West Coast Shorter Wife

Now, I don't know how many of you love to host a party but I really do. I think it is especially important to stop and celebrate a child's birthday.  I know both my husband and I have very sweet mothers who threw us parties each and every year.  It is something growing up that I really looked for...
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I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington in the Wallingford neighborhood.  My parents still live in the beautiful, eclectic, 1900s house I grew up in.  My husband, son and I live about 2.5 hours away in Wenatchee, Washington so it is always fun to go visit the Otto grandparents and have fun ...
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There are so many sweets consumed on and around Halloween it is always fun to make a healthy festive snack. This one is perfect to bring into a classroom or take to a party - it is super easy too!  I found this recipe last year in the 'Family Fun' magazine. Banana Ghosts - BOO! In...
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The title of this blog comes from a dear friend of Ryan and mine, AJ Cronk, who loves to throw a party.  He was known in college for his wild costume theme parties where the guest list was envied by all. For many people parties cause stress and it disables them from entertaining often or at all. �...
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Something you might not know about me unless you are in the ski racing community is that I cook for all the campers, coaches and staff at our PV Alpine Summer and Fall Camps at Mt. Hood, Oregon and Vail, Colorado. This summer I cooked 7,992 meals by making breakfast, lunch and dinner for 24 days fo...
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Delectable treats make any occasion you are celebrating very special. Putting the time in to ensure the person you are throwing the party for has something sweet they will enjoy lets them know you really care.  Ordering a cake or making it yourself has the same impact - everyone loves to be reme...
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A little known fact is that when Grandpa Shorter's Gifts opened in 1946 their first account was Minnetonka Moccasins - in turn Grandpa Shorter's was Minnetonka's first account. That is just remarkable. Minnetonka and Grandpa Shorter's have both changed and grown with the times but stayed ...
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Fall is coming at us and there is nothing we can do to stop it - so, why not just embrace it? Fall staples in your wardrobe are very important as you want to be able to walk into your closet and come out with a look that is appropriate for any occasion in any season. This is a variety of looks a...
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Hi Friends, This is my mother's scone recipe. She has been making them for decades - I remember waking up to the smell of scones when I was a kid. Recipe for Grandma Otto's Almond Scones Ingredients: - 2 cups flour & a bit extra - 1/2 cup sugar & a bit extra - 2 ts...
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It's that time of year again - getting the kids back in the school groove.  You have tirelessly shopped and organized your children's clothes, ran around to multiple stores getting their school supplies, made sure their backpack & lunchbox are perfect, and loaded up on school lunch ite...
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