Sorry to See Spring Go Hodgepodge

Last week it was time for the white peonies. This week it is time for the pink peonies and they are my favorites!

Wednesday Hodgepodge with thanks to Jo From This Side of the Pond.

1. Summer officially begins this week (in the northern hemisphere)…what was your favorite thing to do in the summer when you were a kid?

We grew up in Southern California so a favorite was going to the beach. Newport Beach in California was where extended family gathered. I remember scouring the beach for soda bottles and turning them in for the deposit at a store and buying a treat, ice cream or a candy bar.

What do you like most about summer now?

Visits from family. Watching the Grands at their summer sports.

First golf, then swimming and lastly soccer.

2. Something you’ll celebrate this summer?

The 4th of July is the traditional day we celebrate in the summer. I love to pull out my bins filled with red, white and blue decor starting in June.

3. Summer tastes like? Smells like? Sounds like?

Taste~Watermelon

Smell~Lavender

Sounds~Mosquitoes buzzing around my head

4. June 18th is National Splurge Day…what’s the last thing you splurged on?

My old riding mower died and we bought this new beauty.

What might you splurge on today?

Not today but tomorrow I’m splurging on a massage.

5. Share a favorite summer quote, saying, song lyric, or meme.

When I was younger it would be ‘Schools out for the summer’.

These days it will be ‘Where’s the shade?’

6. Insert your own random thought here.

By next week the Peonies will have wilted away so here are some more for today.

Thank you for visiting today!

Pend Oreille County Part 2

We were so surprised at the lack of vehicles and people on our little road trip to our neighboring county. We took this drive on Thursday June 12th, 2025. After our breakfast and shopping in Metaline Falls we continued North on Highway 31.

It didn’t take us long to get to our next stop. We took a left turn off of Highway 31 onto National Development Road 3165, also called East Side Road. Crescent Lake was a good marker for the road and guaranteed you couldn’t miss it.

It was a short drive to the parking area for Boundary Dam Vista House. Again we were pleasantly surprised with the nice restroom facilities and parking and well maintained trail to an overlook.

There was an indoor viewing house with windows all around and some great information posted. We were surprised to learn that Seattle City Light owns and operates the dam that is 390 miles from the city of Seattle. What surprised us even more is the fact that the electrical current leaves Boundary Powerhouse crosses Washington State and reaches Seattle IN LESS THAN A SECOND!

We took some photos of the dam from the Vista House before we walked the 750 steps to an outdoor overlook.

Looking north towards Canada.

This was another sign inside the Vista House. I’m glad we planned and left the house instead of just wishing on this day. One more display caught our eye. It was hard to photo with the glare but I took it anyway.

Great information and nice historical tribute.

Looking south…

We exited the Vista House that we had all to ourselves and started our 750 foot walk to the outdoor overlook.

Looking South on the Pend Oreille River.

Looking North to Canada.

Back up the 750 Feet to the parking lot. We enjoyed a few wildflowers.

We were inspired to take this trip because of the next photos our son sent when he had to work out in this area for several hours. His photos were taken in May with different cloud cover.

I’m saving our next stop for another post.

Thanks for coming along.

A Seasoned Hodgepodge

I’m adding some blooms to sweeten things up.

Welcome back to another Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Jo From This Side of the Pond.

1. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper what herb or spice container do you reach for most often?

We like Lawry’s Seasoned salt.

Is there a spice you truly dislike? No

What’s a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper?

Chili calls for chili powder and cumin and we use those spices often.

2. It’s been said ‘variety is the spice of life’…in what way is this true for you? Elaborate.

I enjoy variety but there is a lot to say for the good ole familiar and a regular schedule, too.

3. What’s something in your life that adds ‘spice’ (excitement, intensity) even if also comes with challenge or unpredictability?

Traveling adds lots of spice.

Grandchildren have added so much spice to our lives. It’s a joy to be able to see them at each new stage of life. It’s a challenge to keep up the older we get.

Some of the spice we enjoy right now is watching Addy with her Irish dance troupe.

And we love to see JJ with his new skills at Taekwondo.

4. If you could instantly master one skill or hobby, what would it be and why?

It would be amazing to be able to master playing piano with the ability to read music instantly.

5. We’re halfway through the year…what’s one book, movie, or activity you’ve loved this year that you’d recommend to others?

We’ve enjoyed some series on Britbox and Acorn like Ludwig, Death Valley, Harry Wild, Mr. & Mrs. Murder, The Brokenwood Mysteries and our fallback, Midsomer Murders.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Right now on our property the white and pink peonies are blooming and I’m having a hard time keeping up with them. It’s a wonderful problem to have.

I love the white but the pink are my favorite.

Hope to get around soon to see your spicy posts!

Hello June…

…and a look back at May blooms.

The Red Peonies are at full bloom and we are still waiting on the white and pink to open up.

My camera does not get the true color of this clematis.

A bumble bee was enjoying this columbine.

We are enjoying the variety of color on our property right now.

