Not a good way to start the New Year!

I cheated, this photo is from last New Year's Day.  Today there isn't a cloud in the sky.

Took a little walk to meet a friend this morning not realizing the streets were frozen over.  Hit a patch of black ice and fell going down hill!  Did something to my right thigh...I think I just pulled the muscle, and bunged up my knee too.  Sheesh!  On the bright side it is a gorgeous bright blue day here in the PNW.  Another pink sunrise...sigh.  I think I'll just sit here in my chair with ice on my thigh and enjoy the outdoors from indoors for the rest of the day.

Happiness is...

...a good year.

A review of 2012 made me feel so lucky that it was a good one.

• No hospitalizations or dire health changes for either Dennis or me.  In fact the whole extended family stayed healthy this past year.   
• We were fortunate to be able to travel with friends and family to Palm Desert, Redondo Beach CA, Spain and Portugal.  And of course the usual trips up to Vancouver to see my sister and the family.
• We are both staying active and fit.  Dennis achieved his black belt in Aikido.
• I lost 20 pounds and am working on the next 10...Yay!
• Crafting lots of knit, crochet, and sewing projects.

So in keeping with the staying fit and trim we headed up to Hyak for some cross country skiing with our friend Bob today.  The only thing that would have made it a perfect day was if Erlene had been able to come with us.  The sunrise over the Cascades was spectacular this morning, tons of snow in the mountains,  great groomed trails and 18 degrees of cold winter air.  A really perfect way to end 2012 and start a bright new year.

Happiness is...

Focusing on in-door activities

Holiday scented candles

Sparkling lights in the wind at night

Waechtersbach 

Red and green

Christmas music

Thinking of little gifts for special people

The arrival of the Christmas puzzle

Planning food to cook

Anticipating being with the family over the holidays

Going to holiday parties

Taking walks on cold crisp days

Starbucks' Skinny Peppermint Mocha

Trader Joe's Peppermint Bark

Decking the Johnson Halls

It was a beautiful day for a drive...

...to Anacortes with a friend.  

Foggy morning drive up I-5

Enjoying the sun with the gulls

Walk on the beach

Making lunch with Rebecca and her mom

Just a perfect day

Yes, I have been knitting...

...and actually finished a scarf.  The Hitchhiker Scarf which will be for me me me.  Because it is very soft and delicious.  

Now I'm working on a crocheted baby blanket out of a soft pink Plymouth Encore worsted yarn.  Also soft and delicious.  The recipient will be born later this month and I am assured that she will be a girl.

Autumn at Volunteer Park

Let's see...since my last post in September I've been to Spain, Portugal, seen Bob Dylan in concert in Vancouver BC and Seattle, and celebrated my MIL's 90th birthday with her in Redondo Beach CA.
I've started volunteering in my friend's 2nd grade class on Mondays, been getting to yoga classes on a regular basis and lost 20 pounds. I like retirement!!

Today I had lunch with a new friend that I met on our Spain trip.  She lives up on Capital Hill in Seattle and her 1904 built home sits on a tree lined street just bursting with autumn color.  Since the Mr. was in a seminar all day I took myself to Volunteer Park's Seattle Asian Art Museum to see an East Indian art exhibit, walk around the grounds and through the conservatory.  I should know to carry my camera with me at all times, especially on a day like today.  So all of these were taken with my iPod touch.

In the garden conservatory

Jade dragon

Looking out the windows

Celadon

A Maple tree in all of it's glory

Looking up into an old Oak tree

I'm DOOMED...!

Yikes!

I have dropped and broken two mirrors on two consecutive days. What does this mean!? The floor is tiled now and it used to be carpeted, maybe I was dropping them all along but they never broke? I was in a hurry, clumsy, am developing dropping disease, not paying attention, slippery fingers?? Really, I'm worried that I am doomed. Does this mean 7 years bad luck consecutively or collectively? I don't want 14 years of bad luck! I don't even want 7 years of it! The Mr. wants to know if this affects him by association in which case he feels like distancing himself from me. lol! Fat chance of that!