacific Northwest can be soooooo beautiful.....

When we weren't enjoying a beautiful sunrise or sunset from our balcony while enjoying a nice cup of coffee or glass of wine, another relaxing spot would call to us.....

We spent many afternoons over the summer of 2012 "sitting by the dock of the bay" as Otis Redding sang.   We so enjoy spending time on the docks at Liberty Bay where our sailboat, Skye, is moored.   I think my husband, Mark, would rather be on our sailboat than any place in the world! :)

I love the way the sun made a starburst in this photo....and the reflection looks like tiny stars floating in the water of Liberty Bay.

I like to put my feet up and enjoy the view while we sail...  I had many pedicures over the summer which is something that I enjoy doing to have some "me time" and got very brave one day at the salon as you can see from the color on my toenails! :)

Look what I looked down to see one evening while having dinner at a place that has a lot of black lights out on their deck.....   I had to laugh because, to my surprise, my nail polish glowed in the dark :)

After a nice sail, my husband loves to grill chicken and shrimp on our boat.   We had many nice cookouts over the summer....

My husband, Mark, makes the best grilled chicken ever!

Doesn't this look delicious?  
These photos were taken on Memorial Day.  I was so happy to have my younger son, Elliott, home from the University of Washington for the summer.  I miss him when he is at school where he studying engineering.  It was great to have him with us again.  Here is Elliott with his girlfriend, Erika, enjoying Memorial Day with us on our sailboat.   Elliott loves Mark's grilled shrimp.

Elliott and Erika relaxing on the dock.   Erika graduated from University of Washington in June.  Elliott attended her graduation with her family.  Congratulations to Erika who now has her degree in Archeology! Over the past couple of years or so that Elliott has dated Erika, she has become like part of our family.  She is a very talented and very sweet gal.  

Here is to a very bright future for both Elliott and Erika.  They will both do very well in life....   Here I am toasting with a glass of wine on Memorial Day.  That is our sailboat "Skye" in the photo.  For you ladies, I want to tell you that the top I am wearing is not actually a shirt.   It is my bathing suit!  I found this great bathing suit while I was visiting my son and his wife in Houston.  It has kind of an old fashioned very short skirt that comes over the attached bottom.  I liked the stripe for the nautical look.  Because of the "skirt" on the suit, I can wear jeans with it and it looks just like a top.  You would never dream it is a bathing suit when I have it on.   I bought this for the birthday party my daughter-in-law gave for my son.  Part of the party was out by the pool.  I wore the bathing suit with white cropped pants for the party.

Not a great photo of me, because I had this big hat on to protect my skin from the sun, but here is the suit without the pants on and used as a bathing suit.  You can see what I mean about the old fashioned "skirt" on it.   I have several other bathing suits in various styles from whole pieces to bikinis, but, I loved the idea of being able to wear this so easily with pants and that you couldn't tell it was a bathing suit!  As I said, not a great shot.  I had to look way up for the photo because of the big hat.....but you get the idea of the suit. :)

Mark bought this cute dinghy to go with our boat over the summer....

One view of our marina and Poulsbo from the water...     The church you see in the background has the most beautiful bells that chime.  On Sundays, they play the most beautiful songs which you can hear down at the waterfront.  I love to hear the bells!

June 8th was Elliott's last day for the year at UW.   We took the trailer and drove over to Seattle to pick up Elliott's dorm things to be stored for this school year.   Erika's parents were in town to help pack up Erika and to attend Erika's graduation ceremony at University of Washington.   We had dinner at a place located in a great shopping and restaurant area called "University Village" which is walking distance of the college.  Here is a photo of us with Erika on that night.   The Pacific Northwest can be chilly in the evenings, even in June!   You can see that Mark and I had our light jackets on as the evening approached....

Erika has wonderful parents, and we enjoy spending time with them when they visit the area.  We had a wonderful dinner.  Thank you, Heidi and Gil, for inviting us to join you at the Ram.   We enjoyed not only the great food, but also the wonderful company.  So proud of Erika for her accomplishments at UW.  Elliott, you are NEXT! :)  Yea!   Here is Erika with her lovely parents....

The proud parents....   (Notice the beautiful geraniums baskets hanging on the lamp posts.  This is so common where we live.  Hanging baskets are everywhere filled with beautiful flowers in the Northwest during the spring and summer. We have some of the most beautiful flowers in our area due to the mild climate and our sprinklings of rain in the winter and early spring.)

Father's Day came quickly.  Happy Father's Day to Mark!  Mark wanted to (did you guess????) spend the day on the boat and have another cookout.  All Fathers should get their wish on Father's Day!  So............  

I love Mark's baseball cap.  As you can tell, it is from a Brad Paisley concert we attended.  What a great concert that was!  Here are more photos from Father's Day beginning with another nice photo of Mark....

We have this alcohol lantern inside our sailboat...

On many days, we take Miss Sadie Mae with us when we go to the sailboat....

Elliott, Miss Sadie Mae, and Mark on "Skye, the Lillie-James"....

I have this photo of my dear Dad with a fish he caught on the St. Johns River in Florida hanging in the cabin of our sailboat.  Sadly, as my regular readers know, I lost both my parents in 2008.  My Dad had a lifelong passion for boating and fishing and always thought we should have a boat.   It gives me a nice feeling to come into the boat and see my Dad's photo there.   Miss you, Dad!

Elliott, Sadie, and I enjoying a delicious lunch on the boat...

A sleepy pup....

Sadie Mae after the nap :)  
It didn't take long for the 3rd and 4th of July to arrive!   We usually enjoy the fireworks from our sailboat each  year.  Fireworks are normally shot on the 3rd of July down on Liberty Bay.  Many people enjoy the fireworks from the waterfront.  But, this year, the weatherman predicted that there could possibly be some drizzle.  We had guests coming, as usual, for the fireworks and didn't want to have any issues with people getting damp if it did rain down on the docks.  Sooooo, for the first year that we have lived in our little "forever home" in Poulsbo, we invited a few guests over to our balcony to watch the firework display.  If it rained, no problem!   We had a great time enjoying the display from our upstairs balcony which looks down toward the waterfront.   Here I am with Sadie before the guests arrived.  

We had our usual decorations out to ring in the 4th...

Sadie Mae looked cute in her patriotic sailor outfit...

We had munchies on hand and were ready to welcome our guests for a fun night of conversation, food, and fireworks....

I like to keep it simple and somewhat healthy, too....

Mark collects these nautical lights.   They are fun to use on the balcony along with candles...
Ready for guests who begin arriving...
No mosquitoes in our area where we live so french doors are opened wide to let the fresh air in.   Very few people have airconditioning in the Seattle area.   You don't really need it....

Mark and Sadie relaxing before our guests arrive.
Mark and some guests enjoying some nice conversation and snacks before the fireworks...

Our friends, Nate and Emily, stopped by with their cute little baby, Thomas.  We don't have to show Nate around our house, he was the construction supervisor and helped to turn our designs for our home into a reality.  :)

Downtown Poulsbo, just a short walk from our home, is ready for the fireworks, too! 

Shops are proudly displaying their 4th of July decor...

Flags are flying...

Including our flags on our sailboat, "Skye the Lillie-James"....

Happy 4th!!!!
On July 7th, we went on a mini-vacation to Bellingham.  My son, Elliott, has friends that live in the area and attend college.  He had been wanting to visit them and see the Bellingham area, so we decided to drive him over to stay a few days with his friends.  My husband and I stayed at a very nice hotel, called the Hotel Bellwether which is right on the waterfront in Bellingham.
Bellingham has the second largest marina in the State of Washington.   We enjoyed seeing the many boats that were moored at the marina and loved walking along the path that ran beside the waterfront.

The first day we were there, there was a wedding taking place outside.   What a beautiful background for a wedding!  The Bride was very beautiful, and the Groom is a firefighter.Can you guess what the get-away vehicle was? :)

Yes, that is right, a firetruck!   Sadie Mae and I posed for a couple of pictures with it while the couple was enjoying their reception.

These guys were part of the service, too...

Our hotel was very nice and in walking distance of great restaurants and the waterfront.

There is even a lighthouse type building that you can stay in.  It would be great for a special occasion stay!   The hotel staff was nice enough to let us tour the building.  We loved it!

Flowers along the waterfront were pretty...



Mark and I walked over to a nice Italian Restaurant called Giuseppe's one night to eat.  We met the owner and his wife who were very nice.  A couple sitting next to us took this photo of my husband and I.   The food was very good and the weather was perfect for dining alfresco.


Our hotel...
Sadie and I by the waterfront....

There was a bluff up above the hotel that had some homes built on it.   My husband and I love to drive through neighborhoods and look at homes when we visit new towns.  Here are some of the homes that were on the bluff....

Before leaving, we headed into the little town for a bit...
Fairhaven Village....

They were having a festival in town and many people were dressed in costume.  This nice couple was sweet enough to allow me to photograph them...

 

We picked up Elliott in Fairhaven who had a great visit with his friends and headed back to Poulsbo.  We had a wonderful visit and a beautiful drive back home...

On July 21st, we celebrated Elliott's 23rd birthday!

 

Elliott had a few of his friends over to our home for pizza and cake and enjoyed a afternoon of bowling with friends.





Months before Elliott's birthday, I had purchased tickets for my husband, Elliott and I to see the broadway production of "Rent."   Elliott and I enjoyed the movie, and I was excited to surprise him with the tickets.  Our family enjoys seeing concerts and shows that come to Seattle.  Great way to celebrate a special occasion!

We love to make a weekend of our special celebrations, so we sometimes stay at Hotel Monaco in Seattle.  The hotel is in walking distance of 5th Avenue Theater, great shopping, and restaurants.   They also very happily welcome your pets! 

Our room....

Sadie feels very at home at Hotel Monaco...

We enjoyed a nice weekend together in Seattle....seeing Rent, shopping and enjoying some good food together at the local restaurants....



Love the architecture of some of the buildings in Seattle...

After a nice weekend, we headed towards the ferry terminal to return back home to Poulsbo.  I made a few photos of the "Great Wheel" which is our new ferris wheel along the waterfront.   I have not been up on it yet, but, Elliott and Erika rode the ferris wheel recently and enjoyed the experience.  I plan to go up on it in spring....

It was late afternoon, by the time we got back to the Seattle ferry terminal.  Time to board the ferry....taking with us our memories of a wonderful weekend together. 

On the ferry, we gazed out at the seagulls, passing boats, and the skyline of Seattle which was becoming smaller in the distance as we headed back to Poulsbo.   I reflected on my summer as I watched a sailboat pass by the ferry.....
It is not so much what you do in the summer that makes the season memorable......it is the people you enjoy it with.

As the holidays approach, I want to thank all my family and friends....and you.....for being a part of my life.  YOU fill my life with wonderful memories and with love.

 

Thank you for visiting me at my blog today (((((hugs)))))

xoxo Kim

Sweet Lola Yogurt Bar.....A discovery on my recent trip to Houston

Don't you just love frozen yogurt?  To me, there is not a more refreshing treat on a warm day than a scoop or two of delicious, creamy frozen yogurt!   Yogurt or sorbet is always a good low-fat/low sugar alternative to regular ice cream, so for people like me who try to watch their weight, it is a great choice for a snack.

As many of my readers know, I recently flew to Houston from Seattle to help my son celebrate his 29th birthday.  I spent a week with my son and his wife and had a wonderful visit with them.   While in Houston visiting, I helped my daughter-in-law host a birthday party for my son.  The guest list included many of my son's friends.   We had a great time celebrating! 

The day after the party, on Sunday, we spent a relaxing day walking and browsing in an area of town known as Mid-Town in Houston.   Sundays are great for spending time with your family.  We had a wonderful time dining alfresco at a local creperie.  After our lunch and more browsing, we spotted the most adorable yogurt bar called "Sweet Lola."   The shop was calling to us, so we decided to venture in for some desert.   :)

 

Inside this shop awaits the most delicious yogurt with every imaginable topping available.  

I was in yogurt heaven you might say...

You can sample all the featured flavors, and that is exactly what we did.   All were delicious....

And, if just the yogurt itself were not enough to entice you into Sweet Lola Yogurt Bar, the shop also sells some gift items.  I purchased a wonderful book in the shop while browsing.   Love the decor of this cute little shop.....so cheerful!

I was so in love with Sweet Lola Yogurt Bar that I asked the friendly people serving us if I could make a few photos to share with you on my blog.   They not only said they would be happy for me to do this, but also took one of my blog cards.  

"Love with Abandon"

Flowers brighten any day...

I love sconces and chandeliers....   I am all about the ambience....

Look at this adorable apron that was for sale...

Looks like we are not the only ones who have discovered this little gem, "Sweet Lola"....  

There is a cute spot to relax and enjoy some delicious yogurt with all the toppings right inside the shop.  

But, on this gorgeous Houston day, we chose to sit outside and listen to the birds and savor our yogurt at one of the outdoor bistro tables...
When I shared this photo with a friend, I was told this looks like I could be dining in Paris....

Merci!  How do you say, "This Sweet Lola Yogurt is awesome" in French?

The English word is "Yum!"  :)   Or, as the sign says in my next photo....."Crave worthy!"

When I find a place I love, I enjoy sharing this experience with others.  I hope that if you visit the Houston, Texas, area in the future and are looking for a great treat on a beautiful afternoon, that you visit "Sweet Lola Yogurt Bar."   I know I will be returning again on my next visit to Houston. 

Thank you to the nice folks at "Sweet Lola" for your good old southern hospitality and for letting me make all these photos and feature you on my blog. 

I hope that you are having a wonderful day today.  Thank you for visiting me at my blog, Bluebirds and Butterflies. 

Have a "bluebird" day! xoxo Kim       Click here for the link to the shop featured today Sweet Lola Yogurt Bar

Oh, How I Love the Beaches of Florida..... (Part two)

Nothing is better than walking the beach with someone you love.  If you read part one of this blog posting, "Oh, How I Love the Beach," you know that I recently got to accompany my dear husband on a business trip to Florida.  Even though my sweetie was there on business, he did get to sneak in a few walks down Cocoa Beach with me after hours.  

After a hard day at work, there is nothing better than walking the beach.  Here is my husband, Mark, at the beginning of our walk.  Look how bright and blue that Florida sky was....

Cocoa Beach, FL

 

After a day at work, it is nice to walk down the beach with someone you love...

It is so relaxing to feel the warmth of the sun on your skin and the cool water on your feet as you walk down the beach along the shore.   Walking the beach, one of my favorite pasttimes...  Wish I could do it every single day!

Growing up in a small beachtown in Florida, my husband and I spent many hours at the shore when we were in high school.  My husband, Mark, like many guys raised on a beach, was a surfer.   We were not too far from a spot on Cocoa Beach that many surfers congregate to.....the Cocoa Beach Pier.....so we decided to walk that way.

The Cocoa Beach Pier is a popular place for surfers.   It is home to the annual surfing and bikini contest each year.   People come from all over to compete in the surfing contest.  The popular event always draws a crowd.  

In the next photo, you can see the Disney cruise ship between the support posts under the pier...

The necklace you see my husband wearing in this next photo is a spanish coin that was found under the ocean.  The coin was given to my husband's father by famed sunken treasure hunter, Mel Fisher, many years ago.

I love these photos of the seagulls sailing through the breeze with the Cocoa Beach Pier in the background and Disney cruise ship passing by...

These cute guys were sunning themselves by the shoreline...

As I mentioned, my husband was a surfer when he was young.  As we were approaching the Cocoa Beach Pier, I was thinking about all the times that I went to the beach with him.  My girlfriends and I would sit on a blanket on the beach, chatting and listening to music on our radio, while watching my husband and others surf.  Even though my husband does not surf much anymore, he can still hold his own out in the ocean on a board.   Many great surfers have been born on these Brevard County beaches.....including this one....

Famed surfer, Kelly Slater...

Of course, of all the great surfers out there in the world, our favorite surfer is this one....

Our heart belongs to this little surfer girl....

That is our grand-daughter, Brenna, with her surf instructor. Looking good there, "Gidget"......great form!  xoxo

Brenna's dream is to be a pilot one day.  I think she will be a surfer and a pilot :)    Who knows?  The beach is great place to walk, meditate and dream....   What is your dream?  

My son, Elliott, taught me this when he was in elementary school.  It has stuck with me through the years....  "Hold fast to DREAMS for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."  So true!
Thank you for visiting my blog today...

xoxo Kim

Oh, how I LOVE the beaches of Florida.... (Part one)

I hope you all have been doing great while I have been on vacation in Florida.   Thank you to everyone who visited my blog in my absence.  As most of you know, my husband, son and I relocated from Central Florida to Washington State seven years ago.  Still having family in Florida,  it is very nice that my husband occasionally has the opportunity to head back to Florida on a business trip with the company he works for.   This allows us to mix business with pleasure and spend a little time with our family and friends who still live in the area we moved from.   A couple of weeks ago, I accompanied my hubby on a business trip to the Cocoa Beach area.  Late April/May is the perfect time to visit the beaches of Florida.   The weather is beautiful there and not too hot yet.  