Our weekend was a bit of this and that, weeding, watering, and organizing some shelves in the Garage. On Saturday we had our cars washed by the teens from church who are raising money for camp. After church on Sunday we made an impromptu trip to Spokane for a meal and some shopping.

We’re welcoming June here with sunshine and warm temperatures.

Brain Fog Hodgepodge

And just like that May is coming to a close.

Another week, another Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce!

1. What’s your favorite room in your house and why?

I’m not sure I have a favorite. There are favorite things I enjoy in most rooms of our home. The dining room is special with great times sitting around the table enjoying food, conversation with loved ones and it’s where we play games!

2. What’s something that will instantly annoy you?

Eeeeek, be sure your sins will find you out. People who have to be the center of a conversation and one uping you. Sally is telling us about her recent trip to Paris and Lucy hijacks the conversation and tells us how she’s been there and knows all about it cutting off Sally and Sally’s sharing with an extended account of her own experiences in Paris.

I want to guard against this kind of behavior in myself and focus more on others and what they have to say. I’m sure I’ve been guilty a million times of trying to make it all about me!

BTW: I’ve never been to Paris…LOL.

~
3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day…will you celebrate? Maybe

How do you like yours? With a bun that holds together and added lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mustard and ketchup. Grilled onions are a treat.

If you’re not cooking at home is there a favorite place you like to go for a burger? No where in our town but we do enjoy burgers at The Masters Brewery in Deer Park. A favorite when we lived in California was In- N-Out.

Did you ever work in a fast food restaurant? I never did.

4. What are three scents you like?

I enjoy lemon scents, lavender and lilac.

Speaking of scents, I bought this beautiful bouquet of flowers from the Farmer’s Market in Chewelah this past Friday.

5. What do you miss most about being a kid?

I miss the clear and bright brain of my youth.

At my age it’s hard to find the words I need to complete a thought or a sentence. I call it brain fog. I miss the fresh productive brain of childhood!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I should have said that what really annoys me is to finish a puzzle and discover there is a piece missing. My latest puzzle did not have a piece missing, it had an extra piece! That has never happened to me before!

Enjoy the handful of days left in the Merry Month of May!

A Foray into the Hodgepodge

We have daffodils in two different areas in our yard. These burst open later than the ones I showed before. It’s always a surprise and joy to see them pop up and open their heads without any effort on my part.

Thank you to Joyce for coming up with the Wednesday Hodgepodge questions each week!

1. The Hodgepodge lands on National Picnic Day…will you celebrate? Do you enjoy picnics? Dining out of doors picnic or otherwise? What are three or four things I’d find in your picnic basket?

Typically, I am not a fan of picnics or dining outside. The temp and bug situation has to be just right for outside eating. I do like to picnic inside. Avocado, salami, baguette, pickled vegetables would be in my picnic basket.

2. A time recently where you felt ‘antsy’?

Sometimes when I wake in the night and can’t get back to sleep I can get antsy.

3. As the saying goes…’when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’ Do you like lemonade?

I do enjoy lemonade.

When did you recently need to make lemonade out of lemons, figuratively speaking?

My meal planning and execution can fall into this saying. Making a meal out of limited supplies because I didn’t plan ahead.

4. Recently five ‘celebrities’ made a brief (ll minute) foray into space aboard Jeff Bezos Blue Origin rocket. Did you hear about this? Your thoughts? If money were no object is this something you’d like to do someday?

We know someone who works for this company. I should have asked him what he thought of this foray. I did hear about it. I would never want to do it. Their little foray was dabbling, more of a stunt.

5. Favorite thing about the ‘space’ you’re sitting in right now?

I’m sitting in my morning space. The space I have my coffee and start the day with my Bible reading and devotional reading. My notebook is open and ready for any thing I feel like documenting. Then I transition into reading emails and blogs. I love the space because I can see part of our yard and the mountains in the distance and our books are all around me. The other thing that is close by are the recent artwork our Grands have created and photos of loved ones as prayer prompts.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

For April I’m challenging myself to an A-Z photo a day excluding Sundays and in addition to any regular posts that come to be.

Today is Wednesday April 23rd and we are on the letter T.

T is for Tea as in going out to a tearoom or friend’s home to enjoy tea or having high tea in the United Kingdom.

I have been fortunate to be able to enjoy some very nice ‘high teas’ and ‘tea times’. I’m going to have to do a separate post for my tea focus besides this shout out to the challenge here.

The lovely tea above was at the home of Lovella with most of the Mennonite Girls Can Cook several years ago.

R is for…

For April I’m challenging myself to an A-Z photo a day excluding Sundays and in addition to any regular posts that come to be.

Today is Monday April 21st and we are on the letter R.

R is for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, our Risen Savior!

Our greater family and friends were celebrating Easter from Washington State, California, Texas, Utah, New York and North Carolina. We had such joyous, meaningful, epic celebrations in our church gatherings and in our homes.

There will be a ridiculous amount of photos to document Easter 2025.

I’m starting with First Baptist Colville and our Colville Kids. Our Pastor’s Easter sermon was exceptional, focusing on why the Resurrection is the keystone of Christianity. God is good. The whole service was wonderful.

