Thursday, December 22, 2011

A little of this.. and a little of that..

We've had some nice days this week.  Low stress, this and that.  I'll begin with today - my sister Denise and I volunteered at Multnomah Falls.  Although all our visitors are nice, we usually have a special encounter that is lovely and memorable.  Today there was more than one.  A Hispanic family came in and their son saw my ripple blanket I was working on and he began telling me about his grandmother who could make anything, knit, crochet and tatting.  All four of them obviously adored their grandma/mother/mil -- I could tell she had passed on -- it touched me deeply how much the two young men loved the things she made for them.  I can only hope that my grandchildren will remember me so fondly. :-)
Below is a photo of Multnomah Falls Lodge all lit up for the holidays - it was very chilly and wintery.
Many people bring their dogs to the falls.. when I was out doing my "photo-journalism" thing, I saw these lovely dogs.. they are "Golden Doodles".. a cross between a golden retriever and a standard poodle.  Handsome boys, they were!
The falls.. you know I had to do it. :-) 
On my walk up to the get photo of the falls, I noticed that there was frost on the leaves by the side of the path... at this time of year the sun is so low in the sky that it never shines on the walk up to the falls.  Brrrr.
My second highlight of the day was a kind young man said to me.. are you Teresa Kasner?  I said, yes.... and he said.. I'm Marcus, I went to school with your sons.  Of course I remembered him, he was such a nice boy!!  He introduced me to his wife and 4 adorable children.  He is an accountant for the Crocs company and lives in Denver CO.  They had driven by our farm on the way there and told me how nice it looked.  How sweet that was!
On Tuesday I met my dear friend Marita for lunch - we met years ago when she was the graphic designer for the Portland Yacht Club yearly roster and I was working on the roster committee.  We hit it off and have met for lunch a few times a year ever since.  We exchanged gifts.. do you recognize the little iridescent plate that I got at the Wild Arts Festival?  She loved it!
The little bag she gave me was sooo heavy.. I opened the tissue and there was a carved stone soap dish.. 
And a huge fragrant bar of soap.. it smells divine!  Thank you, Marita!
When I arrived home there was a padded envelope.. and I received my 4th ornament in the We Love Lucy II group ornament swap.. this was from Miriam in LA.  There was also a magnet strip for using when working on a pattern.  Neat!  Thanks!
I have a friend named Eric who is a talented organist and was asked to play in the Mormon Tabernacle a few months ago and was asked to play again in the college there on this amazing organ.. with 300 singers.  Do you see him there at the organ?  I just wished I could have been there to hear it.  
Here is a shot of our living room and the tree.  We are all set and awaiting Christmas day when our youngest child, Travis, will bring his family here for dinner and presents by the fire.  We have 2 roasts to cook with carrots and onions and will make Pioneer Woman's mashed potato bake and another corn casserole.
We've had a few anxious days as our youngest grandchild, Caleb, Travis' baby has pneumonia and his temperature reached 104.6 yesterday so Travis rushed him to the Emergency Room - he was listless and had shallow breathing.  Kristi had taken him to the doctor that day and unfortunately the antibiotic they prescribed reacted badly.  They have him on new meds and he rebounded, but is having a bad day today.  We'd appreciate it if you'd keep them in your thoughts and/or prayers.  


I hope you are all having a lovely and calm week and have a.... 

❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ 
((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

17 comments:

  1. Another, beautiful post, Teresa. Thanks for sharing. I'm praying Caleb makes a rapid recovery. <3

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  2. I so look forward to reading your posts Teresa but what dreadful news about poor little Caleb. I do hope he recovers quickly and is ok to enjoy Christmas. As usual the falls look superb as does everything around them, and how wonderful to catch up with your friend. I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a very happy 2012. xoxox

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  3. Oh my..your poor grandson!! He will be in my prayers, and I hope he will be able to enjoy Christmas!!! Your posts make me so want to return to Oregon! What a fun day to see your son's friend, and hear the nice folks speak so highly of their Grandma. I too hope that my grands will one day appreciate the things I made for them. Your friend looked thrilled with her gift, and I would have loved the gift she chose for you! Have a wonderful Christmas Teresa!

