first night!

"What is it that you want, Mary? What do you want?
You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso
around it and pull it down. Hey! That's a pretty good idea!"

"I'll give you the moon, Mary."
~ George Bailey

images by Laurent Laveder
~here~

tonight, we'll lasso the moon, and hold onto 
it until fireworks start!


Happy New Year!


I am so blessed to know you! 

[withLove]

put some sunshine on your shopping list!

after i visited

Gigi 

at

The Magpie's  Fancy,

i experienced writer's block.

that's not a bad thing because

 my mind instantly became filled with SUNSHINE!

~Sunshine for your shopping list here!~


(after four days of  bucket pouring rain who wouldn't be seeking the sun!)


thank you for delivering it so tastefully, Gigi!


[withLove]

this one's for the girls! and back to Boise!

yesterday, Mr D, Chrislyn, Jay, Holland, and i took a drive up north

to the Alderwood Mall, and then on to Microsoft where Jason works.

it was a fun, family day.

 last summer, American Girl

opened a shop in the mall. it's arrival has been the talk of the town!

                                                     

      

the first stop was a visit to Molly.

Chrislyn still has her Molly from childhood.

she has it tucked away for Holland some day.

she kept her in perfect condition.

           

there are many dollies to visit.
we love the dolls that carry the historical significance.

Holland was intrigued with the pretty dollies, displayed in a
colorful museum like fashion.

"happy dollidays"

Chrislyn bought a miniature "Kit Kittredge" for Holland.
Kit's story takes place during the depression. her family had
to make lifestyle changes, and rebuild their business.
i know it sounds like a sad story, but there are positive lessons
to be learned through  rough times in history. that's the message of
the American Girl dolls.

my precious dollies!

Uncle Jay and Holland.
we had lunch with Jason at Microsoft after we left the mall.

today is a bittersweet day!
 in a few minutes i will be making coffee and Mr D's lunch.
in a couple hours, i'll be driving Jay to
the airport. then on to work.
it's back to Boise and back to business as usual.
goodbyes are tough, but i am already thinking about the next hello!
we made lot's of desktop and telephone wall paper this Christmas!

"group hug today!"

[withLove]

you knew that i wouldn't forget!

just

  

pouring

  

toasting

sipping

checking!

because i love you!

now,don't you forget!

[withLove]

it's a wrap! and a winner!

this morning, the Chocolate Gousse and I are having coffee and 

Biscotti on the couch while the boys are fast to sleep. 

it was the best  Christmas, because we were all together. 

i had so much fun wrapping, cooking, tweaking and reshuffling! 

the last gift that i wrapped was Chrislyn's gift!

did you know that my blog became my Christmas list?

as i unwrapped gifts and  the comments were,

 "you wrote about this on your blog!"

i think we're on to something...lol!


~ * ~


the winner of the December 


glassybaby 


give ~ a ~ way


is... 


Andrea!

at
French Basketeer!


~ * ~


happy Boxing Day!

England 1923 

 there will  more shuffling and tweaking on the agenda for today!
~ and ~
we will be re-heating  those yummy leftovers!

[withLove]

Merry Christmas!

each Christmas, i pick a little theme for gift wrapping.

our packages are either wrapped in brown paper or white paper...this year
it will be brown paper, the usual cello bags,

(the red  heather yarn did not photograph red..)

and you guess it! Burlap!  my blog daughter Jami made the custom tags for
our gift packages. she's closed for Christmas, but you can visit her here next year!

yesterday, the Chocolate Gousse and i went out into the back yard to
clip some more fresh cedar. just when you think the chandie couldn't
be any prettier...i added touch of evergreen !

~*~

i am so very blessed to have found each an every one of you!
and i am touched by those of you that found me!
you have enriched our life here on 34th street!

~*~
Have yourself and merry little cozy Christmas!


[withLove]

Mama Biscotti and the French "T" above our fireplace!

tonight, i put on my apron and i

become Mama Biscotti.

i was given the name by Chrislyn's friend

Agnieska!  i bake biscotti year 'round...

it's my comfort treat!

at Christmastime...

i traditionally bake the loaves on

the 23rd of December. i slice and toast them

into cookies on Christmas Eve 

 and  on Christmas Morning,

after the Cinnamon Rolls come out of the oven.

when the family wakes to the smell of  baked

cinnamon, almond and anise seed, it's officially

Christmas here on 34th street!

