MEMORIES, DREAMS & REFLECTIONS 2011

artwork by Natasha 12.26.11

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY returns next week!!

Ashley @ RAMBLINGS & PHOTOS invited bloggers to participate in
MEMORIES, DREAMS & REFLECTIONS 2011.

For a full list of the twenty-five words in this project, click HERE!

"ME"
four-plus months in an air cast; 5 months on crutches &
3 months of physical therapy = WHEW!!!
greatest lesson = BE PRESENT! 
WATCH OUT FOR METAL GRATES IN THE SIDEWALK!

"I LOVE YOU"
two of my favorite people!
JPE (husband. father. grandpa)
& LYDIA (8th Birthday) @ Big Bear Lake

"STILL LAUGHING"
Lydia discovered a harmonica in the toy closet & 
spent three days perfecting her skills!
she entertained JPE during their kayak trip across
Big Bear Lake...

"WINTER WONDERLAND"
(12.26-30.11)
escaped the busy-ness of the holidays...
LOLA ventured into the melting snow!
NO NEW SNOW!

CELEBRATING MOM'S 80th "BIRTHDAY"
(May 3, 2011)

she's beautiful inside & outside!
(rare picture of ME! ha! ha!)

"SPRING FEVER"
first strawberries from JPE's garden!

"TRAVEL"
(7.30.11)
attended a wedding in Nevada City, CA ~ adorable small town

"SUMMER DAYS"
(6.27.11 - 7.2.11)
Big Bear Lake w/Mom, JPE, Lydia, TB & Peanut

jigsaw puzzles, walks, coffee on the deck, reading,
napping & crossword puzzles

"AUTUMN HARVEST"
LOVE weekly visits to Avila Barn

"LET'S DO IT AGAIN"
a birthday party included a portable waterslide!
the "BIG GUYS" enjoyed it as much as the kids...

"CELEBRATE!"
the kids made decorations for 4th of July

"ALL SMILES"
the birthday boy makes me SMILE!

"I MISS YOU!"
why do you have to live clear across the country from us?

"BEAUTIFUL"
spring flowers outside the Smithsonian Museums (Washington DC)

"DON'T EVER CHANGE"
(May 2011)
the "girls" (SLE & ACE)
flew to So California to celebrate Mom's 80th!

"DRESS UP"
Lydia's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" t-shirt is a teaser!

"HOLIDAYS"
guess which holiday is my favorite?

"A DAY IN (MY) LOLA'S LIFE"
(12.27.11)
Big Bear Lake was partially frozen
(see the EGRET standing on the ice?)
BUT, the chilly water didn't keep LOLA from exploring
NOR tip-toeing in the water to get a stick!

"MY FAVORITE MEMORY"
yesterday, JPE, Mom & I visited
the 25th Annual International Nativities Exhibition
at The Folk Tree in Pasadena
Don't you love the different nativities?

among my favorite memories?
spending time with JPE & my mom!
actually, ANY FAMILY-TIME makes me H-A-P-P-Y!

"JUST BECAUSE... SO THERE!"
this beaded skull was also on display at
The Folk Tree!
couldn't miss sharing it!

did you know the COLOR for 2012 is TANGERINE TANGO?

"HOPES & DREAMS FOR 2012"
physically healthy bodies
to make a trip to MACHU PICCHU
(July 2012)
to celebrate JPE's 60th birthday!

HaPpY NeW YeaR's!!!
I'll be checking out the other participants in
MEMORIES, DREAMS & REFLECTIONS 2011!!!
How will you spend the FIRST DAY of 2012???

CHRISTMAS MAGIC...

pic taken 12.1.11

:: the gifts are wrapped ::

(bagged & sorted for the location to be dropped)

:: suitcases lay open on the bedroom floor ::

(warm? or chilly? what clothes to pack?)

:: washer & dryer are whirling with activity ::

(dislike leaving dirty clothes in the hamper)

:: tidying up the refrigerator ::

(don't want any surprise fungi growing in our absence)

:: haven't made cookie dough... sinus infection! ::

(second day of antibiotics ~ should be feeling better soon!)

:: will see Lydia before she leaves for OHIO ::

(the holiday festivities begin tomorrow)

:: today = puttering & tidying up ::

(& an afternoon bubble bath)

:: TONIGHT ::

(spending time w/JPE & a good night's sleep)

:: NOTE TO MOM ::

did you read that I was NOT trying

to do everything on my LIST?

Tomorrow - on the road again!!!

How about you?

are you traveling for the holidays?

or do people come to your house?

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 12.18.11

Wooden Head Santa ~ all pics taken 12.18.11

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY.... this will be the last one for a week! If you want to start participating, check Ashley's blog (after 12.25.11) for next series of words... I've peeked at a few of this week's participating bloggers! there are some great photos ~ you can find everyone at Ramblings & Photos (Ashley's blog).