For the first part of our trip, while my husband was working, we stayed in a hotel in Cocoa Beach which was great for me because it was walking distance to the beach.   All I had to do was to follow this little path behind the hotel which leads right to the beach....

This was great for me because, while my husband was working, I had an opportunity to do something I really love to do.....walk down the beach and look for shells...

I love to walk down the beach.   It is such great exercise and so relaxing!  I enjoy watching and listening to the seagulls as I walk and hearing the waves splash along the shore....

Sometimes, you meet some interesting people along your walk...

These four ladies were practicing their poses and moves by the seashore.   What a great spot to practice!  They were very nice and even posed for me so that I could photograph them for my blog.  Hmmm......I should have brought my yoga mat!  What a great spot for morning yoga this would have been.

The waves crashing upon the shore and the ocean breeze certainly is conducive to a peaceful soul and always transports me to a zen place.   It is soooooo peaceful!  Along the way, I photographed some of the sandcastles that the children visiting the beach had built.   This sandcastle village was named "Wonderland" so I think the builders were sharing my zen feeling...

This cute little guy I passed along the way was hoping to catch a big fish...

Seeing someone fishing always makes me think of my Dad.  Oh, how he loved to fish! 

These kids were making freeform sandcastles by dripping wet sand on top of itself to make high points....like ice castles.   My sister and I used to love to make these when we were young and would go to the beach with our parents.  Seeing these children playing made me think of being a child myself and making sandcastles with my sister and brother...

 

My sister, Jeri, and I still love to walk the beaches together today....

I think my sister and I get our love of the beach from our dear mother...

(our Mother in Daytona Beach, Florida, when she was young)

My sister, husband and I spent a lot of time on the beach together when we were young.   We still like to clown around on the beach when we get together...

(sand flea on the beach....)

(seaweed along the beach shore)

(Seaweed mustache for me and Mark imitating Z Z Top....)
Life is too short to take yourselves too seriously....  You gotta have fun!

Life is what you make it!

And life is meant to be enjoyed...

with those you love...

Thank you for visiting my blog today.  I have so many photos I would like to share with you from my trip to Florida......too many for one posting...... so I'll be breaking them up into three different postings this week.   Please come back to walk the beaches of Florida with me again this week.   Until then, give someone you love a hug and enjoy your day.   xoxo Kim

Beachtime is coming!

Almost time to start packing for my upcoming trip back to Florida!    My dear husband has a business trip to Cocoa Beach coming up very soon, and was sweet enough to get me a ticket to tag along with him.   As many of you know, I grew up as a child in Titusville, Florida (pictured above) and always enjoy going back "home" again.   I love going back to Playalinda Beach in Titusville which is very near Cocoa Beach where my husband and I will be staying.

Playalinda Beach has looked the same forever!   I love that about it!   In the 50's, there were some houses along this beach, but the government bought the homes from the people who owned them and demolished the houses at the beginning of the space race.  They did this because you can actually see some of the launch pads from this beach.  For safety reasons and for fear of sabotage at the time, the government took over the property.  I am glad they did because this beach has remained in the natural state with the dunes and palmettos surrounding the beach. 

Playalinda Beach closes down when there is a launch but is open to the public at other times.   When I was a child, the wooden walkways were not there.  In order to get to the beach, you had to walk over dirt paths and sandbags that went up over the dunes of palmettos.   There was some improvements made several years ago and the wooden walkways were part of this process.   

Each section of this beach, or each walkway, has a number to identify the area.  This section shown in my photographs is known as "Number 5."  

When I was a teenager, I spent a lot of time on this beach.   There was a section on the beach where you could still see a bit of a slab from one of the old houses that once stood until the government bought them.   The kids referred to this area as "the houses" and everyone knew exactly where this spot was.  Sometimes, people would tell you to "meet me at the houses" as a way to identify where you would meet along the beach.  

I have fond memories of being in highschool and hopping into my "VW Beetle" and driving to the beach which was a short drive from my parents home in Titusville. 

Armed with my blanket, my small radio, a bag of chips and a container of water and maybe my camera, I would find my perfect spot on the beach and plop myself down.  After that, the slathering of baby oil would begin.  In those days, we did not know that the sun was so bad for you.  I am lucky that I have the skin I have today because we never wore sunblock in those days, and we spent hours and hours in the bright Florida sunshine at the beach.  Getting a dark tan was important to us in those days.  I even, like many gals, combined iodine with my baby oil for optimum tanning.   Our bikinis were small and our tans were dark in those days of the late 60's and early 70's.  Thank you, mom and dad, for the good skin genes I got from you......because, based on my long days of tanning, I should look like a dried up prune today who spends a lot of time at the dermatologist's office in surgery.  I have been very lucky but I cannot help but think that if we had known about the sun damage then and I had protected my skin, I would probably look a lot younger than I look now!  Luckily, I started wearing hats and sunblock when I was in my early 30's....thank you to Dr. Kronberg in Houston....and have, at least, saved myself some additional aging due to sun damage in the second part of my life.  But, can I say............and be honest..............that I MISS those days of sitting there for hours in the sun on the beach getting a dark tan.  Alas, those days are gone but I have very good memories of sitting on the beach with that baby oil on with my girlfriends while watching the guys surf and waiting on my boyfriend, who is now my husband, to come in from hours of surfing.   The gals didn't mind waiting on the shore.  We had fun chatting and walking the beach together.

After all these years, I still love going to the beach.  My sister, Jeri, and I used to collect shells and place them in a bucket when we were kids.  It is something we still love to do....

My sister, Jeri, and I used to spend hours walking the beach looking for shells.  We still love to do this together after all these years....

My sister and I joined by memories...   

Joined by love....

And in our old hometown....no matter how old we get....always known as "the Thompson girls."

Playalinda Beach will always be a special beach to me...

(Pictured above beyond the palmettos....the VAB...Vehicle Assembly Building at the Cape Canaveral/Cape Kennedy)

I am so looking forward to being in Cocoa Beach with my sweet husband in a week.  Looking forward to being back on the beach together.  Can't wait to walk the beach together and look for shells...

I am looking forward to walking the beach just like we did when we were young.....and will continue to do as we get older....

Hope you have a beautiful day today.   Thank you for visiting my blog. xoxo Kim

Easter....a time of reflection and remembering

Happy Easter to everyone!   I hope that you have a very special and blessed Easter weekend with those that you love.   Easter is a time of joy!   It is a time to focus on all the many blessings that we have in our lives and give thanks.  It is also a time of renewal.  For myself, being a Christian, it is also a time to reflect on my faith and renew my baptism vows at the Easter Vigil.  

This year, at the Easter Vigil, I will thinking of my beautiful daughter-in-love, Amy.  She has been faithfully participating in RCIA classes at the Church that she and my son, Brandon, attend in Houston, Texas.  At the Easter Vigil on Saturday night, Amy will be receiving two very special sacraments.   Sadly, I can not be at the service that night but I will be thinking of her and my son that night when I attend the Easter Vigil at my own church with my husband and son, Elliott.   I am so happy for Amy and Brandon.  They seem to have grown even closer since they were married in November.   I am happy for them both as they grow in their faith and feel very blessed to have her as my daughter-in-law.  I had an opportunity to attend Amy's last RCIA class before her special day while I was on a layover visiting Brandon and Amy in Houston recently.  I made this photo of them with the RCIA instructor that they have enjoyed getting to know, Mary, after the adoration service I attended with them.  I was happy that I got to be a part of one of Amy's classes while I was visiting.  The cross that Amy is wearing is a very meaningful one....not only because of what it symbolizes, but also because it is one that contains a tiny lock of my mom's hair.  The cross belonged to my Aunt Ruth that recently passed away.  It was one of a few special crosses that my sister and I had made for loved ones after our dear Mother passed away in 2008.  

I have always loved crosses and angels.  This angel keeps watch over the creek behind my Aunt Ruth's home in Kissimmee, Florida...

Palms are a big part of the Holy Week....   I made this photo of a palm while I was at my Aunt's home in Kissimmee, Florida.  These type of palms are very common in Florida.  This palm is in my Aunt's back yard.  Part of my Easter tradition each year, is to attend the Palm Sunday service at my Church.  A basket of Palms are always at the back of the Church and each person attending receives a section of palm to take home with them.

Going to Church at Easter with family has always been a part of my holiday memories.   When I was a little girl, we always got a new dress, new shoes (usually black patent leather), white gloves and an Easter hat to wear to Church on Easter Sunday.   You don't see as many Easter Bonnets as you used to in Church today.  I kind of miss the old style of dress that we had when I was a child.  While I was in Florida over the past couple of weeks attending services for my dear Aunt Ruth that passed on March 9th, 2012, and assisting my sister in handling her estate, I had the opportunity to visit my sister's boutique/antique booth.  On display and for sale were several beautiful hats that my sister had made.  I think she has a real knack for designing hats and told her that she should have her own hattery some day.  I can picture her shop in my mind with beautiful hats on display and costume jewelry along side it.  I picture one of those old fashioned, English-style, shops.  When you see the photo of the hat, I know you will agree that they make you think of the beautiful Easter Bonnets that women used to wear to Church years ago.   Here are a few of her hats....

Like many, I also remember waking up on Easter morning to an Easter basket filled with candy and maybe a stuffed animal or toy.  Even after my brother, sister, and I got older, my Mother would always buy us a large fruit and nut chocolate egg at Easter.  I cannot see these in the stores without thinking of my dear Mother and my Easter as a child.  

Besides the traditional Easter rituals, the other thing I love about the Easter season is the change it brings to nature.   I love to hear the birds begin to sing.   I love to see them flutter around my birdfeeder and birdbath.   I love waking up to hear the chirping outside my window.

 

I love to see the buds turn into beautiful blooms on the trees around me...

Easter is the season of fresh, new beginnings....everything is renewing itself...through our renewal of our baptism vows and through nature.   Open the door to your heart and look at the world through new eyes.  Each day is a blessing....

and, we are truly blessed to have our family and friends.  Thank you to my own family and friends for walking through life with me! My life is a happy one because of you.    I love you all....  Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!  Thank you for visiting me today on my blog.  This post is dedicated to my Aunt Ruth that passed away on March 9, 2012, in Kissimmee, Florida.   I love you Aunt Ruth and have so many fond memories of being a school girl and walking the beach in summer with you! xoxo Kim

Have a beautiful day! xoxo Kim

Goodbye to my dear Aunt Ruth :(

Dear friends and family,

My brother, sister and I had a very sad thing happen in our lives on March 9th, 2012.  Our dear, dear Aunt Ruth who has lived in Kissimmee, Florida, for many years passed away very suddenly.  She was 82 years old and the last of my sweet Mother's siblings.  I was at home in Poulsbo when I got a call from my sister, Jeri, that Aunt Ruth had fallen in her living room while trying to unplug her cellphone and hit her head.  She died almost instantly.  You can imagine how shocked we were to learn that our beloved Aunt Ruth was suddenly gone.   We loved our aunt very much and will miss her everyday.   She never had any children and my siblings and I were like her own children to her.  I have so many wonderful memories of Aunt Ruth that I will cherish and hold close to my heart.  I wanted to post a very quick note to let all my dear friends know that I have been absent from blog world over the past couple of weeks because I have been in Florida attending the funeral of my aunt and helping my sister to settle her estate.   I will miss my Aunt Ruth and will never, never forget her and the love that she showed me.  Thank you so much for visiting my blog today.  Know that I love you all and will be sharing a new blog post very soon.....in the next few days.  Love to you all xoxo Kim       

Cupcakes for my darlin's birthday

Yesterday, was my dear husband's birthday.  Every year, I try to make his birthday special.  Part of my ritual for a great birthday is, of course, a cake!  Since we have been living in Poulsbo which is just a ferry ride away from Seattle, I have been heading over to Sluys' Bakery and ordering my husband a very delicious Champagne Cake each year.  (I have featured Sluys' Bakery on a previous posting on my blog.  Love Sluys...a great Norwegian Bakery.)   Even though I adore this delicious cake that Sluys' Bakery prepares and totally recommend it, this year, I decided to bake my husband something myself.   I wanted to put my love into something delicious....

I decided to surprise my husband with some cupcakes.  I love cupcakes, as do most people, which explains why cupcake shops are now the rage and springing up everywhere.  My husband and I attended a wedding recently and the bride and groom served cupcakes.  These little cupcakes are showing up everywhere! 

So, inspired by the red velvet cupcakes we had enjoyed at the wedding, I settled upon a recipe from one of my favorite food blogs, Joy the Baker, which I have featured on my blog in the past.   She lists this recipe under her cupcake category and mentions that these are her favorite red velvet cupcakes.  So on my husband's birthday yesterday, I headed off to the grocery store with my list of ingredients that I didn't have in my pantry and refrigerator.   My list included things like white distilled vinegar, cream cheese, baking soda, buttermilk and some fresh eggs.   After buying the ingredients, I pulled out my mixer, put on the paddle attachment which Joy suggested I use, put on some music, and went to work making the cupcakes.  I had my computer out and would refer to Joy's recipe from time to time.  I wanted to make sure I followed her directions so that my cupcakes turned out as delicious and beautiful as they were in her photos.

I mixed all the ingredients together and popped them in the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.  After the inserted toothpick came out clean, and I knew they were ready, I let them rest for 10 minutes in the pan and then removed them.  While  they cooled, I assembled my ingredients for the cream cheese frosting.  Joy's frosting recipe was very easy and delicious.  I love a good cream cheese icing which is part of why I love carrot cake so much.  Joy's icing has a touch of cinnamon in it which gives it a great taste.   After the cupcakes were cooled completely, I spooned the icing into my icing bag and piped some of the delicious, creamy icing onto each cupcake.  For fun, I put a few sprinkles on each one after they were iced.   Then, stuck a green candle on each finished cupcake. 

A few months ago, I had purchased a white wire tiered cupcake holder at a nearby World Market store.   I pulled this out and arranged all the cupcakes on it....putting a few on each tier.  I was pleased with my display and hoped my cupcakes tasted as good as they looked.   I put them on my dining room table and hung some balloons on my chandelier...just as I always do for family birthdays. 

Then, I pulled out some of my favorite desert plates that my sister brought back from England for me.  My sister and I both love beautiful china.  My sister, Jeri, was working as a flight attendant and hand carried a piece of the china back each time she flew to England several years ago.  We both have the desert and teacups and saucers in this pattern.   The name of the pattern is Provencial Flowers.   I selected plates from my china cabinet and then pulled out champagne flutes to set up near the cupcakes.

I placed two cards I had bought for my husband on the table.

Right before the birthday boy arrived home from work, I poured some champagne in our glasses and garnished each one with a fresh strawberry.   With everything in place, Sadie Mae, our Maltese, and I were waiting at the front door to greet my husband and wish him a happy birthday as he walked in the door.   My husband, Mark, was surprised and happy to see the cupcakes I had made him and the balloons tied to our chandelier.  We toasted his birthday together with the champagne, and then he enjoyed one of his cupcakes. 

My husband, Mark, had requested a new pair of cowboy boots for his birthday gift.  Having lived in Houston, Texas, for around 18 years, I know cowboy boots are something that you HAVE to try on.  I actually have about six pair of cowgirl boots.  So, after the toast and cupcake, my husband and I headed out to a local western shop before meeting some friends for dinner.  Mark tried on several pairs of boots and settled upon a nice, black pair.  I bought him the boots he selected and also a black and white cowboy-styled shirt.  The shirt looked great on him and will be great for wearing to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo when we visit Houston again during rodeo time.  He can also wear it to the local rodeo.  With gifts in hand, we left the shop and headed over to meet some of our friends at a local Japanese steakhouse.  Our good friends, Mike, Gina and Pam, were meeting us at the restaurant to have dinner with us and celebrate Mark's birthday.  Here is a photo of our chef for the evening...

We all enjoyed some delicious soup, vegetable stir fry and grilled chicken and shrimp. Everything was prepared on the grill in front of us.  All was delicious...

It is nice to have good friends to celebrate with.  Our waiter made this photo of our group after dinner...

And, of course, we made a few photos, too!  Here is Mark with our dear friend, Pam...

Thank you, Gina and Mike, for the beautiful new tie...

After a delicious dinner enjoyed with friends....and a few birthday hugs and kisses, it was time to head back home.

After we arrived home, we noticed this wine and card that was left by our door.  Another gift from some friends who were sweet enough to remember Mark's birthday.  They had called Mark's cellphone while we were out shopping for boots and told him that they had left him a little surprise by the door.   Thank you, Marilyn and Kristina...

