Holiday

Happy All Hallow’s Eve…

Thursday, October 30th, 2008 | General, Holiday | 1 Comment

Happy Halloween, everybody!

I love Halloween.

Actually I love seeing the changing of the leaves and stomping on the dried leaves that have already fallen from the trees.

“crunch, crunch” under my feet. I have fond memories of Halloween time or just fall time in general. One memory is of walking home on a crisp cool fall evening. Ryan at my side. We had a few hours at The Goose. Most likely a few beers with sandwiches, Ryan had a Reuben I’m sure.

But the walk home was always enchanting. Seeing the moon glowing from the sky and our walk… so quiet and relatively short, but seeming so long at that moment.

I loved the crispness of the leaves under my feet. So Ryan at one point went up to a tree we were just to walk under. He shook the base. The leaves came falling and I couldn’t have enjoyed that more. Feeling the lightness and crispness of leaves falling across my face, onto the ground and then the joy I felt just stomping on those leaves and hearing the “crunch” of them under my feet.

That’s what makes this end of October so romantic and amazing. To see the leaves falling to the ground only to join others and eventually decay into nutrients that will one day be advantageous for the leaves yet to spring from the trees that tower over and above in season yet to arrive.

Isn’t the process of nature amazing.

We all have a special moment with the season’s in this life. Mine most certainly fall. Also, life can tend to slow down a bit, with the cooling of the weather, people may tend to want to stay at home more. relish the comfort that home provides.

Personally? I just love the excuse to not go to the gym. :) Actually, I would love to run outside for a change. But the time in ones life and with work, it just doesn’t seem to become natural.

Either way. I’m enjoying Ryan’s Guinness in the Keg. It’s low calorie, it’s warming and it’s delicious.

Today, the day before Halloween, Ryan and I spent an hour or so at Moon, one of our favorite haunts and someone sculpted an Obama pumpkin. I loved it.

Here it is for your viewing pleasure.

I wish everyone a safe and wonderfully haunting and inviting Halloween. :)

“V” Day and Chocolate

Friday, February 15th, 2008 | Holiday | No Comments

valentine-chocolate.jpgAfter surprising Ryan with a package full of goodies, I hit the gym pretty hard, ran 5.5 miles on the treadmill, which was awesome.

I then came home showered and took note of my list of “to do’s” for today.

1. Stop at Concordia University to confirm Cap & Gown order for Graduation Day on May 3rd- YIPEE!

2. Treated myself to a pedicure and brow shape at AKASU. Pedicure was wonderful. The woman who did my brows and pedicure was an absolute delight. I highly recommend this spa. The atmosphere is truly nice and relaxing.

3. Start typing up case analysis due to professor before class meets tomorrow - This was what I was Defnitely not looking forward to.

So I hit Concordia Coffee house. Ordered a Macchiato, which was quite the espresso experience. I was intriqued by how in the coffee world “macchiato’ means “marked”. Simply put, the Macchiato is a shot of espresso with a “mark” or dollop of foam to cut the acidity of the espresso. It kicked my butt and luckily I got about 3 pages of notes written. Phew.

However, if there’s anything I want to indulge in for Valentine’s it’s wine and chocolate and so I stopped over at Cork, because they have some amazing selection of wines and organic chocolate. Now I had been in there before a couple of times and the people are relatively nice, but I did go in there for a wine tasting and I felt like an alien. I just wasn’t hipster enough and well it grew a distaste with me, but I’ve opted to give it more chances and with each chance the experience is much improved. I just haven’t tried a wine tasting again there yet.

However, I do have one complaint. So, I was in Cork just Monday picking up wine to give to my Girlfriends to celebrate their life’s journies and the gentleman who helped me on Monday was in there again on Valentine’s Day when I stopped in to pick up chocolate. I must admit I was disapointed in the blank hello he gave me, as if I were still an alien, again.

Therefore, I think Cork needs to work on their “building customer relationship” skills. For me, if I were to see someone in my store twice in the same week, I would certainly welcome them with some enthusiasm and ask how my friends might have liked the wine, but that’s just me, so again I need to adjust my expectations.

I know I’m treated like family everytime I go into Square Deal Wine, unfortunately, they just are not as conveniently located as Cork, I think next time It may be worth the drive to Square Deal, where I can get a warm hello from Dan or Eric and get the red carpet treatment (practically).
Anyway, I at least got some pretty damn good chocolate while in there, I didn’t bother picking up wine though. Since I new we were meeting at Moon, I figured I could enjoy this with whatever I decide to have there.
I got 3 bars of chocolate

1. Dolfin Chocolate Noir (Dark chocolate with grilled almonds) - Mmmmm velvety rich and delicious.

2. Chocolove Cherries & Almonds in Dark Chocolate - who doesn’t love cherries and who doesn’t love almonds, a pairing that is uncomparable especially nestled in the luscious haven of 55% dark cocoa

3. Chuao Chocolatiers- Caracas chocolate bar with hazelnuts, pistachios and almonds - Recipe for enhanced nutty goodness with chocolate. Ohhh my! Exquisite.

