Aiken Anecdotes!

And it begins AGAIN!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0000

9.45pm

This crazy weather needs to let up now...Enough!

Question Of The Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:29:00 +0000

What emotion are you feeling right now & why?

Share your thoughts...leave me a comment.

Thanks for your time!

An Expert At Being Lazy!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 08:59:00 +0000

Wow...I have just realized that I haven't blogged for like...3 whole days. This is because I have been on a mission to become an expert at being lazy...and I think I now have it down to a tee!

3 days in a nutshell

watched 4 episodes of 24 (season one) per night...Terry died at the end...I was gutted!
Finished my colorwork hat.

Since my last knitting post 'A Looming Good Christmas" introducing this project, I chose to pull out and use a different yarn and color. The original attempt was started with scrap yarn and I feared that I would not have sufficient to finish the hat!

Helped David buy his bike ~ Surly Long Haul Trucker

We shopped 'til we dropped...scouting all the bike shops in the Seattle area, test riding, negotiating and eating M&Ms!

AND...the Surly Long Haul Trucker got a tick in every box and the new Aiken baby was brought home =D

This is the ONLY time the bike will be in the house I might add!

Always went to bed the next day and awoke in time for brunch ;D

The whole family is going to be screwed on Monday morning when we all have to be up for school...poor Emma especially!

Cleared away Christmas today...very proud and loving the clean, de-cluttered house!
Took Emma to a New Year Bash tonight and the rest of the Aiken's went bowling. My ball was actually weighted funny as it spent the whole night in the gutter!

My 11 year old son won! You can just imagine how elated he was...

...and a huge pain in the ..... Bless Him ;D

But the cutest of all...

Ate too much!
Procrastinated way too often!
Had fun doing nothing much =D

Happy New Year!

What's This Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:57:00 +0000

What do YOU think this is?

Share your ideas...leave me a comment.

Thanks for your time!

Pump IT!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:30:00 +0000

We escaped our stir crazy lives this afternoon and ventured out to Pump it Up! It was great to a) get out of the house and b) to get some exercise! We joined our MOMS Club friends and jumped, bounced, slipped and slid...and one of the nicest things was some of the Dad's got to come too =D

Rachel and I were going so fast that even the camera couldn't keep up ;D

Ha-Ha!!

We have a wind storm forecast for this evening into tomorrow morning. Hopefully this will prove to be nothing major and we will hang onto our power supply!

The Aiken Railway Company Update...

We have a working loop!

Trains!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:33:00 +0000

My hubby is on a mission and it began today! Since 2007 David has been 'thinking' about his model railway...

The Aiken Railway Company no less =D

David semi built the layout last year in a room off our garage, but due to the lack of heating and his 'away' time from not being 'In' the house with the rest of the family...his railway room was scratched and today our guest room in now under construction and will soon become the 'new and improved' railway room!

10am ~ Mission begins!

Paper plan laid out!

8pm ~ Frame built!

We will have a guest bed in there too! I am sure our guy visitors will love sleeping in amongst the trains, however I'm not so sure about the ladies ;D

His aim was to get a train moving before the end of his 'working day' and he did just that!

8.30pm ~ Train running!

Wish me, I mean him, luck during this mission...My Mum is due in September so hopefully it will be up and running by then ;D

David has blogged in depth about his mission so if you want to find out more, feel free to check it out.

~David Aiken's Blog~

A Looming Good Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:41:00 +0000

How funny, even with my youngest daughter's many Christmas presents to play with, today she wants try her hand at looming! So... Barbie & Leapfrog were dumped and I found her some scrap yarn and the smallest loom I possess and I attempted to teach an almost 5 year old how to Knifty Knit =D Somewhat frustrating and we struggled with certain concepts like winding the yarn under and over the peg...but Rachel could lift the lower stitch over the top one...so we worked as a team and I wrapped the pegs for her and she lifts the stitches and makes it grow ;D Perfect!

Here we are...this was taken and 3pm...still in our PJ's!

So...if anyone is in doubt about not being able to master the Knifty Knitter then be rest assured if Rachel can then you can too! Give it a go!

My latest project is a hat from my new loom book.

So many new patterns!

AND with my new adult hat loom too...

I'll follow this pattern...

...and make it all girlie!

...because I'm intending to make it for ME!

Thank you to the Loom Queen herself for all the lovely Christmas gifts of above and below!

Happy looming to all...and to all a goodnight!

Still no mail but I did spot the...

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 03:33:00 +0000

UPS truck!

Unfortunately it wasn't at my house but at the 13th Anniversary Model Train Museum and what makes matters worse is....

Even we couldn't make it back up our drive!

David tried to dig out the truck but to no avail :(

Here's hoping we can:

Get our car out tomorrow to take our friends to the airport!
Our Christmas gift deliveries finally arrive via UPS so my daughter can finally get her present from Santa ;D

OH and as for Santa...he IS coming back up in the world...in our front yard anyway!