Once home with Miss Sadie Mae, we lit Mark's birthday candles and enjoyed another cupcake....or two.....      :)

Thank you to our friends, Pam, Gina and Mike, for joining us for an evening out to celebrate Mark's birthday.  Thank you, Marilyn and Kristina, for the wine and card that you, thoughtfully, left by our door.  Thank you to our loved ones.....Ashley, Brandon, Amy, and Elliott and all who called to wish Mark a very happy birthday.  Thank you to my dear sister, Jeri, who never fails to deliver a beautiful and fun rendition of Happy Birthday on the phone each year.   Thanks to the many facebook connections...friends and family....who took the time to write a personal message to Mark on facebook. 

Happy Birthday, Mark!   I wish you many, many more wonderful birthdays!  I am blessed to have you in my life and so happy to be celebrating each birthday with you!  May all your birthday wishes come true!   I love you! xoxo       (I love it that Pam's lipstick from her birthday kiss is still on his cheek as he blows out his candles....never wipe off a kiss is my motto! )

Wait, there's more....

I would like to, last but not least by any means, thank our Granddaughter, Brenna, for the fun Happy Birthday dance she performed and posted on facebook for her "Papa" in honor of his birthday.   Thank you, Brenna....  We love you! xoxo  

 

  

Hope you enjoyed Brenna's video.  To view the recipe that I used for the cupcakes, click on the link that follows.  Please note, that I omitted the red food dye so my cupcakes will not be the color of the ones in the photos on Joy's blog, however, I can assure you, the cupcakes are just as delicious!  Hope you try them.  Have a beautiful day, and thank you for visiting my blog today. Thank you, Joy, for sharing this wonderful recipe on your blog.   Here is the link:  My Favorite Red Velvet Cupcakes

Special "Bluebird Days"... Happy Birthday to my dear husband!

via bluebirdsandbutterflies.typepad.com

Happy Birthday to my dear husband!

The Most Recognized House in the United States....

Like all children in the United States, I started learning about our great Nation at an early age.  Most all children, by the time they begin school, can already identify the President of the United States and recognize the White House when they see it. 


When you take American History in school as a child, you are introduced to all the great leaders in history...all the people who had a part in making our wonderful country what it is today....everyone who fought for the rights and freedoms that we have today and, sadly, the privileges that we sometimes take for granted.  Many people fought and gave their lives for our freedom and all the choices we are able to make in our lives today, without fear.  Along with recognizing all the great leaders and heros...people who fought and died to give us the things we have today, we also learned about our Presidents who guided our country.  I remember having to recognize and name all the Presidents of the United States in the order they were serving in office when I was in school.  As an adult, you might not be able to remember everything that you learned in history as a child.  I don't think I could name all the Presidents in order correctly today.  But, one thing that you never forget is that our freedom didn't come easy.  Many people have served our beautiful country to keep it safe and free.  

 

We live in such a great country.  As I get older, my desire to travel to some of the beautiful places that we have in the United States deepens.  I have a list of places that I would love to see in my lifetime.  One of the places on that list is the White House.  I think that everyone that pledges their allegance to our country and flag should see the White House, if possible.  After all the history classes and seeing photos of the White House in books and magazines and on television and in movies, I wanted to see the White House in person.  Recently, I had an opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., with my husband.  He was going to Washington, D.C., on a business trip and invited me to accompany him.  I was happy to join him on his trip, and we stayed two extra days to explore some of the places we wanted to visit.  At the top of my list was the White House....one of the most recognized houses in the free world.   On our first day of exploring, my husband and I took the metro and, after a short walk, we were standing at the gates of the White House.  I was very excited to finally be standing in this spot.

The gates in front of the White House are ornate with stars and emblems upon them.  

I would have loved to have toured the inside of the White House, but we didn't have a lot of notice before my husband's business trip, and, it takes time to organize a visit to tour the White House.  In order to tour the White House, you need to submit a request for a free tour via a member of Congress up to six months ahead.   I am hoping that the next time we visit Washington, D.C., we can request a tour and see the inside.  On this trip, I was just happy to be able to stand outside the White House gates and make some photos....something I had never done before.

As you near the gates of the White House there is a guard station.  This map is posted for the public to see which tells a bit about the White House and shows a diagram of the  area around 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue....the most famous address in the United States.

Here is a closer view....

After viewing the map and reading the information, my husband and I walked over towards the gates to make a few photos.  After 57 years of only seeing the White House in photos and on television, I was very excited to have my husband take this photo  of me standing in front of the White House. 


The weather was overcast on the day we walked to the White House, so my photos are not as beautiful as they could have been on a nicer day, but, nonetheless, I am happy to have them.   Here is a photo of the front of the White House.  You can see the fountain in front...

Here is a of photo of my husband, Mark, that I made...

I like this photo with the trees framing the view...

Designed by James Hoban and set in an 18-acre park, the sandstone building, known as the White House, has 132 rooms on three floors with a circular portico that is a nod to a Georgian manor.  Eight years after it was begun, in November 1800, John Adams was the first President to move into the White House.  The British set it on fire in August, 1814, during the war of 1812.  Franklin D. Roosevelt built the West Wing and my favorite First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, did much redecorating. 

Another photo of me at the gate...

I love the columns in front....

Another photo of my husband, Mark...

You can see a little more of the architectural design around the front doors and windows in this next photo.   The front doors were opened at the time I made this photo, and there were a couple of people standing at the door looking out.

At the time we were making these photos, my husband and I were the only people walking along in front of the White House.   A few minutes after we began making photos, we noticed a couple of young ladies taking turns making photos of each other at the gate.   I walked up to them and asked if I could take a photo of the two of them together in exchange for them making a photo of my husband and I.  Only one of the two ladies spoke English but was very happy to have me take a photo for them.  Then, they happily took our photo.  I am thankful that I got a photo of my husband, Mark, and I together....thanks to these two ladies.

There were some vehicles and vans parked at the White House the day we were there.  It appeared that they were preparing for some type of event.  A few days after we returned home to Seattle, we saw on television that some entertainers had performed at the White House.   Perhaps, some preparations were being made for that event while we were there making photos that day.  In the next couple of photos, you can see some of the police/guards that were on the property that day....

Another photo of the White House framed with trees...

Another gate with a guard station....

There are some pretty trees around the White House.  One tree that was growing near the iron fence had this metal marker attached to it letting those passing by know that the tree is a "Red Ash."

As we were preparing to leave the area, a side door opened and, suddenly, a man carrying an umbrella walked out with the "First Dog."   The man took the dog out towards the back of the property. 

Flags flying proudly attached to all the light posts...

On the day my husband and I were viewing the White House, there were a group of people holding signs and chanting loudly in protest across the street from the White House.  They did not bother us, but these protesters were there the entire time we were making our photos, and we did kind of keep our eye on them as, I am sure, the staff and security at the White House were doing as well.  As we left the area, we were kind of happy to be following closely behind this guy....


One of the most recognized addresses....1600 Pennsylvania Avenue street sign...

It was late in the day when we left the White House.  We were looking for a place to have dinner, when I spotted a restaurant that my husband's cousin, who lives in the Washington, D.C., area, had recommended to us....."Old Ebbitt Grill."   The restaurant is located at 675 15th and G Streets...just two blocks from the White House.  My husband, Mark, and I did not have reservations, but it did not take too long to be seated.  

I loved the atmosphere of the Old Ebbitt Grill.   It is said that Theodore Roosevelt used to dine at this restaurant which is decorated with mallard ducks and sailing artifacts.  I wish I had made a few more photos of the restaurant.  Our food was very good, and we both said we would love to go back again.  When you enter the restaurant, these large vases of flowers welcome you...

This painting is near the front of the Old Ebbitt Grill...

My husband made this photo of me at our table...

Relaxing and enjoying a glass of Merlot...

My husband and I had a delicious dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill.  If you live in the Washington, D.C., area or have a chance to visit, I recommend the restaurant.  Thank you to Mark's cousin, Mike, for suggesting we try the restaurant.  

While we were dining at the Old Ebbitt Grill, my husband and I talked about how much privacy you give up when you are part of the First Family.   Just enjoying a nice private dinner would be a luxury.   As all of us know, when you take office and make the White House your home, you are always surrounded by security and  staff which, of course, is necessary to ensure the safety of the President and his family.   While we were having dinner, we imagined what our lives would be like if we were living in the White House....

Hmmm........... Mark looks pretty good behind that desk!

 What would my life be like as a First Lady?.... 

But, why not dream about being President?  In today's world, little girls can dream of becoming anything....

 

Actually, I am very happy and blessed with the life I have.  But, isn't it nice to have the freedom of choice?   After our dinner, we were so close to the White House, that I decided to walk back over and make a few pictures of the White House at night.  I wanted to see what it looked like with the lights on....

I made a few photos without my flash....

As it began to get dark, the lights came on around the property.  You can see the fountain illuminated in some of these photos. 

The White House is very pretty at dark, too...

My husband and I made a few more photos....

and then we said goodbye to the White House and began walking a few blocks before grabbing a taxi to head back to our hotel.   We had such a beautiful day in Washington, D.C., and I was so happy to have my photos to share with you.

 

I hope you enjoyed visiting the White House with us today and hope that each of you have an opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., someday and see the White House in person, too.  Have a beautiful day! xoxo Kim

My Visit to Arlington National Cemetery

This week, we are celebrating President's Day.....and this is the perfect week to be sharing my recent trip to Washington, D.C., with you! Last week, I joined my dear husband on a business trip to the "other Washington" where he was involved with some meetings with his company. I had never been to Washington, D.C., and was very excited to spend Valentine's week there with my husband. We scheduled two extra days after his meetings concluded to explore as many sights as we could fit into our schedule. I was very excited to finally be seeing some of the wonderful things I had only been able to visit through photos and readings in school in my history class :) History became very real to me last week! I have so many photos that I would like to share with you, sooooo many, that I am breaking it up into several postings. Today, I would like to take you to a place that really stirred my heart......Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

My husband and I took the metro near our hotel to Arlington Cemetery. As we neared the entrance, we saw these beautiful gates...

I loved the ornate design....

Stone eagles watch over the cemetery...

On the side of the gates, which is large enough for a vehicle to pass through, are stone arches.

Here is a photo of my husband standing under one of the archway passages...

A nice man who passed us making photos of each other at the entranceway was nice enough to make a photo of my husband and I together at the gate...

Me standing at the beginning of our walk through the Cemetery. You can see some of the many grave markers behind me...

The weather in Washington, D.C., like the area in which we live in near Seattle, has been very mild this year. The temperatures we experienced while on our trip were almost identical to what we have been having in Seattle. We experienced some rain on the day we viewed some of the museums, but this day was very sunny and beautiful. It was a perfect day to walk the grounds of this beautiful cemetery.

As you begin to see all the many, many white grave markers at the Cemetery, you begin to feel a stirring in your heart. As the sign says, these truly are "hallowed grounds" that we are walking on....

Arlington Cemetery is one of the best known of over one hundred national cemeteries in the United States. There are approximately 620 acres of property at Arlington National Cemetery which shelters the remains of over 320,000 servicemen and women. There are veterans from every war and major conflict in the history of the United States buried at this Cemetery. As one of the brochures for the Cemetery states, "This is our nation's most sacred military shrine and bears witness to the whole of American history."

If you have never been to the Arlington National Cemetery before, I cannot begin to tell you what emotions you feel when you survey all the white grave markers....it is truly a moving experience.

The property that Arlington Cemetery sits on was once home to the tribes of Native-Americans who fished the neighboring rivers. They hunted in the forests. There have been stone tools found on the property of the Cemetery that once belonged to and were used by the tribes. During the colonial period, this area was home and farmland for European settlers. George Washington Parke Custis, grandson of Martha Washington and step-son of George Washington, inherited the land in 1802. Raised as the nation's first presidential son, Custis dedicated his life to the commemoration of the first president. Between 1802 and 1818, he built Arlington House as the centerpiece of his 1,100 acre plantation. It was our nation's first memorial to George Washington and a home for Custis' growing family. In 1831, Custis' only surviving child, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married Lt. Robert E. Lee of the United States Army in the front parlor at Arlington House and, for over 30 years, the house was the home to one of America's most famous soldiers and his family. By the end of May, 1861, the Lees had vacated the home and federal troops occupied the estate, using Arlington House as the headquarters. In 1864, Washington, D.C., was flooded with wounded and dead soldiers from both North and South. On May 13, the first military burials at Arlington took place at what is now Section 27 of the Cemetary. By the end of the Civil War, there were nearly 16,000 dead buried on the old plantation. Ultimately, the Lees were compensated for the loss of their property by the federal Supreme Court. Arlington House and the new cemetery remained with the War Department and served as an early cemetery headquarters. The U.S. Army began restoring the house and slave quarters in the early 1930s. In 1933, the War Department separated Arlington House and transferred it to the National Park Service. There is so much history and so many stories on these grounds. It is truly a great experience to stand here.
George Washington Parke Custis is buried at the cemetery in Section 13. As most of us know, President John F. Kennedy is buried at Arlington Cemetery as well as Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Like so many Americans, and people all over the world, I loved President Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy when I was growing up. I was in elementary school when President Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a Presidential motorcade parade in Dallas, Texas. If you were alive at this time, you will never forget where you were the day the Nation learned that President Kennedy had been shot. It was a very sad day for our country, and a day that stands out in the minds of all Americans who remember this day.

Signs point the way to the gravesite...

When you get close to the gravesite, there is a sign to remind all that this is a place of respect. At the gravesite, no one spoke above a whisper.

Approaching the graves....

An eternal flame keeps watch over the graves....

I remember Jackie Kennedy lighting this flame at the time of President John F. Kennedy's burial.

It was very touching to see the grave of President Kennedy...

A single deep pink carnation was placed at President Kennedy's grave...

I have always admired and loved Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. I still have the pillbox hat that I wore in elementary school at the time she was First Lady. Jackie Kennedy's style of dress influenced many of us during the time that she was in the White House. Designers loved to dress Jackie, and you could see the influence she had on the dress of Americans. Lots of ladies wore their own versions of her pearls, gloves, suits and pillbox hats during the 1960s. Jackie brought back a lot of culture and style to the White House. She also took great pride in restoring and refreshing some of the interior of the White House. I remember watching the tour of the White House that she personally hosted on television. Jackie continued to capture the hearts of Americans and the world even after her White House days. Many people refer to the time that President Kennedy was in office as the time of "Camelot." The Kennedys were probably as close as we ever got to America's version of a "Royal Family." Even after Jackie's White House days, we were all intrigued with her, and she continued to influence the dress of American women. Everyone remembers those famous oversized "Jackie O" sunglasses that were seen everywhere. Even today, when I see a very large pair of sunglasses, I think of Jackie. I think also women loved Jackie because she was such a good Mother. She loved her children so much and spent a lot of time with them. She was very protective and loving towards Caroline and John, Jr., and also her grandchildren. She had a love for her family, history, poetry and books which she passed along to her children. Sadly, John F. Kennedy, Jr., died with his wife and her sister in a tragic plane crash a few years ago. My heart goes out to Caroline. The Nation lost a beloved President, a beautiful former First Lady, and a handsome son who was, like his Dad, loved by many....but Caroline lost her family....a Dad, a Mother and a brother. My Mother, like me, always loved and admired Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Both my Mother and Jackie Kennedy Onassis died of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Here is the gravesite of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis....

A single deep pink carnation was placed at Jackie's grave...

The graves of their little ones who died are also there beside the President and Jackie. One child is buried on each side with the former President and First Lady in the middle...

My husband took these photos of me standing at the gravesite...

President Kennedy's burial place is the most visited single gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery.
As you walk down the steps from the gravesite area, there are walls with these words etched into them...

You will recognize this famous speech...



Walking a short distance away from President Kennedy's gravesite, we spotted a gravesite that had astroturf leading up to it and a rope separating the gravesite. I didn't realize it until I walked up to take a look, but this is the grave of Edward Kennedy.

I was unable to get a clear shot of his grave marker, but if you look very closely, you will be able to read the name and dates...

Walking through the Cemetery, we saw a section of older graves. Some with large concrete or stone crosses...

Mark spotted the grave of this five star Fleet Admiral in the Navy, Admiral William D. Leahy, and his wife, Louise Harrington Leahy. Mark, as you may know, spent many years in the Navy and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 15 years ago...
Mark with another Admiral's grave...
Some interesting gravesites and markers...

Walking on, my husband spotted these three gravesites. Not to be disrespectful, but the bar is set pretty high when you are buried between "Good" and "Perfect." :) You have to smile....

My ancestors, like many, fought in the Civil War, so I wanted to look for the memorial and gravesite for the unknown dead from the Civil War....

