Linda Letters

Rainy Day

2012-01-29T17:26:00.000-08:00

The good thing about a rainy day is that we get to take the day off.

Well, sort of. We did clean house this morning and I did some grocery shopping. But we had a rest day from the hard physical labor we'd been doing with the yard clean up. Then this afternoon we ran away for a while and checked out a large antique mall near Tacoma.

After about two and a half hours of browsing, we departed with a few treasures, and debriefed at a nearby Starbucks over lattes and a goody. I managed to resist the really caloric things and settled on a biscotti with my coffee.

Now we're back home and getting settled in for the evening. We'll have some TV to entertain us. And Josy is happy to see us.

Josy, would you like to go outside?

No thanks.

The Clean Up

2012-01-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

With the end of the rain late this week, it was time to get outside and begin the clean up process.

On Thursday we cleaned up the driveway. There is still a pile of old snow from where Tom shoveled us out a week ago. I raked up all of the debris and Tom ran it through the composter shredder.

There is still on patch of debris encrusted with ice and a pile of "logs".

Friday morning we were able to squeeze in about two and a half hours of work in the back yard.

As you can see, the sky is blue, but it's just barely above freezing. I'm not sure how we're going to get that 'widow maker' - that hanging limb, out of the fir tree.

Ice storms are very hard on Madrona trees because they are broad leaf evergreens, with brittle limbs. We lost the whole tops out of two smaller trees, and a bunch of limbs out of a large tree. We had to fetch some out of the neighbors yard. This pile awaits the chain saw, the lopping shears, and the shredder.

I got the lawn raked

and most of the beds cleaned up.

We have a huge mound of limbs to deal with, some very large.

Under this large fir is a mass of debris, layered with ice. When branches covered with ice snap, the ice rips all of the foliage off as it falls, leaving piles of small branches.

We got everything else picked up and added to the pile, and I got a start on this mess before we ran out of time.

Josy preferred to admire the sunny day from inside. She goes outside on her own, but I guess she doesn't trust me since I scooped her up and hauled her outside a couple of times. As soon as she was free she dashed back in through her cat door.

Today, Saturday, we got kind of a slow start, but were outside working by 10:30. We took an hour lunch break and then worked until almost 5:00.

Tom began shredding the debris pile.

I tackled the mess under the tall fir tree. Lots of large limbs, ice and snow had come down, crushing shrubs. We were planning to do some pruning on this acuba this year, but not quite this drastically.

As I filled bins and hauled them to the pile, Tom kept up with me so that at least the pile didn't grow. The shredded material was used as mulch under the hedge, and then as dressing for the garden path.

I picked up all I could, getting down to the ice layer. The rest will have to wait for the thaw. Tom managed to reduce the size of the pile a bit more before we called it a day and drug our weary bodies into the house.

There we found Josy quite comfortable, thank you.

FYI: Son Jake has been teasing me about not including photos of the cat, his cat, in my blogs. So from now on, you may see her quite often.

Grandparenting

2012-01-27T17:01:00.000-08:00

What with their busy lives, and the weather, it has been a while since we spent time with the grand kids.

Then last night we were invited to go with them to Math Night at their school. Tom and Isaac did third and fourth grade math. Irene and I did first and second grade math. Then we stopped at Dairy Queen for dessert. It was a fun evening.

Today I picked the kids up for early dismissal and we had craft time. Irene thought she had bad luck when she got a wooden car kit to assemble at the family Christmas party, but I convinced her that it would be a great craft project when she came to visit. And she could paint it! That convinced her. Today was the day.

Grandpa was her helper and he informed her that first she would have to read the directions. That met with a bit of resistance, and she flung the paper down, declaring that "I can't read Japanese!" Grandpa got her restarted and off they went.

(BTW, Jill always sits on the kitchen counter. Like mother, like daughter.)

A magazine had arrived for Isaac, so he read it and had a snack, and I had my chocolate and coffee time. Grandma always works better when she's had her chocolate. Isaac also helped me work the puzzles in the newspaper.

While Isaac and I were occupied, Irene and Grandpa went to the garage to pound some nails. Cool. A car!

Isaac and I were going to do a sewing project. Isaac picked out his fabric and we cut out two squares and filler to make a pot holder.

Then Isaac used the sewing machine to quilt it together.

He learned how to select some fancy stitches, and worked on his own with nearby supervision.

Irene had to wait for paint to dry so she appeared and I set her up with some hand stitching. All went well until she poked her thumb. There were tears, but I couldn't find any blood.

Irene liked my "tool box" and enjoyed trying things out.

Isaac finished stitching his pot holder, and I got the serger set up to finish the edges. He decided he wasn't quite ready to run that, so he ran the foot pedal while I guided the fabric. We agreed that serger is one cool machine!

Downstairs, it was time for more auto paint. It's not surprising that Irene had created a rainbow car.

Jill picked the kids up after work, and now the house is quiet again.

Josy has come back out from under the bed.

Anniversary

2012-01-25T14:36:00.000-08:00

On Monday it was one year to the day that I began my weight loss program, recording food intake and counting calories with CalorieCount.com.

A year ago I was desperate to find a fix for the pain I was in: heel pain from plantar faciitis, and arthritic pain in my knees, hip, ankle, back and neck. I had been to docs, had x-rays, and tried various treatments. Nothing really worked. So I took matters into my own hands. I started a program of Naproxen for pain and inflammation. I began regular exercise for weight management and physical therapy exercises I had accumulateded over several years. And I began to lower the stress on my joints by losing weight.

It worked. I am happy to say that now I am relatively pain free. I am 48 pounds lighter. I am much more mobile and flexible. I am much happier with how I look and feel.

I made it through the holidays with a small weight gain, which I have taken off several times, including recovering from the bump last week during the power outage. Today I am one pound lighter than my lowest weight in many years. I am back on my program of calorie counting and exercise. Thank goodness for the stationary bike during our cold and rainy weather. I have been doing 11 to 12 miles a day this week. I am reaching for the next ten pound benchmark.

Happy Anniversary to me!

Winter Birds

2012-01-24T10:53:00.000-08:00

During our recent winter snow and ice storms, I had plenty of time to watch the birds outside the family room window. They perched on the maple tree awaiting their turn at the feeders, or they worked the ground under the feeders. It was a great opportunity for photographs.

Fox sparrow

Oregon Dark-eyed Junco

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Towhee

Varied Thrush

House Finch

Townsends Warbler

Pine Siskin

Bushtit

Bushtits are so tiny they have to crawl into the feeder hole.

But, oh, so cute!

Black-capped Chickadee

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Boring.

Weather Man

2012-01-22T11:05:00.000-08:00

You may recall that some time ago I built a snowman. I had to actually look up the date. This has been a confusing week.

It was Monday and we had just had a lovely, fluffy snowfall, perfect for building a snowman.

The temperature was above freezing on Monday afternoon, so by Tuesday morning, Ole' Frosty was sagging a bit, but he seemed to still be enjoying himself as the temperature dropped and the dry powder snow began to fall.

By Tuesday afternoon the sun came out. Now Frosty had a problem. He was partially blinded by the sun and his smile was slipping.

Six inches of snow on Wednesday left him bowed, but not broken.

But then on Thursday he had to change his name to Crusty. Glazed with ice, he was frozen in place.

But just like weather in the Northwest, nothing lasts for long. By Saturday morning the freeze was over, the snow and ice were melting, and the snowman was becoming just another faceless feature-creature.

The sun on Saturday afternoon was welcome to all of the human inhabitants, but poor Ole' Frosty/Crusty just lost his head over it.

So long, Snowman. You were a great weatherman while you lasted.

The Beauty and The Beast

2012-01-21T14:23:00.000-08:00

We have been busy today restoring our normal lifestyle. Tom is just finishing the vacuuming, and then the house will be clean again. The laundry is done. The mail has been sorted and the photos downloaded. A grocery list is ready to take shopping. That's next. Turkey soup stock is cooling.

We have had an adventure, but we are lucky, because many thousands are still without power after the ice storm.

Ice storms bring incredible beauty.

They are also beasts bringing destruction. This was Thursday.

Notice the trees and shrubs overhanging the street. We were lucky not to have trees come down and block the roadway here. Many streets and highways were blocked.

We have quite a mess to clean up in our yard.

This is today, Saturday.

With the power out we just kept the freezer shut and moved some perishables outside to our auxiliary refrigerator.

We had candlelight dinners Thursday and Friday,

with food prepped by candlelight and with the aid of the camp stove in the garage, lit but the Coleman lantern.

Friday Tom got going on shoveling the driveway so he could back the van out of the garage.

And then we were FREE! to go find a warm meal, more supplies, Internet hook up, and a movie out.

Today the street is looking better. The arterials are clear. We have power. All is well.

Wow! The first newspaper delivery in three days!

Oh, oh.

Well, we'll keep our fingers crossed that those broken branches still hanging up in the trees don't do us in again.

Powerless No More!

2012-01-20T23:22:00.000-08:00

Just as we entered our rutted, icy street coming back from a movie, the street lights came on. We started cheering, but still had to maneuver the tricky turn into the driveway, and then, sure enough, we have power!

We have heat, which is working hard to overcome the 51 the house temp had fallen to, and lights, and INTERNET!

Josy has been wandering all over the house, most likely wondering why the heck we hadn't turned on the lights and heat sooner!

