February 2015

Wow, what a month. February has come and gone and we've headed into March already. I know it's a short month, but it really did fly by. The biggest thing was the loss of my sweet, smart, silly Baylee Girl. It seems that most everything this month centered around her health, her passing and our grief. But there were a couple other things that happened this month, joyful things, like Valentine's Day, and Mom's Birthday.  So here is our Auchmoody February 2015 (Days 32 through 59), in a nutshell:

1.  Super Bowl Sunday...Seahawks vs Patriots in Super Bowl 49. Unfortunately the Seahawks lost the game 28-24. But we had a good time over at mom's watching the game and stuffing our faces!
2. Leftovers from Super Bowl. Back over to Mom's for dinner tonight...Rob's beautifully stacked plate of nachos.
3.  Tonight's full moon captured on my way to Mom's to pick up the girls.
4.  A Baylee 'selfie' on our ride home, with her 'feets up' on the console in the car.
5.  Picked up each of the girls a Valentine's cookie tonight at the vet.
6.  Tom's badging ceremony was held today. He had Emily and Alyssa remove his BC's badge, while Trina pinned his new chief badge on him.
7.  Rob hogging the bed and the covers...and sleeping on his face...when I got home tonight.
8.  Finally decorated the house for Valentine's Day yesterday. Put out these three girls (all with heart themes or accessories) on a shelf...still love my Precious Moments.
9.  Baylee started throwing up today, she won't eat and can't keep water down.  She finally settled in and got comfy on her little bed for the night.
10. Our last night together, me and my girl. We slept together in the living room, me on the couch and her in her bed from Grammy's house.
11. One of the saddest days I've know...putting my sweet girl to rest today. Just like that, she's gone. After work I pulled up in Mom's driveway to find her flying her 'Baylee' flag...it's so heartbreaking.
12. Waking up this morning to an empty bed...poor Lucy...poor us.
13. With Rob working tomorrow we were going to celebrate Valentine's Day tonight. With the week we had, we 'agreed' (or so I thought) we would just order a pizza and have a cuddle and call it good. But when I got home, there were flowers, chocolates and a beautiful card waiting for me. He's a good Valentine!
14. Even though we celebrated last night, after church Rob said we needed to at least go out for a Valentine dinner. Thinking there wouldn't be a restaurant in town we could actually get into, he suggested our favorite Thai place.  It was great, we did get right in and had a lovely date night.
15. Today was Lu and my first day home together, just the two of us...and we were both pretty sad without our Baylee. She snuggled up next to me on the couch, chin on my knee.  Thank goodness for little Lu.
16. President's Day...a day off for me. I headed out pretty late to the grocery store to do our weekly shopping, and came home with a rare treat...Henry Weinhard's soda...Orange Cream...Yum!
17. We received a mug bouquet of little roses today from Dr. Chuck and his staff in sympathy for our loss of Baylee. We also got a card from Craig and Wendy...people are so thoughtful.
18. Ash Wednesday today. On Busted Halo they have a 'picture a day' prompt for Lent, and today's was #showusyourash. So I took a pick of my ashy smudge...although I did not post mine anywhere!!
19. I picked up dinner for us tonight at Graze - a Latronka for Rob and a Bahn Mi for, well...Me! This is really one of my favorite places, and I miss our office being close to it.
20. I was having a little cuddle with Lu tonight and she fell asleep on my shoulder. Sweet snoring girl.
21. Today was Mom's birthday, and also Ladies Who Lunch. We all gathered at Frost Me Sweet and Billie gave each of us one of these little jars of honey. She had purchased a bunch, and ended up making it into a craft project to give to each of us.
22. We finished celebrating Mom's birthday today. I made up some cherry chip cupcakes with cherry almond cream cheese frosting.  Then I headed over to her house and made a big pot of potato soup and some cheesy bread for dinner. She opened a couple more presents...and Lucy helped!
23. It's that delicious Auchmoody dinner again. Steak, baked potatoes and spinach. It was so yummy, the only thing that could have made it better was if the steaks had been grilled on a BBQ.
24. Silly Lu, back in her clothes pile again...where she starts almost every night.
25.  We were notified last night that we had a fraudulent charge on our checking account, so they immediately canceled my debit card. Here I am on my second trip into Gesa today, trying to straighten things out.
26. Rob picked up Baylee's ashes today. I was surprised to also see her blankie. I thought we would never see it again...now I just want to wrap myself in it. They also did a little clay imprint of her paw.
27. Another meatless Friday. This time I picked up Casa Mia. I've been craving their Pizza Sole for awhile now. I added a shrimp salad for each of us, and boy, did it really hit the spot!
28. I baked off the clay imprint of Baylee's paw today. I was surprised when I took it out of the packaging that they had stamped her name in it already.  More tears...really missing my girl.

