Weekend on the Mountain

I spent Saturday at Timberline with my wonderful husband and dad. It was so beautiful to be in the snow and enjoy a day of exhilaration.  After half a day of snowboarding and a big warm meal in the lodge I had no intention of putting all my gear back on and going back out in the 15 degree weather.  While my dad and husband hit the slopes after lunch I found an over sized chair by the fire and hunkered down with my book and a cider.  I spent the last couple hours of the day warm, cozy, reading, people watching and sipping on a hot drink with a view to die for out the window.  What more could a girl ask for?

I am so thankful for...
A Snowy View
An Athletic Outing
People Watching
Hot Drinks
My Kindle
A Warm Fire
The Saint Bernards at Timberline
The Warn Our Feeling After a Hard Days Work
When Strangers Don't Mind Asking Questions
My Sorrels
Bright Snowboard Clothes
Spending the Day with My Dad and Husband

xoxo
K

Ode to Breakfast

One of the things I love most about the weekend is....BREAKFAST. There's nothing quite like taking your sweet time in the morning to mosey on over to a little breakfast spot.  This beloved meal, my personal favorite, is always tasty, reliable, and relaxing. Sitting and enjoying breakfast is something I am truly grateful for.


Breakfast my love...
-You can recognize all the options on the menu, 
no need for clarifications from your waiter.
-restaurant coffee                   
-Mimosas or Bloody Mary's
-good company 
-small vases of flowers on the table
-omelettes
-beautiful pastries
-brunch
-toast: sourdough, wheat, rye, etc.
-No need to bother with the dessert menu...just order waffles with strawberries if you have a sweet tooth
-Coffee refill...they keep it coming!
-If you are on a budget, breakfast never breaks the bank.
-hashbrowns (are they going to be the long skinny crisp potatoes, or seasoned squares of heaven??)
-Jam on the table and the search for the best flavor.
-A great start to the day!                                                  
  
     Breakfast, sweet breakfast, thank you for your predictability wherever I go. I know I will find the basics (eggs, toast, pancakes, bacon, etc.). Thanks for the bottomless coffee refill.  Breakfast, sweet breakfast, thanks for starting my day of right.


xo Mmmmm

S-L-O-W down for SNOW

As I sit in my pajamas on this lovely Thursday morning I feel like I am inside a snowglobe. Outside is covered in snow! Ahhhh... snow. 


If you are able to stay in on these white winter wonderland days, you get the chance to s-l-o-w down. The snow limits my choices of what to do or where to go, which is SO freeing. Here are my thoughts for the day.


Possible "to do's" (Which I am grateful for!)
-Laundry...clean fresh laundry
-Work on the iphoto book I have been wanting to make
-Organize my closet and get rid of clutter!
-Write a letter to my sister
-Actually SIT and enjoy my cup of coffee. 
-Maybe enjoy another cup. :)
-Exercise (indoors of course)
-Call/text friends and see what the snow is like where they live.
-Fill out my calendar for the next month
-Finish the book I am reading. 
-Go on a walk and enjoy the snow!


What will the SNOW have in store for you today?
xo M

Snow...

Oh how lucky I am to have the kind of job where I get to be excited about the possibility of a snow day... and count me all the luckier (uh-huh, luckier...) that I get to see the excitement of snow through the eyes of 23 six and seven year olds. Today at school we had flurries flying throughout the day and I giggled to myself each time I heard one of the littles share about how they were going to spend their snow day... I wish I could say that I remember when I used to get so excited, only it's not a memory thing, because I still get that excited. I love the snow! I love being cozy in my little house with blankets upon blanket, tea and a great book. I love that I crave using my crock-pot when the thought of snow hits. I love that our news covers these snow storms like it is the biggest news to hit the northwest since... well who knows when! AND, I don't even mind if it doesn't end up snowing, just the excitement of it all and the buzz that surrounds a storm to be is great!


So, in the hopes that we will have an Arctic Blast 2011 I leave you with the words of the great Bing Crosby...




Snow
It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow
Snow
I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow

Snow
I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow

Where it's snowing 
All winter through
That's where I want to be
Snowball throwing
That's what I'll do
How I'm longing to ski
Through the snow-oh-oh-oh-oh

Those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow

What is Christmas with no snow
No white Christmas with no snow
Snow

I'll soon be there with snow
I'll wash my hair with snow
And with a spade of snow
I'll build a man that's made of snow
I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shuteye
Go to sleep 
And dream 
Of snow


So, here's to snow... AND, here's to acting like a six year old!
A

Tuesday's Thoughts...

So many things to be grateful for today...

