Zac Ephron Groupies

Zac Ephron Groupies, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Lisa turned me on to High School Musical and Zac Ephron. So, we had to go and see 17 Again together!

Life is Good on Mother's Day

Life is Good on Mother's Day, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

I love my family. In addition to the Amazon Kindle (combo present for Mother's Day and 50th birthday), they bought me a Life is Good shirt that I will where when we go sea kayaking in Catalina!

They also fixed me a great meal!

Not Too Cool to Dye Eggs

Not Too Cool to Dye Eggs, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Even though they are teenagers, they still like to dye eggs.

Relaxing with Easter Jelly Beans

Relaxing with Easter Jelly Beans, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

I ate too many of these on Easter!

Easter Saturday with the Family

Easter Saturday with the Family, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

We all go our ways for Easter Sunday, but we met in Salem for a nice lunch at McGrath's

December Retrospective

December Retrospective, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

357 - The Wise Men's Candle

357 - The Wise Men's Candle, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

We light this candle on the fourth Sunday in Advent to remind us of God's gift of His Son Jesus. In giving us His Son He gave us Himself. In our house, it is purple to remind us of the wise men who came and brought gifts to the baby Jesus.

356 - Cowden Cul de Sac Christmas Caroling

356 - Cowden Cul de Sac Christmas Caroling, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Remember the 4th of July Party Hostess with the Mostest, Lisa? Well, she and her lovely family also host a Christmas Caroling Party every year. (except they were in Australia last Christmas and DIDN'T fly home to host the party. Imagine that?).

What a blessed time!

355 - Couples Christmas Dinner

Couples Christmas Dinner, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Friday, December 21, 2007

The festive weekend began with a couples dinner at our house with dear friends. We dropped our kids off at Doug and Lisa's to hang out with their kids, and D & L and Pete and Sharon came here for a quiet candlelight dinner. We had a lovely time.

My only regret is that the picture of Doug and Lisa was too blurry in the low light and didn't make the photo mosaic!

353 - Wrapping it Up

353 - Wrapping it Up, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

I picked up dear husband at 11:00 a.m., and we finished up our gift (and grocery) shopping by 1:00 p.m. So, this picture is literally the "wrap up" of this year's gifts! CLOSURE!

352 - Swedish Spritz Perfection

352 - Swedish Spritz, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

My mom used to make Spritz cookies for us every Christmas as her mom did before her. We carry on that tradition only GEORGE is the one who usually makes them. He presented them to me on this lovely Christmas plate so I had to take a picture because it looked so pretty!

Last year, catastrophe rocked the "W" household when our Pampered Chef Cookie Press ring BROKE in the middle of the process! This year was saved without having to purchase a whole new press thanks to my friend and Pampered Chef consultant, Dorothy. She was able to replace the ring for only $3! Really, don't mess around with those laborious metal cookie presses. Buy the Pampered Chef one if you want flawless and easy Spritz cookies everytime.

The Circle of Life

Spritz, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

The tradition continues throughout the generations. He got them so RED this year. Usually, they come out pink.

351 - Linn-Benton Food Share

351 - Linn-Benton Food Share, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Today, we volunteered with others in the community (including four other homeschool families) at the Linn-Benton Food Share. We prepared 9,000 mailers for mailing and had a great time in the process. We met a new family who wants to start an English country dance club (think Jane Austen flicks)!

350 - The Shepherds' Candle

350 - The Shepherds' Candle, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

The third Sunday in Advent is the Shepherds' candle. It is also known as the joy candle so we sang "Joy to the World" by candlelight tonight.

348 - Gingerbread House Day

348 - Gingerbread House Day, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Our yearly tradition, and Paul enjoys it the most of any of us. We did it with the Kinkades today.

340 - St. Nicholas Day Tradition

340 - St. Nicholas Day, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

We have been celebrating St. Nicholas Day with the "I" family for the past six years. What a joy to have such a fun tradition with such a great family!

St. Nicholas Day Sunset

St. Nicholas Day Sunset, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

I was looking at the beginnings of this as my hands and arms were covered in flour while making the St. Nicholas Day cookies. I did catch it when I drove away and had to stop and take a picture!

339 - Christmas Teapot

339 - Christmas Teapot, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

One of my favorite things about this season is having tea from my Christmas teapot!

337 - Boys in the Bulb

337 - Boys in the Bulb, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Monday, December 3, 2007

336 - Prophets Candle

336 - Prophets Candle, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

In this first Sunday of Advent, we light the prophets candle who told of the coming of the Christ.