Cape Flattery Trail

 We hiked to the "most northwest corner of the continental United States" today. (Does that count as an "uttermost part" of the earth? If not, what is an uttermost part?) The hike was about 3 miles round trip, and the views were spectacular. It was an absolutely beautiful day for November. I fully expected the coast to be fogged in, but it was sunny and clear with the temperature about 60.

 There were 5 different scenic overlooks along the trail. We ate our lunch while we watched the waves and the sea gulls.

The two tiny black pecks in the middle of this picture are sea otters who were floating along on their backs in the waves. A couple of guys we met up with on the trail said they had seen 3 sea lions, but we didn't catch a glimpse of them. It was a fun day!

25 years ago...

...on this day, I married my best friend.

He's still my best friend...

...and I'm more in love with him now than I was then.

What I can't figure out is...

...how could 25 years possibly go by so quickly?

Happy Anniversary, Lyle!

Thanks for choosing me!

Anniversary Getaway

In celebration of our 25th anniversary, Lyle and I are enjoying  a few days away from our normal responsibilities. My mother kindly offered to come "keep the girls company" at home. We are staying at a lovely bed and breakfast out in the country on Bainbridge Island, just west of Seattle. We plan to ride the ferry into the city later in the week, but yesterday we enjoyed a much-needed day of rest and relaxation.

Our hostess has a special knack for creating a beautiful garden and grounds. It's definitely fall in the northwest, so everything is damp and drippy. Actually, that's probably pretty much the norm year 'round... but it's warmer than it's been at home. It's very cozy to sit inside and watch the rain in the courtyard. And the weather is supposed to clear up tomorrow, I think. So we'll probably get out and do more then.

Part of the hospitality committee includes the friendly old dog, Camille, who watched us through the French doors for awhile before curling up for a nap on the mat...

...and the resident horses, Skippy and Harley, who live just beyond the pasture gate (in the first picture). I didn't get acquainted with them very closely yet, but I understand they are also quite friendly.

Autumn photography

Our favorite thing about where our house is situated is our view of the western sky. We have the most beautiful sunsets this time of the year, and we can watch them from our back deck. Since we live in a neighborhood, the view is not completely unobstructed, so the girls like to walk down the street a couple blocks to get the best pictures.

We just have a point-and-shoot camera, but Laura manages to get some nice shots right along. I liked this one she took of the doorbell, too. She's got her eye on a nicer camera, and would like to possibly take a photography course next year. We'll just have to see.

Happy Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods: currently chilly and damp, but we've had enough sunny days mixed in lately to make for a beautiful fall.

Things that make me happy: reading to my kids, even through their teen years.

Book I'm reading: Angel Song by Sheila Walsh and Kathryn Cushman

On the menu for dinner: You know, I'm not sure. Making dinner is a responsibility my older daughter has assumed. Maybe chicken something?

On my To Do List: "Make a To Do List." Seriously! My mother is coming this weekend, and I'm getting ready to go away next week, so I have lots to do this week. School, cleaning, laundry, packing, a couple errands to run.

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon: Pumpkin Spice Cookies. (I didn't actually make them. My daughter did. But I found the recipe and printed it out for her. Does that count?)

In the craft basket: I just finished the quilt that I've been working on for a year-and-a-half. I love it! I'll show you pictures soon. I usually have several different projects going, but I think the only thing in "the basket" right now is a pair of socks that I'm knitting. They are nearly finished as well. Not sure what I'll start next. I checked a stack of knitting and crocheting books out at the library last week, so we'll see.

Looking forward to this week: Picking up Mother at the airport Friday, then visiting like crazy that evening, before setting off with Lyle for our 25th anniversary "honeymoon" on Saturday. My mother is so sweet to offer to come stay with the girls so we can do this!

My favorite blog post this week: We Have Forgotten @ Glimpses of Our World.

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers): I haven't had a lot of time for much blog-hopping and discovering new blogs lately. I miss it. I enjoy blog-hopping so much more than Facebook. Hopefully I'll get back to it soon.

Lesson learned the past few days: It's best not to try to put potato peelings down the garbage disposal….don’t ask why I know this.

On my mind: My To-Do List!

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: The girls and I are currently reading through the Gospels (we're in the middle of Mark), as well as stories from the Old Testament to go along with the ancient history we are studying. We are also working on memorizing Hebrews 11-- the "Faith Hall of Fame." It's 40 verses long, so it may very well take us all year.