I've been scolded!

My darling daughter called me this afternoon......to scold me for not updating my blog!!!!! My daughter!!! Who knew?!! I'm a naughty blogger, I know. It's not like I haven't wanted to sit down and chat. I have! I've just been so busy putting away Christmas and editing and re-editing my home to put it on the market for sale. I'll be so glad to have it all done with so life can get back to quasi-normal.

I don't even think in terms of a normal life anymore. What is that anyway? Maybe being so crazy busy IS normal. Or, is it the NEW normal? Whatever it is, it just is, isn't it?!

Happy, Happy New Year!!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Snow in Portland, Oregon? Yup.

Snowfall on Christmas Day in Portland, Oregon is a rare sight indeed. It's only happened five times in 67 years!! This is one of those rare times!! We had just finished our Christmas breakfast with the kids and had begun to open presents when Bill looked up to see snowflakes falling outside. What began as flurries, and the excitement of snowflakes on Christmas, quickly turned to disappointed faces when we realized that the kids would have to leave to go back home so they wouldn't be trapped up here in the hills. The news said to expect 3-6 inches. So, pack up they did, off they went, and I started talking down the holiday decorations.

By late afternoon the snow had turned to rain (Yay!) and the streets started to clear so I called the kids and asked if they wanted to drive back over for Christmas dinner. Each of them live about a 25 minute drive away. They drove back and we had a lovely dinner!!!

Today we are under a heavy snow warning. We already have an inch!! Which, I do realize, sounds rather scant to those of you getting several feet of it. We're just not used to it. It's been 17 years since it's snowed around here at Christmas!!! It looks like it may be shaping up to be one of those rare snow years. It really is beautiful.....after growing up in Alaska though, I'd really rather have the rain. Besides that, the snow just looks weird on my palm trees!!! Ha!

Warmest snow covered bear hugs, Aleta

Merry, Merry Christmas!

All is calm, all is bright. I love this photograph of the holiday decorations this year. I took it as the sun was setting so you can see the amazing deep blue sky through the windows. This picture makes me feel peaceful, and that in this one moment, all is right with the world. May you feel the spirit of Christmas in your heart every day of the new year!

Warmest merry, merry bear hugs, Aleta

Time with Family

As you may have guessed, I'm spending time with my family. I hope that all of you in blogland are enjoying your holiday and are blessed to spend time with family too!

Warmest silver tinsel covered bear hugs, Aleta

Pink Wednesday and Parents!

Deep breath. The parents are coming, the parents are coming!!! Not just my mom this time, but my dad too. Mom just called two hours ago to ask if it was alright. You see, dad has never stayed with us because we have cats and he doesn't like cats. I think mom has convinced him that since they are indoor cats they don't have cooties like outdoor cats. They don't eat mice or birds and they don't bring in outdoor allergens. Okay then. Another deep breath and I'm off with the lint brush to defuzz every inch of my home!!

Would you, could you, please say a little prayer for me? Deep breath. Deep breath. Any more deep breaths and I'll probably pass out! Ha!

Warmest Pink Wednesday bear hugs, Aleta

Simplification!

This year I've intentionally kept the holiday decorating to a minimum. It's not the big "TA-DA!" that it usually is, with decorations in every room, but it is cheerful and merry. Simplification is key this year due to the fact that we'll be putting our home on the market January 1st. I don't have the luxury of a week to put everything away. In reality I only have a week to put everything away and get the house "show ready"!

To that end, I spent Friday and Sunday painting the laundryroom. Not a small task by any stretch of the imagination. There's not a lot of wall space to paint....just lots of painting around doors and cabinets and soffits. Lots of brush work! It's done now and I'm happily on to another project.....wrapping gifts and finishing up my Christmas cards!

I'll leave you today with a few pictures of my simplified holiday decorations. I made the wreath last year. It's a biggie! It's 36 inches across and has just over 200 ornaments on it. Now that was a fun project!! A mix of antique, vintage and new ornaments.....and a ceramic figurine from Bill's holidays as a child.

Ho, ho, ho and merry, merry warm bear hugs, Aleta

P.S. A little furry decided to pop his head up in the last photo! Bottom right. Ha!

Miss Manny gets an apron!!

I've been looking and looking for an apron for Miss Manny. The poor dear has been standing nekked in the entry way for weeks. Rather robust in stature, a skimpy little number just wouldn't do!! We wouldn't want arriving guests to whisper, now would we? Never mind that the only other thing she's wearing is a glass ornament around her neck. Ha!

Warmest Friday bear hugs, Aleta