Family Time in NC

There were a lot of good things from our time with family in NC. We didn't capture everything on camera...so some memories will have to live on without photo documentation.  (I'm thinking the Mark/Matt potty training story... the FL Loves QT story...)
It is odd that while we were growing up, we spent almost every Christmas in Marion.  This was our first family Christmas there in quite a while...and it was special in that it was our first Christmas there since Mom and Dad took residence on Love Dr.  We hated missing Matt/Ashley, but they were often in our thoughts and prayers as they focus on Matt's healing ankle and the coming baby.
In our usual blog style... we will let our favorite pictures display some of the highlights from the holidays in Marion.
The weather was generally gorgeous... we spent Christmas day outside catching up on yard work.  

Moutain walk.

Chopping wood.

Pruning blueberry bushes.

Decorating the house was fun - especially for the family party!

Martha's Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

Fun way to display favorite cards.

Simple kitchen window decor.

Gotta have candles, pinecones, oranges...

Food, pretty platters, ribbons, Christmas lights...

Candles on the mantle.

All of the family contributed to the holidays in so many wonderful ways.

Ugly sweaters.

Mamberk and Gigi.

Brad keep us all laughing.

Family dinners every night!

Time with Mara.

She loves her Granddaddy!

Martha's birthday - a cheesecake with sparklers thanks to Aunt Debbi!

Uncle Willie loves Mara.

...and the cousins do too!

It is hard to believe that the holidays are over. They went too fast as usual.  We hope that 2015 will be full of blessings for all of our family and loved ones.

Holiday Hustle

This is a Milliren family quilt...Pat always has the room looking like a B&B. I loved how festive this quilt looked/felt.

Fresh greens on our bedside tables...

It is no secret that I crave quiet nights by a glowing Christmas tree...cookies baking in the oven...candles burning.  Lots of moments of holding onto my Connor-Crush.  All the cozy, peaceful aspects of the season. But, then there is real life and the holiday to-dos. I did bake some ginger molasses cookies last week during a storm and found time to write my Christmas cards too... but I need more nights like that!

 
This past weekend Connor and I took time for a quick holiday visit to Port Angeles to see Aunt Pat and Uncle Alan.  We had a lovely time. Our visit to the recently removed upper dam of the Elwha River (part of a restoration project) was such a treat. 

The overlook from the dam still remains.

But, looking down, you can see where they removed a 200+ foot deep dam.

And, looking back, you can see the old dam from the bed of the once Lake Mills.

After that, we stopped at Madison Falls - just a short walk and a bend in the trail reveals this amazing waterfall!

Pat and Alan striking a pose.

I haven't been writing about food...but that doesn't mean we aren't eating well!  Here are a few meals that I found to be delicious.

Dutch Baby (a pancake that you cook in the oven!)

We sliced it and served it with lattes and nectarines/blueberries.

Pork Carnitas...guac, corn, rice, refried black beans... queso fresco, salsa, homebrew. YUM!

Braised short ribs...jasmine rice, arugula... (A WCT masterpiece!)

Lots of things to do before our venture to Marion this coming weekend. We can't wait to spend some time with family.  I better get back to work...before my 30 lbs of fat cats climb on me again...

Does this make me look like a crazy cat lady? 

Hoping that your holiday hustle is bringing you joy and fulfillment!

We are Thankful!

Despite the rainy and typical weather, we were able to get our for at least one good walk. 

 We had the BEST Thanksgiving weekend with some of our favorite Texas Tuckers. We are so grateful that Dad and Neana came to Washington to spend the holiday weekend with us.  What a treat! We just hope that they had as much fun as we did!

Daryl helped us welcome them to WA with a few beautiful boxes of Fran's chocolates.

We took them to some of our favorite local places... This is the Churchill glove factory.

A local antique shop - specializing in clawfoot tubs. This was a 6 foot beauty!

Our Thanksgiving feast turned out perfectly. We have heavy hors d'oeurves for lunch during the cowboys game...

Sangria, mini-quiches, salmon dip, stuffed mushrooms, etc.... I could have sat on the couch all afternoon and skipped dinner!

