Best Western Heritage Inn

A couple of times during the year, hubby and I head about 10 or 15 minutes south and check in to the Best Western Heritage Inn in Bellingham, Washington.  For those of you that don't know, if you stay in the USA for 48 hours, you are permitted to bring $400 each worth of merchandise and not pay duty.  That equals big savings for us.

Because we crossed the border at 6:30 pm ... 3 hours AFTER we had hoped to cross ... we were rather peckish.  The extra 10 minutes to Bellingham seemed too far to travel before we could eat, so we drove up  and down the main street of the little town of Lynden.

It was Friday night
and we couldn't believe that the whole town was asleep!

But lucky for us, a strip mall had one shop open ... the Fairway Cafe.  If you are in the neighborhood, check it out.  Big portions and friendly service.

Lynden is a Dutch community and so it is no surprise to see windmills spotted here and there throughout the town.
This one is lighted up and acts as a landmark for the the mall area.

After a hearty meal, we drive a few more minutes south and find our hotel.  You would think that after the 10 or so times we have stayed  at this hotel, I would have taken pictures of the pretty heritage exterior ... but no ... completely forgot again.

There's always tomorrow.

Each room has a handy mini fridge, microwave and coffee maker.  We always bring bottled water while traveling and pick up a few items of fruit for snacks.  I like to keep things cold in the fridge.

 Of course the room features a big flat screen TV, and we checked out a few DVD from the check in desk.  They even supplied microwave popcorn to make movie watching that much more fun.

 Nice desk for your lap top with wireless connection.  Don't you love the picture on the wall?
Now there is grand entrance I would like in my home!

 The restroom was nice. 
We so enjoyed the large shower.
At some time they must have removed a dated bathtub and lined the area with tile.  Good idea.

And finally the personal toiletries.  Quality ones too.  Call me cheap ...  YOU'RE CHEAP ... but I take home the unused soaps and shampoos.  I keep a basket of such items at home to share with guests that forgot theirs.

Works for me.

White Rock Walk

 

During the brisk, cool temperatures of winter, Hubby and I ventured out to White Rock Beach.

Years and years ago ... even before my time ... folks used to take the train out to White Rock to enjoy the peaceful ocean shores and beautiful scenery.

 Although still relatively peaceful, and still beautiful, there are quite a few more visitors

and shops and restaurants and residents.

 You ignore everyone else, and enjoy a nice walk along the well traveled sidewalks

and out to the pier.

 The pier has been here a long time!

 Halfway down the pier, I catch a shot of the official "White Rock".

The whiteness is attributed to a few coats of paint,

but the question remains ... How did it get there?

 I am a sucker for pictures of textures, and the ripples of the low tide beaches caught my eye

 Back on the shore, the sun is shining on some of the residences and bouncing off of the ocean

 A sea gull takes a bath in the icy waters

 On the pier, we spy a few crab appendages.  Sure to be a treat for a sea gull when it is discovered.

 A few lucky ones are allowed to moor their sail crafts along the breakwater off of the pier.

 The breakwater is a beautiful sight just on its own.

 Hard to believe that the shoreline was just walking trails and trees at one time.

 A female sea gull stood a long time posing for me as I shot about 30 pictures.

 The male counterpart was upset that I had no food offering for him and his female.

 Quickly the sun went down as we returned from our pier walk.

And finally a glimpse of the cement pavers,

purchased by individuals in honour of loved ones,

that line the sidewalks along the shore.

Rather a neat idea ... I thought.

Cupcakes for Two

During the holiday week ... between Christmas and New Years ... Hubby always takes a vacation.  A much needed vacation.  During that time he and I often ditch the kids and take a few adventures.  Don't worry, no kids have been harmed during these adventures ... In fact they have long since 'ditched us'.

Anyway, after a drive out to White Rock ... I'll share those pictures with you later .. we found a Cupcake shop.  Yumm-O as Rachel Ray would say.

We held back our temptation to buy a box of 12 ...

This feat was contributed to sheer will power but was combined with the hefty price of these cupcakes ...

And opted to purchase just two.

