Happiness Is A Birthday Party

Is it true?  Has this little one turned 5?  Wasn't she once just a wee one born the day after Thanksgiving. 

November 2006

November 2011

The birthday party was a great success.  Our princess requested a jungle theme.  Auntie Cheryl had great fun shopping and planning for our celebration.  The weather cooperated with warmth and sunshine.  

Celebrating with big sister and Nahn Nahn

A beautiful jungle butterfly

The party planners - Auntie Cheryl and mom, Lissa

Cousins enjoying the party - Dad and Cheryl

Homage to Our Christmases in Maryland

We began buying White House Christmas ornaments in 1995 when we first moved to Maryland.  Along the way we also bought a retired ornament here and there for Jim's mother, Jean.  When Jean passed away, we inherited her ornaments and combined them with ours.  This year I bought a small tree to display them.  All together we have over 20 ornaments highlighting the White House and the metro D.C. area.  I'm thinking that I need a little bigger tree but for now, this will do. 

The Little Christmas Tree all lit up

A new brass ornament is available for purchase each year

All the ornaments are different and unique

They sparkle and look especially pretty with lights

A Thankful Gathering

The tradition has been handed over to Lissa and Jon.  They now cook the main part of the Thanksgiving meal and we gather at their home.  This year Lissa's mom, Linda joined us.  My contribution was Classic Green Bean Casserole.  You know the one with the French's Fried Onions.  I also made the Sorenson favorite potatoes, Secret Treasure Potatoes made with Instant Potatoes but absolutely loved by everyone.  And for the finale, I made my Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with the coconut/graham cracker crust. 

We were soon off to Jon and Lissa's across town to celebrate how much we have been blessed.  We are truly thankful this year for Jon's health and well-being.  Jim and I are so thankful to be able to live here in Alameda close to our precious family. 

Our very own domestic goddess.

Domestic Goddesses need helpers to make the gravy

Table beautifully set and ready

A little pre-dinner game of chess.

Jim, Violet, Makayla and Linda (TuTu)

Father and Son happy together

Place cards provided by Makayla

We all added leaves of thankfulness to Makayla's Thankful Tree

Smart Sewing

As the proud new owner of a Smart Phone, I knew it needed a special case for hanging out in my purse.  I felt confident I could put together exactly what I wanted and I did.......okay......The first one was a bit snug.  It is living a new life as a case for my reading glasses. So I had to make another phone cozy this evening.  With only a few "unsewing sessions", it was finished in record time.  I am really happy with it.  Now if I could just master all the new stuff on the Smart Phone....... I did send my first e-mail from my phone today.  I am on my way...... 

Fabrics cut.  Fusible fleece added.  Ready to sew.

Yea!  It fits nicely.

I like this stylish Kaffe Fasset fabric.

Tucked away and ready to go in the purse.

Halloween Happiness 2011

We had the most delightful weather for Halloween this year.....a real Indian summer kind of day and evening.  Of course, that has put us into the red zone for fire awareness but Thursday we're due for rain.  Wait long enough and the weather will change.  

 We had great fun with Jon's family for Halloween this year.  Auntie Cheryl (really Jon's cousin) came up to celebrate with us.  She made most of DGD#1's costume.  I think Princess Warrior is all the rage right now.  DGD#2 was darling as a mermaid.  The entire weekend was full of Halloween happiness....parties, parades, and pumpkin carvings and of course, Trick or Treating last night.  Pop Pop and Nahn Nahn hung out at the front porch handing out the candies while everyone else went door to door collecting their candies and goodies. 

Lady GaGa enjoying a little wine before the Trick or Treat walk.

Patiently waiting for the adults to take pictures

The Princess Warrior in her custom costume

The pensive mermaid ready to go

One of the results from the neighborhood pumpkin carving party

Pop Pop patiently waiting the arrival of Trick or Treaters.