Tease.

 

 

I took the above two photos Sunday afternoon.  This was back when we were all thinking we might get ALOT of snow this time.  Because everyone knows Oregon weather men are usually spot on with their projection of when and where and how much it will snow.  Right?  I'm not being sarcastic at all, nope not one tiny bit.

I have to fess up and say that Mr. Veen and I were probably even MORE devastated than the kids when we realized last night that we weren't going to get a bunch of snow.  We reverted back to little children and pouted and whined, moaned and groaned, and kept looking out the windows to be sure the white stuff wasn't miraculously coming down.  

And so again, our Oregon winter storm is a shameless tease.  Much like the spring hussy that struts her stuff come May.  I guess time will tell if Winter delivers on some snow this year.  Until then, like Ella in the above picture I will rejoice and dare to hope each time a flake falls.

Fridays Letter

Dear Mr. Veen:  Folks are all a flutter talking about snow in Salem this weekend.  Snow would be delightful, but alas, I'm a skeptic that we will see any trace at all.  Dear Pinterest:  Its official - I'm addicted to you.  I maybe might have said out loud last night the following:  "I like pinterest better than facebook because it doesn't make me angry at people."  Dear First week of School:  You really stressed me out, and I'm glad you're officially over.  Looking forward to being one of the cool kids who actually have a clue what they're doing in class.  Dear Ingrid:  You say you have a new album coming up?   Yes please!  And last to Mr. Veen:  psst!!  Have I mentioned to you how extra cute you are fresh from the barbershop?

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!!

A Small Tweak

As a small tweak to my Wordless Wednesdays I thought I would add words to my Wednesdays!  Because, anyone who knows me also knows I can't keep my mouth shut most of the time right?  Yeah, right.

I love capturing a moment and creating a memory.  So the idea is I'll keep sharing pictures on Wednesdays  - it might be just one or several - but along with the photo I want to share the stories and moments that I've captured. 

Over the holidays we rented a cabin in La Pine, which is about 30 minutes outside of Bend Oregon.  We had high hopes that there might be snow AT our cabin (which was kinda in the middle of nowhere), however mother nature had different plans.  These photos were taken after driving about 20 minutes up the mountain to a snow park which ended up not having hardly any snow.  Initially when we arrived at this spot all four of us were grouchy, there may even have been small tantrums and tears shed.  However, once the kids discovered that there was in fact enough snow to still sled and have fun, the mood turned quickly!  The hour or so we spent in this little mostly melted parking lot turned into a sweet memory for me, and a reminder of finding joy in unlikely places.

Tiny rant and Bedroom Reveal!

I am so annoyed right now!  The weather people have been pumping us all up in Oregon for a week now promising a big old fashioned snow storm.  Granted - it's not unusual at all for our local news people to be more than a little dramatic especially when it comes to snow, but this time around they PROMISED.  But even though I'm tweaked that they did not deliver on their promise (we've got maybe 1/2 inch here), I'm super irritated that our school district has decided to delay classes for 2 hours. 

Here's what happens when theres a 2 hour delay.  Our entire delicate balance and rhythm around here gets completely shot to hell!  It's not really enough time to just relax and enjoy, but it's too much time to have any kind of routine.  I'd like to say my kids will just sleep in, but I know they'll come out any minute and they'll want to make a snowman with our 1/4" inch of melting snow.  Great.  Fabulous.  Fun for all.

Sorry.  That was a tiny rant.

Moving on, I finally finished my coffee filter garland over the weekend!  I had seen the idea on a few different blogs and they talked about how simple and easy it was.  I thought "simple, easy" that sounds good to me.  Because when it comes to crafts if something isn't accomplished in a fairly short amount of time I'm just not that into it.  I need results, fast results!

I'm going to spare you the painful details of this "simple, easy" project, because there were things thrown and *words* used, but now that all is said and done I'm happy with the way things turned out.  It's amazing how a couple new nightstands, matching lamps, pillows and some paper can spruce a space up! 

obviously mama kitty approves...

And now I'm off to handle our 2 hour delay.  Have a wonderful day all - snow or no.

Anticipate

Friday's Letter

Dear Mr. Veen:  last night around 7p.m. I wondered if we would ever survive our trip.  Fast forward to now and thanks to your mad calming skills we are all four alive and intact.  Phew - that was a close one!  Dear snow:  it's been awhile since I've seen so much of you!  At your best you are lovely, sparkly and fun.  At your worst you are cold, icy and well-- not fun.  Thanks for being mostly fun!  Dear cabin:  you provided such a cozy, cute shelter for me and the fam.  Here's to feeling like Caroline Ingalls for a couple days!  Dear Mumford and Sons:  you have been my favorite album hands down of this year and helped me get through a large chunk of our drive.  Crossing fingers and toes that you'll come to the NW in 2011 so I can experience you live!  And last to Mr. Veen:  2010 is almost done and I must admit I'm none to sorry to bid it farewell.  Thanks for being my right hand man through the highs and lows of this past year.  Can't wait to see what 2011 brings!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm so FULL!

Happy Monday after Christmas!  Today my plan was to share with you a few recipes from Christmas Eve but I must admit I'm too full to even think about food right now.  So unless anyone's interested in carrots, celery and salad there will be no food-type postings this week!
And speaking of the week ahead I'm  taking a mini-vacation!  Well, vacation might be a tad of an exaggeration but I am going away to a place that will not have internet connection thus my throngs of admiring fans will have to endure a few days of me not posting.  Somehow they will survive. 
Yes, I'm packing up my peeps and heading to a cabin in the mountains!  The technical definition is "deluxe" cabin which means we'll have heat, electricity, an indoor bathroom(YES!), sink, fridge, microwave and gas grill (*note NO T.V., NO VIDEO GAMES, NO INTERNET).  I'm super excited to play in the snow, read, play games, and generally connect with my nearest and dearest.  Hopefully we'll come out of the experience alive and intact;-)  I'm taking my camera (of course) and will be sharing the experience with YOU my adoring fans sometime soon!
Until then - here's some pictures of where we're going.  It's supposed to SNOW there Tues, and Weds. nights - yippee!!

Wordless Wednesday: First Snow

"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event"

Forget You!

So it snowed here in Salem last night AND we had conference's today for the kid's so I've been running about like a mad woman all day in the ice and cold shuttling people here and there.   In the midst of the soccer mom-ness this song came on the radio and it reminded me of how much I loved Gwyneth's version she did on Glee last week.  It's the little things in life that get me through the day - like this song and the fact that Gwyneth retains her general awesome-ness even though she's closing in on 40 (ahem just like me:)  Inspiration found at 5 seconds "Top 40 sweet cheeks".....;-)