The Lights of Christmas on Camano Island

On Thursday

my just-now-back-at-home-husband and I

decided to fly our

empty nest for the night.

We headed up north to Camano Island to

go to 

The Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach.

Don't let the name of the

beach fool you.

It was certainly not warm or tropical!

But it was very festive and colorful.

We held hands and walked the acres of lights

and scenery.

We loved watching the young children 

with a look of wonder on their face.

As we walked through the candy cane tunnel I

watched a little girl skipping along.

Her face was full of animation and enthusiasm as she yelled out 

to her mom and dad

"HO! HO! HO!....

GUESS (add lisp) who I am?????"....

"I am.... SANTA CLAUS.... (add lisp)

and THIS!!!....

.....THIS!!! IS MY NORTH POLE"

(arms spread out, twirling around)

She summed it up perfectly.

THIS was a Christmas wonderland full of color and joy,

carolers and a 'train' ride around the park.

Hot donuts or wood oven pizza.

Elephant ears and deep fried Oreo cookies.

It was a perfect place for us to spend time alone

snuggled in the cold hand in hand.

We stayed in one of their rooms at the park for the night.

Decorated with garland and lights.

No television or Internet.

Just us.

And when we awoke in the morning and looked outside....

A surprise snow fall!

We really felt we had gone to Santa's North Pole after all.

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

Monday was the day I had been anticipating

for nearly six months....

I wrote a special message on the kitchen chalk board.

I went to the grocery store and bought the essentials.

I shaved my legs.

I cleaned the house and put clean sheets on the bed.

I washed the dog and moved my stuff out of his part of the closet.

I laid out my outfit and filled my car with gas.

I went to bed and woke up bright and early with butterflies in my stomach.

And...

Then my mother in law and I drove to the ferry an hour away.

Took it across Puget Sound and drove another 30 minutes to Everett Naval Base.

We met up with our oldest son, and found a spot on the wharf.

Tents and RV's were set up for the 157 babies who were born while

the USS NIMITZ was deployed. That's right, 157 babies that

were waiting to meet their daddy for the first time!

As the Carrier got closer and closer I started to wonder if any of the figures manning the rail was my husband. 

It takes about 600 sailors to stand the perimeter.

Its a spectacular sight to behold.

  

Once pierside,

the sounds of guns filled the air as the lines are shot from ship to pier.

Soon the brows will be set up and sailors will be aloud to 

exit this vast ship.

After nearly 9 months deployed, the winners of the "first kiss" raffle will be first.

Then, the new dads are the next to leave.

The gate to the pier finally opens up to everyone.

There is a flood of children with signs 

and moms with looks of anticipation and relief.

Girlfriends and fiances, parents and siblings watch with excitement.

The Patriot Riders stand proudly in support of our troops.

Hand held flags are waved in celebration.

The local media is there to capture the happy reunions.

We can see better now...

those figures on the flight deck.

Our sign is a huge 3 x 6 feet.

My husband spots us and starts waving his arms.

I recognize his stature.

I begin to jump up and down with arms flying.

I turn to my mother in law and ask

"Is that really him"?

She says YES as she and our son are waving too.

My eyes fill with tears as I see he is there...

He is REALLY there!

My eyes stay locked on his outline and he motions that he is coming down now.

I make my way to the brow and wait and wait and wait.

Dressed in their dress blues, all the officers look alike.

But finally, finally I see him come out of the side of the ship and make 

his way closer. I can hardly contain my enthusiasm!

Together at last!!!

Yes, its the most wonderful time of the year!

WELCOME HOME USS NIMITZ CVN 68 

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!!

You can see amazing photo's of happy families

here!

The Master Bedroom & the Evening light...

The late afternoon light on the tree outside my dining room window took my breath away the other day . One of my favorite things about living here is the stunning sunsets.

I have not been able to fully capture its splendor, but it is a lovely way to end the day.

I also have been enjoying my cozy bedroom on these cool nights.

I can finally say that its what I envisioned it to be.

I painted the desk and bed in the same creamy color as my kitchen cabinets.

I used an enamel paint and love the results.

I decided to keep the inside of the desk the stained wood. I love the contrast and

the wood tones tie together with the chair and window blinds.  Keeping it

from looking overly feminine.

I found the duvet cover and shams at the local Goodwill for $24. They were

in perfect condition. After a good wash it added the warmth

and texture I was looking for.

The two decorative pillows, and the area rug were a steal from Ross.

I love Ross pillows because most are down filled with zippers.

The rug is not an expensive rug at all and the quality reflects that, BUT it

was perfect for the bedroom in both color and price. 

Only $59 for a 9x13!

I have carried this print for nearly 20 years! The father of a friend of mine made

the frame and I distressed it and repainted it about 4 times over the years.

I think its perfect now. This image is an honest reflection of

what I love. I feel so much peace looking into it. 

I have thought about repainting the wall color to a neutral. But this room doesn't get

much natural light and the color is cheerful, yet restful for a bedroom.

As much as I don't like the look of a TV in the bedroom, I will

be the first to say I like to watch me some HGTV at night.

It is what it is.

That sweet little chair was another simple reupholster job I tackled.

I decided to keep it in wood tones and the fabric coordinates perfectly.

Here's a peek of that process:

Looking out the master to the hallway. 

This used to be open to the kitchen before we remodeled the kitchen

a few years ago. The mirror and lamp keep it bright.

And... to keep it real...

This is my messy closet! 

The antique doors are leaning because we are trying to figure out

the best way to attach them. Either as sliding barn style or as french doors.

Its funny how you get used to the undone stuff over time!

Maybe I'll go tackle that closet today...

or not. 

*Cheers* to making a room comfy on a tight budget!!

xoxo

Jodi