Oh and in Ryan’s bag of goodies I also included (in the hot spice theme) a bar of Lindt Chili dark chocolate. Smooth, rich with a little kick at the end, who woulda thought, it was a treat for the taste buds.

We actually didn’t dig into the chocolate until we got home and it’s a good thing, because any ounce enjoyed at Moon would mean it would be gone by the time we stepped back into the door at home.

So, I hope everyone had a special something with someone special this Valentine’s.

Remember, everyday is a day to be thoughtful for someone you love; send flowers, give candy, give a card, write I love you in toothpaste on the bathroom mirror, as it merely is the thought and not meeting the expectation that makes those actions mean the most.

MLK Day - Not a Holiday but a service day

Monday, January 21st, 2008 | Holiday | No Comments

mlk.jpgSo, today I gave a little bit of myself for good and it felt good to boot. I know that in the past, through my work, there was strong advocation to establishing MLK day as THE day to volunteer. Our job was to get as many volunteers out doing good as possible on MLK. Since the majority of corporate entities in Oregon don’t take MLK day as a holiday then turn into something even more meaningful.

So, in recognition of how I have the time, will and need to burn some extra calories I signed up! It was perfect. I signed up through Hands on Portland. A non-profit prominent in the Metropolitan Portland area as THE place to go to find out about volunteer opportunities.

So, I saw this opp. and it was perfect. It was close and it was for an organization I am relatively familiar with. It was painting in BPI (Black Parent Initiative’s) new office house that was provided by Concordia University. It’s on Dekum and Concordia has bought up a number of houses in the area due to their expansion with the new Library.

It’s exciting stuff and I LOVE to paint and so I got to help from 10am to 2pm today. I volunteered with about 8 others. Lunch was provided. I was very lucky to have signed up for something that was inside as we were warm and actually working up a little bit of a sweat.

So, remember, if you have the time, the will and the need to burn extra calories…check out Hands On Portland.. there’s always a need! Oh and I burned up to 350 calories! Sweet!

Happy Christmas and a Most Merry New Year! 2008… I CAN’T WAIT

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007 | Holiday | No Comments

santa-cube.jpgI felt I was neglectful of my blogging duties, so to make up for it (a day late) here is my wish for you for this holiday season.

May your home be filled with nothing but warmth, laughter, good food, good friends, dear family members and good spirits (weather they be brandy, wine, mead, beer, whiskey or casper).

What a wondrous blessing to have the blanket of snow envelop our home for the holiday. This year was extra special, we got to celebrate it with the family members we love and adore and especially with the newest member (Henry) to the family, it was a special time this year.

party.jpg2008 will just be especially GREAT. I can feel it! Here are the celebrations we have ahead:

- New Year’s Eve - PARTY!

-Ryan’s littlist brother’s birthday - PARTY!

- Kelly’s last day of Class in March - PARTY!

- MelDad’s Retirement in April - PARTY!

- Kelly’s official Graduation in May- PARTY!

- Kelly’s job offer (dont’ know when it will happen, but it’s just gotta happen sometime in ‘08)- PARTY! FOR SURE!
So this about covers the first half of the year. I know there will be some other excuses to party along the way, but these are certainly official Party moments! :)

I truly wish you a wonderful journey in the last moments of 2007. In retrospect I would say it was a rocky year, but I know only true breathtaking adventures await for 2008. Phew! I’m gonna kick up my heels and drink Champagne right outta the bottle… yes livin’ it up… what better time then now!

Also, to all my friends that have welcomed a new and adorable addition to their household may you know only simple joys and have an astounding good balance of good times with the slightly unfun times (e.g. spit ups, bottom explosions.. you know). All worth it.. I am sure. :)

My Holiday Movie Must See’s

Monday, December 10th, 2007 | Holiday | 3 Comments

a_christmas_carol_1938.jpgMovies can sometimes enrich the experience of our own lives by carrying us through the journey of others, either based on true stories or fiction. We can all be inspired to dream and imagine or sit in awe through the eyes of others.
I especially love holiday movies because they fortify the spirit of the season for me and remind me that each of us has a story to share for others.

These are not necessarily listed as my top favorite to least, they all have equal weight in value at their moments. So I have merely started with those that were my childhood favorites and progressed from there.
Please feel free to add/ if I missed any that you find especially inspiring for the Holidays.

There it is… my personal holiday movie favorites. I know I’m missing some so please feel free to add, it’s all about getting into the spirit of the season!

Happy Watching!

Happy All Hallow’s Eve.