- the possibility of snow...snow days more like it!
- missing my husband after a weekend away
- train rides
- visiting old friends
- new shows to follow
- Nike
- clean clothes
- snuggly babies in pj's

Cheers,
B

Sunny Monday!

I am grateful for...

Blue Sky
Girl Scout Thin Mints
Candles
Left Overs
Ikea
The Sun on my Face
My Eye Sight
The British Accent
HID Lights
Mercury Glass
A Freshly Vacuumed Home
IPhoto
Netflix
Projects
Modern Family
The Bridge Loop
Thinking about the upcoming Flee Market
The Sound of a Mac Keyboard
Planting New Plants
New Mascara

Have a wonderful sunny Monday!
K

Which cookie are you?

I made cookies tonight because someone (ahem, Joe) was complaining commenting that I hadn't made some in a while.  He was right and he didn't need to twist my arm for me to do so.  
   I believe that baking is one of life's greatest pleasures.  I experimented with baking from my Betty Crocker cookbook quite a bit when I was younger.  I was my own taste tester.  No crumb left behind (I'm convinced President Bush borrowed my theory for political purposes). 
   My mom has pictures of me from this time in my life to prove just how much baking was really happening in that house.  She has conveniently hidden those pictures.  Grandpa once 'joked' to my college friends that I turned out better than he thought I would. You can't blame the man! ( I hope you can read my self-deprecating humor in this...I really do find it quite funny!)
  
   Luckily I grew out of my 'fuller cheeks' phase.  I, however, never lost my penchant for baking.  And every time I make cookies, I always strive for the perfect, round shaped goodness. The stuff that cookbook photos and ooey gooey commercials are made of.  I try and I try to roll the dough into little balls, shape the edges just right, make each dough ball the same size...Without fail, my cookies always come out with obscure edges, lumps, bumps and oddities.  There is usually always one cookie that makes it out 'perfectly'.  You can see the other cookies giving the 'perfect cookie' the evil side glance.  This cookie is the head cheerleader of the group.  Why did that cookie get to be so genetically lucky?  
 *Don't worry - you don't have to call the looney bin...I know my cookies aren't really talking to each other.   However, I wouldn't mind being checked into the Betty Crocker Clinic*
    So after all the cookie chatter was said and done, I found myself learning a life lesson...from a cookie. *I take that back....call the looney bin quick*
   No matter how hard I try to shape and form myself into the 'perfect' cookie, I am always going to have my unique features - ragged edges and all!    And you know what?  The funky looking cookies always seem to get eaten first because they always look the most delectable.  Who wants the cookie without a single 'flaw'?  The flaws are the best part - it's that extra chocolate chunk or crispy corner.  I accept all my cookies for who they are and LOVE them even more because of it!  How boring if all cookies were alike? 
   So, I am sorry to all my former cookies who I stretched and squeezed to try to make into the picture perfect baked treat.  I always loved you all the same and I certainly enjoyed every bite of you...down to the last crumb!

Love,
Sara

Visions of Tulle...

Wow.  I just returned home from purchasing the most beautiful gown for our wedding day!  It's my mom's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!) and somehow it worked out that she bought me a dress today...and not the other way around.  At least she got some airline miles out of it.
The past few weeks have been full of exciting wedding details and celebrations.  Weddings are such a great excuse reason to get together with all your loved ones and celebrate one another!  I am constantly surprised at how wonderful and supportive my family and friends are...although I shouldn't be surprised anymore because they have never given anything less than their all.  I am the luckiest girl to be marrying Joe this summer and to share all these special moments with all of you!  again, Wow.
I am also SO grateful for all the new babies that some of my friends and family are expecting this year! I LOVE babies (I mean, who doesn't??) and I LOVE the anticipation of these 9+months to seeing and holding their sweet little faces...and wondering what their little faces are going to look like...and snuggling with them...and the smell of them...and then when they cry, I hand them right back :)  
I am writing this as I watch Eat, Pray, Love and all I can think about is biting into a delicious pizza...so I will end this with that I'm grateful for Italian food - nom nom nom!

Ahhh the scenic route

Thursdays are busy days in my world. By the time I am heading home from work  traffic is usually backed up and it is a "stop and go" process. But today, right as I was thinking "Ugh, the traffic is horrible" I saw the hugest full moon behind the trees. I couldn't help but smile and think how beautiful my drive is and how beautiful OREGON is! I truly get to take the scenic route every day in this state. The other thing that I realized was how much I actually appreciate my drive home. It is the one time in my day that is quiet and calm and I can just think, listen to music, and be. As a true introvert, I find that I get the most energy and relaxation from spending a little independent time, and this period from work to home gives me that each day. So my new idea is that on days when there is more traffic, it must be God telling me I need a little more time to work through my thoughts. And for that...I am grateful.

