Last week the wind was still cold, but it was also exhilarating.

Of course, being able to nuzzle into Daddy’s coat just makes it that [...]]]> I hate the wind, but Gem takes a different approach. She has a way of reminding me to look for another perspective.

Last week the wind was still cold, but it was also exhilarating.

Of course, being able to nuzzle into Daddy’s coat just makes it that much better.

I hope this made you smile.

Yes, that’s me. I do appear in photo’s on rare occasions (when someone [...]]]> This weekend’s adventure took us to Vashon Island, meaning, with all the emphasis my bouncing 2-year-old can provide, TWO FERRY RIDES. TWO! (That’s round trip to the island for those of you keeping score. I’ve already been questioned on the count.)

Yes, that’s me. I do appear in photo’s on rare occasions (when someone grabs my camera before I can hide behind it). And look – my hair is growing back! I need a stylist, STAT!

Vashon is full of art galleries, restaurants, farms, cafes, and some of the coolest little shops we’ve ever come across.

How cool is that fridge?

SWOON!

And what’s an island without a lighthouse?

And a stunning water view

from a cottage on the beach

On days like this, I feel like I could be an island girl.

“I don’t know. What do you want to do?”

We could go back and forth for hours, but we’ve found a better solution for filling our weekends with adventure. We just hop in the car and drive. We pick a road and see where it goes, the smaller and [...]]]> “What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know. What do you want to do?”

We could go back and forth for hours, but we’ve found a better solution for filling our weekends with adventure. We just hop in the car and drive. We pick a road and see where it goes, the smaller and more out-of-the-way town that we discover, the better. One of our favorite little local towns to visit is Black Diamond, Washington.

We start with breakfast in the bakery, and maybe even pick up some treats to go on our way out.

Then we wander down the boardwalk to the museum.

I love a small town museum, with it’s antique fire engine

and jail.

Then we stop by to visit the old train

before we head in to the main part of the museum

filled with the details of small mining town daily life,

from the barber shop,

to pen and ink,

and from monkey wrenches (so that’s what keeps getting thrown into the works),

to Hard Hat Harry.

But one of my favorite parts of this museum is their collection of unidentifiable tools.

Any idea what these are for? Don’t worry. The old timers don’t know either.

Do you have any favorite Pacific Northwest towns to visit? Where should we go next?

We learned that bears like to eat dandelions

My daughter discovered the most fascinating animal at the zoo

I spent a little time [...]]]> I’m still learning to use my new camera, but I sure got a lot of practice with all our adventure this year. Here are some of my favorite photos.

We learned that bears like to eat dandelions

My daughter discovered the most fascinating animal at the zoo

I spent a little time in our back yard capturing ducks and lily pads

my daughter showed off her fashion sense

I trespassed in a beaver family’s back yard

I listed my 10 favorite places to be 

I got up close with some Poppies - I had no idea they were so hairy

I tried out the macro lens chasing down raindrops

My daughter and I explored Turnagain Pass in Alaska

I went tourist at Pike Place Market

I got all deep and philosophical about a Foggy Day

and I can’t finish this post without including another picture of the sweetest little girl in the world

One of those projects a presentation on our getaway to the Harmony Hill Cancer Retreat Center. I’ve just [...]]]> I’ve spent the past two days working on a couple projects that have had me knee deep in photographs from the Young Survival Coalition. That’s had me a little emotional, to say the least: memories, faces, friends…

One of those projects a presentation on our getaway to the Harmony Hill Cancer Retreat Center. I’ve just got to share a few of these photos.

There’s just something about the ability to get away from it all, and bond with the girls -

girls who have been through what I’ve been through…

at my age, rather than me being the youngest by 30 years…

Who knew getting our craft on would be so cathartic?

or so much fun

We noshed on homegrown vegetarian fare

Wined a bit

Practiced a little yoga

enjoyed the scenery

and got a little clarity.

The words on the back of our jackets:

“When it hurts
to look back,
And you’re scared
to look ahead,
Look beside you…
your friends
will be there.”

There was quite a bit of wind stirring the dust and sand, and making for [...]]]> Beautiful day by the ocean in Moclips, Washington. The sun was shining, but it wasn’t too hot. Aaron got out his pipes and played to the sea. It’s not so loud when the pipes are competing with the surf…

There was quite a bit of wind stirring the dust and sand, and making for some interesting visual effects.

And of course we had the cutest little photobomber…

Yes, I know I should label all the pictures with the specific locations where they were taken. Maybe next time I take a trip, I’ll take better notes to accompany the photos. [...]]]> We saw so much beauty and variety on our trip from Seattle to Alaska, but the predominant color was most definitely green.

Yes, I know I should label all the pictures with the specific locations where they were taken. Maybe next time I take a trip, I’ll take better notes to accompany the photos.  Or, even better, I’ll have a camera that records GPS coordinates in the photo’s metadata. I’m all for technology that allows me to be even more lazy.

…

Trillium are perennials, and picking the flower can damage the plant so much that it takes a few years to [...]]]> After taking these photos while I was at a retreat in Union, I checked facebook and saw that a friend on holiday 35 miles away took the same picture at the same time.

Trillium are perennials, and picking the flower can damage the plant so much that it takes a few years to recover. In fact, it’s actually illegal to pick them from public lands in Michigan and Minnesota. So, just take pictures, friends.

yes, more pictures of my little adventure are on their way, but first: homework. The semester ends in two weeks, so all my procrastination is catching up with me.