Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
E-I-E-I-O
"Chickens are nice to share their eggs with a person," Tristen said as we were packing for an overnighter on the farm. He was already anticipating egg-collecting, hoping Auntie Becca would let him help.
And the next Monday morning on the way to Interlake, he was counting up how many eggs he'd gathered -- one the first evening and three the next morning. "I said thank you to the chickens," he said.
On this farm trip, we all tried our hand at splitting wood, and Tristen single-handedly unloaded a pickup truck of logs by rolling them off the open tailgate. Industrious.
Other highlights: Scott, Melissa, Chloe, and Nico; new friend Rick; cheddar-apple pie (what else?); fabulous salmon dinner; apple-picking, and mystery poop in the apple tree.
It's hard to decide which pix from this farm trip to post -- so many fun ones -- so here's a link to the full slideshow on our Picasa site.
And the next Monday morning on the way to Interlake, he was counting up how many eggs he'd gathered -- one the first evening and three the next morning. "I said thank you to the chickens," he said.
On this farm trip, we all tried our hand at splitting wood, and Tristen single-handedly unloaded a pickup truck of logs by rolling them off the open tailgate. Industrious.
Other highlights: Scott, Melissa, Chloe, and Nico; new friend Rick; cheddar-apple pie (what else?); fabulous salmon dinner; apple-picking, and mystery poop in the apple tree.
It's hard to decide which pix from this farm trip to post -- so many fun ones -- so here's a link to the full slideshow on our Picasa site.
Quiet peace and fine china
The painting is complete! (Well -- except for the old storm windows and carport debris that is piled in the backyard, waiting for a trip to the dump.)
The colors we chose were ironically labeled "quiet peace" (blue) and "fine china" (cream) -- everything the contents inside are not. It's a pretty dark blue with quite a bit of red in the mix. The pictures make it look a shade brighter than it really is. I'm thinking a purpley fuschia for the front door.
Here's a link to "before."
The colors we chose were ironically labeled "quiet peace" (blue) and "fine china" (cream) -- everything the contents inside are not. It's a pretty dark blue with quite a bit of red in the mix. The pictures make it look a shade brighter than it really is. I'm thinking a purpley fuschia for the front door.
Here's a link to "before."
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Scary sad
Aunt "Mamy" joined us for pumpkin-carving this year, and although she claimed disdain for complexity in all things jack-o-lantern, you can see below who got fancy with the keyhole saw.
Tristen and Chris said they were going for "scary sad."
Hey, is that a mouth and three teeth on Tristen's pumpkin -- or the mustache on Santa Claus in claymation Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Just wondering.
Tristen and Chris said they were going for "scary sad."
Hey, is that a mouth and three teeth on Tristen's pumpkin -- or the mustache on Santa Claus in claymation Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Just wondering.
Pumpkin Push 2009
Tristen -- also known as Spider-Man -- and I are three for three on the annual 5K Pumpkin Push. They call it a "pumpkin push," but my stroller contained the pumpkin plus a preschooler, two water bottles, the camera, and assorted blankies, coats, hats, and snacks.
Tristen ran with me the last quarter-mile. Fun to cross the finish line together. Gorgeous weather.
Throughout the morning, I learned a lot about Spider-Man. For example, Spider-Man can jump ANYWHERE he wants -- even off playground equipment that is too high. And Spider-Man does not need to wear a hat or coat because he has a web to keep him warm.
Before the race we ran into our good friends Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader with their moms Michele and Lori. And was that Darrick who passed us on the hill?
Pix below, and just for fun, here's a link to my post from last year's Pumpkin Push. Bacon and Eggs, we missed you this year!
Tristen ran with me the last quarter-mile. Fun to cross the finish line together. Gorgeous weather.
Throughout the morning, I learned a lot about Spider-Man. For example, Spider-Man can jump ANYWHERE he wants -- even off playground equipment that is too high. And Spider-Man does not need to wear a hat or coat because he has a web to keep him warm.
Before the race we ran into our good friends Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader with their moms Michele and Lori. And was that Darrick who passed us on the hill?
Pix below, and just for fun, here's a link to my post from last year's Pumpkin Push. Bacon and Eggs, we missed you this year!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Lessons in marshmallow safety
Marshmallows may look soft and fluffy and harmless, but those things can maim. Earlier this summer my niece Abigail took a marshmallow to the face when she was leading trail crew for Washington Trails Association. She said, "I had just finished the marshmallow safety talk, when I went to pull it out of the fire, and it got me." She had second-degree burns on her forehead and nose.
Then just a few weeks later, the same thing happened to me! Maybe I acted too quickly as the marshmallow caught on fire, maybe I jerked too much, maybe the stick was just a little too flimsy. Or is it hard to judge distance in the dark?
Could the propensity for marshmallow accidents be genetic?
I have never been so glad to wear glasses.
Then just a few weeks later, the same thing happened to me! Maybe I acted too quickly as the marshmallow caught on fire, maybe I jerked too much, maybe the stick was just a little too flimsy. Or is it hard to judge distance in the dark?
Could the propensity for marshmallow accidents be genetic?
I have never been so glad to wear glasses.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
September camping
Ahhh...September camping in the Pacific Northwest. Hot days and cool nights mean morning hikes, afternoon swims, and evening s'mores around the campfire.
We went to a place called Owhi on Cooper Lake, near Cle Ellum, Washington, with Erin, Eric, Ruby, and babyLuca. There's nothing like drinking your first cup of coffee while watching fog rise from the lake.
I took my wetsuit this year and treated myself to a little open-water swimming each afternoon. The water was refreshing after an initial full-body ice cream headache. Other highlights: quiet moments in the little yellow kayak, skinny dipping during afternoon nap, bourbon after the kids were down...
Some pix below. And you can view a slideshow on our Picasa channel.
We went to a place called Owhi on Cooper Lake, near Cle Ellum, Washington, with Erin, Eric, Ruby, and babyLuca. There's nothing like drinking your first cup of coffee while watching fog rise from the lake.
I took my wetsuit this year and treated myself to a little open-water swimming each afternoon. The water was refreshing after an initial full-body ice cream headache. Other highlights: quiet moments in the little yellow kayak, skinny dipping during afternoon nap, bourbon after the kids were down...
Some pix below. And you can view a slideshow on our Picasa channel.
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