Dinner included all the usual fixin's...nothing too fancy, but it sure was yummy!

I can never skip dessert.

We probably could have used a few more walks... playing football on the streets was much needed after all the food!

Traveling for the holidays (and anytime we want to see family) and dealing with airports is one of the things we hate most about living in WA.  So, we are especially grateful that we got to spend a holiday with family but we didn't have to get on a plane to do it!  Dad and Neana kept us laughing all weekend... we had a blast. From our morning coffees...to drives around town...to our candlelit evenings.  It went too fast...but we sure did cram in all the love we could into those few days.
As always, we feel so blessed.  We give thanks everyday for all of our blessings.  Can't wait for our next family holiday.

Feeling Festive

The finished product....covered in family/special ornaments and I love remembering the story behind each one!

With Rusty and Neana arriving from TX this week, we wanted to be ready to relax and celebrate!  So, we took some time this weekend to get our Christmas tree in place.

Of course we had to take the C10. Connor has been working hard on the interior - new carpet/paint/door seals.  And all new wiring for the engine. It is a very classy ride - especially for riding out to a local farm!

We have gone to this family owned you-cut before. The couple is in their 90s!! We love the barn and the farm layout; there are about 14 acres of Christmas trees.  We were lucky to have some sun and decent temps.  The farm wasn't even due to open until the day after Thanksgiving, but the couple graciously allowed us to take our pick.

Too many trees to choose from. We need short/skinny for our little space.  Connor loved the steely blue color of this Noble. I got to do the honors of cutting. I thought it would take forever...but a few minutes later I was done.

Connor has been sick all weekend, but he was a trooper for his over-zealous wife.

You can see that Lefty and Eno are thrilled with the holiday preparations. Actually, they are just waiting for the heater to come on and warm their fat asses. Don't you love how Lefty stretches his paws out to the next chair - maximum hot air exposure. Atta boy!

Now we are all just patiently awaiting the arrival of Dad/Neana.  We have so much to be thankful for this week.

Outing in the beautiful Backwoods

Backwoods is a new craft brewery in Carson, WA.  Connor recently started selling a few of their beers at the Pastime.  Unlike most craft beers, these have been selling really well.  His Coors-drinking logger customers can't resist beers called Logyard IPA and Copperline Amber.  So, Connor's interest was peaked and we made a date for adventure.
To get to Carson from Chehalis...you drive south to the Oregon border, then head east.  The mighty Columbia River Gorge runs between Oregon and Washington. 

July 2011...not such a pretty or warm day...but the company was fantastic!

We took a paddle-wheel boat ride on the Gorge with Max several years ago when he was here for a visit.  To get there, we drove along the Oregon side of the Gorge.  This time around, we took the Washington side.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous - unheard of here in November - blue skies and sunshine. 

Sunny and about 55... such a treat in November!

The views were amazing as we wound around the curves and bends. There were cows grazing in green pastures...and who knew that there were orange/red/gold leaves in the grey/evergreen PNW???  It was really a pretty short trip - only about 140 miles.  Took us about 2 1/2 hours.

There are some big trees in the backwoods.

Connor hung out and got the story from one of the owners before the pub opened. He also got to sample several beers - and his DD tried several sips and actually liked most of them! 

This salmon dip was so delicious...and we had a pizza too.

This brewery is family owned... started by a couple of brothers who liked to homebrew...and their parents invested in a brewery for them.  So far, it is doing great. One of the wives makes soaps/candles/lipbalms using their beers and natural ingredients.  They have tremendous community support and their theme is dead on for this area.  Some other beer names: Ridgerun Stout, Clearcut Pale Ale, Winchester Brown, Big Cedar IRA, Bumbler Honey IPA, you get the idea.  At 3pm opening, a young couple walks in, a middle-aged man, an older couple bringing grandma and her walker... It was uncanny to see all these different people coming to the bar for a beer and pizza. The place was packed within the hour. 
We got back on the road in time to catch a picturesque sunset over the gorge...and the paddle-wheel boat making an evening run.

Amicable Adventurers <3

We hope that you are taking time to enjoy a little adventure, nature, and tasty food/drink this November.  xox