"Age of the geek, Baby"

Hi Everyone,

I'm seeing fewer and fewer Christmas trees on top of cars these days.  I bet most people have them up and decorated by now.   Have you seen some of the themed Christmas trees in the shops and stores? Some with only red and white.  Some just glittery gold.  I especially like the coastal themed ones. 😉

We have two trees.  One upstairs which has all our family favorite ornaments from the children's childhood, and even some from when Eric and I were kids.

The tree downstairs is our themed tree, but we never planned it that way.

Eric is a big Star Trek fan.  I gave him his first Star Trek ornament (Hallmark Keepsake) in 1993.  

What I didn't know back then was that there were limited supplies and they were only available the year they were released.  (Hence the whole "keepsake" idea.  I get it now.)
My dad got the first one in 1991.  It was novel and Eric thought it was great.  I tucked that idea away thinking I'd look at the after Christmas sales to buy one for Eric.

That's when I learned that they don't go on sale and they aren't for sale any longer either.
The next year my dad got the next one.  It was a shuttle craft that had Spock's voice,  "Shuttle Craft to Enterprise..."

When I went to buy one for Eric, I discovered that they were expensive and it was out of our slim budget.  But again, when we gathered for Christmas Day with family and Eric saw the new one, he loved it. (and probably secretly wished for one too.)

1997 U.S.S. Defiant

Christmas of 1993, I was determined and bought the USS Enterprise D - styled after The Next Generation.
Eric was tickled that he now had one too.  Every year since then, I have purchased the Star Trek Keepsake ornament.

1994 Klingon Bird of Prey

There are actually two Keepsake lines - - the ships or the characters.

1998 U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-E

We have only the ships.  Here are a few photos of some of them.

1999 U.S.S. Rio Grande

2007 Future U.S.S. Enterprise

1995 Romulan Warbird

2002 U.S.S. Delta Flyer

2008 U.S.S. Reliant

2004 Vulcan Command Ship

2000 Borg Cube

2001 Deep Space 9 Space Station

2006 U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701 (celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original series tv show.)

So you see, with 23 Star Trek ship ornaments, we had no choice but to give them their own tree!

A couple of years ago, I went to Goodwill and found an artificial tree that was covered in the older style small lights, which is what many of the ornaments plug into.  That's half the fun of the ornaments because most of them have a sound, or song, or a character speaking when you push the button.  (but not if you can't plug them in because the plug of the ornament doesn't fit the newer style light receptacle, but Hallmark got smart and now just makes them to run on a battery.)

So this Star Trek themed tree graces our downstairs family room.  

Like I said, "Age of the geek, Baby.  Age of the geek!"

Do you like themed trees?  Do you have one? 

- Carol 

Some traditions

Hello Again,

A bit more catch up from our holiday weekend. 

I know some would say I'm crazy!  Some would say, "why bother when you have on-line", but Black Friday shopping with my older kids has become such a fun tradition.  

Caleb had to head back down to Portland Thanksgiving night for work the next day, and Matt also had to work so this year it was just Hannah and Dan and me. 

We picked up some friends to join us. The first store we go to opens at 5 am, which is early, but not ridiculously early. They serve free coffee and doughnut holes!  (which makes for a happy Dan!) They are known for their sock sale.  All socks 1/2 off.  That's when I buy all the fun socks for my family along with a few packages of essentials too.  A couple of years ago I bought Christmas socks for everyone and they loved them so much that it has become a new tradition for us.  I find fun ones at the Black Friday sale (trying to remember what everybody already has 😵) and it kick's off (see what I did there? 😉) our Christmas season.

The second store we went to had what I needed on my list, but not what Hannah and Dan needed. While our friends and I shopped, Hannah and Dan smelled all the colognes and fragrances - all the while vlogging about it!
They crack me up.  If you want a laugh, check out Hannah's vlog here.

Also - how convenient to have Starbucks inside the stores!  Hannah bought coffees for herself and JoAnna.  When asked for the names for the order, Hannah replied with "Batman and Robin".  The Dynamic Duo of Black Friday.  😁💪

While all these shenanigans are happening, at home, littles ones with Eric and taking things slow and easy...until we got home.
This year we had plans to get our tree later that day.

It wasn't raining!  We found one that was just right.

While Daniel sawed, the girls ran around playing hide and seek, we sneaked in a kiss.

but got caught. 

Because of rain, we usually have to let the tree sit in the garage a day or so - so that it drip dries, but this time we didn't have to. 😊 Caleb returned for the weekend, and we spent such a nice Friday night as a family - eating Chex mix, and decorating the tree, and listening to our new Christmas music.

Which I am actually totally loving!

What about you?  Do you have your tree up yet?  Do you have a favorite Christmas tradition?

- Carol

My fabulous find

Hi Friends, 

OH MY!  I just stumbled upon the MOST CHARMING magazine EVER! 

Last week when I was packing for our Colorado trip, I wanted some light reading for the plane. In the magazine isle at the store I was scanning the sea of food, cottage, wedding, sports when this little gem caught my eye.

She writes the magazine as if she is writing in her diary (and you, the reader are her journal hearing all her thoughts and ideas.)  She invites you into her creative world of homes, and gardens, cooking, and travel, crafts and shopping.  She writes what she has been up to as well as features what some readers have written to her about, which forms a source of inspiration.
Each edition of Daphne's Diary is a surprise, but each often includes extra items like stickers. cards, things to fold, stick or cut out yourself.

She's all about inspiring you be creative.

In my issue she included a little bit of hospitality with some interesting recipes.  I want to try the one for broccoli soup.

