tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34355928846132749142012-02-16T17:46:22.016-05:00Observations from my worldpineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-44706041323013389542012-01-17T22:17:00.001-05:002012-01-18T11:43:03.596-05:00

this post was blank for about 15 hours because I learned that my Nook doesn't like to write blog posts. Basically, lessons learned: Alcohol inks, Sizzix die cuts, unknown stamp *Weather doesn't care what the calendar says.  It just wants to confuse you.  January 17, 2012  - 50 degrees some rain, melting snow, lots of slop.  This is not normal for Buffalo, NY. Today, after an incredibly windy

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-12929535445273765412012-01-13T10:19:00.002-05:002012-01-13T10:19:20.920-05:00

Out the deck door - that's snow blown onto the glass.  Pretty, but... Our silly dog who loves he snow and doesn't know when to come in. The pile left behind after I coaxed the dog in, brushed and dried him off. Looking through our front window.  Earlier this morning, you couldn't even see across the street. This windy, snow-blowing, bone chilling morning is not what I meant when I

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-49975876684284570832012-01-08T23:19:00.000-05:002012-01-08T23:19:06.778-05:00

My girl with her Not So Shy Violet hair In an previous post, I mentioned one traditional photo is the kids coming down for Christmas as I was lamenting how tall they've gotten.  I wondered how this year's picture would turn out.  As you can see, it worked out really well, didn't it? This is my favorite cake in the entire world - Mahogany Chiffon Cake.  When I was at home, my mom and

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-34672131421232016152012-01-07T15:42:00.000-05:002012-01-07T15:43:12.865-05:00

our regularly scheduled programming with what has become all to common a theme in our household over the last 16 months.  Dad is packing for yet another business trip.  I overheard him say that he has only spent about four hours since September in his office.  Although, he isn't really sure about that because they have all started to run together. I am no longer surprised when people greet us

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-46305341050551126262012-01-05T22:31:00.000-05:002012-01-05T22:31:23.363-05:00

2012 - Joy The one word that I'm focusing on in 2012 is "Joy".  I want to rediscover that bigger than happiness, deeper than contentment feeling that is true joy.  I plan on researching joy, looking into the Happiness Project, and spending some time with my "JOY" notebook - where I'm planning on recording what I've learned. Bliss … as though you’d suddenly swallowed a bright piece of that

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-14669723098706127672012-01-05T11:59:00.000-05:002012-01-05T22:34:28.537-05:00

First off, welcome back! I have obviously been taking a blogging break, although I didn't know I was going to be breaking.  I have found that when my husband is home from working overseas, I don't really want to be facing the computer and typing away.  Now I'm finding that I have missed these missives and every time I post a comment somewhere else and it asks for the inevitable website, I'm still

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-6468948200784623932011-12-15T12:41:00.001-05:002012-01-05T11:11:58.030-05:00

Cleaning gives me too much time to think.  While doing those relatively mindless chores, I often drown in reflections over life. Today, as I was loading the dishwasher, it occurred to me again that there really are few things I hate more than doing the dishes. It has always been this way, as my family will testify.  It was so bad that, shortly after I was married,  we were gifted with a portable

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-3060349191013973552011-12-13T10:10:00.000-05:002011-12-13T10:10:45.846-05:00

I thought I was all done with Advent calendars, but as I said yesterday, sometimes things just fall into place.  I'm still going with that because I took the following pictures, and I got them off the girl's camera, and now I'm posting them, all within a 60 minute time slot.  That thrills me. More importantly, these calendars float my boat (since yesterday, I missed it.)  It is hard to put into

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-76152174726520902802011-12-12T22:50:00.000-05:002011-12-12T23:02:10.166-05:00

Meant to post some more Advent awesomeness, but I missed the boat today.  Hopefully, I can get it up tomorrow.  I thought I was done with Advent calendars but now have at least three more to show you.  Some days, the stars just align perfectly and it is so incredible, it is ridiculous.  Found one and the ingredients for two more just fell into place.  A part of the reason I can't show you today

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-56917428219257698792011-12-08T11:17:00.001-05:002011-12-08T22:21:53.833-05:00

Our big red dog, Rufus A note about our Advent Calendars: I don't put candy in the actual calendars that have drawers, doors or pockets.  If there is a treat for the day, I let the kids know.  Our dog would shred my calendars for that candy as he has a sweet tooth, and well, he is not allowed to indulge. Mostly, I put notes with a Christmas thought, joke, quote, or activity in the calendars.

