Wednesday, December 24, 2008

To Our Beloved California Family, Merry Christmas!











St. Andrews
The Plaza

The Via Navaho House


Malaga Cove Fountain







The General Store


I know this is a bit of an unothadox way to deliver a Christmas present, but hey . . . ")
I have been working on the photos and sketches since last summer. (This is why I had to steal your car so early in the AM when Mom and I came down Grandma! If you don't remember great! I did my job right.)Palos Verdes is such a special place with special people. I wanted to celebrate that. Mom will deliver the prints when she comes down in January.

Merry Christmas!!!
(You can double click on the images to see them at full size.)

















Sunday, December 21, 2008

Portland's Arctic Blast 2008

Saturday, Dec 20th, it snowed hard all day.


The freezing rain came Sunday. Church canceled. Sigh ....


Kevin puting his energy to good use.


Our back porch.



Dancing in the living room to keep warm.

Going a bit stir crazy after being out of school all week.






Friday, December 19, 2008

Pink Elephants Afoot!

This is the "sister" to the stuffed kitty my daughter and I made a little while ago.
The cousins will open them tonight. I can't wait!!
I got the gift of another snow day today. We have been out all week.
Everyone is a bit stir crazy, but it is such a gift to get to slow down this time of year.
We have made a majority of our gifts in our sun room, watching the snowfall next to a cozy fire. Nice to really focus on who we are making gifts for.
I love that.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Snow hits PDX - And a Christmas Kitty!












It is cozy! We are in by the fire working on Christmas gifts and relaxing. We got about 4 inches of white today! Our first snow hit early this AM. My oldest was the first to see the white stuff and jubilantly announce it, to the whole household, at the top of her lungs. (It was 6AM . . . uggg!) We lazed around doing some room cleaning and mandatory hot coca drinking. Then it was out to the sled for some snow fun with Dad. I was busy trying to make a dent in the Christmas present to do list. The kitty was requested by my 6 yr old niece. Born out of a fantastic fleece remnant. SOo soft and squishy. NExt is a pink elephant. Off to battle more fleece!

Monday, December 8, 2008



Rhondo Rolls

Dough:
· 4 cups flour
· 1 lb margarine/butter
· 2 cups sour cream
Cut butter into flour until fine. Mix in sour cream. Refrigerate until well chilled.
Divide dough into 4 parts. Roll each into a thin circle on a floured board. (Like a pie crust)
Sugar Mixture:
· 1 1/2 cups sugar
· 1 1/2 cups ground walnuts (6oz pkg)
· 2 tsp cinnamon
Spread 1/4 of the sugar mixture over each circle.
Cut each circle into 12 parts. Like a pizza.
Roll parts up from wide to skinny end. Pinch dough to close.
Glaze:
· 1 cup powdered sugar
· 1 TBSP + 1 tsp milk
· 1/2 tsp vanilla
Spread glaze over rolls and let harden.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet - 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Check after 15 minutes.
Rolls freeze well.
Great for Christmas Morning and gift giving!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Help Put a Smile on a Soldier!

This is a GREAT IDEA!

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take just one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these special people who have sacrificed so much would get. They will know how appreciated they are and hopefully get a smile or two out of the deal.

Please include the following:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Please pass it on! Thank you!!


Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Shhh . . A Christmas Present Lurks



I just finished this doll for Aly. She has a removable hair clip, choker and tutu that will also fit her American Girl doll. "Pinky" is a very squishy little moon faced girl, very hugable. She is also soon to star in her own original book that will follow her under the Christmas tree. Now I've got to go get busy and hide her before Aly gets home.
Shhhhh ......

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Stationary for Kids!











On my "cleaning out" quest yesterday, I found an old sheet of trifold stationary that I made as Christmas presents years ago.
I thought . . . fun! I'd like to try that again!
So walah! ")
This will definately be under the tree for my girls.




Monday, December 1, 2008

Old Friends

I was digging through boxes of old art stuff and found this quick study I did in high school.
I love rediscovering things!
My husband bemoans the fact that I am a pack rat. (Totally guilty.)
I did manage to throw out quite a bit, while revisiting boxes of old work and sketchbooks.
A major miracle!