Redesign Time

March Madness

And I'm not talking Basketball here!  The OHHS Show Choir is taping "Thrill the Island".  It's their take on the beloved Michael Jackson video, Thriller.  Donned in their best and most creepy vombie attire, they hit the road last Saturday to tape at several Island locations. 

First stop, Deception Pass Bridge:

They all caused quite a ruckus and more than a few tourists were very confused as to what was going on here on Whidbey.

Second Stop, City Beach:

Next to downtown Coupeville (they taped downtown Oak Harbor the weekend before)

Coupville Dock takeover!

 There's my Girl, with the spiders!!

Creeping through Coupeville
The shop keepers and tourists in town were all very good sports as they creeped their way through town.  Out on the pier, the captain of the Victoria Clipper let the kids creep on to the ship.  Too cool!

FInal stop for the day, Fort Casey:

 Filming one of the scenes.
End of the day pep talk.

Some other great shots:

Great Job guys!!  Can't wait to see the whole project done.  From what I got to see, it should be pretty AWESOME!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!  Poor Mookie is home sick.  I just put the finishing touches on my Holiday decorating for today.  Decorated the house and dining room and finished everyones valentine goodies bags.  Can't wait for family to get home tonight for dinner.  I have amazing lasagne, garlic bread, and salad planned along with a six layer red velvet cake to finish up the evening.  YUM YUM!  Here are some pics of the decor:

On Sunday we went out to Deception Pass Park to hunt for Heart Rocks,  we only found one.  However we did get lots of great pictures and taught Alison how to skip rocks.

Many hugs and kisses today to all my family...love you guys!

 

Mid-Winter Recap

Spent the Christmas holidays visiting the Happiest Place on Earth...Disney World.

Amazingly wonderful time.  Nice warm weather and lots of family time together.  Sad to leave and can't wait to go back!!

In mid January we had two big surprises:  a new addition to the family and a huge snow storm!  We invited Alison, a foreign exchange student visiting from Germany, to join our family for the remainder of her stay in the US.  She moved in on a Monday and the snow came Monday night.  The kids had the entire week off to play in the snow...and play we did.

As our winter sports are winding down, all the kids are ramping up for play performances and athletics.  Ali is in 'Death by Chocholate' at the high school, Mookie is in 'Wish Upon a Star' at Whidbey Playhouse, and little man is getting ready for spring band concerts.  The girls are also getting ready for tennis(ali) and track(mookie). 

 Ali cheered sidelines at Coupeville High

 Mookie and the kids took Second Place at the State Cheerleading Championships in 3A division.  Congrats Cats!!

Until next time....Teresa 

 

Happy Saint Nicholas Day

Just sent out my Secret Santa package today.  Here's what I sent.

One Santa Baby apron..one of my favorites, a table runner, floating candles, gift tags, one of my felt christmas gnome ornaments, scone mix, butter cookies and some tea towels.  Hope she like everything.

We are moving along on our advent calendar: December 6th

 Made this from my vintage coke crate.  Made all the little boxes out of card stock and used printmaster to print all the numbers.  Kids are loving all the little treats at dinner (should have done this year ago!!)
 

I am preparing a wonderful dinner tonight with little Saint Nicholas gifts and stockings. I'll share pictures tomorrow.  Ordered photo cards today, send packages, addressed envelopes, picking up wreaths at 4:30, little wrapping to finish, almost time to pack.  Have a good one.

Teresa

It's Looking a lot like Christmas!!

I have been knee deep in glitter and glass and snowflakes and pine for the past four days...and loving it!  I just completed setting the house up for our Christmas holiday. Now I can sit back and enjoy it all.  Thanksgiving planning is already done and I am heading to the store today for the last few items for our amazing feast.  I have one more wreath to put together, freezer inventory to complete and windows to be washed.  My christmas letter is 3/4 of the way done and envelopes are ready to go. (thank you to the organizedchristmas.com for keeping me so organized this year).  Mookie and I are planning our Mom and Daughter Tea on the 3rd...soooo excited, tons of new goodies to bake and new recipes to try.  Then Dec 6th, we celebrate Saint Nicholas with a big family dinner, stocking, ornaments and new holiday pj's.  

To help inspire your holiday decorating, here are my pictures of this years creations:

Dining Theme: Reason for the Season - Red, gold, blue, classic

Simple and elegant, wanted the family to have a place to reflect and relax surrounded by our Advent wreath, lights, candles, vintage christmas cards with Mary and baby jesus.  We have dinner in here every night so it is a great place for us to gather and remember what Christmas is all about.

Porch Theme:  Polar Express - red and white, snowflakes, candies, toys,bears, glitter

It all started with this guy:

This is BearBear (actually BearBear number 3).  He is my son's childhood best friend.  BearBear number one has been everywhere with us; California, Mexico, Hawaii, Cape Cod, Florida, the beach, the store, and most importantly to bed everynight for many years with my son.  He inspired me to design this for our porch area.

 Good place for a family picture. :)




 We will have our Mom and Daughter Christmas tea out in the porch this year to enjoy all this loveliness!  When the snow comes, it will be even more awesome.

Family/sitting theme: Red, Aqua, Blue, Green, and Glitter

I guess we'll start with the tree!

Only put up one decorated tree this year, but I don't even miss the others with all the sparkling of glitter and glass.  My Santa wall is compiled from every year when Santa visits on Christmas eve after Mass.  Even now, the Kids insist that Santa (Daddy) stop by for a visit and pictures.  This has been a wonderful tradition and I tear up almost everytime I set up this wall.  The kiddies grow up so fast.  With only one tree, I had lots of extra ornaments to fill all my jars.  Yah..they won't have to be dusted this year.  I'm so happy with how the house turned out this year and so is the family.  Good luck with your home!  Now I can dig out the christmas music, movies and make some hot chocolate.

Teresa

Secret Santa Swap!!!

Just joined Shawnee's Secret Santa Swap.  I'm so excited.  I love to receive wonderful suprises inthe mail especially from the amazing crafters and sewers that are in this group.  Below is my Secret Santa Questionare::

 

1. What are your hobbies? Crafting, sewing, decorating, organizing, shopping and traveling.

2. What are your favorite colors? Aqua, blues, pink
3. Do you collect anything? I collect fabric, craft items,scrapbook materials and milk glass.
4. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? No
5. Do you have any pets? We have a chocolate lab(Lilly) and a kitty (Ginger).
6. Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate? All three, duh!
7. What do you like to read? I read magazines; Coastal Living, Paula, Shape, Vogue, All You, and decorating books.
8. Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet? Cookies with candies. (Paula's Monster Cookies).
9. What is your favorite holiday treat? Chocolate and peanut butter fudge.
10. Describe your favorite holiday tradition. Jesus cake Christmas morning (usually pineapple)
11. Did you believe in Santa as a child? Yes
12. When do you open presents? Christmas morning after cake and coffee.
13. Do you put up a tree and when?  If not, how do you celebrate? I put up several trees starting in November.  Usually by Thanksgiving I'm done decorating and sit back and enjoy the season.
14. Does your tree have a theme? Yes.  We have a family tree with ornaments the kids get every year and one's I got as a kids from my parents.   Our big tree goes with our house colors, Aqua, blue, white, red, green.  Lots of glitter and crystals.  We also do a tea tree with little tea pots, cup, saucers we've collected for our annual mom and daughter christmas tea.
15. What has been your favorite gift to give?  to receive? My favorite gift I give is usually something home made that has a special meaning to the person.  My favorite gifts are those unexpected one's..something I mentioned in passing the that hubby remembered or something the kids made.  I always cry when the kids give me cards.

Teresa