The remains of 2,111 unidentified soldiers gathered after the War from the fields of Bull Run and the route to Rappahannock are buried at this site. Brave soldiers who never returned home but forever remembered and honored.

Unknown Civil War dead are located in Section 26 of the Cemetary and was dedicated in 1866.

This arbor has a vine growing over it. I would love to see this Cemetery in the springtime when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and all the vines are beautiful and thriving. The Cemetery is very beautiful in the winter but would be so pretty with all the blooms and greenery.

This marker had a beautiful leaf border around it...

Now to find, the Tomb of the Unknowns which is the first thing you usually think about when you mention Arlington National Cemetery....

The current Memorial Amphitheater and the adjacent Tomb of the Unknowns (Unknown Solder) have become memorial icons. Flags surround the marble benches and the podium where world leaders pay tribute to those who served. Presidential wreaths are presented each Memorial Day and Veterans Day. We found our way to the Amphitheater...

I love this photo I took of the sunlight shining through the trees...

My husband, Mark, inside the amphitheater...

The amphitheater is very beautiful and parts of it ornate...

My husband took this photo of me standing in the hallway....

The Tomb of the Unknowns (Unknown Soldier) is located behind the amphitheater....

Powerful words say it all....... "known but to God"....

The Tomb of the Unknowns was established in 1921. A sentinel of the Third United States Infantry maintains vigil around the clock.

The sentinel on guard paces 21 steps alongside the tomb, then pauses 21 seconds, then returns.

The changing of the guard takes place every hour (or half-hour from March 15 through September) and is very moving to watch.

There is a small shelter guard tent for the sentinel to retreat to for a very brisk break to relax for a moment or take a sip of water. We saw the sentinel go into the shelter guard tent for just a few seconds, and then he quickly returned to his post and began pacing again. It is not easy to stand so erect and at attention for long periods of time. This sentinel looked very regal as he paced and stood at attention. It is a real honor to guard this tomb.

I particularly like this photo of the sentinel as he passes the tomb....

I also love this next photograph...

The tomb says "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God." The World War I soldier has been entombed here since 1921. Joining their comrade, unknown servicemen from World War II and Korea were interred on May 30, 1958. An unknown from Vietnam was interred on May 28, 1984. The Vietnam unknown was removed from the tomb and was identified in 1998 through a sophisticated DNA process. In the photo below, you see the sentinel during his 21 second pause at the end of the 21 step pace. You can see that the sentinels walk such a straight line that they have worn down the pavement a bit. You can actually see the outline in the concrete of the path they walk.

We stayed for a while and quietly watched the sentinel pace and guard the tomb. While we were silently watching, I couldn't help but think about all those men and women who have served and are currently serving our great country. I was thinking about all the sacrifices that these servicemen and women and their families have made to help keep our Nation safe....

Each serviceman or woman buried here is not only a soldier but also someone's loved one....someone's family...

Each grave belongs to a person....

and each person has a story to tell....

and each one of us have a lesson to learn....

A lesson of just how many people it has taken through the years....how many soldiers and how many lives given....to keep our beautiful United States of America free and safe from many who would seek to take away that freedom....

May we always pray for our servicemen and women and their families. May we always appreciate the freedom that we have and the lives that we live everyday because of those who serve. May we always be grateful and show our thanks.

A quilt displayed at the Arlington National Cemetery....

I hope you enjoyed visiting the Arlington National Cemetery with me today. I hope that everyone can visit this Cemetery someday. It is a very moving experience that you will never forget. There are many other monuments and memorials at the Cemetery besides the ones I featured in my blog. You could spend an entire day or two just walking the grounds and visiting each one. My husband and I hope to return to the Arlington National Cemetery soon to continue visiting these sites. Thank you for visiting my blog and have a beautiful day! xoxo Kim

My birthday reflections....

Each year, on New Year's Eve, we all take a look at our lives and come up with a whole new list of things we could've, should've and would've done in the previous year.....our list of new year's resolutions. We vow to exercise more, eat healthier, finally organize ourselves and our lives, and, in general, improve our performance on all those things we didn't do as well as we would have liked in the last year. I am sure all of you can relate to this. I always come up with my list of resolutions.....some of which I succeed on and....some of which do not get marked off the list. Oh well, these will be carried over to the next resolution list :)

Besides New Year's Day each year, there is also another day that I take stock of my life on. That day is February 9th, my birthday. Here I am enjoying a piece of my birthday cake when I was a little one. My Mother made this photo of me in a little plaid dress sitting in my "baby tender" (high chair) happily eating cake with my fingers. My siblings had not been born yet....

A birthday is not only special to the person who celebrates it, but it is also a day that is very important to the parents of the person celebrating getting another year older. Having had two children myself, who are now young adults, I know the feeling of reflection that a parent experiences when their child has a birthday. The day your children are born is a day you will never, never forget. It was the day that each of your children came into your life.....a day that forever changed your life....a day that you knew the depth of love that a parent has for their children. The love of a Mother for her child is probably the strongest bond on earth. The next photo is me at age 29 with my newborn son, Brandon Lee, born in 1983, as we prepare to leave the hospital in Houston....

The next photo is of my Mother, Lil Thompson, shortly after Brandon was born. The nurse wrapped Brandon in a sheet and brought him out so my Mother could hold him for a moment. My Mother was so happy to be a grandmother for the first time....

The next photo was taken when my son, Elliott Courtland, was born....July, 1989. I was 35 years old when Elliott was born. Here I am with my newborn, Elliott, my son, Brandon who was 6 years old at the time, and my dear Mom. Another happy day....

Each year, on my birthday, I always think of my own Mom. Thank you, Mom, for all went through during your 9 long months of pregnancy and for all you went through during my delivery to bring me into the world and give me life..... of course, my Dad had a big part in this, too! :) Here I am with my Mother when I lived in Houston and she came to see me on my birthday one year. I am not sure of the exact year, but I know I was in my early 30's. We were on our way to celebrate my birthday at Brennan's Restaurant in Houston, Texas, where I lived at the time. The photo was made at my sister's home....

My Mother and I when I was young at a lake in Winter Haven, Florida, where I was born....

Today, February 9th, is my birthday. On my blog today, I would like to share just a few of the photos I have from my photo albums.....a few memories of birthdays past through the years.
Here is a photo of me when I was young with my birthday cake. My father was working at Lockheed in Marietta, Georgia, at the time. My Dad, James Thompson, spent his entire career, after the military, working for Lockheed/Lockheed-Martin. He began his career in Marietta, Georiga, where we lived at the time of this photo. We would move to Florida when I was 4 years old where he would continue his career and help to put men and missiles into space. I am two years old in this photo. The little girl with me was a friend of mine named Leanne King. I have my little hands up to my mouth.....probably tasting the icing..

Here is another photo of my friend and I clapping.....probably after singing Happy Birthday. Sadly, I lost track of this friend after moving to Florida. In those days, of course, we didn't have the means of communication that we have today. In today's world, we could have kept in touch through the computer. You can see in this photo how much fun Leanne and I had together when we were young. Maybe I can find her someday on the computer and see what road life took this little girl down. I wonder what happened to her, what experiences she had, or what type of person she grew up to be. I hope her life was full and that she is happy and well today...

After relocating to Florida, I celebrated my birthdays with my cousins and family. Here I am, after moving to Florida, enjoying some birthday cake and icecream with my cousin, Lee, who was visiting from Jacksonville for the day, and my cousins, Karen and Suzanne. This photo was taken at Karen and Suzanne's home who lived in the house right across the street from my family. That is me with the light colored overalls on. You can see some tinker toys that I received as a gift on the table next to my cousin, Suzanne. These cousins are on my Dad's side of the family. Our families grew to include more cousins, and we are all still very close today. I love all my family...

Here is another photo of me with my cousins, Karen and Suzanne...

Jumping ahead many years, when I was 25 years old, I moved to Houston, Texas, from Orlando, Florida. My sister, Jeri, also relocated to Houston just a few short years later. After my sister moved to Houston, we began to celebrate our birthdays together again. My sister and I are very close, and it was wonderful to live in the same town again. Here is a photo of a birthday cake my sister gave me for one of my birthdays. Jeri lived in a home that had a very nice patio with a water feature. I have nice memories of us enjoying my birthday cake on her pretty china as we sat outside on the patio courtyard of her home. My sister and I don't just use our china for special occasions. We believe in using what you have and enjoying it. Thank you, Jeri, for all the times you have celebrated with me and for all the many renditions of "Happy Birthday" that you have sang through the years. And for the song this morning! xoxo Here is a photo of the cake we shared years ago....

My sister took this photo of my son, Brandon, and I on my birthday out on her patio. It was late in the day so the photo is a little dark....

Another year, another beautiful, delicious cake, and another birthday wish to make....

Sometimes, when my Sister and I were living in Houston, our Mother, who lived in Florida, would come for a visit to celebrate our birthdays with us. Here is a photo of my Mother, Lil Thompson, and I on one of these birthday visits. This next photo was taken of my Mother and I before leaving for dinner at Brennan's Restaurant in Houston.... (I have had to smile at some of my hairdos through the years. A little light on the bangs, there, Kim, but that was in style at the time)

My sister took this photo of me before leaving for the restaurant. My younger son, Elliott, was a baby at this time, and my sister, Jeri, was nice enough to offer to babysit both of my children as part of my birthday gift so that I could enjoy a nice birthday dinner out. Sisters are like that..... I am blessed.

When I was in my early 40's, we relocated back to Florida again. I am so happy that we did because my children were able to live in the town I grew up in and see their grandparents every day! Now that my Mom and Dad are both gone, I am so happy that I got to spend a few years there with them. I was so happy that I lived nearby, too, because when my Mother first discovered she had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, I was able to emotionally support her and be there for all of her cancer treatments. I will always be thankful for this. My Mother and her doctors at M.D. Anderson in Orlando were victorious in that first treatment, and she would live a few more years. Her cancer came back twice more after I lived in Washington State, but my sister and I took turns flying back to Florida to be with our Mother. I am happy to say that she never had to go through a single cancer treatment alone. Sadly, we lost our dear Mother on June 1, 2008, to cancer. My Mother was a very special person, and I miss her every day. My Father, James Thompson, sadly, also passed away right after my Mother. He died in August of 2008. It was a very hard period of time for me and my siblings. A few years ago, when I was living in Florida, I celebrated a birthday, and my Mother called to tell me happy birthday as she ALWAYS did. I was not home at the time she called, so she left a message. For some reason, I saved her message on my voicemail. Everytime, this message would come up on my message recorder, I hit "save." After my Mother died, and my husband and I sold our home in Silverdale, Washington, we had to disconnect our phone. Doing this meant that I would lose all the messages I had saved on my voicemail. Knowing how much having my Mother and Dad's voice on my voicemail meant to me, my dear husband sat with a tape recorder and taped all the messages I had saved to make sure that I never lost their voices. I am so happy that he did this gesture for me because on my birthday today, I will play the tape and once again hear my Mother's voice telling me "Happy Birthday." I love you, Mom! Here is a photo of me with my two children, Brandon and Elliott, at my Mother and Father's home in Florida, on my birthday with the cake my Mother bought me to celebrate my birthday. Each year, while I was living again in Florida, my Mother bought me a birthday cake. Thank you, Mom and Dad, and thank you for being such great parents to me....

A birthday kiss from my younger son, Elliott....

 

Flowers from my husband....

Just a couple of months after my husband, son and I moved from Florida to Washington State, I celebrated my 50th birthday. To celebrate my special day, my husband, Mark, and son, Elliott, took me on a dinner/wine tour train ride. We sat in the dome car and there were flowers waiting for me at our table when I arrived. We rode the train along Lake Washington and toured Columbia Winery and enjoyed a wine tasting. I had never been on a train before, and it was a very special way to celebrate my 50th birthday. Here is a photo of the three of us in front of the Spirit of Washington train before our adventure...

I love the smell of a stargazer lily. The flowers are so fragrant that they fill your home with the wonderful aroma. Here I am on my 51st birthday with flowers from my husband, Mark.

After my husband, son and I relocated to Washington State from Florida, my parents were not able to celebrate my birthday with me so they began sending me flowers to let me know they were thinking of me. Here I am at our former home in Silverdale, Washington, celebrating my 53rd birthday. My husband made this photo of me with the flowers my parents sent me....

For dinner, my husband, Mark, and son, Elliott, took me to dinner at a Mexican Restaurant located in Bainbridge Island, WA, that I love......San Carlos Mexican Restaurant....

 

Another year, another birthday... Here is a photo of my husband, Mark, and I at a unique restaurant called Molly Ward Gardens on the day of my birthday. Molly Ward Gardens is located in a rustic barn-like setting. Inside the restaurant, the style is eclectic with lots of chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There is a garden area behind the restaurant. My husband and I enjoy having brunch at Molly Ward Gardens....

Our friends, Sandy and Doug Gibson, were living in Poulsbo at the time I was celebrating this birthday and joined us at Molly Ward Gardens. Sandy and Doug have since relocated back to California. We miss having them just a few houses away from us in Poulsbo. Sandy and I met many years ago in Florida. Sandy worked for Lockheed-Martin with my husband at the time. Later, Sandy and I owned and operated a health and weightloss center together in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Sandy became a fitness instructor and now teaches where she lives in California. Like Sandy, I used to be a fitness instructor years ago and was an aerobic director at a raquetball club in Houston, Texas. Here are Sandy and Doug celebrating my birthday with us at Molly Ward Gardens....

The next photo shows me with my husband, Mark, and my son, Elliott, who was living at home and attending Olympic College at the time. Elliott transferred to University of Washington later on where he is now in his 4th year of college studying computer engineering. So proud of him....

My birthday, last year, had a big surprise in store for me. My dear husband, Mark, bought me this Mercedes convertible! I have really enjoyed driving this car over the past year. Here I am with the car which is parked in back of our little cottage. This photo was taken on February 9, 2011, before my husband and I left to go over to Seattle to celebrate my birthday....


My husband and I celebrated my birthday together by having dinner at a place I enjoy in Seattle called "The Pink Door," and then visiting the Seattle aquarium...

Me at the octopus tank....

 

We had such a nice day seeing all the beautiful fish at the Seattle Aquarium. There are so many different and unique types of fish in the world....

Of course, you have to get a photo of Nemo..... "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...."

My husband, Mark, and I also enjoyed our lunch at "The Pink Door." Here is a photo I made of my husband enjoying some of our appetizers. Thank you, Mark, for making all of my birthdays special and for spending your life with me. Just spending my life with you has been a wonderful gift, and I am blessed....

When we arrived back home from Seattle, I received these beautiful flowers from my son, Brandon, and his girlfriend (now his wife) Amy. It was so sweet of them and made my day even more special because of their gesture. I also received a beautiful limoges box from my son with butterflies on it. Here I am with the flowers from Amy and Brandon. Thank you to my loved ones for making my day so wonderful. I am blessed to have you in my life and love you!

I also received some very pretty flowers from my beautiful step-daughter, Ashley, and her family. Wow! Two beautiful bouquets of flowers in one day! How lucky can a girl get? Lucky enough to have a wonderful family who loves her and hopes she has a nice day on her birthday.....even though they live far away and cannot be there to celebrate with her. Yes, I am blessed to have my wonderful family. I cannot imagine my life without them....

I have had so many wonderful birthdays through the years....each one holds special memories for me of times spent with those I love....people who cared enough to want me to have a nice birthday. Even though I have loved each and every birthday card, cake and gift I have ever received, the biggest gifts for me have been the things that aren't actually objects.....the gifts that my family and loved ones have given to me through the years that you cannot buy......

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for the gift of giving me life.....for the gift of showing me what being a family means. Thank you, Mom, for the gift of support, the gift of listening, the gift for always being there, the gift of your time and for showing me the gift of "for better or for worse, in sickness and in health." Thank you for giving everything you had to your family and for putting us first. You showed me what being a Mother is all about. Your are a tough act to follow, but I hope that I can be, to my children, the Mother that you have been to me. Thank you, Dad, for teaching me about things outside the home.....the gift of patience on a lake or river as you wait for a fish to bite, the gift of an appreciation for wildlife, the gift of creativity, for the gift of self-esteem as you tell me that I can do anything, am as good as anyone, or can accomplish anything I want to do. Thank you both for never giving me doubt that I was loved....something many people spend years in therapy for as they try to figure out if they were loved or learn to love themselves. This was something I never have or never will question. I miss you both....

