Thrift Store Christmas Decor

As you know, I really enjoy estate sales and thrift store shopping.  From Thanksgiving to Christmas might be my absolute favorite time to hit up the stores as they have their holiday decorations out.  This year I've collected a few new goodies.  

99% of the items cost me $.49- $.99 except for this creepy little cutie.  He set me back $1.99.  In case you can't see it, he is holding a banner that reads Merry Christmas.  He chills with the garden gnomes and greets people on our stoop.   

So I found this little guy two years ago but I still wanted to post about him as I found him in a CHKD thrift store in Virginia.  He is a 1999 Annalee.  He is our version of elf on a shelf.   Favorite.

Stained glass Santa!  He looked really beautiful yesterday as it was sunny for a few hours.

I like to call this decoration "inappropriate snowman" as he looks a little suggestive.  Perfect decoration.

So I apparently really love Annalee holiday dolls as I have two other little ones.  I found these guys at St. Vinnie's in Eugene last year.  One is a Santa mouse and the other mouse is in it's nightgown.  Cliff has the genius idea of putting them on top of the coo coo clock (like hickory dickory dock).  Awesome.  Love it.

You gotta believe.  Maybe I like this sign so much because of my time in Baltimore when the "Believe" campaign was going on but it doesn't matter... I really like this sign.  Believe in Santa!

Speaking of Baltimore I found this awesome ornament in Goodwill.  As a Maryland girl, how could I not buy it?

We even got a new stocking for Rudy (in case you can't see it, it is a dog with a Santa hat on hanging by his tail).  We have to wait to fill it until Christmas as otherwise he would be a pest.

For work I bought a mini Christmas tree, a Hallmark Rodney the reindeer (like the one we had when I was little), and a little alpaca.  We named him Horacio the Holiday Alpaca.  He instantly makes people happy.  Cliff kinda giggles when he sees him as he likes Horacio so much.  He is handmade and awesome.

I love Christmas decorations!

Coos Bay Adventure

This weekend Cliff and I did a few activities to get us into the holiday spirit.

On Friday, we had our Winter Wonderland event at work.  We had photos with Santa, two live reindeer, face painting, a ton of holiday crafts, hot chocolate and sugar cookies at Mrs. Claus' kitchen, snow, violinists playing holiday music, train rides, a gingerbread competition, and a festive sweater contest.  Cliff even volunteered and decorated the top of the bouldering wall to look like a penguin village (think snow, lights, inflatable penguins).  It was adorable and the event was a success.  

Yesterday, we went with my awesome co-worker, her husband, and two kiddos to Shore Acres State Park for holiday lights.  Shore Acres is south on the coast (that's right we got to see a part of the state we hadn't before!) and for the holidays they put up over 300,000 lights.  It was a long day in the car but it was totally worth it as we got to see a few pretty cool things:

1) Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area:  On the way down to Coos Bay there is an elk viewing area.   The area is a year around home to about 100 Roosevelt Elk.   We decided we needed to stop by to see if we could actually see any. Holy cow they were there!  There is a little pit stop area where folks can have a picnic, go to the bathroom, and watch the animals.  They were super close to the road.  I felt like we were back in Yellowstone.  I'm a big fan of elk. 

 

2)  Fun Food:  We ate at the Blue Heron Bistro in Coos Bay.  It is a German/seafood restaurant.  What could be more fun?  At our table we had fried oysters, cod fish and chips, steamed muscles, bratwurst, sauerkraut, stewed red cabbage, German potato salad, and cucumber and cabbage coleslaw.  It was tasty.  The whole restaurant was covered in old Norma Rockwell images.  

After dinner we went to Cranberry Sweets and More as we heard they had tons of free samples.  They literally have a sample for every item they sell.  Every. Item. They.  Sell.  No joke.  They even had free coffee and cider.  It was all decked our for Christmas.  We sampled cranberry and raspberry chocolates,  cookies, candy canes, fudge (Cliff was really brave and tried their neon cheddar cheese fudge) , jelly candies, spicy chocolate and a ton of other things.  It was nuts (but I didn't eat any...haha).  I asked to buy a chocolate covered cherry and they gave me two for free.  Awesome.  I highly recommend the stop for anyone who is going to Coos Bay. 

3) Shore Acres Holiday Lights: So apparently Shore Aces State Park has some of the most amazing scenic cliff and coastline views in Oregon.  With this said, we got to the park once it was dark.  But that is ok as  we could hear the ocean so we knew it was close.  We will need to go back in the summer when it is light, green, and the flowers are in bloom.