"Mama Biscotti"

in a large bowl...sift 5 1/2 cups of

flour and 1 tbl baking powder...i give it an extra

stir with a fork to make sure that the "bp" is

thoroughly mixed in!

 *  

in a 

larger 

bowl combine...

1 1/2 cup granulated sugar

 1 cup (2 sticks) melted unsalted butter 

2 tbl Anise extract

2 tbl Anise seeds

2 tsp vanilla extract mixed with 2 tbl water

2 cups of coarsely chopped almonds

mix it all up with your favorite big wooden spoon!

crack 6 eggs...beat them with a whip or fork...and

add them to the mixture stirring with love and that big wooden spoon!

i start adding the flour and baking powder mix by sifting it

into the wet mixture...i dust the on top like a snowfall, stop and gently stir to 

combine...dust...stop...stir...repeat until everything is combined.  i love a snowfall in the kitchen!

the dough is ready

to be divided in half, 

wrapped with clear wrap,

and to be chilled for two hours!

~ * ~

line a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan with parchment paper.

shape each  half of  chilled dough into a log or loaf shape.

it should end up about 12 inches long and 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide.

set the loaves side by side making sure that there is about 3 inches

space between them

bake in a preheated 350 degree oven  for about 25 minutes...until the loaves are golden brown!

place on wire racks to cool.  once cooled, i wrap the loaves in tea towels

until  i am ready to slice and  toast them into cookies!

for the finale...

pre- heat your oven to 375 degrees.

slice the loaves with a serrated  bread knife...

place the slices side by side on a plain cookie sheet and toast for 

ten minutes...place on a wire rack to cool. 

oh! i there's a ritual!... i have a fresh coffee brewed... 

i  am so ready for that warm first biscotti bite !

we don't have a mantle on our stone fireplace...but
there is a quirky little jagged stone smack dab in the center
where i always hang a wreath.

at Christmastime the wreath is made from Evergreens...

 {everlasting life and love} 

this year it holds

our sweet French "T"!
~ found here ~

Merry Christmastime!


[withLove]

flying in the bright lights with Santa!

i can feel the momentum rising!

on Tuesday, Jay called me at work!

the words...

"MOM!"  "IT'S YOUR SON!"

"FOUR...MORE ...DAYS!

next, an email from Las Vegas...

( where he is covering Boise State's Bowl Game)

~fly here~

yes, my son is the one singing with the "wedgie"!

when you are at your desk and you are having 

one of your most out of control moments at work.

this is what reminds you...

it's all WORTH IT!

my son is flying in the bright lights!

working in a profession that he LOVES!

making every moment count, and sharing his joy !

he'll be home for Christmas tomorrow night!

Merry Christmastime!

[withLove]

chic Christmastime...Chanel meets burlap!

oh my goodness!

 so sweet...

i have loved burlap for years...

i have placed touches here and there at 

Christmastime.

this year, i will say it..i became OBSESSED with

washed burlap, thanks to Andrea and Donna!

so i blogged about it, and just about everyone that knows me

knows that i have wrapped it like a fashionable scarf, around our home!

Monday night, when i came home from work, there was a Christmas Bag
on the farm table. Mr D said, "It's from Jeannie"...you can look!"

on the tag it read...

Merry Christmas
 Lynne and Chris!
with a mutual love for burlap!
Janeen!

this morning in the workshop/kitchen mapping out the final tree day plan!

inside was the absolute COOLEST wine bag 
that I have ever seen!

the Santas were peeking out from under the chocolate dipped sprinkled pretzels.

 under the Santas and pretzels...a lovely bottle of
Muller Thurgau from the Willamette Valley!

do you know how your heart just instantly beats to hug an other's heart?

i met Janeen this past summer. she invited us over to her beautiful home
for wine with aperitif  and dessert. Mr D has known her since his school
days. they commute to work on the bus every day to the U of Washington.

i hope to have her to our home in the new year when the weather warms
to have wine by the fire in our backyard!

and...yes...i have a new OBSESSION. i am going to make some
chic wine bags in the new year!

celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving.
make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!

~Amanda Bradley

[withLove]

cozy Christmastime...

it's not fancy...it's cozy here on 34th street.

my Mom and Dad dropped the antique pedestal table off last week.

it might be my very first chalk paint experiment in the new year!

in the mean time, i tossed one of my grandmother's linen tablecloths

over it. Grandma would cringe because i just pulled it out of a warm dryer

and did NOT starch, sprinkle and iron it! 

on the table are some sweet keepsakes...

the little snowman globe is also a music box. it plays,

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

 you will see your creative hearts and inspiration represented in our home.