Here are a few more things I am grateful for:
-Green green Oregon, so many beautiful plants and trees
-Patience...I am tested on this every day
-Loving who I get to come home to.
-radio station 94.7
-My dad  saying "I love you" at the end of every phone call.
-hazelnut creamer
-my sudden appreciation of the Golf Channel (thanks to my hubbie)
-Modern Family
-girl scout cookies (specifically Thin Mints and Tagalongs)
-Having the most amazing coworkers who truly are some of the most amazing friends.
-pictures from a trip
-Cheerios
-Etsy
-beautiful, beautiful  friends

Happy Thursday
xo   -M

Martes y Agradecido

Martes y Agradecido (Tuesday and Grateful) is the only thing I could think of when my husband e-mailed me this picture...

I received a package from my old host family in Spain, the host family who welcomed me into their home as if I were one of their own. A host family who taught me Spanish, comforted me when my purse was stolen and a host family who allowed my two friends to stay at their house while visiting me (albeit they had to sleep on mats for the swimming pool...uncomfortable - thanks K & Z!). They took me into their home for nearly a year and even bought an internet package so I could obsessively check e-mail and surf the web (do we say that anymore?!) for hours on end. Bless them. Today was a very exciting day. A few months back I had sent pictures of my wedding, updated them on our lives and thanked them for their grace and kindness...and their patience for reading my letters in Spanish. :) I can't express the gratitude I have for this family, they had a profound effect on my life, my future and my dreams. I could never thank them enough, even if I could in English. They will never understand the deep gratitude for the months spent as part of their family...I wholeheartedly miss them, a feeling of homesickness and a desire to see them will someday take me back to their home, and maybe even my husband could come along this time.

           Why is a letter in another language so beautiful? 

 Happy Valentine's Day to me from a wonderful husband!

I'm keeping this as blackmail, just in case the husband forgets...

I am also grateful for...
- catching up with dear friends
- a future dinner date with a lovely friend
- new music - how lame is it that my little brother has to download the music for me?!
- carpooling
- new wooden spoons...not sure if that was a V-day gift for me or for my husband who does the   cooking
- Anthro Capri Blue candle...obsessed!
- new jobs
- mail, better yet, packages from long ago friends!
- a good book
- fresh flowers 

Grateful beyond words,
B

Monday, Valentines Day!

On this special day of love what more can I be grateful for than all the love that surrounds me today and everyday?  I am grateful for my family and friends and all the love and support they have given me throughout my life.  And I am especially grateful for my most amazing husband who loves me whole heartily and unconditionally.

Love to everyone on Valentines Day and every other day!
K
xoxo

Sunday and Going to the Chapel

Today we were blessed to take part in a lovely celebration of two people coming together to become one. We were invited to a brunch, honoring a very loving couple, our childhood friend M, and her upcoming wedding. She deserves the best and I will tell you, her guy is the luckiest man in the world! My heart swells as I think of these two wonderful people, events and small joys that their future together will bring. To you, M,and may every day bring you and your man joyful memories, happy times and much love forever and ever. We love you and can't wait to celebrate your day! 

Sunday's Gratitude Journal...
- Our dear friend M who will be wed to a wonderful man this summer
- A wedding dress for a beautiful Bride-to-Be
- Homemade, delectable pastries
- Mimosas
- Girlfriends
- Catching up on blogs
- Morning walks
- A new creamer flavor for coffee
- The thought of spring
- Those tiny pink flowering bushes with the most fragrant, sweet smell

With a heart full of gratitude,
B

Starbucks!

Although Starbucks may not be the number one choice of coffee for most of us, there is one thing I am grateful for of this multi-million dollar company.  I am grateful that you can always count on a Starbucks to be only blocks away when you need to kill a half hour, no matter where you are in the world, in Oregon or even somewhere in Tualatin.  I dropped my kitchen knives off this morning to be sharpened in Tualatin and they informed me it would be at least a half hour.  Not enough time to constitute going home, but what was I going to do?  I had no idea where I was or what was around me.  I entered Starbucks into my maps phone app and presto, there was one only a mere two blocks away.  Had a decent cup of coffee and filled my time with coffee house activities instead of having to sit in a dull waiting room.

Thank you Starbucks!
K

Disney Gratitude

Ahhh... now this makes me happy. I know I am not alone (you know who you are), when I say, Disneyland truly is a place I am grateful for. I find that just thinking about it makes me smile and feel good. So I thought it fitting to give a little happiness shout out to the place that fills my world with so much joy!   So here it goes...