Every year for the last 26 years, Shore Acres State Park has decorated with lights.  Each year, more and more lights have been added and now there are over 300,000 lights in the park.  We all got bundled and walked around the gardens.  We enjoyed more cider and cookies and listened to girl scouts singing Christmas carols in the gazebo.  It was pretty great.  

They had little light displays of marine life (whales, seals, crabs, frogs, herons, etc.).  A few of the light displays had actions.  The frogs jumped and croaked.  There were underwater glowing Koi.  They had lights in bushes to create glowing hydrangeas (I love hydrangeas!).  They sold these special 3D looking glasses at their gift shop.  When you looked through them at the lights every bulb turned into a gingerbread man, stocking, and candy cane.  I tried to take a photo of the effect.  See below for the first of my terrible photos.  The one to follow is actually of Cliff and I.  My photos rule.

It is crazy to think that we are just a week out from Christmas.  All of our gifts are in the mail, the tree is up, and we are all set to watch Christmas Vacation or Love Actually tonight.  It is finally starting to feel like Christmas. 

Personal Victory

I started my first fire in the stove yesterday.  I completed the project from start to finish: split kindling, selected logs, started it, and worked the dampers.  This might seem like a small feat for most of you but I didn't use a fireplace growing up.  Also, Cliff has taken on the task since we moved into the cottage.  No worries, as I did it and yesterday.  I told Cliff to stay way and let me do it all on my own.  Personal victory. 

Christmas Parade

This weekend I got to be in a Christmas parade. 

Every year my work helps to sponsor the event and they always enter a float.  When I was first hired I thought that maybe I could sneak my way into the parade.  Well, I lucked out as my coworker and I ended up being responsible for our whole thing.  We came up with the design, did the decorating, and then got to walk the 2.9 mile route yesterday.  How cool is that?

Our float's theme was "we've caught the holiday spirit!".  It involved a magical penguin ice fishing house that was filled with 20 little pre-schoolers with penguin hats on.  The pre-schoolers also made fun watercolored fish to which we glued "holiday spirit" words.  Our words included Joy, Peace, Love, Family, Friends, Hope, Wish, and we even added Rain since we do live in Oregon after all.  The little fishies went on the poles hence "we've caught the holiday spirit!".  I'm biased but I think it was stinkin' cute (that is a fish joke FYI).  Plus, I got to incorporate my super-cute thrift store penguins.  Yard decorates never looked so adorable.

We lucked out as it only rained a little yesterday.  It wasn't super cold and we didn't get soaked.  Plus I managed not to step in any horse poop.  We handed out thousands of pieces of candy and wished many people merry Christmas and happy holidays.  It was a lot of work to put together (heck Cliff even pitched in to staple tinsel icicles to the house) but it was really fun.  I can't wait for next year to do it all again!

November

What happened to November?  The whole month flew by.  Seriously.  Where did it go?  A lot happened in those 30 little days.  In addition to turning 29 years old (let the count down to 30 begin!) and the 2nd annual Eugene Friendsgiving,  Cliff and I also did a bunch of little things.  For example, we purchased quite a few end-of-season fall bulbs and planted them in end-of-season clearance bamboo pots.  Cliff really loves flowers. 

We retrained our dog where to go to the bathroom in the yard as apparently somehow he forgot after doing it several times a day for over a year. Cliff kicked his climbing into the next gear of awesomeness and I started swimming again.   I passed my six month mark at work and now have full health benefits!  This is a good thing as I'm pretty sure I need glasses.  I helped to organize a 5K and Cliff ran in it.  And I even got my first cold of the year.  We were productive.

We also received quite a few generous and awesome gifts in the mail.  Birthdays are fun.  First came the Virginia Ham.

Then, I received a super-cool Fascinator (one of those little hats that British people wear) from Mom and Pam for my birthday.  Awesome.  Mom, Pam, and I had a good time trying them on when I was in Maryland between wedding weekends.  Mom bought one as well and now for fun we wear them when we video chat.  Again, awesome.

Cliff received his birthday crock.  We can now make homemade sauerkraut and pickle anything we can get our hands on.  It is beautiful.  This week were are going to try our first batch after we buy two cabbages.  Let's be honest, the process will warrant a whole post so get excited.

We want to thank everyone for the birthday messages, cards, gifts, and love that have been sent our way over the last two months.  We are totally spoiled.

