Friday Confessions

Well, here goes ... hooking up with Mamarazzi again for those Friday confessions.

I confess:

•  I don't really like garage sales. 
•  I don't like going to them because 95% of the 'stuff' is junk.
• And, I certainly don't like having them.

But, I confess:

• I am having a garage sale this weekend.
• Yes, crazy person that I am, I've decided to remove some serious accumulations of 'stuff/junk'.
• Its a LOT of work and the weather in our normally moderate Pacific NW has decided to go all summery on us and get into the 90's (maybe even 100 today).
• So, I've spent a week being hot, tired and dirty as I schlepped out the attic, the basement and closets and drawers too numerous to mention.

And finally, I confess:

• That I'm not looking forward to the 'early birds' (can't they read those ads?).
• I don't like negotiating so I'm likely to give things away rather than argue.
• And then there is the hauling away of the leftovers ... ugh.  
• Did I mention that I really don't like garage sales?

Now, go on over to Mamarazzi's and link up your own confessions.  

Hydrangeas

I've noticed a trend in today's posts.  Hydrangeas seem to be popping up everywhere.  So, in an effort to be a team player, I thought I would show you some of mine.

These are from a variety known as the Pygee Hydrangeas and this one is called 'Lime Light' ... isn't it pretty?

Oh, and notice the artwork on the wall behind this little vignette.  Coincidence?  I think not.

So, that is my contribution to the 'Hydrangea Pic of the Month Club' .... Thank you and enjoy!

WWTK Wednesday

Okay, I'm going to try hooking up with Mammarazzi & Queso for 'We Want to Know' Wednesday.


1. What is your favorite holiday?


I would have to say that my favorite holiday was always Christmas.  I decorated every nook and cranny and went crazy but, I'm getting older people and its losing a little of its shine.  But then, my newly married kids are ready to pick up that torch so, I'm willing to hand it over.  I also really like the 4th of July ... good, old American fun with no obligatory gift giving and lots of good food.


2. Do you have any fun holiday traditions? What are they?


Well, obviously the decorating.  I love pretty things so I think I like the decorating almost better than the actual holidays.  We always had multiple trees.  Another fun tradition was to go on a tour of lights around the community.    And then, there were always the cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning ... right after the gift opening frenzy.


3. When do you start Christmas shopping?


Never soon enough ... because I always have this fear that one of the kids will tell me what they really, really want after I'm done.  Also, I'm not a big fan of 'have to' shopping.  If I'm going to shop, it needs to be spontaneous and with no real agenda.


4. What is your favorite holiday food?


Well, cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning are wonderful.  We did ham on Christmas traditionally so, even if we change it up and do a prime rib on Christmas Eve, there is alway ham on Christmas day whether it be for a brunch or a later dinner.


5. Share a favorite childhood holiday memory


Hmmm?  Well, one year we were going to be traveling overseas to see family for Christmas so my mom knew we wouldn't be able to take a lot.  So, for my Thanksgiving birthday (yes, I'm that pathetic kid) she bought two dolls which were alike in every way except one had dark hair and one was blonde.  She then proceeded to sew twin wardrobes for those little dolls.  They had everything from nighties and robes to party dresses.  I was in love I tell you.  I still have those dollies.  I also still have my sweet mom and she is poised to give a doll to a great grand if she is around.


6. Have you ever actually tried fruitcake??


Yes, but I'd sooner leave it than take it.  Give me chocolate instead.

Ennui

I love that word ... ennui.  It explains exactly what I am feeling these days.  In fact, I think that the song that is currently popular about 'not doing anything ... nothing at all' also sums up my feelings.  Our summer was short here people ... not enough got accomplished.  I hear about heat waves all over the country but, here in the Northwest ... we are finally getting a few tomatoes.  Don't get me wrong, the weather is gorgeous at the moment but, there is a definite chill in the air at night.  I know this means the end is near and, I am not looking forward to winter this year.  I must be getting old and rather than accepting and rejoicing in our typical wintery gloom, I am wimping out and dreading it.  But, here it is September 1 .... SEPTEMBER PEOPLE!  How did that happen?

