Category Archives: Our Country Bungalow

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

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.

Over the River…

We drove to Bothell last Tuesday early and spent several days with our Westside kids and we had a bonus visit with our Niece and our Grandniece. We were able to see our Grandnephew, too, at a choral performance. We drove back home on Saturday. I’ll post soon about our time away.

The photo collage is from our drive home on Saturday as the sun was rising and as we crossed the Vantage bridge over the mighty Columbia River.

On Saturday after we got home and unpacked this beauty entertained us.

Then during our relaxing afternoon after church this hawk paid a visit probably looking for that chubby quail!

Happy Victoria Day to our neighbors to the north in British Columbia.

Catching Up on Friday

This past week I started and finished this puzzle that our daughter and son-in-law gifted me.

Katie and Andrew arrive here tonight for some frenzy filled activities.

It was a timely puzzle to enjoy while dreaming up a tablescape for our Ladies Tea which will be tomorrow at our church. I’ll take photos of the Tea Table I came up with and post them next week. Addy also has an Irish Dance Recital this weekend and I’ll share more about that in the coming week, too.

I stepped out on our deck to enjoy the night sky this past week.

Living out on a country road we get to see lots of stars.

When I see a sky full of stars, my mind always goes back to that song from the 60’s, He’s Everything to Me.

In the stars His handiwork I see,On the wind He speaks with majesty,Though He ruleth over land and sea,What is that to me?I will celebrate Nativity,For it has a place in history,Sure, He came to set His people free,What is that to me?
Till by faith I met Him face to face,and I felt the wonder of His grace,Then I knew that He was more than just aGod who didn’t care,That lived a way out there and
Now He walks beside me day by day,Ever watching o’er me lest I stray,Helping me to find that narrow way,He’s Everything to me.
Words: Ralph Carmichael
Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all of you in the USA and Canada!

Local News

Last Wednesday evening Awana wrapped up with an award night. Our Grands both completed all their books and then some. Awana will start up again in September.

JJ will have another year of Sparks but Addy moves up to TNT.

Great job, Addy and JJ, store those verses from God’s Word in your hearts!

On Sunday morning we had such a beautiful start to the day and then on our drive home from church we had some beautiful views I couldn’t resist capturing.

 

 

 

Heading northwest on highway 395.

Heading north on our road home.

So thankful to God for his creation and the beautiful views we get to enjoy everyday.

The next ten days are busy ones for us with appointments, a ladies tea, Addy’s Dance Recital, Tae Kwon do promotion, a pastoral candidate coming to preach with meet and greets, a trip across the mountains, a Master’s University Chorale Concert in Marysville (our Grand Nephew sings with this group), a visit with our niece and grandniece, visits with our westside kids, and travel back home over the mountains. I’m a wee bit tired just typing all of that.

Our May is starting at breakneck speed but should end quietly, Lord willing.

Happy May to all of you!

Q 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 Saturday April 19th, the day in between Good Friday and Easter.

Q is for Quail. We enjoy a covey of them that visit regularly.

Quail in Spring.

Quail in Winter

Quail in Autumn

A California Quail on a Quilt square from a Quilt that Greg’s mother, Verna, embroidered and quilted when we just had 48 states in the U.S.A. There are 48 squares with each of the states represented in the year she quilted it.

 

Who’s Fool Are You?

We were at Trader Joe’s in Spokane on Sunday and they had 20 stem bunches of daffodils on sale for just $2.99. We bought 2 bunches! They are such a happy Spring flower. The trumpets announcing that Easter is coming.

Thank you to Joyce From This Side of the Pond for our Hodgepodge questions this week.

1. No foolin’! April is here. What’s one fun thing on your April calendar? 

Our grandson’s birthday is in April and we will enjoy his Batman party with family. JJ’s  party is scheduled on our Son-in-law’s birthday so we will have another double party weekend soon.

2. It’s often said, ‘A fool and his money are soon parted’…what’s the last thing you wasted money on? 

Sometimes my impulses get the best of me. I buy before I totally investigate. A dish rack is going into the garage sale pile. Instead of having a tilt and easy flow of water into the sink, it pools the water in the pan under the rack.

3.  April 2nd is National DIY day. Are you a do-it yourself kind of person or maybe you’re married to one?

I am married to a DIY master. When it comes to major projects, I like to leave and come home when they are all done.