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-39327744331236495092011-12-07T15:58:00.001-05:002011-12-09T22:33:26.939-05:00

So let's revisit my opening statements for the Advent series.  I do not like Christmas Day.  Maybe that isn't the whole story - I do love seeing the excitement in my children's faces as they race to their stockings.  I enjoy their gratitude and thankfulness over their gifts.  I am happy when they remember to thank the grandparents, aunts and uncles for their gifts. There is definitely

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-63307253397294207462011-12-07T15:40:00.001-05:002011-12-08T21:39:15.903-05:00

My Christmas Obsession  Pottery Barn Countdown Tree. This one hangs on my stair landing. My Favorite  When I started writing these Advent posts, the idea was to spotlight the one thing that I simply can not get enough of at Christmas time and that is Advent Calendars!  I simply love them.  It seems that even though for years, I bought the calendars with the picture, and little

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-47808523364573844242011-12-07T14:32:00.001-05:002011-12-07T15:40:18.154-05:00

The most wonderful season of the year.  OK - so let me just get this out there.   I do not like Christmas Day.  I think that December 26th is the saddest day of the year. That said, let me expound on the glory and wonder that is Advent - the season of preparation - Christmas time, Yuletide, etc. My girl and I, 2003 I love the getting ready for Christmas.  The list of things that

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-26433889391081050572011-12-05T09:20:00.001-05:002011-12-05T10:07:37.368-05:00

   I write a lot of blog posts - in my head - and then, by the time I'm actually at the computer they have gone to live in the other world, along with all the other great thoughts that I have and then lose.  One of the best lost ones is my children's book, that I had completely thought out and never wrote down.  I still can pull the title and basic premise out of the other world, but now I'm too

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-48561427429398730402011-11-07T09:49:00.003-05:002011-12-05T10:10:14.451-05:00

   I don't even know if that is the correct spelling and I'm not entirely sure of its official meaning.  What it boils down to is having a costume to go play at a gaming/anime convention.  I'm not sure when the anime fixation started but I now know Hetalia, Full Metal Alchemist, and Soul Eater are anime shows, mostly available on the Internet.  This is not to be confused with manga which is the

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-37253511828362185332011-10-31T21:43:00.000-04:002011-12-05T10:11:35.795-05:00

Does it ever amaze you how much toilet paper one family can go through?  Now, I am totally not looking for details here, but I've been thinking about toilet paper lately.  First, there have been commercials that are so much more matter a fact then they were when I was going up.  Now, it is about being clean, keeping clean, and not having pieces left behind. Do you remember Mr. Whipple and his "

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-34112164901636704882011-10-28T10:57:00.000-04:002011-10-31T21:47:47.504-04:00

Considered what you would be like if you just simply said "Enough!" What if one day you simply said "I'm doing it differently.' How would everyone react? Last December, I quit my job because I simply couldn't do it any more. My love has been traveling a lot for his work (He's been gone 50% of this calendar year.), and while we try to be positive about it - after all, he has a job, eventually

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-60782506516778639402009-06-23T22:11:00.003-04:002011-10-31T22:36:04.254-04:00

when Mom simply said "Let's go," and after throwing some clothes into a bag off we went. My mom had her "stuff" together. This comes to mind because I am in the midst of getting ready to be gone from home for a while. My sister is having a baby and I'm going to hang out with her for the big event. Every day my list gets longer instead of shorter, regardless of what I'm accomplishing each day. It

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-79784626988734001592009-06-17T22:42:00.003-04:002011-10-31T21:49:17.643-04:00

The Harry Potter Exhibition in Chicago is amazing! It is not huge - but the descriptor that come to mind is DETAIL. Every bit of ephemera, clothing, wands, etc. there was so incredibly well-crafted. I've watched a bunch of the movies since we returned home and even though I was specifically looking - the detail that actually exists is not visible on the screen. This all the more interesting

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-32990449395660980432009-06-17T22:22:00.002-04:002011-10-31T21:50:00.790-04:00

We have a stamp at the store that says "Does this mean you are a grown up now?" It's intended to go with Birthday cards but it has struck me this past week. Last Friday, Kirk called and asked how I felt about driving over 500 miles one way to see the Harry Potter Exhibition at the Science Museum in Chicago. I can't believe he felt the need to ask; he should have known the obvious. This is

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-88765095525505809142009-04-16T12:58:00.001-04:002011-10-31T21:51:43.265-04:00

Where does time really go? I know what I've done in the past 25 years, but I'm having trouble believing that a twenty-fifth class reunion for Moscow Senior High Class of 1984 is being planned. Not that we're having a reunion but that 25 years has passed. I know we got married, finished college, moved to Los Angeles, worked, moved to Buffalo, had two children, worked, modified my career choice,

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-27606390488740852492008-10-15T17:13:00.003-04:002011-10-31T22:11:25.285-04:00

This blog thing has me a bit discombobulated. (Hey, the spellchecker even says I spelled that one correctly.) Here's the deal. 1. I am not a picture person, and the whole point of a stamper's blog is to show finished pieces of work. I have never been a picture person, and even though I try, I am not a good picture taker, nor am I a good subject. I don't have a great affection for looking at old

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-58654994489344192082008-03-26T23:20:00.004-04:002011-10-31T22:12:33.844-04:00

Marty and this blog belongs to me. Currently, I believe that I must be severely something, I don't even know what right now. However, if I have loaned you my copy of Melt Art Impressions by Suze Weinberg published by Designs Original, would you please let me know. My dining room is still fairly tidy and we have been eating at the table so I know that it is not there. I admit, the study needs to

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-43136127583702435692008-01-16T22:44:00.000-05:002011-10-31T22:13:23.689-04:00

