A Pause For A Last Min. Burst of Winter...

Spring?

Were you thinking that Spring was just right around the corner, well me too!

However, we are taking a momentary pause for Winter to show its stuff one more time!

We woke up to our world blanketed in fluffy white, grey, ice blue snow, speckled with gold and silver crystals this morning. My eyes hadn't even opened, when I heard my boys asking their Daddy to get out the snow clothes! Yep, you have it right...before my first cup of coffee we were out sledding!

Daddy was a good sport...He pulled out those clothes, bundled up the wiggly boys, and endured the dark freeziness!

The boys think that making a train is so fun, "Look Mom, no hands!"
If you only knew how steep our hill really is...

Backwards is fun too...

Daddy's workout for the day...up and down, up and down!
How are you spending your snow day?


Normal Spring programming will resume later this week,
I will get a post out on our fun weekend away...after a little more sledding, and coffee!
Have a great day, stay warm!

A Winner!

We are back from a really fun weekend away!

More about that later!

I wanted to announce the winner for my Valentine skincare give away! Thank you for all who participated, I loved your comments! If you would like more information on any Sensaria product please let me know, I would LOVE to help! Our skincare month ends February 28th, there is still time to order!

Without further ado, the winner is:

number 3.

Laura-from Our Strong Family!

Congratulations Laura, I am so excited that you won!

I will get this sent out to you right away.

Happy Monday,

I will be back later to share the highlights of our weekend & our meal plans for the week!

Weekend Away & Giveaway Reminder!

Well, Our Bags Are Packed...

Mommy is sweaty and a little cranky, but the car is loaded...to the brim, the boys are without naps and bouncing off of cloud nine, snacks and DVD player are in place, and coffee is in hand! Yep, we are ready for a fun weekend away with friends! Looking forward to catching up, it has been too long!

Our weekend will be filled with talking & games late into the evening, lots of laughter, great food and beverages, and noisy, crazy fun in a house full with 4 little boys!

I can't wait! : )

What do you have planned?

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY- CLOSES ON SUNDAY EVENING!

You could win the most amazingly wonderful, spa quality, microdermabrasion creme!! This product will literally make your skin glow! Who couldn't use a little glow right about now?

http://alastingfirstimpression.blogspot.com/2011/02/date-night-and-give-away.html

Become a Follower & Leave a Comment!! I would love for you to win!

Have a great weekend!

Craving Green...

About this time of the year, I begin craving GREEN!
Lush, soft, new, inviting, refreshing green...

Recently, we have had so much rain here in Seattle...dark, dreary, wet, and cold rain!

So I thought I would share my collection of green photos!

I hope they bring inspiration and a little cheery Spring color to you whatever your current weather condition!

Unknown location

Coastal Cottage...I love these chairs, they need to be in my house!

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Living

Coastal Living

Coastal Living

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Living

Coastal Living

Coastal Living

Coastal Living

Coastal Living...Need this cutie little girl in pink too!

Coastal Living

Do you detect a theme??

I am ready to paint my world Coastal Cottage GREEN!

The sun is finally shining, I hope you have a wonderful Spring day!

Don't forget my giveaway!!! You have until Sunday evening to enter!

Date Night and A Give Away!

Happy Valentines Day To You!

I hope you spend your day with someone you love!

Take this opportunity to pamper yourself while you are getting ready for your big date night! These built in opportunities don't come along everyday ladies, work it!

My Suggestions:

A facial...at home or in the spa! A facial at home can be so easy and make a dramatic difference! Try a high quality ****exfoliation****, (keep reading for a facial giveaway), and a plant enriched mask...you won't be sorry!

Shave, I don't know about you but it always seems hard to find extra time for a long shower. This is your day! Mow those legs, pull out all the stops!

Soak those feet, and paint those neglected winter toe nails. During the summer we are all very good about pedicures and making sure our feet look sandal and beach ready. I know you have been pulling on your woollies, and neglecting those toes! Think about how fun it will be to slip your feet into your cold, fresh (clean), soft sheets and not have them snag on their way down. You laugh, but I know it's true... : )

So, this is it, and extra 40-45 min of pampering time. I know I normally say an extra 5-10 min is all you need to figure into your routine, but this is DATE NIGHT! Lets go big, and wow our men!

In honor of Valentines Day,

I would like to take this opportunity to show you how much

I LOVE all of you ladies!

I would like to give YOU one of my most favorite skincare products! One of the most highly sought after treatments at the spa is a microdermabrasion scrub. Now you can bring the spa home!

This treatment will uncover fresh, new skin, soften dark spots and dramatically reduce facial lines with its gentle, soothing, creamy blend of volcanic microdermabrasion crystals.

This scrub will leave your face literally glowing! The difference is visible, the texture of your skin is dramatically softer, and you are left with healthy renewed skin!

To Enter:

Visit my website and tell me which product you would LOVE to add to your daily routine!

Come back and leave a comment!

