Category Archives: Family

Fishing

Our Colville kids went fishing recently.

It was an epic fishing day for JJ. He caught the first fish of the day.

He also caught the largest fish of the day!

Addy enjoys the fishing part but not the slimy fish part.

Last Wednesday the boat was launched in the lake for a cooling off outing. A beautiful time on the water.

When Gramps and I went over for an amazing lamb gyro meal with homemade pita, gyro lamb meat, and tzatziki, JJ was excited to tell me he swam off the boat in the lake and showed me how far he swam. The lamb that we enjoyed was from the lamb butchering that Gramps helped with last week.

Addy and JJ made dessert for our meal and even hand picked all the raspberries. It was delicous!

Quote of the night from JJ; “Everything is better home made!”

We are hard at work here at our country bungalow getting ready for a garage sale on Friday and Saturday. We still have a lot to do before Friday. I keep finding more things to add to the piles. If I’m scarce on my visits you’ll know I’m busy in the shop pricing items to sell!

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue!

And…three cheers for our kids who share their photos with us! From Colville, Bothell and Lynnwood everyone had their version of celebrating Independence Day. God bless America.

My heart is heavy because of the tragedy from the Guadalupe River surge in Texas. I can’t imagine the pain and grief so many are going through. I’m sure many of you are feeling the same way. Prayers continue…

Baby Shower Tea

Welcome to Tea Time 2025. These posts will be about Tea Rooms we’ve been to, Teas we’ve given for friends and family, Church Tea events, and High Tea in restaurants from 2008 to the present. Tea in the U.S.A., Tea in England and Tea in Canada. Many of the Tea Rooms are no longer in business, which is sad.

This Baby Shower Tea for Michelle was posted on August 26th 2009.

For Tablescape Thursday this week I’m sharing my photos from a shower we had for my niece Michelle this past Sunday. Her and Ryan’s baby girl is due in September. We worked around a pink and brown tea theme.

 

Our Guest of Honor Michelle. This will be Ryan and Michelle’s 2nd. They have a boy already who is looking forward to meeting his little sister…

The Shower Organizers, Flower Arrangers, Sandwich Makers, and Decorators.

3 generations, my niece Michelle, my mom, and my sister Kathy.

My mom with all her daughters. She has 4 sons, too!

The granddaughters with my mom. 4 granddaughters are missing in this photo including my daughter and DIL.

My niece Michelle flanked by all her Aunties on her mom’s side of the family.

Hello Summer Views and News

We’ve had a mix of blue skies and rain showers for the beginning of summer. It has been a banner year for our clematis varieties.

The yellow day lilies are always the first of the lilies to bloom.

Addy and JJ had fun at Golf Camp. We visited the camp on Wednesday held at the Chewelah Golf and Country Club.

On Thursday they were able to play nine holes of golf.

On the other side of the mountains, the Seattle Sounders had tournament games with international teams and Josh and Laura were able to attend.

Our kids had uninvited visitors on their mountain. The farmer/rancher was called to lead this girl back home…but she must have told her friends that the grass was greener here because later in the day this crew arrived. There are fencing repairs needed by the owner of these cows.

We finally decided to give this Mexican restaurant a try since the ownership and management changed. We gave it a thumbs up. For our small town with limited restaurants it’s interesting that we have three Mexican Restaurants.

We are still enjoying the many shades of green with pops of color on our property.

We had some rain on Saturday and on Sunday in the late afternoon we had thunderstorms and a real good soak.

This Monday morning would be a great time to do some weeding since the soil is very wet and softer than usual.

Quote of the week:

“Never start with your problems. Never! Never start with earth; never start with men. Always start in heaven; always start with God.”
(Martin Lloyd-Jones, Seeking the Face of God: Nine Reflections on the Psalms)
Psalm 71:1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge…

Out in the Country

These sunny Spring days we’ve been getting some outdoor work done. Weeds are a never ending job. Watering has been simplified with oscillating sprinklers. Watering will also be easier with the projects below completed.

