M & M

Meet my friends, Miele and Miele.
Making the mundane more palatable.

Down the Line

The beauty of the natural surroundings are proving advantageous in this "365" endeavor. I take a mere handful of pictures each day ~ haven't even put a memory card in my camera yet, truth be told. I rely on impressive views, as displayed in the two photos I took today. This railroad track is just up the road, between our place and town.






My typical run includes a pass or two by the golf course.

Swept Away

My attention of late has been riveted by a re-reading of Jane Eyre. Thank you, Charlotte Bronte, for reminding me of the richness of the English language and the beauty and mystery that can exist within the pages of a great novel.

Happy Birthday, Luke!

Luke is in many ways a quintessential middle child. He's flexible, sweet-natured, sensitive, and genuine. His was my most peaceful birth; still a cesarean, but the only one without any accompanying medical emergencies. He's by far the most musical of the boys, ever and always drumming rhythms, conducting unheard (to the rest of us) symphonies, unabashedly singing out loud and clear in church. My favorite Luke story occurred last year while we were skiing. I went ahead a bit and then stopped at a crest to wait for him. After a minute or two, I heard in the distance a lilting song: "Seventy-two, seventy three, seventy-four..." and he swept past me, grinning from ear to ear, "...seventy-five, seventy-six...". No particular reason he was singing numbers while skiing. Just being himself, enjoying life. Happy 7 years old, Lukie-Lou!

Bay Sunset

I had a lot of missed photo opportunities today. In the late afternoon, for example, the setting sun cast a surreal glow over downtown Bellingham, the water, and Mt. Baker in the distance. And at that moment, a train headed up by a gorgeous BNSF engine came around the corner. It would have made a perfect picture, but I didn't capture it. Ah, well. I cherish the mental image. And instead, I offer this imperfect-yet-still-pleasant, post-sunset shot, which I took while running. The world looks at such peace here, doesn't it?

Words Unspoken

Friday found us brunching at Old Town Cafe, a favorite spot of ours in Bellingham We shared a table with Sam, originally from Belfast. We don't know him per se, but met him last May while biking a nearby island and happened to see him again at Old Town. I love small world, chance meetings like this!
We spent the afternoon at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Luke's choice for a birthday outing. It's a lovely environment and I enjoy seeing the boys' enthusiasm. I'm not very keen on zoos, though, so I didn't take many photos there. We had dinner on Capitol Hill, an eclectic Seattle neighborhood where I lived for a bit.

Daily devotional

Morning...

...and evening

Man & men

Hans and Kai Soren

Jan Christian

Rafe Bastien and Luke Stefan

Per Marten

Hats Off...the Sequel

Behold, the prodigal hat, displayed here on a dormant dogwood tree in our yard. A glance around the crime scene today led to its recovery. It was bedraggled but none the worse for the wear. No marks from beaks or talons or anything of the sort. Yesterday's mysterious experience will likely never be resolved. Call it Divine intervention.

And here, my self-portrait of the month, taken in the library bathroom after a 7 mile run. Do yourself a favor and don't enlarge this photo. ;-)

Hats Off

My (not so) new running hat, by default. The one I usually wear was mysteriously stolen off my head in mid-stride this evening. I'd no sooner contemplated the loneliness of a dark, wooded stretch ahead on the path, than I felt a quick but decisive grab on my head...and my hat was gone. Not a sound. Not a movement. An odd and instantaneous act. Disconcerted, I returned to the comforts of home and the good life.

All Creatures Great and Small

From late fall through spring, eagles perch above the salmon-rich Nooksack River that runs along our property. Today we counted a dozen or so on the short drive home from church, including this immature eagle just outside our house.




I traipsed about in the dark tonight, searching for this doe-eyed beauty who had scrambled out of her pen. She narrowly escaped being hit by a car before finding her way back to the barn for a bottle of warm milk.

Feel Good Work

Few things are as therapeutic as pegging out clothes in the crisp, fresh air. Laundry done and house clean, I enjoyed a run ~ avoiding the lingering snow and ice. The boys and I then gathered groceries and had a bite to eat at the Community Food Co-op. Excursions there are sheer pleasure.

Contrasts

Two extra Friday photos. As evening came on, the fog rolled in and enveloped the farm. I stepped outside to take a photo and the air was heavy, cold, and damp. I happily returned in to a cozy fire, hot tea, and warm toddler hands.

Home Art

A San Juan Island scene, a triptych by local photographer Mark Bergsma, hangs over our bed.
This shelf hangs next to my side of the bed. The print in the middle is a piece titled "Joyous Motherhood" by Canadian native artist Cecil Youngfox. I bought it at a gallery on Vancouver Island during my fourth pregnancy.
"Roadside Flowers", by Lopez Island artist Christine Malay, hangs in our front living room. Lopez is my favorite island in the San Juan archipelago; it's reminiscent of the island I lived on as a little girl.
These two etchings capture the village in the German Black Forest where my mother was born. They're also in the front living room, above the piano.
This scene from the Columbia River gorge is another photographic triptych by Mark Bergsma. It hangs over the front living room fireplace. I wasn't able to capture this one very well, and the unfortunate wood paneling didn't make it any easier. It's a beautiful photo, though.

The Witching Hour

When the witching hour arrives...


...I can always rely on a good friend.

Frozen Footsteps

As evidenced by the condition of the park trail, my runners weren't put to the test today. Next to the creek, though, magnolia buds hold the promise of spring...

Out & About

This morning while we were studying we perceived an unusual lack of toddler noise. A certain someone (who, by the way, does own other shirts) had donned boots and a hat and taken himself outside. He was mucking about in the snow, pleading to join Hans in the barnyard.
His angelic face belies his reaction when I promptly returned him to the house.
The remainder of our day was spent at the library, which is central to nearly all our activities.
Doesn't this look inviting?
I love how intent Rafe and Kai look here, listening to Per read aloud.

Favorite Things

None of the pictures I took today were particularly worthwhile. After we came home from my parents' and the rest of the family was asleep, I enjoyed two of my favorite things: the Sunday New York Times and our constant heat source.

Sunday at Oma's and Opa's

We visited my parents this weekend. One of the moments I most enjoyed was watching "Oma" introduce my little ones to the art of crocheting. Above, with 4 year old Rafe...
...and here with Luke, soon to turn 7.
We spent some time talking about my mother's village of Schiltach, in the German Schwarzwald (Black Forest). I'm fairly pleased with the clarity of these pictures, considering they're photos of photos. My mother's grandparents' home is pictured in both of these.

Fresh Air

Hans and the boys were involved with a chess tournament and indoor soccer today, while I took care of business at home. In the late afternoon I walked our "back forty" along the river. I wasn't the only one in the neighborhood, as evidenced by the coyote prints.


The old pear tree, perched at water's edge, finally succumbed to winter's battering winds. Oh, for that sweet, delectable fruit!