We were in charge of our continental breakfast between the first and second service on Easter Day.

Canyon Hills in Bothell, Josh and Laura’s church, had an epic service renting Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett so their very large congregation would be able to worship together instead of having many services.

Laura’s family gathered at Josh and Laura’s for their Easter Meal.

We gathered at Dan and Jamie’s after our church services for our meal and for the Easter Egg Hunt!

JJ and Addy posed as bunnies.

We were able to dodge the rain showers for the hunt.

Our Texas Family attended services at Watermark Church and had their Easter meal of Shashlik (Lamb Shish-kebab) and other goodies at our sister’s home.

Lana got creative and formed her Kulich/Paska (Easter Bread) into a tomb with the stone rolled away.

One of the California gatherings with the more traditional Kulich/Paska (Russian Easter Bread) and the Seernaya Paska (sweet cheese spread).

I ~~stole~~ borrowed some of these photos off of the family texts. It was a full day of Rejoicing!

Today, Easter Monday, will be a rest and recuperation day for me.

O is for…

For April I’m challenging myself to an A-Z photo a day excluding Sundays and in addition to any regular posts that come to be.

Today is Thursday April 17th and the letter is O. I’m manipulating this one since it is Easter Week.

O is for Old and Older photos of Easter celebrations.

Easter in the 50’s at 4635 Oak Street in Pico Rivera.

Joshua’s first Easter in 1979 in Huntington Beach, California.

Easter on Arroyo Drive at Dzedushka’s and Babushka’s in the early 80’s.

Easter in Ventura 1986.

Easter in Yorba Linda, 1987.

Ventura 1987.

Easter in Yorba Linda, 1988.

Easter in Bothell 1989ish

All the rest of these photos are from Easters in Kenmore after 2001.

Our Russian greeting at Easter; Christ is Risen, Truly He is Risen.

Russian Easter Bread that we call Kulich and our Mennonite Friends call Paska.

2010

Sweet Cheese Spread for the Kulich/Paska that we call Seernaya Paska.

2011

2012

2013

The year we were in Italy just before Easter we brought home the Italian version of Easter Panettone from Milan for our Easter treat. We didn’t bake our traditional Easter bread that year.

2014 was another Panettone Easter.

2015

We baked Kulich in 2015!

Easter preparation day in 2016.

2016 was the daffodil year.

It was also our first year with our newest daughter-in-law.

Easter celebrations are a priority in our heritage and in our present lives.

The Resurrection we celebrate at Easter is the climax of the story of Redemption God planned throughout all of history. We worship and serve a risen Savior in whom we have redemption. He provided the sacrifice we needed for our sins to be forgiven. Because of that forgiveness, we can live a new life in Him with hope for our future.

Colossians 1:13-14

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Today on this year’s calendar and in Easter week we think about the Last Supper and Jesus Christ’s humility in washing His Disciples Feet. We also consider His instruction and encouragement to His Disciples on this night for what was about to happen.

God bless you with a heart to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved!

Purple Bliss Hodgepodge

It’s time for Wednesday Hodgepodge and Jo has the questions for us to consider.

1. What’s a lesson you’ve learned from a mistake?

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. I’ve made this mistake more than once. I hope I’m learning more and more to get to know a person before I give them a wrong label in my head. Talking to and getting to know someone is a better approach.

2. Do you salt food while you’re cooking or let diners add their own? What’s a food you think must be salted? Do you like pepper?

I do season food as I’m cooking. Avocado tastes best to me salted. Yes, I do like pepper, too.

3. What was the last gathering you attended and what did you do there?

I’m answering these questions on Sunday. We attended church this morning. On this particular Sunday Greg and I were serving by greeting all those who came through the door for the early service. We have other ‘greeter’ responsibilities during the service. Before Sunday School we switch off with the second service greeters and we are free to attend the adult fellowship hour. During the fellowship hour we learned and discussed one of the attributes of God, Everlasting.

4. Your favorite shade of purple?

I enjoy every shade of purple and every purple flower.

What’s your favorite purple flower?

One of my favorites is purple wisteria. The photos above were taken at the Japanese Gardens in Seattle. Other favorites are lilac, clematis and hydrangeas and of course lavender.

5. Share a favorite spring travel memory.

In April of 2004 we took our daughter on a trip to England and Scotland for her graduation gift. It was a wonderful trip and a favorite to remember. We traveled to sites with history of her literary favorites like Tolkien, Lewis, Austen, Rowling, and we threw in a little Monty Python, too. We stayed in Cheltenham, Sheffield, York, Edinburgh and London venturing out to take in nearby cities and sites.

A field of daffodils on the grounds of Chatsworth House ( Pride and Prejudice Pemberley)

Clip clopping with coconuts at Castle Doune with Monty Python.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Speaking of purple, we have 3 graduates in our family from the University of Washington, Greg, Katie and Andrew. Primary Purple and gold are the school colors. Little did Katie know in this photo that she’d graduate from the same University as her father and then her husband, too.