Egg Hunt at the Lakehouse

This past weekend we had our first family gathering of the year at the lake-house

and I may go a little overboard on pictures,
in consideration of those who could not be there.
We missed you!

I love this time of year when the old fruit trees 

burst forth with new life

and a bright green lace appears on tall cottonwoods. 

Even dandelions are pretty on this landscape . . .

and you can see that the fallen apple tree is not giving up just yet.

It was a perfect day to run outside with a pail

and follow the kids with my camera.

  

There were so many perfect spots that could hide an egg . . .

Do you see it?

Don't worry, I got it! 

Whether it's eggs . . .

blossoms . . .

a new baby . . .

a proud auntie . . .

young men sitting by the fire with the older ones . . .

or an Oma who has seen many an Easter tradition come and go . . .

Easter is a perfect time to realize and believe in new life

. . . and celebrate it!

Girls' Trip to La Conner

It was Ellen who invited us for a get-together in La Conner, WA 

for its first official Daffodil Festival this year . . .

a re-take of our trip five years ago to Tulip Town, when we first met her.

It was mentioned how it's hard to believe that

we have only really known Ellen for five years

and how we can't imagine our German Mennonite group 

without our one and only Russian "cousin."

We walked through the entrance of the Roozengaarde which boasts a beautifully manicured little park with endless varieties of tulips and daffodils -

to the fields in the back.

You can see Julie was not too proud to do what was necessary to keep her cute sneakers clean.

I took this photo from Lovella's stash, because I just love it!

Back in the fields, it was hard not to click away on our cameras.

Daffodils never looked so pretty!

Tulip fields followed the daffodils.

Here we saw the harvesters busy cutting bunches of bouquets for the market.

They carefully picked and cut their bundles 

and brought them to the end of the row

to arrange in waiting flats.

On our way out, we spent some more time in the garden area

and then headed into town to have some lunch.

Some of us have been practicing the pan shot on our iPhones,

finding out it makes for some funny entertainment. 

Here we are . . . the only  ones missing would have had to fly in.

Marg came to join us wherever she did not have to walk too much

as she is still nursing her injured leg.

It was a good day and a good way to celebrate the unique friendship we share.

A Peek Across the Ocean

It's beginning to feel like it's been a long, long time since we hugged good bye . . . and yet there they are very much alive and enjoying life on the Equator. We've been able to figure out best times and ways to talk but talking is not the same as being, is it?

Blurry images of a hand swiping over the eyes lead to further blurry images that have nothing to do with the bad connection, ironically connecting you in more ways than dry eyes and clear connections would.

Late Saturday night here, they had come home from church and eaten Sunday lunch there, ready to go swimming and flying remote control planes, so we tried not to delay their fun plans for too long. We talked about things like their school science projects, Tehya's new braces, Paeton's reading Captain Underpants books and Makenna's Sunday School lesson of the day. The family is excited that their crates are in country and nearing their final destination soon.  And with that, we said goodbye to sweet voices across the waves . . . until next time.

Double Retro

On my very last set of slides to scan . . . relieved that I was pretty well done . . .

 I came across a memory of a bridal shower I had forgotten we had pictures of. 

So, first off, if any of my nieces see this . . . I hope you can handle this with me.

This goes back to the Spring of 2000.

I do not remember the details of how the surprise was worked out, 

but by the pictures I gathered that Kristal, Carolyn and Bonnie 

presented the idea of the theme to Julene as they picked her up at our house.

 It was to be a 1970's themed dress up party, going back to my teen era. 

(By the looks of it, they raided my spare closet.)

I don't think they told her where they were going . . . but she probably had a good idea.

At aunt Elsie's house she had to put on my wedding gown 

and we posed for a mother/daughter shot.

The dress I'm wearing dates back to when I was sixteen or seventeen.

Bride-to be and sister also posed. 

Kristal is wearing one of my bridesmaid's dresses.

 Oh, those were the days!

More cousins played their parts . . .

It's fun to see what good sports they were.

Could it be there is a reason I'm not for much color any more? 

In the middle of the party a special guest arrived . . .

none other but the handsome groom dressed in my H's wedding suit.

(One of these days that spare closet has to be cleaned out.)