Oh, did I mention that Cliff also grew a mustache and soul patch for Movember?  Cause he did.  In case you have been wondering what is up with all of the mustaches running around town, men are coming together to show support and promote awareness for men's health issues such as prostate and testicular cancer.  They are doing it the best way they know how...by growing facial hair.  Many of the male teachers at Cliff's school decided to take the plunge and see what their faces looked like with a 'stash.  Cliff shaved after the official Men of Movember celebration on Thursday but I think we are both curious now to see what he would look like with a full beard.  Hummmm...do I sense a winter break project?

Lots of love to all and happy December!

Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving ya'll!  I know it is two days after turkey day but better late than never.  We were really lucky as we got to celebrate with Kathy, Jill, and Brie. So much food.  It was glorious.  If only I could have taken one photo that wasn't blurry or missing part of someone.  Whoops.

 Hope you all had a great day!

Holy Virginia Ham!

A very lovely surprised arrived today.  We have been waiting anxiously for our joint birthday gift from Andrea and Joe as Andrea sent a birthday card teaser earlier this week.  I've been trying to figure out all week what "it" would be.

So imagine my excitement when I looked out the kitchen window today to see our little neighbor gal bringing down a box.  When we opened the door she said "we think it's bacon".  Huh?  Wait...oh my gosh...flip the box over....it's better than bacon...it's a Virginia ham!  So exited.  We have missed country ham so much.  You can't really buy country ham here.  It just doesn't exist. Cliff immediately opened it up and started sawing off slices.  Amazing.  Look out folks as Thanksgiving is officially going to be a traditional Virginia feast. a

Nice work Andrea and Joe.  Nice work.

Climbing Update

Hello folks!

I wanted to give ya'll a quick update on the climbing process.  Cliff and I started "climbing" in May right after I got my new job.  I use quotation marks as Cliff has really been climbing and I have been...not so much climbing.

Cliff is awesome.  He pretty consistently volunteers once a week to help with a Kids Climbing Club, he has climbed outdoors at the Columns, he has made climbing friends, he has lost weight and gained lots of muscle, and on top of that he is getting better and better each time he goes.

Me on the other hand?  Let's see...I have been maybe nine or ten times.  One of those I freaked before I really even hit eight feet off the group nd had to be lowered (the Spring Cling event I wrote about back in May).  The next time I got off the ground but ended up shaking so bad that I froze on the wall and kinda hyperventilated.   Another three or so I can guarantee that I cried as I clung to the holds (some of these with co-workers standing within ear shot). A few more I was plagued and intimidated by the whole process and just didn't really try.  Four times ago I told Cliff that I would go ten more times and that if I still hated it I would be done.  Neither one of us could be upset as I would have given it the old college try.

With all of this said, I have had three positive climbing experiences.  One: the first time I made it to the top of the wall.  It was the short part of the wall.  I wasn't on route.  Did I mention it was the easiest route that all of the kids easily climb?  I didn't care.  I made it.   Two: The first time I climbed up that same, sad, easy route without going off course.  That day I also managed to fling my body up the tall side of the wall.  Was I on route?  No.  Did I take breaks?  At least three.  Did I freak out and at least once tell Cliff I was done and to lower me?  Yes and yes.  I guess I'm happy about it now as he didn't listen and I made it.  Today was number three.

Let me start with Cliff's awesomeness first.  He climbed several 5.8s without a problem and did super great on a 5.9.  He even made it halfway up a 5.10 and looked fantastic doing it!  (For those folks who aren't super into climbing (aka folks like me) the numbers go up the harder the routes go).  We both were so excited.  I'm really proud of him and I know he is proud of himself.  Go Cliff!

Now my turn.  I climbed my first 5.7 ever without going off route and I didn't stop for any breaks.  I even had to jump up a bit to get to a hold which meant that not all four of my limbs were touching things.  I know right?  Also, I climbed the long route that I severely cheated on during #2 positive experience time.  I didn't make it cleanly up but that is ok as I fell going for it.  I fell!  I didn't nervously yell down to Cliff that I was going to stop.  Plus I didn't cry!!!  No tears today.  I was actually kinda liking it.  If my body didn't feel like a rubber band I might have asked to go again.  Who am I? 

Cliff was really excited as he did great and I was flippin amazing.  He really wants this to be something that we do together.  I would like that too.  It still might be a possibility as I didn't want to cry, hyperventilate, or poop my pants today.  Total win!

