*Community*

About 6 months ago my daughter called me. She was super excited..."Jason (her hubby), was taking her to a Lake Forest Park bookstore to meet The Pioneer Woman!" ... 

" Who is the Pioneer Woman?"...(sorry..PDub!)


"Mom...she has a blog, it's amazing... I'm going to purchase her cookbook!"

Chrislyn and PW at the bookstore.



After consuming some wonderful food (made by Chrislyn) from PW's cookbook, and my daughter's my enthusiasm, I just had to check out Ree's website to see what all the hoopla was about!

I did... and through PW... I found Layla, Holly, Melissa, Emily, Jami... and this amazing...COMMUNITY!

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/

Emily...My Mentor...Encourager!

***

I followed them for about few months...then at the end of October with some encouragement from Emily, I decided to take the plunge and start a blog of my own.

~*Dreams on 34th Street*~

I'm an early bird...up every morning before 5am...Mr Dreams leaves for work at 5:28. I throw a load of clothes in the washer and grab a cup of coffee. It's time to check out what's happening in my new community!

***

I see the "teeny" photo squares of  my 11 (now 12!) followers...all amazing...all inspirational...all fun...all very special to me! 



http://www.freckledlaundry.com/



Jami...My first follower!

***

A little click here and there...then I realize...it's time to do a couple quick chores and get ready for work...but...

I have such new found energy...because...

I've travelled around the world a few times and I've been over the moon...flying through amazing thoughts and creative processes!

Thank you, sweet community!

Have a safe {First Night} of 2011! I wish you all the best for our New Year!!!

*L*

{with love}



My Favorite Sports Guy...and a {replay} of a Christmas Eve Bedtime Story...

Brought to you with a smile from a proud Mom.


As you know, my son, Jay is a sports director for KLEW... a  TV station in the quad city area of Idaho. 


His first job after college and the intern circuit, he has been at KLEW a little over two and a half years.


Last year, Jay started his own little Christmas Eve tradition during his 6 minute segment of news. He had the Idaho Vandal football team read "Twas The Night Before Christmas",  as they prepared to leave town for a bowl game.


This year, On Christmas Eve, Jay actually had his own 30 minute  sports {Christmas Special}. In the final segment of his special he invited athletes from all over the Quad Cities to read the traditional Christmas Eve bedtime story.


I wish I could have shared this on Christmas Eve, but I had to wait until it was OK for Jay to release it.


So, if you would like to turn back the clock a few nights...Here is the Sports Buzz version of the famous tale. It's recited with love from a very special community of athletes and coaches.

In the spirit of this amazing time of year...

May Godspeed as we cross the finish line of 2010

and line up at the start of 2011.

***
Sleep well tonight, sweet sugar plums!

*L*

{with love}

Our *Christmas* Chandelier

I saw it at Pottery Barn in the Fall of 2009. It was way to pricey.  My mind was busy trying to figure out a way to make my own version.  Then came February 2010. I found it on line...marked down to almost 1/2 price! I had my Christmas bonus tucked away and made the purchase.

***

Mr Dreams hung it in November after we finished our painting our ceilings.

***

How beautifully it reflects our Christmas

Traditions...

Memories...

{Chrislyn & Jason's wedding invitation - 2009}

And Love...

{My mother makes snowflakes!}

I wish you a peaceful, loving and joyous Christmas.

Celebrate the magic and the miracle!

*L*

{with love}



A Story of ...Firsts...and a "Not So Ordinary Miracle! ...Today!"

Charlotte's Web
a novel by E.B. White

{and a very special announcement}

In my little story below...it's all about firsts...

The first piece of literature that touched my life was read to me by Mrs. Myers in 4th grade.  She read a chapter a day as we lay our heads on our desks while we cooled down from afternoon recess.  It was the first time that a story brought tears to my eyes. {Mrs. Myers cried too!}  We were sharing feelings of happiness, sadness, joy and love.

When I found out that I was pregnant with my first child {Beautiful Chrislyn}...I felt compelled to go to my favorite bookstore and buy a copy of the book. It was the first item that I placed in our nursery - to - be!

I have been waiting until this day to introduce you to my daughter, Chrislyn.

A Photo of Chrislyn and "PW" in the very bookstore that I bought the copy of Charlotte's Web!

~I think you all  may beginning know where I am going with this...~

 The story {Charlotte's Web} has evolved into several cartoons and movies and eventually inspired some very talented people to write and perform this sweet song.  You might think that a miracle could not me considered as "ordinary", however this beautiful tune and it's lyrics remind us that we live surrounded by miracles every day!

Ordinary Miracle

Songwriters: Ballard, Glen; Stewart, David A.;
sung by Sarah McLachlan

It's not that unusual

When everything is beautiful

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when it's time to snow

Don't need to teach a seed to grow

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift, they say

Wrapped up for you everyday

Open up, and find a way

To give some of your own

Isn't it remarkable?

Like every time a raindrop falls

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

The birds in winter have their fling

And always make it home by spring

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday

Please don't throw your dreams away

Hold them close to your heart

'Cause we are all a part

Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle?