Blog, Facebook, and Twitter for extra chances to win!

Giveaway winner will be announced next Monday!

(open to US readers only...sorry)

Good luck, and I hope your have a wonderful Valentine' s Day!

It's Not Too Late

Valentine's Day Is Just Around The Corner...

How are you spending your special day?

Most of you know, by now, how much I love Leavenworth! I had the privilege of growing up in "Paradise!" I love what the area provides; surrounded by glorious mountains at all times, rivers for rafting, trails for walking, skiing, hiking, and cycling, plus loads of Bavarian tourist fun! This town holds a very special place in my heart, I know you will agree once you have visited!

This time of the year Leavenworth is covered in snow, making the perfect winter Valentine's getaway! There are many snowy activities for you & your honey to enjoy during your weekend. Are you an avid down hill skier? Leavenworth is 30 min away from three great ski resorts. Or if you prefer cross country skiing, Leavenworth has three groomed trails which wind around through the woods and boasts some of the most amazing mountain and river views! Snow shoeing and snow mobiles are a great way to tap into your adventurous spirit, perfect to see some of the areas dynamic rural scenery!

If you would rather spend your getaway in quiet, peaceful solitude then you might want to try one of the many spas for a couples massage or a facial. After a candle lit diner at one of Leavenworth's four star restaurants, a horse drawn sleigh ride can be a romantic and whimsical way to end your evening.

But wait, where are you going to stay after your day's adventures? I have the perfect place; it is quiet, romantic, peaceful, lavish, and it's features will pamper each of your senses during your weeks stay.

Scandinavian Escape is a lovely Bed and Breakfast tucked into the Cascade mountains, which will surround you in peaceful loveliness during your stay!

Just a few of the luxuries you will experience while at Scandinavian Escape are; warm and sincere hospitality, cozy and inviting rooms, high quality bedding and craftsmanship, breakfasts that are to die for...amazing, private decks with views of the mountains, private baths with soaking tubs, a hot tub surrounded by snow and mountains, and fabulous gift packages to help make your time in Leavenworth extra special! Because Valentine's day is on Monday this year, if you stay with Scandinavian Escape on Sunday/Monday their winter gift packages apply! A sweet deal to make your stay even sweeter!

Vern and Linny love what they do, and it shows in each detail of your stay with them. Both have special giftings they bring into the running of their bed and breakfast, which set them apart from all others in the area. They would LOVE to have you come and stay with them, and I guarantee that you will leave feeling relaxed, pampered, and renewed!

What better way to spend your Valentine's day than to retreat to

A Scandinavian Escape!

http://www.s-escape.com/

photos:Flickr-Lisaluvz,Scandinavian Escape, David Manzi, & Leavenworth Chamber

Juice With Your Coffee?

"Hello Dear Void",

The sun has popped its sunny little face out again today, it is beautiful, crisp, the snow covered mountains are stunning, and yet I still feel like I am in such a FOG!

The "bubonic plague" hit our house about two and half weeks ago... it has transferred from one member of the family to another, and back again! I wonder, now, what this says about my house cleaning abilities...hummm.

I have spent days, and many sleepless nights tending to sick kids; wiping noses, washing sheets and lovies, distributing cough syrups and homeopathics, changing water in humidifiers, and attempting to NOT loose my sanity.

The boys are on the mend, thank goodness, but now the plague has caught up with me! I feel terrible, but as most moms know...the world does not stop spinning just because we are sick. I keep putting one foot in front of the other, hoping I will make sense, and praying I will make it to the end of the day.

Highlights of My Current State of Affairs

*I have gotten a LOT of house cleaning done in the last two weeks while sitting at home with kids.

*Loosing sleep due to my lack of oxygen..., not because anyone else is needing me at the moment, is a major bummer.

*Lots of snuggles, a definite plus!

*Did you know, you can actually fall asleep sitting up? I was waiting for the repair man, watching a little Dora with my three year old...not sure what happened...

*I actually put juice in my coffee this morning instead of cream...sad!

*Sweat was not the only thing dripping off my face at Jazzercise...gross, on the flip side...exercise really did help to clear the fog a bit! Felt good to move!

*Yesterday and today were P.J days at pre-school for the boys, I actually considered dropping off in my P.J's...just to be festive! Instead I put on cute clothes, washed my face, put on make-up, took some Tylenol cold medicine, and made a long overdue coffee date with my friend!

So while I am waiting for the fog to clear, I would like to leave you with a song, that I have been humming all day. Maybe it will be encouraging for you today, and know that if you find yourself in some kind of a fog, or crazy blizzard, there is hope for tomorrow.

God is faithful and his mercies are new every morning!

Thank goodness!

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

They are new every morning;

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Spring Has Sprung!

Look...

Out Of The Dead Wood,

New Life Has Sprung Forth!

Aren't they lovely?

The sun is shining, it is going to be a beautiful day!

Happy first day of February,

I hope you have a wonderful day!