Volunteer Time: Cider and Craft Beer Festival

Last night Cliff and I volunteered for the first annual McKenzie Cider and Craft Beer Festival. The event  was a benefit for Belly-Full, a program that helps to feed hungry kids in Springfield.  For a first time event I was really impressed with the amount of vendors they had as there were 41 cider and beer folks providing samples.  You can see a full list on their website, however a few noted were not in attendance last night (like Dogfish Head...sad...we miss them...a lot).  For $15 attendees got a 8oz souvenir glass and four tasting tickets.  Folks could buy additional tickets for $1 a piece.  As volunteers, we got a t-shirt, glass, and four tasting tickets for free.  Sweet deal.

We signed up to be pourers and we were assigned to Rusty Truck Brewing Company based out of Lincoln City, Oregon.   The brewer and the owners trained us on how to pour then peaced out to mingle with other beer folk.  It was awesome.  They had a really nice set-up as they brought their red 1956 Ford truck that has 16 taps on the back.  It was by far the nicest looking set-up.  Plus we were the first booth by the door so we were a happening spot.  The event was pretty crowded when we arrived for our four hour shift.  However, the Ducks game came on at 4:00pm and the crowd dwindled as we think folks went to their normal watering hole to watch.  That is kinda sad as we had a 16 x 14 inflatable screen in the venue showing the game.  You honestly could see what was happening on the field from every inch of the event...well except for our booth as we were straight sideways from it.  No worries as Cliff and I made it a game to guess what was going on from the little we could see and the crowd reactions.

Pouring was a whole lot of fun.  We memorized a few facts about the brewery and tried to be helpful to patrons who asked questions.  As a volunteer you couldn't drink until after your shift (obviously) so we had to give recommendations based on feedback from previous folks.  I won't lie...this experience totally makes me want to brew and sell our own drinks.  Cliff is pretty solid when it comes to beer facts and learning how to make stuff (heck we did make some pretty great cherry wine out of a pickle tub once) and I'm really stinkin good at chatting people up (I credit that to my parent's video/office supply store).  It's on the list.

After our shift Cliff and I finally got to sample.  Most of the vendors had two drinks on tap but some had more.  We narrowed down our choices by ruling out any Eugene/Springfield breweries as we can go there anytime (plus we've already sampled all of them).  We also didn't consider companies that we could easily buy in any grocery store.  That made things a little easier.

Ok so here is the official run down of the drinks we sampled and our ratings:

Rusty Truck Brewing Company- Lincoln City, OR: Moonlight Ride Blackberry Ale, Taft Draft Toffee Porter, and Pedal to the Metal Double IPA. All three were solid but I think their Double IPA was the best.  We weren't surprised as so many people kept coming back for it multiple times while we were pouring.  Good choice folks.

2 Towns Ciderhouse- Corviallis, OR: We heard tons of good reviews of these folks as we were pouring to we decided to try them out.  We had The Incider (a semi-sweet cider) and Serious Scrump Dry Cider (really nice but packs a punch at 11% ABV).  They were really tasty. 

Flat Tail Brewing- Corvallis, OR: I had my ear out all night looking for the best pumpkin ale in the room and that lead me to these guys.  I had their seasonal Pumpkin Saison.  It was pumpkiny without being too sweet. Saison is a french farmhouse style beer with a low ABV that is cloudy and sometimes kinda tastes  bananay.  When I looked on Flat Tail's website I see that they also have a pumpkin stout.  I want that one.  Pumpkin beers (even if they are hit or miss) make me happy.  Maybe this means we need to heard up to Corvallis on our next beer tour.

Wandering Aengus Ciderworks- Salem, OR:  While I was sipping on my pumpkin beer Cliff tried these guy's Anthem Cherry Cider.  Cliff said it was really fun and enjoyable.  Like a delicious drink version of a cherry pie.  He really liked it as I only got one sip before it was gone.

Good Life Brewing Company- Bend, Oregon: Cliff got their Pass Stout American Stout Ale.  Cliff and I agreed that it was quite good.  Hoppy and big flavored.  We would get it again if we found it on tap.

Tieton Cider Works- Tieton, WA: We tried their Yakima Valley Dry Hopped Cider and it was awesome.  Such a good idea! Seriously brilliant.  The Northwest is known for hops and apples so why not mix them?  It was crisp, dry, not too sweet, and hoppy.  We would definitely get this again and in fact are going to be on the lookout for it. 

