A December Day on the Island

Friday was a surprisingly beautiful day. We left home about 1:00, headed for Whidbey Island. It was a gorgeous day for a ferry boat ride.

At the cabin on Sunlight Beach, Dear Lagoon was smooth and blue.

The garden still had some winter interest.

We went for a short walk on the beach. It felt great to be there.

Then we drove up to Freeland to browse a few shops. We stopped by Bayview Garden Center.

But then I looked up and said "Tom, we've got to get back to the beach. Look!

We stopped at the top of the hill to take a photo. And then stayed on the beach to watch the colors change and finally fade.

This morning, Saturday, I awoke to a frosty wonderland. I wanted to go outside right then, but it was so cold!

By the time I did get out, the sun was already melting the frost wherever it touched, but there were still bejeweled treasures, in the garden,

and on the beach.

Oh, what a day this was going to be!

We were due in Langley for the Christmas parade, but first we took a short walk on the dike along the lagoon.

A hawk watched from high above.

The Great Blue Heron fished for his breakfast.

Peeps poked and probed the sand.

The Olympic Mountains rose above a distant ridge.

And then we were off to Langley. We enjoyed the view from the city plaza, along with Boy and Dog.

From there we could see the North Cascade Mountains in the distance.

We shopped for chocolate candles at the Chocolate Flower Farm shop.

The parade was late, short, and charming, typical "island time". The bag pipers led the way.

There were lots of old cars. People lined the sunny side of the street.

And Santa arrived with the aid of the fire department.

We had lunch, did some more shopping of the kind you can only do in small villages, had coffee and dessert, and then were gone.

We checked out of the cabin and headed home on the 3:30 ferry. It was a lovely 24 hours on the island.

Decking the Boughs

Yesterday we spent much of the daylight hours outside. Tom finished up the outside lights, except for one set of net lights which he had to return today, since we got a colored set instead of white lights. Then he had to remove and repair two strings from the maple tree with broken wires. We suspect a rodent is chewing on them.

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I added some embellishments to the wreath we got at Trader Joe's.

The sun created jewels in the silver snowflake.

I picked greens from the yard and stuffed them into pots on the porch. The soil had finally thawed out.

After lunch we finally got the tulips into the ground. We plant them in gallon size nursery pots and then put them in the ground. After they are through blooming we just pop them out and replace them with dahlias.

The sun doesn't last long these short winter days. So we like to light up the darkness with holiday lights.

After a few more repairs today, I think we have the outside decorated.

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Today was another nice day, but I never made it out. We have a busy schedule ahead of us, so today we finished some more decorating inside and cleaned house. I spent the afternoon working on my sewing project for Isaac. It's done, but I'll have to show you that later. We will have an early dinner, and then we're getting dressed up to go to the Seattle Repertory Theater tonight. We're seeing Dancing at Lughnasa, an Irish tale full of Irish music and dancing.

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Tomorrow we'll be home for a short time between going out to breakfast and leaving for Whidbey Island. We'll spend Friday night at the cabin, and take in the Christmas Parade and some shopping in Langley before returning home Saturday evening. Sunday we're heading to Gig Harbor for Tide Fest, a large arts and crafts show/bazaar.

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I'll catch up with you as I can. Gotta' run.

Sewing Project #2: Clothes for Irene

Jill emailed me this photo of a fleece jumper and tee shirt, and asked if I could make it.

Oh, good, I thought. A challenge and a chance to be a little bit creative while I learn/re-learn something new.

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So when JoAnn's had no-pill fleece on sale, off I went. I was secure about the fleece sewing, but I had not done tee shirts for about 30 years! I bought fabric and made the jumper, but didn't like what I picked out for the tee once I had the jumper made. So last week I went back and found a better selection. In fact I couldn't decide, so I bought two pieces.

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This one is like the original photo.

And the plain colored one I actually like best.