Laura (hand made bookmark), Donna (hand poured soy candle), 

and Maria (lavender pillow sachets) stand out in this photograph!

we have a "Christmas In The City village". i spread it throughout the

main floor of our home. the post office and the bank are displayed

atop our roll top desk...

and here's my dreamy  little 34th street neighborhood on the hope chest !

i won Laura's {Decor to Adore} give a way a couple weeks ago. a package filled with

 goodies arrived. i have been dreaming about owning a piece of  Andrea and 

Laura's Metis Linens. the lovely piece set the stage for the hope chest neighborhood!   

there is sweetness from Laura all over this post today.  

oh, oh...time to get ready for work! i don't want to leave "cozy"...quite yet, but i must! 

yesterday, Mr. D and i received the sweetest gift...here's a hint...burlap love.

i'll show you tomorrow!

[withLove]

a first peek at Christmas here on 34th street...

i'll try my best to give you a  proper view.

the weather has been dark so light is a challenge.
let's start where i finished...the dining room!

can you believe it's five days until Christmas and the farm table is clear?

...well,  for the moment! 

Saturday night, i finished the kindergarten angels.

on Sunday morning, i made a simple little garland with some found items
around the house. i used some of our vintage tiny tinsel garland
from Anthropologie.  i love it's nostalgic look!

this year i added silver jingle bells tied on loosely with hemp twine.

 ( i used the crochet hook to pull the hemp through the loopholes on the bells.)

i have a ton of upholstery ticking that i purchased two years ago when a fabric store

 went out of business. so... i made some little regalia flags!

the chandie holds the kindergarten angels, some paper graphic
(coasters) from CAKE Vintage,  a beautiful sparkly Angel card that
i received from Rachel at 425,  

"Silent Night, Holy Night"

and the amazing rag Christmas hymn rag balls
that were made by Marlene!

our manger scene is very sweet and simple. do you see the bunny
keeping Baby Jesus warm and cozy?

on the farm table...i decided to create a mini marshmallow world.

it's a perfect little yummy vignette for a few of our Christmas village people to
hang out. could that be Loretta Young and Cary Grant?
 the Bishop's Wife is one of my favorite classic Christmas movies.

~ * ~


you may be wondering...
why does Lynne refer to her little angels as kindergarten angels?
this morning, i will also show you the top of our tree. there perched
 are my two very favorite kindergarten angels.

they were made by Chrislyn and Jay in 1988  and  1989.
don't you love the big smiles? i love Jay's green apple cheeks!

the pretty ornament next to the angels was given to Mr D and i by his
mother Rita on our first Christmas.  she passed away soon after.
she was a nurse. she worked in labor and delivery!
 her precious gift has hung on the highest limb ever since.


today's post is dedicated  to Chrislyn and Jay's Grandma Rita
and  to their  kindergarten teacher,
Mrs. Hutchins. both have  passed from
this world, but  have touched our lives and the lives of many...forever!

"Always have room in your home for some 
 Christmas miracles!"


Merry Christmastime!


[withLove]

hunting for Holland's first tree, meeting Santa, Christmas movie night, and some kindergarten angels...

a week ago, we all went to the Snowshoe Tree Farm

to hunt for our Christmas trees. here is a cute snap

of Jason, Holland and Chrislyn in front of their chosen tree.

Holland Grace didn't mind the rain...

she was wearing her new snowsuit from H&M.

i am impressed with the quality of most of their infant clothing!

the suit has separate mittens and boots...fully lined with a hood

 and was only 15.00!  Chrislyn said she could not pass up on the pink 

"Darryl, Darryl and Darryl" hat! ( we loved Bob Newhart)

it's a beauty...T I M B E R RRRRRRRRRRRRR!

on meeting Santa...

she held his hand, but did not take her eyes off of

Mommy and Daddy!

~ * ~

tonight we are watching old Christmas movies

and i am making some simple little

kindergarten angels for the chandie!

 i found this really cool wired flat paper covered in glitter
at Annie's on first in Snohomish.

it's perfect for making halos.
i'm cutting up a crisp new white flour sack tea towel for
their dresses  robes.

so...multi tasking it is...blogging, gathering little
angel robes, crocheting ribbons and garland
 and watching old movies.

my kitchen workshop!

Merry Christmastime!
sugar plum dreams ahead!


[withLove]