Week 48 Random Pinehurst

No Poinsettias this year from Lowes.

That makes me SOOOO sad.

So instead, I tried to force some bulbs.

"tried" being the key word.

At the least, I'll have lots of pretty wicker pots of dirt 

around for the holidays.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Is it time for Pumpkin Pie yet?

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Offic[ially] Incomplete

Aside from living out of a suitcase for almost a quarter of a year,
I have had a moment or two at home.

While I was out of town, my husband was home building out our office.

Back in 2007, I took a trip to Tibet.
Everest Base Camp to be exact.

I went there because I lost a coin flip.
Much like how we ended up building out our office
(before building out our walk in master closet)
because I may have lost another coin flip.

Last weekend,
I sent out a desperate tweet
asking ya'll to send me photos
(or links, or carrier pigeons - I was desperate)
of shelves painted gray.
And chalkboard painted tables/desks.

This is all before I recalled that right up my own stairs
there was a perfectly GOOD example of how well chalkboard painting your desk stands up over time.
(and yes, this is one of those "I would tell you" moments and it HAS held up wonderfully).

No matter.
While he wanted to paint out built ins "brown like wood"
(say WHAT??!?)
I begged and even promised to paint it all myself if we could go gray.
Just like everything else in our house.

It. Looks. AWESOME!
It is officially incomplete (clever title eh?)
but it is functional again and just needs little details that will kick it into gear.

Here's our main wall before and after:

My husband built all the cabinets and, most impressively if I do say so myself,
he built our file cabinets from scratch

  

I was pretty indecisive.

For a moment, I thought I would do the dark trim white (to match our trimwork)

Then I didn't know if I wanted to paint the whole interior of the shelves.

I didn't because I didn't paint his wooden hutch and wanted to keep some bare wood in the room

Then I thought I would paint the remaining desk trim white.
But I'm going to stain that instead like the original desk.
The chalkboard is almost a perfect match for the original black desk.

I ADORE how silver, brass and gold all look fantastic against the dark walls.
I LOVE the darker chalkboard edge to the shelves that I can label books with
(yes, there is non-fiction already on my fiction shelf).

There's still more to do:

Paint tv shelf
Paint edges of printer shelf
Stain top edge of B's shelf
Match and Stain desk trim
Touch up walls
Paint under desk ledges
Finish under desk trim

It will get done.
Eventually.

All said, we're ready for house sitters and holiday guests.

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Thanksgiving Table & New Tradition - Pinehurst 2011

While I am not really bummed about not having to cook for Thanksgiving,

I am a little bummed that my IRL folks won't get to hang out at this table.

It has a lot on it, but I wanted to use plenty of nature, lots of thrifty goods and just some unique finds to decorate the table.  Come sit for a spell.

        

(l) I have had a bowl of potpourri that has moved a few times already.

And by moved, I mean, been packed and shipped across the country.
Anyhow, I ship it because it has these really big pods and chunks in it.
I spread those across the table in between the pinecones.
The "candle holder" was blogged about on my Fall Mantel blog entry.
I picked up the cute bread plates from Goodwill for $1 each.
The white plate, I may have a few cases of.  May.
The gray plate was the first set of dishes I bought when we moved into the Gray Lady
(as I might sometimes refer to my big gray house).
The gold charger is from my wedding
(we had a small 60 person gig and actually brought in a lot of our catering service pieces).
The placemat is a felt leaf from BigLots.
Instead of centering the charger on the placemat, I offset the two.
I'll zoom out in another photo to show you.

(r) Close of up the almost Glassybaby-like not really candle holder.
Nope, those pinecones are not flocked.

(l) View of the table from the kitchen.
Instead of six settings (there are two of us, plus mom, sis and nephew),
I did five settings.  When we actually eat, we can use that end for the 6th as a serving space.
I actually used one of my turkey platters (I have three and yes, I still don't eat meat)
to set an overflowing cornucopia on top of.  I had the large iron pumpkin frame last year ($3, Goodwill).
I picked up the small iron pumpkin frame for $3 this year (Value Village).
The Love is Patient yellow wood sign in the window was $1 from the North Bend thrift store.
The framed and unframed Native American prints are by Edward S. Curtis.
They are both beautiful and help my family to stay grounded in my grandmother's roots.

(r) On top of the bread plates, I used wood salad bowls.
You find these for practically a dime a dozen at the Goodwill.
I never found a full, more rustic set.  So I bought mine in 2s or individually.
I love the mix match and the more rustic nature of the bowls.
Promise, I don't feed my family rocks.
I am a better cook than that.

(l)  From the chandelier. Because I like to hang out up here, evidently.
Here the table is filled out more.  You can see the place mat and charger offset from each other.
You can also see (we'll get closer), what I used to let folks know where to sit.
And you can see the fun chalkboard rocks we used last year.
Love those napkins.  Got them at Macy's because we had a gift card.
We thought we were going to get something else, but ended up with the Martha Stewart Napkins because we only had a couple bucks left and they were on clearance.