For those who asked, the movie we saw was Incredibly Loud, Amazingly Close. It was wonderful! The plot involves a boy who is dealing with the loss of his father in one of the towers on 9/11. It's a wonderful story, beautifully acted. See it!

It's probably time to start winding down. I'll be back tomorrow with the first of the photos.

Powerless

2012-01-20T14:59:00.000-08:00

Hi, everyone.

Tom shoveled the driveway enough so that we could get the car out, and we are now at Panera enjoying a warm place, warm food, and Internet!

We lost power at noon yesterday. We built a fire in the fire place, lit candles, and set up the camp stove in the garage to heat soup for dinner last night along with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We HAD to eat the ice cream in the freezer for dessert.

We had the house at about 58 yesterday evening, but today the best we can do is 51. With heaps of blankets on the bed we were warm, if somewhat entombed.

Josy the Cat is quite confused.

The ice storm lasted all day yesterday and it remained freezing overnight, but it is now raining lightly and trying to reach 40 degrees. It's a big mess, with trees limbs down everywhere, including in our yard and driveway. We'll have lots of clean up to do.

It's time to hit the road, and go in search of more fuel for the camp stove and the van. We're thinking maybe dinner out and a movie this evening.

There will be pictures later, when we get power back, which may be now or Sunday evening. Who knows.

ICE STORM!

2012-01-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

We knew it might be coming, but reality bites.

Freezing rain has hit all of western Washington State, coating everything with ice.

I put on my cold weather gear, grabbed a walking stick and tried to get out to see if we had a newspaper today. None came yesterday with the snow. And of course I took a camera.

It was hard to walk in the ice coated snow, but when I got to the street and put out one foot, I knew there was no way I was making it across without ice crampons.

As I was contemplating this move, the neighborhood began so resound with the cracking of trees and the crashes as large limbs came rushing down.

Sure, it's beautiful, but so dangerous. And it may be just a matter of minutes before we lose power. In an ice storm in December 1996, a night I refer to as the night of screaming trees, we were out of power for four long days. And then we had a month of clean up in the yard.

It will be an indoor day, staying away from under trees, hoping the power doesn't go out.

Snow Day

2012-01-18T15:11:00.000-08:00

School kids, and especially teachers!, are happy today that the predicted snow actually materialized. NO SCHOOL!

It's still below freezing her in south Seattle and snowing lightly, as it has been since very early morning. We have about six inches by now, but points south of here have much more. Snow is expected to continue through tomorrow morning.

Tom and I put on our coats and gloves and boots and went for a walk up around the school.

I took the little Canon PowerShot along for some fun angles on the snowy school ground.

By the looks of the side streets, like the hill in front of our house, there is a good chance tomorrow will also be a SNOW DAY!

Snowman

2012-01-16T13:12:00.000-08:00

The grandkids are at the cabin on Whidbey Island with Jill and Jake for the three day weekend, where they have no snow.

But that doesn't stop me from having my own kid fun. I built a snowman this morning.

I had to get Tom out to help me lift the mid section, and then he took photos. He's not much for playing in the snow.

Gotta' get the head secured.

He needs arms.

Charcoal eyes, a carrot nose, cedar trig mouth, and of course, Frosty's broomstick. And a fisherman's hat for when it rains.

It looks like a snow party.

Should we serve snow cones?

SNOW!

2012-01-15T17:52:00.000-08:00

When we got up this morning at 8:00 there were lovely feathers falling. That shower of snow didn't last long, but I took my camera out when I went to get the paper, not knowing if we would get any more.

Josy was quite interested in watching, from indoors, of course.

A little after noon, we headed through the city to the Center of Urban Horticulture, where were were to attend a lecture on container planting.

It was snowing hard on the way, and I brought my camera just in case. The scene was lovely, and after the lecture I went out to take photos.

Back at home we had more snow too. I put on my boots and went outside to capture some of the beauty.

The birds were happy for the feeders.

The sky was clearing as the sun went down, but more snow showers are expected for the next two days.

With now school tomorrow, there will be fun in the snow!

The Sun Sets On Our Sunny Days

2012-01-13T19:21:00.000-08:00

It just occurred to me now that this is a Friday the thirteenth! I never heard it mentioned by anyone all day. Oh, well, I hope it was lucky for you. It was a good day for me.

We started out day with breakfast with our Friday morning breakfast group. The conversation was lively. Then we did a little shopping, and before I knew it it was almost noon!

I have begun working on trip plans for a trip to Massachusetts, upstate New York, and perhaps Vermont for this spring. We will be attending a family wedding in Chelmsford, MA June 2nd, and plan to spend about two weeks touring the area. Today I ordered travel books and state atlases.

This afternoon I got in another long walk, 4.4 miles, in the neighborhood. Tomorrow, and for the foreseeable future I will most likely be house bound, as rain and snow are on the way to stay for a while. We have had a stretch of dry, partly sunny weather and I have enjoyed my daily walks.

This evening the area was abuzz and ablaze with this glorious sunset.

I don't have a great window on sunsets, but there was no missing this color. These photos were taken from my front porch. Of course there is more than one. It's the kind of show you just have to keep shooting.

It was almost as if it was an apology for taking our sunshine away.

Winter Bouquets

2012-01-12T12:24:00.000-08:00

With the sun shining this morning, It was a good time to refresh my winter bouquets.

Flowers for picking are scarce this time of the year, but there is interesting texture and color in the shrubbery.

Winter Jasmine for color.

Acuba

Sarcococca for fragrance

Skimmia for berries and flowers

Euonymus for color

Tom is out picking too, but his "bouquet" will be headed for the yard waste bin. It's time for winter pruning.

We've had a green winter so far, but there is a possibility of snow on the weekend. We'll see. It it does come, you can be sure I'll be out again with my camera.

Tom got the driveway cleaned up last week. I like the tidy look of winter.

Shrubs in the front yard keep it interesting in winter, and give the birds lots of cover.

I took Josy out for a bit, but she hurried right back inside when I let her loose. She is preferring to enjoy the sunny day from her inside perch.

I must confess, I do have a few spots of color from purchased flowers too. But the filler greens are from the garden.

Da Vinci Robot

2012-01-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

This is the robot and the doctor at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle that performed Jake's surgery.

Because this kind if surgery is less invasive, healing is faster and pain is reduced.

Jake has been with us since his release from the hospital about 24 hours after coming out of recovery. He is on pain meds, and is not very active yet, but is moving around pretty well. The kitty therapy has been helping, along with Mom's home cooking.

He plans to go home today, and will have a check back with the surgeon on Friday. His restrictions are no lifting over 15 pounds for four weeks, and whatever else his body is telling him.

Modern medicine is amazing, and Jake is very fortunate to have qualified for this medical care. Because he has been 'under employed ' for three years now, he can afford only the most basic insurance. He is essentially a charity case. And let me tell you, he is a strong advocate for universal health care.

So thank you to all of you insured tax payers out there. My son's surgery is a service you and I have provided.

Ain't socialized medicine just awful.

The Race For the White House

2012-01-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

Between the radio this morning and some TV this evening, I have sort of followed the goings on in New Hampshire today. It got me to wondering. What in the world would I do if I was a Republican!?

I think they have a problem. :-)

A Day For Puttering

2012-01-09T19:18:00.000-08:00

With no big chores in the list today, I took my time about getting anything done. We got up late, and Jake was up even later.

Jake is doing well, still a bit spaced out on pain meds, and not moving around much yet, but content with my mostly ignoring him. He's not much for being "mothered". Kitty checks in with him now and then and sits on him, although a wrongly placed paw can have a painful effect.

Tom vacuumed the downstairs and I mopped the kitchen floor, took down the final party decorations, watered house plants, did a little sewing project for Jill, and actually sat and read a novel for a while. Then I did my ten miles on the stationary bike plus my floor exercises. Now I just have to get better at limiting my calories. There are still too many bad, tempting things around.

With plenty of left overs for dinner, I didn't really even have to cook today.

It was good to have a slow day.

Sunday Walk: Des Moines Creek

2012-01-08T19:49:00.000-08:00

Since the weather was so beautiful, Tom and I headed out for a destination walk late this morning. We went over to the Des Moines
Marina, And eventually to the Des Moines creek Trail.

The sound was beautifully blue, calm, dotted with birds, and with back dropped by the Olympic Mountains.

There were surf scoters

Golden Eyes

whatever this is,

this little grebe,

and ducks all in a row. Some people prefer their ducks in a row. ;-)

The fishing pier was closed for repair

so we headed over to Des Moines Creek Park, and the entrance to the trail.

Snowberry

The catkins on the wild hazelnuts were already swelling and elongating.

Under pass art.

It's about a four mile walk up and back to the sound.

Good exercise, fresh air, sunshine, an almost spring-like day. Perfect!

A Very Booby-utiful Birthday

2012-01-07T22:52:00.000-08:00

It's probably because Isaac's Aunt Jan has a stuffed toy Blue-Footed Booby that he fell in love with this goofy bird from the Galapagos Islands early on in his young life. So after birthdays with themes of trains and space shuttles and Lego's and cars and all other 'boy' things, this year he chose his funny, feathered friend, the blue-footed one as his birthday theme.

Now you can't just go to a party store and get stuff with a theme like that. So Jill and I went on line, where just about anything is possible.

I decorated with blue, and with cut outs of photos I found and printed out.

Irene declared my "art" well done.

And of course the party store as helpful too. Isaac was quite impressed with the balloons with his name on them.

