Traditions

The last few weeks I've been blessed to have had a very special houseguest ... my 92 year old grandmother! No longer able to live on her home, my little Dutch granny has been staying with my hubby and me while my mother has been travelling overseas. We've been making the most of our visit together, taking afternoon tea in my kitchen each day and reliving special memories and grand adventures.

I used to ride the Greyhound bus each summer to my grandmother's home just outside Lebanon, Oregon. We would spend our mornings antique hunting at second hand shops and thrift stores, looking for wonderful treasures. One of our favorite haunts was appropriately called The Treasure House, an old, rambling two-story farm-house full of nooks and crannies. We could wander around in there for hours! On our way home, we'd often stop by the Brownsville Library, check out a good mystery, then head back to Granny's for tunafish sandwiches and tea in pretty cups.

Magdalena Wilhelmina Bakker Wolfe kept a warm and cozy home and had a special knack for making you feel welcome. There were ALWAYS cookies in her cookie jar! She's still a grand and gracious lady, and these past few weeks have reminded me how fortunate I am to have shared so many memories and traditions with my granny.

This coming holiday, Mon Ami continues it's annual tradition of hosting our Christmas High Tea on Saturday, December 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's theme, A Celtic Christmas, will feature a festive menu sure to please even Robert Burns! Seating is limited so give us a ring at 541.997.9234 to reserve your place at the table.

I do hope you'll plan to join us ... and thank you, Granny, for sharing with me your gift of grace and hospitality. Warmly, Cindy

"I HAVE AN IDEA!"

That's how it all started back in 1998 ... four little words I shared with my husband that launched my creative passion and 11+ years of wonderful adventures and friendships. My daughter Tori says the only two words she dreads more than "I Have an Idea" are "Estate Sale"! (Where did I go wrong with this child?)

This afternoon, I spent a few hours planning the next two months of special events with Mon Ami's decorator-in-residence, Diane Archer (aka "The Starfish Girl"), who was there in the beginning when we first opened our doors, and we laughed and reminisced about how many Fabulous Ideas we've brought to life and shared with our friends in the ensuing years. This weekend, we hosted our 12th Annual Holiday Open House and shared our love for creating beautiful havens with many old and new friends who stopped by to share in the festivities.

Can't wait to share with you what's happening next! Wishing you Grace and Plenty, Cindy