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

Reflection

At first I saw the light reflecting in the puddle.

Then I noticed the tiny drops adding to the collection of this week's rain.

As I moved closer, the ground as the bottom of the vessel became clear.

And then the tree stared back at me in the mirror!

Cinch Inch Loss Starter Kit Giveaway

Enter to win the
Cinch Starter Kit Giveaway
and tell them Suzanne Kash sent you!

The Cinch Inch Loss Plan is Powered by Leucine™ and specially formulated to help you break the diet cycle, so you:

Keep muscle you have, Burn fat you don't need, Lose inches you don't want!

One lucky winner will receive The Cinch Starter Kit that includes ($228.00 Retail Value):

Vanilla shake mix canister (15 servings)

Assorted Cinch shake packets (14 packets)

3-in-1 boost™(42 count)

Assortment pack snack bars (10 count)

Energy tea mix (28 sticks)

Daily journals (2)

Cinch program guide

Cinch logo shaker cup

Cinch pedometer

Cinch tape measure

And don't forget that losing an inch ought to involve laughing it off.

My Cinch Plan At-A-Glance

You get two meals in a delish shake, a yummy bar to treat yourself, and extraordinary tea for natural energy when you need it. Healthy, cinch-to-fix menus and serving guides give you more to sink your teeth into. And with each meal, you take a three-in-one boost with ingredients that help kick up metabolism,* retain normal blood sugar levels,* and supply nutrients.

If you're pregnant, nursing or diabetic, ask a health professional. Not recommended for use by children.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sweepstakes officially ends January 13, 2012 at 11:59 pm PST

Join Shaklee today with a $70 order and receive a Cinch Sampler Kit ($100 value) FREE!

Start your transformation with Cinch.

Farewell 2011! Welcome 2012!

Isn't the back of this leaf splendid? Graham and I went for a walk today through our neighborhood. His small hand gripped mine as we slowly made our way along the gravel sidewalk. He is still short enough that I have to round over in order to walk hand in hand. Meandering with a small child allows my eyes to see extraordinary beauty in an unseen landscape where cars whizz by and dogs happily tromp. If I look closely at this picture, I notice the cracks and weathering of the leaf, pelted by late night hail. This leaf is "out of season", an ode to Fall, past its peak. I draw a parallel that life's beauty is complete despite its perceived hardships. I appreciate the glory in this tiny Nature vignette:)

A loud hail storm woke me from my sleep last night. Or was it early morn? A dazzling intro to winter, the white crystals in small pockets on the ground.

Check this out! Have you ever seen cones "blooming"? I am in awe...

I feel this plant's growth and flowering exudes the essence of the New Year! While most plant life appears dormant this time of year, this close-up reveals the magnificence budding!

As I look within myself during this season of suspected dormancy, I am fueled by the simple brilliancy of nature, and reminded of the active growth taking place all around me, as well as within!

To You, I wish a year teeming with joy and abundant growth!

xoxo,

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