Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
This afternoon I’m doing a dessert social at the Victorian Rose Tea Room here in Port Orchard. I’ve done a number of events with this restaurant and gift shop. My daughter, Jody Rose, is the manager there and it’s always a special time. This, however is the first time I’ve done a “Dessert with Debbie.” The Breakfast with Debbie is always nice and the food is wonderful, and I’ve always enjoyed Tea with Debbie, too, but Dessert with Debbie? Now that, my friends is a natural. I don’t know why no one has thought of this sooner Read more
Five Days before Christmas
Panic has started to set in. Five days until Christmas and I'm still working on my cards, wrapping and mailing. What's worse, remember all those fabulous goodies stacked up in our kitchen that Wayne still isn't eating? Homemade cookies, candies, fruitcake. Well, they keep calling my name! While munching on bagels and cream cheese, I'm searching websites for diet plans. Did you know Rachel Ray lost 40 pounds drinking berry juice? I wonder if that would work with hot chocolate.
Christmas Diet
Wayne is on a low-fat diet. He decided he needs to eat healthier–in the middle of December, when the kitchen is crammed full of goodies! We have home-baked cookies and candies galore that my granddaughters and I made for my Christmas teas. Plus chocolates. Lots of chocolates. I was bringing the goodies into the office until my staff told me STOP. So who does that leave to enjoy all these delights? Me! And I can only swim so much to balance all this out. I will support my husband’s decision, but until the first of the yea Read more
100 and Counting!
My Aunt Betty turned 101 yesterday. I called to wish her a Happy Birthday and couldn't get through because she had so many other people calling to wish her happiness on her special day. Besides longevity, my aunt is an amazing woman in many other ways. She was recently written up in the local Aberdeen, South Dakota, newspaper for a volunteer award. All her life my Aunt Betty has given to others. Her award, in part, was for helping the “old people” at BINGO. Yup, I want to be just like her someday.
Sweet Rewards
The Seahawks play tonight on Monday night football, and we’re going to be there. Go Hawks! Did you hear our running back, Marshawn Lynch , got an endorsement deal with Skittles candies plus something like a five-year supply? Apparently, when he scores a touchdown, he rewards himself with a handful of Skittles. It was a practice started back in this high school days with his mom. Read more
A Swimming Tradition
I hosted my annual Swimmers Tea yesterday afternoon. It’s always fun to see what my swimming friends look like when I’m wearing my glasses, let alone when everyone is dressed in street clothes. I get a kick out of watching the guys hold onto a dainty tea cup and balance a plate of goodies on their lap, but they seem to enjoy it as much as the ladies. I’ve been swimming with this same group for more than twenty years. This is another tradition I always look forward to during the holidays. Read more
Christmas Traditions
I’m off with my daughters and granddaughters to see the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Cinderella. Read more
Christmas Author Lunch
I was in Seattle yesterday for our annual author lunch with local writers. Christina Dodd hosted the event in her new downtown condo, and my long-time friend, Linda Lael Miller, made the trip over the mountain pass from Spokane for the party. It’s always fun to gather together, share our favorite recipes (most of which came from a local deli!) and receive updates and business news. I came home inspired and uplifted, and really, isn’t that what friends are for? Read more
How Many Days ’til Christmas?!?
I always feel a slight sense of panic after Thanksgiving. It's less than a month until Christmas. I've barely started my shopping, baking, or thought about my Christmas cards. Every year I swear I'll get started early and breeze through the holidays. Ha! Every year it’s the same thing . . . but deep down I love it. I'm heading off to Seattle to meet a friend and shop and then go out to dinner. Revisions can wait an extra day . . . it’s the holidays, after all.
My Favorite Dessert
I am blessed. There are no two ways about it. In fact I have so many blessings that I keep a tally of them in a book I call My Ode to Joy. Every morning I write down five things for which I’m most grateful, and the list is miles long.
I have a new entry to add today. I’ve been asked to be one of the pie judges for PARADE magazine’s All-American Pie-off. I had to read the e-mail three times to believe they had asked me.
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A Perfect Compromise
Wayne and I have reached a conclusion that could quite possibly save our marriage. We can’t shop at Costco together. He races through the warehouse, weaving the cart in and out of those aisles like a NASCAR driver. I, on the other hand, enjoy a leisurely stroll down the aisles. I come to a complete stop at the book section and often spend as long as ten to fifteen minutes looking at the movies and music offerings. And now that the Christmas goodies are on display, well, I could be in the store a full hour, perhaps longer. Wayne is in and o Read more
Letter from a Reader
If you’ve ever heard me speak, you know I often read comments from letters I’ve received from my readers over the years—comments that almost always bring a smile. I’ve got a new one to add to the list and thought I’d share it with you.
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Dedicated to . . .