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  4. Teresa,
    I will keep Caleb in my thoughts and prayers and wish him a speedy recovery. I think what I admire most about you is how you embrace life and live it to the fullest. I love reading about your daily adventures and I wish you the very Merriest Christmas.

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  5. Poor little Caleb, I hope he continues to get better for the Big Day. I am sure he will have a lovely day as will you all, even if he is quieter than usual. His Mommy and Daddy can hopefully take a rest too and enjoy being looked after by Nan and Pop. Another great post with gorgeous 'Festive' photographs...those noodle doodle dogs are very cute.

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  6. Teresa, first your youngest grandson is in my prayers. One of the babies I work with is in the hospital with RSV/pneumonia. He is constantly on my mind. Your house looks beautiful and I am sure that everyone who meets you has a special encounter. You are wonderful.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  7. I was very sorry to hear that poor little Caleb has been so ill, and hope that he is now much better and can enjoy his Christmas, even if in a quieter way than usual. Sending warm get well wishes his way.
    You have such a zest for life, Teresa, which comes across in all you do, and is very inspiring. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas.
    Helen x

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  8. It's always nice to have special moments like that when working around people. Makes for happier days :) The picture of the organ and singers is incredible! I can only imagine the sound that might accompany that picture. I'll be sure to keep Caleb in my prayers. Hopefully he is well enough by Sunday!
    ~Lacey

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  9. I hope your little grandson recovers fully for Christmas and I'm glad he's over the worst Teresa. It looks as though you have had some frosty weather...still nothing here but we are promised a touch of frost on Christmas Eve. Enjoy the last few days before Santa sets off!
    Jane x

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  10. Such a lovely post, as always...filled with so many beautiful pictures. :)

    Prayers sent out to little Caleb that soon he will be well and back to his playful self. God Bless him always.

    Blessings to you and yours and if I don't touch base with you again before Sunday...Merry Christmas to you and your family and a most happy New Year, too. :)

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  11. Merry Christmas Teresa! Oh what a lovely few days you have had. The lodge looks soooo beautiful, what a special place. And of course the fall always looks magnificent. Your home looks so cosy and festive and the fire is so warm. (I can feel it)l
    Now to the most important part, I will pray for Caleb and hopefully he is already feeling better. Santa will be extra special this Christmas, I bet.

    xoRobin❤

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  12. You are all in my thoughts and prayers Teresa. Anne x

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  13. *sigh* I love seeing your tree. Just beautiful. Sounds like you have been having a busy, yet wonderful, time. Have a VERY Merry Christmas! I am so glad we "met" during 2011!

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  14. Of course I will add your grandson to my prayer list. I hope he has a speedy recovery and is as good as new. What a lovely home and I love your tree, so pretty and festive for Christmas. It snowed a bit the other day, a fine powdery sugar type snow that didn't amount to much and lasted only long enough to turn to rain. The skies here in Ohio are always overcast and rainy anymore. I have to bake a cake for my oldest daughter's birthday Christmas Eve, and make some dill pickle roll-ups for my contribution to our supper meal with family. It is hard for me to believe that this year is almost over. It has had it's ups and downs, but making new blog friends has definitely been on the up side. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Teresa!
    {{{HUGS}}} Susanne :)

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  15. Thoughts and prayers are with Caleb.
    Thank you for another lovely post and Merry Christmas to you all.

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  16. Teresa, we certainly will add little Caleb to our prayers--poor baby! Your home looks so cozy and welcoming and your dinner menu sounds fabulous. I'm having (somewhat) of a laid-back day, although the girls are still at it in the kitchen with the sugar cookie cut-outs. They are tinting royal frosting and getting ready to decorate them after rolling out and baking all morning. The house smells so good!

    I got your note about the dollhouse--can't wait to see it. I never thought about checking c-list. How wonderful! Have a Merry Christmas Sweetie! xo

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  17. Hope your grandson is doing better.

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