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007 | Holiday | No Comments

Here are a few quotes to put you in the spirit of the season!

halloween_pumpkins4.jpg Eat, drink and be scary. ~Author Unknown

Halloween wraps fear in innocence,
As though it were a slightly sour sweet.
Let terror, then, be turned into a treat…
~Nicholas Gordon, poemsforfree.com

‘Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world.
~William Shakespeare

When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
~Author Unknownkitty_in_the_full_moon.jpg

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,
May luck be yours on Halloween.
~Author Unknown

To you and yours this Halloween, may nothing be what everything might seem :)

My way of making it through school and this holiday season…

Tuesday, December 12th, 2006 | Holiday, School | 2 Comments

white-christmas.JPGI like this philosophy….

The Holiday Reality

Friday, December 8th, 2006 | Holiday | 2 Comments

Here is when we really can start to worry……

santa

From “The Great Pumpkin” to “Thanksgiving” to Christmas” it’s the Charlie Brown stamps on our holiday plannings.

Wednesday, November 1st, 2006 | Holiday | 4 Comments

gang_all.gifI used to measure the holiday season by when the “Charlie Brown” specials were on t.v.

I always looked forward to the first airing of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”. With popcorn in lap and face just inches from the t.v I would empathize with Linus in his quest to see the “Great Pumpkin”. Of course poor Charlie Brown was always the one to get jipped when Trick-or-Treating, always noting, “I got a rock”. It’s almost like when my parents always had peanuts around the house, as my dad didn’t allow sugary snacks so I think we were the house most passed by as it got branded “the Peanut house”. Now I hear even some folks give outpeanuts2002221161101.gif toothbrushes and toothpaste during Halloween. What???

Either way, it’s just the catapult that brings us into the fall season and who could forget the “Charlie Brown, Thanksgiving”. Where Peppermint Patty would just sort of barrel her way into Charlie Brown’s house and then invite her and all the other Peanuts gang over to Charlie’s for Thanksgiving. Talk about a pushy friend. Then she complains about the delicious gourmet that poor snoopy slaved over. I mean it takes a lot to pop popcorn, toast bread and butter it, and what is Thanksgiving without pretzels. I mean who does Peppermint Patty think she is anyway? I know I felt a kinship with her, but only because I had her hair and freckles, but really I’m certainly not as picky as she is. The best is Tweety…. oh sweet tweety so willing and able to help snoopy with the decorations, Hmmm maybe I should get one. Oh but then our kitty would probably want to eat it, but no, I don’t have a kitty… if I had a kitty I would be worried, but since I don’t……

Ah, then after a nice week off it’s BAM, shopping, caroling, shopping and more shopping to find that perfect gift. I always imagined having the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. That somehow magically turned into a full sparkling tree after a few ornaments and lights are put on it. One curious thing though is what and who ever thought of an “aluminum” Christmas tree anyway? Ah well. I hate to force the speed of time into already the holiday rant, but that’s just what the Charlie Brown Holiday movies do for me. I love them and will keep on loving them. I only wish I could have recorded them as a younster, it would be a riot to see the commercials that were around then now. :)

So, Happy watching. I Have these movies all on DVD now and can watch them anytime, but there is something magical for some reason when I watch them via T.V. broadcast. To think of all the other, youngters and parents watching it as the same time as me? Are they laughing with me… or empathizing for Charlie Brown like me? especially when that darn Lucy tells Charlie to kick that football and we ALL know she’s just going to pull it away from him and humiliate him.. she’s so mean…. or even craving candy corn and pretzels for Thanksgiving.. like me? Either way. These are the special moments I crave during this time of year.

Cheers.

See the official website here: http://www.comics.com/comics/peanuts/

shroeder.gif

P.S. you all know what I’m going to say…. yes, I still want a kitty. Maybe I’ll get one for Christmas? With a little bow :)

It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane.. wait..no … it’s SUPER LOUIE

Thursday, October 26th, 2006 | Holiday | 2 Comments

superman-louie-008.JPGIt’s the mighty and fast Super Louie, fighting crime to make our streets, homes, backyards and supper dishes safe from all harm, even thwarting those cunning kitties from stealing all adult’s attention.

Leaping tall buildings in a single bound and scarfing up his food bowl in one swift bite. With Super Louie at our nation’s call we can breathe all that much easier and know that the solution to such crimes as ignored belly rubs, ham bones unchewed, sock pairs unseparated or shoes untouched is just around the corner.

Super Louie and his gaggle of super force friends are there for us humans…. fighting misconducts at every turn and ensuring that, while dogs may be considered a bit simple and needy, they have a purpose too, and that purpose is to ensure safety and security of their masters and friends, not kitties so much, there still is that tension between the two, I think the heads of those departments are still in negotiations, we’ll just have to keep on hoping for a time when they can just “get along”. But, for now we are rest assured that in the light of any danger our heroes are just a bark, growl or howl away.

psikostym03_1.jpg psikostym04_1.jpg

Of COURSE I still want a kitty. :)

 

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