Saturday, December 31, 2011

My 2012 List

Happy New Year
from "Out in the Fields"!
1. Be more kind
2. Admit I'm wrong immediately
3. Challenge myself creatively
4. Take better care of my health
5. Live with purpose

I try to look back on each year that passes
and see in which areas I may have not done 
the best I could and work on those 
through the next year....
not as resolutions but as more awareness
in my daily life,
more willingness to see the teachable moment,
and more growth towards the future.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

New Fave Color Combo

I never thought I would like gray and yellow
as a color combo, but after 
seeing it used here and there in bedding 
and decor I decided I like it a lot.
This is a tunic I made...
 And this is an outfit I thrifted, including
the jeans:)
My only problem is not to go overboard
and then get sick of it and have to empty
my closet AGAIN!

I think I might try it in my laundry which is already 
painted a soft yellow, so just adding
some white and gray might freshen it up.
 I never seem to be done in that room
so I might as well like it!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Sewing for Two

For Christmas this year I got some ideas
for sewing for My Grand kids-
Boy and Girl.
I wanted them to coordinate,
but still look girly and boyish.
However the jury is still out on the jammies
and purple outfit for Pierce...His Daddy isn't sure
if they are quite "manly" enough!


 Then I came up with some ideas just for the little man...

What do you think?

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas 2011

It was a day of joy...
because of what it means
and how we spend it
and who we share it with.
And the addition of Grand Babies
adds that special wonder to it all
once again, like the quote
says "Christmas is for children because
the author of Christmas was a child
Himself."


I hope you were all blessed with a wonderful
season, as I was!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve 2011

It was just us 3 home for
Christmas Eve this year...
But I wanted it to feel special anyway,
so I put out a little spread
using wrapping paper as a table cover
and pretty dishes.
Just thought this free printable from
one artsy mama 
was so lovely and went with the blue theme.
 so it was in a frame on the table too.

 Resting for a few winks before more prep
for Christmas Day!
 And the best part of every year...
I highly recommend this movie,
it makes me cry every year.
Mary and Joseph were just very ordinary people
that were asked to believe and be obedient
to something they did not understand, because
they trusted God.
I also like that it gives us a glimpse into
Joseph and his part in Jesus life
without embellishing too much.
The greatest Story ever told...


A Blessed Christmas to All

Rose of Bethlehem
by Lowell Alexander

There's a Rose in Bethlehem
With a beauty quite divine
Perfect in this world of sin
On this silent, holy night.

There's a fragrance much like hope
That it sends upon the wind
Reaching out to every soul
From a lowly manger's crib

Oh, Rose of Bethlehem
How lovely, pure and sweet
Born to glorify the Father
Born to wear the thorns for me.

There's a Rose in Bethlehem
Colored red like mercy's blood
Tis the flower of our faith
Tis the blossom of God's love

Though its bloom is fresh with youth
Surely what will be He knows
for a tear of morning dew
Is rolling down the Rose.

Oh, Rose of Bethlehem
How lovely, pure and sweet
Born to glorify the Father
Born to wear the thorns for me.

May He be your All in All
this Christmas
and always!
Karen

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Making Cookies

There's something extra special about
having a little someone helping 
to make Christmas cookies this year.
Love those busy little fingers 
putting sprinkles "berry carefully".

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Cinnamon Rolls

I'm linking up with

Jiffy Cinnamon Rolls
(recipe from All Recipes.com)

I found this recipe for a non- yeast
cinnamon roll so I could make them GF.
(It's very hard to make anything roll out that
is made with yeast and GF)
They were delicious when they came from
the oven and okay the next morning.
Obviously they are not the same as 
yeast rolls, but worth making if 
you are in a hurry.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Pittock Mansion 2011

I made my annual drive out
to the lovely misty hills of Portland
to the Pittock Mansion
which is yearly decorated for Christimas.
 This year the theme was
"Christmas Around the World"
Each room was set up with typical 
decor and ideas for that country.
I found it to be very interesting how many countries 
do not give gifts until Jan 6, 
which is related to Epiphany,
when the wise men came,
and not for Christmas.
 I think it would be an excellent year to take
children and let them hear and see
how other countries do things 
at this season.
As Americans we often think that
everyone else does things as we do, but if
you think about it we are a very "young"
country and our traditions are 
quite new:)
The Pittock Mansion is still decorated
into the new year so if you have time...
It's worth the drive.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Relaxing before Christmas

My man and I took a little jaunt
up to the Skamania Lodge for a night
(courtesy of my husbands staff).
It's one of those places that feels like it
just belongs to the Season and the 
40 foot real tree they put in the Great Room
is always stunning.

By the time I had a hot stone massage, sat by 
the fire reading my favorite Christmas stories,
(and crying into a kleenex:)
drank hot apple cider, and drowsed 
in a rocking chair while carols played,
I could hardly move I was so relaxed!
Highly recommended for the 
week before Christmas:)

Thursday, December 15, 2011

It's My Party!

Finally got the pictures up for 
the Party that happened earlier
this month:)
I have to say that my whole idea
and printables came from
Sweet Scarlet Designs





 This little guy was not in the mood to be a
prince or wear a crown!
It was a super easy way to put together a
party and I highly recommend doing
a downloadable one...

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Coffee Toffee

I'm linking up with the
 Coffee Toffee with Chocolate and Pretzels
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1/8 c. corn syrup
8 oz butter
1 c. almond slivers
1 c. chopped pretzels -divided
2  tsp. instant coffee powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4-1/2 c. chocolate chips

Grease a 9x13 pan.
Combine sugar, water and corS syrup 
in sauce pan and boil 
until temp reaches 280*. Stir in butter. 
Cook until temp reaches 315*, 
stir in almonds and half of pretzels.
Cook back up to 315*
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and 
coffee. Pour into pan.
Let cool for 10 minutes,
sprinkle choc chips on top and when melted, spread over top.
Add remaining pretzels and push down
gently into chocolate.
Cool completely and break into pieces. 
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

This is very crunchy and tasty!
If you don't like coffee flavor 
you could just leave the coffee
powder out and it would still be delish!
I used GF pretzels and it turned out great.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Holiday House Walk

I'm linking up with the Holiday House Walk 

Come on in the coffee's hot!
Front Porch
Keepin' it Simple...


Entry Way
Den
Great Room
(the tags hanging on the mantel are from
Miss Cutie Pie)







Master

Dining Room




Thanks for stopping by to visit!
Come again soon...