too cute

this little guy is something else. i would try to hold him and he would cross his arms. what a stinker! you know what makes him happy....cell phones. he could be balling his eyes out, but just show him your cell phone and he snaps right out of it.

Seth watching his big brother tear into his stocking from Santa.

Merry Christmas 2012

We've spent the holidays so far with Merritt, Barbara, Dave and Pam last Sunday, yesterday with Christopher's dad and family in Chehalis and today with my family in Bonney Lake. This Saturday will be with Christopher's mom, Fred, Kelly and Steve in Wenatchee. 

Here's a little gift Victoria made for me. She calls it a stuffit. I call it a coin purse because it houses my laundry money. I love the feel of the wool and the triangles add a modern touch.

I love busy work....most of the time

if you ask christopher what makes sandy happy over the weekend, the answer would be sleeping in late and then being productive busy around the home. i like to even out busyness with relaxation.
my latest project has been reupholstering two chairs my sister gave me. even though i don't have room for them i won't toss or give away because i love the shape of the chairs so much.
it was hard work to strip the chairs down. whoever did the job before....well done on over stapling the hell out of them.
we started with this

and made it this far. still need to do the backing and nice up the wood.

we stripped both chairs and finished reupholstering the seats. just waiting until after the holidays to finish.

Hello Rudolph!

Got to see the reindeers at Watson's while I was looking for more succulents.

Quick Cards

Whipped up 2 cards using seam binding I had on hand that I misted with blue and green tattered angels chalkboard spray. I like the way it adds a little something to my very simple card. Both for coworkers that I needed quick.

Christmas Cards Check / Gift Making Check

I have been such a productive bee this December. I had my Christmas cards finished at the end of my vacation which was late Nov./early Dec. Then I moved onto making gifts for all those hard to shop for folks. If you can't guess, I've been making terrariums non-stop. It's become a bad addiction. The cool part is my home looks like a terrarium shop.

I found so many cool plant stores after coming home from Portland and visiting Artemisia. The first was the Palm Room then I stumbled upon Midnight Blossom. The finale was finding the Indoor Sun Shoppe. With those 3, I felt like I hit the jackpot. Whenever I need a fix I know where to go now (Fremont and Ballard). Another shop I like is Watsons Nursery, but they are located in Puyallup which is a lot farther than Swansons Nursery in Ballard.

9 + 1

On our trip back from Oregon, I dropped Christopher off in Tacoma to see his kids and I drove to Bonney Lake to see Skylar and Seth (and my mom, sister and donnie). I miss being able to visit them so easily when they lived in Magnolia and Issaquah.
They grow so fast I don't want to miss a thing. When I get the opportunity I want my 2 nephews to know that I love them so much.

Build a Terrarium

So I mentioned I am on a terrarium kick. Something about them makes me so smiley and happy. Well, Artemisia was dedicated to building terrariums. You could make one right then and there and call it good. I decided to buy the items I would need and build them after I got home from vacation.

I am so not a green thumb, but I haven't given up either. I try to keep plants alive, I do, but will admit I have drowned several succulents. It's that whole restraint from over watering that gets me.

I have faith my new terrariums will strive! Here are two that I made as soon as I unpacked and settled in.

Home from Vacation

After Thanksgiving in Wenatchee, Christopher and I had planned a trip to Portland to see his brother Patrick and for me to shop shop shop. I was a little worried because it sounded like Christopher was going to cut my shopping in half (you know how men are!) But alas, I made it to every store that was on my heart's desire.
We started at Home Goods, Portland Nursery (i am so into terrariums), Artemisia (i died and gone to heaven), ate breakfast at Pine State Biscuit, checked into our hotel and waited for Patrick to meet up with us.
Patrick was running late and I was so itching to get to the Pearl District. Thankfully Christopher needed a break from shopping so I snuck off to the Pearl District and shopped at West Elm, Anthropologie, Canoe and Cargo. I was one happy little camper!
I made it back to the hotel and the whole gang was there. Everybody was pretty open to dinner so I suggested Tasty -n-Sons or Por Que No? from reviews I got online. Christopher wanted Mexican so we headed to Por Que No?  It was funny but at every restaurant we ate at, you would order at the counter and wait to be served.
Por Que No? is one happening spot albeit it is small, but it was hella crowded! Thank goodness the food was delicious. I had a Carnitas and the Al Pastor. I am still thinking about them today, yum!

The next day we packed up and headed to Cannon Beach/Arch Cape. Oh the joy of it all, lol! I couldn't wait to hear the sound of the waves. Oh wait, yes I could. I desperately wanted to visit Manor up on 23rd Ave. (a very expensive decor store where I would ooh and ahh.)

We finally hit the road and arrived at Arch Cape around 4pm. Christopher had found a rental home online thru Vacasa Rentals and we had a righteous view of the ocean.

On Tuesday, we headed to Cannon Beach and thank you Jesus the weather was all that I prayed for. Dry, warm and sunny skies.

 (this photo above is actually the beach at arch cape)

We had such a pleasant trip, but it's good to be home!

Road Trip East

This Thanksgiving we went to Christopher's mom in Wenatchee.

We had a pleasant drive going thru Snoqualmie pass and made it to Wenatchee a little after 1pm. For the past 3 years I have been with Christopher, we have always gone to my Uncle Ron's home for a big Wiley gathering. Now that his mom has moved from Arizona to Washington it seemed fitting to have Thanksgiving with his family. 

We had a great visit with Fred, Aloma, Kelly, Steve and Freddie and a wonderfully cooked Thanksgiving meal. Luckily we got to take some turkey, pie and cake home too.

Here's a picture of Christopher's mom and sister. Aloma asked that I not post her photo, but seriously this is a gorgeous photo of them all. It would be a shame not to share the family love!

Christopher's sweatshirt says it all. Live united!

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving too!