Tag Archives: University of Washington

The Merry Start to May

April ended with a crockpot meal at Baba and Gramps’. We dug out our daughter’s University of Washington cheer outfit from the 80’s for Addy to try on and enjoy.

On the fourth of May we attended the Awana Awards night at church and Addy got her promotion from Cubbies to Sparks. In the Fall she will move on to the Sparks while her brother gets to start Cubbies. Here’s Addy helping to lead one of the Awana songs.

We are so thankful for the dozens of volunteers who make this program successful.

With the sunshine we are having at the beginning of May our dandelion crop has overtaken our grassy areas. The bees are happy. Maybe we should look into Dandelion Tea.

We are catching up with family and friends on the Westside of the mountains here in Washington State. A mix of good reports and hard reports. My computer time is scarce. The rain is plentiful. We’ve shopped at Business Costco filling up the rear of our vehicle leaving just enough room for our suitcases for our return trip. We’ve traveled roads we traveled for 20 years before we moved to the East side of the mountains. Things have changed and some things remain the same. We are still happy and content with our move.

This is Mother’s Day weekend in the USA and Canada. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms that visit here!

Before She Hides…

When our daughter-in-law and I arrived at the University of Washington a couple of weeks ago to see the cherry blossoms we first looked towards the Drumheller Fountain and the Rainier Vista beyond it. We were very excited to see that Mount Rainier was not shrouded in clouds as is the case on many days.

I’m glad we stopped to take photos before we continued to the Quad to see the blossoms.

When we were done with the blossoms and headed back to the parking garage, Rainier was hiding but all the students were out in full force! I took a couple more photos on the way to the parking garage.

It was a photo fun day at the University of Washington.

It’s time for me to admit that the days are getting away from me in this Easter season and with the short amount of days until our wee grandson makes his appearance. We’ve had a few more babysitting times so Mommy can get all her doctor visits in and mommy and daddy need to go out for a special date before they have a toddler and a newborn. Our Coast kids are arriving soon to be here for BBB’s delivery. And then there’s Spring cleaning, especially on our property. So if you don’t see much from me or you don’t see comments on your blogs from me you will know why. The times they are a changing and it seems changes are something we can depend on more and more at this stage of life.

Some things don’t change and the one thing I depend on a lot and one of my favorite verses in the Bible is this one:

Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) ~Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

And then speaking of changes…

Daniel 2:20-22 English Standard Version (ESV)

20 Daniel answered and said:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
    to whom belong wisdom and might.
21 He changes times and seasons;
    he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding;
22 he reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what is in the darkness,
    and the light dwells with him.

University of Washington Gargoyles

The University of Washington in Seattle was established in 1861. The gargoyles I zoomed in on are located on buildings in the Liberal Arts Quadrangle, commonly known as the Quad. The Quad is also where multitudes come to see the cherry blossoms in Spring. Our DIL Laura and I were in the Quad last Monday and I took some new photos of some of the gargoyles. If you want to see the Cherry Blossoms click here.

Gargoyles are figures often carved into the architecture of old churches, usually in the form of a grotesque animal or human. Many times gargoyles in Gothic churches were attached to the gutter system of the roof, with the mouth of the gargoyle acting as a spout for rainwater, helping keep the masonry from being destroyed.

I have a another post about the gargoyles on the buildings in the Quad here.

I’m linking up with Angie for Mosaic Monday.

We are enjoying any sunshine that peeks through the clouds these fickle Spring days. We worked on our front planters until we both needed a few good doses of Ibuprofen. They are mostly cleared and now staked out for new borders and shape before we replant anything in them. We have many projects to complete at our Country Bungalow. We’ll have to pace ourselves and spread things out in the next 5 years!

Cherry Blossoms

Laura and I had such a great day out and about catching some of the spectacular sights in the Seattle area. Our stop at the University of Washington was a highlight of the day. In later posts I’ll share some other views on the campus and many of the gargoyles the old brick buildings have.

This is a magnolia that I always like to get a photo of when we visit the quad this time of year.

The crowds we experienced on Monday were nothing comparted to the crowds that gathered on the weekend. A sea of humanity!

I’m slowly adjusting back to being at home and I’m slowly getting around to blogs and catching up with emails. Hope April has started off well for all of you.

Who is Flat Stanley?

And what is the Flat Stanley Project? Many of you are unaware of who Flat Stanley is and why he visits different parts of the world. Click on this link to get more information Flat Stanley. Some elementary school teachers have their students color and cut out a flat figure of Stanley. They then choose victims willing participants to send him to and ask for the willing participants to take Stanley around with them and document interesting sights in their locale. When it’s time to send him back you include information, history, photos of where Stanley has been. Laura and I had a lot of fun with Flat Stanley. He will have a few more adventures with Josh and Laura before he gets sent back to Skylar, our Grandniece in New York.

We took Flat Stanley to see the beautiful blooming cherry blossoms on these great trees in the Quad at the University of Washington.

