Dish Rags

Everyone needs them right?  Unless you are a sponge person which I have never been.  My mother thought sponges were carriers of evil bacteria and would not allow them in her kitchen.  Hence, dish rags.  This batch is for the Sons of Norway pancake breakfast craft sale tomorrow.

happiness is...

...being up at Whistler/Blackcomb for a ski holiday with the girl.  And...

Perfect little snowflakes on black gloves

Nicely groomed runs

Snow in the pine trees

A hot bath after a long day

Cow's ice cream shop

Hot tubs

Hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps

Mini marshmallows

A day of clear blue skies

And skiing in the softly falling snow

What's up?

Not much...you?  Well actually it has been a busy January and February...

Meet the new VP of the Edmonds Sons of Norway lodge

Doing a little cooking

A little golfing in Palm Desert

A little hiking in Murray Canyon

A little side trip to the weird and wonderful Salton Sea

And finally back home, a little quilting

Oh, and a little cat in a box

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