Christmas is Coming...

A sweet collection of Christmas trinkets & nostalgic pieces

my Mom has been collecting for years.

Christmastime has a special place in my heart. It's a combination of time with friends & family, decorating the house together with my sisters, music, cooking, etc. Traditions big and small that make up a warm & fuzzy feeling when I think of Christmas as a child. My sisters and I would all agree that our Mom & Dad really made the holidays magical. Now we feel it's up to us to make it special for them.

My job since I was five has been to set the table- I still enjoy getting out the nice dishes & glasses. Ribbon in as many places as I can put it...look out candles, here comes the ribbon!

My folks love their round table for entertaining, fun talks for hours and eating wonderful food! My mom wants ribbon everywhere- what mamma wants, mamma gets!

Me, sister Beth, sister Ann & our cuddly kitty Booboo.

Photo taken Christmas 1979

The hearth in our Christmas photo when we were kids...

The jar on the table are ornaments from the 20's, 30's, & 40's that my mom loves to collect. Some are from her parents and others found
at antique shops, gifts from friends & family, and a yard sale or two.

This garland we hang every year of our childhood ornaments. We don't have enough of them left to decorate an entire tree, but the garland is the perfect size to hang our little ice skating girl, stars, bows, and other special ornaments I remember when I was young.

The way we decorate my Mom & Dad's house for Christmas has remained a tradition year after year. We try and decorate in one evening while playing Wynonna Judd's Christmas CD over and over again to get us in the mood! Some things never change.

Are you all ready for Christmas?

Spook-tacular Ideas

We mean business when we go a pickin' for pumpkins!

to go from pumpkin patch to this is notime!

I love these faces!

It can get spooky at our house on halloween.

Spiders & Bats & Kids, OH MY!

black is the best basic when decorating for this holiday!

crows in the house? Of course! Add some spooky to the
usual decor to make it festive in October.

Got doughnuts?

This witch is fun & easy to make...neighborhood kids love her!

It ain't halloween until you've seen Elvis knockin' at your door!

Wedding Anniversary- The gift of LOVE

Happy 3rd Wedding Anniversary sweet love of mine! My hubby John and I are celebrating three fun-filled years married- today. John thought this was the year he gifts paper. In his dreams! This year it's one of my favorites- the 3rd anniversary is the gift of...LEATHER!!!

fabulous leather boots to be exact! Pretty please?

...or a stunning new handbag? Oh you shouldn't have!

This leather headboard would be a beautiful anniversary gift!

He knows me soooo well!

And for the man I adore...I would get him this comfy leather lounge chair!

Happy Anniversary!

Not London Fog...it's our London Blog!

LONDON 2010-

Shopkeepers will tell you it's not easy to take time off from work. For we three sisters, it's like building Big Ben to take a vacation together. But then we received a wedding invitation from our cousin Demetri, who has been living in London for 14 years. Several of our extended family members were going to make the trip and we wanted to celebrate this blessed event with everyone. Plus, we'd get to do some shopping too! Our wonderful team at our shops told us to go and enjoy. Thanks to all of them...off we go to jolly 'Ol London!

London is fantastic! But if you are trying to cross the street, be careful

and look BOTH ways to be safe! I learned that one the hard way!!!

It's like petting a cat backwards...

it's just strange & doesn't seem right

Cousin Demetri and his lovely bride, Fionuala on their wedding day!

They were the reason for our trip to London and my sisters and I

were so happy to witness such a wonderful wedding & reception-

Londoners know how to celebrate!

Typical Street in London. No SUV's here...wouldn't fit!

In a random little alley way, look in the background...

my sister Ann and I loved spotting this chandelier-

so stylish in a small space! Great look to dress up all that old brick!

In the middle of the street was this chair sitting pretty waiting

to be loaded into a truck for delivery.

When in London...you must go to Pimlico Road. The most charming interior

design shops in the area and this is where the locals buy.

Not crammed with tourists (like us!) and reeked of British style and class.

The shop is called HOWE.

They take the British flag and upholster it on a side chair.

A signature look for this well known designer.

An old chair just hanging around the shop.

Cousin Courtney relaxing at Harrod's on this

cute hearts-all-around chair. Loved it!

Our friend Christy Cricow told us when in London you must have high tea at the Orangery near Kennsington Palace. We all LOVED it and couldn't get over the delicious desserts! Cheers to you Christy, thank you! (with my pinkie high in the air!)

At the Orangery-love their stylish way of serving.

It's like a tea party everyday!

Sandwiches, scones, and a little meringue--I was is High Tea Heaven!

The Gardens at Kennsington Palace- ready for a nap after the treats

Sister Beth & cousin Molly pulled out their sunglasses when they discovered they

both bought the same pair at the airport. Designer brand? Doubt it...they couldn't get the upper corner label off that read, 'polarized'. They look cute, don't they?

Notting Hill townhouses. Where pastels work!

Niece Lindsey went to Cambridge for summer classes.

I could say that I went to Cambridge this summer too...

but it was for a beer and fish-n-chips!

Our new friend, guarding the gates at Buckingham Palace

my backyard...just kidding.

The gardens in Hyde Park.

Niece Lindsey & I went to see Billy Elliot! Such a great show!

It was windy that night and hot...

my hair & my feet were hurting in this pic.

Mailing the Queen back to Oregon- she'd love it here!

A special trip for us all! Do you have a favorite trip or place that you love? Would love to hear from you and get ideas to where we gals should go next!

Summertime Fun!

Summer is here! This is such a special time of year. Flowers are in bloom, kids are out of school, long weekends to play, and great memories of childhood come to mind. Enjoy those long days of summer because it goes by fast.

"Pass the corn on the cob please Uncle Mike..."

In the summer, I have lemonade everyday! It was my first job ever!

Drinks are more refreshing & food tastes better outdoors! Decorating outside is really like adding on to your house- like having a party where everyone's invited!

Dinner parties that are '...just because it's summer' are the best!

I have a few favorite recipes to share- great for hosting or going to a party.

- Aunt Diane & Aunt Beth's Whiskey Sours are a must on hot days or warm nights. Easy to make & gets a party going!

6 oz Lemonade

6 oz Whiskey

Ice

Water

Fill the blender in this order: lemonade, then ice 3/4 up to top, 6oz of whiskey and 1/2 to 3/4 cup water. Then blend away! Put a cherry in bottom of glass for color and top with a whiskey sour- Cheers!

My mom is one of five girls...VA VA VOOM!

Hoisin Chicken Burgers are a favorite in our house because young or old, everyone loves them and can make it all their own! My brother-in-law Scott makes 'em right.

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

1 clove of crushed garlic

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Mix all the above ingredients together in a ziploc baggie & plop chicken breasts in and marinade at least 4 hours or best overnight in the frig.

Onion Buns (buttered & toasted on the BBQ)

Coleslaw (to put on the onion bun for your crunch and flavor)

Hoisin Sauce (spread on the toasted onion bun for an added kick)

After the chicken breasts have been BBQ'd, cut them up in nice long slices to layer on the bun- then add your Hoisin sauce and coleslaw and there you have it, great Chicken Burgers! Enjoy!

so good for summer- slice the chicken instead of using a whole chicken breasts

Really my family is a ball of fun with loads of laughs- just not in this photo!

This candy bar is a hoot to have in the summer- reminds me of the State Fair. We have a lot of summer birthdays in our family so great party ideas to follow...

a nice dip in this pool after a long day at the office...