Question of the Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:28:00 +0000

What's your most memorable moment(s) from this Christmas Day?

Share your thoughts...leave me a comment.

Thanks for your time!

It's Boxing Day...which means just one thing to me ~ 'Bubble & Squeak'!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:18:00 +0000

What's Boxing Day?... I here you cry AND what the hec is 'Bubble & Squeak'...when it's at home?... Ha-ha!

For my friends who may not know...this is for you =D

Ok...so Wikipedia says:

Boxing Day is a public holiday in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, countries in the Commonwealth of Nations with a mainly Christian population, and parts of the United States. In South Africa, this public holiday is now known as the Day of Goodwill. It is based on the tradition of giving gifts to the less fortunate members of society. Contemporary Boxing Day in many countries is now a "shopping holiday" associated with after-Christmas sales.

The name 'Boxing Day' originates from the tradition of putting gifts in boxes for the less fortunate.

To me traditionally, Boxing Day is an additional 'day off' to recover from Christmas Day and the day we would go and shop all the big bargains with our Christmas money! But most of all it is to eat the left overs from Christmas Dinner by making what we Brit's call Bubble & Squeak!

Bubble and Squeak is a traditional English dish made with the shallow-fried leftover vegetables from Christmas Dinner or any roast dinner for that matter! Eaten with cold turkey and a generous helping of cranberry sauce....DELICIOUS!

Just mix up all your left over vegetables, we had: brussel sprouts, parsnips, roast pots, carrots, peas, corn casserole, broccoli and a little left over stuffing. Add a little oil to your frying pan and then pat down the mixture and allow the bottom to brown and cook through, then flip and repeat.

There are various theories as to the origin of its name, one of them being that it is a description of the action and sound made during the cooking process.

Anyway...we followed ours today with a the remains of our Christmas pudding and a piece of pecan pie...Yummy!

AND then a game of poker or two...as you do =D

Happy Boxing Day Everyone!!!

White Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 17:16:00 +0000

11.30am~Santa is almost Gone!

8AM

Snow is still falling, what a perfect white Christmas.

Frosty the GREAT big snowman!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:12:00 +0000

With a little help from Dad & Mum...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Never In The Whole Of My Life...

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:38:00 +0000

...have I ever seen so much snow, check it out...

It actually went over the top of my boots when I ventured out!

Santa is on the move AGAIN!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:28:00 +0000

OK...so we need this snow to go now and Santa needs to reappear. Christmas Eve is producing MORE snow and my fear of not receiving post & UPS deliveries has been heightened further with this extra snowfall. I think my children will be receiving wrapped photos of "gifts to come" under the tree tomorrow...shame but I am at a loss as to what else to do!

David couldn't resist taking a photo of me taking a photo of Santa in my PJs and wellies! He thinks I am a mad woman =D

Perhaps he is right!

Quote of the Day!

"OMG... (insert scream) It's CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!"

Any guesses who this could be?

What's This Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:42:00 +0000

What do YOU think this is?

I'm thinking this may be an easy one this week...Jonathan guessed it right away ;D

Share your thoughts...leave a comment!

Thanks for your time and Merry Christmas Everyone!

Billy's Words of Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:13:00 +0000

I have just finished reading Billy, a biography about Billy Connolly, written by his wife, former comedian and practicing psychotherapist Pamela Stephenson. Brought up on Billy's hilarious, crude humor, I just had to read his biography and what a great read it was! He is the only comedian I know of that can totally get away with every other word being a 'F' one! In his book, it is written that he can perform to a theatre full of Granny's and curse throughout the whole show and they come out wanting to adopt him because he is such a lovely person! Billy just walks out on stage and he makes you laugh!

A little bit about the guy himself...

Billy Connolly was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. He left school to work in the shipyards becoming a welder and joined the Territorial Army (in the parachute regiment) at around the same time. He developed an interest in folk music, eventually becoming an accomplished banjo player and a member of the band Humblebums with Gerry Rafferty (later of Baker Street fame). The jokes he told between songs eventually took over his act and he became a full-time comedian.

Billy is best known for his long, messy hair, goatee and lots of bad language in his stand-up shows.

The last chapter of his biography is titled: Billy's Desiderata("Desiderata" Latin for "desired things") and I found his words of wisdom warming and I wanted to share a few!

Tread gently on anyone who looks at you sideways
Have lots of lie-ins
Learn to grow out of medium underwear
If you must lie about your age, do it the other direction: tell people you're ninety-seven and they'll think you look great.
Never eat food that comes out of a bucket
Don't work out...work in!
If you don't know how to meditate at least try to spend some time everyday just sitting.
Play the banjo.
Sleep with somebody you like.
Marry somebody you like.
Try to do a job that you like.
Try to live in a place that you like.
Eat plenty of Liquorice Allsorts.
Never turn down the opportunity to shout, 'F%$*k them all!' at the top of you voice.
Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that, who cares?...He's a mile away and you've got his shoes.
Avoid people who say they know the answer. Keep the company of people who are trying to understand the question.