Many more photos from the Cherry Blossoms at the University of Washington’s Quad will be in my next post.

We are home again and getting ready to attack our Spring clean up on our acreage. All the snow has melted off our property revealing all the work that needs to be done. I hope to catch up on visits to your blogs in the next several days.

Fly Me to the Moon…

The Museum of Flight in Seattle was the venue for Andrew’s graduation with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Washington. The ceremony was held on Friday evening.

We arrived early enough to greet other graduates and take some photos with aircraft above us.

There were some unique things about this graduation ceremony. Before the graduates arrived to their seats, I noticed paper airplanes under each of their chairs. As the graduates walked in to take their seats “Fly Me to the Moon” played which got a chuckle from the crowd. At the end of the ceremony after they turned their tassels the paper airplanes took flight.

We had front row seats.

Each graduate had the chance to write out comments to be read by the presenter. Most thanked their spouse, parents, friends and loved ones. One thanked God and one thanked his Savior, Jesus, which got a cheer. Some had “no comment”.

I liked the ending to the ceremony.

The proud graduate…as he should be.

Proud wife of her hard working husband.

Proud parents, too.

Outside the museum we met up with Andrew’s sister. Andrew’s mother and sister traveled from Utah to be at graduation.

On Saturday late afternoon and evening we had a small graduation party at our home. Josh and Laura brought a pinata filled with candy. After we had dinner and some yummy cupcakes that Laura made we headed out to the backyard to set up the pinata. It was fun to smash it and see the candy fly in our back yard.

“Wait a minute, Andrew!” You need a blindfold before you swing away.”

Andrew connected a couple times and let some candy fly. Katie had a turn and released some more candy.

Josh had a turn and that was all she wrote. The rest of us enjoyed watching and documenting the fun. The candy was gathered and we went back inside before more rain fell. Lots of conversation and catching up. Katie and Andrew just met Andrew’s father’s fiance this weekend.

Make sure you read Andrew’s shirt. Andrew’s father teared up when he received a gift from Andrew from his time in the Marines. Andrew’s father and his fiance were happy they made the road trip all the way from North Carolina to be at graduation.

Before everyone went their merry way, we sang “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and “I Love You Lord”.

Our hearts were full but our bodies were a bit overwhelmed from a week of hard work priming and painting our kitchen cabinets inside and out. That of course involved taking everything out of the cupboards and taking all the doors off and cupboards out and then putting everything back again when things dried enough. Our real estate agent had a photographer come in at 11:00 on Saturday morning to re-take photos with the new wall color and kitchen cabinets all painted white.  Then we prepped for our party for Andrew. Thankfully we had help from Josh, Laura, and my sister Lana. Sunday has been a low key day for us so that our bodies can recover. Looking forward to a new week with no major painting or projects ahead!

 

Cherry Blossoms

Personal blogging update at the bottom of this post.

The quad at the University of Washington offers late winter cherry blossom delights.

Laura had never been to the campus while the blossoms were in full bloom so we made a date to meet up and enjoy the blossoms together. Laura and I met up and drove to pick up Katie who lives 3 miles from the University.

The university is a jewel for the city of Seattle.

After we walked under all the trees we made a stop at Suzzalo Library specifically to climb up to the Reading room. I’ll share those photos on another day. We walked to the “Ave” for a bite to eat and then reversed our journey and parted company with separate to-do lists for the rest of the afternoon.

We are finding ourselves in a huge crunch time at this Old House and beyond. Between getting our house ready for the market and traveling to the northeast corner of our state to look at houses we might be interested in, purchasing and packing and sorting and trying to sell some items, I am finding less and less time for blogging. We are now looking at putting our house on the market in April instead of May. Yikes. If you don’t see posts or see comments from me you will know why. I’m hoping to post occasionally but I can’t link to memes because I can’t guarantee properly visiting other blogs that link up, too. Blessings…

Spring Hodgepodge

The Cherry Blossom Quad at the University of Washington. Katie, Laura and I enjoyed a couple hours at the University with lunch on the “Ave” on Monday.

1. On this first official day of spring tell us something (besides the weather) you’re looking forward to in this season of the year.

Well that’s a great question. This Saturday we are celebrating Addy’s first birthday with family and friends. She was born on the first day of Spring last year and she turned 1 on the first day of Spring this year. She’s our very special Spring gift. We are also looking forward to finding our new home somewhere close to our kids in Colville.

2. When it comes to spring cleaning would you rather wash windows or wash baseboards? Clean out closets or clean out the garage? Dust ceiling fans or dust bookcases? Wipe down the patio furniture outside or wipe down the light fixtures inside? Any of these tasks recently completed?

I’d rather wash baseboards.

I’d rather clean out the garage because Dear will do that and not me.

Dust ceiling fans since I only have one but I have a ton of bookcases.

Wipe down the patio furniture outside because that means the sun is shining.

I’m trying to pack a box a day so my closets are getting cleaned in a manner of speaking.

