Snowy Day in Seattle

It's Graham's first snow experience! We walked to the playground to see our neighbors celebrating the snow:) There was a giant snowman! And children sledding with their parents! And a puppy chasing a tennis ball;)

On closer inspection, it was a giant snowman and it's baby...

Do you see the hill in the background? That's where all the sledding action takes place! Conveniently there is a staircase right there which makes transporting your sled uphill much easier!

"Sled smarter, not harder."

Graham: "I want to go sledding..."

Daddy: "I want to go sledding..."

Next year, guys. That abandoned blue tobaggon or whatever it's called was tempting us...

"I guess I'll just go skating instead."







One last view of the snowy field and rooftops before we head home. Puppy Power is still chasing the ball down there.




Would you have grabbed the abandoned blue tobaggon and taken it for a run down the hill?
I thought so...


Suzanne

Walking Alone at Sunset

Have you ever taken off on a lone journey without a plan? This momma needed some R&R from her full-time duties this afternoon. I would have loved company, but the guys weren't ready to leave when I was, so I just set out on my own. And I'm so glad I did. The sun was beginning to set on Magnuson Beach, Mount Rainier was "out", and the weather was pleasant for January.

People were flying kites! This hill is a popular destination for kite-flying so that is not what surprised me. But there was no wind. I could not detect any wind on my skin nor see any branches being moved by it. How do they fly kites without wind?

I meandered through the field, not following the path. These red berries caught my eye. I wanted to capture the sunlight shining on them. Through my camera vision, I then noticed the thorns, ouch! Yes, apropos...Nature once again reflecting my human condition. Sometimes life bears thorns.



And then this little guy (or gal) wandered in to my sight! Do you see it? It is almost the same color as the branch, directly below the top berry. Really hard to see...But we made eye contact! He or she is wondering what the hell I'm doing in it's microcosm! Was this the first time it ever exchanged gazes with a human?

Yah, another puddle reflection. I think I may be a little entranced by these...But do you see the beauty here? I mean, it's just a path. I tend to look down when I walk. Here in the Northwest I don't want a shoe full of muddy water, and after walking a dog for years, I definitely don't want to step in you know what! Typically, one might feel as though they're missing out, that all the excitement is happening on the horizon. It's funny how reflections "flip" our perspective.

As I was contemplating that mud puddle, I heard loud honking from above. I quickly snapped this photo and then they were gone!







I walked to the top of the kite fliers' hill...Magnificent! I took so many photos on this walk, many from this hill. There were none that could display that scene in its wholeness. Sun setting in the west, dark tree silhouettes in the foreground. In the east, the snow caps on the Cascades were highlighted pink! I knelt down below Queen Anne's Lace to let the stunning seed pods be constellations in the sky. Mount Rainier looks so tiny in the photo...





A close up of the seeds, stored potential, awaiting spring.

One last photo of Mount Rainier as I head to my car to go home. It was so hard to leave. My fingers were numb from the cold. I remembered the days of film photography and marveled how many of these pictures may never have been if I'd had to edit and limit myself. All of these pictures were taken with my iPhone. When I returned home to "my boys", I was renewed, once again by the glory of nature.

How do you renew yourself?

Suzanne

The Christmas Ships Came Sailing In

On the night before Christmas Eve, we avoided the traffic and shopping frenzy, and ventured down to the closest beach, Matthews Beach on Lake Washington. To our surprise we heard rockin' Christmas tunes from a parade of ships & boats, coming our way!








We waved to the ships, decked in Christmas lights, as they anchored near the beach.






The main ship carried a small group of Christmas Carolers singing a capella to the folks outlining the shore. Beautiful songs, beautiful voices...


The Christmas Ship "parade" makes its rounds, singing to the small masses huddled near bonfires along Lake Washington's shoreline. Matthews Beach appeared to be the first on their tour. Now, they head southwest towards their final rendezvous at GasWorks Park on Lake Union.













We have been blessed with mild weather for Christmas. Blue skies at sunset make for gorgeous winter backdrops! Happy Daddy & Baby Big Boy!








I am in love with this picture enhanced by Instagram.
It is my newest obsession. I cropped, changed the lighting, and added a border to this one.













Mommy & Graham...
I absolutely adore this little guy.
Winter Willow
I find the exposed trunks & branches stunning this time of year.
Another Instagram, but no lighting change. Gorgeous evening sky...

