Organized Christmas

This is on my list of top 10 websites that have improved my life: http://organizedchristmas.com/

This is my 4th year following the site's 6-week Christmas Countdown. My family's last 3 Christmases have been more peaceful, joyful, and meaningful than I dreamed possible, thanks to the countdown. I'm betting this year will be the best ever as I learn more each year from the countdown process.

This year’s countdown began 10/21/07 but it's not too late to catch up. It requires about 2-3 hours/week of work on Christmas prep and by December 1st, you are totally ready for Christmas. By nature, I'm an 11th-hour-addict but honestly, the last 3 Christmases, by December 1st, the only thing left on my to-do list was "enjoy the season". Try it, you'll be amazed!

The site has a sister site that I also love, http://www.organizedhome.com/. I especially love the section on freezer cooking. If you don't know what that is, you should. I find it euphoric to walk in the house from a day of playing tour guide for visiting family or friends, excuse myself for 5 minutes to take homemade lasagna from the freezer, pop it in the oven and then wander back into the living room to chat with everyone while the lasagna bakes. Within 30 minutes my guests notice the aroma of dinner cooking and start wondering how I did that while also realizing they are as hungry as they are tired from the day's adventure. I just smile and relax knowing that a delicious, home-made dinner is minutes away; relieved that I didn't have to persuade my husband to drag his tired body back out the door for takeout, and thrilled not to be wasting a week's worth of grocery-money on one dinner. And of course I share my secret with my guests – I can't keep something so good to myself!

UW Campus is Unbelievably Gorgeous in the Fall

We decided to tour the UW Campus Saturday and we couldn't have picked a better day. I wish we had taken more pictures. We were astounded by the architecture and landscaping. The library's reading room looked like a cathedral chapel. The leaves are all changing right now and the effect was marvelous. It was a storybook day.

A Lovely Day at the Seattle Center - Umbrella's Optional

Friday we visited the Seattle Children's Museum with friends. There is a fabulous exhibit there now called Moneyville. It was a little over our heads but would be awesome for kids that can read.

The weather was gorgeous and after enjoying the Museum exhibits we basked in the sun by the Seattle Center fountain. Isabel's friend bought her an umbrella from the museum for her birthday (usually quite useful in Seattle) and the girls insisted on using it in the sun.

Thank You Grandma!

Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) is a favorite around here and knowing that, GranMary created this gorgeous dress-up for Isabel. Belle wears it as often as possible and doesn't understand why it won't work for church.

Happy Birthday Isabel!

Isabel turned 4 this month. We celebrated with family and friends. In preparation for the event I asked her what gift she wanted and what kind of cake she would like. I was suprised by her very specific answers: An ironing board and a pink and purple cake with polka dots and Princess Belle on the top. She was pretty pleased with the results and can't wait to turn 5.

Blueberries for Belle

Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey is one of our favorite books. We got to live the story a few weeks ago when we went blueberry picking at a nearby farm. We even took a break to sit down in the dirt between the rows of blueberries to read the story.

Taking the Bus to the Library

The Seattle Central Library is one of our favorite places to go. It has the best storytime we've ever been to, fabulous book displays that are meant to be touched, stacks and stacks of books and adorable miniature modern furniture. We decided to take the bus with some friends this time--quite the adventure.