My word for the year 2008 is Process. My inspiration to choose a word comes from Ali Edwards . She explains in her blog entry of January 4, 2007 about choosing a single word to focus on for the year. This really resonated with me and I decided to give it a go. I was inspired to choose "Process" after reading the following in Grace Notes by Alexandra Stoddard, 1993, pages 5-6: "The

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-81034748319091483642008-01-16T22:34:00.001-05:002011-10-31T22:14:09.399-04:00

It's now January 16, 2008 and the dining room table is still clean! We did have a few days of the table being buried while it was Pine Wood Derby Week at our house. Both my son and daughter constructed cars and the table had become the body/paint/detailing shop. That was last week, and it is clean again. I even did class samples. Now if only the study was tidy... How did that happen? (Insert

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-29539393922028866372007-10-12T00:35:00.001-04:002011-10-31T22:17:23.277-04:00

I am proud to say that there has been progress. Yes, I do have visual proof, but the pictures are trapped in the camera for now. When I figure out how to release them, I will. However, let it be said that I have worked hard at clearing my dining room table. YES, you can see bits and pieces of the red tablecloth AND the centerpiece (from Valentine's Day, mind you) that has been buried under all

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-5837339823087189212007-07-27T10:53:00.000-04:002011-10-31T22:20:56.739-04:00

If you thought I was going to say my studio, so sorry. Haven't touched The Mess except to sort out the stamps. Why? Because I have been so busy with Harry. I admit to being a bit obsessed with the Wizarding World. I went to Barnes and Noble at about 6:00 PM Friday night to get in line for my wristband. Ended up in group 11. I could tell how serious I was because when they kicked everyone except

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-2807471770959864892007-07-15T22:59:00.000-04:002011-10-31T22:23:11.679-04:00

Well, as evidenced by the crazy countdown timer, the movie has been released. I admit to seeing it only twice so far. It was my first midnight viewing and that was so much fun. It is exciting to be with a huge crowd all excited by the same thing you are. It was touch and go today as I was ready for a third viewing. I feel that the movies only get better with more viewings because there is so much

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-72846484042669357672007-05-21T15:42:00.000-04:002007-05-21T15:52:32.965-04:00

The news from Moscow yesterday (Sunday, May 20, 2007) about the sniper shooting was so horrible. I've been touched because I grew up in Moscow, the First Presbyterian Church was my home church and I was married there in August, 1986. My thoughts and prayers are with all those living in Moscow who have been personally touched by this tragedy. I don't think I actually knew any of the specific

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-46185372404347190182007-05-16T14:15:00.000-04:002007-05-16T14:20:43.448-04:00

to this day - First, my boy decided that it was time to have an upset stomach. So we didn't get much sleep last night. This is such a killer because I need my 8 hours minimum. I do so much better on 10. So he's home today.Then, on the way to school, we were in a little fender bender. Well, to be more exact, it would be my bumper to the other guy's right passenger door. Now, my stomach hurts. The

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-17331656119351470352007-05-12T20:28:00.000-04:002011-10-31T22:29:48.594-04:00

I am laughing out loud. My boy just came and asked for ice cream. Now, that in and of itself is not funny. However, we ate dinner at Red Robin tonight and he was too full to finish. He just now came and said "Mom, I need ice cream. My tummy has this sense for ice cream and the only way I can get rid of it is to eat some ice cream." What made it even funnier is his whole expression. His hands were

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-45522678256267532102007-05-06T21:21:00.000-04:002011-10-31T22:31:21.750-04:00

So I've been tagged by Elisabeth. I need to list seven random facts/habits about myself. 1. My favorite color is shades of teal - in the summer, I like the bright turquoise end of the color and in the fall/winter the rich teals. 2. I require a mountain fix and when I don't get to the mountains, I get itchy, grumpy, and depressed. I try to stave this off by keeping pine cones everywhere. The pine

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-25083227729911310982007-04-30T10:28:00.000-04:002011-10-31T22:32:20.496-04:00

Happiness...not in another place but this place, not for another hour but this hour - Walt Whitman Came across this while blog surfing - is that even a real term? Loved the idea and thought I'd share.

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-67551051208817226672007-04-29T22:53:00.000-04:002011-10-31T22:33:00.009-04:00

of my girl. Abby placed third in the regional spelling bee about a month ago and this Saturday was in the State Spelling Bee. We were so excited because the three places in her regional group were all held by girls from her school, and not only that - they were all in the same class. They worked so hard and have such wonderful teachers, both the classroom teacher and the gifted and talented

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435592884613274914.post-46714160004813948342007-04-14T21:56:00.000-04:002011-10-31T22:35:07.114-04:00

Welcome to my blog - this is my first attempt at creating a continuous online life, so here goes. A couple of things occur to me as I begin this - for those of you who know me, you already understand my title. For those of you who don't - pine cones are my favorite flower, favorite decorating device, and all around favorite. I am very proud of the fact that I was born in Wyoming and grew up in

pineconegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698369394884470989noreply@blogger.com2