Thank you, to my sister, Jeri, for the gift of your hand.....for always being there to hold mine at the times that were hard for me....We can go through anything together. Thank you for the gift of enduring love through the years. Except for the first 3 l/2 years, you have been with me for my entire life. No one knows me better than you. Thank you for the gift of learning what it means to share....sharing parents, sharing a bedroom when we were growing up, sharing toys, sharing clothes, sharing a history, sharing secrets and knowing the other one would keep them, sharing a cup of tea and shortbread when the other one was not feeling well or needed someone to talk to, for sharing so many things in life......but, especially, now that our parents are gone, for sharing the memories of them and helping me to remember some little detail of our lives growing up that I may have forgotton. It is so nice having a sister that you love, and who loves you, to walk through life with. I am so thankful for the gift of YOU. I love you dearly, Jeri xoxo Thank you for all the things we have in common as sisters. I can walk into a store miles away from you in another State, buy something new for my home, only to find out you just saw and bought the same thing! We share the same taste for beautiful things and experiences in our lives. I am so blessed that I have had a sister. We may not always agree on things, but one thing we will never dissagree on, we can't imagine our lives without each other. Sisters are for life....I love you!!!!

Thank you to my brother, Jeff, for the gift of your love through the years. When you were born, our family was complete. I am so happy to have been blessed with having a brother in my life. Thank you for showing me the gift of giving. You have so much talent and you share that gift with everyone. Thank you for showing me the gift of creativity. If you cannot do or make it, it cannot be done. Thank you for the gift of laughter. You have always been able to make me smile or laugh out loud with your antics. I love that about you..... if you can add joy to someone's life and make them smile, there is nothing better than that.... I am so blessed to have you in my life, Jeff. I love you dearly. Here are three photos of my brother, Jeff. In the first photos, since I am writing about birthdays, I would like to point out that I am wearing a sterling necklace shaped like a bouquet of flowers. This was also a whistle! I received this necklace on my 16th birthday from my Uncle Nolan and Aunt Bettie. My Uncle told me, if you ever need us, just whistle, when he gave it to me. Sadly, my Uncle Nolan, Dad's brother, passed away when I was pregnant with my son, Brandon. I miss you Uncle Nolan! I still have this necklace, and I am whistling.... :) Here are the photos of Jeff....

Thank you to my son, Brandon.... By being the first to be born of my two children, you introduced me to the gift of Motherhood. I never knew the depth of a Mother's love until the day you were born. I am so glad I was given this gift by you and also by Elliott who was born 6 years later. By making me a Mother, you also showed me the gift of what it is like to be selfless. A Mother will always puts her children first.....not because she has to, but it is because she wants to. There is no bond stronger than the love of a Mother for her children. Thank you for giving me the gift of respect.....not because I demanded it, but because you felt and wanted to show it. Parents aren't perfect, but they love their children and try to do the best job they can do to raise their children up to be good people. We have always had a great relationship, something I treasure. Thank you, Brandon, for showing me the gift of achievement. I will always be so thankful that my parents (your grandparents) got to see you graduate summa cum laude with an engineering degree at the University of Florida. You were the first grandchild to graduate and pave the way for your brother and cousins. Because of this, you also have given others the gift of inspiration. Like my brother, you also share your gift of creativity.....you show it in the music you make and the art you create. Now that you are married to your beautiful, Amy, you are able to share the many gifts you have with her.....together, you have so many gifts to share with each other and with your own children someday. I am so happy to have Amy as a part of our family. I love you....

Thank you, Amy, my beautiful daughter-in-love, for the gift of love. We fell in love with you from the moment we met you. I could have searched the world and not found a more perfect match for Brandon. You are so compatible because you both have good hearts. xoxo Thank you for the love and support you show to Brandon. Thank you for being, not only my daughter-in-law, but my friend, too! It is so nice to have another girl in the family :) I am so happy to have you in my life. You are as beautiful inside as you are outside. Thank you for also the gift of the future.... the future of many wonderful memories to come. I look forward to watching you and Brandon building your lives together. I love you! xoxo

To my younger son, Elliott... As I thanked Brandon, I also want to thank you, Elliott, for the gift of being a Mother. You and Brandon have taught me how much love there is in the heart of a Mother for her children. I am so blessed to have you and Brandon in my lives. Thank you, Elliott, for the gift of amazement. I will never forget the day you amazed Brandon, his friends, and I when you were just a small child, by writing your name on the sidewalk with chalk. This was before you were in pre-school. This would be the first of many times that you have amazed us. Thank you, Elliott, also for the gift of kindness. You are always so kind and positive about things in life. I have never heard you say a bad word about anyone. You always see the good in everyone. Happy are those who call you friend because you also give the gift of loyalty. You stand by your friends and family through good times and bad. You can be counted on, Elliott, which is also sharing another gift.....dependability. This is a trait that will be a real asset in the work place after you graduate from college. You, like Brandon, also have a good heart. You would never intentionally hurt anyone. I am so proud fo your good heart. This leads me to another gift. Both you and Brandon give me the gift of pride. I am sooooo proud of both of you! You both have become wonderful people with good hearts. I love you, Elliott! xoxo

Elliott and I at the University of Washington the year he began attending college there....

Christmas, 2010, at our home in Poulsbo, WA.....

To my beautiful step-daughter, Ashley..... I consider you a daughter, not a step-daughter, for it is the love in the heart that determines the connection and relationship.....not the title. Thank you, Ashley, for the gift of choice. Not being your birth mom, you chose to love me which makes that love very, very special to me. I am so blessed to have you in my life. You have so many gifts to give to others. Besides the gift of choice that you gave to me, you give the gift of listening. You always hear what others are saying and you listen with your heart as well as your ears. You also have shared the gift of wisdom. You have always loved reading and learning about new things. This, in combination with your gift of listening, is a winning combination because we all benefit from your gift of sharing. You enjoy sharing with others the many things you discover and learn. These gifts make you a natural teacher. Because of your gentle nature and loving heart, people love to learn for you. Thank you for all the many things you have shared with me. Thank you, also, for giving your Dad and I the gift of being a grandparent. Watching Brenna grow has been a joy to us. We are so proud of her and love her dearly. xoxo Here are some photos of Ashley and Brenna. This one was taken at a park in Seabeck, Washington, when they were visiting us a couple of years ago...

Brenna at a dahlia garden in Silverdale, Washington...
Ashley and Brenna at Playalinda Beach in Florida. This is the beach I went to when I was growing up.....

To my dearest husband, Mark..... Thank you for the gift of enduring love. We first met in Junior High School and dated in the 11th and 12th years of high school. After high school, we went our separate ways and came back together. You have known me for most of my life. You are truly the great love of my life. Thank you for the gift of family. You are my family. Thank you for the gift of memories. It is so nice to be married to someone who can share so many of life's memories with me. We grew in the same small beach town in Florida. I can talk to you about some little memory of a place or experience that I had growing up, and you can relate to and picture exactly what I am talking about. Because we have known each other so long, you also share many of my memories of my parents and siblings. I also share many of your memories of your own family. Thank you, Mark, for sharing the gift of service with others. You not only have served your country as a submariner for many years in your life but you have also served your friends and family. You love helping others and will be the first one to volunteer to do something to help someone else. This also leads me to the gift of dependability. When you tell someone that you will do something for them, you always deliver. You are always the one that I can count on. Thank you for the support you have given me.....the love and understanding that you never fail to show. Thank you for being there for me when my parents were ill and for being there during the darkest hours of my life after I lost them. As my Dad told you at the end of his life, "You are a good man." You also share with me, Mark, the gift of achievement. You are known for getting the job done no matter what task you are given. You make me proud everyday. After retiring from the Navy as a Chief Warrant Officer, you began another career. You began as an entry level employee with your company and today you are a manager sitting in as an acting Senior Manager. What an accomplishment! I am so proud of you. It is because of all the wonderful gifts that you give to others that you are where you are today. Obviously, others see what I do in you. Thank you, Mark, for the gift of companionship. I not only love and adore you, but you are my very best friend. I cannot imagine my life without you. You make everyday special for me.....just by having you in my life. Thank you, lastly, for the gift of a blessing. I am truly blessed because of you. Thank you so much for making not only my birthdays very special, but also for making each and every ordinary day a special one. I love you with all my heart. xoxo

Lastly, I would like to thank all my lifelong friends....those who knew me in school when I was young and have stuck with me through the years and are still my friends today, thank you for the gift of time. You have given me the gift of a friendship that has stood the test of time. You know who you are and I am soooooo blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for walking through life with me and for the gift of your friendship and love through the years. I love you! xoxo

Last but not least....To my girlfriend, Lori... Thank you for giving the gift of your heart. You, truly, are my sister of heart. We are so close that people even ask us if we are sisters from time to time. I guess what we share and feel in our hearts is obvious to others, too. Like true sisters, we are there for each other through all the good times and the bad. We rejoice in the good and cheer each other on, and we also console and lift each other up in the hard times. Thank you for always being there for me. Neither time nor distance can separate "the leopard ladies." I love you! xox
My post today is long but very meaningful to me. Thank you for stopping by to say hello to me on my birthday and for taking the time to read by blog. I wish you many happy birthdays in your own life, and I hope you have a wonderful day today. xoxo Kim

 

Our first snow of the season in Poulsbo

 

We have had a very mild winter in the Seattle area this year.   We have had many sunny days over the past few months and, at times this winter, our temperatures have made it to the low 50's.  It doesn't snow as much in the Seattle area as some places in the United States, but, in the past seven years I have lived here, we have had at least a couple of snowfalls by January.   Even though it is nice to have the milder temps and more sun, I have kind of missed seeing the snow this year.   So, when our local weather reporters were advising us that there was a front coming in and a very good chance of snowfall, I think many people were actually kind of looking forward to it.   Like my husband and I, many people were keeping their eye on the weather reports to see what the next day or two would bring.   After going to the store for a few grocery items, making sure my laundry was caught up,  checking my candle supply, etc., in case of power loss, we settled in and watched for the first snowflakes to fall.   Weather reports predicted snow would start falling in our area during the wee hours of the morning.   Sure enough, when we woke up, there was a blanket of white starting to form on the ground at our home and in the surrounding area.   It didn't take too long before snow was covering the ground.   Here is a view looking towards the waterfront and downtown Poulsbo from our home....

After a very mild start to the winter, our first snowfall of the year had arrived.  January, 2012...

Our upstairs balcony was covered with snow.

I love looking out the windows and seeing the soft white snow covering the area...

After enjoying our morning cup of coffee and gazing out the windows at the snow, my husband and I donned our warm jackets, scarves and gloves.  We walked out to the front porch to survey the winter wonderland...

Outside our home, a dusting of snow added character to everything in our yard.   Our fountain near the front porch....

Our steps from the porch down to the street were covered with snow.   We later shoveled off the snow for safety.   We wouldn't want anyone to slip and fall in case this iced over...

Looking down the street towards town and the waterfront...

As we stepped out to the back porch of our home, we saw my angel birdbath filling with snow as well as snow on my concrete bench...

To me, the snow adds a beautiful, almost magical, feeling to the decor in my yard...

All the plants had a dusting of snow...

This birdfeeder hangs in a spot outside my kitchen window.  I love to watch the different birds in our area come to feed there and listen to their songs.   The birdfeeder, too, was dusted with snow.   I have a windowbox for flowers underneath the window.  I love to fill this flowerbox with geraniums in the spring and summer.   Today, it is covered with white....

My husband and I bought a Toyota FJ Cruiser when they first came out.  I love our yellow cruiser!  I can spot our vehicle easily in any parking lot due to the color, it has been very dependable, it is comfortable, and.....due to the 4 wheel drive and the off-roading ability....is great for any snowfall.   Our little FJ can get through the snow and make it up any hill in our area....even when other vehicles are stranded and left on the side of the road due to the snow and ice.   Of course, you have to be careful and safe no matter what type of vehicle you drive.  After walking around the yard a bit, my husband and I decided to wash the snow off the FJ and head into town to take a look at the snow in the area.   When we built our home, my husband had a hot water faucet put on the outside of our home near our garage.  Nice for washing the car in the winter...


Once the snow was cleared from the FJ, we hopped in the car to explore the snowfall in the area...

We live about a five minute or so walk from downtown Poulsbo.  Most of the shops were closed due to the snowy conditions.  

The town clock...

More restaurants and shops....

A wreath still hanging in downtown dusted with snow...

The magnolia tree at a local restaurant we go to a lot, Sogno di Vino.   The tree is completely dusted with snow...

One of the cute buildings downtown Poulsbo...

You can see that the snow is continuing to fall at the Poulsbo Marina.  The trees in the background look hazy due to the snowfall.   There are some people who live on their boats.  They shovel off the snow on the docks to make a pathway for the owners to come and go from their boats.   Our sailboat, Skye, is moored at this marina.  You can see some ducks out in the water in this photo.

After driving to the marina, my husband and I drove down some of the streets to see how the homes were faring with the snow....

There are many historic homes in Poulsbo.   These homes face the waterfront....Liberty Bay.

I love these older homes.   They all have such personality...

The fence on this next home is an interesting design. The snow was accumulating on each section of the fence...

There is a small grassy park-like area that is across from the homes I shared with you.   This area looks out at Liberty Bay....

You can see a few sailboats anchored on Liberty Bay...

Many people were excited to see the first snowflakes begin to fall....especially the children.  Here are a few of the local kids with their sleds enjoying the afternoon....

Mora Iced Creamery in town.... Today would be a good day to make snow ice cream!

This home is very close to where my  husband and I live.  The lady who lives here really decorates for each holiday.  Today, we spotted snowmen in her bay window as we drove by....  

Trees in the area dusted with snow...

The evergreen trees in our area grow very tall...

After a short ride around town to survey the snow, we arrived back home...

I made this photo of my husband, Mark, on the front porch of our home.   He bought the cap he is wearing in Juneau, Alaska, when we travelled there on a cruise to Alaska from Seattle in 2008.   My husband, son and I went whale watching in Juneau and bought knit caps to wear on the boat.   This cap is very warm and great for a day like today...

My husband made this photo of me on our front porch.  We have had a very mild winter this year, and this is the first time I have worn my down jacket all winter.  It keeps me very cozy in the snow.   I bought this jacket at Hollister a year or so ago.   I loved it so much for the warmth that I also bought a khaki colored one when they went on sale.   If it is snowy and cold, you can bet I will have one of these jackets on...

Some of the neighbors walking up the street...

Our bench out front...

Lavender in my front yard covered in snowflakes...

The birdbath is now full of snow....

Time to shovel the front steps off...

Up on my upstairs balcony, the snow was starting to accumulate, too.....


My husband, Mark, decided it was time to shovel the balcony deck....

The snow brings out the child in all of us.   After a few shovels, my husband decided to build a snowman before cleaning off the deck...

My husband took off his cap to put on top of the snowman...

Then, he brought Sadie out so that I could make a few photos of them together....

Sadie looked up to watch the snowflakes fall...

After having a bit of fun building a snowman and making some photos to capture it forever in our memories, my husband proceded with the chore of taking the snow off the deck...

Excuse me, Mr. Snowman....

My husband had his jeans rolled up to keep the bottoms dry while he worked...

My holly plant on the upstairs balcony.....   You can see the red berries on the plant along with the snow.

As the afternoon drew on, it was time to take off the boots, coats, and scarves....

These are my North Face boots....perfect for a snowy day.   They have a waterproof bottom which is important.  They also have a design on the bottom of the shoe which stands out a bit from the bottom allowing stablity on snow and slippery surfaces.   These boots are not only functional, but I love the look of them.  They are like something you would wear to a ski lodge.

They are also super warm inside....

With the boots off, it was time to get cozy by the fire....

Time to enjoy a warm cup of tea, cocoa, or coffee and relax by the fire....

Time to appreciate the beauty of the season....

A snow day is a time to relax, knit, read, put in a movie or play a game.   Time to keep the fires burning and the pot of tea or coffee on...and to spend time with those you love...

while Mr. Snowman keeps watch on the snow outside....

I hope you have enjoyed sharing our first snowfall of the season.  Stay cozy and have a beautiful day! xoxo Kim

Baby Shower for our friends, Anita and Michael VanBerkom

Baby showers are such happy events!   Everyone is always so excited as the baby due date approaches.  It is a happy time of life for the expectant parents as they prepare for the birth of their much awaited and prepared for little bundle of joy.   Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a wonderful baby shower for Anita and Michael VanBerkom.....a very sweet couple and the son and daughter-in-love of our good friends and former neighbors, Gina and Mike VanBerkom.   I thought I would share a few photos for them today on my blog.  

The color theme of the shower was lavender which is one of Anita's favorite colors.  The shower was held at the home of Gina and Mike VanBerkom.   Gina's daughter, Katherine "Kat" Gardner, and Gina hosted the shower.   I have attended many get-togethers and parties at Gina and Mike's beautiful home, and they always do it up right.  Gina is a wonderful cook and hostess, and she has a knack for entertaining and making you feel so welcome.   Her daughter, Kat, has followed into her mother's footsteps and is a great hostess, too.   They both pay a lot of attention to details and create a wonderful gathering which is fun to attend.  