Merry Christmas from Chris, Graham, & me.
We wish you a restful and rejuvenating holiday season.
xoxo,
Suzanne

A Winter's Walk

I know... it's not technically Winter yet. For me, December has never felt natural in its position as a Fall month, though we saw plenty of pumpkins on neighbors' porches still marking the Autumn season. We are only a few days away from Solstice and I am cheering for the return of the light!

When it is not raining, Graham and I go for a mid-day walk. We sojourn our driveway, cross the street, and look up at the sky. This is because Boeing 747s and the like come in from the east and bank over our house. We are in their flight path as they fly south toward a landing at SeaTac. Hearing the jet engines, we tilt our heads back and follow with our eyes until the big planes exit our field of sight. Enter the crows. We are also in their flight path. They migrate each day at sunset towards their nighttime roost away from Seattle city lights. Saying "Goodnight" to the murder of crows, as they are called in such numbers, are a welcome routine in my day.

We make our way to the little Pocket Park on the corner. We say "Hi" to the big trees and play with their cones and branches fallen. See the Daddy, Mommy, & Baby cones above? (Mommy & Baby are tucked into Big Daddy.)



On our way to and from the park, Graham exclaims "Mail! Mail!" His walk is not complete without checking the mail.



He doesn't care if the box is empty, as long as he gets to open and close the box enough times:)

Mini Christmas Home Tour

This Christmas I am keeping the decorations around here simple and sparse. I didn't plan it this way, it just seems to be evolving or UNevolving, and I'm satisfied knowing it will be less "work" in the future putting it all away. I feel a little sorry for all the decorations in my "tubs" in the attic that won't be celebrating their brief time of glory this year, but perhaps next year will be their year to shine!

Graham is delighted with the tree! Last year he was barely sitting up on his own. We have a whole new ball game this year! And it is a real ball game...

See how entranced he is by the silver ball? He thinks I put those on the tree for him to grab and throw. He has a great arm. I've already glued one of these. They are cheapies from Ikea, but I love them. They make it on the tree every year.

He is also fascinated by the lights. He twisted one of the bulbs until it no longer lights. Oh well, if he keeps at it, we will have a reason to get a "live" tree next year;)

I love this mermaid! I have always loved mermaids and pretended to be one in our swimming pool and the ocean as a child. I found her in Seal Beach, California while visiting Mimi & PopPop last year. Her shiny teal tail unexpectedly coordinates with those Ikea ornaments I showed you earlier:)

This is one of my favorites from a few years ago. I love snowmen, too! It is one of the few delicate ornaments on the tree this year, as there is little room at the top of the tree away from curious hands. I also added flowers to my tree this year! My mom put poinsettas on her friend Sandy's tree, and it sounded like a good idea. It IS! I am loving it!

Here is the white bunch of Poinsettas. They are only a dollar a bundle at Dollar Tree. I think I "need" more;) Also, the red bird ornament reminds me of home. The cardinal is the Ohio state bird. It reminds me of my family back there, especially my Mamaw. She loved feeding the red birds.

One of Chris's guitars. I wanted to buy him one each year. We currently have two. I know he wishes I were giving him REAL guitars each year, but he was happy to unwrap these ornaments and hang them on the tree. This is a Fender Stratocaster. Are you impressed by my guitar knowledge? It rubs off on you. Just ask Graham. The bonus to this tiny guitar collection is it takes up less space than his real guitar collection;)

Here is Graham's favorite..."Boat!" I bought this years ago when I used to take the ferry back and forth from my home on the Olympic Peninsula to Seattle. I had no idea how much it would please my little guy, and am so glad I bought it! I often find this on the floor mixed in with the Hot Wheels and trains.

One of my favorite things about decorating the tree are the associated memories with each ornament. This lovely satin star was a gift from family friends Emma and Ariel. They got it for me on a mother/daughter trip to Washington D.C. Not only do I love stars, but I love thinking of them when I see this on the tree.

And then there are ornaments like these! Made by our family friend and neighbor from Seminole, Florida. June Stephenson made these for us, and they have hung on our family tree for decades! I have the best memories of my childhood growing up in that neighborhood with such loving and familiar people. I think June would be pleased to know how her crafty gifts have withstood the years and reminded me of childhood love and joy all throughout them.

I hang a set of three words in silver: Love, Joy, and Peace. I certainly wish this for everyone!

(I have Scour Off brain...I want to shine this ornament now that I see it here! LOL)

And the top of the tree:) Angels & Sun! Celebrating the spirit of hope, compassion, gentleness, and the return of the light!

