More Ornaments (see 1st post below)

If you haven't seen the first blog post, click here or scroll down...




This ornament is from a street market in Austria!

Christmas Arrives...

Tree's up, outside lights up, Christmas has arrived...this first ornament is new this year, in memory of my Mom...the only one I know who "lived for the Holidays" more than I did.

Greene Family Christmas Wish List

Biz: ANYTHING - surprise me
Derrick: See Biz
Mike: two items - a 72mm to 77mm step up ring and then a 77mm circular polarizer.
Julie: surprises, an old navy fleece, high quality chocolates, Ratatouille dvd, gift cards, another white SB mug like the on in this picture.
Kathryn: a Starbucks photo mug, SB peppermint syrup, I really want to spend time having fun with people so a "treat with people or a person" sounds great. There's also a lime green big cute teapot at the SpiceHut in B'ham. The identifying factor is that has a strainer that works for roiboos tea, if that's easier than figuring out that treat. :) Also a great gluten free baking book is welcome. and a surprise
Dave: Gift certificate to Flats Tapas Bar in Bellingham <http://www.flatstapas.com/ > or Milano's Restaurant & Deli(360-599-2863) in Glacier. :)
Nicki: a cheap, brown guitar strap, not leather: sephora stuff, Pilates or Yoga mat
Matt: Ok, just so I'm not the only person without a Christmas item on the list: Box of Joe-Joes cookies from Trader Joes - $2.49. Yes, I bought two boxes today. Yes, they only have them this time of year. Yes, I will need another box come Christmas time. :) I'd be perfectly happy with a box of Joe-Joes and being able to hang out with family and go on a walk in Whatcom Falls Park. I might think of something else later that I want, but I really just want people to not stress out about buying gifts and just have a fun day with the family. Sharing my Joe-Joes - best Christmas cookie known to man.
Here's more from Matt:
Bourne Ultimatum @ Best Buy - $14.99http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8575062&st=bourne+ultimatum&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1777946
Narnia @ Half.com - $12.90http://product.half.ebay.com/The-Chronicles-of-Narnia-The-Lion-The-Witch-and-the-Wardrobe_W0QQprZ51082657QQtgZinfo
America's Cheapest Family @ Half.com - $7.92http://product.half.ebay.com/_W0QQprZ54343784QQcpidZ1375904398

Camano Island Retreat

Julie and I just got back from a much needed 3 day retreat at Camano Island. What did we do? Not much! We read, walked, slept, ate and that's about it.

Frodo?

I took this picture at the Bellevue Botanical Garden...it reminded me of 'Frodo.'

A Stormy Day

So it was quite stormy today - the official high wind gust was 74, but un-officially there was a gust of 97 today in Bellingham. Mostly, it was about 30-40 mph sustained. Yes, we lost power from 6:30 AM until about 2:30 PM...a big tree fell on Lakeway, close to our house, and did quite a number on the power lines. I took these pictures down at Boulevard park.

An Anniversary to Remember

So for our fifth anniversary, Friday (the 8th), I surprised Julie with the cake you see below. This cake was made by Randy Isselin, who is an amazing guy. His wife is our church secretary/receptionist and if you want to see more of his stuff, click here.

Why the cake? Well, when we got married our wedding cake had an accident, (it fell). As a result, Julie has often regretted not ever seeing her wedding cake the way it was pictured in her head. So, to celebrate our 5-year anniversary, I surprised her with this one. Needless to say, I scored some husband points!

It looks amazing, and tastes amazing. It's a white cake with cream cheese frosting and a "tayberry" filling (a cross between a blackberry and raspberry). Yes, those flowers are made by Randy and are edible! It's an amazing cake.

Lake Geneva?

Yes, it's true, Julie and I found a beautiful lake, er uh "pond" only a few minutes from our house. Just head out on Lake Louise Road (off of Lakeway) and go about 5 minutes, looking for the parking lot on your left.

It was a beautiful day and we hit the trail following the signs to "Geneva Pond" - when we got there, we encountered another older sign that called it Lake Geneva. Sounds like there's some confusion there...still, a highly recommended walk/run/hike - (about 2 miles from the parking lot, round trip).

The other two pictures are of our Japanese Maple Tree in our yard which turns a brilliant red this time of year.