I thought this baby cake was just adorable and was delicious as well.  I understand that it was created by Sluys' Bakery in Poulsbo which has been featured on my blog in the past. 

There were also some wonderful mini cupcakes which were made by Bella Bella Cupcakes in Silverdale.

The cake and cupcakes were delicious and especially enjoyed by one sweet little one....Kat's adorable daughter, Jordan...

Here is a photo of our guest of honor, Anita, cutting her cake.  Anita looks beautiful and is due in the first week or two of February.  I know she cannot wait to see that precious little one.

Cute idea of hanging baby clothing and accessories on a clothesline....gifts to the couple and also is part of the decor of the party.

Anita and Michael are having a girl, and they have chosen a special name for their sweet one.....Haddie.   I love the way the name was incorporated into the decorations.  This would be great hanging in the nursery, too!

 

All the guests enjoyed some great food at the shower.  Here are some of the munchies they served...

I love the idea of putting the snacks in the martini glasses...

They served a nice non-alcoholic punch with fruit that also included cucumbers.  I loved the touch of cucumbers in the taste.  There was champagne that could be added to your glass if you liked.  Of course, I tried the champagne with mine which was delicious.  There was also soft drinks and wine for those who would like it as well as coffee. 

Everyone enjoyed some great conversation and food.   We also played a couple of games.  We had a tie on one game, and the tie breaker was guessing how many baby items were on the clothesline displayed in the foyer.  The display had been removed and put with Anita and Michael's baby gifts.   Michael joined Anita for the opening of the gifts, and we all had fun watching them unwrap little Haddie's presents.

Here is Michael with Anita...

Little Jordan crawled up in Anita's lap to watch the gifts being opened.  You can tell she loves her aunt and uncle...

We were so happy to see Michael taking part in the shower.   He is going to be a great Dad to little Haddie...
Anita and Michael opening my gifts...  (the gift you see in the box was not part of my baby gifts)

I had fun shopping for little Haddie.   I selected a pink outfit with ballet slippers on it, a pink receiving blanket with pink bows, and some socks that look like ballet slippers.  Baby shopping is fun!

Some of the guests attending the shower.   The gal with the cute beret on is our friend, Pam.  

Part of my gift was these cute little socks that resemble ballet slippers. 

More gifts...  Anita and Michael received many wonderful gifts.  These are just a few....

Babies need so many items.   It is so great that we have the tradition of baby showers to welcome new babies into the world.  Anita and Michael received some very nice gifts....each one an essential part of the new baby's daily life.

Of course, it is fun to make gifts for a new baby, too!   This baby blanket was made by one of the guests for baby Haddie.  It is in Anita's favorite color and features a cute sheep. 

This soft block set was adorable. 

Cute and warm hat perfect for the Northwest....

Great toy to explore for the baby....

Michael's Mother, Gina, crocheted this very beautiful baby blanket in lavender.....a special gift and a labor of love....

Beautiful....

This book was just adorable, and little Jordan was enjoying watching Michael display it.   This is one of those books where you put your fingers into a slot with fabric to make the figure move and come alive in the story.   Story time is such a big part of a little one's life.   It is a time to snuggle, read and have some good quality time together.   I remember reading to my two sons when they were young.  Both became early readers and learned so much just by reading to them.  I still have most of the books that I read to my children.  I will pass them on to them when they have children of their own.   Anita and neice, Jordan...    I love Jordan's sweater.

Children have such a natural curiosity.   Jordan was very interested in her Mom's camera.   Here is Jordan with her beautiful  Mother, Kat....

Opening more gifts...  The lady in the striped shirt is Anita's lovely Mother.   I enjoyed meeting Anita's Mother.   You can see the excitement in her face as she talks about the upcoming new family addition.  She, like Gina, is excited to be a grandmother again.  No matter how many grandchildren you may have, they are all precious and dear to your heart.  

Anita and her Mother...

Little Jordan is happily looking forward to having a little cousin to play with as they grow up.   I can't wait to see the two of them together and watch them grow.   You can tell Jordan thinks Anita will be a good Mommy.  She seems to really love her Aunt Anita.  Jordan has the most beautiful brown eyes like her gorgeous Mother, Kat.  Of course they all take after you, Grandma!   Here is a photo of Anita with 4 generations of women.   Including Anita's Mom, in the photos above, here are the women in Michael's life....  Michael's Mom (and my dear friend) Gina holding her first grandchild and Kat's daughter Jordan, Gina's Mom whom we all call "Grandma" (I lost my  own mom and dad in 2008 so I love to see Gina's sweet Mom), soon to be pretty new mom Anita who is pregnant with little Haddie Rose, and Katherine "Kat" who is Gina's daughter and Jordan's pretty Mom.   Four generations and lots of love coming little Haddie and Jordan's way. 

Everyone had a nice time at the shower on Sunday.   I was so happy to be a part of something so special in the lives of my dear friends.   It was great to see the happiness on the face of Anita and Michael as they prepare to welcome their first child into the world.   Anita is due to have their baby over the next couple of weeks or so.   My birthday is in the first part of February and Valentine's Day is February 14th....I am pulling for one of these two dates, ha!   But, anytime is a great time for a baby.   I am so happy for the entire family......a baby!  New beginning for a new life.....a life that will be filled with love and so many possibilities for wonderful things for little Haddie in the years ahead.   Congratulations on the quickly approaching birth of your little Haddie Rose!   Me with my friends at the shower, Pam (left) and Gina..... 

Congrats Anita and Michael.   Happy Baby!

Thank you for visiting my blog today and for sharing a special moment in the lives Anita and Michael.....and their family.   Wishing you a beautiful day.....today and always.  xoxo Kim

Appreciating the beauty around us....Seabeck, Washington

There is not a day that goes by since relocating to the Pacific Northwest that I don't have at least one moment that I think to myself...."How beautiful!"   I am so in love with...and appreciative of...the beauty of nature around me.

Most of my readers know that my husband, son and I relocated to the Seattle area from Florida just a few years ago.   I grew up in a small town near the beach.   One of the things I enjoyed doing in Florida was taking leisure drives along the Indian River, joining my Dad and family for a boat ride or fishing along the St. John's River.  These are all great memories for me.  Because I love the water, I believe that the transition for me to the Northwest was easier because of the fact that I still see so much water.   I have completely fallen in love with our area.... 

 

Sometimes, on the weekends, my husband and I will hop into his car and go for a long drive together.   I love to take my camera with me on these jaunts because you just never know what you are going to see.  

There are times when we head over to Gig Harbor or  Port Townsend located about a 45 minute or so ride away from where we live on Kitsap Penninsula.  We have our favorite restaurants wherever we go.  When we visit Port Townsend, we have lunch at a place I have featured on another posting called "Sirens." After  a nice lunch, we love to browse through the shops before heading home.  There are times, though, that we go for drives that are right in our own backyard, so to speak. 

Where we live, you do not have to go very far to find a pretty spot.  

The photos you have been viewing were taken in a little area called Seabeck, Washington.  The mountains you see are the Olympic Mountains.  Before relocating to Poulsbo, my husband and I lived a five minute drive from this location in Silverdale.  When we lived near Seabeck, my husband and I would sometimes bring a little lunch over to eat while we gazed out at the water and mountains.  I will never forget when I first visited our area and my husband took me to this spot.  The mountains seemed to almost come right out of the water.  I thought it was one of the prettiest views.   I still do...

I have photographed this view many times.   Each photo is different depending on the time of year, weather and lighting. 

The mountains, of course, look the prettiest on a very sunny and clear day.  These photos were made recently, in January, late in the afternoon near dusk.  As you can see, there is a lot of snow on the mountains at this time even though it has been a very mild winter for us this year.  As of the time of this posting, we have not had a snowfall yet.  Of course, it may be coming in the next couple of months.   We shall see...    The landscape here is quite a change for me from Florida.   Perhaps, that is why I have enjoyed living in the Northwest.   I love the green of the tall, tall fir trees.  They look like giant Christmas trees just waiting to be decorated...

I also love seeing the mountains in our area...the Olympics which we can see the tops of from our balcony at home in Poulsbo...or Mt. Ranier with the beautiful pink hue it gets at times.   The mountains look so majestic to me...

My husband snapped this upcoming photo of me standing next to the water.  There is a road next to the waterfront where I am standing with a long section where you can park to make photos and admire the view.  No matter when you pass by, there is always at least one or two cars parked on this stretch of highway admiring the view.  When the salmon are spawning, there are sooooo many eagles in this area.  My husband, Mark, and I have spotted many eagles standing in the spot I am photographing from over the past seven years.  There are always people stopping here to photograph the eagles.  Here I am by the waterfront...

Here is a photo of my husband, Mark, that I made on the day of this drive.   Lucky me.....handsome subject and beautiful background all at once...

The next photo was made just a minute down the road from the previous spot.....same view.....different place along the water.  You can see the beginnings of a new marina being put in when you look at the next photo.  My husband was saying that it would be great to sail our sailboat, "Skye" to this marina when it is finished and relax on our boat while taking in the view for the afternoon.  Hope this marina is ready by summer! :)  

After taking in the view here, we hopped back in the car and started to make our way back home.  On the way, we noticed how pretty Mt. Ranier looked......"pretty in pink."   We stopped at a view spot, and I made a few photos of the mountain...

Mt. Ranier is actually a volcano.  It has a summit elevation of 14,411 feet.   Mt. Ranier is located 54 miles Southeast of Seattle.  It is, along with the Seattle Space Needle, a famous landmark in our area.   Whenever I see the pink or light purple-ish color cast on the mountain, I immediately think of Jimi Hendrix..... "Purple Haze" comes into my mind.  Jimi Hendrix, as you probably know, was from the Seattle area.  He is actually buried in the city of Redmond, Washington.   I would like to go visit his grave there sometime.   Going to school in the 60's and early 70's, I grew up with his music like so many my age.  

We had just a little time left before dark, so we stopped by Dye's Inlet in Silverdale.   You could see a little of Mt. Ranier, too, from the waterfront here....

As the sun was setting at Dye's Inlet, the water was lapping on the shore.    Immediately, I thought of the waves at the beach where I grew up.   I love the gentle sound of waves.  There is something so soothing about the sound of water.   I love any sound of water which is why I love fountains so much.   I have a fountain at the front of my home and also one inside on the wall of my stairway.  I love the relaxing sound they make.

I love the beautiful pink skies we get in this area.    I have made so many beautiful sunset photos since moving to the Northwest. 


After making these photos, my husband and I returned to our car to head back home.   Such a nice drive on this day.   I love the beauty of nature.....flowers, sky, water, mountains, trees....  I think the older I get, the more I love and thank God for this gift He has given us.   I want to travel to different places in the future....inside and outside our great United States....and see other wonderful and scenic places.   There is so much to see out there in the world......sometimes, there is beauty just around the corner from where you live.  Take time out to look for it each day.   Hope you have enjoyed the photos and coming along with me on our afternoon drive.  


Have a beautiful day! xoxo Kim

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This posting is dedicated to my Dad, James Thompson, who loved the water so much and to Mt. Ranier Park Ranger, Margaret Anderson, who lost her life on January 1, 2012, protecting others and the mountain she loved.  Our hearts go out to her family.

Happy New Year from Seattle...

Today is January 1st, 2012..... Happy New Year!  I love January 1st!  It is the start of a new year and a new beginning for everyone.  Big reason to celebrate and toast all the many blessings we have in our lives....

How did you ring in the new year?  Perhaps you had a very quiet New Year's Eve at home with those you love.....or.....maybe you dressed up in your holiday best and painted the town.   I hope that you had a wonderful New Year's Eve celebration.  

Our family had a very quiet celebration this year.  My husband, son, and I enjoyed a dinner together at a local restaurant.  

After a delicious dinner with Elliott, my husband and I went to a local casino where we enjoyed some dancing.  How we love to dance!!! :) After a bit of moving to the beat, we were back home to enjoy a toast of champagne and watch the ball drop in New York City.  It is  so great to see Dick Clark's smiling face each year on his New Year's Eve celebration on tv.  Like many my age, I grew up watching Dick on American Bandstand and then on his Rocking New Year's Eve Celebration.  Even after some health issues, Dick still looks as youthful and wonderful as ever.  He will always be remembered as the oldest teenager in the world! :)   My son, Brandon, and his new bride, Amy, were actually in New York City this year celebrating New Year's Eve with friends.  They were not at Time Square on New Year's Eve.  They chose to celebrate the New Year at a large celebration with their closest friends.  As for us, we toasted our New Year from the comfort of our den with a glass of champagne and a kiss xoxo and watched the awesome fireworks display on television live from the Seattle Space Needle in Seattle.  I wanted to photograph some of the fireworks for you to see and, believe it or not, I got some great photos from the tv with my camera....

After the magnificent fireworks display, my husband and I gave each other the traditional Happy New Year's kiss.  I am so blessed to have my sweet husband to celebrate New Year's Eve with each year.   Thank you, Mark, for making all my holidays so special for the past 14 years....

As January 1st, 2012, draws to a close today, I am reflecting on my life.  Like many people today, I am thinking about what my New Year's resolutions will be.  My resolution list is long....continue to spend time with my family and those I love...go back to Yoga and to the gym to take off the extra pounds that I have put on during the holidays and get back in shape...(even though I don't regret a single holiday item that I enjoyed)...continue to learn to knit and take more classes...read more (already started a book which I will share in another post)...learn to speak French...continue to explore Washington State and discover new places I love...continue to journal and blog...organize and clean out some closets and our storage shed which is full of items we didn't know what to do with in our downsize....continue to paint and personalize our home...travel more to visit my family in Florida and Houston...take Sadie Mae for even more walks...get back into watercolor painting...and the list goes on and on!  Let me also appreciate all the beauty around me and give thanks to God for all the many blessings in my life.....my home, my family, my friends, my health and their's.....and let me never, never take any of this for granted.  Let me get up each day thinking...."Life is short...so, how do you want to spend your day?" 

What are some of your New Year resolutions?   Time is a gift.  Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog over the past year.  I am so honored that you take time out from your busy day to spend a little time with me.   Thank you so much!  I hope you have a fabulous 2012, and that it is filled with all the best life has to offer.  

From our home to you and your loved ones...... Have a very Happy New Year 2012! xoxo Kim

and Happy New Year to my dear Mom and Dad....we miss you!

One of our holiday traditions...Visiting the Reindeer

Traditions and rituals....What would our holidays be without them?  I think the tone in which we celebrate our Christmas holidays is set when we are young.  For instance, some families open their gifts on Christmas Eve and other families gather around the Christmas tree early Christmas Morning.  What we experience as a child, as far as family rituals, tends to stay with us.  So many of us repeat the things that we did as children with our parents with our own kids....whether it is going to Christmas Eve church service or Midnight Mass, baking Christmas cookies to give to friends, co-workers and neighbors, or driving through the neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights.  Whatever we did as a child becomes our idea of what a "normal" Christmas is.   There is no right or wrong ritual and each family has their own way of celebrating the holidays. 

The first Christmas (December, 2008) after my parents passed away felt very strange....not only were my parents gone...but, also, some of our holiday tradition.   I always travelled back to the little town in which I grew up in Florida to spend the holidays with my parents.   My own family and I missed very few Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations with my parents, my siblings and their families and my aunt.  Each year, Christmas was celebrated in the same house that I grew up in from the time I was four years old.  Suddenly, I had no parents and no family home to go back to.   I was very sad to be without my parents at Christmas that year, and I still miss them dearly....especially at Christmas.  But, I knew I had to make Christmas, 2008, a joyous time for my two sons, Brandon and Elliott, and for my husband and myself.  Suddenly, it was up to me to set the tone for the holidays and to somehow continue the Christmas traditions.   I knew that my Christmas would be different from this time forward.....but that the torch had been passed to me and that I would need to create some new traditions, too.  

I wanted to make the holidays fun for my family, so began searching out some holiday events in our area.   In my quest for things to do to celebrate the season, I discovered that a local plant nursery not too far from our home featured two beautiful reindeer each year.   On certain days, they would have a sleigh set up and the local community could visit the deer and have their photos made with them.  Like so many people, I love reindeer!  With our own camera in hand,  husband, my son, and I drove over to view the reindeer.  I fell in love with them!   We made several photos of these gorgeous creatures and, of course, HAD to have our photo made in the sleigh!  Since this first visit, we have returned every year at Christmas time to say hello to the reindeer and make photos.  One of our new traditions had been born!  

In 2008, we were living in a home next to a wooded area in Silverdale, Washington.  Each year, several beautiful deer would walk up to our home in the early morning or evening.  Many times, in winter, we would walk outside to see the footprints of deer in the snow next to our home.   Here is a photo I made one year of a deer's hoof-prints in the snow....

