A fun experiment...

Over at Chow.com they have a top ten list of non-traditional grilled cheese sandwiches...and I would love to spend ten days trying each one...I think I would be most looking forward to the Asian Pear and Gouda grilled cheese. I know, right?!

The topper gift...

Sometimes it's hard to know what the ultimate gift to give would be...other than a kidney. For me, the ultimate gift would be two weeks in Seychelles.Just book me a villa at the Lemuria resort...

And then let me enjoy these gorgeous beaches and water...

And I can soak up the ambiance and world famous cuisine!

It's a great big, beautiful tomorrow...

So - saw this picture of the this city of the future in Japan. I like that there are fireworks in the future - but Woody Woodpecker? Really? Does anyone know if Woody Woodpecker is really that big in Japan? Huh.

Simple and festive...

I know that it's so crazy to think that it's time to start planning for the Christmas - but dude, it is. I was at Michael's - and they have all kinds of cinnamon smelling goodness and so many different looks for making a festive home for the holidays...in searching around here are some things that I found pretty and that you could really use all year round:

This is such a cute, pre-lit tree that could go anywhere

See, the pattern on these lovely placemats looks like snowflakes, but could look like flowers or a design for the rest of the year!

I would love to build a centerpiece or Christmas display using these hurricane lamp...and they will be beautiful all year long!

Okay - maybe these berry sprays are pretty seasonal - but still lovely.

Baby, it's COLD outside...

Fall has come and dropped the temperature outside lower than my comfort zone. But that also means that it's time for a new look for the cold weather! Here's what I'm thinking...

A snazzy new pea coat - in RED!
A scarf to keep the neck warm...no fringe. Fringe is so out!

And these for my hands! Cashmere loveliness for me!!

I'm a WINNER!

This is such a great way to start the Holiday Season...which started today if you didn't know. I won one of the random giveaways over at Design Mom. I won the rental of a video projector for a whole week! Don't believe me? See for yourself!

Holy Frijoles!

This is Halloween! The Chipotle restaurant in Tigard was offering free burritos if you came in dressed as a burrito. All of them could have been offering this deal - or not, I don't know. So I went with some friends and we were all dressed as various types of burrito. It was very fun and funny to see so many people try to get their burrito on. Here I am as a burrito...I got compliments from several people at the Chipotle...it was pretty great.

A flour tortilla, lettuce, and cheese!

Guacamole on top!

It's finally over...

Seriously - baseball lasted for-EVER this year. I really do enjoy baseball - but come on! It took forever for this season to end. So, HOORAY for the Red Socks ending the misery.
According to my Mom, baseball players are really suspicious. At least that's what she said at dinner. Maybe it's their shifty eyes? Or all those hand signals? Or maybe she really meant superstitious. Funny.

Another openin', another show...

Stars of the show: (left to right) Andrew, Kenny, Connor, Peter.

Last night was the Webelos performance at the Pack meeting...and it was great.

The boys each played two characters and had to listen for their cues for their lines. They also chose their own "tag lines" and created their own costumes. Behind them in this picture is the model set that they designed and painted. My personal McGyver built the stage to house their backdrops and set wagons. It was a really cool deal - and they EACH earned their Showman Activity Badge! WOO HOO!

Take a look at the second half of their skit!

Mom's ramblings in the night...

So - Mom has trouble doing things after she's fallen asleep. She often doesn't remember...like last night she requested a toasted cheese sandwich - and ate it and then chatted with Dad and eventually fell asleep. And today she remembered nothing about it.

Tonight she could barely walk up the stairs - and then when Dad had taken her a drink, she yelled after him, "Don't forget Garren Murdoch!" I think she means Garrett Parker...but what!?

She's a sleepwalker...or something...

I've come full circle...

Of course, like many families, we all get new pajamas each Christmas. We also get a new set of towels. I don't think I get much say in what kind of towels I want - but I do think I can express my feelings about jammies. I no longer want a shirt and jammie pants. I want this super cute nightgown from L.L. Bean. I love the neck and and pleated front. It's the grown up version of smocking, which I also love. So let it be written, so let it be done.

Time to get started...

I'm sure you've all visited the 2007 Neiman-Marcus Christmas Book - and perhaps like me, you were a little disappointed. It was all either so over the top that you don't even dare dream that big - or so BLAH that no one would lower their "Wish List" bar that low.

So - now I begin my own wish list collection. Some things will be the way over the top and some will be legit wishes - but I promise you this: I would love any of the items I feature here...I'm just sayin'...none will be unwelcome.

My first wish is for this:

Let's be honest here: I really do need a new MacBook - but how better to go than to go gold?

We Be Loyal Showmen...

Over the last three weeks I've been working with the Pack 854 Webelos prepare for earning their Showman activity badge. The four boys in the Webelos I know from Primary...and this is a pretty spirited bunch of boys. On Sundays they are a zestful group to handle and I was nervous about how it would go, especially since we had to write and rehearse a skit together. But the boys were...AMAZING. So funny and open and willing and smart. I really was blown away by how much fun I had the first week. The second week was all about building our set model and holding dress rehearsals for the pack meeting. This week at 7:00 p.m. the curtain will go up on "Captain Blackbeard and the Seven Seas." I am so proud to have been part of it and hope that these boys have had as much fun as I have. Probably not.