After everyone arrived at our house, we were off to the Museum of Flight, Issac's choice as the special place to go. The membership Tom and I got for Christmas from Jake came in handy, as we got ourselves, the kids, Jill and Corey and Jan and Ann all in free.

Irene loves control panels.

Isaac has always been very interested in space travel, but he likes everything about flight.

Ah, another control panel for Irene to photograph!

They checked out Air Force One, Retired, where there were more control panels!

Meanwhile, about 2:00, we got the call from Jake. He was ready to come home from the hospital. Jill had her car and was ready to go fetch him. When we all got back to the house, Jake was there, and so was Jill's latest masterpiece. With Corey's help she had created a Blue-footed booby cake!

And I was ready with the blue footies for everyone. It was a blue-footed party!

Jake was settled in my recliner with his lap top.

I was stationed in the kitchen. Macaroni and cheese, broccoli, and fruit compote were on the menu, requested by the birthday boy.

I made a lot of macaroni! Everyone enjoyed it, and even Jake joined us at the table.

Isaac posed with his cake, and Aunt Jan's booby.

And then when it was finally time to open his gifts,

he got his own!

There was quite a pile of gifts,

including these wonderful slippers from Grandma Andrea.

The eyelids pop open when you walk in them! More foot fun!

More Blue-footed fun.

And a cool helicopter for the boy who loves flying things.

Time for cake!

We sang "Happy Birthday", Isaac blue (blew) out his candles, and then we ate cake! And ice cream.

Isaac declared it the best birthday so far. I guess that's saying something because he has had some very special birthdays. Maybe it's the fact that every card had at least nine dollars in it this year!

Jake's Surgery

2012-01-06T17:17:00.000-08:00

He's still groggy, and enjoying the drugs, but Jake came through his four hour surgery well. Here is the self-portrait he posted on Facebook.

We picked him up at 5:15 this morning for check-in at Swedish Hospital at 5:40. He was wheeled to the OR about 7:45, and was in recovery by about noon. We were able to see him about 1:30 before coming home. He may be released by tomorrow evening, or else Sunday, and will come here to the homestead to recover for a few days. Thanks for all of your good wishes.

Meanwhile back here at home we have set up for Isaac's birthday party tomorrow, and Tom has had a nap. Now we'll make a light dinner and then go back in to visit Jake for a bit.

Did I say recently that I wasn't sure what to do with my day? Forget that.

Trying To Find My Groove

2012-01-04T19:29:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted for a few days because I didn't have anything to say, or show, or.... whatever. I'm not really disgruntled, just unsettled.

I guess I'm still adjusting to the slower pace of the non-holidays. I haven't started any new projects yet. I think I have all of the loose ends tried up from the end of the year, bill paying, new calendar, putting stuff away, and so on. Taking down the tree was Monday's big job. So I should be ready to launch into something, but what?

I have spent quite a bit of time, and money, this week, on kitty care. I went through all of Josy's records, saw that she was not up to date on her shots, and was licensed in Seattle, not King County. So yesterday I took her to the vet we used a long time ago when we had cats before, and she got a quick once over and the first round of her rabies and distemper shots and a de-wormer. She'll return in two weeks for the booster shots. Oh, she'll love me for that!

That cost me almost $100. And the vet made pointed suggestions about dental care for gingivitis, nail trimming, as well as suggesting that I should probably start treating for fleas rather than waiting for warmer weather, since it is not freezing here.

Today I went to our city hall and got Josy's pet license, and then on to Petsmart for the very expensive flea treatment Advantage, some dental care products, a sleeping pad, and some pheromone spray. Another $100! That should do us for a while.

I have to confess that I am not one of those pet owners who thinks every little thing requires treatment. I have never clipped a cats nails, and don't intend to do it now. That's what a scratching post is for. And Josy is an indoor/outdoor cat. I'll give the dental care a try, but dental cat treats may have to suffice. I do not see myself paying $300 to have my cat put under so her teeth can be cleaned. My other cats lived long lives without this kind of expensive treatment.

So now that the cat care is done for a while, I have to decide what I'll do with tomorrow. The priority is exercise, either walking or stationary bike. I have been very good this week with exercise. The next priority is controlling what I eat. I am back to recording all intake and entering it online in the Calorie Count Program. However I have not been so good about limiting what I eat, as the scales and my total calories are telling me. More effort on that tomorrow.

Friday morning Jake has his surgery to remove his non functioning kidney. He may be in the hospital a few days, and then he'll come here to recover for a few days. He'll enjoy kitty therapy.

Saturday we celebrate Isaac's 9th birthday. Corey is in town for more job related meetings and for Isaac's birthday. We're all going to the Museum of Flight, and then we'll come back here to our house for birthday dinner, cake and ice cream, and gifts. Macaroni and cheese has been requested by the birthday boy. There will be pictures. Just a warning - the theme is "Blue-Footed Booby". I'll explain that later. I don't know what Jill will come up with for a cake this time!

We're back to rain and dark days, but I can't complain. We've really had a surprising amount of good weather.

I think it might be time to get the sewing machine up and running.

What's Blooming, January 1, 2012

2012-01-02T13:51:00.000-08:00

Years ago we read about a gardener in England who went out into his garden every New Years Day to see what he could find in bloom. We began that tradition here in our own garden.

Last year there was nothing in bloom, as we had suffered a deep, lasting freeze, ice and snow in mid November. But this year we have so far had only mild frosts, and so, once again, I found some blooms on New Years Day; bedraggled, some of them, but blooms none-the-less.

Bacopa from the porch planter.

Pansy

Primrose

Dead-nettle

Kafir lily

Fox glove

The Fairy rose

Fuzzy magnolia bud

Winter jasmine

Primrose

Roses

Daisy fleabane

This abutilon bloom is actually in the greenhouse

Skimmia

Basket of gold

Day One of the New Year

2012-01-01T20:56:00.000-08:00

What a great way to start the new year, with a beautiful, sunny day!

Jozy was not interested in leaving her perch to go play outside, but I was!

We drove over to Renton to the Cedar River Park to walk the Cedar River Trail.

The river was running full.

We have walked up river several times, but today we were headed down river to it's mouth.

If they let any more water over the dam, we're going to need boots!

Crab apples still hanging on added wonderful color to the winterscape.

The Mallards we encountered were all in pairs today.

The trail follows the river, but on the other side is the Boeing Renton Plant, where they're turning out 737's as fast as they can.

The airplanes have their own bridge to cross over to the Renton Airport, where the new planes will take their first flights.

Winter blooms.

Water fowl. This is noted to be a good birding area, and I had my camera along.

It's time to change to the telephoto lens. Ah, an old coot.

OK, I don't know what this is, and I can't find it in my bird book. Anyone know?

We also saw lots of dog walkers.

The river's mouth, where it empties into Lake Washington.

That is definitely a Hooded Merganser, and also an example of why we shouldn't release balloons.

A Bufflehead.

Somebody's very noisy toy, throwing up a big rooster tail.

Golden Eyes.

Across the mouth of the river you can see birds of a different feather.

Here's one landing now!

Mallards are so common we forget how beautiful they are.

There were various gulls, but I have not learned to determine the different kinds.

I think these just might be Ruddy Ducks, with blue bills. (Correction: Greater or Lesser Scaups) Even with my big lens, many birds were too far away for good photos. I'm looking them in my book up as I go, because I have to study my photos to see what I saw.

The lake, the city, and the Olympic Mountains, and a kayaker enjoying it all.

A cormorant.

A Grebe?

A mixed breed/Mallard

And I believe this beauty is a Teal. (Correction: a Gadwall)

Tom took advantage of the benches along the way as I dawdled along taking photos.

As we headed back we enjoyed the sunshine on our faces.

I loved this sculpture found along the river.

It's titled "We Are All in This Boat Together".
So true. Words to remember as we enter this year full of partisan politics. We've got to keep this boat afloat.

Out With the Old, In With the New

2011-12-31T17:11:00.000-08:00

The sun is going down on 2011, not with a splash of color, but just a fading of the light.

Technically I guess that means the air is clean and there are few clouds on the horizon. Those are good things. There is a certain satisfaction ending the year with a dry, calm, sometimes sunny day.

Tom worked outside much of the day, getting all of the Christmas lights down and stowed in the attic. Inside I took down all of the decorations except for the tree, stowed everything in tubs to go into the attic, and moved things back onto shelves that had been cleared for the Santa collection. Then I did some cleaning up.

Because I couldn't let this lovely day go by without getting outside, I spent the last hour of daylight raking up debris from the last wind storm. It felt good.

This evening Tom and I will stay in. We're having crab for dinner, which we'll enjoy in a leisurely pace. Later we'll watch Midnight In Paris, which is available On Demand on Comcast Cable. We may make it until midnight, when we'll watch the TV version of the fireworks at the Space Needle.

Jill and the kids went downtown today to the Seattle Center Children's Museum, where they could keep track of the New Year as it moved around the world. I just saw on Facebook that the kids talked Jill into going to the top of the Space Needle to view the end of the day. I'm sure they will have to leave before the ticket holders for the big bash arrive. I don't know if we'll see them or not. They were making it up as they go along, just having fun. Good for them.

And now it's about time to say goodbye to 2011. It has been a good year for us, with good health, improved by my weight loss, several great domestic trips, and having my family all nearby at last.