Our two water hydrants have been out of commission for some time. After a lot of researching on replacing them and what replacement parts would work the best for us, it was time to dig the holes. Once the connection under the frostline was uncovered and examined, more parts were bought. Hats off to Greg for researching and completing these projects and thanks to Dan for helping him on the first hole and for the use of his pick-up for the stones needed for the projects.

Now we have easy water access with both working hydrants.

After the second hydrant was secured in place on Saturday, we had a good diversion driving north about 8 miles to the Kettle Falls Town and Country Days. Addy’s dance troupe were to perform on stage at 1:15. We were fortunate to score some front row seats on bleachers to watch the performance.

It is such a treat to be able to see Addy dance along with her fellow dancers! On Saturday we got into the 90’s so the dancers had to make sure they stayed hydrated.

To finish off the busy Saturday of work, digging, installing, dancing, and staying hydrated in ninety degree weather, our son’s family picked up some sheep and soon there will be some lamb grilling on their mountain. I’m sure they’ll share some packages of lamb with us, too. They aren’t naming them and the time will be short before it’s judgement day so they won’t be missed as pets.

In other country news from the state of Wyoming…

…we enjoyed seeing our oldest taking advantage of his beautiful surroundings while on a business trip to Jackson Hole. Those Tetons make an awesome backdrop!

Last week after I mowed our acreage, our mower gave up the ghost. Our new riding lawnmower is arriving today. Hopefully it will come first thing so I can mow.

When I was weeding last week I found a tick on the back base of my hairline. I was able to get it off and kill it before it bit me or dug into my body. Ugh! That was the very first one I’ve experienced since moving here in 2018!

We still have to get our mosquito abatement system going. Yikes, they are bad this year! We have our other flying pest traps that need to be set out, too.  What sort of flying pests do you have to fight off?

Choo Choo Train Hodgepodge

Our second born, Dan, enjoying his Choo Choo Train engine at his 3rd birthday celebration.

It’s time my friend for another Hodgepodge thanks to Joyce From this Side of the Pond.

1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions?

We always tried to have a special celebration for each of our children on their birthdays. Their first birthday was an extended family and friend event with lots of adults and kids. As the years progressed birthdays morphed. After having the inspiration to have a Choo Choo train cake for Dan’s 3rd birthday, it became a special tradition for him.

The photo above is from his 5th birthday celebration.

From Dan’s 19th birthday celebration.

When Dan met Jamie and before they were married, she made him a Choo Choo Train cake for one of his birthdays. This next cake was her idea, too, at his 40th birthday celebration in Arizona.

Dan’s 40th birthday Pokeman choo choo train cake.

What about birthdays growing up? 

Birthdays were celebrated growing up but they were not the over the top brand of today. Simple cake and ice cream. Sometimes there was a gift and sometimes there was not a gift. One unique thing my parents did for my older sisters and me was to buy us a special birthstone ring for our 16th birthday.

2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses…what color are you hoping for?

I enjoy roses with subtle color, not the bold reds or yellows. You don’t have to send me roses but do bring a bouquet from your garden, please.

 Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses? Is your accuser correct? Elaborate. 

I would say that I lean toward black and white, not rose colored. I’m more of a realist and less of a poet. Saying that, I do choose joy and am filled with hope for a future in heaven that far exceeds anything on this earth. I will be upbeat and have a smile on my face in many circumstances of life.

3. June 4th is National Cheese Day…will you celebrate? What’s something (besides a burger) you make in the summer months that calls for cheese? 

There is nothing specific that calls for cheese but we’ll add cheese to egg scrambles, burritos, tacos, and some salads.

Summer reminds me of Bible Camp and Bible Camp reminds me of the classic grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup!

4. ’tis the season…any weddings on your June calendar?

No June weddings on our calendar.

What’s the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? 

It was a jumble of words because of our current climate where the marriage covenant has been so mistreated and undermined and attacked. It’s not a surprise since marriage was ordained by God and the model is His model. The original is the standard, a man and a woman, leaving mother and father, becoming one in marriage. I believe in the Word of God, the Bible, and what it has to say about marriage.