I am grateful for:

*Chocolate covered frozen bananas

*Giggling like a little kid on thunder mountain

*"Yo ho yo ho, a pirates life for me!"

*Fast pass

*Thinking about what job you would want most if you could work there! (character, street sweeper, hmm)

*Turkey Legs

*Firework show, makes me want to cry

*The flowers outside of the Peter Pan ride

*Finding out what Disney character you would be from the magic mirror

*Selma's Cookies (now Minnie Mouse's cookies)

*Captain EO is BACK...hooray for the 80's

*Street performances

*M-I-C-K-E-Y MOUSE

*Hearing your husband scream and giggle on Tower of Terror

*Exchanging cool Disney trivia with friends and family

*The train station "All Abooooaaaard!!!"

*The  pianist who plays on Main Street

*Main Street

*Seeing Disney characters  and still wanting their autograph

*Rockin' your favorite Mickey Mouse 

t-shirt

*Dreaming about your next trip to see all your Disney pals

*Remembering to be young at heart

 "To all who come to this happy place, welcome." 

                         -Walt Disney

Love, M

Thursday and Grateful

For:
New life
Safe Deliveries
Family
Sun on my face
Lunch on the Go
Pictures

Love,
CB

Things I love...

a latte in the morning
buying Valentines for my class
mailing Valentines to my family
a new Modern Family... oh how I love that show
the excitement of wearing my new knit sweater to school tomorrow!
talking with my mom on my drives home from work
the sun shining, reminding me of spring
Powell's
the new Caldecott book A Sick Day for Amos McGee... it's a great one!
lavender shampoo

Happy Wednesday,
A

The "Tuesday Tireds"

Simply thinking about Tuesday makes me feel exhausted. The not able to get out of bed, go to the gym, pick out an outfit in the morning kind of exhausted. It's the word. Tuesday. Doesn't the sound of it make you want to snuggle up in your bed, pull up the covers, sink down into the mattress and devour an educational (ok...mystery for me) book? Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks of the "Tuesday Tireds". But whatever it is, it hits me like a ton of bricks each week.

However...this week was different. Don't get me wrong, I'm still exhausted. But instead of wanting to climb into my sanctuary of a bed, I have willed myself to think grateful thoughts through out the day: grateful for the need to get up for a job, grateful to have a bed to climb in and out of and grateful to feel tired because it means I've put in lots of hard work and have been walking on my own two feet. It is not often that I am consciously grateful for these simple things in life. Not that the other things aren't things to be grateful for. But there are few occasions that I even ponder these wonderful things (got to get another word for things). So today, instead of thinking and acting on the "Tuesday Tireds", I decided to be grateful for them.

Besides the gratitude of each week bringing the "Tuesday Tireds", I am grateful for many other wonderful and simple things...

- The sun was shining through my windows all day
- It was light out on my drive to work
- I came home in the light (what?!)
- Daffodils were poking their heads up outside of work.
- Dinner was cooking - garlic, basil, tomatoes, rosemary....delish!
- A good glass of wine was awaiting my arrival home.
- A stack of clean laundry on my bed.
- Finding out I get to see my brothers, sister-in-law and dear friend all in one weekend.

So, on this day of the "Tuesday Tireds", what are you grateful for?

Peace,
B

Glimpses of Spring!!!

During these cold, dark and dreary days I think we all need a pick me up.  Something that makes us smile and makes us remember there are warm sunny days coming.  Today I am grateful for the glimpses of Spring all around me.  

For the Daffodils popping out and reaching for the sun

For the Rainbow(s) outside my window

Double Rainbow...What does this mean?

For those of us who sometimes feel like winter is going to be here forever, lets take a moment and look around us.  We will see Spring raising its beautiful head, and I am grateful for that.  

Other things I am grateful for today are...

Home Depot

Nirvana

A hot shower

Rosemary

Home made soup for dinner

Blue sky

Everyone have a marvelous Monday

K

Lazy Sunday

It's me, Chels (the one in Seattle)...today I'm thankful for:
This smile:

For BOTH my girls, really:)
For:
days where you don't have to be anywhere
only one load of laundry
a proactive husband
cream in my coffee
funny superbowl commercials
silly texts
AND
friends (love you girls, C...)