Dear Diary...

I am dreaming of the smell of: plain cookies baking. Mom is the only person (other than my Grandma) who can make them...and man, do they smell good baking.

I am dreaming of the sound of: my brother's voice on Christmas Day. This week his letter was so great and had so many great little daily life details - I can't wait to hear more.

I am dreaming of the taste of: caramel apple cider from Starbucks. Nothing says Fall officially like having a cider...coupled with a few fun errands to run.

I am dreaming of the sight of: an empty laundry basket. Dagnabit - how hard is it to get ALL the laundry done?! Sheesh.

I am dreaming of the feel of: the meditation yoga mat. I really do love my meditation class - it's just that it's hard to leave class because I'm so relaxed. Even when the mats smell like the wrestlers who also use them...

Oh, and diary...

I am loving the smell of: a dry, Fall day in Oregon. Last week it was so rainy - and rain smells good, too, but the crisp leaves and the cool air is so lovely.

I am loving the sound of: "Girlfriend" on Guitar Hero II. It's been so fun to play and apparently get a little better. I'm rockin' out, man!

I am loving the taste of: Bolognese from a great little Italian place downtown. Oh, hold me!! Meat sauce and big noodles and delightful company. What could be better?

I am loving the sight of: those tables in the garage. If you know what I'm talking about - then you know why they are such a great sight! So much space - and so much easy access. Way to go, Dad!

I am loving the feel of: folded laundry being put away. It just feels so good to have laundry done

But, really, Diary -

I am missing the smell of: babies. I can still smell their sweet faces and hands. Oh, dear, do those babies smell good?

I am missing the sound of: laughter at Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The scene where Angela Lansbury finally makes inanimate objects come to life...she's got some special dance moves and those sandy trousers are running amok. But the squeals of laughter are what really make it.

I am missing the taste of: Irresistible Ribs. Because really - even if you wouldn't die for ribs - they make you want ribs...RIGHT NOW!

I am missing the sight of: Seth Malley trying to find a binky in crib in a pitch dark room - despite being legally blind...while at the same time trying to get his own chin...

I am missing the feel of: Penny's ears. They are so soft and expressive at the same time. I love her...and I love her ears.

Oh my mother...

Fighting with her wallet...

In her jammies - waiting for her birthday cake.

Just a typical morning...

See Jane sit in time out...

What's going on here?!

A New Game to play...

Boomshine is a new game that is really simple. You just click one ball - and then they expand when they come into contact with other floating balls. Of course, it's simple and mindless and my favorite part is the soundtrack. Go check it out.

My dad cracks me up...

This is where the party is!

He's just so happy...now get to work, mister!

The most specialist elf...

Service with a smile.

Glad you finally got to those windows!!

The Raccoon gets some ribs...awesome...

Wrasslin' with the muse of dance...

I lurve my dad

A ladies luncheon

On Wednesday, Mom and I went with Katie and Ian Maxwell to lunch at The Stratford House, a lovely tea room in Hillsboro, Oregon. We had such a great time! Of course, I always love lunching - but a catch up lunch is that much more fun - we get all kinds of news!!

Mom and Katie and Ian - having such fun

Oh the Hungarian Mushroom soup - de-lish. The only problem during the meal was the waitress brought me a hazelnut mocha and not what I actually ordered - a hazelnut hot chocolate. I couldn't figure out why my hot cho tasted burnt.

I finally coax a capturable smile from Ian!

Counting the days...

Noa Bembibre has designed a pretty cool calendar. I think this would be such a fun gift for word-loving, designy types.

Classic designs...

The good people over at Rosebud Designs have some pretty great postcards and other prints - but right now this is my favorite:

I don't know, but I like it...

Pass The Ball is a website that I found - that is just odd and hard to explain. I'm not sure why I like it but I do...please do enjoy.

Sleeping...

My Aunt Connie is the newest member of the CPAP club. I know a lot of people who use a CPAP machine when they sleep - and tonight is Connie's first night with her machine. I really hope it goes well - and that she won't suffocate!!

When it comes to sleeping - I am a pro. But, I am a sleep mask kind of gal. Right now I use one from Brookstone, that has built in speakers and a variety of soothing sounds to help you fall asleep. It also has a jack so you could listen to music or something just in your sleep mask and not disturb anyone else. I really like the mask - but it can't last forever. In preparation for the day that it dies, I've visited DreamEssentials.com and think I've found a good replacement:


The only thing is - I really like the pressure on my eyes - and as you can see this one makes room for your eyeballs. I'd have to test it for a while. Someday. I'll let you know what I think.

Bowling for the Awesome...

Tonight was a pre-season game of bowling for the Columbia Weather Systems bowling team. It was such fun!

My awesome bowling shoes

Trixie finds the perfect ball

Pierre makes it happen on the lane

Trixie is ready to pick up the spare

And Rita keeps bowling the strikes!

Pierre, Trixie, and Rita - the CWS Bowling All Stars!

And then after bowling, we went to Lowe's to buy some shelves for the office. And the power was out - and so they just took all the information down and let us take the shelves.

Jeff, and Mom and Dad get all the components in the Jeep...isn't everything more fun with a camera around?!

And then we were all hungry - so we went to Red Robin and apparently sang songs.

Fun NIGHT!

Think about it...