I am looking forward to new adventures in 2012, and continuing my efforts to lose weight and stay healthy. I'm hoping for a job here in Seattle soon for son-in-law Corey, a successful surgery and quick recovery for son Jake next week, and continued great conversations with my blogging family.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I Gained Weight and I'm In Hot Water!

2011-12-29T15:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning I got up too early because I couldn't go back to sleep. I spent time on my computer playing with iTunes and my iPod, removing the Christmas music and building some new play lists.

Then I was really ready for a hot shower. Alas, there was no hot water!

The hot water tank was acting up recently, but now it had quit. It was still under warranty, so we called for service and the truck arrived promptly a little after 9:00.

The service man replaced the thermostat and fixed a small leak, and was on his way, no charge! And I was back in hot water. That's a good thing.

When I started on my weight loss plan almost a year ago, I had to approximate subtle weight changes, because we still had an old analog scale.

I knew it wasn't entirely accurate because I always weighed more at the Dr. office.

Well, I will be going back to counting calories again soon, and I decided to upgrade my scale. Yesterday I bought this.

So of course this morning I was almost ten pounds heavier!

But I still have the same 45 pound weight loss. I might just have to move my ultimate target a bit farther. No problem. I can do it, once I get rid of all of the holiday food and cookies and candy. I am starting to ration what I have, and the last three days I've done ten miles on the stationary bide or walked 3.5 miles, depending on the weather.

Last week a young man came to our door with information on our Comcast/Xfinity billing, and said he could get us a better deal. We listened. The plan was to drop the account in Tom's name and open a new account in my name, thus getting a much better "new account" rate. We would have to change our phone number. We signed up.

Today the installer came.

Rodney was a sweet guy, and he convinced us to stay with our account but call in for a better deal. That was what I was hoping for anyway, and now I had the ammunition of having gone through this process.

I called Comcast, explained that we were ready to drop our account and open a new one, but we really thought they should just give us a better deal. We could keep our phone number, and they could avoid all of the costly time for the change over.

It worked. Starting today we will be saving about $70 a month. While it's good for just one year, I guess I can call again next year and see what I can do then.

It makes no sense to me to reward new customers, but punish old and faithful customers. Good grief!

Beside my Comcast negotiations and my 3.5 mile walk today, I'm making turkey soup and home baked bread sticks. Jill and the kids will be here for dinner before Jill and Irene go downtown to see a stage production of Cinderella. Isaac will spend the evening with us.

While I work in the kitchen I can now listen to my iPod music on my new docking clock radio, a Christmas gift from Jill and Corey.

It's time to go check my bread dough.

I guess with that new scale I' better be careful of how many of those bread sticks I eat!

Getting My Groove Back

2011-12-27T16:03:00.000-08:00

Today the stationary bike came back out of the garage and into the dining room. It's time to start working on those several extra pounds I have put on over the last week.

From here I can watch the rain dripping from the trees and catch up on magazines that have been piling up unread.

Earlier today we changed and laundered all of the bedding in the guest rooms, took down the dining table, put away the gift wrapping station, and did some general putting away and vacuuming. I started adding dates to the 2012 calendar and prepared some documents for processing as a beneficiary of my mother's estate.

Now I have finished my ten mile "ride". Here is what I found in the family room.

But then Tom is better at resisting sweets than I am, and he seems to be able to lose weight just by contemplating it.

Norquist Family Gathering

2011-12-26T20:12:00.000-08:00

At 1:00 this afternoon we gathered at my brother Hank's home in Chehalis, about an hour and a half drive south of Seattle. Hank, my two sisters Ilene and Laurie, our spouses and many of our children and grandchildren filled the house with talking and laughing and playing and eating.

Hank and Cindy provided the roast beast. Laurie made the scalloped potatoes. Others added salads and other accompaniments to this family potluck

Auxiliary dining was provided in the garage, a good place for the kids to carry on.

The boys' table with those who were sitting at the moment. It's ever changing.

And the young ladies, or a few of them.

Generations mingle and visit, here Tom, Jake and his cousin Andy.

My sisters Laurie, Ilene and Laurie's DIL Ericka.

After the main course, the desserts appeared. They kept coming and coming!

Where to start? Hank, Laurie, and Jody confer on who made the cookies Grandma always used to make.

The organizing of the gift exchange was a bit like herding cats. Fortunately Hank is a teacher, and so are others of us, so we do know how to get attention.

Everybody got a number?

I got to open six different gifts, as mine kept getting stolen. Kids had their own stack of gifts. We usually managed to keep it moving with some semblance of order.

Isaac hung with his Uncle Jake. Do you think they are related?

Despite the glazed over look on these two faces, a good time was had by all.

But it is nice to be back in my quiet house this evening. Now that Tom and I are finally alone, the cat has come out from hiding. Tomorrow we'll start restoring the house.

Christmas Day

2011-12-25T20:50:00.000-08:00

Tom and I were up early to see Corey off and deliver him to the airport. After showering and getting ready for the day, I walked out to the street to get the newspaper. What a lovely morning!

It was the calm before the storm. Many suffered power outages later in the day. We were fortunate, but it looks like we'll have some yard clean up to do later.

When I got back, Jill and the kids were up and checking out the goodies Santa left.

We opened stocking while waiting for Jake to arrive for breakfast.

There was even a little down time for camera wars.

Sausages, eggs and Christmas bread were on the menu.

After breakfast it was time to get serious about opening packages. Isaac loves his Galapagos tortoise puppet.

And Irene is ga-ga over scarlet macaws.

Jake got a new kidney. Unfortunately it won't replace the real one he'll have removed in about two weeks.

Webkinz Barred Owl for Isaac.

New clothes made by Grandma.

Grandma got gifts too.

Sounders soccer gear was included, of course. Isaac is now an official member of the Emerald city Supporters.

But maybe the hit of the morning was the box of old books Jake gave the kids - his collection of Far Side, Calvin and Hobbs, and Garfield books collected over many years in his youth.

A sounders gnome for my garden!

Aftermath, with some order amid the chaos,...

... order soon to be reduced even farther by the construction of the game tables.

We pulled out all of the leftovers from the frig and enjoyed another complete turkey dinner early in the evening. And then the six of us had a rousing game of Pictionary while stuffing ourselves with cookies and candy.

Somewhere in all of that I managed to bake three pies for tomorrow's big family party in Chehalis.

The kids are now tucked away in bed and the house is quieting down. It's time for me to have an evening cup of coffee, and a few of those cookies I was resisting earlier.

Tomorrow is another big day. the Christmas pageant continues.

Christmas Time is Here!

2011-12-24T11:16:00.000-08:00

Jill and Corey and the kids arrived before 10:00 this morning, having already had their "Colorado Christmas" at their house, opening the gifts sent from Corey's family.

The kids got cameras from their Papa Tom Gibson and proceeded to photograph everything!

Then they had to study their pics.

Jill of the touchy stomach needed some bland sustenance and made some ramen noodles.

Corey will be leaving early Christmas morning to go back to work in Colorado, so he got to open his new toy, a Kindle Fire.

Isaac got a new Seahawks sweatshirt, and he and Jill geared up

They are now on their way to the stadium to meet up with Jake to go to the Seahawks game. The rest of us will watch it on TV.

Tom is enjoying coffee and the paper before he has to gear up to put the turkey on the grill.

Irene is glued to her new Barbie Peacock Princess movie.

Corey is charging his Kindle and will be playing with it.

The dining room table is ready to be set for our Christmas Eve dinner.

And I am minding the lists to keep it all on schedule.

Wishing all of my blog friends and family a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, a few days of peace and love and wonderment.

Of Clocks, Cookies, Cats and Cardamom

2011-12-22T16:38:00.000-08:00

Baby, it's cold outside! I returned a short while ago from my exercise walk, and now the fog is rolling back in and the temp is at freezing. Brrr. It must be winter.

We've been busy here, as usual, at the Reeder homestead. For example, Tom has been building a clock.

My mother had a tall case clock that we didn't move to her assisted living apartment. It wasn't running at the time, and no one else wanted it, so we brought it home. Tom loves old clocks. We had a clock maker look at it and he determined that the works would have to be replaced and the total cost of new parts and labor would be $950. We knew we would like to get it fixed some day, but put it off for now, what with other expenses taking priority.

But in the last two weeks checks have started arriving from Mom's estate. Tom had checked into ordering the parts himself and saving the labor costs, so I told him to go ahead. It would be my Christmas present.

The parts arrived early this week.

Tom carefully read all of the instructions, and followed them step by step.

He has it put together and running, and now is in the process of regulating it. It has a lovely soft chime and looks great in it's new home in the living room.

Meanwhile Corey is here from Colorado for Christmas and more job interviews and he requested we do our traditional cookie baking. Yesterday afternoon the crew arrived to cut out and decorate ginger bread and sugar cookies. Jill brought along a crock pot full of beef stew for our dinner.

Everyone gets into the act.

The cookies are well decorated. :-)

Our newly adopted cat Jozy has been keeping life interesting too. While she comes and goes outside through her cat door, she is mostly an indoor cat at this time, still getting used to her new home. But she is being taunted by the neighbor.

The yowling and spitting and tail thumping on either side of the glass create quite a racket. Here at the window, and at the patio door too, they go at each other, whacking the glass with claws bared.

Today I decided to interfere with a pitcher of cold water. The intruder got a bit wet on the first hit, and now at least runs away when it sees me coming. Actual conflict may be inevitable, but for now I don't want either cat ripped up in what might be quite a fight. Of course Jozy can go outside and have it out is she wants, but so far she's just acting tough behind protective glass.