Even though we saw a lot of deer at our former home, none were as beautiful as the reindeer!  I would like to share with you some of the photos that my son, Elliott, and I made this year during our Christmas, 2011, visit to see the reindeer...

Just look how beautiful they are! 

You can see their green feeding trough next to them...

These deer have plenty of hay and a very large travel cage with lots of room to walk around....and also to jump!  We noticed one getting very excited and jumping up when feeding time came around.   I was told the reindeer are part of a big farm.  The man who owns the farm brings the animals in each year so that the community can enjoy them. 

While my son and I were making photos and admiring the reindeer, some local children also came by to pay them a visit.

Look at those antlers! 

This year, there was also a camel on display....

I made a few photos of my son, Elliott, in front of the camel...

The camel was very interested in us and tried to get a closer look...

The camel looks very "teddy bearish" when you see his face.

Of course, I had to have my photo made with camel, too...

I think this camel was posing for us in many of the photos :)

We were almost ready to leave when a nice lady inside the office of the nursery yelled out to us.   "Hurry, they are getting ready to start the snow fall inside!  Don't miss it!"   So, Elliott and I scurried inside the building to see what was going on.   Normally, they have a variety of things inside the building at the nursery.   They have holiday decor, a few gift food items, and plants.   But, this year, they had turned part of the building into a gingerbread house wonderland....

complete with falling snow!

Several parents had brought their children to see the reindeer, the camel and the falling snow.  The kids were really enjoying themselves and taking it all in....

Elliott and I took turns having our photos made with the displays.

 

Me and the giant toy soldiers....

There were several "flocked" Christmas trees displayed with ornaments which were for purchase...

Elliott and one of the bear displays...

After the fun of the snow and browsing, we selected a couple of Christmas ornaments for our tree and then walked back outside to say goodbye to the reindeer.   While we were inside watching the snow display, someone brought some food in for the reindeer. 

The reindeer were busy enjoying their dinner as we said goodbye...

Seeing the reindeer always makes me think of one of my favorite holiday movies... "Prancer."   Sam Elliott plays the Dad in the movie about a little girl who loves Christmas so much that she plays Christmas music all year long.  She finds a reindeer in the woods that she believes is Santa's reindeer, Prancer.  This little girl's spirit brings a town that has fallen to hardtimes back together and strengthens their hearts and spirits at Christmas.  Is the deer really Prancer?  Watch it and see!  Watching "Prancer" each year is another one of our traditions at Christmas time.  What special traditions do you and your family enjoy?  

Thanks for spending time with me today on my blog.  I hope you and your family are enjoying your holiday season!  New Year's Eve is fast approaching.   I hope you have a great day!  xoxo Kim

Merry Christmas 2011...Our Holiday Decor

Well, the big day is here!  Merry Christmas everyone!!!  Santa has been very busy overnight delivering gifts all around the world!  Christmas is a time of wonder for children....a time of joy and laughter.   I hope that you had a very special Christmas and that you spent your holiday with those that you love.   Of course, we cannot always be with our loved ones, but we hold them close to our hearts during the holiday season.  They are with us in spirit.

It is nice to have rituals to bring our loved ones into our home during the holidays even when they cannot physically be present.  I have photo ornaments of my parents that I hang on my tree each year.  I love seeing their faces on my tree...

I also have captured special moments in the lives of my family in the form of photo ornaments.  Each year, I make a new one.  I also love to give them as gifts to my children.

One of the things I inherited from my parents is this antique fireplace mantel.   I had it shipped from Florida when my parents passed away in 2008.   It travelled all the way from Florida to Washington State.  I have the mantel in my formal living room, and it is one of the first things you see when you open our front door.   I decorate it each year with some light up snow villages and place photos on the top of the mantel of the last Christmas I spent with my parents in Florida in 2007.   I also hang Christmas stockings on it that were hand-knitted by a lady who used to live next door to my parents when I was in high school.   Each one of us have a stocking with our names knitted into the top of the stocking.

My husband, Mark, and I  took six years of ballroom dance lessons when we lived in Florida. (Thank you Pat Inscore Laakso!) We love to dance!   Two of the snow village buildings feature dancing.  One is a studio and the other is a ballroom featuring dancers that move in a circular pattern on the dance floor.

Because we have a sailboat and love to spend time on our Catalina, "Skye," we also have a snow village house that pertains to boating...

Like most men, my husband loves cars and motorcycles.  We found this Harley Motorcycle snow village building one day in a little town called Gig Harbor not too far from where we live.

I love snow villages with their light up homes.  I especially love the homes that have moving parts....like the dancers that are on top of my ballroom dance building.

I also have some Peanut characters that are wireless and play various Christmas carols.  When I was a child, I loved the Charles Schultz Peanut comic strips.   You press a button on each of the characters, and each one plays music.  The great thing is that each character plays two songs on their instrument.  The other ones join in on each song.  I have Snoopy, Schroeder, Charlie Brown and Lucy....all four.  Each one plays two songs so you get a total of 8 songs in all.  We have enjoyed hearing them play this year.  I got them at the Hallmark Shop in case you are interested in them.

I found this large Santa in one of the shops near our home last year.  Santa stands by the fireplace mantel.  I have a little light post next to him. 

I fell in love with Santa's face...

In our dining room downstairs, we have the china cabinet that once belonged to my husband's Mother.   I love to decorate the top of the china cabinet with some Madame Alexander dolls that I have.  These dolls are part of a Christmas collection and have ballet outfits with ballet slippers...

Two light up packages surround one of the dolls...

I love needlepoint pillows and have a few Christmas themed ones that I have had for several years.

In our windows are electric wooden Norwegian candles.  Many of the quaint shops down the street from our home have these lights burning in their store windows all year long.  These lights really add a Norwegian touch to the neighborhood.  Some people keep the lights burning all the time in the windows of their homes.   My husband and I always burn ours. 

Our kitchen has a small Christmas tree on the countertop.   I fill it with ornaments pertaining to cooking and also have some Starbucks ornaments on it.....afterall, we live in Seattle area.  Gotta have your Starbucks ornament.

I have some ceramic pieces that I use each year in my home.  These dogs sit on an end table in my formal living room.   I think they have a very traditional English look about them.  I have used these pieces at Christmas time for several years.

I also have a ceramic Santa on another end table in my formal living room...

On the dining room table is a gold tray with a teaset that belonged to my husband's Mother, Sadie Jane Singer.   Next to the teaset is an old musical tin that plays holiday music when you wind it up.   We found the tin in an antique shop near our home.

The teaset is by Paragon.   I collect ornate Paragon teacups and saucers.

I have several family photos in gold frames on top of my petite grand piano which is in the formal living room.

We have a wrought iron banister that leads to our upstairs den and bedrooms across from the dining area.   I found this light up garland with holiday poinsettias and decor last year.  It is perfect for our banister.

 

Sadie Mae loves to relax at the top of the stairs and look out the window across the way in the living room.  This is one of her favorite spots in our home.  From here, she feels she can rule the world :)

I have a tiny tabletop tree in my landing near where Sadie likes to be.  I have a Maltese ornament on the small tree in Sadie Mae's honor.  You can also see another ornament (second photo) which is to represent my sister's dog, Mr. French.  We decided to make this our "tribute to our beloved pets" tree this year so you will see more pet ornaments next year.

My dining room Christmas tree oraments feature a bride and groom that I bought when Mark and I were first married 14 years ago...

The groom with the ring represents my son, Brandon's wedding to Amy...   I found this ornament last year after he proposed to Amy on a Peak to Peak Gondola in Whistler, Canada.

We also have a small tree on the bar upstairs near our den...

This small tree features some beer and wine ornaments. 

We do not smoke, but I couldn't resist this cute cuban cigar ornament.


Our main holiday tree is upstairs in our den area...

I have a lot of Christopher Radko ornaments on my tree.  I started collecting them years ago when I lived in Houston, Texas.  The nutcracker was one of my first ones...

The Cinderalla Carriage ornament is one of my favorites...
I also have some ornaments that my two sons made in school.  I hang them proudly with my other ornaments.  The handmade ones that my sons made when they were children are my very favorite ornaments and dear to my heart.   Another special ornament is a dough art Santa stocking ornament.  It was created by a little boy named Shane who used to live down the street from me when I lived in Houston in the  80's.  When Brandon was born in 1983, Shane made this Christmas stocking ornament just for Brandon when he was a baby.  He signed it on the back "To Brandon for your first Christmas 1983."  I hang this ornament on the tree each year. 

I have a few bubble lights on my tree as well as the white twinkle lights.  My son, Brandon, gave me the University of Florida ornament one year as a gift when he was a student at the college.

  
The next ornament is for Elliott's graduation from high school at Klahowya...

I don't have to tell you who this ornament is for....

I gave this bride and groom ornament to my parents one year for their anniversary gift.  Their anniversary date was December 22nd.  My parents were married two years before I was born.  My Dad was in the Airforce, and they did what a lot of young couples did in those days....they went to the Justice of the Peace.  My Mom wore a beautiful blue suit which I now have. Since my parents are gone, as you know, I now hang the ornaments on my Christmas tree.

There are also some antique ornaments on my tree.  I love how the center is indented in on the ornament.   Christopher Radko has recreated some of these old ornaments as part of his Shiny Brite collection.   I found two boxes of these wonderful Radko ornaments this year in a local store and added them to my collection of ornaments.   The next photo is of one of the antique ones.   You can see an icicle hanging on the tree near the ornament.  My husband, sons and I made these icicles from plexiglass when we lived in Florida a few years ago.  We had to put on very thick gloves to heat and twist the ornaments.   We have various lengths of them, and I love them all...

Sometimes, I buy ornaments to remember places we have been...

Or special childhood memories I have had.   My sister and I both had the Barbie doll in the early 60's that had the "bubble" hairdo and black and white bathing suit.  In those days, you had two choices....blonde or brunette, pony tail or "bubble do."   We didn't have Malibu Barbie, Holiday Barbie, or any of the many, many Barbie dolls that are available to little girls today.   Life was simple then :) for kids.  I sometimes think children today are given too many choices and are pulled in too many different directions.  That is an opinion by little old me....   Here is my Barbie ornament...

The King, Elvis, keeps Barbie company on my tree  :)

My tree topper is a Santa ornament by Christopher Radko...

I have a few of these light up bears on my tree each year.  My son, Brandon, loved these when he was little...

I have a few of the Hallmark animated snowmen under my Christmas tree to add a bit of fun and whimsy.  My friend, Sandy Gibson, has been collecting these for years and has them throughout her home at Christmas time.  It was so fun to go to her house and watch her displays that I decided to start collecting a few myself.  Hallmark has a new one each year.  They all have music and movement and are all different, but each one has the Snowman.  This year, the Snowman was with a little dog in a doghouse which lit up.  The little dog barks during the song and animation.  They are lots of fun...

Here is another one of my snowman decorations.   When played, the light at the top of the tree lights up at the end...

I have a light up Santa on a table that is not too from my main Christmas tree in the den area.  I have had this light up Santa for many years...

I love poinsettias at Christmas and have a pretty live poinsettia on my table in the upstairs den near the Christmas tree...

This Santa sits on my table in my dining room downstairs...

Last year, I created a photobook of special Christmas photos including the last Christmas that I spent with my parents.  I gave copies of this photobook away as gifts to my family.   I place the book out where I can enjoy it.  When I get a few moments and a cup of tea, I love to thumb through the pages and relive those memories.

Of course, to complete any holiday mood, you have to have your candles burning brightly.    I have two glass candle holders on my den coffee table.  I keep them there all year long and change out the filler.  I bought this current holiday filler at Pottery Barn.  I love how it looks in the cylinders.

My most meaningful holiday candle holder this year is this "Glassy Baby" votive candle holder that I had made and named "Christmas with Nana and Mr. T" in my parents' honor.  Glassy Baby candles burn brighter than any candle holder I have ever seen.  To quote the words of the famous Christmas carol, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, "You might even say it glows!"   I had these votive holders made this year and gave them to each of my family members to burn each year in my Mom and Dad's honor.

I will burn my candle throughout the year, too, and remember my Mom and Dad in a special way whenever I light it.  

Here is another Glassy Baby candle holder in a similar color.

One of my favorite holiday candle holders is this one that looks like a snowball.  Mark and I bought it the weekend we went to Port Townsend to celebrate our anniversary this year.   I found this at one of the newer boutiques there.   I want to get another one of these.   It is made out of a heavy crystalized substance.  Looks like a combination of snow and ice when it is lit.  I have it on my mantel in the den upstairs and love it.

You can see my little live holly Christmas tree out the window.  It is on my upstairs balcony.

Sadie Mae wearing a beautiful pink scarf Brandon and Amy gave her for Christmas.  They bought this in Hawaii for her on their honeymoon. 

Aww Sadie!  Your new scarf looks cute on you!  xoxo

I hope that you are having a wonderful time celebrating the holidays with your family, friends and pets.   This is the time to celebrate, cozy up and enjoy the company of others.   It is a time for fun, food, holiday traditions and giving.  It is the time to remember the true meaning of Christmas, too, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   Part of our holiday always includes going to midnight Mass.   I always love singing Christmas carols in Church during the holidays.   Thank you, God, for all the wonderful blessings that you have bestowed upon me during the past year.  I don't have my parents anymore to celebrate with during holidays but I have many, many blessings in my life to be thankful for.   I am sure you do, too!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today.  I want to take this time to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas from our home to yours.  Have a wonderful holiday!!!!  xoxo Kim

My Favorite things...."Joy the Baker" Blog and Podcast/Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

I hope that you are all having a great holiday season.   When we think of Christmas and New Years, our thoughts always turn to food.....particularly, baking. Baking Christmas cookies is a big part of many people's holiday list. As a surprise, my dear husband bought me a professional gas stove not too long ago. I had been eyeing a particular stove and he totally surprised me by buying it.

One of the goals I have for 2012 is to expand and improve my cooking skills.  Now that it is in print, I am bound to it! :)   I promise that in 2012 there will be some occasional food photos and recipes added to my blog along with the regular journal and photo entries.  Towards this goal, I have been searching online for some great food blogs to inspire me.

(The next photo is my kitchen Christmas tree.  It is filled with ornaments like my little blue willow teapot, gingerbread man, Santa chef, and various other ornaments including some from Starbucks.  Gotta include them...we are in the Seattle area, ya'll :)  I also have some photo ornaments on this tree that are special to me.  The photo in the frame was the last Christmas photo of our family together celebrating my parents' anniversary December 22, 2007.  Happy Anniversary to my parents...Today is December 22, 2011....Miss you both!)

Last night, I discovered a wonderful blog called, "Joy the Baker."   I love this blog so much that I wanted to share it with you on my own blog, Bluebirds and Butterflies.  I love her recipes and her cute personality and, obviously, so do a lot of other folks as she has been featured in several magazines and food lists recommending her blog.  I found Joy's delightful blog in a Forbes list of the top ten food blogs.   If you visit her blog and feel a connection, too, you might want to purchase her book which will be coming out in February.   I can't wait to own it myself.  To introduce those who have not discovered Joy and her blog, "Joy the Baker," I have linked to her blog.  If you visit her site and click on "Meet Joy," it will take you to her video which is so cute.... It features a song I have on my ipod and "love, love, love" and shows the sweet connection and love she has for her Dad who got her started with baking.   After viewing the video, I think you will fall in love with Joy and want to add her blog to your list of daily visits, too. 

There are many great food blogs out there and I will be recommending more.   I also want to add that I don't receive any money from Joy for recommending her blog or letting you know about her book.  I am just adding this posting to my list of "My Favorite Things."   Hope you enjoy the video....   Happy Baking! 

Today's posting is dedicated to my parents....Lil and James Thompson...who went to Heaven in 2008.  Today is their wedding anniversary.  The photo I mentioned above was taken on this day in 2007....the last anniversary they celebrated and our last Christmas together.  My Mother, Lil, was a wonderful cook.  Everyone lovingly called her kitchen, "Big Lil's Diner" which was always open.  This posting is dedicated to you and Dad, Mom.  Miss you both!  Happy Anniversary!!!  (link to Joy's blog follows...)

Click here to visit Joy's blog:  Joy the Baker   Thanks for visiting me and have a great day! xoxo Kim

 

 

Brandon and Amy's Wedding Rehearsal...Nov 4, 2011...

As many of you know, my son, Brandon, recently married on November 5, 2011, in Houston, Texas.   As I think about the many events in my life for 2011...Brandon and Amy's wedding certainly tops the list.  So, as the end of the year approaches and we near Christmas and New Year's.....I am reflecting upon the highlights of the past year, I wanted to share with you some of my special memories...   Amy and Brandon's big day was truly a storybook wedding.  Like all good stories, they have a beginning...so, we will start with a post on the wedding rehearsal...

