Santa Breakfast 2007

My goodness, is the Thanksgiving weekend ever going to end??? I feel like I have been going nonstop since last weekend!

Any of you other super moms feel the same way? Sheesh, I am EXHAUSTED!! And I have to get the retail queen face on and get up and go again tomorrow. They are only young once, they are only young once, they are only young once.....ONCE!!

We had a great time, the lot of us once again, My mom and Dad,Brothersfamily of 5 and sisters family of 5 and my family of 5. (so thats 17, altogether) The community hospital hosts this every year for a fundraiser for the auxillary, which is a good cause. There was a craft for the children to do, photo with Santa and a very lack luster breakfast preformance of wet scrambled eggs, overdone sausage and a piece of french toast from last years event. But all and all it was a great morning. As you can see in the photos my little dumplings were not worried about the dreaded breakfast, just to be out in fun company and a festive event get the Christmas ball rolling.

Next week we have the Festival of Lights a weekend festival with lots and lots of merriment, there Lminarea everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE, all the homes are as bedecked and bedazzled as they can get, the busses take people around all the neighborhoods to see the lights and luminarea, carolers, cook offs, contests of all kinds, and it all culminates with a most adorable night time parade, all of the people or floats are completely covered with christmas lights, its the most small town folksy I think I have ever gotten. ADORABLE, kind of like the movie Funny Farm, with Chevy Chase. The kids have a chance to be in the parade this year, although I think it might be a bit too long away from mom and dad in the night time. The Church is having Noahs Ark in the parade. cute!

Anyway, I hope you all have a most wonderful and happy Thanksgiving weekend with your families, I look forward to hearing about everyones adventures!

Take care and have a great week!!!

Lisa

Happy 17th Anniversary, My Sweet!

I cannot believe, that I have been married for 17 years. I still feel like a kid, and sometimes I am told I act like one. After a very short courtship, my beloved Steven Jay and I were married on November 24th 1990. It was a wedding not to forget. We had record storming all weekend and were flooded out of my parents home, No electricity, winds gusting to over 70 miles per hour. AMAZINGLY the church was overflowing capacity and over 300 guests celebrated until the break of dawn. Wonderful food and a great band, cherished friends and family made it a night to remember.

Thank you, dear hubby for all that you are, and all that you have given me. My life would never ever be the same without you. Our adorable children, my wonderful home and a match made in heaven! Id follow you to the ends of the earth and back again.

Happy 17th, I love you sooooo much!!!!!!

Lisa

A very full and Thankful day at my house

The day at my house was beautiful, a gorgeous sunny day, with all the loves around me. I took a few of these photos before the children got all goofy and sweaty. My hubby peeking though the trees, just like the kid he is, all my nieces and nephews, my dad with the beautiful turkey and a partial of the Thanksgiving table. We had a great time, served too many hordeurves, had a few too many cocktails before dinner (didnt hardly eat all that lovely food) Fun was had by all, and thats what its all about!
I love my family!!! I hope you had a great day, too!

Decking the halls....slightly

We spent the weekend here in the coastalnest in cleaning mode.

Re arranging the living room to accomidate the large television for the dreaded football marathon, and for all who want to watch. We will be 22 thankful celebrators on Thursday. I will be arranging the diningroom for 12 adults (lucky for the large table) an almost teen table for 5, and a kiddie table for 5. I am quite excited to have all of my peeps over. Seems as thought I have never had Thanksgiving at my house before. Strange to me. It just always seems to be Christmas gatherings here.

I need a great craft for the kids. Any ideas??? anyone, anyone?Bueler, Bueler ??? sorry, 80s movie backflash...

Anyway, here is my partially be decked mantle, not too Christmassy... but yet very jazzy and happy. I ADORE Wendy Addisons silver holiday. This is all from 2 years ago and the silver sparkle is really turning antiqued-- great vintage look.

I have alot left to do, set tables, more cleaning, then the food prep. Although my sweet Mother insists on bringing...The Turkey, the wild rice stuffing, the gravy and her green jello salad(which no one eats but her) Lucky she only lives 2 blocks away, my oven would not hold a 25 lb turkey for all the tea in China.

Today, I am off to work. Steve is out at the beach house for more window installation. More of those photos to follow, shortly. Its starting to look like a beach house!!! Hurray!

Here I am!!

Well gals, here I am! I guess I could say not bad for 42.



Blond, blue eyed northwest gal, seeks friendship with other gals with like mindedness blog adventures, to share in day to day life's miracles and pitfalls. Hows that?



Please add a comment so we can all link around and see our sunshiny faces!