Mark 10:6-9

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.

This is a great month to celebrate and affirm marriage as God intended. Marriage reflects Christ and His Bride, the church.

Ephesians 5:31-33 ~Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

5. What are you most looking forward to this June? 

Having our epic garage sale behind us. The dates for this sale keep shifting but we hope to get it accomplished by July!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The above photo is from a Happy Birthday meal on the Westside for Greg in 2024 just before we flew to Scotland for more celebrations.

From September of 2024 through April of 2025, we celebrated all 10 of our ‘family’ birthdays.

We sing, we blow out candles, we eat cake or pie, we gift, and most of all we love and affirm one another on birthdays and other days, too.

“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”

May Catch-Ups…

Looking back to Mother’s Day weekend and Addy’s dance recital with the Great Potato play. She had the part of one of the leprechauns. None of us got good photos of her in costume but her mama saved the day after the fact. The costume was pulled out of storage at the dance studio and Addy played the part in the still photos!

Thank you, Jamie and Addy, for filling in the gaps.

Towards the end of the month Addy and JJ attended a Shakespeare in the park event.

Throughout the month of May several deer came through our acreage looking for tasty nibbles of this and that. When they start nibbling on the clematis, I shoo them away.

June has started sunny and warm on the Westside of our state and on our side of the state, too. Josh and Laura, loyal fans at the Sunday afternoon Sounders Soccer game.

Our Colville ‘kids’ working hard in the garden and in the background you’ll see the lawn being mowed all on the first day of June 2025.

I tried to catch the aurora borealis on Sunday night but it wasn’t the right time. If I would have stayed up till 2am on Monday I might have seen some better color but I was fast asleep while the lights danced in the sky.

Gathering the Long Weekend

The Long Memorial Day weekend gathered many of our family together in different environments in person and with the help of media. We enjoyed seeing loved ones near and far enjoying each other and growing together. Relationships grow intentionally with the help of God. We love each other, correct each other, sharpen each other, forgive each other and encourage each other. God builds these relationships on the foundation of His saving grace and His forgiveness. Because He has forgiven us much we can forgive and love others.

Some snapshots from Arizona where cousins got together for their annual Memorial Day Weekend in Surprise.

Our son Dan gifted Jamie with the weekend away while he stayed home and was Mister Mom. Our DIL’s enjoyed lots of ‘girl’ time with our nieces from California and Arizona.

Our oldest son and some of our nephews from California and Arizona had their annual golf tournament and for the first time it ended in a tie!

The cousins, original and by marriage! These are our kids, my sister Vera’s and my sister Kathy’s.

On Saturday our son Dan came over with Addy and JJ for fun and dinner with Baba and Gramps.

There was an inspection of the hole dug for the new hydrant.

A vehicle got washed and a couple kids got soaked.

Big Wheels were brought out of storage.

This year all the effort to get those wheels moving were up to Addy and JJ. We did not have to give them a push or carry the Big Wheels up to the top of the walkway.

There was a lot of exploring on our acreage.

Some searching of unsuspecting bugs commenced.

They know to not disturb the Bumble Bees.

After all this outside fun we all came in and enjoyed a crock pot roast beef dinner with mashed potatoes, carrots and broccoli, more conversation, reading a story book and time to head home for bed. We are proud of our son for giving his dear wife the gift of a much deserved break from her constant excellent mothering.  He is a great hands on dad to Addy and JJ.

Our daughter and her hubby enjoyed some outside time on the weekend, too. We love seeing their smiling faces and that beautiful rhododendron in their front yard.

We were blessed with amazing weather over the Memorial Day Weekend. That is something we do not take for granted here in the Pacific Northwest!

On Sunday after church we took an hour long drive to Curlew Lake State Park to enjoy some time with several families from our church who were camping together. We had some long conversations, enjoyed dinner together and then headed back home. We crossed the beautiful Columbia River at Lake Roosevelt going and coming back home.

On Monday, Memorial Day we had some rain and thunder in the morning and I thought I’d have to move my mowing to Tuesday but the sun broke through and dried things up enough for my weekly mow. I’m happy for God to water my Spring planters! Our deep red peonies are the first to pop here so I’ll show them sometime soon.