Christmas isn't far away now, and preparations are moving right along. Tom and I got all of the gift wrapping done early in the week, and now the wrapping station is ready for the kids to use. Jill spent several hours this morning behind closed doors. Corey wrapped last night. Jake will be last minute Christmas Eve.

Today I baked cardamom bread.

The Swedish cardamom wreath will be frosted and decorated for Christmas morning breakfast. The rolls will go into the freezer to await another occasion. The house smells wonderful!

HAPPY SOLSTICE!

2011-12-21T08:11:00.000-08:00

Today is the day! It's here - the first day of winter!

That might not sound so wonderful. Winter is cold and long in the northern lands. But it is also the turning point in the shortening of daylight hours. Now the days will slowly begin to lengthen as we count down to spring.

My Scandinavian roots are calling to me. I'm ready to dance around a bonfire!

Happy Solstice!

December Days

2011-12-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we made lefsa. Click to see the process as I posted it two years ago. Sometimes it's a smooth process, sometimes it's a floury mess. Yesterday's experience was somewhere in between. But it's done, and ready for the Norquist Family Christmas party on the 26th. Last year I didn't make any and it was noticed. :-(

It was a good activity for a dark, wet December day. The Solstice is coming soon, and the minute by minute lengthening of the daylight will be welcome.

I HEARD A BIRD SING

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December

A magical thing

And sweet to remember:

"We are nearer to spring

Than we were in September,"

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December.

-Oliver Herford

Nutcracker Saturday

2011-12-18T12:15:00.000-08:00

Jill and the kids and Tom's sister Jan met up at our house just before noon on Saturday for our big day in the city.

Our first destination was Seattle Center. It was a beautiful day so we walked across the grounds, enjoying views of the space Needle...

..and the International Fountain.

We headed to the Center House for a snack at the Starbucks.

Julie, Irene's American Girl doll got to share in all of the fun.

While the others were eating, Isaac and I waited for his turn to drive the train.

We had a hard time keeping the kids out of the fountain, so we promised to return on a warm day, dressed in play clothes.

Then it was time to enter the Opera House and check out everything before the ballet performance began.

Isaac no longer takes kindly to being photographed, so this took some talking into, but doesn't he look sharp!

And then it was time for the Nutcracker to begin.

Irene chose to sit between Aunt Jan and Grandma. I loved watching her as much as watching the dancers. Her favorite, of course, was the Peacock dancer. At intermission, we had to wait in a long line to get that cupcake Irene had spotted upon entering, and she got the last one. Issac had to settle for a Mouse King cookie. I got nibbles of both.

The music and dancing and sets and costumes were all delightful. Isaac left comparing it with the Denver production, and Irene left dancing.

As we crossed the sky bridge, the traffic blinked bright red and green.

Tom successfully navigated us through the traffic and over the bridge to the north shore of Lake Union, where we had dinner reservations at Ivar's Salmon House. We were a little early, so we walked out on the dock to enjoy the view.

Dinner was wonderful, with lots of fresh seafood. Son Jake joined us for the family celebration.

After dinner we all went back to our house for a little early Christmas. Aunt Jan will be heading to California for Christmas with her other brother and family. So we exchanged gifts and enjoyed each other's company and ate cookies!

Today it's raining, but the feeling around here is still Merry and Bright.

Slowing Down

2011-12-15T19:05:00.000-08:00

I spent an hour and a half late this afternoon sitting in my recliner! I watched some Martha Stewart shows I had recorded. I was going to post right then and there, but the kitty crawled up on my lap, replacing the lap top. Gosh, I was unable to move now for fear of waking Jozy. Too bad.

It did feel wonderful to not have anything else on "the list" to do by then.

Yesterday Tom and I made the last batch of cookies. We do still have the lefse making and Swedish Christmas bread to bake, but there are days scheduled for that next week. And there is the family cookie making party with Jill, Corey and the kids next Wednesday. That will be work, but fun too.

Yesterday afternoon we took some of the hazelnut torte with us and visited friends Harry and Jeanne. Jeanne is a part of the breakfast group, and they used to attend our Lucia dinners, but their health no longer permits them the ability to join in, so we went to visit them.

This morning I made soup, corn chowder, and Tom helped to set up for today's luncheon with members of my old school staff. We had seven guests and had a delightful time visiting and eating. Our cookies made their first appearance.

With leftovers for dinner the last two nights cooking was easy. I'll soon be back in my recliner for the evening.

Tomorrow we have our Friday morning breakfast, I'll pick up a few more groceries, and then take a walk, weather permitting, before picking up the kids for the afternoon and evening. They'll join us for dinner while Jill attends her staff party. I've sorted through the gifts that have been purchased and stashed, and have set up the gift wrapping station. We'll work on that a bit at a time.

I'm going to hop on over and see what some of you have been up to, and then my recliner will be calling me back.

Slower is definitely better.

Saint Lucia Day Dinner Party.

2011-12-14T01:10:00.000-08:00

We had a great little dinner party tonight, even if I do say so myself.
Now I seem to be too keyed up to get to sleep, so I'm sharing it with you.

Because we were away in Colorado most years for Christmas, we decided about five years ago or more to do something that gave us a reason to decorate and use the good china and go all out. We began the Lucia Day dinner party tradition. We host members of our breakfast group, who are retired teachers from Tom's old school. Our guests are four ladies and one husband. Two of the ladies are widows.

Tonight the dining room was aglow with candle light. Our guests arrived at 5:00. We sipped wine and visited while the food was cooking.

The adjoining living room was decked out.

Dinner was served at 6:00. We started with a salad of butter lettuce, mandarin oranges, avocado and pomegranate seeds.

That was followed by cedar planked salmon cooked on the outdoor grill, scalloped potatoes, and asparagus.

We sat and visited around the table and then it was time for coffee and Tom's hazelnut torte.

It was all very delicious, the guests provided lively conversation, the setting was beautiful, and we were so very pleased to be able to share this time with our friends.

Tom and I have both been working hard to get jobs done inside and out and to get ready for the holidays. Now the fun has begun! It's time to party!

Lucia Day

2011-12-13T10:15:00.000-08:00

Hi. I'm just checking in to wish you Swedes, part Swedes, and wanna be Swedes a Happy Lucia Day.

House cleaning is underway. The table is set. The hazelnut torte is done and chillin'. Meal prep is under control. Salmon is on the menu for our dinner party tonight.

Our new kitty, Jozy Fuzzbutt, says "Hi" too, from her position on my lap.

Happy, happy, merry merry to you all!

Whatcha' Been Doin'?

2011-12-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

Lots!

Yesterday Jill and the kids and Tom and I met at Southcenter mall to see the Muppet Movie at 4:30. Parking was jammed, but the theater wasn't very crowded. It was fun remembering all those Muppet shows we used to watch as a family. I love the song "Rainbow Connection"! Then we had dinner at the food court and joined the shoppers, just window shopping. We all had a good time.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I've been baking cookies. Here are Corey's favorite, filbert crescents.

This morning I baked one of Tom's favorites, cranberry walnut swirls,

and every body's favorite, chocolate covered cherry cookies.

I have made two other kinds, and they are all packed safely away in the freezer. Just one more batch to go.

I got the sewing for the kids' Christmas presents done. There's a shirt and vest for Isaac,

And a jumper and shirt for Irene, with a matching outfit for Julie, her American Girl doll.

This afternoon I worked on a fancy doll dress. It still needs some finishing, but it's mostly done. I struggled a bit, since I was modifying a pattern.

This pattern set has been a good investment. With the basic patterns I can modify to match most of what I make for Irene now. Of course this is all secret stuff, so don't tell. I'm sure if Jill finds this post, she won't tell. I won't be linking this one to Facebook.

I wrote a Christmas letter right after Thanksgiving. Friday I ordered photo cards at Costco, got the letter printed, reworked the mailing list and got the envelopes addressed. Then I left the stuffing, stamping and sealing to Tom. They are ready to go out tomorrow.

This week we will be hosting our St Lucia Day dinner on Tuesday the 13th, with five guests from our breakfast group. We'll be shopping, cleaning house, cooking and table decorating for that. Then on Thursday I'm hosting my retired school friends for a potluck lunch. I'll be making soup and offering cookies.

Next Saturday we're going to the Nutcracker at the Pacific Northwest Ballet in the opera house in the afternoon, followed by dinner out. I'll take my camera.

I'll try to keep up with blogging and commenting, but other things do take priority this time of the year. Today I decided it was time to add some down time each day. I've been going all out for long enough. It's time to stop and smell the roses, or the cookies, or whatever.

What have you been up to?

An Evening of Holiday Fun

2011-12-08T21:22:00.000-08:00

Tom and I have been enjoying Garden d'Lights at Bellevue Botanical garden for years. This time we got to take Jill and the kids.

The kids got their maps and the list of creatures to look for, and off we went.

The vegetable patch.

The aquarium inside the visitors center.

A 'toad stool'.

The flower border. Yes, Irene loved the peacock.

The pond.

Lilacs in winter.

A macaw in the "tropical forest"

A photo op.

Snappy-Dragon.

Waterfalls

Petting the squirrel

Yep, we found them all.

Then we drove over to Bellevue Square, where we warmed up at Starbucks and had dessert for dinner. We had a healthier snack before we left. I promise.