It seems so exceptional

That things work out after all

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

The sun comes out and shines so bright

And disappears again at night

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

It's just another

Ordinary miracle today

My amazing son-in-law Jason and my first born Chrislyn!

With God's Grace, this sweet couple will be welcoming their first child in June of 2011!

This child will be our first grandchild!

Thank you,  for the everyday miracles!

* L *

 The Big Apple

and a journey to the Palouse!

On Saturday, we will be sharing a

 bottle of our favorite cranberry wine...



*and*

watching the COUGS play

on the

frosted Palouse!

Washington State University is located in the country...surrounded by fields of wheat.

In the Fall the fields are golden, but in the Winter there is a beautiful transition to Crimson and Gray!

"On the way to Wazzu"...you pass

aged Crimson barns...

and contemporary barns evoking

the spirit of the COUGARS.

 You travel through miles of silver and gray landscapes until you arrive...

to the home of the COUGARS!

{We love you Butch!}

You know your in for a great time

when you see

 the clock tower of Bryan Hall.

 

It's football in the Winter Wonderland of WSU!





For the event, Mother Nature has iced the historical buildings.




 

Her magic has made Stevens Hall look like a Christmas Village.

Although I did not attend WSU, my daughter Chrislyn, my son Jay, my son-in-law Jason,my niece Brena, my daycare son Tyler and many others that I love and cherish did so. You never want to see your children bleed...but I am proud that they bleed Crimson!

You see, I am sharing some more of the dreams that started here on 34th Street. Dreams that were fulfilled at Washington State University!

Some will not be able to make the Crimson & Gray journey to the Palouse this year. So that's why I chose to take the trip via blog.

On Saturday we will all bleed Crimson and cheer for the COUGS on the field in the frosted Martin Stadium!

GO COUGS!!!!

2010

*L*

Photo Credits:

Country Winters on the Palouse : Jane Loughney                        

The Palouse Guy: Gary Hamburgh

 

It all started with DeAnna's favorite childhood book.

The story is about a little guy that has the ability to draw his dreams with a purple crayon. This year the book celebrated it's 50th anniversary in print and one of DeAnna's dreams came true. She became Mrs. Matthew Fink.

We are connected to Matt & DeAnna through our close friendship with Matt's mom and dad, Bill and Doreen.

The wedding took place on a vintage Ferryboat moored at Lake Union.

DeAnna chose her favorite color purple with a French touch to accent their dream day! As a gift to the special couple, I interpreted DeAnna's theme using paper, ribbon, a few rubber stamps, wire, some crystal brads and a glue gun!  I am honored that I had a part in the setting of their amazing day.

Matt & DeAnna

17 September 2010



It was a beautiful setting. This is a photograph of the Seattle skyline framing the stunning couple. 





A close up of one of the "favor boxes"...Yes!, I cut out 250 "F's". I placed them on miniature squares of french calligraphy, then matted and mounted the little squares on  paper linen boxes that I cut using my Big Shot dye cutter.

 In keeping with the French touch... I also added the whimsical element of the chalkboard trend. I made 50 ( 2 sided ) menu cards. I set the cards in silver placecard holders. They were placed on the guest's tables with votives and the little boxes of "Bon Bons".  (The tables on the boat were small and narrow compared to standard banquet scale.)

. 



Matt & DeAnna chose to serve cupcakes from "Hello Cupcake" in Tacoma. They also had a cake from "The Cheesecake Factory" for the cake cutting tradition. 





 I made a birdcage using paper, wire, ribbon  and crystal brads to top the cake!



Aren't they the sweetest couple? A vision of happiness and love. They are dancing their first dance together as Mr. and Mrs. Fink. 

The evening was magic. We all had a lovely time celebrating their marriage.

{We love you Matt & DeAnna!}

{Congratulations!}





*Don't forget to take a "Bon Bon" before you move on to your next blog visit!*

*L*

 Photography by Lunabella Events Seattle



I am thankful that

jtsports24

is home at dreams on 34th street

for the holiday...and the weekend!

Today I have received the gift {blessing} of having my son Jay home for Thanksgiving for the first time in two years!

It's a good thing because my daughter Chrislyn his out of town today...She is newly married and is spending the day with her wonderful new {Jason's} family.

Jay is a sports director for a KLEW, a TV station in Lewiston, Idaho. (His first job after receiving his degree in Broadcast Journalism at Washington State University) {GO COUGS!}

Thanksgiving is always a big sports day (and weekend), so it has been difficult for him to make it home in the past. This year he was able to return to share a home town Thanksgiving tradition with his viewing audience back in Lewiston. Yes, our sports guy is IN THE HOUSE!

So for all of my sweet blogging friends... "a little different take" on a turkey day post! The Mud Bowl of Tacoma and a few Idaho sports stories! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3G4P-GKK7I

May God bless all of you...I hope you are having wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

*L*

Snowflakes are dancing in the

skies of the

Pacific Northwest!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I love you!

Can you believe that my parents are both 81 years old?

*L*

In The Beginning

My first blog! It's exciting! It's like unwrapping a new blank canvas. It's time to dream, imagine and share!

*L*