This week's scavenger hunt included: Children / Fur Babies Sleeping, Joy, What is it?, Window, & Half.

CHILDREN / FUR BABIES SLEEPING

Since I don't have children or pets (in my home), I took a picture of the manager scene in one of my holiday books, CHRISTMAS, by Robert Sabuda. I think Baby Jesus qualifies as a SLEEPING BABY! If you need a book for an artsy person, check out this book... pop-up books make COOL presents...

JOY

This holiday season brings me a lot of JOY! I love the traditional colors (the combination of red, green & white); the smells (of biscotti & cookies baking); the candles (to brighten & warm the house); getting reacquainted with my Santa collection (memories of holidays past); the gift giving (finding the perfect gift & wrapping paper); & spending time with family & friends (even when I'm exhausted). December is a JOY-ful month for me!!

WHAT IS IT?

This time of year is about sparkly, glittery things that make noise, isn't it? So, WHAT IS IT? Check out the next picture!!!

WINDOW

Looking out the guest room WINDOW, you'll see what our favorite tree looks like today. The leaves are falling... (this tree was featured in another scavenger hunt ~ click here). Don't you LOVE the adorable Christmas tree? adorned with jingle bells... leaning, but securely attached to a wheel gear tree base! it was to be a Christmas gift, but don't know if I can bear to part with it!??! You can see the detail of the tree in the WHAT IS IT? photo.

HALF

I posted late because JPE & I went to a matinee to see, My Week with Marilyn, starring Michelle Williams. Michelle gives an Oscar worthy performance (singing & dancing) as the sexy, notoriously sad actress, Marilyn Monroe! Don't believe the movie rating (3 out of 4 tickets)!!! This is a 4 ticket movie... Oh, here's HALF of the ticket stub... check out that price! A "perk" for being classified a "senior"... 


When we got back from the movie, lunch & our errands, I thought I would skip this week's SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY, but my camera called to me as I walked through the door at 3:30pm. Hope you enJOY my late entry?

CHRISTMAS IS...

pic taken 12.14.11 @ team party

What do you do?

we leave baked goods on our neighbors porch

(usually next to their morning paper)...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!

HaPpY BiRThdAy

to.... US!!!

My brother was born on my FIRST birthday!

I couldn't have asked for a better present.

birthday picture at 1 yr & 2 yrs...

cute (& young) parents

in front of my grandparents house...

our families

THANK YOU!

A TASTE OF LEMON...

:: A TASTE OF LEMON ::

Monday evening, I baked mini-bundt cakes for 

my girlfriends... 

I've been making this recipe for a dozen years!

(recipe courtesy of sister-in-law)

it's dense & quite tasty with a cup of coffee or tea!

LEMON LOAF

1 medium lemon

2 1/4 c flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 c sugar

3/4 c butter

3 eggs

3/4 c milk

1. PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees (F).

2. GRATE 1 TBSP lemon peel & SQUEEZE 4 1/2 tsp lemon juice; then set aside.

3. GREASE a 9"x5" loaf pan; or 4 mini-loaf pans. If you double the recipe, you will get 15 mini-bundt cakes.

4. In a large bowl, MIX flour, baking powder, salt & sugar with a fork. Use a pastry blender to CUT in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. STIR in grated lemon peel.

5. In a small bowl, BEAT eggs slightly & STIR in milk. MIX until flour mixture is moistened.

6. SPOON into greased pans. FILL loaf pans 3/4 full. If using mini-bundt pans, SPOON 1/2 c of batter into each section.

7. BAKE 9"x5" loaf for 65-70 minutes; mini-loaf pans for 45-50 minutes; mini-bundt cakes for 15-20 minutes.

8. COOL in pan on wire rack. REMOVE from pan.

filled TOO FULL!
removed two teaspoons of batter from each cake

LEMON GLAZE

8. In 1 qt sauce pan (medium heat), HEAT 4 1/2 tsp of lemon juice (see #2) + 2 TBSP of sugar to boiling.

9. COOK, STIRRING continuously (until slightly thickened) about 5 minutes.

10. With pastry brush, SPREAD sugar mixture over top of bread.

11. Can be served WARM or COOL... 

NOTE: If serving the next day, consider making more glaze & spoon it warm over slices of the LEMON bread 

(& add a few raspberries & a dollop of whipped cream).

glazed mini-bundt cake

The glaze is sticky, so I wrapped the bundt cakes

in waxed paper before dropping them

into a cellophane bag! 

added a bit of ribbon & mini-ornament.... 