Awww, Bear Bear...our sweet kitty who rose to the top of the totem pole with the passing of her sister Star, her brother Ting, and her sister/mother Annabelle. She only tasted the top ranking only to be demoted to the bottom of the heap by Graham, hence the perturbed look that is common to her face these days. At least I put out the Christmas pillows for her to lay on;)

Do you see that little pillow back there? I love it! So cute! I found this at a thrift store. It has a deer and a snowman, two of my favorite things! I am realizing I have a lot of favorite things, just writing this post! Let's see, snowmen, deer, mermaids, stars...and to think I wanted to start a collection of salt & pepper shakers. (I still kinda do...is that wrong?)

The only lighted "house" that has made it out so far, the country church. I love this, too. Chris suggested I turn our "spare" bedroom into a lighted village. He loves to tease me about my little lighted house obsession. I don't have THAT many. Let's see, dance studio, log cabin, winery, theatre, beach cottage, and church. I think I will get him the pizza parlor and the collection will be complete;)

That pretty much concludes my holiday home tour! Easy, peasy...just need to unearth the stockings. Hoping to dig out my tree collection. Geez, how did I end up with so many collections??? It must be my Taurean nature.

As you can see, Graham's tree obsession is in full force day and night, as he is in his PJ's here. And I am on guard, defending my petite tree and all of its inhabitants, my precious little reminders of loved ones and the light on which I depend!

Merry Christmas to You! Yay for Winter Solstice! Wishing you the very best of the holidays!

Love,

Suzanne

Do You Believe in Santa?

It's that time of year when the elves are shining Santa's boots and the reindeer are playing their games in preparation for for their big night! Mrs. Claus is probably busy making cookies. And the snowmen are decorating the forest trees.

What?
Don't tell me you're too old to believe in Santa. You mean, you gave up the myth decades ago?
Okay, I get it. You're too cool to believe in Santa...no?

Actually, there is a lot of talk (or emails circulating) in the parenting group I belong to about parents perpetuating the Santa "lie". Yes, some people feel they were lied to about Santa when they were kids, and were devastated when they learned the truth.

Our families and culture have created a fantastic story surrounding Santa and the North Pole. My mind easily conjures up colorfully cold visuals complete with lots of snow and icy winds warmed by Santa's fluffy red cloak, soft white beard, and rosy pink cheeks. The elves are alive in my mind, actively and lovingly, handmaking toys. Even Rudolph lives in all his glory of turning his "non-conformity" into a powerful light.

I see how it could be a big disappointment for a child to learn that these things only exist in our minds. But I don't remember holding it against my parents, other adults and big kids, and society at large, for forcing this belief on me. On the contrary, I WANTED to believe.

Imagination is key to a fulfilling life, not to mention the fuel for new ideas and innovations. Children's books herald talking trains and cars with friendly faces. Fairies, dragons, and unicorns alight our fantasies. Beavers, otters, and dogs are best pals. Why is it so different with Santa?

Some parents are telling their kids that Santa is pretend, and that we are playing a game, in order to save them the future disappointment.

I read one father's thoughts and I agree with this: that children should be allowed to believe and negotiate the Santa "myth", as well as any other myths, tales, hypotheses, or opinions, themselves. That a lot of learning happens through the experience of believing in Santa.

He shows that children actually WANT to believe. They begin asking questions like "How does he make it to every kid's house in only one night?" and "How do the reindeer fly?" They are testing the story and its magic, can these things really be true? But if we ask them, "What do you think?", their answers often will show that they are still holding onto the magic and their belief.

As they get older, they begin looking for clues. They notice Santa and Mommy have similar handwriting or the wrapping paper used for gifts from Santa was stored in the attic. The questions become more detective-like.

It reminds me of watching an engaging movie for the first time with someone who has already seen it. As suspense builds, I start asking questions like, "Is she going to live?", "Those people are actually ghosts, right?", and "He's the one who did it, isn't he?" I start fishing for clues, but I don't REALLY want to know the answers. I would actually feel disappointment if someone spoiled the story for me.

Eventually we all grow to the age where reasoning begins to surpass our imagination. We run down the stairs in the middle of Christmas Eve night hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa, but see Mom putting the old typewriter under the tree. Or we sneak out of our rooms and catch Dad eating the cookies and drinking the milk. Or we exclaim proudly, "I figured it out! I was 'looking for my book in your bedroom' and came across a receipt from Toys 'R' Us for the Hot Wheel race track that Santa brought me..."