Day 52

Today is my momma's birthday! And because it happen to fall on our Friday off, Billie and I, along with Melanie spent the day with Mom...having a girls day, celebrating her birthday.

To start the day, I whipped up some cherry chip cupcakes this morning. The tradition for Mom's birthday is mud pie, but this year she said she wanted cupcakes. I used the usual cake mix, but in an effort to keep them good and moist, added an extra egg and some sour cream...mmm mm. Then I topped them with cream cheese frosting, with maraschino cherry juice mixed right in and a half cherry on top. They looked so cute...but admittedly when all together, they looked like a bunch of...well...let's say I called them my Breast Cancer Awareness cupcakes!

This afternoon we all met at Mom's and headed out to lunch. She chose Fujiyama's...she had been there once and liked it, Melanie is kind of a regular, and for Billie and I, it was our first time. We had a pretty entertaining Chef who cooked our meal to order, while using our food to make things like a fried rice fish, and an onion stacked birthday candle. At the end of our meal, they came out with drums and gongs and sang Happy Birthday Fujiyama style...complete with a slice of cake and a candle to make a wish on!

After filling our bellies, we headed out for a pedicure...my first of the season. Can't wait for spring to let my toes out! Then we headed back to Mom's for gifts, cupcakes and ice cream. To wrap up the day, Melanie, Mom and I decided to see a movie, and headed out to Winter's Tale.


It was a great, long, celebratory day, and I sure hope Mom enjoyed herself, and felt the love today...on her very special birthday.

Happy Birthday to the very best momma!

Day 216

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Today is Rob's 46th Birthday...and the third time I've been so lucky as to share his birthday with him. And the third year in a row I've made him these delightfully sweet, yet slightly tart lemon cupcakes. They really are so very good...and summer refreshing!  I guess after three years running, they are officially part of his birthday tradition.

Mom made him a delicious ham dinner, so we went over and celebrated his birthday at her house. He did pretty good for a birthday boy...he got a new iPhone and case, a weed whacker/edger, and a little homemade ice cream maker...that Baylee and Lucy helped him open. Oh, and Baylee and Lucy were busy with the gift giving too - they got him some new Rosary beads, and a new water bottle.

It was a good day...a good Sunday, and a good Birthday. I hope you enjoyed your day Bean. ♥

Day 164

Our little Lucy turns 6 today!

Rob reminded me at work today that it was Lucy's birthday...I have to admit that I had forgotten.  Poor girl, she so unassuming, and so passive, she seems to get forgotten often.

Well, I tried to make it up to her by stopping by Blylee's on our way home and picking her up a special Happy Birthday doggie bone shaped cookie.  She seemed to really like it - so much so, it was hard to get her to 'pose' for her birthday photo.  But she's a good girl, and humored me long enough to get a picture.

Happy Birthday sweet girl!! ♥♥

Day 262

It's crazy...I just keep getting to celebrate my birthday!

Tonight the gals from work wanted to take me out for drink to celebrate my birthday.  We headed just across the street from the office to Tony Roma's.  We ate many an appetizer, had many a cocktail and even splurged on a trio of desserts! 

And not only did they treat me to a night out...they spoiled me with presents too!  A cute little cocktail set for two (or for one...depends on how you look at it!), and gift cards to Macy's and Starbucks!  You girls are too much!  Thanks so much April, Bre, Shauna and Stacy for giving me a night out, and helping me to bring my birthWEEK celebration to a close!!

Day 260

It's my birthday today.  So I guess...Happy Birthday to Me!

Mom, Rob and Billie all asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday...how I wanted to celebrate.  I feel like such a dud, but in all honesty there was really nothing in particular I wanted to do.  I mean it's Sunday for crying out loud...it just feels like another day.  I didn't really want to go anywhere, or do anything special...just be with a few family and friends.  But, even though I didn't go anywhere or do anything special...everyone else made it special for me!  I truly am blessed.