He loves to put on a show. 

I do not remember the song he serenaded her with,

but I'm sure it was funny.

As always, there was plenty of food in this beautiful little country kitchen.

The shower cake was a replica of my wedding cake.

And that is probably enough said now!

What I can't help is to realize how the years do go by -
 how, throughout time, young couples in love have grown older together
one day, one year and one decade at a time . . .
wondering how this happened so soon!

No Boys Allowed

A new room needs new rules -

thoroughly thought through as you can tell . . .

but with brother turning seven this week

I'm thinking section 2b of the law will be up for review.

Spring on My Counter Continues

You may remember that a few weeks ago I put some plant cuttings into a jug and placed them beside my canisters. I enjoyed the green for about a week, when I noticed little buds appearing.

 I posted about it here. 

Since then I have re-cut the stems, changed the water and added a wee bit of sugar, 

and watched to see the color appear. 

I kind of expected the buds to fall off at that point . . . 

but for the most part . . . they remained . . .
and the pink petals slowly opened. 

This garden plant, way back in the yard, is far from blooming

but here on my counter it looks like spring! 

A Moment from my Kitchen Window

    . . . where morning dawns, where evening fades,
    you call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 65:8

Still Alice

Photo by Tehya

I just finished reading Lisa Genova's novel, STiLL ALiCE, feeling wrapped up in the complex realities of Alice's diagnosis with early onset of Alzheimer Disease. Maybe you know what I'm talking about, the feeling of being a character within the story and having a hard time shaking it. The book was lent to me by someone who could have guessed at my deep rooted apprehensions and that I'd have a hard time opening it's pages but, once I did, I could hardly put it down for the emotional feelings it evoked.

Early on, in her quest of what is happening and realizing where the disease ends, Alice comes to wish she had cancer instead. Ashamed for even fantasizing about this, she concludes that with cancer she'd have something she could fight and there would be a chance to win.  People would consider her a hero in the fight, and if she lost, she would still be able to look her loved ones in the eye at the time of her goodbye, knowing them. She concludes with the thought that in her given situation, with her vanishing memory and mental instability people would rather keep a certain distance from her. We all know what she means.

The writer does several things very well. Telling the story from Alice's point of view, we feel her despair as she tries to come up with a foolproof plan to personally know when she will no longer be cognitive, by regularly answering certain questions about herself, In the end only the reader sadly realizes what is happening to her responses. Yet, midst the confusion and frustrations, the reader is also able to feel the unexpected joys of a family that compensates and continues to respect and love her as they've known her to be.

This story allows us a peek into a life no one would choose, yet gives insight on how to respond and appreciate the good moments. I am left with a deep desire to pray for a disease altering breakthrough for those living in its genetic shadow.

Now Playing - Downton Abbey

On Sunday, last weekend, just before the time the final show of Season 5 

was being PVR'd at home,

we were having a lot of fun preparing a dinner for some of our church staff.

Richard and Dorothy run a beautiful Bed and Breakfast in town here -

aptly name Sweet Dreams . . .

and a couple of times a year they have invited some friends to 

help them host an appreciation dinner.

The hostess always arranges with a florist friend to 

come in and do the table arrangements with fresh flowers.

You can see how this gal enjoys her work!

We set the table and continued working on the menu at hand . . .

Appetizers:

Artichoke Dip with Crackers

Bacon Wrapped Cocktail Sausages

Mini Pizza Scoops

Punch

Pre - Course:

Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Fan Rolls

Main Course:

Cordon Blue Beef Rolls

Salmon with Sun-dried Tomato Topping

Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Green Beans

Corn

Coleslaw

Dessert:

Strawberry Black Forest Cake

At times when we have served a BBQ, the guys have been busier,

but this time we set them to work on the take-home favors.

(could there be a small learning curve for my Mr H?)

. . . oh  . . . 

and the men served with a smile and did most of the dishes too! 

Have you been following the Downton Abbey drama?

Which story lines intrigue you more -

is it the sagas within  the Crawley family 

or the experiences shared by the servants?

Who makes you laugh . . .

and who makes you relate to someone in your life?

Although I feel safe to say that none of us today

would want to live this kind of life,

it is an escape that has us wanting the story to continue.