Hopefully, it isn't a big kid who is the spoiler. It seems some folks hold a residual grudge for that. I don't believe anyone should spoil someone's dreams or beliefs. (Leaving clues may be another topic.)

Dreaming and believing are a valuable skill throughout our lives. One must believe in both the possible and the IMpossible while reaching for goals, because once the belief is gone, many dreams die with it. So, as Journey sang, "Don't Stop Believing!"

And I'll ask you one more time, Do you believe in Santa?

The White Pepper Incident

It is a dream of mine to start each morning baking something warm for breakfast like strawberry and cream scones! And one of these days I will have a piping kit so I can fulfill my design fantasies on birthday cakes and waffle-flavored cupcakes. To dream about baking given my track record in the kitchen seems lofty, but this is one persistent dream!

As an adolescent, I began developing a belief that I was a terrible cook, "You don't want me in the kitchen, I burn everything!" As a waitress, I joked with folks, "That's why they keep me out of the kitchen, so you'll come back!"

Sad. I LOVE food and being creative, and naturally felt I should be at home in the kitchen. Further, to raise kids without providing yummy home-spun meals depressed me. I didn't let go of my secret desire to bake and cook, even after a history of mostly failed dishes.

Once when I was fresh out on my own, I tried to make Matar Paneer, an Indian dish I'd never tasted! I figured since I didn't know what Paneer was and I didn't have any, I could leave it out of the recipe. (Ha! I know, can you believe it???) I thought since I liked tomatoes and Indian spices, I would probably like this meal, even though I only tolerated peas at the time. (For those unfamiliar with Matar Paneer, it basically has three main ingredients besides the spices: tomatoes, peas, and paneer, an Indian cheese.) As you can imagine, one bite was awful. One plate was insufferable and the Matar minus Paneer met its fate with the garbage can. (Sorry, Matar.)

Did I learn from this mistake? I certainly didn't learn that following a simple recipe might be the key to my success as a beginning kitchen chemist for more than a decade. It wasn't until age 35 that I decided it was a good idea to select a simple recipe and stick to it! The rebellious creator in me thought I was doing justice by putting "my own spin" on things. This system, or recipe, was hampering my creative flow.

Just ask Chris about the white pepper incident. Needless to say, one dash of this ingredient I used to "jazz up" spaghetti sauce devastated the deliciousness it once had going for it. I had become the butt of my brother's joke. He teased me endlessly about the bean dip I served every time he visited, including holidays. I learned how to assemble the bean dip when I was a teen, it had become my stand-by, and I was standing by it...clinging to it, because it was all I knew I couldn't destroy.

Well, you would be proud to know that I didn't take bean dip for our Thanksgiving feast at my brother's. I actually made rustic stuffing with lots of herbs, boiled the cranberries for whole berry sauce, and made a simple fresh-tasting green bean dish. The cranberries were served in my Grandma's glass bowl. I made WAY too much stuffing. And I want to share the Sesame Green Bean recipe with you.

I have to give credit for our Thanksgiving day prep and cooking to Chris. He really did a lot! And we managed to stay mostly sane as 2 cooks in a tiny kitchen.

Oh, and I make yummy pumpkin scones for breakfast sometimes!




Sesame Green Beans Recipe (Serves 4, ready in 30 minutes)

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
1 pound fresh green beans, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sesame seeds. When seeds start to darken, stir in green beans. Cook, stirring, until beans turn bright green.

2. Pour in broth, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook until beans are tender-crisp, about 10 minutes. Uncover and cook until liquid evaporates.



Enjoy!

A New Dream Begins

I am thrilled to write my introductory post celebrating a BIG dream taking place in my life right now! As many of you know, I cherish my role as mother. I feel blessed that my son Graham is enjoying each day of his life surrounded by love from Mommy and Daddy. We, as a family, are living our shared dream of being present and available for each other, nurturing each other through attention and play. It is not through logic that we are achieving this dream, but through instinctual desire and our claim to it.

Our dream is expanding! I have been gifted with a Shaklee Distributorship! My Gold Ambassador PAK arrives anyday! (And you thought it was a sibling for Graham.) I am eagerly awaiting my new Shaklee products, including Basic H2, the organic super cleaning concentrate. I have a list of projects . One lucky subject is my 1971 VW van. If you like dramatic before and after photos, follow me here at Suzanne Dreams.