At 7:00 every evening, Snowflake Lane comes alive with Drummers Drumming.

And then it snows!

The music plays and costumed characters dance with the crowd in a bizarre sidewalk party.

It was great fun! And as we headed back to the car, the almost full moon winked at us.

Christmas Field Trip

2011-12-07T19:16:00.000-08:00

Today we took our annual Christmas Shop field trip.

Each early December, several retired teacher friends, who are also members of the Friday morning breakfast club, join us for a tour of some outstanding nursery/gift shops that have wonderful Christmas displays and tempting treasures to buy. All of them are north of Seattle, so they are not places we southenders get to often.

First stop is Swanson's in north Ballard.

In addition to lovely plants and ornaments and gifts, there are koi

and a camel,

and reindeer.

Next stop, the over the top glitz and glitter of Wight's in Lynnwood. This large gift and home decorator shop is filled with themed trees, and all of the ornaments that are used to decorate them.

Tom checks out the felt-filled tree,

After a lunch stop, this year at a Red robin, we made our final stop at Molbak's in Woodinville.

Molbak's is a very large nursery, also with a large home decorator and gift shop. They also have lovely displays, but the highlight here is the poinsettias.

We all love this field trip. If the Christmas spirit was lagging a bit, there is no resisting the tug on your spirit that this day provides. And sharing it with good friends makes it even better.

Meet Jozy

2011-12-05T21:20:00.000-08:00

Jozy is our adopted cat, recently come to us from son Jake, who is in the process of moving and couldn't take her to his new place. There are other kitties there, and Jozy is needs a one-cat-house.

She arrived Friday night and hid out most of the weekend with all of our comings and goings with the grandkids.

Now that things have settled down, she has been making appearances.

She found her scratching post with the aid of some rubbed in catnip.

She has a cat door into the garage, where she spends most of her time hiding out. I made a bed in a box for her out there, tucked away on a low shelf.

I've decided she is a nocturnal animal, sleeping most of the day, and previously prowling around outside at night. Here she doesn't have access to outside yet, so I think she's a little bored, except when she's running away and hiding in fear at some new and as yet unidentified noise.

She does love head scratches though, and she's already blessed us both with lap sitting.

I have no idea what she's doing at night, but we have her confined to the laundry room and garage just in case she gets rambunctious. She is one big, strong alpha female. But then she is named after Jozy Altidore, a US soccer player currently playing in Europe and on the Men's US National team.

I think we're bonding.

Cats and Kids

2011-12-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

Son Jake arrived shortly after we returned from Clam Lights Friday evening, bringing his cat Jozy . He showed her how to use the cat door into the garage, and except for when she was hiding behind the washer in the laundry room, we haven't seen much of her. At the moment she is somewhere in the garage, hopefully to emerge for food sometime this evening, now that things have settled down. So there are no photos of the cat.

Jill and the kids went home Friday evening, but we met up again about 9:00 Saturday morning to go to the Tyee High School Bazaar. This was the school our kids went to but we haven't been back on campus for a long time. Jill was more interested in being there again than in the bazaar items.

We shopped and visited with some folks we knew and I bought a few things.

Here I have to sidetrack to tell you that Irene is way into peacocks. I mean way into them. They are beautiful of course. So when she saw a headband decorated with peacock feathers, she had to have it. I think her mother told her to tell Grandma. Of course I'm an easy touch, and I bought it, telling her she had to be good, no pouting, or I would wrap it up and keep it until her birthday. It worked. She wore it proudly. You'll see it in one of the following photos.

After the bazaar, Jill took our van and went to Jake's to help him move. We went to Burien for Winter Fest, hoping to get a free carriage ride. Unfortunately they didn't start until 1:00, so we settled for a hay ride.

And we found a Lego kit for Isaac at a toy store, just to keep things even.

Back home we had lunch, finished decorating the Christmas tree, and then made the first of the Christmas cookies - cherry twinkles.

The kids were staying overnight. We had story time, I made spaghetti for dinner, and we watched a Christmas video before the kids went to bed. Whew! Tired. Me, not the kids.

This morning we placed the Winnie-the-Pooh characters around the tree and posed for a photo.

We had breakfast, and then read the paper. We've entered a new era, with he kids reading the Sunday funnies together. Isaac helps with the big words.

Then it was "craft time". Give these kids some boxes, paper, tape and crayons or markers and they're good for 90 minutes. They made houses for their Webkinz friends.

There was more playing, lunch, and a walk to the school park where they played and I walked laps, after which we played croquet in the back yard in the one patch of sun available.

Jill picked them up about 4:00 this afternoon. Now the house is quiet. Maybe the cat will appear.

I just know I'm tired.

Clam Lights

2011-12-03T08:40:00.000-08:00

Here is one of the things we were too busy doing this weekend, so that we couldn't go to Whidbey Island.

Clam Lights, at Coulon Park in nearby Renton, is sponsored by Ivar's Acres of Clams, of course.

This was opening night. We waited for the countdown, and the flipping of the switch to light the lights. OOOOOO!

Out on the pier, we could look back at the lights and the wonderful reflections, and also watch the opening night lighted boat parade.

As we left, the Argosy Christmas Ship arrived, and the choir aboard serenaded us with holiday songs.

And then we came home to warm up.

Island Hopping

2011-12-01T23:44:00.000-08:00

We had planned to spend the weekend at the Whidbey Island cabin with Jill and the kids, but things got too busy here at home. There were too many options. So Tom and I made a day trip out of it today.

There was not much view on the morning ferry crossing. The fog horns sounded as we were surrounded in white.

The fog had lifted on the other side of the island, so the lagoon was the mirror I love so much.

There is still a bit of color in the late autumn.

Flocks of ducks are returning, and other regular visitors checked in.

A belted kingfisher,

And a great blue heron.

We came up to work in the yard and do some specialty shopping. We arrived at the cabin, turned on the heat, and then spent about two hours working in the front garden. Tom planted the tulip bulbs we had removed from our Seattle garden. They only bloom one year in Seattle, but they love island sand and come back year after year here. While he was planting, I was doing the fall cleanup, cutting back plants and removing weeds and debris.

We were both working away when a car drove into the driveway and a women we didn't know got out and called us by name. Surprise! It was Mary Beth, a fellow blogger at SmallCityScenes. She had been on the ferry with us, recognized me from my blog when I got out to take a photo, and knowing from previous descriptions where our cabin must be, she found us. And of course I knew she was on the island to visit her mother. Mary Beth lives on the mainland in Stanwood. She couldn't stay long, but it was so great to meet her.

We got the work done, ate the lunch we brought with us, said farewell to the cabin,

and took a few minutes to walk over to the bay side before leaving.

The sun struggled to burn through but couldn't quite get it done. A raft of noisy brants settled on the water while we watched.

And then we were off to Langley, to visit some of our favorite haunts and do some hopping.

Our first stop was the Chocolate Flower Farm shop, where we visited with owner Marie Lincoln and bought chocolate candles for the season.

Next was The Star Store, where we shopped for local Whidbey Island wine and other local products for gifts.

We said 'Hi" to the boy and his dog statue at the park.

We ended up at Useless Bay coffee Company to buy gift coffee and sit and enjoy a latte and a Seriously Chocolate Cookie.

Back in the car we headed back across the island to Bayview, where we picked up another gift item at the garden center

and found more local wine at this tasting room.

This Saturday is Small Business Shopping Day, a day to support local business, but we did Small Business Thursday instead. And it's so much more fun than the mall.

With our purchases packed into the car, we returned to the mainland as the sky darkened.

It was slow going as we made our way back through Seattle, what with the usual traffic compounded by a football game at the stadium. The Seahawks were playing the Eagles for Thursday Night Football, with a start time of 5:30. As we poked along, I listened to the first quarter on the radio, and then watched the rest on TV when we got home. And amazingly, the Seahawks won!

We heated up the last of the turkey soup I had made earlier in the week, fixed a salad, and had an easy but deliciously warm meal as we watched football.

It was a great day!

Busy Tom

2011-11-30T16:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Tom got started on spreading that big pile of leaves that has been sitting in our driveway. The pile has been cooking away, and he says it's 120 degrees inside, so he has warmth while he works

The beds that have been mulched so far have a nice fluffy blanket for the winter.

Today he has been busy preparing for a new member of our household who is to arrive this weekend. Son Jake is moving and can't take his cat so Jozy is coming to live with us. We haven't had a cat here for a long time, and when we did, we trained them to live here in our style. But Jozy, who was a five-year-old rescue cat when Jake got her, has been trained to a cat door.

Tom doesn't want a cat door in an outside door that any other cat or squirrel or raccoon can wander into. Jake will be bringing the cat door that fits into a slider window.

So Tom installed a cat door from the laundry room into the garage.

He built a platform inside the laundry room window where the cat door will be installed,

And a walkway outside the window for Jozy to get access.

It all sounds very complicated, but I just hope it works. You see Jozy is a hunter and likes to bring her rats and mice and whatever into the house, sometimes not yet dead. She also apparently barfs a lot. I want to be able to shut her off from the rest of the house by closing the laundry room door when we are not around. Nasty surprises are not my cup of tea.

I will let her join us in the family room. It would be nice if she actually uses this to scratch and not my furniture. I'll try rubbing some catnip on it to get her interested.

I have friends whose kids have moved back home. Would that be easier that their pets? Not sure.

