Swiss Socks

Newly Knighted

The Season

My So-Called Life

Isn't this a lovely cake I made? I certainly think so. That's why I chose to share a photo of it here, on the world wide web. I want to inspire others. Regardless of what you may perceive to be your failings in the kitchen, you just may be able to duplicate my work of art. Or maybe not. It takes great effort. Ask me how I know.
In addition to my finesse in the kitchen, I'm also a calendar girl. See me? I'm that little, non-bovine speck.
Speaking of bovines, this one is so hungry, she's going after my son. Perhaps I should offer her some of my cake?

One Decade

December 18, 1997 brought crisp air, clear skies, and the gift of a second son to our family. Like most of my boys, he didn't arrive when expected, or as expected. As Hans and I drove to the hospital, I wondered aloud whether I could possibly love another child as much as I did our first. Wondered, too, what we'd name this new soul. He started out as Mats and became Per at a mere two hours old when the recovery room nurses sounded less than enthusiastic about my first choice. Per Marten has blessed our lives for ten years now. He reveled in birthday gifts that appealed to his passion: goalie Jersey, goalie pants, and a FC Barcelona ball.
I love this photo, taken in August, because it so perfectly captures Per's nature.

St. Lucia Day

For no particular reason, I like to get our Christmas tree on St. Lucia Day (December 13). This is one of my favorite parts of the Advent season. We always cut a Fraser fir at River's Edge tree farm, nestled in the Mt. Baker foothills. It was a very cold, very rainy day this year ~ ideal Pacific Northwest conditions.

Jan cuts down the Chosen One.

Loading up as dusk falls.

Simple pleasures are the best.

Licking the Spoon

"Helping" bake, to Kai's mind, consists primarily of donning a Curious George apron and licking the spoon. Ah, the joy of being 3 years old!

Sinterklaas

St. Nicholas Day ~ December 6

Lighted Christmas Parade

Watching the lighted Christmas parade is one of my favorite traditions. This year the cold temp and high wind made for frigid viewing, but knowing chocolate cream pie and hot chocolate were waiting in the wings made it bearable.

Fairhaven Frosty

The Fairhaven Frosty is an early December run and it lived up to its name this year. Despite frigid temps, slick roads, and a steady downpour of snow, the guys came out to support Jan (who ran the 5k) and me (10k). We had over half a foot of snow ~ accompanied by severe winds ~ during the weekend. All the white stuff was washed away by Monday afternoon, thanks to a "Pineapple Express" that brought in torrents of rain.