(r) I used three glasses for each setting. 
The small amber glass is for water.
We don't drink much water around these parts unless it was squoze from grapes.
Which explains why there are two wine glasses.
One for white (salad, desserts); one for red (meal, football, everything else)

(l) Close up of the chalkboard rocks that the one kids (young and old) got a kick out of last year.

(r) Close up of the Curtis photos.

(l) Close up of "placecards". I actually used Boggle letter cubes to spell out each guest's initials.
I would have gone with Scrabble although it is significantly easier and cheaper (in my experience) to find boggle sets in the thrift store than it is to find non-Jr. versions of Scrabble.
Don't know if I was missing a cube or if it is by design, but I didn't have a B in my set.  Not stressing.
No one else has my middle and last initial (smile).
Only splurge to the whole table was the flatware.
I LOVE it.  So much, I was shopping at one of those places that shall not be named (the likes of Ross, TJMaxx, Marshalls...) and came across a set I loved.  They had a bunch of sets, but didn't have two of any one.  I have a table that actually seats 8. The service came for 6.  I figured I was really only meant to have one set when I stumbled upon (at a different one of those said places that shall not be named) a set that I thought I loved even more a couple of months later.  Having not unpacked the original set, I was totally shocked, awed and pleased as punch to find that I had picked up the EXACT same set.  You'll be impressed to when I tell you that I actually almost got a different set but then walked back and was summoned back to the set that matched the serving for 6 in the trunk of my car.
Just. Saying.
Karma.

(r) One more long shot down the table. 
Here you can see that I added two tall, skinny vases.  They are packed pretty tight and narrow.
They are great for everyday, on the table.
For dinner, I would just pop the vases back in to their really neat wall holders
(they are actually wall sconces for holding flowers or candles or...whatever).

And the food view.
Once we're ready to eat...everyone knows where they are seated,
the tall vases are out of the way, the far end is cleared off for the real turkey.

Still promise I'm not feeding anyone rocks.
But an interesting tradition (if you will)
especially if you are in mixed company (some grace sayers, some not).

See the chalkboard rocks?  

I think it would be cool to break out the chalk, ask each person to write or draw one word that captures what they are thankful for.  Then, before digging in, go around the table and see what everyone said/drew.

I could see a particularly creative interpretation even being framed in a shadow box and displayed until next year.  When someone else could be the grand champion.

So doing that.

Linking up ya'll!
Tutorials & Tips Link Party at The Stories of A to Z
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Fall Mantel - Pinehurst 2011

Before we know it,

the Christmas mantels will be up.

Lord knows I'm late to the fall party.

But it all just moves so fast and I wanted to enjoy a really simple mantel.

We did a simple Halloween decor too...just really needed to make it manageable. 

So here it goes.

The above photo is one of my faves.

It has a few of my faves including

a GORGEOUS metallic print photo that my better half took

a white pitcher (I have 5 of them)

three awesome thrift store finds

some awesomeness grown from my own yard

Let's dig deeper:

(l) Another white pitcher filled with dahlias and sunflowers that had seen better days.

the Turkey plaque was $5 from Goodwill. On sale 50% off for $2.50

the super sized marble was $2.99 at Value Village.

The rocks are Project #3 from DIY for Busy Gals (Rocky Collection)

(r) The two yarn wrapped wreaths are Project #13 from DIY for Busy Gals (Cozy Wreaths).

For some reason, I can't find 2/3rds of my 31 days posts.  

I'll spend some airport time figuring that out and linking them all back up again.

Also in this shot is an awesome rattan ball that has made it through 8 or so moves.

(l) These actually were one of my best finds.  I got four of them for $1 each from Goodwill.

They reminded me a little (shape and opaqueness) of Glassybabies

What they ACTUALLY are are light shade covers. There's a hole in the bottom.

The hole is small enough that I could sit a votive inside snuggly.

(r) Those are actually wax candles.  I don't light them.  I should.

The little round carved box was a $2 find at Goodwill.

The pitcher in the background is the same one from the first photo.  Different angle.

(l) Probably my absolute fave find of all.

I saw a bigger sister (rougher shape) at the Burien Salvation Army.

This one was $3 at Goodwill.

(r) Just one more view of the pitcher, candles, circle carved box and turkey. 

She's really not that big.

Another tiny glimpse of the awesome photo.

(l) Also found these sisters at separate thrift stores.
Paid a little more than I wanted for the second (smaller) one,
but still only $5 for the pair.  Just pains me to pay more for the smaller than the larger one.

(r) Later, after some earlier shots,

I acquired the African art piece for a song.

She added just the right amount of height to the left side of the set up.
Didn't snap a full out photo of her in place though.

Here's a day photo of all the details I described above.

Here's a later photo.

Note the ducks on the bottom right.

Here are a couple more, not so great outtakes.

Linking to:
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

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Week 47 Random Pinehurst

Can you believe that the year is actually almost done?

Where did the time go?

 Almost a month ago, we got the coolest delivery from St. Clement.

How did they know I [heart] their Single Vineyard bottles?

Wish we got monthly shipments.

Just. Saying.

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Week 46 Random Pinehurst

Lifesavers.