Tea ~ Three Cups of Tea

Welcome to Tea Time 2025. These posts will be about Tea Rooms we’ve been to, Teas we’ve given for friends and family, Church Tea events, and High Tea in restaurants from 2008 to the present. Tea in the U.S.A., Tea in England and Tea in Canada. Many of the Tea Rooms are no longer in business, which is sad.

This post is from December 6th of 2009.

The girls in my extended family have started a Black Friday tradition of shopping at Goodwill and then going to Tea. We were so happy to find this relatively new Tea Room in Bothell, Washington. Three Cups of Tea has a well rounded combination of great teas, really good food, and a wonderful ambiance. We would all highly recommend it!! Lea Miller, the “Tea-preneur” has the perfect personality to run this Tea Room.

There is a main eating room with gift items displayed all around in great cabinets and then there are two specialty rooms divided from the main area.

The back of the business card reads;

First cup of tea as a guest

Second cup of tea as a friend

Third cup of tea as family

This is the Alice in Wonderland room. So delightful. We took our tea in the more formal room with the fireplace and it was lovely.

Letty, Katie, Katy K, Me, Lana, Grandma Wilma, Pat and Laura.

This was close to Laura’s birthday so it’s fun to honor her.

The ladies with their tea. That’s my sister Lana in the center photo. She treated us all on this day. She is so generous. Thank you Lana!

We were all happy with our food choices. Everything was excellent. Our tea included fresh scones with clotted cream, jam, and lemon curd, Soup and 1/2 Sandwich of our choice, and a dessert. Most of us had to take our dessert home.

Three Cups of Tea is worth a visit. You can pop in for breakfast, quick lunch or plan a more formal get-together. We’ll be back!

Thank you Lea for treating us like family. We appreciated you and your great staff!

We had a second visit to this tea room with a smaller group on Black Friday 2010

Again we were close to Laura’s birthday and it is always fun to enjoy something special with her.

We enjoyed this tea room twice and I think Laura and her mom visited another time, too. It is no longer in business.

A Proverb a Day…

Here comes Memorial Day Weekend!

Time for Wednesday Hodgepodge with fresh questions from Joyce this week.

1. May 20th is World Bee Day…what’s something that’s kept you ‘busy as a bee’ lately? 

I see weeds everywhere. I should be busy weeding.

2. Do you like honey? What’s something you make or enjoy that calls for honey? 

My favorite honey treat is Peanut Butter and Honey and I like that combo on toast.

3. “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Proverbs 16:24

What’s a proverb you love, or one that speaks to you or has helped you in some way? 

There were seasons of my life where I read through Proverbs in the Bible each day. There are 31 chapters of Proverbs and I’d read a chapter that corresponded with the day. There are those months without 31 days but that was okay. I think I’ll add that extra reading along with my scheduled reading through the Bible for the rest of this year. There are so many underlined verses from Proverbs in my Bibles.

How shall I narrow down my choices? Hodgepodge falls on the 21st of May. I will choose a verse from chapter 21 in the Book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 21:23 (NIV)

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.”

Same verse in the ESV,

“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”

Another one from Chapter 21…

Proverbs 21:30

“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.”

The Bible is full of Proverbs, a whole book in fact, if that helps with your answer. The word proverb is defined as ‘a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice’. 

4. Tell us about a ‘sweet’ moment in your life recently that filled you with joy, gratitude, or peace. 

So many moments of feeling grateful for the peace of God in our relationship with our kids.

I’m also grateful to God that I can have the joy of sitting with our grandchildren each Sunday at church worshipping our great God together.

5. When you were a child, what did you want to ‘be’ when you grew up? How close did you come to that? 

img449

When I was a child I played school and wanted to be a teacher. I did get a teaching credential and I taught elementary school for a few years until we had our first child. I homeschooled our daughter for her 4th-6th grade years. Later when our kids were in junior high and high school I did some substitute teaching.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

Proverbs 8:34-36

“Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”