I dream of the White Christmas we had last year… but for a brief moment yesterday I took a break from the day-dreaming to enjoy our rare sunshine. I may be envious of everyone’s snow pics… but it’s hard to top shopping at the Astoria Safeway, popping my bags in the car… and then hopping on to our beloved Riverwalk for a stroll with Mr. Z in the glorious, glorious sunshine.
If this little red riverfront building was mine, it’d be my fantasy sewing & crafting hangout (the boat on the deck is for the pizza delivery and to bring friends).
Astoria has THE best signs in THE best places. I heart my little town of Absurdia.
Rest stop where we can eyeball our next-door neighbor Washington (aka Hawai’i).
Mill Pond Village. A former toxic dump - now a jewel. These homes have magnificent views… sans the views of the bloggers who stroll the Riverwalk with cameras.
There’s something about walking on a wooden bridge. The sound. The feel. The need to peek at what’s underneath. I was hoping to see a troll or a hidden immunity idol.
Time to head back… and back to day-dreaming about snow.
There must be someone out there dreaming of sunshine and snowless sidewalks, right? Can we swap?
No White Christmas like last year… so I stay focused on my tree and pretend. Sipping my hot cider while Christmas with the Brady Bunch plays softly in the background Mr. Zombie’s Mythbuster’s marathon and roaring fire lulls me into staying in my jammies and eating way too much spinach dip.
Again… ham dog Madison wants in the shot.
Showing off her acting skills… Clint Eastwood imitation: “Get off my lawn“. (thanks Heidi and Frank!)
Yawn. I’m boring her.
Merry Christmas from our home to yours! May your day be filled with family, friends, food and frivolity.
And may all your Christmas photos turn out G Rated and your ornaments be well hung.
If there’s a sign with holes in it… Pam and I will stick our heads through it. Priceless. Curious onlookers watching us… that’s gravy.
Did you know that shopping at a kawaii store called Loyal Army Clothing can make you silly punchy? Add adorable Frankie Pancakie to the mix and encouraging us… and you get more then curious onlookers - you get Nordstrom staff calling the Walnut Creek Police Department. Just kidding. Only security was called.
And then there were cupcakes. And coffee. And see-you-real-soon hugs. And then tears.
It all started with the little one for my studio.
And then the medium one for the kitchen.
And FINALLY came the big one from Santa Kohl’s.
It was a week long event. It took only minutes to put the baby tree up. But the big tree… that was a week long chaotic, messy event.
My white Christmas trees are multiplying like little white bunnies. I think I even saw one of the trees smoking a cigarette.
The absolute best part of my my week long decoratingpalooza - was putting all the storage boxes and all the decordoohickies away. I can’t stand anything on my table other than meals and table-bling - so when all the decorating by-product came off the table and the floors - and went back into the garage…. THAT is when sighed and oohed and took a deep relaxing “it’s Christmas!” breath.
Next year’s Christmas… I’m starting next month.
Edited in:
Thank you for the tree-skirt lovin’! Actually, it’s more like tree-pants. It’s just a bunch of basic 9-patch stars set into a big square (I’ll try to make a pattern for it, but it’s really basic). The hardest thing about making this was cutting into the quilt to make the “legs”. Also hard to take pics, as someone kept trying to get in the shot.
Who says it takes days to decorate. I did mine in about 3 minutes.
Before…
After…
Indecision is my middle name. Because Monica Inability To Make A Decision Solorio was much too long.
Before…
After…
And THAT was my Christmas decorating for 2009. ONLY because I’m still waiting for the 7′ white tree I ordered from Kohl’s. They sent me a green one by accident - so I wait for the replacement. Customer service (via their facebook site) was so outstanding in the matter… that I’m all good with the little extra wait. Indecision may be my middle name… but Procrastination is my first name. Plus the MaryKate-mas tree wants to come out of the attic. Just in case.
Darling, darling, darling owl and adorable dress/apron ornament made by my seriously talented and sweet friend Laurie of Old School Acres (and she’s got a wonderful etsy shop!).
December 8th… how did that happen? So here’s the thing. I was going to do a tutorial for a fun little holiday project. I even got the PDF template made. No, seriously. And then all of a sudden… it’s December 8th.
So as if by design and being organized… I’m totally prepared now for Christmas 2010 (mmm hmm). So in the spirit of re-gifting… I’m re-projecting. Re-project Runway. Something fun to put under your Christmas tree, Hanukkah bush or Festivas pole. Or in my case - since Kohl’s shipped me the wrong tree… something for under my old skinny tree (aka MaryKate-mas tree).
Re-project from 2008 - Pennie Pockets:
I’ll do just about anything to create an opportunity for some ding-dong-ditchin’… and that’s how the Pennie Pockets came to be. A crime craft of opportunity. Two versions/two ways to make the Pennie Pockets - a PDF on my blog, or a tutorial version at the Moda Bake Shop using Layer Cakes. You should see what my pal Thimbleanna made!
Re-project from 2007 - Jingle Jolly Table Runner: I’m a charms nut. Love, love, love charms… so I got my jollies making this little table runner. The little Jingle Jolly finishes at 16” x 40”. The PDF pattern and the Post of Christmas Past can be found here.
I hope you enjoy (or re-enjoy). Happy Re-holidays!
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Posted by Monica in I Heart Oregon 
Farting around with needle & thread and then blogging about it.