Marriage breakers.

Well, for weaker marriages.

Yes, I cooked my puppy dog

gourmet, organic meals.

It kept her alive for a year.

Along with the 24 pills a day

she happily took down
until the end.  
When she would spit them out

like the good little big dog

that she is.

High maintenance dog.

Loved. Her. To. Pieces.
Still miss her so much.

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Week 45 Random Pinehurst

 One more month.  

best believe I'll be at Kingfish on the 4th of December.

Just saying, honey.

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Just Go Already | Leavenworth Festival of Light

If you ever check out our about us page 

or our FAQs

you would see that we claim to be the traveling type.

To that, it only makes sense that,

occasionally at least,

I write about that.

So here goes nothing!

Ready. Set. Go!

Where are we going?

Leavenworth, WA

Christmas Festival of Lights

(they will post a schedule here!)
(**hotel rooms sell out a year in advance**)
(***you can actually rebook your room at checkout***)

Who goes to Leavenworth, WA anyways?

Lots of people go.

Year round.
But especially on the weekends.
Back in the 60's
when this old railroad/sawmill town was
about to go the way of the ghosts,
the towns folks (cleverly, I might add)
thought up the kitschy Bavarian theme.
The natural surroundings suit the space:
the town is built on the Icicle Flats
the soaring Alpine'ish mountains and valleys
and the rushing rivers
all made Bavaria seem so real.


Now the towns people play the part.
Even with that little "Leavenworth rap" tourism bureau
mishap.

(shhhhh...I actually LOVE this video!!)

Especially since this little Bavarian village

(they have goats, Kris Kringl lives here

and they have a Nutcracker Museum)

is so not original to the founding of the town.

This is how crowded it gets about 3 pm,

about 1.5 hours before the actual lighting starts

Yes.

Those are people

(kids and BIG KIDS)

night sledding down the hill

into the party goers waiting for the fireworks.

Most of these folks are from Seattle

so they are nice and just laugh about it.

Not in New York.

Or Texas.

Or California.

Just. Saying.

Why are we going to Leavenworth again?

Because every weekend at the end of November, 

and most of December

it is fun to drink beer 

and pretend that you are German.

Or. it is fun to stand outside in the freezing cold

whilst it gets dark at 4 pm

(we are really far north folks)

to watch the magical moment when the lights come on.

It truly is magical.

I get goosebumps every time

(I've been twice)

and no, I'm certain they were not

the result of it being negative 59 degrees out.

It gets cold in the faux Alpines.

But seriously.

All the Festivals in Leavenworth are fun.

I particularly love this one

because it is during my birthday

and everyone is in a party mood

so it feels like they are all just 

celebrating me.

In my Santa hat of course.

They even set off fireworks for me.

There is actually a ton to do in Leavenworth

besides stand outside and freeze your tush off.

Some of my fave restaurants to eat at:

The Bavarian Bakery 

(for quick breakfast goods on the way out of town)

Gustav's

(great ale battered fish and chips. To. Die. For)

Leavenworth Pizza Company

(especially great night of lighting to take back to the room)

Sandy's Waffle Haus

(to sit and eat breakfast, who gets up that early?)

Los Camperos

(yes, Mexican food in Leavenworth. 

Someone didn't get the memo.

Because it is actually GOOD!)

Most of these places are really close to the big tree.

Really, everything in Leavenworth is really close

(as in walking distance)

to the big tree.

Which is good.

Because once you park,

you don't want to have to do that slow death again.

When is the best time to go?

It IS a weekend festival

so in this case you're off the hook.

That's the only time to go.

If you want to stay overnight

(which you will because it is far out there,

Highway 2 and i90 are never good enough to day trip it,

and it is far too cold for even people

with German ancestors to camp out),

then you MUST plan ahead.

Like a year or two.

There are ways to get rooms

(ie, people get punch drunk and book their next year room

at checkout. We had our own bought of buyers remorse

and sold our reservation on craigslist).

But don't just think you'll show up and find a space.

Unless you are that girl.

And who really wants to be that girl?

That all said, if you can be there during the day 

on Friday or Sunday when it is a little less crowded

then you can take in things like dog sled pulling

And even if you can only get there on Saturday, 

you should make time for a sleigh ride.

Pricey, but touristy and worth it.

Unless you are alone.

In which case you should just hang out in the pub,

be that girl (or that guy)

and find someone to share their room with you.

Just so long as that someone is not

a giant sized Ted.

Stop babbling and just show me more photos:

Alright already.

get friendly with the horses 

that will be pulling your dead weight around

on the sleigh ride.

Perhaps

a bit of hay goodness

is in order after the trek.

Fun times with farm animals and faux Bavarians.

Are you going this year?

End of November | December

is the Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival

Google images of it.

You will NOT be disappointed.

Unless you were disappointed by that 

YouTube video.

Just saying.

Around Pinehurst | November

 Fall Harvest Time.

This one was actually harvested

from the Sister's Antique Shop up the road.

Loved the curves

Loved the texture

Loved that when you shake it

the seeds jingle around inside.

 

Happy November!

 

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