And thank you, Tom, for giving me that serger last year for Christmas. It's so easy to make tee shirts with a serger!

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I always make a winter dress/jumper for Irene with a twirly skirt. She likes to "swish". I shopped early for a good choice of corduroy. The tee shirt fabric is a piece I've had for quite a while, that finally found a purpose. (remember, you can click any photo to enlarge if you want details)

Now I've started on a project for Isaac.

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But the sky is bright, if not quite clear, and no rain today, so I'm putting the sewing on hold. I'll go outside and work with Tom. We have outside lights to finish, some cleaning up to do, and some bulbs to get in the ground, if the soil is finally thawed out after our deep freeze.

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Today I'll get natural Vitamin D.

Sewing Project #1

I can now reveal that sewing project I was working on several weeks ago. Jill and Corey and Isaac and Irene put their Christmas tree up this morning.

The tree now has a new skirt. (Click photos to enlarge)

The panels are decorated with machine embroidery in snowflake designs in blue, silver and gold. Silver braid trim adds an extra sparkle.

The skirt is quilted and lined and finished with self bias edging.

With the Velcro closures Irene was able to claim it as a skirt for her.

But now it is in it's intended place.

Now it's time for me to start decorating.

A Thankful Thanksgiving

All was calm yet anticipatory this morning as the last snow shower ceased and the temperature finally rose above the freezing mark.

By noon we were ready. The turkey, brined overnight, was snug on the outdoor gas grill, being roasted and smoked with apple wood chips. The potatoes were peeled, the yams sauced, the fresh fruit compote chilling in the fridge. We had time to sit and rest, and read the paper.

By 1:00 all seven of our guests had safely arrived. The young guys played cribbage and the older adults visited as we munched on cheese and crackers and punch and wine and home brew - something for everyone.

The turkey was cooking slowly, so we put everything on hold while it finished. A beautiful bird deserves to be waited for. And it was a very good bird!

At 3:00 we sat down to this dining table, ate, and enjoyed each other's company.

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There was help with the clean up, and later there was pie.

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By 6:00 everyone had departed. Each of the three young men was sent off with a container of left overs for another meal at home. Tom and I did a few more dishes, and put things away. Tomorrow we'll hand wash the crystal stem ware and then all will be done.

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What started out as a last minute change of plans ended up a perfect Thanksgiving celebration, as if it had been planned all along.

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And for that, and for so many other things, I am very grateful.

Change of Plans

We were going to travel about 100 miles south of Seattle for Thanksgiving dinner at my sister's house, where about 25 of us were gathering together. But the plan has changed. Due to the ice and snow still on the local streets, and a chance of more snow tomorrow before it begins to gradually warm up and turn to rain, we have opted to stay home and cook Thanksgiving dinner here. I bought a turkey last week, as I always do when the price drops, to put in the freezer for some future meal. When we decided yesterday morning to change plans, we got it out to thaw, and walked to the local Safeway for the other trimmings we would need for our traditional meal. - Today I have been cooking. - The pumpkin pie is done. The berry pie is just out of the oven. The cranberry sauce is cooling. The yams are baked and awaiting an orange glaze and reheating tomorrow. The stuffing bread is cubed and drying out.

The turkey is sufficiently thawed, so it is back in the refrigerator. This afternoon I will pull out the giblets and make stock for the stuffing and gravy. Then I'll cook up mushrooms, sausage, onions, celery and herbs and assemble the stuffing, which will then go into the frig to await the turkey tomorrow.

So now the question is "Who will be here to eat it all'? Hopefully we will have nine people around our table: Tom's sister and her partner, my aunt and cousin who live in Ballard, son Jake and two of his friends who don't have family to gather with.

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And if we get more snow and not rain, they are all invited to come on Friday and we'll just heat it all up again and eat the leftovers.

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What will be, will be. We still have much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Sliding Cars in Seattle Snow on 11/22/10

This is why snow and freezing weather in Seattle is a BIG problem.