 There was frost on the pumpkins at higher elevations last night.  Egad!  I'm not ready!  And then, there is my daughter and all of the cute young bloggers out there who are either talking about or already decorating for Fall.  Sigh!  I am sooo not ready.  (Have I said that enough times for you?  Maybe just one more time.)  I AM NOT READY.

WHEW!  Okay, well its beautiful outside today so I am going to take advantage of it and live in a total state of denial for just a little longer.  It is still summer, it is still summer, it is still summer.  Right?

A Little Help

Isn't this lovely?  Okay fellow bloggers ... I ran across this on a blog some months ago.  I love the saying but, I sure can't remember where I found it.  Can anyone help me out with this?  

The Year of the Weddings

The year 2011 has been quite busy at the Cook household.  We've had two weddings in six months.  Our beautiful daughter, Amanda, was married to her wonderful guy, Damola, on January 22.  It was a stunning and joyful wedding.  A lot of work went into her wedding but, by the wedding date we had totally relaxed and let the day unfold.  It did so beautifully and we could not have been happier.  The wedding was beyond our expectations.  More importantly, these two have been together for a long time. They are now husband and wife and they are great together.  Here they are at their reception.  (I apologize for the quality of the photo as I have not gotten the formals yet.)

My son, Blair, married his sweetheart, Sabreena, this past Saturday, July 16 in Bend, Oregon.  It seemed that the weather was going to be a little dicey the day prior to the wedding but, on the actual day and appointed time, a weather window opened to provide the most beautiful skies and backdrop for their outdoor wedding.  It could not have been more perfect.  It was another gorgeous wedding and more joy for our family.  A little special feature of this wedding was that my stepson, Chris, officiated for his younger brother and he did the most amazingly meaningful job of it.  These two kids are so well matched that it must have been fated at their births.  Here they are shortly after the ceremony: 

It has been a busy six months.  I've dress shopped, planned and celebrated.  The weddings were different in feel ... one being a wintery themed affair and the other being an outdoor summery celebration but, they were both beautiful and wonderful.  All of my children are married now.  It is a different feeling.  I feel a little satisfied that they are in good hands, a little wistful that they are grown up now but, mainly I am so happy for us all.  And now ... I'm going to put my dancing shoes away for awhile and rest my poor feet.

Works In Progress

Well, I've been the worst blogger lately.  I've not posted a single thing.  In my defense, I have been busy with life in general and a few projects in particular.  The weather finally decided to straighten up and I found out just how far behind I was in my garden.  And, there is that one other little event coming up in a couple of weeks ... my sons wedding.  I just had to find a dress I actually liked.  I'm happy to report success in that area.

I have actually been working on a couple of projects.  One is a porch redo.  While I have made great strides and the porch looks so much better, there is one pesky little part that is holding me back from my 'after' pics.  That is the fact that it hasn't quite been dry enough, long enough around here to paint.  I want to paint the porch floor before I photograph it.  And, there are a few porch rail details pieces we replaced due to dry rot that also need to be primed and painted.  The fellow at the paint store told me to wait 3 to 4 months.  WHAT?  Yea well, that's not going to happen.  That would be the entire summer and I'm bound and determined to have this done before August.  So, I'm going to go ahead and do it real soon.  Then, I promise a post with pics.

The other project is a table make over complete with a matching empty frame gallery in the little foyer area leading into my bathroom.  I have the painting and distressing done but, not the hanging of the frames.  I guess that other things, including a long holiday weekend, have captured my attention lately.  Or, you could just say I'm procrastinating.  But, now that I've thrown out the tease, I promise I'm going to finish this up and post very soon.

So, there you have it .... excuses, excuses.  I will try to do better but, I'm not promising anything.  After all, its summer and this blog is not the boss of me.