Lights, Camera, Action

2011-11-28T19:33:00.000-08:00

With the return of dry weather, Tom was able to get back outside and finish the outdoor lighting. The house lights are for the neighbors. The white lights in the front yard are for us to enjoy from inside, since our house sets back off the street.

On Saturday I got all of my pottery collection packed away and the shelves cleared. Sunday we went shopping for fabric and gift wrap and wreaths and we even bought a new Christmas tree!

We've had our artificial tree for about 18 years. It has to be assembled branch by branch, and then lights have to be strung. It's a lot of work, and the tree was beginning to look it's age. We found a pretty Frazier Fir pre-lit with colored lights for a decent price at Costco, compared it with one other place, then went back and bought it.

It's still in the box in the garage. We'll put it up later, maybe next weekend, when the kids are here to help decorate it.

But I'm working on other decorations. Yesterday evening Tom helped me unpack the Santa collection and I got it up on the shelves...

and the mantel...

and spread through out the house.

Today I organized my sewing projects and began making a dress for Irene. I also got in my 3.5 mile walk and made turkey soup.

We're entering the busy season. With decorating and sewing and baking and keeping up with the exercise, we also have kids this year. Jill and I coordinated our calendars Saturday to take advantage of local events of the holiday season.

There's plenty of action. I'll grab my camera now and then to keep you up on it all.

Moving On to the Next Holiday

2011-11-26T07:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning we enjoyed catching up with friends at our Friday morning breakfast. We have our calendars set for our Christmas shop field trip and our Lucia dinner.

On the way home we stopped at the Wild Birds Unlimited store for bird seed, and looked next door and a few doors down at Trader Joe's and Albertsons for mincemeat. We struck out on the mincemeat.

I use mincemeat in my fruit cake, which I decided to make again this year. I had already looked at Safeway and QFC. There was one more place to try - Fred Meyer. Oh, oh. I forgot about the socks at Fred Meyer. Lots of people buying their half-off socks for the year.

Anyway, they had mincemeat! With the brandy I picked up at the liquor store by Trader Joe's I'm set to make fruitcake on Sunday, when we expect the next rain storm.

But yesterday was beautiful! So in the afternoon I got out to rake up the lawn.

Tom took the leaf blower to the roof to clean it off and then treat the moss. And then he worked on Christmas lights.

I used the blower to clean up the patio and then finished raking the lawn.

Everything is nice and tidy now, at least until the next wind storm.
And we have lights on the house!

We will be meeting Jill and the kids at the airport later this morning as they make their way home from their Colorado Thanksgiving. We have plans to discuss about places to go and do and see during the holiday season. And secret shopping to plan too. I have kids this year!

We're moving on to Christmas! Let's have some fun!

Giving Thanks

2011-11-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

I'm giving thanks today for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

The turkey was done on schedule and wonderfully smokey and juicy, thanks to Tom, who monitored it faithfully.

There were no lumps in the gravy thanks to the help of son Jake who whisked vigorously as I added the thickening. The mashed potatoes were smooth thanks to Cousin Dan. Those fresh herbs made for a wonderfully aromatic stuffing. Jan and Ann brought lovely hors d' oeuvres. Aunt Evelyn added cake and fresh berries to the dessert table.

But mostly I'm thankful that we could be together, mixing family and friends of three generations, and share in the good food and good fortune that we enjoy. As some of us reminisced about the "old days", and realized how far we've come in sixty years, we all felt very fortunate to be where we are today.

Jake added that he was thankful for the Internet. Me too. You, my virtual friends and family, are very real and important to me too.

And right now I'm thankful that it's another new day, the sun is shining, and instead of going shopping in the wee hours, I've had a good night's sleep and now I'm off to have Friday morning breakfast with friends.

I'm a little tired today. But it's a good tired.

Sorry. I have no new photos for today. I was too busy yesterday.

Cooking Up a Storm

2011-11-23T17:29:00.000-08:00

The November rain storm continues outside. Inside the house is full of the great aromas of Thanksgiving food.

This morning I picked up the little arrangement I ordered for the table. Then we pulled the giblets out of the perfectly defrosted turkey, added celery, onion and fresh herbs, and as the stock simmered, the good smells began.

Tom went outside to clean up the front walk and driveway and to pick fresh herbs from the garden.

Next I started the base for the brine for the turkey. More good smells. Then the cranberry orange sauce. Yum. Yams went into the oven to bake. After lunch and a workout on the stationary bike, I started the stuffing.

I chopped the herbs that Tom had prepped, diced onion and celery and mushrooms. Sausage, then mushrooms went into one pan, celery and onions and herbs in the other.

The stock had cooled and was strained. When everything was cooled, it all went together with the white and wheat bread cubes and one package of prepared cornbread stuffing.

It's now in the refrigerator, awaiting tomorrow morning. The turkey is in the brine and in the cool garage.

The table is set. Here's a peek.

There's still plenty to do tomorrow, but it's all under control. Guests are expected about 1:00 or before. Dinner is set for 2:00, but that all depends on the turkey.

And lest I forget, Tom and I have so much to be thankful for. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about how fortunate we are.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL. May your turkey be tasty, and your day filled with friendship and love, and gratitude.

Pie!

2011-11-22T14:17:00.000-08:00

This week is all about Thanksgiving - preparing for the big day.

I should start off by saying how wonderful it is to have all the time needed to do all we want to do. Retirement is such a blessing!

Yesterday we cleaned house thoroughly, and I made pie dough.

The experts all say you should thoroughly chill the dough before rolling it out. I used to just make it and bake it. It usually worked just fine. I have also taken to using a food processor to make the pie dough, knowing that you have to be careful not to over do the mixing or the water. I have played with butter vs shortening amounts. It seems like the more I know, the harder time I have getting the dough just right so that it rolls out easily.

Well, this morning I did OK with the hazelnut dough for the pumpkin pie, which is something new this year. The pie crust, that is. The filling recipe is straight off the Libby can.

But when I tried to roll out the dough for the apple pie, it was a crumbly mess. I was watching Martha Stewart at the time, and she was making pie dough, so I just stopped and watched. She added more water and pulsed the processor longer.

So I threw away the crumbly mess, whipped up a new batch, with more water and a few seconds more pulsing, rolled it out right then, plopped in the apple filling that was ready and waiting and put it in the oven. Wa-lah. Perfect pie.

I baked a few scraps and tasted it so I know it's as good as it looks.

This apple pie is called 'Mother's Comfort Pie', and it's a recipe son Jake linked through Facebook. It has Tillamook extra sharp cheddar cheese in the crust and in the filling. I hope it's tasty, and comforting. ;-)

Tom has the bar-be-que grill and the apple wood chips ready to go for cooking the turkey on Thursday. The turkey is thawing. Tom also dug some carrots and beets and parsnips from the garden for the roasted vegetable medley.

That's it for today. I'll go do my work out in the stationary bike, since it's one of those nasty, cold and rainy, gray days outside. The house is cozy though, with the smell of baked pie.

Tomorrow there is a long list of prep to do, including fun things like setting and decorating the table.

Cold!

2011-11-20T19:07:00.000-08:00

We woke this morning to frozen fog. After walking out to the street to get the newspaper, I grabbed my camera to take a few shots.

The sun was trying to burn through, and eventually it did.

After a slow start, I checked the turkey ads to see where I should shop. I decided I needed to take advantage of the sales to get my Christmas turkey. QFC had the best deal today, $.39 per pound if you spend $25. No problem.

I went grocery shopping and then Tom and I went to REI to shop their winter sale for Christmas gifts. Back home, I had a slow lunch, watched the Seahawks game get under way, and then bundled up to go for a 3.7 mile walk while listening to the game on my ipod. I was back home to watch much of the second half. We won again! Amazing!

I'm still working on getting the Sunday paper read. When I finish this post I'll go check out the editorials. We're also watching the Major League Soccer Final for the MLS Cup - LA Galaxy vs Huston Dynamo. Soccer has a very long season! I'm glad I'm not still standing in the stadium, out in the cold.

Settling Down

2011-11-19T19:18:00.000-08:00

After the drama of stove/no stove this last week, I am working on slowing down a bit.

Last night Jill, Corey and the kids joined us for that pot roast dinner, followed by brownie sundaes. Everyone left well fed.

This morning Tom and I accepted an invitation to accompany some friends to a holiday bazaar at Pacific Lutheran University. We found a few items to buy as Christmas gifts and a few more decorations for the house, not that I need any more decorations! We had lunch together and enjoyed some good visiting.

It was 2:30 before we got back home. I got the laundry done, did a workout on the stationary bike and fixed leftovers for dinner. Now we'll settle in for what looks to be a cold night.

In today's mail I got the first of the paper work that will be coming to settle Mom's estate and disperse the inheritance among her five surviving children. It still amazes my siblings and me that she was able to provide for her care and still leave a sizable estate after living so frugally all her life. We'll have to be good stewards of her legacy.

I'll do the paperwork tomorrow. For today, I'm done.

Home, Home Is My Range

2011-11-17T15:34:00.000-08:00

This has been an interesting process, as those of you who follow me on Facebook already know.

My oven controls went out on Monday. I called for service on Tuesday and got a same day appointment. The verdict was that my old range was "condemned". The needed part was no longer available.

Tuesday afternoon Tom and I went shopping. Since we were looking for a white, slide-in, element top range that we could get right away, our choices were limited. We found what we needed at Sears. Delivery was scheduled for Thursday. Hurrah!