First thing this morning when we woke up, Rob gave me his gifts.  I thought we had decided my new iPhone was my birthday gift, but he must have forgotten that!  He gave me a new Precious Moments...Count Each Birthday with a Joyful Smile...a sweet birthday girl with a cute little party hat and cake.  He also gave me a romantic little book called A Love That Lasts - Inspiring Insights From Couples Married 50 Years and Beyond.  I can't wait to thumb through it.  And lastly he gave me a practical, but much needed gift...a new flat iron for my hair!  I'm not sure who was more excited for my gifts...me or the girls.  Baylee is totally interested in anything called a present...and Lucy really enjoyed tearing the wrapping paper to shreds...silly girls! Rob and I spent the  rest of the morning just doing some of our normal Sunday stuff.  In the early afternoon Mom told us that Uncle Larry and Aunt Sue had swung in for a quick visit.  So Rob and I quickly got ready and headed over to Mom's to give them just a quick hello, and have a very short chat before they needed to get on the road again.

It wasn't long after the Hansens left that my birthday party guests arrived for a delicious dinner of chicken enchiladas and mud pie for dessert!  Billie, Keith, Brittany, Melanie and Ryanne all came over to Mom's to help me celebrate my special day. And they didn't come empty handed...they all spoiled me way too much!!  Billie and Keith gave me a Starbucks gift card, a Halloween and a thanksgiving set of cupcake liners and picks and a fun little Birthday Girl gift set from Philosophy.  Melanie and Ryanne gave me a couple cute little pumpkin Halloween decorations, and a gift card to Hobby Lobby...yay! 

Baylee and Lucy even got in on the action.  I guess they did a little puppy shopping of their own!  They got me a wedding paper pack, and a tote to carry my Cricut cartridges.  I think I'm set for two of my favorite things for awhile...cupcakes and scrapbooking!

And thanks Mom!! In addition to the clothes she bought me in our 'Back to School' shopping excursion on Friday, she also gave me two more long sleeve tees...WOW...she just doesn't stop!!

All in all, it was a day that started out sweetly and finished with a bang...a girl couldn't ask for anything more!  Thank you everyone for making me feel so special!

Day 249

Happy 21st Birthday to our Brittany Lee!

Monday was her actual birthday, but she spent that day with her family.  Tonight she celebrated her birthday with her 'other' family.  Billie, Kim, Mom (G'ma Judy), Bre and I all met up...where else...but Cedar's.  I mean Rum Barrels are the way we celebrate a birthday, but on your 21st birthday...they are a must.

We didn't stay out long, and certainly didn't party it up in any way, well, because it is a weeknight, and besides Bre and Brittany, the rest of us are all old!  We did get together long enough to enjoy a few Barrels, some good eats, and ended the night by sharing this delicious slice of Mud Pie!

Happy Birthday Girl!  I can't believe you are 21!

Day 222

Happy Birthday to my Baylee Girl!  Today she turns 8 years old!  I remember it like it was yesterday...picking her out of the litter at 5 weeks...bringing her home at 6 weeks.  When I look at her, she still looks like a puppy to me.

This sweet little girl has been the light of my life for 8 years now.  Rob gives me such a hard time about how I talk to her and how I treat her...like a 'people', but to me she is!  For so long it was just her and I...hanging together, cuddling on the couch together, sleeping together.  Me and my girl.  She has brought so much love and joy to my life over the last 8 years.  And now, even though our family is a bit bigger, she's still my baby...no matter how you dice it.

I mean seriously...who could look at that face and not want give her some love??

Happy Birthday ol' girl...I hope you are around to celebrate many more!

Day 217

So, the undisclosed overnight birthday destination is...drum roll please...Wenatchee! This morning Rob and I got up with the alarm just like any other day.  We got ourselves ready, packed an overnight bag, dropped the pups off at Mom's and were on the road by 9:00.  I managed to keep where we were going a secret until we took a left off I-90 at George, and Rob asked if we were headed to Wenatchee...almost with puzzled look, followed by...What's in Wenatchee??

So, I confessed my plan that we were headed to Wenatchee to stay the night, but really what I wanted to show him was Lake Chelan and Leavenworth, and was hoping to do it all in two days.  I told him that I had also found a cool looking place in Wenatchee on the internet called Ohme Gardens, and I wanted to go there too.  I know, it is a rather ambitious itinerary for two short days.

We got into Wenatchee right at lunch time, so we headed to Red Robin first. After we ate, it wasn't quite time to check into our hotel yet, so we found Ohme Gardens and did some exploring. It was a really cool little park-like garden area with tons of natural stone pathways, leading to sitting benches, hidden lawns, water features and small pools.  The whole area is located on the edge of a bluff, so there are some very pretty views once you wind your way through and come out at its outer edges.  I thought it was a really good place to start our adventure...I'm really glad we visited.

After touring the Gardens, Rob and I were both pretty hot and in need of a break. So when we were done there, we decided to go check into our room and take a breather and cool off for awhile.  I had originally intended to head to Lake Chelan today, and maybe have dinner there.  But I kept talking about Cashmere and Leavenworth, so...change of plans, we hit both of these little towns this afternoon.

