Doughnuts or Donuts????

This week we (the "office ladies"), are thanking a gentleman at my school, by making him special treats. He is always bringing in goodies to share with us.

Smiles and kind words, he never runs out of.

Everyone loves Don, our security guy!

Tomorrow is my day to deliver goodies.

Homemade doughnuts!

I borrowed the pans and recipe from my daughter, Kimmy.

( mistakes for Tom)

Then I got to thinking is it doughnuts or donuts?

Do you ever start out looking for something and ending up with something totally different?

Did you know there is a Doughnut Day? Oh yea... first Friday in June!

And I got my answer... both spellings are correct. Go figure.

Well, here's to Donut (Doughnut) Don.

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~Tidbit~

Baking Powder:

If you're afraid it's "dead," test by putting 1 teaspoon into a cup of hot water. If it fizzes actively, use it. If not, buy a new box.

Bicycling

This is my bicycle.

I have decided that this will be my new way of exercising.

I have even joined a bike buddy, A Gift Wrapped Life, who has set up a bike challenge.

But the real challenge for me...

My Personal Style!

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You can be older...

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Or young to ride a bike.

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But what do I wear when I'm riding my bike?

I ride for exercise but I also will be riding for fun.

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Racing gear is not for me.

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High fashion doesn't suit me either.

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Now this is a lovely look!

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Audry had a traveling buddy....

But I think my little dog, Lucy, will be staying home.

This is more like it, flowers!

As for this type of exercise, nope!

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You will definitely find me riding down a quiet road.

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Can't forget the accessories,

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when riding a bicycle. They are a must!

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Just don't start singing that song from the Wizard of Oz,
when you see me coming down the street.


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~Tidbit~

Don't ride against traffic. Ride with traffic, in the same direction.

No Defusers Needed

Two of my favorite flowers.

Lilacs and Lilly of the Valley.

Set in the vase made out of silverware.

On my nightstand, next to my bed.

I smelled these two fragrances during the night, while I slept.

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~Tidbit~
When you start to arrange the flowers, first ensure that the vase you use is very clean. This can be done by cleaning the vase with bleach on the inside which kills any bacteria and algae that has formed in the vase. Fill the vase with good, clean, fresh cold water.

Believe it or not you can read it!

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt.

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~Tidbit~

Three steps to writing articles:

1) Introduction

2) Body (Content)

3) Conclusion

Introduction: I'll start with something that announces the topic, prepares the reader and gently takes them into the body of the article -- something that "tickles" them in order to pull them into the article. (Creating headlines is last.)

Body (Content): Then I prepare the core components of the article (usually, it will be three main points, expanded -- I often use headings for these three core components). Often, I resort to the use of adverbs as bases for expanding on the topics -- my "five honest serving men," as Brian Tracy once said, "which are who, what, why, where and when.

"Conclusion: It's a recap or summary of the article, with a final word -- like the "moral of a story" or a "bottom-line," ending with an actionable step, a question upon which to ponder or a cliffhanger (maybe leading to another article).

Resource from : 4hb.com --By Category--Communicate

What is a Chicken Birthday?

Weeks before Lulu's birthday, she had been asking for a Chicken Birthday.

We tried to figure out what she meant.

She finally told her mother it was a Farm Birthday, with chickens, pigs, and cows!

So Kimmy came up with the theme and cake.

Moo-moo, oink-oink, baa-baa, cheep-cheep!

Lulu chose the Chicken cupcake to blow out her three candles.



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On another note...

Levi has started crawling!

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~Tidbit~

Great web site for kids parties!

http://www.fun-kid-birthday-parties.com/index.html

Three Years Old

Happy "Chicken" Birthday

Lulu!

(Explanation later)

Please visit Kimmy's blog to hear about Lulu's birth.

Merry Christmas - Part 3 (last one)

Tom's Christmas present also included a concert at Keller Auditorium

to see Mark Knopfler ,(Dire Straits),preform on Saturday night.

But first we had a romantic dinner at the Portland City Grill which sits up on the 30th floor of the US Bancorp building down on 5th Avenue. We had heard the views overlooking the city and Willamette River were spectacular and that the food and service were first rate.

The views were wonderful.

After a great meal we headed to Keller Auditorium.

Our seats were in the first row of the balcony.

Wonderful weekend, that was jam packed with family and fun.

But it was time to take the train back home.

Memories.....

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~Tidbit~

Tip to Remember Luggage Lock Combination - This is two tips in one. First, use luggage locks for your baggage while traveling. Next, email the combination of the lock to your email. This way if you forget the combo, when you arrive at your destination, all you have to do to open it is log onto your email and retrieve it.

Merry Christmas - Part 2

Our hotel room was magical! The beds were storybook gorgeous.

Each room was decorated in a whimsical style.

Who could resist a moment or two on this bed?

Our room was huge and the kid's had rooms that were close by.

Our room was the hang out... we had food!

Later in the afternoon, Todd & Stephanie took Tom and I

to the Classical Chinese Garden.

In the middle of downtown is this tranquil retreat.

My new hat.

We sipped tea in the Tea House.

Each of us ordered a different kind of tea,

served in different tea pots and cups.

We were serenaded with tradition string music.

In the late afternoon,

we all gathered in the Hotel Lobby at 4:00 PM

for refreshments and...

painting!

Friday evening Todd, Stephanie, Tom and I

headed for some night life.

It was a short night. I was tired!

The next morning,

we had a knock on our door and was entertained by Lulu.

This is the Portland Saturday Market.

We couldn't miss this!

So many booths and not enough time!

Who had fun?

One last picture in the Lobby before they head home.

Tom and I were staying one more night.

Saying good-by is always hard to do.

One last good-by before the kids head to the train depot to board the 12:15 train.

The Lobby looks so different and quiet without our family.


to be continued...

to see more pictures visit Kimmy's blog

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~Tidbit~

Combating Dry Hotel Air - In cold and dry climates, like the prairie provinces or states - Canada and USA, air in hotel rooms becomes very dry. This creates static electricity and difficult sleep due to dry nose and mouth passages. Before going to bed, I sprinkle an ice-bucket of water around the carpet in areas where I am not likely to walk if I rise during the night. By morning, the carpet is dry, but the air is moist and much more comfortable.