VOILA...

cellophane bags ~ World Market

ribbon & mini-ornament ~ Michael's

platter ~ Target 

TASTY TREAT

for my "girlies!!"

We met at Ventana Grill, overlooking the Pacific Ocean...

knowing our group of ten like to talk

(sometime all at the same time), 

we asked to be seated where we wouldn't disturb anyone... 

our waiter (Dick) was exceptional, the food excellent 

& we played our "STEAL 'EM GIFT EXCHANGE"

 without being asked to leave the restaurant!!!

HOPE YOU ENJOY THE RECIPE!!!

SANTA HIS-STORY...

pic taken 12.10.11

I don't remember when I began my SANTA Collection ~ I don't think I intentionally thought about it?? until about the early 1990's. 


When I first married in 1971, our Christmas decorations were minimal & if the ornaments were purchased, it was from Pic n' Save (similar to the Dollar stores). Most garlands (remember popcorn & cranberries) & ornaments were handmade...


When the girls were little, I began tucking a new ornament in their stocking each year. All three of us (ACE, SLE & myself) have a SANTA tin filled with ornaments; each lovingly wrapped in pieces of tissue. ACE collects snowmen & penguins.... while SLE's ornaments are more eclectic.

Over the years, my SANTA collection has grown, so the small tree ornaments are stored in the SANTA tin!


the "large" SANTA's are wrapped in tissue & stored in flat boxes.


My "large" SANTA's are created from a variety of materials ~ some are soft sculture, a few are painted canvas, several are made from metal or wood --- ALL were selected for their unique features.

Lydia calls this "Scary SANTA" --- perhaps it WAS scary??  lucky for me! I purchased it after Christmas (Providence, RI). 

JPE bought "Glittery SANTA" to celebrate our first Christmas together. He's always on the look-out for a unique SANTA to add to my collection.


I'll share another episode in the "SANTA His-Story" series later this week... BUT, you may be wondering how I keep track of my SANTA's?? 


Look back up at the first blog picture: on the bottom (or backside, any discrete place), I put the date + name of the person who gave the SANTA as a gift; or where I purchased the SANTA.  For example: the ornament on the left was purchased in Big Bear this past summer; while the ornament on the right was a gift from Jackie (one of the girls in my Camp Fire group) in 1997... 


How do you keep track of your collections?

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 12.11.11

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY ~ 12.11.11

I confess ~ I'm addicted to SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY... have you given it a try? 

This week's words were somewhat "seasonal"... Less is More, Holiday Lights, Ornaments, Cup of Cheer, & Nativity. 

LESS IS MORE

Usually the fireplace mantle is covered with lights + greenery + the "Large Santas"... with JPE being gone the past week, I re-evaluated how much decorating I wanted to do... AND put away upon our return after holiday visiting... So, I went with LESS IS MORE this Christmas!

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Oops! the camera tilted as I was taking a picture... a glimpse of our Christmas tree with HOLIDAY LIGHTS!!

ORNAMENTS ~ SANTA collage

I collect Santa ORNAMENTS... here are a few (top left, clockwise) Red Tummy Santa, Big Bear Santa (gift from JPE), Three Thin Santas, Bearded Santa... previous Santa posts can be seen hErE, HeRE & hEre!

CUP OF CHEER

Ummm... it's anything hot! Nothing better than Cranberry Biscotti dipped in a warm CUP OF CHEER. Picked up JPE on Friday evening & he spent Saturday baking multiple batches of his delicious biscotti.

NATIVITY

This NATIVITY actually belongs to ACE... I found a box of decorations that she hasn't moved to her place! During their college years, I stored the bulk of the girls "seasonal items" which they would take back with them after Thanksgiving, each year. Some day, they will both have storage for ALL their childhood treasures, including their various boxes of Christmas decorations. My parents bought this handmade NATIVITY in Mexico, and passed it to ACE when they downsized to a condo. Should I wrap this up as a Christmas present for ACE, so it'll find its way home this year?

Already thinking ahead to next week's SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY... the words are: What is It? Children / Fur Babies Sleeping, Joy, Window, & Half.

THE HEAT'S ON...

decorations at work...

I've been out of the office quite a bit this week - facilitating & attending meetings, working on projects, and taking care of business. In my absence, the office had an "elf visit" that left his/her creative touches all over!

work project ~ certificate of appreciation
added the "scrapbook-y" look to the
"pitiful little grapes" that were to be the
original certificate of appreciation!

Oh! JPE landed at LAX... leaving to pick him up at his sister's (85 minutes south of us). Love that I didn't have to drive to LAX (4+ hours on a Friday afternoon = dismal!!)... 


FINAL NOTE: The heater's been repaired.... blown circuit board.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to US????