christmas day play

12.27.2011


Having already celebrated with family Friday night and Saturday night, on Christmas Day after opening gifts we decided to go in search of snow.  We didn't find any up around Detroit, but we took the road toward Breitenbush and found a nice trail to hike down to a beautiful waterfall.  It was a wonderful day with my boys, the stress of the holiday falling away.  

festive flicks

12.22.2011


 I've been having a hard time feeling the Christmas spirit the last few days.  I've overdosed on Christmas music and stressed out a little too much over things.  I haven't watched a single Christmas movie this year, and think that is in order now to brighten things up.  Some favorites:

1.  It's A Wonderful Life.  Almost obligatory...and everyone has seen it a hundred times.  But I adore this movie...everything about it. 
2.  White Christmas.  Danny Kaye.  Enough said.
3.  Love Actually.  Love indeed.
4.  The Holiday.  I don't know that I would love this quite as much if it weren't for the English countryside locale.  The cottage is right out of my dreams.
5.  My Favorite Wife.  Not technically a Christmas story, but one my sister introduced to me many years ago that I always watch at Christmas.  Witty, sarcastic, wonderful. 
6.  The Scarlet Pimpernel. A period love story is appropriate for any season, yes?  To the rescue!
7.  Serendipity.  My husband and I love this (only vaguely holiday-ish) movie.  If we were to have "our movie," this would be it.
8.  Joyeux Noel.  If you haven't seen this, you must.

These are all great, but I'd love some new ideas.  Anyone?


just a perfect day...

12.20.2011


A perfectly clear beautiful sparkling coat-free day in December at the Oregon coast?  Check.

a december sunrise

12.16.2011


Beautiful sunrise this morning in Salem. 

silver falls christmas

12.14.2011


 So beautiful and frosty on the drive to Silver Falls.




Silver Falls State Park has an amazing Christmas festival, especially great for kids, but festive and fun for everyone.

We hadn't been in the woods for a few weeks, so we had to go on a very cold and therefore very short hike.


 On the way home, the husband suggested going to EZ Orchards for some donuts and caramel apples.  It was not hard to convince me.

silent talkie

11.15.2011




Two movies I can't wait to see. 

forest dreaming

11.04.2011


The forest.  It's where I always want to go.  To me, it's the most wonderful, magical place.  It's been almost two weeks since we took this hike.  The colors, the light, the smells - it was dreamy.  It's going to be cold and rainy this weekend, and I'm hoping we can bundle up and disappear into the trees for a while. 
by mlekoshi