Mind the Gap…

There was a gap today between cloudy spitting weather and more cloudy spitting skies. When the beautiful gap of sunshine appeared I was still in my robe and slippers but decided to head out to get some new photos of our May yard. If my neighbors had blogs they would have some fun posts catching me outside in my indoor garb!

I really like this variety of pink azalea. I couldn’t tell you what the variety is but it’s buds and blooms are sweet.

After our Bible Study last night I turned on the T.V. before going to bed to some news that made the title of this post just a wee bit prophetic. A bridge that is part of our Interstate 5 between me and Canada had a section collapse. As Judy in her comment says I’ll have to mind that Gap as I travel to Canada early in June. 70,000 travelers a day will have to mind that gap.

This is a photo from google images. This is the road I’ve driven on time and time again to go to the northern part of our state or to head to the Canadian border. This is going to slow down lots of travelers who will be re-routed to other roads to get north or south. We are all so thankful the people in the cars that plunged into the very cold Skagit River were rescued in a timely manner and were not seriously hurt.

And to the more mundane…Friday I have 2 appointments in the morning and then Dear and I will start enjoying our 3 day weekend with him hopefully getting off early from work. We are going to stick close to home this weekend. How about you? Are you traveling or staying home?

More Questions Than Answers…

What’s behind door number 12?

 

Aren’t you curious to know what lies behind doors like these?

Sometimes in life there are events that cause many questions and few answers. For many of us it’s hard not to have the answer to a problem. At times like these we have to exhibit the faith and trust we are called to. When an answer comes it might not be an easy one to live with but again we live by faith not by sight. I’m a tap your foot kind of person who wants to know what to do and just do it. I’m learning sometimes better than other times to just be still and know that God is sovereign and does things as He wills. As I read the Bible and recall my own history I’m amazed again that the God of the universe was always there and is still here doing what He will for His ultimate purpose. He has never left us or forsaken us no matter how hard or good our situations have been.

So the theme of this post is I don’t understand everything but I’m learning to love the one who knows and holds me and sends me off to do what He wants me to do.

I’m posting random shots today that cause me to wonder and to marvel and have no clear theme. This whole post has no clear theme.


St. Giorgios Parish Church in Varenna, Italay. A small basilica with a nave and 2 aisles, consecrated in 1313. 14th and 15th century frescoes and polyptychs (paintings divided in sections or panels)  in the church were painted by Como based artists. I’m amazed these have been preserved over the years. That’s a lot of years…

Now come with me down another rabbit trail closer to home. It’s time for me to get my Red, White and Blue bin down from the attic. We are moving into the Patriotic season at this old house with Memorial Day Weekend, Flag Day, and the 4th of July coming soon.

The little twist to these events is the fact that we are waiting for the scheduling of our next big project at this old house. We are finally going to start on the floors that needed replacing when we moved in over 12 years ago. We’ve chosen the materials for the first phase of the project. Adding wood floors where vinyl and carpet exist and lots of furniture exists is a mind boggling task. Where do we put everything while the floors are being done? OYE! The second phase will be replacing carpeting (which we haven’t chosen) in the 3 bedrooms, the living room, and stairs which again will mean moving all the furniture around or out. Double Oye!

Thank you for making it through my deep and not so deep thoughts. That’s life isn’t it? The random and mundane along with the amazing and mind boggling events that swirl around us.

What’s swirling around your head or place?

Moore, Oklahoma

Praying for the families who have lost loved ones in the latest devastating tornado in Oklahoma. Praying, too, for all those working tirelessly to uncover victims. I cannot imagine what those in the path of this tornado have gone through and continue to go through.
May God comfort and provide for all who have lived through this.

Catching Up…

Saturday was a great day of catching up and getting things done. We started the day hoisting our U.S. and Marine Flags in honor of Armed Forces Day here in the states.

Right after raising the flags we jumped in the car to head to Cabella’s for Dear to find some good walking shoes. We were there when it opened and back on the road for home by 10 a.m. We switched vehicles and headed to the Home Depot for some shrubs. We wanted to add some privacy to our patio area that the shrubs should provide. After some clean up work in the shop we got ready to meet Josh and Laura downtown for a bite to eat before the Seattle Sounders game against Dallas.

This was our postponed celebration of Mother’s Day. We cancelled Mother’s day celebrations last weekend because of a soccer injury Josh got that grounded him with pain and because Laura had an overtime week of work, events and care for Josh. We had a great time catching up over some small bites. Even though we didn’t get together last Sunday I was treated royally with flowers from all three of my kids.

There were 3 sweet little birds tucked into this floral arrangement because of the 3 babies that gave me the title of Mom.

After eating Dear headed home and I joined Josh and Laura to head to the stadium. Josh is still suffering from deep tissue and bone bruising in his lower leg from his injury so we walked slowly to our seats. There were some special pre-game festivities to honor all branches of the Military for Armed Forces Day. The Sounders club is great in honoring our military and our country.

Of course it’s pretty evident that I’m a wee bit partial to one particular branch of the military.

The Marines!

I’m happy to report the evening ended beautifully with a huge win for the Sounders over Dallas. It’s fun when your team wins.

Sunday is quiet compared to our Saturday. We had a challenging church service. We are in a series called The Big Picture. Today we talked about God’s Mission. We were challenged to open our mouth, to have the courage to use words in sharing what Christ has done for us and the saving grace he offers all. Lord, open my heart, open a door and open my mouth.

For our friends to the North a very happy Victoria Day to you! For all of you I hope you have a very good week ending with our long Memorial Weekend here in the States.  As you flit away here’s one more little birdie to see you off…

Bye Bye Birdie!