First we headed to Cashmere to check out the Aplets and Cotlets candy factory.  Unfortunately, the factory was not in production today, but the retail store was most definitely open for business.  We picked up a couple items for ourselves, and a few for gifts and then headed to our next destination...the Cashmere Cider Mill.  We managed to find the place, although it was a little off the beaten path.  They have a tasting room set up and let you sample a few of their different ciders, just like you would at a wine tasting. We ended up buying some cherry cider and pear cider...yum.

Before leaving town, we walked down the main street and tucked into the local pharmacy, complete with an old fashioned soda fountain still in use.  Rob and I sat up to the counter, and he ordered a Vanilla Malted and I had an Italian Soda.  It wasn't totally authentic, but it was retro enough to give it a fun feel and complete our visit to this little piece of 'Hometown America'.

We headed into Leavenworth next.  I'm glad we went, and I was able to show Rob the cute little Bavarian Village, but good gravy...the place was packed to the gills with tourists, and it was hotter than heck!  We discovered that neither of us were finding it very enjoyable, so we went back into Wenatchee, and our cool hotel room. 

After a quick rest and freshen up, we headed back out for dinner.  Mom had been in Wenatchee a couple months earlier and had a nice meal at a place called Applewood Grill.  We gave it a try, and had a pretty great meal as well. The restaurant had a relaxed atmosphere, located in the first warehouse built in Wenatchee, down along the railroad tracks.  It was a nice way to wrap up a very eventful birthday.

Day 216

So here they are...the final product.  The Perfect Lemon Cupcake!  You want one, don't you??

Tonight I finished frosting and decorating Rob's birthday cupcakes.  As you can see, each cupcake is topped with this homemade lemon buttercream...including fresh squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest.  I don't remember the frosting turning out with such a puckering tart taste last time, but it's a good kind of tart...offset by the creaminess of the butter and sweetness of the sugar. 

In addition, each one is decorated with yellow sprinklers and a Lemon Drop.  Would you believe Lemon Drops are not easy to find...but I remembered I found them at Walgreen's last year...and I did again this year.  I also had a dozen party hat picks, so I added those to half of the cupcakes, and voila...Happy Birthday Husband!  I hope you enjoy your made-with-love cupcakes!

Day 203

Tonight we celebrated Billie's birthday with some dinner and Rum Barrels at Cedars!

Billie was out of town last weekend on her birthday, so we celebrated tonight.  Unfortunately we were missing a few of our 'gang', but we managed to have a pretty good time nonetheless. 

Billie, Keith, Mom, Bre, Shauna, Osanin, Melanie, Jordan, Rob and I celebrated and had a great time.  We ate a lot, drank a lot, and laughed a lot...sort of our standard protocol for get togethers!!

Instead of birthday cupcakes for Billie, I decided to try my hand at cake pops again.  I wanted another opportunity to give them a try, and Billie missed them on the 4th of July.  This time with a few changes things went much smoother, they turned out just as delicious but much prettier and more uniform...and well...summer birthday festive!

Happy Belated Birthday Billie...hope your birthday week was extraordinary!!

Day 195

Since doing all of my Thank You cards, I've had the itch to get back in the {very messy} craft room and really start some scrapbooking and card making.  But, I do still feel so rusty.

I tried my hand today at a shape card, using my Gypsy.  I don't think I've done a shape card with the Gypsy before.  If I could just get the hang of using it, I think that handy little device really does make things so much easier...not to mention the portability of it!!  After a few tries at resizing and welding, the finished product was this little pineapple drink card for Christy's birthday.

Happy 40th Birthday Christy!

Day 76

Getting my green on today with some minty-chocolate cupcakes.

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, and my co-worker and friend Bre's birthday. So, just like last year, I thought I had better make some cupcakes in honor of both. Cupcakes 'cause it's Bre's birthday...minty and green 'cause it's St. Patty's Day.

I ended up frosting half of the cupcakes with the traditional swirl top, but the other half I tried a flower style, which ended up resembling a hydrangea a bit (not that I've ever seen a mint green hydrangea...).

I'm certainly not a fan of the mint...I happen to think it makes most things taste like toothpaste...but I have to admit I did enjoy a couple of these...it was more a hint of mint, and didn't overpower too much.

Today also happens to be an anniversary for Rob and I. Six months ago today we got engaged. I had really hoped to get a photo of the two of us for today's photo of the day, but with everything going on, it did slip my mind until this afternoon, and with our work schedules today I probably won't see him until it's time for bed. So, I guess it's a good thing I had a photo of one of my other favorite things!

