Survival

I survived serving Midnight Mass and the 10 am mass, by staying in a hotel a mere one block from the Cathedral. I got more sleep, and was in the very lap of luxury and still I'm trashed. And some much more dedicated ministers, like choir members, served at even more masses..and I bet they are not nearly as complainey as I!

Merry Christmas!!

Waiting For Santa

The puppies are anxious for Santa to arrive!

A Sweater For Schnitzel

It has been cold and Schnitzel is kind of bald, so I thought I would get him a sweater. I have never been one of those people who put clothes on their dogs, but there is a first time for everything. Well he HATES it. He becomes frozen and will not move when he is wearing it. So much for a fashionable dog.

Christmas Baking

I am again attempting some baking, to give as little gifts. I think I was too cavalier with this batter and obviously put these too close together... Then they didn't set up and I had to throw them out.  Hhmph.

Memories

My brother and I took a trip down memory lane when he was here.  We looked at old pictures, letters, telegrams, bibles, etc.  It was so sad that we didn't know many of the people in the pictures, or we had differing opinions of who they might have been.  My boys immediately pegged this picture as me, I don't know how they figured that out, its fifty years old!  Clearly, even then, I was a ham.

An Evening Out

Tom and Shelle took Ted and I out for a magnificent dinner at Place Pigalle. I have always wanted to go there, but I usually just suggest it to others, this time it was my turn!  I had pate, Salad Nicoise, and a taste of escargot. I don't even know what my companions were eating, I was so engrossed in my own gastronomic adventure.  What a lovely date night, and how nice of my brother. The men even went to get the car while we waited, freezing. I don't think I could have made it up the hill after that meal.

Kind Of Cold

Our view at breakfast, from the Corner Cafe.

The Museum Of Flight

We took everyone to the Museum of Flight, on the rainiest day I have seen in ages. I have never been there, it was so cool. I want to go back when we don't have a cranky, hungry toddler with us, although it was so fun hearing him say "wow" every time he looked up.

Snow Day

Three generations of Brown boys.

Shelle and Tom drove the grand kids to Snoqualmie to see the snow, since they have never had the experience. Turns out they could have just waited a few days, when it snowed in Auburn.

Top Chef Seattle

Shelle wins the colored hair portion of the competition.  She made many wonderful dishes for us during her visit. While everyone was here, my garbage disposal went on sabbatical, resulting in a flood under my sink.  Then Thanksgiving night, while we were all in a food coma, someone smashed in my car window.  My guests had to drive around in a car that had Batman duct tape over the window hole. So classy.

Grampa

Anything is better viewed from grampa's lap.

Enthralled

Tanner man was quite enthralled by train videos. Also anything involving dump trucks...I miss having a little boy!

A Thanksgiving Visit

We had some of my family (7!) visit in dribs and drabs for 11 days over Thanksgiving. Starting with my purple haired sister in law, which she colored in support of TCU. Then my nephew's family and finally my brother. My brother who is infamous for riding his bike over a cliff two years ago, while living in China.  I made him come to mass at St. James, so he could meet the many people who prayed for his recovery. At mass, Shelle was asked if her hair was colored for Advent!, which would be cool.