I hope no one minds if I brag a bit. My knitting and writing friend, Christina Skye, dedicated her book, A HOME BY THE SEA, to me. This is a follow-up to Christina’s story in KNITTING DIARIES, which was published earlier this year.
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Airport Encounter
Wayne and I flew from Orlando to Seattle last Friday. A friendly woman sat next to me at the gate while we were waiting to board our plane. When she asked me where I was from and I told her Port Orchard, she immediately exclaimed there was a famous writer who lived there. She’d never read any of her books, but she’d just picked one up at the airport. She said it sounded like a good story and decided to give her a try, and wondered if I knew her.
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For the Love of Roses
Wayne forgot my birthday, mainly because I wasn’t home to remind him. I was in Hartford, Connecticut at Stitches East, an amazing knitting conference with an even more amazing market. Market–as in they sell even more amazing yarns! When I casually mentioned what I’d be doing ON MY BIRTHDAY, I could hear the panic in Wayne’s voice and knew the date had completely slipped his mind. I reassured him it was no big deal and that I’d simply purchase my own gift. Since I was in yarn market heaven, it wouldn’t be a probl
Punt, Pass & Kick
Our family was given the opportunity to participate in an athletic event this week: Punt, Pass and Kick, sponsored by the Seahawks football team.
Man Cave vs. Yarn Stash
Wayne has stepped over the line. He “suggested” that since we are remodeling the basement (the basement houses my yarn stash and his wine collection), I take all my yarn and move it elsewhere, preferably upstairs or, even better, to the yarn store. Moving my yarn will allow him to create a man cave. I mulled over his “suggestion” and came up with one of my own–to take all his wine and store it on his half of the bed. All those who agree say “Aye!” Read more
Making Cider
We had apples–now we have cider. But making that cider led to a lot of tired muscles. Even with our grown children, their spouses, friends, and the grandkids' help, Wayne and I woke with sore muscles and aching backs Saturday morning. As Wayne announced, "We're getting old, Debbie." Old, us? No way. But I wasn't fooling anyone as I hobbled around. Wayne spent the afternoon doing what he calls “plotting” (better known as napping—would that plotting were that easy!), and I watched old videos and knitted.
A Truckload of Apples
We have apples. Lots and lots of apples. Dick Coolen, a swimming friend, has 300 apple trees on his property. He picked an entire truckload of apples and dropped them off at the house for . . . drum roll, please . . . making cider. One set of grandkids is coming over tonight to help Wayne and me. I’m cooking dinner and making apple crisp for dessert. I do so love the fall season. Read more
Bedroom Etiquette
I went to the dentist this morning to have my teeth cleaned. Somehow or other an entire year passed since my last cleaning. I don’t have a clue where those months went. Zip and they evaporated. One question the hygienist always asks is, "Are you wearing your night guard?" Actually, I’m pretty faithful when it comes to that guard. It’s a molded piece of thick rubber that protects my teeth from grinding. Wearing it, however, does not improve my looks. Wayne claims it’s the best birth control we’ve ever used! Read more
Ahoy, Matey!
Wayne and I built a fort for the grandkids overlooking the ravine on our property. Because we have six grandsons and only three granddaughters, I’ve decorated it in a pirate theme, complete with cannon and mast. To get down to the fort there are 66 steps. The kids race up and down those steps as if on an escalator. I, on the other hand, need to pause and pretend to look for ships on the horizon about half way up. My brother probably said it best: "If I go down there, I’m packing a lunch." I will say it’s an adventure and gives th Read more
Wedding Anniversary
Wayne and I celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday. It was very low-key, and we stayed close to home. Contrary to what people assume, my dear husband, bless him, is not the most romantic guy in the universe. Past anniversary gifts include . . . hum . . . funny, I can’t think of a single one. He did get me a pocket knife one time, but I think that was for Valentine’s Day.
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Thank You
I’m back in the office today and am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from my readers. Your kindness and sympathy have felt like a warm hug; I want to thank you for your notes and cards.
Life continues. It doesn’t seem that it should, but it does. Our family has always been close but never closer than now. With God’s help we will survive this tragedy, and at the same time I know we will never be the same. Again, thank you one and all. Read more
In Memoriam
Debbie and her family are mourning the death of their beloved younger son, Dale, who passed from this life on Tuesday, August 9. To read more about this exceptional young man, read the touching obituary written by his sister, Adele.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Debbie via her website guestbook, or via postal mail to PO Box 1458, Port Orchard, WA 98366.
My Roots
I’m back from Grandma Camp. This year’s camp I wanted to share my roots with the girls, so we traveled to my home town of Yakima, Washington. I was able to show them the house where I grew up, but unfortunately the house where mom and dad lived when I was born burned to the ground in the late 1950s. We stopped off at the school where I attended classes for eight years and the church where their grandpa and I were married. We had lunch with my best friend from my childhood, Carol Brulotte, at a fabulous Mexican restaurant. Read more