Crazy Mountain Brewing Company- Edwards, CO: We got their Old Soul Strong Belgian Ale.  I liked it but I sadly don't remember all that much about it.  Whoops.  We should have been taking notes.

Base Camp Brewing Company- Portland, OR: After reading their menu we had to try their S'More Stout.  We really like S'mores and we really like stouts.  What could be better?  It was really rich and was 8.5% ABV.  So just like s'mores this drink was a nice treat.

Our results...

Best Cider: Tieton Cider Works - Yakima Valley Dry Hopped Cider

Best Beer: Rusty Truck Brewing Company- Pedal to the Metal Double IPA
We also got Hole-In-The Wall BBQ for dinner and split a bag of kinda gross popcorn.  It was an awesome volunteer opportunity that turned into a pretty fun night. 

Happy Halloween

Princess Rudy would like to wish you all a happy Halloween.  May you get to eat lost of candy.  May you get to be silly.  And may you not look this miserable and uncomfortable in your costume. 

Footnote: Princess Rudy is a creation of the lovely little ladies who live next door.  They love him.

Candied Ginger

Cliff and I took a little trip to a local farm yesterday to buy some fall goodies.  An hour after arriving we left with green beans, ginger, one hubbard squash, three pie pumpkins (we already had three more at home so we didn't want to go crazy), a half a gallon of cider, beets, rutabagas, and lots of mud on our shoes.   Oh and an apple cider donut on our bellies!  (Side note: most people out here have never heard of apple cider donuts.  They aren't that popular.  That is crazy to me as they are perhaps one of the best things about fall!  Nuts.)  As we checked out the cashier asked us what in the world we were planning on doing with 2 lbs. of ginger.  Cliff calmly replied "make some candied ginger!".  Oh course.

When we got home Cliff pulled up this recipe online from one of his favorite folks, David Lebovitz.  We went to town and a few hours later we had lots and lots of delicious candied ginger.

First you peel the ginger...

Then you boil it in fresh water (twice)...

Then you boil it in a sugar solution until it comes up to 225 degrees...

Then you let it sit for a few hours to cool.  After you heat it back up so it is warm so that you can begin the really fun part...dunking everything in sugar.  Chopsticks were our preferred method of picking and dunking.

Lay them out so that they can set.  We left them out overnight. 

Enjoy!

There is so much candied ginger in our house right now.  I don't know how long it will last as Cliff loves it.  See the hole of missing ginger in the right hand sheet....Cliff did that in like ten minutes.  We also made some really wicked strong ginger tea (oh it burns!) and quite a bit of ginger syrup (see the mason jars).  We are planning on making our own ginger ale.  I'm excited!

Happy Sunday!

400 Pumpkins

We all know that I love the fall and that pumpkins make me giddy.  Seriously.  I love this time of year.  So imagine my excitement when I found out that my work has a three night hayride to celebrate Halloween and that in preparation I would need to recruit as many volunteers as I could get to carve over 400 pumpkins.  I get to do these things for my job.  Score. 

The great carving party took place on Friday and it was awesome.  Best day of work ever.  Our awesome Parks guys had already cut all the tops off and all we needed to do with scoop (gut) and carve.  I was thrilled as 106 volunteers and about 20 staff members came out to help.  We had several tables set up for the scooping and carving as I took it as my duty to move the pumpkins from our little patch area to the carving tent.  Parks left a sweet gas powered wheel barrow type thing so I deemed myself the moving master.  My at-work-other-half thought it was comical so she documented my process.  Enjoy....

Pumpkin two hundred and three...

Time to pull up my pants...

Let's get this started...

Whoops!  Got away from me a little...

"No worries.  I'm good!"...

Off into the mist I go...

The volunteers did an amazing job.  We had zombie pumpkins, scary pumpkins, happy pumpkins, and even several pumpkins with mustaches.  It was a fantastic day.  I didn't care that I was wet, covered in pumpkin guts, and starting to get really sore from lifting and scooping (don't laugh at me).  Look at all of them!

Ok, that the end of the real part of the blog. BUT if you are bored and want to see me geek out a little please scroll down to see some photos that document my love for the wonderful orange vegetable.

Pumpkin Fest 2003 in the Boston Common

Kappa Pumpkin

Apple Picking 2004

Kappa Retreat at the Hamptons 2005

Pumpkin Patch in Oregon 2006

Apple/Pumpkin Picking 2007 at Detering Orchard

Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Surry, Virginia 2009

 About an hour ago for dinner

Happy Fall!!!!!