When Christ Our Lord Had Passed Once More ~ Hymn

When Christ Our Lord Had Passed Once More

When Christ our Lord had passed once more
Into the heaven He left before,
He sent a Comforter below
The Father’s promise to bestow.

The solemn time was soon to fall
Which told the number mystical
For since the resurrection day
A week of weeks had passed away.

At the third hour a rushing noise
Came like the tempest’s sudden voice,
And mingled with the apostles’ prayer,
Proclaiming loud that God was there.

From out the Father’s light it came,
That beautiful and kindly flame,
To kindle every Christian heart,
And fervor of the Word impart.

As then, O Lord, Thou didst fulfill,
Each holy heart to do Thy will,
So now do Thou our sins forgive
And make the world in peace to live.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, praise be done;
May Christ the Lord upon us pour
The Spirit’s gift forevermore.

Words: Unknown, circa 4th century.

Armed Forces Day!

Today is Armed Forces Day. We are proud of our Marine and our daughter who supports her husband as he serves our country here and abroad!

Thank you Andrew! May God continue to protect you from the evil in our world.

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days.
The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.

Thank you to all those who serve in the military! We appreciate you.

Rhubarb Coffee Cake ~

In April I visited the Skagit Valley Tulip festival and after I walked through the beautiful tulip fields I stopped at a fresh road stand market in the valley on my way back home. They had fresh rhubarb from their fields available so I decided to buy some to take home. I ended up making a Rhubarb Coffee Cake.

I’ll admit that I had never used rhubarb in my kitchen before but was pleased with the lovely color and result.

Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Filling:
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 4 cups fresh washed and chopped rhubarb
  • 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
Optional:
You can add 1 cup fresh blueberries and 1 cup fresh strawberries or 2 cups fresh strawberries and then cut down on the rhubarb to 2 cups.
Cake:
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup cold butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk (I used powdered buttermilk mix)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
Topping:
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup quick cooking oatmeal
  • 1/4 cup cold butter
For the filling:
  1. Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a sauce pot and add in the rhubarb.
  2. Cook over medium heat until the sugar and cornstarch dissolves with the liquid that is extracted from cooking the rhubarb.
  3. Cook for at least 2 minutes. This helps the cornstarch break down.
  4. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice. Allow to cool.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9 x 13 baking pan by lightly greasing it.
Method for Cake and Topping:
  1. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda together in bowl.
  2. Cut in the butter.
  3. Beat eggs, buttermilk and vanilla in small bowl and add to the the other ingredients until moistened.
  4. Put 2/3 of this batter into prepared pan.
  5. Spread the filling on top of this layer.
  6. Add the remaining batter on top spreading it as evenly as you can. Don’t worry if you can’t cover it all. Also the batter will be sticky to deal. You can grease your fingers with a little butter to help spread the batter.
  7. In a small bowl combine the dry topping ingredients.
  8. Cut in the butter until crumbly.
  9. Spread the topping over the top of the last layer of batter as evenly as possible.
  10. Bake in preheated oven for 50 minutes or until tester comes out clean and top begins to become golden brown. Ovens vary, so check after 45 minutes and don’t worry if it takes longer than 50 minutes.

 

The Merry Month of May…

My yard busts out in all it’s pink glory in the Month of May. Get ready for pink overload. I’ll throw in some non-pink, too, just for some contrast.

The Rhododendron is the Washington State Flower. We have 4 mature plants in our yard. We added a new Rhoddy last year from our trip to the Rhododendron garden on Whidbey Island. When it blooms it should be yellow.

Here’s that little break from pink I was talking about. This is one of our dwarf Top Hat Blueberry bushes that can thrive in pots.

Our Rosemary bush is in full bloom. We use the fresh rosemary year round in cooking.

These pansies are still making me smile. I can see them from my kitchen window.

More proof that I have other flowers that aren’t pink in my yard and on my deck.

My Lenten Rose has gone mostly green at the end of it’s cycle.

My azaleas are full. This darker variety is in full bloom and the light pink has all budded and waiting to open up fully.

My Dogwood tree only has two blooms this season and my lilac has none. I’m wondering if I planted the lilac in a spot that is too shady…

Yes, my Dogwood tree when it blooms fully should also be a lovely blast of pink. Here’s hoping it thrives…

Hope you are thriving and enjoying Spring wherever you are and as not to forget our friends in the Southern Hemisphere you should be enjoying your Fall. Have a great weekend everyone.

Notecard Party May

I’m posting some old photos from previous posts on my blog for Vee’s Notecard Party. They are all from previous trips we took to Great Britain in 2002, 2004, and 2006.

This was taken at the Hailes Abbey (a 13th century Cistercian Abbey) near Winchcombe, Gloucester, England.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 ~ “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

This photo is from Magdalene College in Oxford, England.

Yorkminster in York, England. Photo taken from stairwell in the minster. The roofing material is sheets of lead.

Hollows Farm in the Borrowdale Valley, Lake District, England.

All of these photos were taken before I had a digital camera. I didn’t turn off the date stamp on some of them, either. Oh how I’m looking forward to our return trip to Great Britain in September with my digital camera.

The middle of May already. Do you have plans for Memorial Day Weekend? We are hanging out at home as Dear leaves for a conference the following week to Chicago. I’m staying home for that conference…

Back to the Beach…

When we were in Huntington Beach for Debbee and Lenny’s wedding we had the chance to walk to the beach and enjoy the sand and surf for a couple hours after a delicious brunch at Nick and Vera’s (Father and Mother of the bride).

My sister Vera lives within walking distance to the beach so we put our flip flops on and started walking…

We had quite the volatile weather on Monday, winds, calm, sunshine, fluffy clouds, dark clouds, downpours, lightning, thunder. How are things in your corner?