Our Newest Addition

We just got the best Christmas present ever! Here he is!

He came in the biggest snow storm the Portland area has seen in 30 years on Sunday, December 21st. B and I trekked over to Alma Midwifery Birthing Center in full winter gear, mom pausing a few times on the steps outside for contractions, standing in a foot of snow. We made it there a little after 7 am and he was born at 8:41 am, weighing in at 8 lbs. 5 ounces and 21 inches long. We are so blessed, and fully in love all over again.

Lil' B was so excited to finally meet her new brother, who she lovingly calls "Moose Truck" or "Jo-Jo", and on here he will just be "moose". Bug is surprisingly accepting of his new little brother who he refers to simply as "baby".

We're snowed in for the holidays, reading lots of stories, changing many diapers, cuddling a lot, drinking plenty of tea and cocoa, and playing in the snow. Papa B built a six foot snow slide in our backyard with Lil' B. Our neighbors built snowball fighting forts at two strategic locations on our block. I love watching people skiing through our neighborhood streets, and families pulling kids in sleds to go to the grocery store.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Yummy Handmade Bûche de noël

I know it's after Christmas, but I just had to post this when I saw it. I love handmade things like this. It's Kayte Terry’s handmade softie Bûche de Noël. I have Christmas decorations from Anthropology that look like cupcakes and a gingerbread roll. They are so wonderful and so is this piece of art. Hope your Christmas was wonderful!

Here's Another Good One

This one is so classic. I had to put it up there. If you don't know Bing Crosby, you should, especially in the field of Christmas albums. This has all the greats, with Bing's beautiful crooner voice, some slow and beautiful like Silent Night, and some extra festive like Jingle Bells. A few of the songs have the wonderful Andrew Sisters, referred to as the singing sweethearts of World War II who also sang " Mr. Sandman" and "The Boogle Woogy Buggle Boy", whose "engaging harmonies" bring energy and spunk . Here they are in all their glory. If you haven't heard this album and you enjoy Christmas music, you should give it a listen.

Saturday Mornings, Xmas Decorating

Where to even start with this pic. It's me hiding from B chasing me with a camera very late at night. Kind of look like the headless horseman.
Silly lil'b


Saturday mornings we usually do a big homemade breakfast of pancakes, waffles, or french toast. This Saturday was obviously pancakes and not only pancakes, but Mickie Mouse pancakes. Anyone ever had these when you were younger? My grandma would make these when we'd come and visit her in Lake Tahoe. They were the best. I had to tell Belle who this was but when I did she just lighted up! So fun.

This is the double scarfing pic. Notice how J and B are shoving yummy pancakes simultaneously. Priceless.

Stockings I made last year.
Decorating fun!


Here's the finished tree, yes it's a really crappy pic.

Random pic from Bryson's recent show in NE Portland. Here's some of Ezra Carey and band. B is behind the violin player.

I'm thinking about combining my pages of Ginger and Pickles(my kids) and Rambling Rose and just start posting all of it here. I don't think I blog enough to have two.

Christmas Crafts

I have tons of tiny stockings around the house right now, twenty five to be exact. I think the actual Advent Calendar is not really twenty five which bothers me, but I decided it looked better to have 1-25. They are still in the process, and it feels like this project is taking too long. Currently, I'm working on sewing the numbers on, then they have to be strung somehow to a strand. I'm too behind for this year, but next year it'll be ready to go. I just can't seem to get into the Christmas Spirit till after Thanksgiving.

While, I was sewing the stockings, Belle came and sat next to me, and I let here cut up extra felt and yarn. She concentrated so hard, working on the floor with me for 40 minutes or so. She thought it was great. I can't wait till she can do these things with me. She really wanted to sew, but needles and three year olds? I don't think so.

I'll post a new pic once they are done and on the wall.

Last year I made us all new stockings which was really fun. Not to far from of house is the Pendleton Wool store, and they have these bins where you can buy craps of wool fabrics for somewhere around $1.25 a pound. It's awesome, so that's where a lot of the plaids in my Advent stockings came from and some of the fabric on the family stockings.

I really love Christmas crafts. I'm not sure what draws me to them, but I seem to get into them more than other holidays, maybe it's because it's too cold to go outside.

Christmas Albums

Ok, so everyone I know is blogging about Christmas music and I figured I'd jump on the band wagon. One album I have yet to see on the lists is my number one fav and so dear to my heart, Sufjan Stevens' Christmas Album. It comes in a five disc package. Yep, five, you heard me right.
Vol. 1 Noel
Vol. 2 Hark
Vol. 3 Ding! Dong!
Vol. 4 Joy!
Vol. 5 Peace!

It covers all the classic and adds some great new ones like "Come on! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!", "That was the worst Christmas ever!", "We're Goin' to Country", and "Sister Winter", and the list goes one. This album was an awakening to me. I must admit that in the past I have been a little of a Christmas scrooge. I hated Christmas music. Walking down the street I was bombarded with music blaring from outdoor speakers set up by local business shops and I loathed the month of December radio. Every station thinking it's so cute to put a little bit of Christmas music in the mix, not understanding that not everyone enjoys Christmas music(double negative, excuse me). How many times can a person listen to "Hark Here The Bells" and sit through that annoyingly high screeching part? But then, last year my husband had to buy this CD. I didn't want him to at first, due to my disdain for Christmas music, but he convinced me this one would be different, and it is. It's amazing and yes you want to listen to it year round. Gets you in the Christmas spirit with just the right mix of Christmas peppiness and reverence. I'm so glad he bought it, because it's awakened a new enjoyment of Christmas music. I would recommend this to anyone.













You can buy it here. (Click here)
I've seen some places with free downloads too, but if you can, support Sufjan.