Waterfalls and a Holiday Sneak Preview

My husband volunteered with me at the Multnomah Falls Visitors Center today.  We had an enjoyable time meeting a lot of young people that are here from all over the USA to participate in a Cross Country Nationals competition to be held at Fort Vancouver, WA.  FV is a wonderful recreation of what the historic fort looked like when it was run by Hudson's Bay Co.  

The photo above I just love as it shows how much water is gushing over the falls now due to lots of rain lately - and I thought it was fun how the girl in the black jacket stands out in front of the white water and the girl in the white jacket stands out against the dark background.  You can also see the little extra waterfall to the right that comes out during the rainy times.

Above is the Benson Bridge with the water rushing over the lower falls and crashing into the lower pool, see the mist swirling up as it hits the water?

Above is a photo I took of our living room decorated for Christmas a few years ago.  I am already anxious to begin transforming our room into this sparkly magic place.  I crocheted the stocking on the far left and far right.  The 2nd one in on the left is made of a vintage Hudson's Bay Indian blanket and the other one is one I bought that was just so cute that was all appliqued with Santa and his sleigh.  I put peppermint colored candles in my antique ship's lanterns and have Santa and his sleigh on the mantel between two Christmas trees that I decorated with miniature ornaments.  Can you envision the sound of the crackling wood fire and the smell of the pine boughs, peppermint candy canes and woodsmoke? 

Tomorrow we go shopping for our turkey for Thanksgiving and all the accoutrements - green bean bake with onions, candied yams with brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans and mini marshmallows toasted on the top, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, homemade yeast honey wheat rolls, ice cold sparkling apple cider, homemade orange cranberry sauce - and Dayle's homemade sage dressing and a big beautiful roasted turkey.  OH BOY! :-)

Our 3 children and their spouses and all 6 grandchildren will be with us on Thursday.  It will be noisy and crazy and there will be last minute gravy making and potato mashing by me and table setting and candles being lit and cider poured.. and yes there will be photos.

I hope you all have a great weekend and week ahead.  ((hugs)) Teresa