HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

For those of you who celebrate All Hallows Eve...

BooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOooo

 *H*A*P*P*Y* *H*A*L*L*O*W*E*E*N*!*

BooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOooo 

This is my old paper lantern I found years ago, it's rather huge and Dayle hangs it up for me every year to brighten the dining room as the days grow shorter and nightfall comes early.  It really does cheer me up and it chases the darkness away.  The kids are taking the little guys over to her sister's house for trick-or-treating - it's in a neighborhood, whereas here in the countryside, houses are few and far between.

Yesterday we went to visit Dayle's sister Darlene and her husband Bill.  They moved from Gresham which is on the east side of Portland to Hillsboro on the west side several years ago and we wanted to see their home.  We met for lunch and then headed to their house for a nice long visit.  They have the most fun dog, a Labradoodle.  She is so cute!

I was delighted at how they have decorated their home!  Their old home was traditional with some country elements - but they have decorated this home with wonderful Chinese decor!  The cabinet on the left is antique and just beautiful, my eyes took in each decorative item.. it was beautiful!

It is a great room style, no enclosed areas, all open, very nice.  This is their dining area and I'm standing in the kitchen.  Notice the little photo bomber in the bottom of the photo?  :-)

Darlene even made a lemon cheesecake for our visit.. yum!!  It's the recipe of their sister Eileen.  It's delish!

They have a courtyard out back with room for lawn chairs and a BBQ - they had a potted Japanese Maple which had turned beautiful colors.

There is a story about the cute little Asian figurines below.  Dayle's mother had made these years ago, she was very crafty and made ceramic items for years.  She even had her own kiln and Dayle remembers helping her fire the items in their basement.  When all of his siblings were clearing out their parents home after they had been moved to an assisted living facility, they found these and Darlene said she'd like them and Dayle countered that he'd like them also.  So, they flipped a coin and Dayle won.  After we brought them home, Dayle felt remorseful and decided to give them to Darlene after all.  It was neat to see them in her home where they fit in so well.

We chatted away the afternoon and enjoyed our visit with them immensely.  Below is Hayden's school photo, he has the biggest grin, so cute!

I had to show you something I got a kick out of the other day.  Caleb pulled his little chair up to the TV cabinet and began "dusting".  I thought that was so cute.

Dayle and I are heading out to run some errands later and are bringing some Halloween candy back.. just in case anyone stops by.. and it will be our favorite kind.. just in case no one does come by.  :-)  Have a great day and a fun weekend!!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)