Cards

Have you seen The Blindside? I saw the tail end of it this weekend at the ocean and the scene where the drunk uncle calls to let them know there is a black boy in their Christmas photo makes me giggle every time.

This year I think we are going to take a goofy Christmas photo- like ugly knit sweaters or workout gear or something fun. We have time to think of it though since it's not even Thanksgiving! Jumping the gun.

'Ello Friday!

Judge if you want.

But really, I'm dancing around my house and packing for Europe... I'm 100% sure this is all perfect.

Waves.

Corey Arnold was put on this earth to make me love the ocean more.

I mean look at this... and this.

It's a birthday!

This is my favorite picture of me and my mom.

It's guaranteed to make me smile even when I'm in a wretched mood (pretty much she makes me smile when I'm in a wretched mood). AND IT'S HER BIRTHDAY!!!

So I did what any daughter would: bought her the sing-along version of Mamma Mia. Duh.

And threw a mini-party with paper chains.

Is it almost here?!

I love Christmas. LOVE IT.

And I love White Christmas most of all.

Making Christmas presents this week put me in the mood I guess.

50/50

Fresh Aire. Heaven on the radio.

And interviewing JGL? Oh man.

Yesterday for date night I used my birthday movie tickets and Mister and I went to 50/50. The only other people there were over 60. Somehow that made it more enjoyable.

Congestion's not just for cars.

I woke up with my eyeballs swollen out of my head (it feels like) and a sinus infection. At least it's happening before my trip! I've never been so excited to be ill before. AND H&M IS A GIANT TEASE. Putting pictures and prices online but not selling? Rude!

Currently dying for these two things (I need a camel coat that I can keep until I am 80).

Arsenic and Old Lace.

Movie morning again!

And this time a young Cary Grant (did you know his first name was actually Archibald?) to help me finish my blanket!

For a while, she would only lay in the middle of my squares.

Oh, don't worry, I'm not working on those or anything!

A-dorable. Totally forgiven for laying on the squares.

Mister loved the movie as evidenced by his sleep snuffles.

And after Arsenic and Old Lace, The Killers, and Morning Glory: BLANKET!!

Ready to be packaged and gifted!

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EF - Live The Language - Paris from Niklas Johansson on Vimeo.

print.

book.

In preparation for our brief stay in Paris I've been reading French Milk.

It makes me hungry. And so so ready to embark!

I'm going to the ocean twice before I leave (in the same bag, with the same clothes probably) so I can't even pre-pack!

My packing list shrinks every time I rewrite it.

Levis.

Mister lives with a great family in town. One thing I love is that the lady of the house is teaching me to sew! So far I've sewn two rips in misters shorts, and these pants: Levis, brand new, $10 at Value Village. They started so long and bellbottomed! The right leg was almost done in this picture; I ripped out the seam six times before I got it right (you can see all the strings I was too lazy to get off in the bottom picture). I finally finished them today and I'll take some better pictures tomorrow perhaps.

It feels good to know I can mend and do some basic altering. Another life skill conquered!

I could have waited until morning to take this in nice light and get all the dog hair off but I was really excited.

You understand.

Zoo-

My wonderful mother gave a zoo pass for the year, and I used it for the second time taking the kids to the zoo. I learned that Galloping Gertie is the largest wreckage in the ocean (five times larger than the Titanic!). My favorite are the otters.

You can do it at a trot

You can do it at a gallop

You can do it real slow so your heart don't palpatate

Just don't be late

Do the Puyallup

I finally went to the fair! For the first time ever. And it was awesome.

Indulge me while I share too many pictures.

Mister and me, ready to go!

Misters Washington family, ready to go (you couldn't tell from that face?)

Corndogs. Also Earthquake burger, nachos, chicken burritos, fries, an elephant ear, and fried butter.

Rabbits! Mister raised 4H rabbits.

I love the petting zoo! Also I got to milk a fake cow!

All in all a very successful day!

Dreams really do come true!

Moleskine. Star Wars. Ahhhh!

Love Aziz.

Mister and I say "I don't know! It's pretty messed up!" all the time.

I forgot how funny this whole bit is.

Fainted.

This adorable girl from church dances and found this today...

Oh oh oh oh oh.

Dancers among us (and soon a book).

My heart stops.

(This one is my absolute favorite.)

Blankets.

Now that the first fall rain is upon us, and I'm curled up crocheting in my $5 blanket I bought at a flea market in Tuba City I can dream about how to stay warm all winter.

Pendelton wool.

The Crux. One day I will own this. It's wool art.

Sandra Juto crochets the prettiest blankets.

I think this is funny.

Miss you already.

Dear, sweet June.

We commend your spirit to God (we know he doesn't need our approval but we give it) even while we miss you. I'm glad I got a kiss from you at Heathers wedding, and I hope that I am growing into half the listener you were.

I'll be seeing you.

Working-

I love when we get together and knock out a project, it's nice to see the impact one day of service can have. Cleaning the gutters...

The little one was telling me all the Bible stories he knew (adorable, smart thing).

One of my favorite presents ever.

Today (in 2007) I was on an airplane to Vienna!

The perfect present (even if the time zones cut off half of my birthday).

(westminster)

(vienna)

(venice)

(a snowy night train ride)

(outside paris)

(alps)

(prague, with darling friend)