Category Archives: Fun

The Long Weekend ~ Dears Home ~ Washington

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

This has been a weekend filled with hard work, heart to heart talks, revelations, and family togetherness since Dear has been in Washington for the long weekend. My husband whom we call Dear has been working full-time in Southern California since March of 2006. He comes home to Washington on holidays and vacations. We love our home and life in Washington so we’ve been living in a sort of denial that Dear is living full-time in California. I’ve been dividing my time between Washington and California (still the denial issue). This split time brought pain and comfort to myself and Dear. He’s been able to feel through our oneness that he still has input and physical touch through me with his children. The pain comes from our separation from one another and then the pain of separation from my children. Well on May 3, 2007 the Lord told me clearly that this dance between Washington and California needed to come to an end. Starting mid July, I will be living full-time with Dear in Southern California. The Lord clearly impressed on me that He is fully capable of caring for my children when I am absent in body. He has arms long enough to reach and care for them. This weekend we informed our youngest, the daughter (she’s 21 years old) that I would be taking my car, more stuff, and myself to California on July 14th-ish. Our boys and daughter in law were informed earlier. Dear wanted to tell our daughter so she was informed this weekend while her dad was here spending quality time with her. So pray for us in our transition that God would continue to grow us up in Him. Here are some photos of our labor and  love as the weekend begins…

Dear and I started off with the breakfast of champions donuts and eggs before any of the adult children were up. (The bearclaw donut was my whole WW point allowance for sure) Really though, I’m thinking we worked it all off with the big yard to clean up. 🙂 Hoping, hoping…

To the yard that needed some major work… Dear does the weed wacking

and I do the mowing. This is my new mower that goes on with the turn of a key!

We make a fine team.

Next Dear moved on to pressure washing the walkways…

and the deck. Nice to have all the dirt and mold and moss washed away.

After all the hard work was done, Dear, Katie and I went out to eat to the Blu Water Grill in Kirkland. (If you read my sister Lana’s blog, Above the Clouds, you’ll remember the beautiful photos she posted from this restaurant last week).

I tried to duplicate her photos to no avail….

but you can imagine the ambiance.

Katie and Ellen on our way home for a quiet evening, another shot of Lake Washington in Kirkland. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Dear and I leave today to California. I’ll be posting from there through June 23rd. Blessings!

Before and After ~ Daughter’s Room

I decided to bless my daughter by cleaning her room. She is 21, working, going to school and was just in her best friends wedding. Things have gotten away from her (now that’s an understatement). So I put my praise music on and got busy!  Enjoy the before and after photos.

Katie was so thrilled when she came home from school and saw her room. We went out to dinner because mom was too pooped to cook after this transformation. Katie picked up the tab. Katie’s babushka (grandmother) wanted me to let Katie know that she was proud of her for taking me out to dinner. And yes, I got permission to post the pictures from “the daughter”.

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

Beatrix Potter ~ Miss Potter

Katie and I just returned from seeing Miss Potter with our dear friends tonight.

Jan, Katie, Jody, Lucy, and Bridget at the Crest Theater in Seattle. We were all pleased with the film and delighted to have experienced it together. I’m easily enchanted with all things Beatrix Potter and this movie took me back to the land of enchantment for me, Great Britain. This was a fun event to share on Lucy’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Lu

 I started my love of  Beatrix Potter books and figurines when I toured England in a Christian Rock Band (rock band story in future post) in 1973. I bought little figurines as my souvenirs from Britain. I bought the full set of her Peter Rabbit and Friends books. Our first baby room was all about Peter Rabbit and friends.

Some of these figurines were purchased in England. Others were gifts over the years. There are some that might have your name given to them because they remind me of you. Something to ponder. Remember I did say I love these figurines…

I’ve picked up some framed pieces of Beatrix Potter illustrations from Goodwill.

We visited the area around Derwentwater where Beatrix Potter spent time and was inspired for some of her illustrations and stories.

When our kids were young we read to them every night. It did not take Josh long to figure out that The Tale of Pig Robinson was the longest book in this set of 24 books by Beatrix Potter. This was the book he requested many nights in a row for us to read. It’s pretty worn.