 

Mine was called CARAMELLA ... on the left

and Hubby picked a SNOWFLAKE cupcake

They survived the ride in the car as we drove to White Rock beach

and then further endured a short walk to a picnic table

where we decided to indulge in their goodness

As Hubby tried his, I snapped a few pictures of the occasion

Soon it was too much for me to take, so I dove into my treat.

Well worth the $3.25 a piece.

Check out this short youtube video of the shop where we purchased the cupcakes

Cupcakes by Heather and Lori

Let the Gift Opening Begin

 Hubby and I gave each one of our offspring a GPS for Christmas.

After many desperate phone calls to Dad asking for directions because they 'are completely lost',

we figured it was about time!

To Dan the Man we gifted a warm hoody.

Dreamer saw that we had them for our sub-contractors this year,

and requested that Dan 'needed' one too.

Genius purchased this domino set for his girlfriend.

Although the tin says Super Train, I believe the game is called Mexican Train.

Whatever it's called, she was thrilled.

Genius bought me this plush penguin.

It plays a silly Christmas toon while flapping its wings.

Just what every 49 year old needs!

Genius loves hard cover books.

This year on his wish list was the Silmarillion by Tolkien.

To his girlfriend we gave a Christian day planner as we were told that she works well with lists.

I also had collected many pieces of this glassware that she likes from thrift stores.

She was happy to get pieces that she didn't have already.

 Johnnie-Girl needed money for university text books this year,

so opted out of the usual shower of gifts, and instead requested CA$H.

After the gift opening, a little fun with the ribbons and bows.

Maybe a little too much fun ...

And, of course, lots of food for Christmas breakfast.

And finally a thought to remember.

Mistletoe and Blessings

 During the Christmas breakfast preparation, I encountered Dan the Man attempting to steal a kiss from Dreamer ...

It was evident that the mistletoe hanging near by had a mesmerizing effect on this young man.

But not to worry, Johnnie-Girl 'came to her rescue' and squashed his advances before they came to fruition!

Better luck next time Dan-the-Man.

Anyone that knows me well, knows well that I love to decorate for Christmas.  Although I do purchase new items, I find it is even more fun to find them at garage sales during the summer or throughout the year at thrift stores.  Just as a tip I will tell you that I am purging my small, cutey-pie decorations and am rather turning my interests to the large and impressive.

 Basil, my 5 1/2 foot tall Christmas soldier, was a gift from Hubby years ago and still has that WOW factor as he greets guests into our foyer.

And although Christmas didn't turn out as I had planned,

my kids gave me this plaque that reminded me of all the good things that I can be thankful for.

I have many MANY blessings to count!

So That Was Christmas

The calendar on the wall shows me that Christmas is over for 2010.  Without going into all the sad details, I think that our family ... well ... we frankly missed it.

So much so that we have collectively decided to unthaw the 'bird' and have a Christmas dinner in January.  Also next month we will have the annual 'making of the gingerbread houses' and even the soon to be traditional 'making of the caramel apples', AND we will have a five hour presentation of our old family slides!!!  Something to look forward too ... for sure

Enough said ... on with what we did fit in to this Christmas season. 

One of the blessed highlights, for sure, was the Christmas Eve service at our church.  A collection of many talented people singing, playing instruments and reciting scripture and the occasional inspirational story.  Above is a snap shot of Dreamer and Johnnie-Girl as they belted it out in perfect harmony.
I was so proud ...

 

My friend, KaYo spoiled our family with a beautiful calendar and a box of Purdys chocolates.

There has been a lot of eating ... Dreamer and her boyfriend, Dan the Man,

forked it down during one of our many hurried dinners.

Johnnie-Girl went all wide eyed here as she poured back another one ...
Crystal Light drink, that is!

 

 I thought that this was a weird shot of Dan the Man.

Here Dreamer is trying to teach Dan the Man how to play the simple tune "Heart and Soul".

He was getting pretty good at it too.

And finally us girls decided that Dan the Man's tie needed a little alteration.

What is it with men and stupid cartoon ties anyways?