Copenhagen, Edinburgh...Skype's the limit!!

Hello, or should I say "Hello" with a scottish accent)!!! Barbie and I flew into Copenhagen Friday afternoon. Our goal was to make it into town during our layover and find the Little Mermaid statue (which I read about before we left). Well, we DID make it into town (amazingly considering we aren't Danish) and we sort of made it to the Little Mermaid- We took a picture with a replica of her, in the airport. BUT the part of Copenhagen that we did see was wonderful! We hopped off the subway right into the posh shopping district. With our sweats, fleeces, and giant backpacks we were such sore thumbs!! Everyone else was wearing skinny jeans, cute jackets and tall boots. We finally made it to Edinburgh- Francie, Char and Bobby met us at the bus station. The next morning, we climbed Arthur's seat. Next we went to The World's End pub for a pint and some delicious lunch. We shopped a little downtown, and a bird pooped on Barbie's head. Thankfully, she was wearing a hat. Last night we went out for more fun and some dancing. Wow, that blog took it out of me! I don't think I will be doing this play-by-play writing of my life anymore. It takes too long AND it's boring!! I just read back this blog and it was a snoozefest.
the shopping carts are very small here, madge

"Listen! I think I hear bells..."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! Or "Happy" Christmas, as Harry Potter would say.

It was a FANTASTIC holiday. A fine affair! On the 23rd I went to Scotty's and we exchanged presents. He got me a REALLY nice backpack- perfect for my travels, AND a cool clock-necklace. I got him a snapfish photo album- heartfelt.

We did the traditional xmas eve bagel-eating/ferry ride with the Dalbottens- it was a gorgeous day, the sun was out.




This morning Max, Anne, and Oggy came over around 9 to eat cinnamon rolls and open presents. The day clearly belonged to Oggy, who had more presents than all of us. Later we went to Max and Anne's for a wonderful dinner prepared by Anne. It was splendid!








Less than two days till I'm off to Scotland! Better start packing!!!

LOVE,

Madge

Candelabra!

Well, I learned a new word the other day: Candelabra... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candelabra
It's basically a candle holder.
We were putting up xmas decorations and my mom and dad kept asking "Where's the Candelabra? Where is that dern Candelabra?!?" Ever since, I've had the word running through my head. I couldn't get to sleep last night because I kept repeating it in my head. It's like two summers ago when I got the word "formaldehyde" stuck in my head. Ask Martha Foley- We'd be making food in the camp kitchen and I would just say it over and over.

Candelabra, Candelabra, Candelabra....ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Being home has been WONDERFUL. The house looks great, we've been baking cinnamon rolls, wrapping presents...here's the tree:

It's a lot better than last year's- It might be hard to see in this picture but it's that pile of STICKS behind me. It was awful, there wasn't a needle left on it.

My hair looks great in that picture though. I REALLY need a haircut. When I go to Ireland, Bobby's cousin is going to cut it and I'm gettin bangs! Hot diggity!

Scotty's SURPRISE b-day party was quite successful. The giant pictures of Scooter up on the walls really added to the ambiance.


I drive my mom to work at 7:30 every morning and then come home, read dlisted, and eat almonds. HEAVEN.

Better take a shower,

Madge

Be Still My Heart!!

Devastating news coming out of the Jeopardy world today- Alex Trebek had a heart attack!! He is recovering from it and seems to be ok. Thoughts and prayers....



Last weekend Clare, Barbie, Isabel and I went to Coeur D'Alene for dessert and ice skating. It was really fun- put me in the Christmas spirit. I wore a helmet ice skating because Barbie was going so fast and out of control I was worried she would run into me. I didn't want her to have to live with the guilt killing me.


Three finals down- one to go!!

Did you watch the hills season finale last night,
Madge

Best Of Kenmore...

Tuesday...it is Tuesday.........wow, I got nothin. Here watch this video while I think of something to write.


Hmm....that got me thinking locally- I've got it!!! I'll do a "Best of Kenmore" list. Here it is:

Best Eats: Pagliacci
Runners up: Toshis, Subway, Rockies














Best Local Celebrity: Ken Schram
Runners Up: Elodie Morse, Alan from QFC














Best Place to go on a Date: Kenmore Lanes
Runners Up: Ostroms
















Best Place to Enjoy the Outdoors: Rhododendron Park (aka Kenmore Park)
Runners Up: Log Boom/Birk Gilman, St. Edwards















Best Landmark: Kenmore Pre-Mix
Runners Up: Kenmore Air Harbor, The Slough, People's Storage
















Yay, Clare and I are getting Thai food tonight. Though I don't have the money or calories to spare, sometimes ya just gotta treat yourself.

Char has a blog now: http://char-blogger.blogspot.com

See Ya'lls Later.