We have a fun mini DIY project happening this week. Our old bird bath bit the dust and we found this lovely solid one on Sunday from a store called ‘At Home’. We are choosing the right spot for it and will set it into place soon.

If so, what’s the last thing you DIY-ed. (I’m going with the ‘Royal We’)

Replacing our water heater was probably the last DIY job around here.

If you’re not a DIY-er what’s the most recent job you had to hire someone to complete? 

I hire out the window washing of our home. They come and complete that job in about an hour!

This year we will probably have our Septic serviced…which is a major job. Definitely a hiring out job with a company that have all the necessary equipment.

Our water hydrants both need replacing and that will be a labor intensive job. Digging is the intensive part. This job will be done by Greg and our son.

4. Do you eat lamb? If so do you have a favorite dish that calls for lamb? 

Yes! I was raised eating lamb and Greg enjoys lamb. Greg did not eat lamb growing up but when we married he was introduced to lamb and is happy to eat it. Lamb was the main course for my family’s Easter meal growing up.

Shashlik is a favorite. You can see what that is by clicking here.

Lambsickles (Rack of Lamb) is another favorite and I enjoyed these recently in Dallas.

Butterflied Leg of Lamb is another way we serve lamb on Easter and other occasions.

A properly cooked lamb shank is very good. I ordered this lamb shank at a Mexican restaurant.

5. Do you fit a stereotype in some way? Explain. 

I used to be a stereotypical soccer mom but now I’m more of the benevolent grandmother. This Baba loves her grandchildren and will do all she can for them.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Here is a sampling of Bible verses about the fool and the foolish and the wise.

Psalm 14:1 ~ The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

Proverbs: 10:1 ~ A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

Proverbs 12:15-16 ~ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

Ephesians 5:15-17 ~ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Titus 3:3 ~ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others, and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Goodbye to March

A month to climb and hide in trees.

A month where birds return and greet the morning with song.

A month to wrap up homeschool projects.

A month to try new things…

Sweet Tamarind was a thumbs up. Don’t swallow the seeds.

Red cactus pear was a thumbs down.

Trees are blossoming at Josh and Laura’s.

We are still waiting here on the northeastern edge of Washington State to see blossoms and blooms. The daffodils are just shooting up out of the ground. No yellow blooms quite yet.

What’s blooming in your neck of the woods?

It’s No Mystery…

…we love her to pieces!

On Saturday we gathered to celebrate Addy turning eight. She requested a Hardy Boys Mystery Themed party. We were each given a character from the books to be on this day. Wigs, scarves, and other costume choices were made.

Mr. Hardy, Mrs. Hardy, Frank, Joe, Iola, Calli, Belinda, Biff, Ethel, Chief Collig, were all present and accounted for. A few more characters were due to arrive.

Eight is Great!

Mysteries were solved and clues were followed. Which shoe made what print?

I’m sorry I didn’t take a photo of the 3×5 treasure hunt clues we found all over the house that Addy’s dad wrote out for us to follow to find the treasure!

When all the characters arrived, we enjoyed baked potatoes with many toppings for lunch.

Orange Creme soda and root beer right out of a bottle will be a fun memory.

After lunch it was time for presents before we enjoyed the cake.

It’s getting easier each year for Addy to read the cards on her own.

The last present to open was her new scooter and she was thrilled! Uncle Andrew, the aeronautical engineer, was given the task to put it together!

Time for Cake!

 

The cake was another masterpiece by Addy’s mom. It was a delicious S’mores cake!

When you are eight, you get to light the candle on the cake!

 

Another great birthday celebration in the books.

And for the record this wasn’t the only celebration on this day. After Addy’s party was done, we gathered again at Gramps and Baba’s for a Chinese themed dinner of Hot and Sour Soup (homemade). Our kids put this meal together while Baba watched a movie with Addy and JJ. We gather the moments when our kids from the Westside are in town! After dinner we introduced SKYJO to everyone.

Our family highly recommends this game and it can entertain a wide range of ages! Tested at our home for 8 year olds and up!

On Sunday we all gathered at church for the early service and we were surprised with a special number by Addy on the piano. Our country church includes from time to time special numbers that anyone from the congregation can share with the church. Addy chose to play It is Well with My Soul as a special gift for me. Yes, there were tears.

Thank you, Addy. Baba loves you and is so happy that you love Jesus. Baba and Gramps pray that you will grow closer and closer to Our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ each new year of your life.

Because of Jesus, It is Well With My Soul.