Tucked between the pages was this cheerful poster.

There was a simple craft idea using maple keys, which we have all over our property this time of year.

She featured several artisans from around the world.  This gal makes the most amazing miniatures in the country cottage style for doll houses.

"She makes the little things that we love the most, but in tiny versions" ... like this SUSAN BRANCH book entitled Love.

Ok, she's a kindred spirit if she likes Susan Branch ;-)

The only thing I can't seem to figure out is how frequently it is published.   This issue is number 6 - 2016 - so maybe every other month?  It's a little spendy too at S14.50.

Little story - At the top right of the cover is the price in pounds.  L5.99   I figured that the magazine couldn't be much more than $7 or so. (clearly I do not know my exchange rates!)  I had other things to buy and was a bit distracted by my children, so didn't catch the price until I read the receipt when I got home.  YIKES.  S14.50!  I kind of had buyer's remorse, but as I thumbed through the pages was pleased that it was so unique with NO advertising!

What's also fun about it is that I am pretty sure she lives in England somewhere.  Her spelling of certain words like "neighbours" and "whilst" and "colour" make you feel like you are visiting with your British girlfriend and that tea time is inevitable.

This would be a really sweet gift to give (either a subscription or just a single issue) as a birthday treat or to someone who may be recovering from illness or a new baby.... or maybe... treat yourself!

:-)

- Carol

 

Friday Favorites

You know when you find something really great, and you just want to tell everyone about it? Well, I thought I'd show you some of my favorites lately...


WOOL DRYER BALLS
No more toxic dryer sheets.  
If you want a scent, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  
I bought mine on Amazon for about $18. 
I did see a great tutorial here if you want to make your own to save yourself some money.

FIGS
Why are these just.so.good?  Candy, I tell you!  Costco has been carrying so many organic products at really great prices.

ADAGIO ROOIBOS ALMOND TEA
I've gone off coffee for a while (Boo), but this rooibos tea (which is naturally decaffinated - like herbal teas) with a splash of cashew milk is really fabulous. (yay!) 

LEVERAGE
sometimes bad guys make the best good guys.

THESE TWO 
I found these salt and pepper shakers a few years ago.  They are eyeing each other and they make me smile. 

ANKLE BOOTS
I don't have a pair of these yet, but they are on my wish list. 

PLAID BLANKET SCARF
I'm loving this look!   Also on my wish list.

It's definitely bootie and scarf weather here now.  I finally timed my likes with the season just right.  ;-) 



Enjoy your weekend 
xoxo 

~Carol 

Fun things to see and do in Seattle - our field trip

"Community" is comforting.  Feeling like you have someone to talk to, have things in common with, and that is an inspiration is really a gift,  I think.

We are social creatures and meant to connect with others.

I am in an interesting season of life.  Peers of mine have finished their journey of home educating their children, and are enjoying the college/career/marriage/grandbaby stage. 

Even though I have college/career/marriage age children, I also have these younger ones. 

I won't lie, it isn't easy.  

Enter in my "community".  It is just so great to have a friend in the same situation.  

Even though we've graduated some, we need to press on, full steam ahead, with the remaining ones.

Field trips are win : win.  You get to spend time with friends, while learning a ton in a fun way.  Exit the classroom (or the kitchen table, as it were) and get out into the field.

My friend, Margo knows all the cool spots - so off we went to explore a few in Seattle.

First stop -  the Frye Art Museum.

Free admission.  Free parking.  Free docent led tour.  Gotta love that. 
They were in between installations.  They were just putting together this exhibit by contemporary artist, Noah Davis.

The docent asked the kids questions about the painting - like, "What do you see?"  "And what makes you think this is a family?"  "Where might they be?"  The kids had some great observations. 

Then she had them draw what they thought the mom might be seeing through her binoculars. 

From there we moved into the Salon. The Frye's had quite the floor-to-ceiling-all-four-walls art collection.

The kids were asked to pick a favorite and then draw it.

these were useful activities that engaged the kids and helped them "see". 

After the museum we hit Gas Works Park, which was the perfect spot to eat our picnic lunch and let the kids run, and play, and be loud.

They played the classic, "Red-light/Green Light".

So while the others were running, and smiling, and having fun together... 
there sat Mary feeling left out. 

Her pal, came over to see what was wrong. 

"BOO!"  -

Like I was saying, good friends are absolutely indispensable!

This waterfront park puts you front and center to the Seattle Skyline, but I never would have found my way without Margo!

It's right on Lake Union, where they filmed Tom Hanks' houseboat in Sleepless in Seattle.

It's also where they put on big fireworks displays on Independence Day.

Next stop - Theo Chocolate.
...and a selfie.

My girl, the multi-tasker...posting on Instagram, while keeping hold of Mary Anne. :-)

Theo chocolate is on Hannah's approved foods list.  HA! Isn't chocolate on everybody's approved food list? You ask.
No seriously.  They have some selections that are dairy free and vegan.  

There were samples of every kind of chocolate bar they make.  Oh, yes, please! 

And they offer free tours. Margo and I already have that one scheduled!  :-)

They made a chocolate version of the Apatosaurus topiaries.

 which were just across the street from Theo so we got to see that too!

Like the Apatosaurs, the Troll Under the the Bridge is another rather iconic/quirky Seattle attraction. (Think Billy Goats Gruff),

Just a couple short blocks away from Theo, and on the way to the freeway, how could we not drive by? 

 

The day was packed with fun and friends. 

other #blanchetdahladventures are here and here.  

- Carol