I love those J-I-N-G-L-E bells...

What a great weekend. Friday night our friends had an "ugly Christmas sweater" party- Isabel and I worse ugly Christmas dresses instead. It's always hilarious seeing everyone wearing heinous clothes. Barbie's outfit was a real winner- a Christmas turtle neck (her signature) with a festive knit vest to go over it. She looked about 54 years old. The walk home was a little rough- heels in the snow- but it was worth it.

Saturday night was the dress-up Christmas party hosted by Isabel and her housemates. They went all out with the decorations and a lovely buffet of treats. Cake, brownies, crackers and cheese, spinach artichoke dip....egads. Clare let me borrow a dress (& coat, jewelry & tights) and did my hair up all fancy-like. Scooter was bangin' in a blue tweed suit jacket and red tie with pheasants on it.







It was great having Scotty come up Saturday. He didn't drive his car back to Pullman after Thanksgiving, so he took the bus!! We sat around most of the day and watched the mtv special "Fat Camp 2- Return to Fat Camp." Now, if you've seen "Fat Camp 1" you know about it's amazingness. Fat Camp 2 wasn't quite as good, but still worth watching.

Ugh, I have to open tomorrow. Better get some shut-eye.

the goose is getting fat,

madge

Cool Yule- A Christmas/Raffi/global warming edition of Madgespace

Why hello there! Wonderful to be chatting with you on this snowy December evening! How have you been? What's that? Yes, I'm excited for Christmas too. In fact, I was just thinking about the Raffi Christmas song "Snow is a fallin' on Douglas Mountain". If you've never heard it, do yourself a favor and download it NOW.

Now I'm not one to be preachy, but since I do have the rare privilege of reaching the masses through this blog, I feel it's my responsibility to remind everyone that EVEN THOUGH IT'S COLD OUTSIDE, the sweaty tentacles of Global Warming continue to engulf our planet. Give future generations the gift everyone's asking for this Christmas- a sustainable environment.


Ok, to be honest I just had to incorporate Global Warming in this somehow because I couldn't find Raffi's "Snow is a fallin' on Douglas Mountain" on YouTube, but I did find his song "Cool It!" about climate change. Enjoy!


P.S. That "This is why I'm Hot" picture is actually a t-shirt from bustedtees.com - I really wish I was someone who didn't find "funny shirts" funny. I've tried so hard to think they're lame and fake vintage and too trendy and only for Rods, but the truth is- I LOVE 'EM! Go to the website and try to tell me you don't chuckle at least once. My favorite shirt is the "Jesse and the Rippers" one or "Beards- they grow on you." Ha! I know some people who would like that last one for xmas. I know two bearded people. First one to guess who they are gets $.74 in the first ever contest held on Madgespace.

Deck the Halls

Less than a month until CHRISTMAS!!! After watching a FABULOUS apple cup on Saturday (Cougs won!) Isabel and I crafted some xmas decorations for the house. Our best item was the manger scene- I did Joseph and the horse, Isabel did the rest.





Egads, I have a paper due tomorrow and it's really bringing my mood down. Meh, who cares? I'll whip it out- it's not like it has to be good.

I haven't much to report, unfortunately. It's supposed to snow tonight, which will be exciting but also annoying when I have to ride my bike to work in the morning.

What's on TV tonight? The Hills? Please GOD, tell me something better is on.

This video is from a couple weeks ago- taken outside the South Hill Rosaurs.

Feeding Frenzy

Boy Howdy, Turkey Day preparations are in full swing. Yesterday I went to Scotty's and we each made a pie. He made a BEAUTIFUL blackberry pie and I made an experimental apple/strawberry pie. It was fun to be in Sumner again, Emma has gained some weight recenty and is the butt of all jokes, Scooter's recovering from another emergency root canal (boo hoo) and his parents are getting reading to have the entire extended Grant clan over for T-Day for a sit-down (a first for them) meal. They actually have blueprints of the table arrangements.

As for the Padden gathering, we're all set to arrive at Gold Creek around 10 am. My dad has to set up the music equipment, and the turkeys need to go in the oven. I made my (or Ultimate Bagel's, I should say) pumpkin cream cheese last night which I will serve with whole wheat cinnamon raison bagels for an appetiser. Yum!

G-ma Martha and G-pa Padden (fresh off his ride on splash mountain- he's 88!!) are on their way over here right now. My mom turned the heat up to 70 because she doesn't want them to get cold. I couldn't be happier.

The second episode of Project Runway is on tonight!! Anna's coming over for brand practice (the Thanksgiving band my dad put together) so she'll probably stay to watch it with us. Can't wait.



I thought this video was amazing. Isabel always talks about how she loves carnivorous plants and now I can see why.