Thanksgiving Day....

What a wonderful day we all had in Des Moines, WA, feasting and visiting and enjoying the blessings of family. Every year we rent the clubhouse that is part of Kris and Paul's condo complex and this year we had a passel of people attend. Somehow Traci and Ian managed to avoid the camera. Just wait till next year, you two! And Noelani (nurse) had to work....again! The very best centerpieces ever!

Kaylie and Mylie

Dave and Cousin Tom

Zander and Wally

Josh, Jessi and Mei Mei

Jeff, Wally and Zander

Steve and Dave

Tom and Paul

Paul and Wayne

Pandora and Terry

Jeff and Kris

Fast Train To Winter Solstice

It's the day before Thanksgiving and although I had to work today, we were "set free" early today because of time we will have to put in later for the seniors' culminating projects. That's a whole other story.

As I left school at high noon, I realized people were driving around town with their headlights on. It's amazing what passes for daylight in this latitude! Granted, it was overcast and there is a rain storm on its way, so the sky was grayer than it might have been otherwise. But, I'm just sayin'......

I confess that I am affected by light, or the lack thereof. I used to rail against the lack of it during winter, but I have since learned to "embrace" it. So I headed home, made myself a cup of good strong REAL English tea and settled down to listen to my very favorite seasonal CD: "Innisfree" by the choral group named Anam Cara.

If you are at all a fan of choral music with little to no accompaniment (I am a BIG fan), you MUST find this CD and listen to their version of "O Magnum Mysterium". It is truly one of the most beautiful and haunting choral pieces I have ever heard, and it never ceases to transport me to a place that is not affected by light or the lack thereof!

"...but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin" I John: 1:7

May thanksgiving be a natural outpouring of our hearts because of all He has done and continues to do in our lives. Enjoy this day set aside to spend with family and friends in acknowledgement of His provision!

Felting Frenzy

I have been hooked on felting projects this fall. I love felting, it's such a magical process. Generally your pre-felted project looks like a shapeless blob with no hint of its eventual outcome. It's amazing what a little hot water and agitation will do. Voila....felted pumpkins...just in time for Thanksgiving...and........nesting felted bowls! What does one do with nesting felted bowls? I haven't a clue! But it's a great way to use up leftover yarn!

It's the Simple Things....

I'm participating in Christina's ( from Soul Aperture) invitation to list some of the simple things in life that bring smiles to our faces. At the top of my list today is going to be the convenience of electricity! We started our day today in the dark at the high school where I work. We are in the midst of a powerful windstorm and the power to this side of town was out for 2 hours this morning. But the show must go on, so we had school nevertheless. We all sat around in the dark with our little flashlights and hoped the power wouldn't come back on so we could go home; but alas, it did!

Starting with number 2, my list is as follows:

2. hugs

3. phone calls from my daughter

4. candlelight, when it's appropriate!
5. sitting in front of the fireplace on a snowy day with a good book and a cup of tea
6. fresh peonies and their fragrance which permeates my house

7. puppy kisses
8. beautiful yarn and a new knitting project

9. beautiful fabric and a new quilting project

10. late afternoon light streaming across a field of blooming tulips

11. rainbows

12. fog...when I don't have to drive in it

13. raindrops hanging like jewels from the tips of leaves

14. a beautifully crafted sentence that causes me to pause and savor it

15. the smell of fresh cut pines

16. that first plunge into Bellingham Bay on a hot day

17. sitting and watching sunsets with my husband

18. the gift of laughter

19. walking in the woods after a spring shower

20. cooking a wholesome meal and sharing it with the people I love

Blow By Blow

It's very, very windy today. That in and of itself isn't so unusual, but the timing is unforunate since one of our 4 middle schools here in Bellingham caught fire about 1:00 am and is still burning. It started on the roof (where welders were working until late last night) but quickly spread to the top floor. The roof and other parts of the building have collapsed. Water from firehoses is seen running out of the building. This is particularly sad as this is one of our oldest and grandest schools and it's future will now be uncertain; and in these tough economic times, it will not bode well for next year's budget and even more job cuts. And where will all those teachers and 500+ students go come Monday when all schools are already at capacity?

Fodder for prayer.

Here are some pics from today's Bellingham Herald:http://www.bellinghamherald.com/493/gallery/1145661.html#http://media.bellinghamherald.com/smedia/2009/11/05/05/Whatcom_school_fire_1.standalone.prod_affiliate.39.jpg