December 31, 2011- Hiking Cape Lookout

We tackled the moderate to difficult hike down to a secluded beach. It was well worth the 2 miles down and back up again! We saw lots of mushrooms and even saw a banana slug!

December 30, 2011 - Well Stocked Up

Ready to ring in the New Year!

December 29, 2011 - Comfort Food

Comfort food comes in as many different forms as do people.
I suppose comfort foods even come in as many different forms as does an individual's moods.
For me, tonight's comfort food came in the form of a massive pot of chili.
Naturally, I used my dad's recipe.
There is nothing like a Papo sized pot of homemade chili
simmering on the stove
on a rainy winter night in Oregon.

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Location:Coho Ave NW,Salem,United States

December 28, 2011 - Brad's Birthday Continued

December 27, 2011 - Celebrating Life with Brad

There are a lot of ways to celebrate birthdays.
Some years we celebrate BIG!
Some years we celebrate small.
And sometimes small is best of all.

Here's to my oldest son,
Happy 28th Brad!

December 26, 2011 - Time with my girls

I love spending time with my kids.

Spending time with my girls usually means shopping. And even though I am not much of a shopper myself, we always have fun.
Today we had a quick outing and braved the Mall the day after Christmas. After that, we stopped off for some Thai food for lunch.
It was a good day.

I look forward to the day I can take all 6 of my girls shopping and then out for lunch.

December 25, 2011 - Christmas Surprise!

December 24, 2011 - Christmas Eve

December 23, 2011 - Rays of light

I had the pleasure of waking to the sound of the ocean this morning.

The sun's rays were struggling to shine through the fog & coastal clouds as I began my drive east towards home.

This afternoon I was scheduled for a volunteer shift at Silver Falls.
By time I headed up the mountain, the skies were blue and it had warmed to 50 degrees.

After 5 plus years, I still can't believe I live in such a beautiful part of the country.



Days like today make me feel as though I am on vacation.

December 22, 2011 - Waiting for Sunset

I am blessed to have escaped work early enough to arrive in Pacific City before sunset.



The light marine layer of clouds might prevent me from capturing an awesome sunset, but I am grateful none the less.

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Location:Cape Kiwanda Dr,Cloverdale,United States

December 21, 2011 - Fire Hydrants

My latest book arrived today!

December 20, 2011 - Keep on Keepin On

Some days you just have to get outside and enjoy the fresh air regardless of the season.













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December 19, 2011 - Red Wine

A little cheese with my wine is 'just what the doctor' ordered.

December 18, 2011 - Holiday Baking Day

Today was a day for Holiday baking with 4 of my daughters.
We made several batches of rice crispy treats, sugar cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, and finished up with 2 batches of hard candy suckers, 1 cherry & 1 cinnamon.


We were able to visit with the 2 absent girls by phone & Skype.
It was a day filled with laughter and lots of fun.

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Location:Coho Ave NW,Salem,United States

December 17, 2011 - Lola Prosecco

Starting the day with a smile.

December 16, 2011 - Me & my 4 little kids

My 4 little kids aren't so little any more.
Time goes by entirely too fast.

December 15, 2011 - Just once a year...

Once a year I get all dressed up.  It's usually for my husband's office Christmas Party.
Sometimes I go formal, sometimes just dressy.

This year it was formal including rhinestones.  A huge thank you to my sister for loaning me the perfect earrings.

The kids are always quite surprised to see me in a dress, especially a long one.  So naturally I had to make them take pictures with me.

I'll have to add those pictures later.

December 14, 2011 - Chickens & Christmas Decor

Today our sister shopping excursion led us to a nursery in east Portland.
I love this place any time of year.


The seasonal decorations were wonderful and I was delighted to see the resident chickens beneath the flocked trees.


It was a fun & festive day!


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Location:Coho Ave NW,Salem,United States

December 13, 2011 - left red pinky fingernail

About 15 months ago I began painting my left fingernail red.
At the time It was my reminder to pray for my dad.
Now my dad has passed, but as I paint my nails tonight ( which I seldom do ) I can't seem
To make them all match.

Here's to you daddy!


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Location:Coho Ave NW,Salem,United States

December 12, 2011 - Sunset at Pacific City

December 11, 2011 - Christmas lights

We completed the Christmas decorations both inside and out this weekend. Things are feeling more festive.






















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Location:Coho Ave NW,Salem,United States

December 10, 2011 - Christmas Ornament

This is simply one of my favorite things.


I remember where I first saw it and how it seemed to call at me.
I don't often buy myself things,
And I not generally an impulse buyer.
But I made an exception for this Christmas ornament, and 9 years later, I am glad I did.

Location:Coho Ave NW,Salem,United States

December 9, 2011 - Sunset at Silver Falls

Today was a volunteer day at Silver Falls. While my driving myself to my volunteer shift up and down the mountain made for a lot photo ops, I finally settled on a quick snap of the day...
A sunset
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Location:Coho Ave NW,Salem,United States

December 8, 2011 - Sunrise from Chapman Hill

Some people like to make time to 'stop and smell the roses'.
I am learning to make time to stop and capture the light before its gone.


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Location:Daisy Ln NW,Salem,United States

December 7, 2011 - Lighting the Christmas Tree

This afternoon we picked out our Christmas tree. It's become an Advent tradition for us since moving to Oregon.
(We still have our artificial tree that we bought when living in Nebraska, but more for sentimental reasons than any thing else.)
Laura took the time to light the tree tonight. Perhaps tomorrow we will make time for decorating.

December 6, 2011 - Back in Oregon

It is always a long travel day when we fly in and out of Denver to get to the middle of Nebraska, but our trip went well. The roads were clear (in spite of recent snow) the flight was on time, and we made it home safe & sound.

While I am already missing love ones left behind, I am happy to be home.
Hooray for sleeping in my own bed.

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Location:Coho Ave NW,Salem,United States

December 5, 2011 - Last night in Kearney

Reading bedtime stories to the boys on our last night in Kearney brings mixed emotions. But they're filled with giggles and hugs!

December 4, 2011 - family & friends

December 3, 2011 - Christmas Suckers

After a great Breakfast with Santa
and watching the boys strap on ice skates for the first time, We spent the better part of the day making hard candy Christmas suckers.
I inherited the sucker molds from my mom with the instructions that I was to make suckers for the rest of my siblings and their families each year.
Being back in Nebraska with my oldest, Melissa, gave me a rare opportunity to share the family tradition with her and the boys, aka Chaos & Destruction.


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Location:W 38th St,Kearney,United States