We all met at the Church (November 4, 2011) where the wedding would be held on  and, shortly thereafter, the rehearsal began.  Brandon looked very handsome and happy as he watched his bride, Amy and her Father, Ziad Noshie, rehearse their walk down the aisle for the big day.  Brandon's longtime best friend, Aaron Ross, was the best man who stood beside him....

Brandon's groomsmen also included his brother, Elliott, his best friend, Mike Raley, cousin, Brett Henneke, and best friends, Aaron Benjamin, and T.J. Darilek.   A handsome line up of groomsmen.   Amy had selected some of her very close girlfriends to be her bridesmaids.  Amy lived in New York during some of her school years, and a few of her close girlfriends came from New York to be a part of her special day.  My husband and I enjoyed meeting her lovely girlfriends....all very sweet and beautiful.  Amy's neice, Blaire (second from right in photo) was Amy's Junior Bridesmaid and her sister, Alissa (far right) was Amy's Maid of Honor.   Alissa was married in 2011, as well, so the Noshie family was twice blessed this year...

All the lovely ladies, quite by chance, wore black to the rehearsal, and it really looked wonderful that they all were in the same color as they stood together in the sanctuary.

The wedding coordinator of the Church went through a few details of the service with the bridal party and, soon, the rehearsal began.  We didn't hear the readings or any of the actual service until the wedding day, of course.  Their wedding ceremony was very meaningful and full of love....a wonderful selection of readings, music, and reflections on love and marriage by the Deacon and Minister.

Amy's lovely Step-Mother, Lydia, and I sat together at the Church and enjoyed watching the rehearsal.  We could already see, we would definitely need to bring our hankies for the actual service the next day....November 5th, 2011.  We were already getting teary-eyed as we watched Amy and Brandon rehearse for their big day.  Our children hold such a big spot in our hearts.  Weddings are filled with many happy tears as the parents watch their children marry the one they love and begin their lives together. 

Amy's flower girl was a cute little girl named, Bella.   Her rehearsal dress was the same exact color as Amy's.  She was soooo adorable.  Here she is with the wedding coordinator (black and white striped shirt) practicing her walk down the aisle...

That is her grandfather sitting over on the right side of the church watching.  Amy and her Father are in the back of the church smiling and looking on....

Amy and her Father, Ziad Noshie, take their walk down the aisle for the first time.  Amy wore the most beautiful wedding gown ever on her wedding day! You will see her gorgeous gown on the wedding day posting which will be upcoming...   You can see the happiness and love on her Father's face as he escorts Amy on a practice walk down the aisle.  Amy is carrying a bouquet made from the bows from shower gifts....

Amy and her Father join Brandon and the wedding party in the front of the sanctuary...

Everyone was having fun at the rehearsal...weddings are a happy time!

Amy and her Dad embrace. A special moment between the two of them...

What God has joined together....

Amy and Brandon with (left) Maid of Honor (Amy's sister) Alissa and Junior Bridesmaid, Blaire and (right) Best Man, Aaron Ross, and Groomsman (Brandon's brother) Elliott...

Amy and Brandon look so happy as they practice the recession.  On the next night, they would be introducing them as husband and wife at this point...

Amy's sister, Alissa, and Brandon's best man and friend, Aaron, lead off the bridal attendant recession...

Next is Blaire (Amy's neice) and Elliott (Brandon's brother)...

Looking very handsome, Elliott....   Blaire is a cute gal, isn't she?

The rest of the wedding party followed...

Brandon's friend, Mike Raley, had broken his ankle in Colorado at the bachelor weekend.  (You will see this mentioned and his x-ray on the wedding rehearsal dinner video posting.) The guys had taken a trip to Colorado to go white water rafting and camping.  Mike twisted his ankle while hiking and thought it was just sprained.  But, unfortunately, it was broken.  He had surgery between the bachelor weekend and the wedding.  At this point, he was just able to walk on his ankle some and still had had some protection on the ankle for support.  I am happy to report that Mike's ankle is doing well and getting stronger each day...  The pretty bridesmaid with Mike is Amy's friend, Marissa Baker, who  lives in New York.  The next groomsman, Brett Henneke, is Brandon and Elliott's cousin.  Brett is escorting Amy's friend,  Mary Hall.   Mary is a sweet gal and lives in New York.

Amy's girlfriends were all very sweet and we enjoyed meeting them.  Some of her bridesmaids were from New York where Amy and her sister, Alissa, had lived at one time...  Brandon's next groomsman, Aaron Benjamin, is from Miami, Florida.  He and Brandon attended University of Florida (Go Gators!) at the same time, but UF is so large that they never met each other until they both here hired by Exxon-Mobil and moved to Houston.  Now, they are good friends.    Small world....     Aaron is escorting Amy's friend, Jen Waldren.   Jen is married and lives in Houston.

Amy's friend, Aimee Hirsch, and Brandon's longtime friend, T. J. Darilek, are next to take their walk.   Brandon and T. J. met when we lived in Houston and Brandon was in late elementary school.    T. J. and his family lived down the street from us in a beautiful neighborhood called Wortham Estates.   T.J. and Brandon have been friends ever since that time and reconnected when Brandon moved back to Houston from Florida after college. 

After the rehearsal at the Church, we all proceeded to the rehearsal dinner which my husband, Mark, and I hosted at one of my favorite restaurants in Houston.....Ruggles Grill.  

I used to love to have dinner at Ruggles when I lived in Houston.  The restaurant is located in an old historic home built in the 1920s and has been in existance for many years.  I first discovered Ruggles when I was working at a large legal firm in downtown Houston....about three years before Brandon was born.  Chef Bruce has owned and operated this restaurant for many years.   He has a wonderful menu, and the restaurant has kept the same cozy ambience throughout the years.   Why change something that works? :)   Many celebrities have dined at Ruggles.  Brandon and I had dinner one night there and had the pleasure of meeting basketball great, Clyde Drexler.  Ruggles has expanded with new restaurants but the original Ruggles is my favorite.  This is also where Brandon and Amy had their first date.....so, Ruggles was my top choice for the rehearsal dinner.   Thank you to Ruggles....Chef Bruce and the staff for making our rehearsal dinner just perfect!

I have always loved the room that we had the rehearsal dinner in.   There is a beautiful sky painted on the ceiling....

There is also whimsical figures on the ceiling as well.   This has always been my favorite room at Ruggles....

Gerbera Daisies are Amy's favorite flowers so I chose them as the centerpieces for the tables.  My Mother used to grow gerbera daisies in Florida.  I love them, too...

I sat at a long table next to my girlfriend, Lori Harrington Burke, who lives in Houston.  We have been friends for several years and became really close when we were both extras in the movie, Tin Cup, with Kevin Costner.  We spent two weeks or so together on the set at a golf course in Houston which really bonded our friendship.  Next to Lori, is my sister, Jeri Thompson Perry, whom I love dearly.  She came to the shower and the wedding from Florida.  I was so happy to have her there along with my neice, Jordan Hand.  Next to Jeri, is my cousin on my Dad's side, Holly Thompson Lowe.  I love her dearly, too, and was so thrilled that she travelled from Jacksonville, Florida, to Houston to share our special day...

 

Amy's Mother, Nancy, step-mother, Lydia, and Father, Ziad Noshie also joined us at our table for dinner.  We enjoyed chatting with them during the meal. Amy has such a wonderful family.  That is her Father on the right, followed by her Step-Mother and Mother.  

My neice, Jordan, and her roommate, Kayla, came from Dallas for the wedding.  Jordan (right) and Kayla attend college there in Dallas.  Jordan wants to go into film after graduation.  When Jordan is not attending class or studying, she spends her time as part of a ladies' roller derby team.

Amy, Brandon and the wedding party sat at a long table together.  Brandon's Dad and the best man's Dad, Rusty Ross, also joined them at the table.  Rusty is not in this photo as he was taking video of the event at the time.   That is Brandon, of course, waving and Amy beside him. 

Brandon and my girlfriend, Lori....

Brandon's Aunt Loretta and Uncle Dan (his Dad's brother) sat at the table with Amy's brother, Jeff, and his wife, Tammy, and their daughter, Blaire (Jr. Bride's Maid).   Loretta and Dan (seated on left) are Brandon's God Parents.  Loretta did one of the readings in the Church during the wedding service. 

As I mentioned earlier, Brandon's groomsman, Mike Raley, had broken his ankle on the bachelor weekend.  At the rehearsal dinner, Brandon presented Mike with an olympic medal he had made up for him.  It was done in fun and had a wheelchair on the medal.   He gave this to Mike for being such a good sport about being in the wedding with his leg support on.  For the groomsmen gifts, each of Brandon's wedding attendants received some beautiful cuff-links that Amy's Dad, Ziad, created.   Amy's Dad is a very talented jeweler.   As I mentioned in a previous blog, Amy's family has a wonderful jewelry store in Houston, Texas, in the University area called Almaza Jewelers.  Amy's Father has created many beautiful, award winning pieces.  I love everything in their store!  If you are ever in Houston, please stop by and visit Almaza Jewelers.  (I'll put a link at the end of my blog.)  Amy had a special jewelry gift for the Bridesmaids, too....a beautiful pearl necklace.

I had selected a special poem to read to Brandon and Amy at the rehearsal dinner.   I love to write my own poetry for milestones in the lives of my children or read one that I love...

Amy's Dad presented Amy and Brandon with a couple of beautiful jewelry pieces that he had lovingly created for them...

You can see the happiness Amy's Dad has on his face.  Parents love to give to their children.    Amy's sister, Alissa, shares the moment...

Hugs to the loving Dad...

And a hug from Brandon....

That is Alissa's husband, Aaron, on the left...
Amy and Brandon share some special moments with her family.  That is Elliott, Brandon's brother,  on the far left and Amy's step-mother, Lydia, on the far right...
Amy and Brandon looking happy and radiant...
Amy and Brandon....   Amy with the beautiful ring created for her by her sweet Father.   As I shared in an earlier posting, her Father worked with Brandon to also create Amy's gorgeous engagement and wedding rings.   Her Dad also created the wedding rings for Amy's sister, Alissa, when she married.  What a treasure.....to have wedding rings designed by your husband and made by your own Father! 
Brandon's handsome cuff-links created by Amy's Father...   Beautiful!

My girlfriend, Lori, looking gorgeous in her coat...

I love my cousin, Holly....   So happy she was able to join us from Florida for the rehearsal dinner wedding!

Chef Bruce who also is the owner of Ruggles Grill, came out to chat with us during the rehearsal dinner.  He loved the story of my long history with the restaurant....discovering Ruggles in my mid 20's when I was a legal secretary in Houston  and then, later, introducing Ruggles to my son.  Now, 30 or so years after I first fell in love with the restaurant, we are at Ruggles celebrating the wedding of Amy and Brandon with the rehearsal dinner!  Thank you, Chef Bruce and Ruggles, for making our night very special and for being a part of our lives for the past 30 years. I enjoyed meeting your family, Chef Bruce, too, on the night of the rehearsal dinner.  We hope to celebrate many more special events at Ruggles in the future....hmmmm----future baby shower in a few years maybe?  :)  
Our dinner at Ruggles was so delicious!  Everything was just perfect.  Brandon and I LOVE the veggie selections they serve with your main course at Ruggles.  It is a little sampling of many different delightful vegetables.  So good!

After dinner, there is always an amazing selection of tempting deserts.   I also love their cappuccino after a nice meal...

Thank you to Ruggles and also a special thank you to Brandon's best man, Aaron Ross, for your assistance in putting together a wonderful memory slide presentation which was played at the rehearsal.  (View this entire video/slide show set to music on a previous posting.) Also, thanks to Aaron's Father, Rusty Ross, for all the photos and videos that you took.  Our night would not have been as special without you!   Thank you to everyone who attended and helped to celebrate and toast Amy and Brandon.  It is wonderful to have family and friends to share in a special moment.   No moment is complete without those that you love.   Amy's beautiful Mother, Nancy, is sitting at our table on the far right...

After a wonderful evening of conversation, hugs, music, poetry, a wonderful slideshow filled with photos from Amy and Brandon's childhood and a video of the proposal and bachelorette/bachelor weekends, and toasts to the happy soon-to-be married couple, it was time to say goodbye for the night.  The next day, November 5th, 2011, would be the big day.....the wedding!  

We will always remember the fun rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner at Ruggles...   (link follows blog posting)

Thank you to my handsome husband, Mark, for hosting the wedding rehearsal dinner with me.  You have been such a great step-father to my two sons and a wonderful husband to me.  Thank you for the love and support you always grace us with.  By the way, my husband and I celebrated our own wedding anniversary just three days after Amy and Brandon's wedding.  Thanks for 14 wonderful years, Mark!   

I hope you have enjoyed sharing my memories of Amy and Brandon's wedding rehearsal and dinner that followed.  The next day would be the big day.....the wedding!   I will be sharing many photos of this beautiful day in an upcoming post.   Congratulations to Amy and Brandon!  We wish you a long and very happy life together!  We love you! xoxo

Thanks for visiting my blog, and I hope you have a beautiful day!  xoxo Kim

Here is the link to Almaza Jewelers...  Almaza Jewelers and the link to Ruggles Grill... Ruggles Grill

Hope you visit both these sites to read more information about two of my very favorite places in Houston!   Have a great day! xoxo

Amy and Brandon's rehearsal dinner memory slide show/video

Today, I completed the posting I have been working on which shares my photos and memories of the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner for my son Brandon and his new bride, Amy.  As many of you know, they were married on November 5, 2011, in Houston, Texas.  It was a very special time in the lives of Amy and Brandon and their families.   Certainly, a big day for me.   To start off my rehearsal posting, I would like to share the special slideshow/video with music that was played at our rehearsal dinner for Brandon and Amy.   The slideshow is full of photos from Amy and Brandon's childhood and also features video of the proposal on the gondola in Whistler, Canada.  You can also see photos and footage of the bachelor/bachelorette weekends.  Thank you to Aaron Ross, Brandon's best friend and best man in the wedding for assisting the family in putting together this beautiful and meaningful slideshow.  Aaron, you did a fabulous job, and we love you!    I hope you, my friends, enjoy watching this slideshow/video.   Thanks for visiting my blog and for sharing my memories.... xoxo   Click on the link to start the sideshow which takes about 10 minutes to watch.  The music you hear in the section that features Brandon and his band, Radio One, was written and performed by Radio One.  At the end is a tribute to the grandparents no longer with Amy and Brandon.  Hope you enjoy!  Here's the link:

Amy and Brandon's wedding rehearsal dinner video

Watching for Santa...

Holidays....a wonderful and busy time of year....a mixture of bliss and stress at times.  When finally, all the gifts are wrapped, items baked, cards written and received, gifts mailed out of town to those far away and all is ready for the big day.....you take time to survey it all, take it in, enjoy the beautiful holiday decor in the home and cozy up with a nice cup of tea, coffee, or favorite holiday beverage.  "Ahhhhh," you exclaim....."everything is beautiful, warm and cozy, and ready for Christmas morning."   Yes, Christmas can be a busy, hustle/bustle time......but, I LOVE it!  :)   At this time, I am not quite to the "ahhhhhh" part yet.  Today, I am wrapping the last gift for out of town and taking it to the UPS Office in our area for shipping.  I also still want to do some baking.  But, I am getting closer to the moment of "ahhhhh bliss!" HA   As I scurry around though each day, there is someone who is keeping an eye on things for me....

 
It is my sweet little Maltese.....Sadie Mae.  I recently relocated her little leopard pillow by the french door that goes out to our balcony upstairs.  She loves being out on the balcony but, as winter gets colder, we are not sitting out on the balcony as much.  So.....she is enjoying resting on her pillow that perches her up high enough to look out the window of the french door.  I am finding her here several times during the day just relaxing.  The other evening, she spotted Santa passing through our neighborhood waving to everyone from a firetruck.  We quickly went out on the balcony in the chilly air to take a peek and wave at Santa.  l

These photos are not that great because I had to hurry and run to grab my camera and snap, snap, snap....and Santa was moving!

The child in me had to yell down from the balcony as Santa was driving past....."We love you, Santa!!!!"   And, Santa heard me and turned and waved to me.   :)

I am busy, like so many, at this holiday shopping and giving time.  I am posting photos of Brandon and Amy's wedding in my spare time to share at some point, too.  It is nice to know, though, while I am out in the hustle/bustle of the season, that there is someone who is keeping an eye on things for me.   Little Sadie has one eye open as she rests on her pillow...... She is watching the house, enjoying the decor, and keeping one eye open for Santa.  

Don't worry, little Sadie......Santa will be here soon!

Hope everyone is enjoying the spirit of Christmas this year!  Love to you all... xoxo Kim