The DVD will soon be released (June 19th). It’s already released in Great Britain.  I will be buying it and am looking forward to watching it again with “Dear” in California.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-miss_potter-lake-350.jpg

Of Weddings and Manicures

If I had any male readers I’ll be losing them today. This weekend is a busy one at our house. My daughter Katie is the Maid of Honor in her best friend’s wedding today. We are all a buzz with nails, hair, dresses, toast speeches, schedules, pictures, etc. One thing I’ve found out about myself is that manicures are not for me! I went with Katie for her manicure and she offered to buy me one. OOPS!

Oh sure, my hands and nails look nicer than they usually do, but I don’t know how to behave with a manicure. This is maybe my third ever manicure. I have a tendency to be rough on hands and things. I knicked one of the tips as soon as we walked out of the salon. Now I feel as though I need to sit around like a princess till after the wedding. I’m being held prisoner by my manicured nails. No mowing the lawn, no washing dishes, no scrubbing anything! I guess I’ll just have to wait till Sunday to do the things I normally do. “Dear” is in California so he’s missing all this fun. I wanted him to see my nails before I wipe them out!

Here’s a photo of Katie’s preparation for her part in the wedding. More photos of the beautiful outcome coming soon…(I hope she doesn’t mind that I know I posted this…)  🙂

Katie (the maid of honor) and Heidi (the bride) on their way to the Wedding Rehearsal last night.

Best friends through the ups and downs of their teen years! So different from each other but God brought them together for fellowship with Him and one another.

Praying for a beautiful blessed event today and that the Bride and Groom and Maid of Honor can relax enough to enjoy the celebration!

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

My Human Transporter

I’ve been blogging just long enough now and I’m just relational enough that I wish I could transport myself in 10 seconds flat to:

Prince Edward Island, to take a walk with Kathie and Rinda…

Colorado, to sit on Rosemary’s wrap around porch and have pie and coffee…

Illinois, to see Kim create a bookmark from start to finish…

Pennsylvania, to take a stroll with Pam around her garden and maybe take a motorcycle ride…

Canada, to taste some of Lovella’s homemade bread right out of the oven…

Canada, to have a cup of coffee with Susanne…

Australia, to experience a season opposite my own with Missmellifluous…

England, to check out Bronte country with Sarah…

Small town USA, to Lisa’s to see her 4 boys and go to a Bible Study together…

Midwest, to watch Abigail’s hummingbird’s at her feeders…

Huntington Beach, California, to watch the season finale of American Idol with Lana…

Now wouldn’t that be cool…

Bothell’s Blake Lewis in Final Two!

Update May 24, 2007: Even though Blake did not win the title I think he deserves an award for being a genuine, unique, and unselfish entertainer! Way to shine Blake! You make Bothell, Kenmore and Seattle proud.

So our hometown boy has made it to the Final Two on American Idol. Bothell and Kenmore couldn’t be happier. I think Jordan has an amazing voice and personality but I’m rooting for Blake to win. I think he’s fresh and now, if you know what I mean.

 

 

Here’s one of my daughter’s favorite pins, Bothell For A Day Or A Lifetime.  The sign at the city entrance used to say, “Welcome to Bothell For a Day or a Lifetime”

As you stroll down Main Street Bothell…

 

…You’ll get to Main Street Hair Designers…

 

…Who are ready to give you a “Blake” Haircut! This made Katie laugh out loud and she called me immediately to tell me that this hair salon had this sign in their window!

We’re going to enjoy the fun while it lasts! Please bear with us.

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

Just For Fun

Sarah in Lancashire started me on this funny google search.  You type your First name with the word “needs” after it and see what comes up. My name is Ellen so I typed into the google search, Ellen needs. Here’s what came up. I hope you all get family friendly stuff but there are no guarantees so beware. I’m going to just share 7 with you.

Ellen needs you

Ellen needs a job

Ellen needs a term

Ellen needs glasses

Ellen needs wit

Ellen needs your help to get elected….. and my personal favorite

Ellen needs to continue her dive south!

You can come back and share what comes up for you in comments if you’d like. Hope you get a good laugh out of this exercise!

 

My 100th Post Tag!

 THIS IS MY ONE HUNDRETH POST!