3. Your favorite thing to make/eat that calls for cream cheese? Sour cream? Whipped cream?

Cream Cheese = Cheesecake

Sour cream = Beef Stroganoff

Whipped Cream = Parfaits

4. I read here a list of commonly mispronounced words. What is a word that gives you trouble when it comes to pronunciation?

Arborvitae

5. What’s a song you love with the word ‘rain’ in the title or lyrics?

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

We are headed east again for a very special birthday celebration and to look at some more houses that are for sale. Tuesday I clocked more than 20,000 steps…a first for me this year. We did some major yard work. Hello Spring and so it begins, weeds and the grass growing before our eyes. That’s a spring cleaning job that I don’t mind, mowing the lawn. Crazy but true. Happy Spring dear bloggy friends. Hope you find renewed energy and new things every day to thank God for.

Hop over to From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce!

Purple Haze Hodgepodge

1. ‘Hurry less, worry less’…what’s your strategy for making that happen this holiday season? How’s it going so far?

Well, we threw in an overnight getaway to La Conner to celebrate our 43rd anniversary and that included lots of country roads less traveled instead of the interstates. It was good to take the time away from our renovations and decorations. Our leisurely walk along the waterway in La Conner was relaxing. So far so good.

2. Do you have a list of to-dos that need accomplishing in order to prepare your home and/or property for the winter season? What are some of the jobs on your list? Are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you hire someone to accomplish these tasks?

Winter is not that harsh in the Puget Sound area. Generally all we need to do is lock the windows so they are shut tight and disconnect the water hoses so they don’t freeze. Sometime after Christmas and before Spring we need to prune the apple and pear tree. We do all these things ourselves. I still need to cut back my lavender plants!

This is what the apple tree looks like before pruning and all the branches that are growing straight up need to be cut. After pruning it looks more like this with still a few more branches to cut. Ignore the evergreen in the background.

3. According to dietitians surveyed, the most popular health foods for 2018 will be -turmeric, sprouted foods (bean sprouts, breads with sprouted grains, etc), veggies in place of grains, dairy free milk, and pulses (lentils, chickpeas, etc).  What’s the first thought that ran through your head when you read this list? Of the foods listed which one might you add to your regular diet? Also, can milk really be dairy free? Is it still milk?

The first thought I had was healthy trends aren’t my thing. Maybe I’ll add more veggies.

4. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2018 is Ultra Violet. According to the Pantone site ‘Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking pointing us to the future.’ What say you? Do you like the color purple? Did you see the movie or read the book-ha!?  Is purple a color you wear often? Describe for us one purple item in your home without using the word purple.  If you were in charge of such things what color would you select for 2018?

I don’t mind the color purple. I did see the movie. We have three University of Washington alums in our family and we live in Husky country where slogans like “let purple reign again” are alive and well.

Purple evokes passionate pride. It’s the color that stands out as most quintessentially to our University and is therefore the dominant color in our communications. Gold symbolizes excellence. It’s a sophisticated hue that speaks to our extraordinary standards and immense quality. And when you combine the two? That’s the UW.

Sometimes I wear purple. The little girl with the W on her shirt is now an alumnus of Udub and her husband will soon be a graduate of the Udub, too. I helped put my Dear through the UW school of Pharmacy so I wear my purple with pride.

We do have some walls at this old house that remind me of lavender sprigs . Not the vibrant variety.

You can see that color in what used to be my master bathroom?

If I was in charge of such things the color of the year would be China Blue.

5. Favorite book read this year?

Glass Houses by Louise Penny

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Today I’ll be mailing our Christmas cards. We’ve received a few already and I always enjoy being brought up to date on what is happening with friends from far and wide. We still do not have our tree and that’s the last purchase we need to make for Christmas. Once the tree is up I’ll start thinking about wrapping the presents that will be going under it.

Thank you to Joyce From This Side of the Pond for asking the questions for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you to whoever takes the time to read the answers.

Gargoyles on the Quad

The University of Washington in Seattle was established in 1861. The gargoyles I zoomed in on are located on buildings in the Liberal Arts Quadrangle, commonly known as the Quad.

While we were admiring the Cherry blossoms and the Magnolia blossoms at the University of Washington I enjoyed zooming in to get a closer look at the gargoyles on the different buildings on the quad. I also took some close ups of the School of Art and Music buildings.

Gargoyles are figures often carved into the architecture of old churches, usually in the form of a grotesque animal or human. Many times gargoyles in Gothic churches were attached to the gutter system of the roof, with the mouth of the gargoyle acting as a spout for rainwater, helping keep the masonry from being destroyed.

The University of Washington is a real treasure for the state and city of Seattle. We have two graduates of the University in our family and one more who will graduate in 2018.

Enjoying lots of cuddle time with our new granddaughter. We had an exciting wind and thunderstorm event today. Haven’t had time to upload new photos but will soon. Saturday we are headed to a junk show. We have some items we are on the lookout for. I’ll let you know how it goes. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and we enter Holy Week. I’m so glad Jesus came to earth to save us. Have a wonderful weekend.