Be Home

higher up

We're still taking our weekends to sight-see around this new terrain of ours. I refuse to leave a "we never got to that" statement during our time in the northwest. A particularly warm Sunday we headed up to higher altitude. After looking at this gorgeous mountain daily from our window, we decided it was time to make the climb, first by car and the rest on foot.

The lodge was as picturesque as one might imagine. George loved the fact that he had been there once before. Yes, all bundled up in the drizzly cold his little thoughts could have hardly remembered such a place at 10 months old. But Andrew and I sure did...and loved the fresh air once again.

begging for some books

There are certain things that you want your children to beg you to do. Things like putting more broccoli in their dish at meal times, or a few more minutes to straighten up their room, or maybe even going to bed a bit early. I've not heard these things around my house to often...ok close to never. But I will enjoy this last cry for something good.

The kiddos have been begging to go to the library! That's right they are down right annoying with it. So first we had to locate the beloved warehouse of borrowed books and then make sure and fill out at least four applications for ID cards. This is a right of passage for the eldest two. Their first step in having a "real deal" in their so called wallets.

Then it is into the journey of imagination.

So how did the northwest libraries fair in the eyes of my opinionated crew? Thumbs up!

Well, except for the smaller stock of movie selections. So much for the lofty gains in begging for the good stuff! Not really, we did walk away with 30+ checkouts of the hardback variety. That should keep everyone busy for awhile!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama

Fort Vancouver

Holidays spent in new places are new adventures in mini capsules. You just never know what to expect but ya gotta just go for it. Besides, this was Annika's first Independence Day celebration. We had to make it memorable! We choose to attend the big shindig happening at Fort Vancouver.

We expected to see great fireworks...that was after all the big buzz. And fantastic they were. But the unexpected joy in day came from the fort itself. This is a great place. At times I couldn't remember if we were actually at fairgrounds or a really great schooling field trip!

{George received the piece recently forged before our eyes. The lucky kid in the crowd happened to be ours!}

Well, we eventually did make it back to the fairgrounds and it was crazy! Crazy and fun. And the fireworks, along with a few good vendor entrees, were the best I've seen in a long, long time.

{Side note: we were freezing after the sun went down! A record low, even for the northwest apparently. All the better to cuddle on the extremely ill-equipped, to small-for-six blanket!}

doing the dishes

Can doing the dishes be therapeutic?

Yesterday my family and I drove around the city just to check out different places of interest. Places that we had read on a map for months but its vibe could not be felt except by personal observation. And observing it was. There is so much to see and so much that is unfamiliar. When we arrived home I think I was a tad overwhelmed with the vast area of uncharted territory.

As the evening continued Andrew and I cooked a beautiful meal of beef and broccoli stir-fry. I found myself enjoying the simplicity of stirring a wok of vegetables in olive oil or the washing of a bamboo cutting board. The conversation was relaxing. The satisfaction of combining ingredients to create mouthwatering goodness renewed the soul.

Even this morning, as sauteed onions still linger and I finish up the pots and pans left forgotten after a good meal, I love the peacefulness of my hands in the soapy suds. And Charlotte Church transforms my humble abode into the atmosphere of the concert hall. I think again, can doing the dishes be therapeutic? Well, maybe more like an opportunity to enjoy the silent spirit of all things content.