To celebrate my 100th Post I am tagging anyone who is reading this to leave a comment telling me (and some of the blogging world) what is on your nightstand table. No fair cleaning it off before you tell. 🙂 I’ve gone ahead leading the way with bravery by taking an unadulterated photo of my nightstand next to my bed in Washington. (Ok, I did make my bed before I took the picture). My nightstand in California is a lot smaller and less cluttered! Come on now, celebrate with me and leave a comment with your list!

Phone, lotion, portable emergency radio, lip balm, pencil, tv remote, lamp, tissues, alarm clock, Books (Byzantium, Stepping Heavenward, Future Grace, Savoring Christ, Bible), notebook, pen, dust.

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

Happy Mother’s Day

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

Mother

Happy days to you, Best of Mothers, Joy as dear as you give to others, And as much through life that is sweet and true, As my life owes to your love and YOU.

This was the sentiment on a Mother’s Day card from Rex (“Dears” father) to Nettie, Rex’s mother. On the back of the framed card are notes from Nettie about the history around this card.

 

We were staying with grandpa at Wayne City. Came home in March ’41. Rex was inducted in the Army April 9, 1941, was sent to Fort Custer Mich. for training. On mother’s day I went up to spend with Rex. On Dec. 4th he got to come home for 5 months. On May 18, 1942 he was called back to service, on June 20th he sailed for over sea service. On July 19 he landed in Australia, then to New Guinea. He has been gone over a year now. This mother’s day, May 9, 1943 I received a beautiful potted plant, a hydrangea with 12 blossoms on it. I hope and pray before another Mother’s Day Rex will be back with us safe and sound.

Rex made it back safe and sound. We have so many wonderful memories of both Rex and Nettie.  Rex and his mother Nettie died in 1985, Nettie in September and Rex in October.

 Happy Mother’s Day to my own dear mom.

Here she is with the first four of us. Mom, Kathy, me, Fred, and Vera. Fred and Vera have the cool shades on. I was the baby of the family for eight years then my mother and father had four more!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms I love…my sisters, my sisters in law, my friends, my nieces, my cousins, and my blogger friends. Enjoy the love of the Lord today in a special way. “Dear” had these sent to Washington to surprise me for Mother’s Day. What a dear he is…

Josh and Laura treated me to a Saturday afternoon trip to downtown Seattle and then to West Seattle for dinner at Salty’s.

Josh and Laura at Pike Place Market

This street performer was amazing!

Mother and Son

The view from Salty’s looking East to Downtown Seattle

Thanks Laura and Josh for a lovely afternoon and evening!

I’ll be spending Mother’s Day with Dan and Katie. God is good.

Here is a photo of our Mom’s Group at Sunrise. We meet on Tuesdays. I join them when I am in Seattle. It keeps me young to be around these Moms who want to stay close to Jesus and raise their kids in a way that pleases God. Happy Mother’s Day, Ladies!

Deena, Shawna, Sara and Terri. Bridget is missing in this photo, but I nabbed this photo of her with Finn from her blog…

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

The Redwall Cookbook ~ Brian Jacques

If your young readers haven’t been introduced to the Redwall Series by Brian Jacques I recommend these books. I’m an adult who loves reading them. Good animals, evil animals, Redwall Abbey, feasts, adventures, what’s not to enjoy. I received The Redwall Cookbook for Christmas and wanted to share a Spring poem from the book. I’ll probably share a recipe from the book in the future. I thought of Rebecca’s backyard when I read this poem, since just this week all the snow melted away.

Spring

Here’s a secret you don’t know,
’twas a day or two ago
when rain washed winter’s snow away.
I heard two mousewives say,
I think the spring will soon be here,
oh my word, oh joy, oh dear!
The ice upon the pond is gone,
and see that bird, the chirpy one?
I tell you, ’tis no jest,
she’s built herself a nest.
Oh well, I never, gracious me!
Pray, what else do you see?
Why, bluebells, crocus, daffodils,
sprouting up ‘twixt vale and hills,
and grass upon the lea I’ve seen,
like gentle mist of green.
‘Tis not like me to gossip, dear,
but this is what I hear ~
Out in the woods, I tell you true,
I’ve heard the first cuckoo!
Cuckoo he cried, now spring is born,
look forward to each shining morn.
So hurry, ladies ~ haste indoors,
for your spring cleaning chores!

Enjoy the rest of Spring. Praise God for the bluebells, crocus, daffodils, and the cuckoos!