Crocuses in the Snow

Is it possible that this could be the very last

snowfall of the winter? We can only hope so!

Baked Alaska

For some reason, Devin got this crazy notion to make

Baked Alaska. He even donated his own marshmallows

specifically purchased to use as ammuntion with his

marshmallow guns made of pvc piping. It's been a long time

since we've made them, but even Eric remembered

having them, he was like 2!

These were apparently delicious, and I'm sure part of

the reason was that they were made with homemade

waffles rather than eggo waffles. I think the idea

of Baked Alaska only encouraged the weather to

start behaving like Alaska. Now we have had nonstop snow!

Nature's Wonders

Isn't it wonderful to see these brilliant colors peeping

up out of the dull brown soil?

Two years ago Keith expressed the desire to see crocuses
welcoming the beginning of Spring. So we shopped, and
dug and planted and, voilah! Cheerful little buds greeting
visitors to the front door. If you look really hard you can
the bumblebee.

While hiking yesterday, Devin took pictures of this oddity.
It's amazing that these trees will work so hard to survive.

Towering trees on Chuckanut Mountain.
What a glorious sight.

Trees are not only beautiful, they also convey

a sense of majesty.

Mondays are for Hiking

Talk about a gorgeous day! The hike was worth the gorgeous view.

Devin has Mondays off, and he was chomping at the bit to go

DO something, so Keith and Devin and I drove up to Larrabee

and did the hike just across the road.

There's a great rock at the lookout point. A nice place to

relax and enjoy the view.

Diane gave me this great headband for my birthday, cuz my
little ears are sensitive and always seem to get cold. Thanks Diane
it worked great! It was a cool windy day, but my ears stayed
toasty warm!



Devin was checking out the steep drop off just past the fence.
Wow, it's nearly straight down.

I just love being in the woods. It revives my spirit. And a

good brisk walk revives my body. We're so lucky to

have all this beauty around us!

Diane's Bridal Shower

So, the groom-to-be doesn't usually show up at the Bridal Shower,

but Dennis couldn't be kept away! He made a big

entrance right at the end of the evening.

After all, who could resist seeing their beautiful fiancee

wearing such a lovely bonnet? This amazing creation was put

together by Victoria. I love the pearl initial S for Struck.

Diane opened her many gifts in record time and just for the record,

Diane broke one ribbon!

Here we are, all gathered in Jennifer Wixom's home playing

some games. Lani was the lucky girl that night,

she won every prize!

We enjoyed a wonderful meal of chicken salad, fruit salad, homemade

rolls, delicious sugar cookies decorated special for the

occasion, and of course, a cake for the "Love Ducks". Diane and Dennis had to play the newlywed game, and were
instructed by Jennifer that if they didn't answer most,
if not all of the questions right,the wedding was off!
And you know, they actually did a great job.
All of their prepared answers were for naught, the questions
were much trickier than expected, like, what are the names of
Dennis' roommates? What would you name a baby boy? How about
a baby girl? What is the latest you have stayed out on a date?
Who is more likely to stay calm in a crisis? Which one of
you would fix a problem with the car? What were the first words
Dennis said to Diane? and other tough questions like that. All in all, it was a really fun evening. I think
the women enjoyed getting to know Dennis a little bit,
and Diane was definitely "showered" with gifts!

I just love updating the house!

So Katie, here it is...the new granite countertop.

What do you think?

Thanks for the nice white towels, they are so fluffy,

I love them. They look great in the bathroom.