Filthy Fifty 1,2,3

It's such a busy time of year. Parties, gifting, skiing, decorating, crafting, New Years-ing and Filthy fifty-ing! Which truly has been put on the back burner. However, I'm finally reporting on the first accomplishments of my Filthy Fifty list.

Filthy Fifty #1

iPhone pics are so handy sometimes

I entered Anthropologie with neither husband, girlfriend, or kids...just me. And I exited an hour later with several bags filled with evidence of my shopping spree. I love that store...from the window displays to the dishes to the shoes. I have to stop myself from twirling ridiculously with glee while in the store.

Filthy Fifty #2

Photography has become one of my loves. I've taken about a million zillion photographs and they're all filed neatly and expertly on my hard drive. Filthy Fifty #2 is to get those photos printed. I have wanted to create a gallery wall with some of my photographs for several years. Now I'm looking forward to filling the empty wall on the other side of the hall.

Filthy Fifty #3

One of my favorite Christmas memories growing up revolves around visits to The Christmas Village in my hometown.

Since before I was born, the city has been decorating downtown with mini buildings, replicas of the city's original buildings.

I couldn't wait to share this tradition with Olivia...

and Henry too.

This toy soldier Christmas decoration has been around since 1962...I'm almost certain I remember him marching around town when I was small.

Only a few of the houses are original from 1962...like this toy store.

With vintage toys, dollies and games filling the little house...there are even original Clue and Scrabble board games.

The grand babies were instantly attracted to the penguins in this one,

and the reindeer...which they insisted on calling goats.

Ah...we found a hidden spot that definitely wasn't here when I was a kid.

I can hardly wait to bring the babies back here during summer months for more photos.


Olivia found Santa's castle, quickly trying the door to see if the big guy was home.

Sadly, the original Santa's castle is gone. But the little people didn't seem to care.

But you can still mail a letter to Santa here.

Also...Olivia's boots light up and sparkle when she walks. I wish they came in my size!

The wonder of childhood. I hope Olivia and Henry will remember this place. The magic of my Christmas traditions now passed along to another generation. Next year maybe we will get brave and visit during the evening when the Christmas Village is illuminated with lights and glistening with snow.

Time to go...little tummies are hungry and ready for lunch. We're having pasta...in case you are wondering.

Angels...

I believe in angels and collect the ones with red hair.

My very good friend Debi gave me one made from her mother's old hankies.

Inspired...gracious Michelle gave me one before she even knew I collected them.

Susie commissioned an artist to paint this one skiing down the mountain.

Adorning their own tree for years, my NYC friends carefully packaged up their angel and sent it to add to my collection.

Woolly acorn hat angel was crafted by my friend Leisa who owns Black Sheep Woolens. She has tiny delicate stitches hand embroidered on her top and little bendy legs.

Each little angel has her own story to tell of how she came to be on my tree, like this unique stained glass angel from Kris. And each one reminds me of how much I am loved by so many people around me.

Jocie's girlfriend and kindred spirit Lindsay added this skinny purple legged angel. Each of the heavenly little beings have something endearing that reminds me of my red head.

And then there is this one hand stitched by Ronda, who is currently in a battle against cancer.

From Lori's elegant addition topping the tree, to the most eclectic one hanging from a lower branch; each Christmas since losing my girl...these red-haired angels make it just a bit easier to bear the very thought of another Christmas without Jocie.

Today I added this innocent and childlike angel...in memory of twenty little angels from Connecticut that abruptly and sadly found their way to heaven last Friday morning. My heart aches and heaves for their Mommies and Daddies.

Night of Pie 2012

The invitation went something like this...


Deck the dog and come to Pie Night and included this adorable shot of my cooperative yet pouting pooch Izzy.

Our 11th year of Pie Night starts out very early in the morning. Here's a peak at my blackberry pie that just went into the oven.

Ridiculously, homemade pie crusts generally scare people silly. I can honestly say that I have NEVER bought a prepared pie crust. I wouldn't even know where to find one in the grocery store. I make every single one from scratch.

Now you might say "well that's easy...because you have been baking since before you were two". Truthfully I was the world's worst cook when I was in college. About the only thing I could prepare was a bowl of Lucky Charms...just ask my roommates. The first few years of my marriage weren't much better in the baking department either. The point is...if I can learn to make pie crust from scratch, so can you!

I currently use several different recipes, depending on what type of filling goes in the pie. This one will be a banana cream.

For this Dutch Oven Apple Pie, I mix up a yummy butter crust. Made with cream and egg, it is a perfect companion to the apples. Sometimes I'll get creative, like this snowflake cut crust. The apples are roasted in a dutch oven before going into the crust. Add a little egg wash and it's ready for baking.

I don't know if this is your tradition, but my mom taught me all leftover crust pieces should be sprinkled with sugar and baked...little pie crust cookies if you will. Chet ate them for breakfast. Since his mom was preoccupied.

No matter how much I try to stay organized...by early afternoon I'm knee deep into a kitchen nightmare. I own 5 sets of measuring cups and spoons so as to avoid the "everything is dirty" problem that comes with making a billion pies in a day. What I love about this photo...

• Dueling Kitchen Aids (genius)
• Stacks of recipes/books/magazines
• My cupboards are open...yet again
• Diet Coke-absolutely necessary

After an episode involving the neighbors dog, my backyard chickens, and an over baked Coconut Cake...I'm finally ready for the party.

Fifteen pies/deserts made the buffet this year. I had planned on making Isabel's Chocolate Silk Pie...but the chicken-dog-cake episode eliminated that one.

Thanks to Cassandra, one of the best new pies this year was a Lime Blackberry Italian Creme. Wow! If you missed getting a slice of this one...you really missed out!

Slicing and serving is what I do...thanks to my friend Joni for coming to the dark side and shooting these last few photos with my Nikon camera even though she is a Cannon girl.

Autumn and Sid have been coming to pie night for years.

Somehow Susie convinced her adult kids to drive all the way from the big city for Pie Night. I wonder what she really promised them...it couldn't just be a slice of homemade pie. But what a treat it was to see them all.

Gavin and Chet are discussing important stuff like his pictures of "no snow" at Snowbasin.

Milling around, chatting, and eating pie...that's pretty much what Pie Night is all about.

After all the guests had gone, and all the crumbs swept away...we found this note. Whoever left this has beautiful handwriting and a very sweet heart.

Just what I needed to complete the evening...and then I collapsed into bed.

Awesome Avery Orange

Funky, spunky and with a personality that sparkles as much as her eyes, Janette will surely surprise and amuse you.

I met Janette in Oregon at the Hometown Photographer's Workshop...where we instantly became friends. We laughed and giggled and stayed up way too late. Beautiful and confident, she was a natural in front of my camera. But it wasn't until learning of each other's broken mother hearts, that we realized the depths of our bond.

You see, Janette's son Avery passed away unexpectedly just a few short months ago. Oh those freckles, those glistening eyes, and that red hair...be still my heart!

 Avery loved his family including all of his siblings.

He loved to play the piano, play on computers, everything Pokemon and the color orange as it was his signature color!

 Avery loved spending time with his Dad

 and going on fun vacations with his family.

 But Avery really loved his Mom. For every boy's first love...is his mother!

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." 

-Christopher Robin to Pooh

Avery's memorial jiggystick designed and created exclusively as a gift for his family and not for sale.

Awesome Avery Orange jiggystick...for Avery, for his family, for his friends, and especially for his Mom. 

Thank you Janette for sharing your photos of Avery and allowing us to honor your sweet boy while celebrating his life and legacy!