YOU LOOK GREAT!! Nice to meet you--
xoxo
Lisa
coastalnest

Thank you, Dad, my Husband Steve, all passed Veterans and those who protect and serve today. You are in my thoughts.

I dream of my beach house.............

Well hello to all, I am in dream design mode today, as we had big plans to spend our entire weekend at the coast getting the old coastalnest back up and into its renovations. We have had a busy few weeks with me at work preparing for the open house and Steve in supervisor mode at the post office working late. But, alas, it has been gusting 60 mph winds here on the coast and no power to be had out at the beach. We decided to stay at home and do some dreaming, lego playing and movie going instead. There really is no substitution for a relaxing cozy day spent with the family.

A lazy morning sipping coffee with the sweetie pie, pouring over dozens of well preserved cottage living magazines I have been saving up just for the start of "my part" of the renovation out at the beach. I cannot get my mind off of this renovation by Jane Coslick these photos are from one of her renovation-restorations called Amazing Grace . She is one of a few gals that are on "my list" I think she really "gets it" instead of the slab granite home depot big box renovation she restores. I LOVE it! You can find her at janecoslick.com, she is well worth a peek. I can only hope that my coastalnest will come to this type of restoration, although on much less of a $cale, if you get my drift.



When we originally purchased the coastalnest, we got our loan for $40k more for the renovation, guess what, that nest has gobbled up more than half of that just in lumber, lots of rot- sweet husband laments.....hmmmm. The irritation has set in, but I can do it! A girl really hates to be on such a tight budget, but we will get it done, I promise.



Anyway, snap back to reality and here are the photos that the coastalnest should somewhat come to look like. I cannot STAND (sarcastic!!) that bunk bed photo, pinch me! Are you in dreamland? How I would dream of my tots in those sweet beds, enjoying their coastal retreat breathing in that fresh coastal air.... We will see, keep your fingers crossed for me and my ungodly budget...I do protest, but it will get me no where!!



I hope you all reflected on our country and our Veterans today. If you have not been to the Veterans Memorial, google it, gather your children and say a prayer for our country, we are strong when we are united. God bless America and all who have served her.



all the best--

Lisa

coastalnest :)

And the season begins..we are ready!

I am very excited about this years treasures that we have decorated the store with. There is an endless array of things purchased lovingly and placed just right for our customers, plus- we have gorgeous wrap, free of charge.

In the back of my mind I am always curious about those people that go off to the mall to find the perfect gift, not even thinking twice about dropping by the local small business owner who toils day in and day out fussing fluffing unpacking and styling to make her shop the most it can be for you. This is in my blood, I am 42 now and my mom started the shop back in 1987. I came on board shortly after my stint in Seattle- you know, to make it on my own.....I am so glad I did come home.

Retail isnt the easiest, no let me rephrase that-- small business retail isnt the easiest, lord knows we can use all the help we can get. So, if you are searching, and my dears- you know you will be, stop by your local gals shop cruise around and let her know how nice her shop looks, and maybe you just might find that perfect gift for your mother in law, you know how picky she is!!! (just kidding)

These are more photos of my 4th child, a love all her own. Grand Heron- Downtown Aberdeen, Washington 200 East Heron Street, she (and I) will be waiting to wrap up a gorgeous gift for you, or one of your best gal friends.

This last photo is one of my faves, kind of dark but the chandelier is so pretty in this shot. She is over 5 feet tall and is an antique from Italy. Purchased by the couple who owned the building previous to us, when it was a glorious high end clothier.

Have a great day girls!!

Lisa

Welcome to my shop, Grand Heron

Right now, the shop cannot be any better, We have stocked the best, funnest merchandise we can find. Take a minute to peruse my second home, see what you like! (and I think youll like what you see ) More photos tonight. Have a great day!
Lisa

Grand Heron Open Open House 2007

Hello and good evening all you gals our there in blog land, I am happy to say that the 20Th Annual Grand Heron Holiday Open House has come to a beautiful close. It was a fabulous weekend filled with great and lovely girlfriends (and a few boyfriends) coming together for a wild weekend of shopping delirium. WHEW!! my doggies are barkin!

This is me, Lisa, Self portrait after closing time. Thought youd like to see the beauty behind the brains, behind the stockroom or accounting office, or even more importantly, behind my Mommy (who, really is the Grand Heron Diva-by the way) she just didnt get in the photo with me. (busy vaccuming up)
I am going to just show you the outdoors of the shop, our windows, I think looked great this year.




Our front door, leading into Winter wonderland. I will post Interior shots tomorrow, as this sleepy head has to go nighty night. Until tomorrow, sweet friends--Lisa