~December So Far~

 Yes, indeed- this is exactly how December is making me feel!!

The advent garland was hung and filled December 1st . . .

And then ever so slowly the house was festooned . . .
in the livingroom, with a boxwood wreath, paper whites, wonky advent garland and sleeping kitty . . .

and in the kitchen, with more paper whites, and my brand new (early) birthday gift: this awesome shelf from World Market! Thank you, Grammie! :)

I bought this wooden village five or so years ago and bleached the bottle brush trees turning them from a bright emerald green to a more subdued green and golden-white. One of my favorite things!

The decorating continued off the kitchen to the basement entry. . .

Getting to go by this little house all lit up just gives me oodles of joy :) And I go up and down those basement stairs A LOT.

Also in the nook, hanging from my bird hook is one of my most treasured Christmas items- this stocking was my grandfather's from when he was a little boy . . . and then it was mine all the way through my childhood. It's grown so thin and threadbare that I chose not to use it for either of my boys, but instead I display it every year. It has little nursery rhyme scenes all stitched up with blue thread, tied with a red ribbon and some very old jingle bells. <LOVE> 
The snowflake was a gift from our Belgian friend. He knows I have a weakness for blue and white Wedgwood. ;)

And in the diningroom more Christmas abounds . . .

The picture below is the one and only I had time to take on the evening of our annual Caroling Party . . . we worked frantically non-stop all day long to get everything ready- but we think it turned out well despite the crazy. Lots of hot buttered rum does that. ;) 

Our tree was put in a corner by the hall . . .

I was really happy with how it turned out this year . . . we used 1,000 brand new white lights and only the white, silver, clear or gold ornaments in our collection. I say was happy because two days later and those lights suddenly stopped working. Yep- nothing but real life here.

Speaking of real life- there is way more than Christmas in our December . . . I've been kept on my toes with bad cats. . .

school concerts and events, lots of ebay orders (yay!) and lots of birthdays . . . so far my grandfather's- this feltie squirrel is for him...

and the Husband's- the Oldest made him breakfast and I baked him a cake . . .

and then next up is my own birthday and finally my brother-in-law's. So December so far is like every December . . . very, very full. :)
And it won't be too much longer until I can do this . . . !

Happy Holiday everyone!

~On the Porch~

Last weekend: I had fun getting the front porch all decked out for Fall- even though we were having summer-like temperatures. Pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, mums from the local garden center and a corn-husk-covered rope light to festoon the front door. Talk about a pain to make (literally- did you know dried corn husks are covered in little prickley things that stick all-over your skin? I know this intimately now!), but I love how it gives off a warm, inviting glow on these now dark evenings. :)

This weekend: Cooler temps, but I am sniffling and sneezing and generally feeling rotten due to a cold or some such thing. So not much getting done around here other than some feltie stitching and a few 'sit down' computer things in-between naps. Happily there's a Seahawks football game to enjoy tomorrow...

Have a lovely weekend!

~At the Patch~

Last Sunday the men and I braved the pushing-ninety-degrees-heat to uphold one of our very favorite family traditions- a trip to the pumpkin patch on Sauvie Island. Never, in the 14 years we've done this, has it been that miserable hot. What is it about the October sun that makes heat waves so much more uncomfortable than in July? Is it just because we know that it's suppose to be about 65 instead? Is it the lower angle of the sun? I'm not sure, but whatever it is, it makes pumpkin patch picking preposterous! (say that 5 times fast) ;)

The Husband found his right off.

And The Oldest wasn't far behind.

The Youngest took some time . . .

but he found just the right one in the end.

And after a quick pose by the corn maze . . .

it was caramel apple time. :)

I wouldn't have been surprised if they had melted before we could finish.

At this point we were pretty much dripping with sweat, so we decided to call it a day (or as it was, about 45 min) and headed back to the car.

I did poke my head into the barn on the way out and was rewarded by this mama on her brood . . .

and Sleeping Beauty below. Her name was Matilda. Doesn't she look happy as she's laying there dreaming? I think she has the sweetest face. I hate to think of what the future may hold for her, poor dear. 

And after that brief pause, we were in the car- windows rolled down and cool air blasting our faces.

The hottest- and shortest- visit we've ever made. Now I'm hoping our pumpkins will actually make it through the month!