Wednesday I got a call that the range had been damaged, so another one was being sent and it would be available at Will Call on Thursday. Will call? What about delivery? The Two different people I talked to said delivery was not indicated, and delivery would be late next week at the earliest. Tom and I made plans to go get the thing ourselves, and hope a neighbor could help us move in the new one and move out the old one.

Them about 9:30 last night we got a call from the delivery service guy, saying they would install the range the next day, Thursday, between 1:00 and 3:00. The delivery man just laughed at our confusion, saying Sears was so backed up and mixed up that they didn't know what they were doing. He was there helping them make the notification phone calls. Rejoicing, but with reservation.

This morning I got a robo call telling me that the shipment was delayed, and the range would be available Thursday the 17th. Well, it is the 17th, so what the h**l does that mean?

We were just about at Costco this morning a little before noon when Tom got a call on his cell. The delivery guy would be there about 12:15. Amazing! I hurried him home, dropped him off, and went back to Costco.

Sure enough, installation was in progress when I got home.

There was a lot of laughing and pounding and drilling going on, so I unpacked my Costco purchases and then went up stairs to hide out. This went on for about an hour. Turns out we had to pay $60 to install an outlet, since the old stove had been hard wired in.

Finally the installer guys were off. I emerged from the nether recesses and checked things out.

I have a new kitchen stove! It works! The oven was set to 500 for 30 minutes to break it in.

I read the instruction book, played with the controls, and moved in.

That daily planner to the left of the range is my checklist for each day. I have checked off "Install new range", and "thaw pot roast". I'll actually be able to cook that pot roast for my family tomorrow!

All's well that ends well.

We Need More Leaves - Really?

2011-11-16T14:50:00.000-08:00

Really.

All of those pretty red leaves don't add up to much when you want to mulch all of the planting beds on our half acre property.

So Tom gets more. The man who inspects and flushes out our sprinkler system Spring and Fall has a yard service company. His crew collects truck loads of leaves from the properties they service. They have to pay to dump them at the compost recycling plant, so they are happy to dump a couple of loads free in our driveway.

The leaves have been semi-shredded by the vacuum system that collects them. Tom will let them "age" for a couple of weeks, and then haul and spread them around the yard.

With a fresh layer of leaf mulch, the garden will be bedded down for the winter. The mulch will keep down weeds, protect the soil from rain compaction, and the worms will go crazy digesting them and working them into the soil.

A Free Turkey and a New Range

2011-11-15T16:56:00.000-08:00

I was on the phone first thing this morning calling for service on my range. Using the Internet I found several options and got an appointment for today on the second try. The repair man would come between 11:00 and 1:00. I left Tom in charge and went grocery shopping.

The Safeway store is just a few blocks from our house, so I do almost all of my shopping there. Their deal on turkeys was spent $150 and get the turkey free. I decided I could probably do that if I just added some of the Christmas baking supplies I would need later to my already long list. No problem. The turkey was free. I spent over $200! But according to the receipt, I saved $117.00! It's a good thing I buy things on sale.

Robert the Repair Man arrived about 12:45. He was great! He spent over an hour tracking down the problem. He found the parts that needed to be replaced, and called to check on availability. Problem.

My Whirlpool range is about 12 years old but the part was no longer available. Robert was surprised at that, since Whirlpool is usually pretty good at having parts, but they are only required to keep them for ten years. The good thing was that the charge was only $60. Robert said they only charge the basic fee when they have to "condemn" the appliance. :-(

As soon as we said good-bye to Robert, Tom and I were out the door to go shopping for a new range. At Lowes we would have to order the range in white - they only had stainless- and it would take two to three weeks. Sears couldn't get another Whirlpool until Nov.28, but they had a white slide-in Kenmore. The Sears clerk called Albert Lee for us, but they couldn't do anything for us until next week.

Next week is Thanksgiving! I need to bake things!

So we bought the Kenmore. We hope to have delivery this week.

It's a good thing the turkey was free. :-/

Sewing Season

2011-11-14T19:25:00.000-08:00

The rain held off again today, and I got my walk in this morning, plus some errands run.

I have been sorting through some old albums and other memorabilia that I brought home from my mother's assisted living apartment. I finally finished culling and determined what I wanted to save, so I bought a plastic storage tub to store it in and got that loaded up.

Tom worked outside and got the rest of the raised bed spading done and the cold frames ready to move the Bonsai into.

Now I will be getting to some sewing projects. Today I made a table cloth for Thanksgiving.

I have enough of the center fabric to make eight napkins, and I'll use the serger to finish the edges tomorrow.

I'm also planning to go buy my turkey and other non-fresh stuff for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. The new thing this year seems to be that the price of the turkey per pound depends on how much other stuff you purchase at the same time. Spend $150, and you get the turkey free. I'm aiming at the $100 level and the turkey will be $.39 per pound.

There is a complication though. My range is malfunctioning. When I was cooking dinner tonight I noticed that there was nothing in the electronic display. None of the buttons work for the oven or the timer or the clock, and the oven is locked! Great.

First thing tomorrow I'll be calling for service. On line I discovered that Sears Service doesn't have any appointments until Nov. 22! Help! I won't be calling them.

Wish me luck.

A Blustery Day

2011-11-13T15:29:00.000-08:00

It's very breezy today, but the rain has held off. Over at Century Link Field the fans are very happy to be dry and have their Hawks ahead, currently 22-7 against the Baltimore Ravens in the 3rd quarter.

This morning I was reading through the Sunday paper ads and saw a fireplace screen on sale at Target. Jill's little rental house has a working fireplace but no screen. I talked Tom in to going shopping. We got the screen, a fire poker and bundled up some dry wood from our house and took it over to Jill and the kids.

Turns out Jill had been looking at the same ad, thinking about going to buy one. We set it up, laid a fire, and it was crackling nicely when we left. She was very pleased.

After lunch I got the Seahawks off to a good 10-0 start and then went out into the windy day for my walk, listening to the game on my ipod. As soon as I finish posting I'm going to my recliner to finish the game. Right now it's on the little TV next to the computer. Go Seahawks!

Remember that I said the yard was all nice and tidy .... for now?

Well, the leaves are going down fast now on this blustery day.

I do love the red carpet into the secret garden.

Gotta' love those colors while we have them. They'll soon be gone.

Heroes

2011-11-12T15:49:00.000-08:00

I like sports.

As a youth I never missed a home football or basketball game at my high school. I was a TV Yankees baseball fan with my dad. I went to college basketball games.

We used to be big Supersonic basketball fans, but that was a long time ago, and now the team is gone. I follow the Seahawks football games, and sometimes pay attention to the Mariners baseball team. And of course, you know I'm crazy about soccer and the Sounders.

This morning we braved the cold and the rain to attend Isaac's soccer game. Jill helped coach.

Isaac kept warm running and having fun as only eight-year-old boys can.

Irene and Grandpa huddled on the sidelines.

I even had the U of Washington Huskies game on, but I fell asleep in my recliner since they are so far behind USC, so I gave up and moved to my computer.

Yes, I like sports. But I have never had an athlete or coach, or any other public figure, as a personal hero.

What has been revealed at Penn State this week should be a reminder that we should select our heroes based on the character of persons we really know. Joe Paterno may have helped a lot of young men through his coaching, but he failed to come to the rescue of young boys who were being irreparably damaged by abuse under his watch. This "hero" proved to have feet of clay.

Heroism is a relative thing. Ordinary people have moments of heroic behavior. We honor the brave acts of soldiers, firemen and police officers. We call them heroes. They say they were just doing their job, performing their duties. Their jobs sometimes call for heroic action.

But other ordinary people are heroic too. If I look for examples in my own life, for models to emulate, I see my mother, who overcame so many hardships, and still remained loving and giving to the end of her days. I see my sister, who strives every day to carry on a productive life, having suffered the loss of two sons and dealing with her husband's failing health. I don't need to worry about being disillusioned by these 'heroes', because I have not built them up as super heroes. They are fallible just like we all are.

I was relieved to see the Joe Pa supporter riots at Penn State turn into vigils for the victims. I think common sense prevailed. Life lessons were learned.

Be careful how you choose your heroes.

Rain

2011-11-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

We knew it was too good to last.

That's why we worked so hard all week.

Today the rains came. This is November rain, cold and steady.

It will take the leaves down quickly now. We'll be cleaning up until after Thanksgiving.

No more patio sitting now for many months.

But there is still plenty to do. Today we went to breakfast with our Friday morning group. Back at home we cleaned house and did laundry. Then I went shopping.

Ooops. While I knew it was Veterans Day, I forgot to remember that lots of folks had the day off. After all, when you are retired, every day is a holiday, right? I went to Jo Anns for fabric to make a Thanksgiving table cloth. I had to wait a half hour to get my fabric cut.

I got back home about 1:30, had lunch, and then I was off to the neighborhood Safeway for some groceries. Ooops. People everywhere! I finally got back home and then I was late getting my beef stew started. That done and into the oven, I finished putting groceries away. At 4:00 I was finally done with that, and was left wondering where the day had gone!

The rain let up enough to let some late sun light up the clouds. Now at 4:40 darkness is setting in.

It being Veterans Day and all, it makes me think of "Taps".

Day is done, gone the sun

From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky.

All is well, safely rest.

God is nigh.

I can only hope that our veterans, retired and active duty, are safely resting tonight. Thank you for your service.