Yogi Wisdom

I just treated myself to a study break this morning with a nice cup of tea from my FAVORITE brand - Yogi Tea.  I love the different herbal combinations and the healing they provide for both my mental/emotional and physical health.  But most of all, I adore the little inspirations that are given on the tea tags.  Each one is different.  And if you let it, the yogi wisdom will make you smile and appreciate. 
I thought this morning's cup o' tea had just the right words to describe what our purpose is here on this blog...and it made me smile and appreciate project gratitude :)

Happy Yogi to you all!
love,
S

Searching On Saturday

Today was a lazy sort of day, beginning with a nice walk on the bridges and complete with a cup of coffee and bagel from Bean & Tree. Afterward, my dear cousin and I set out to do some searching at antique stores for nothing in particular. Instead of finding great little deals there, I ended up with these from the Goodwill Superstore:

You never know what a quick trip to Goodwill might bring.

So on Saturday, I am grateful for...

leisurely walks
little finds that make me happy, but don't cost much
Valentine's goodies in stores
Goodwill

With gratitude,
B

The Ups and Downs but TGIF!

For some reason it has been one of those weeks.
I have gone from feeling like this...










...to feeling like this













and it wasn't because of this..

Although, on my way to school to take a midterm that I had devoted much time studying to (and lost some sleep over) I saw something like this...

The combo of the sunrise over Mt.Hood and one of my favorite bands, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros playing in the background equaled to one happy girl who forgot about the week's craziness and reflected on how

lucky and fortunate she really was.  Sometimes it just takes those little moments for the sun to peak through and reveal all our blessings.

And it didn't hurt that I got an 'A' on my test ;)

TGIF,

S

Grateful for Every Day!

I was out to dinner with my parents this evening, sharing some wine and some laughs when my dad received a troubling phone call.  One of his most valued employee's 16 year old son died instantly at his wrestling match tonight.  This horrific news made us start to ponder life and the unquestionable realization that we have no idea how long we have to enjoy all that's around us.  We must never take for granted the things in our life; our health, the people most important to us or even the small little things we have been posting about that makes us smile throughout the day.

I just wanted to take this moment to express how grateful I am for my health and happiness, and how grateful I am especially for every wonderful person in my life, whatever role they play.  I love you all and thank you for your friendship and your love throughout my entire life.

Be grateful for everyday!!!!
K

Tuesday's Day of Love...A Little Late

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I'm sure many of those in love are eagerly anticipating this day. I often wonder why we wait for the one time of the year to express love...not simply amorous love, but love that comes in the form of friendship and familiar relationships. Although we may share our love with our special significant other, Valentine's is a day to show how much we love many of those who touch our daily lives. For me, Valentine's day means having a party with 29 excited faces in my classroom, a lovely dinner, some flowers and a card to my one and only. This year though, I have aimed for something slightly different. Never a true "crafty" girl, I have recently begun my quest to creativity. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe the fact that I have my own place, or maybe it's because I'm in hibernation mode. But whatever it is, I love it. During a time of financial budgeting, my husband and I are looking for something a little less costly. So, with my new-found craftiness and my desire to show my love in a less-expensive way, I have made these little beauties...

These are felt hearts, hand-stitched with pockets for little treats to fit inside quite perfectly. While they may not contain highly-treasured items, I do believe my husband will be surprised (not just by the tiny gifts, but rather for the fact that I have created something) and will hopefully enjoy a small gesture of love.

So during this month of expressing love, who or what are you grateful for?

Me....I am grateful for those who have showed me loved, those who have taught me love and those whom I have loved.

With Love,
B

A Box of Crayons on Thursday

I recently noticed it was time to refill the material tubs in my classroom. As I opened boxes of fresh crayons, I couldn't help but notice and admire the sharp new beautiful shades of purples, oranges, and blues that filled the box! Oh and the look on my students' faces when they noticed the new crayons, would be priceless. 
I realized that something brand new and fresh, even something as simple as a box of crayons can be inspiring. I love going to bed with fresh sheets, putting on a brand new pair of socks, going to a new movie, or starting a new project. Think of all the possibilities. What a good feeling!
Just think, EACH DAY is fresh. I am so grateful that each day starts new and that you get to create anything you want. I hope Thursday greets you like a box of fresh crayons. 

Wonderful Wednesday

A few things I am grateful for...

A sunny February day
Punnxsutawney Phil not seeing his shadow "Spring is on it's way!"
A kind lady at the yarn shop graciously teaching me how to create the finishing touches on my sweater
The promise of a hand knit sweater almost finished!
Peppermint tea
The fun of looking forward to a mid week happy hour with friends from work
Enjoying the women I work with
Enjoying the women I have known all my life!
A new Glee after the super bowl... finally!
Calling my mom and laughing until we cry
A kitten that purrs
A new roof... that doesn't leak!
The fun of opening the mail box and finding a new magazine (I love those days!)

Happy Wednesday,
Allison