Certainly fans of Billy Connolly will enjoy this book, I have read a mixture of reviews, personally I enjoyed it and give it a 4 out of 5 "thumbs UP"

If you have an aversion to 'bad language' then perhaps this book is not for you as it houses exactly seventy-six "F" words!

Beware...but don't be put off!

Billyby Pamela Stephenson

SHAG

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:27:00 +0000

OMG...OK, so I saw an advert numerous times on TV this weekend and as a Brit and my interpretation on the word shag...well, I laughed and laughed and laughed!

Needless to say, I have booked David and I in to this Seattle retirement home. We are planning early retirement ~ Ha-Ha!

Senior Housing Assistance Group

Affordable Urban Living For Active Seniors!

Opportunities for new friendships and social interaction.

VERY active by the sounds of it ;D

Check out their website. Free $10 gas card if you make an appointment and take a tour...Just click on SHAG

How Low DID Santa Go?

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:18:00 +0000

This picture really does not show the true depth of our snow...I have never seen this so much snow in my life...It is so COOL! Pardon the pun =D

How Low Can You Go Santa!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:21:00 +0000

Taken at 5pm this evening!

Will photograph again in the morning and post my findings!

Measure Up?

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:12:00 +0000

With the help of my eldest elf, Emma...Mrs Claus ventured out to measure the snow...all for the sake of a blogable topic!

The storm last night was kind to us and only provided us with an extra couple of inches of snow. A few leaves fell from the breeze that blew, which has made my snow landscape a little messy! (you know what I am like) I may go pick them up later.

Ha-Ha!

What the week will bring..no-one really knows. More snow from the forecasts I have checked out. You know you have lots of snow when...your kids are bored with sledding and will go out side..."Later"...perhaps!

David's homemade onion soup is in the crockpot, Santa Clause 2 in on the TV, logs are burning on the fire, mamma is blogging, David & Jonathan are playing against each other on Command and Conquer Generals and my little girl elves are vegging out in pjs...Ah Sundays =D

David plans to blog all his recipes this week as he has a great passion to cook...HOW lucky am I??

Yesterday Today

Boots are a MUST

AND...never trust your elves!

Question of the Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:26:00 +0000

Where would you rather celebrate

Christmas Day...

In 90 degrees sun on a beach in Hawaii

-10 degrees in a warm, cozy and festive log cabin in Greenland?

Share your thoughts...leave me a comment!

Thanks for your time!

Woodcutter David & The High Wind Warning

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:17:00 +0000

With the predicted wind storms of tomorrow and clear remembrance of this time 2yrs ago...we are getting prepared! We don't have a generator :( BUT we do have a grill and a patio heater and now lots of firewood and our cupboards are full of goceries. We also KNOW now that our hot water is run off gas ;D

STRONG WINDS WILL DEVELOP OVER THE EAST PUGET SOUND LOWLANDS ON SATURDAY MORNING AND INTENSIFY ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THIS WIND EVENT WILL PEAK ON SATURDAY NIGHT AND THEN SUBSIDE ON SUNDAY.

IN ADDITION... WIND CHILL READINGS DURING THIS EVENT MAY BE NEAR ZERO WITH AIR TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO UPPER 20S. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS THAT A SEVERE HIGH WIND EVENT IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 50 MPH... OR GUSTS OF 75 MPH OR HIGHER WILL OCCUR ACROSS THE LOWLANDS.RESIDENTS AND LOCAL OFFICIALS IN THE WARNED AREA SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR WIDESPREAD DAMAGE AND POWER OUTAGES THAT COULD LAST FOR MORE THAN A WEEK

Maybe it will hit us...maybe it won't...perhaps it'll be mild...

perhaps it'll be wild!
Who knows...time will tell!

I have photographed the beauty that is this year's winter wonderland and I will photograph the aftermath IF the big winds blow!

Snow again on Sunday!

Hey Mam... I am growing icicle plants now =D

Family Fun and Frolics!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:39:00 +0000

The weather outside is frightful,

but the Aiken's think it's delightful...

Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

Let it Snow!

Lots more photos on The Aiken Family Website!

Snowed IN and Lovin' IT!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:10:00 +0000

My prayers were answered and the snow gods delivered!

Kids are super excited and have plans to sled all day and I will join in too...

We must have 10 inches already and the forecast is for flurries the rest of the week with very cold temps.

I am very thankful I grocery shopped yesterday and the kids are going to get good use of their snow pants! Dread to think what our heating bill is going to be for this month...I will get the log fires burning and use up some of our natural resources and keep the homestead warm and cozy for my little arctic explorers to return home!

I will post more photos later! Have a GREAT day!

What's This Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:24:00 +0000

Well Done Pei!

The correct answer was a roll of sellotape/scotch tape to wrap up all those Christmas gifts!

What do YOU think this is?

Share your thoughts...leave me a message.

Thanks for your time!