HEY YOU GUYS!!! (a giveaway)

   Goonie fan's is this not THE most amazing picture ever? Does that even need a question mark?

This past summer we got to visit Astoria, Oregon the town where the movie the Goonies was filmed. We had SO much fun and can hardly wait to go back. The town is as cute as it is quaint. And I'm pretty sure we went around all over town shouting...
HEY YOU GUYS!!!
Thank you my Astoria Oregon living friend Tasha for your visit and for this T-shirt, and to Solomon for making my day with your FACE!! Man that kid can make this momma smile SO big.   Now that I have your attention lets go beyond this epic pic.  I want to take this opportunity to say that I truly am so grateful to you beloved reader.  You make this blog here come alive, and I know that although most of you never leave a comment... ahem... I know you are reading, and that makes writing that much more fun. Tis the season to give back, and have gratitude, or say thanks, and I want to say that I am thankful for this space here that I get to share life with you. And although I call you beloved reader all the time I don't ever want you to forget that to me that is not just a term I use to butter you up. 
I really mean to tell you, every single time I write, that you are BELOVED.
And not just because you choose to read here, but because you are loved by the Creator of the Universe more than you could ever know.
Thank you for always listening and especially for chiming in with your own life experiences when you can relate.  I appreciate you, and so because I'm in the Christmas giving spirit I want to give you something....

  An apron I made from a vintage pillow case. You can buy one here; No Dots Shop OR you can enter the giveaway below to receive this package of love completely FREE!!

These aprons are my most favorite creations.

I take old vintage pillow cases, and turn them into something so cute, and so functional in the kitchen or for crafting, and then I hope I get to see people wearing them :)

That's where you come in, if you want one of these beauties enter as many times as you want below.

Thank you beloved reader

and 

Have Fun.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Traveling Well

Hello There Beloved Reader

Please give me a minute while I dust off the cobwebs from this here bloggy poo. 

We hit the ground running as the school year wrapped up for my Fab 4. There was the usual end of the school year fanfare with graduations, concerts, award ceremonies, birthday parties etc...blah blah blah

And then it was time for the long awaited trip to the PNW.

This trip was like the trophy after a long tiring marathon that my Fab 4 earned this year as they transitioned from living in Redmond, Washington to Reno, Nevada.

We all couldn't wait to see sights like this...

Sigh.

The above photograph was taken at Cannon Beach where the classic 80's movie The Goonies was filmed.

So we of course had to take our own Goonies epic photograph.

Aren't my Goonies, I mean my Fab 4 so cute?

I read this quote shortly after we arrived home from our trip, it says;

"It is better to travel well, than to arrive."

Buddha

It resonates with me because often times I can just be all about getting somewhere instead of just enjoying the ride.

As any parent I'm sure can attest, you really do just want to get there sometimes when you've been stuck in a car for umpteen hours with kids.

But, when we arrived here, my friend who lives in Astoria Oregon said to me, 

"Don't Rush!" 

Her comment stopped my vacation pace in it's fast paced tracks, and I thought to myself... yea Don't Rush man, Er... Yer on Vacation Dammit !!

Breathe deep this view.

That is one, of the many things I appreciate about driving old VW's, is that they cause you to slow down and enjoy the view.

And what a great view I have.

My view on this trip was not only filled with beautiful scenery that the PNW always provides, but it was overflowing with the people that make any and all places on this earth worth the trip.

Cousin Alison, Cousin Jeananne and the whole Pellant crew,Vita, Tia Andre, Promise, Samantha, Niki, Jentry and her girls, Uncle John, Amoure and Kalie, Tasha, Papa Russ, Gramma B, and Great Gramma... that means YOU!!

From my oldest to my youngest...

To my middles in between ...

There was nothing but breath taking views on this trip.

We had a wonderful time in Portland, Astoria, and Medford Oregon, and then of course our old hometown of Redmond Washington and Seattle.  It was SO great to see family and friends and how life has changed over the course of this year in the PNW. There were memories made that I will treasure and I know my Fab 4 will too, as we head back into the busy months of the school year.
And I can't say thank you enough to all who made this trip so special; Cousin Alison, Cousin Jeananne and the whole Pellant crew,Vita, Tia Andre, Promise, Samantha, Niki, Jentry and her girls, Uncle John, Amoure and Kalie, Tasha, Papa Russ, Gramma B, and Great Gramma.
We love you all so much.  You made the PNW view that much grander.