Day 52

Today my mom turned 65!

There wasn't a lot of fuss, there was no big to-do. There was just a lot of birthday love sent her way. Her Facebook page was full of wishes, and she received several phone calls too. She got this bouquet of tulips from Rob and me, and a cute little mug full of flowers from her favorite granddaughters.

To wrap up the day, I picked up Applebee's to go for her, Billie and me...and we had a simple, but nice dinner at her house.

So happy birthday to the best sister, mom, aunt, grandma and friend...we all love you so very much!! ♥♥♥

Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday wasn't just President's Day, it was Mom's birthday! Because we had the day off, Billie and I made an afternoon of it to celebrate her special day.

First, the three of us had lunch at Olive Garden. All of us tried very hard to be good, and make some healthy, alternative food choices, (like soup instead of salad - who knew?, and only one breadstick - without dipping sauce!). But good heavens, after almost six weeks on WeightWatchers, was that meal a delicious treat!!

Then, after filling up on lunch, we went to a matinee of Just Go With It, and laughed a whole lot. Is it true what they say, laughter aids in digestion??

I think when all was said and done, Mom had a pretty good day. She got a bouquet of tulips from Craig and Wendy, received a Happy Birthday serenade from Rachel and Kendra, was sent a lovely bouquet of flowers from our Ms. Kennedy, got a couple gift cards from Billie and I, and even got a pedicure from Baylee so she could get her paws done. All this, and lots of cards, and many, many birthday wishes.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Kim!

Today is Kim's birthday, and to celebrate her special day Billie had a small dinner party last night. Jodi, Katie and I joined Kim at Billie's for a few cocktails, a delicious manicotti dinner, a few games of cards, and cheesecake for dessert.

It was great to get together with the girls...it has been too long. I can't remember the last time I laughed that much.

Happy Birthday Kim...I hope you have a great day, and a great year ahead!

Happy Birthday to...ME!

What a great birthday I had this year. Not so great turning 40, but celebrating with friends and family is definately great! First I had a wonderful day on my actual birthday - celebrating at work with donuts, flowers, balloons, cake and gifts from co-workers, followed by great gifts and a delicious 'early bird' dinner (isn't that what 40 year olds do?) at Anthony's with Mom and Billie. Then on Saturday I got to celebrate all over again with the gang at Cedars! Rum Barrels...Yum! Thanks to everyone for helping me celebrate my special day.

Happy Birthday Brittany!

Our girl Brittany celebrated her 19th Birthday on the 3rd. Unfortunately, we were getting ready to head out to the beach the next morning, so we were not able to celebrate with her.

However, tonight she had a little free time in her very hectic schedule, so Billie made her another birthday dinner...a little manicotti along with cake and ice cream, a mini birthday celebration so Mom, Billie and I could give her our cards and gifts. Nothing like celebrating your birthday for a week or two!

The card I made for her was somewhat clean and simple. I used my Cuttlebug Friends Forever folder, inked a bit, added a few rhinestones, and just stamped 'Make A Wish' with a Studio G stamp. Voila!

Happy Birthday Ms. Brittany....we all love you very much :)

Happy Birthday Kennedy

Even though our sweet little Kennedy turned 2 over a week ago, we celebrated her birthday here on the 'East Side' today. She got all kinds of good stuff, including a new bike from Grandma Judy, a table and chair set from her Auntie Billie, a fun blanket from Brittany, and some dress up clothes from her Aunt Trish...not to mention some pretty cute outfits, but what 2 year old cares about clothes?

The card I made her was certainly not elaborate, but was fit for a princess!

Happy Birthday Billie

Yesterday was Billie's birthday. All the girls gathered at Cedars for Rum Barrels to celebrate. It turned out to be a great time. We were able to snag a table outside, and the weather was beautiful. It started out a little on the warm side, but there was a great breeze, and then when the sun went down, it was just lovely outside. We had lots of food and drinks, but even more catching up, chit-chatting and laughing our tails off. It was good of Billie to have a birthday...a great excuse to have a girl's night out :)

I wanted to make Billie a card with a cherry theme...I just had this idea in my head, but it didn't come together until I saw the oven mitt (Thanks TeriBeri http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/TERIBERI2/CARDS%202/IMG_7262.jpg).

I also ended up altering a small Christmas gift box to match, and put a couple 'cherry' odds and ends in it. All in all, it turned out pretty cute (I thought). I may have to make another one of these 'oven mitt' shape cards while it's fresh in my mind.

Happy Birthday Billie - I hope you had a good day!!