~It's That Time of Year Again~

 We had our last cookout of the season . . .

and finalized everything needed for back to school . . .

And then today the backpacks went on and new shoes were tied . . .

The boys were marched outside for their annual torture picture taking . . .
The Youngest went for silly.

The Oldest went for the modeling look. "Hey Ladies, check out this action . . ."

And then, because I'm really cruel, they had to pose with each other.
Don't they look thrilled?

Ah . . . much better. I think.

And off they went . . . and I am dancing jigs around the house!! ;)

The Youngest started seventh grade today . . . and his brother is now a ninth grader. Yes indeed, high school is upon us! Trying to soak it all in . . . wondering where time went and HOW DID I GET THIS OLD?! I remember my own freshmen year like yesterday (actually, better than yesterday. I really can't recall yesterday too well). Crazy stuff . . .

I would normally be way more emotional than I am on this first day of school, but it's also that time of year for the germs- and they seem to have gotten to me extra early this September! So I'm way too tired fighting some bug to make any more of it than it is. And that's probably a good thing. 

So lots of this today . . .

And tea, too . . .

And then it's early to bed for this mama.
Here's to hoping this is all the illness it's gonna be this month!

Happy September!

~Elk Rock Garden~

Yesterday was a stormy, dark, spring day- thunder, hail and rain in torrents that ripped most of my rose blossoms from their stems. :(

So I'm looking back a bit to last Sunday, when the sun was warm and gentle and blossoms were opening everywhere you set your eyes.

Bliss.

Not only was the weather in the range of 'ideal' and 'perfect', but as it happened to be Mother's Day, it also ended up partly being spent in a garden: 

Specifically, Elk Rock Garden- 

an open-to-the-public garden tucked away on a hillside along the Willamette River in Portland. We had discovered it just last year and I had been longing to go back.

Last Sunday was my chance.

So go get comfy . . . perhaps grab your gardening journal to jot down some ideas, because this garden has all sorts of gems!

For instance-

This gorgeous canopy of wisteria holds a secret . . .

a bench tucked away inside! Complete with a moss and fern covered stone wall. And even three men willing to pose for my camera- proof positive that it was indeed Mother's Day. ;)

 I can't begin to describe how fragrant this little hideaway was . . . or how peaceful you feel tucked away in a refuge drenched with dangling blossoms.

This is your view just looking up!

For me, this is beauty. I see God here.

And that's just the beginning . . . there are pathways to explore. Some leading down; some stair-like winding up. There is so much to see!

 From above you find a commanding view of the main house.

And, another spot to pause and mark the moment. 

(Only on Mother's Day)

We meander on until we reach the Willamette below.

Everything looks so blue from up here.

Further in, you come upon a wooden bridge dress up with white wisteria. A lazy creek goes underneath. Fairytale stuff right here!

 We had to decide to either go across or go around. 

As I was already going around just to capture the bridge, we continued on and found the head of the creek and a bench to enjoy it on. Such a pretty spot and all overshadowed by a huge rhododendron in bloom.

Our bench view . . . yes, there seems to be a bit of a take-over by the vegetation, don't you think?

Upward and onward . . . we can't linger too long with antsy young men- even if it is Mother's Day.

As we went along, I paused as I could for some close ups . . .

I thought this bush was amazing- it has mottled pink and green leaves. Pink leaves! I was pretty impressed, but quickly found I was alone in my enthusiasm. 

It was apparent that the troops were barely hanging in there, so they hit some greenspace while I wandered on.

I loved this trellised area- talk about the perfect canopy to dine under! I would love to do this in my own garden.

Lush plantings in dappled sunlight.

 Stepping stones leading. . .

to sun sprayed trees- can you feel the magic?

I found this stone 'staircase' very appealing. Doesn't it just make you curious as to what's around the bend?

And in fact, it leads you right by this simple beauty. An old pipe, rocks and plenty of moss. Just add water and instant water feature. Okay, there's probably a pump somewhere in there, too. ;)

I hope you enjoyed reliving my Mother's Day Meandering with me. 
It really is a special place- full of serenity, and I've been just busting with inspiration for my own garden! . . . 

Now I need to go back in the summer and see what's blooming then!