After many days spent working away on the loft cabin (Hans Olaf Loft) in Plain over the past two years, we can finally say it is done! What a labor of love...lots and lots of labor...for my builder husband. He milled and planed and sanded and stained and finished almost every piece of  wood that was installed

Journeying to Minnesota and Wisconsin a week ago, I once again experienced that sense in the depth of my being that we all crave...that of being deeply loved.  I drove up the winding driveway through the trees to the door of my aunt and uncle's home on Red Cedar Lake on that Thursday evening and my aunt Connie and several cousins came running out the door to greet me. What a welcome!

"End of the spring and here she comes back, Hi, Hi, Hi, Hi there, them summer days, those summer days..." Traditionally in the Puget Sound area, summer doesn't truly start until the 4th of July has past, but not this year. We had the hottest June on record, with many days in the 80's and 90's....yes, 90's! 

Last week was the culmination of months of meetings, of planning, for the annual conference of the our national church body (the AFLC). Sometime last fall, our pastor had emailed me and asked me to consider taking on the "decor" for several events at the conference, to be held at the Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center. After praying about this "opportunity," and recruiting a couple of friends to help me, I said yes.

Not long ago, I followed the recommendation of a friend and stopped by Mon Amie, a coffee shop/bakery in Mill Creek. I'm don't speak french, so I looked up the meaning of mon amie, and found out that it means "my (female) friend." I had invited my friend, Pam, along with me so I felt like my little venture was fulfilling the meaning of the cafe's name.  

Do you ever feel a little stuck in a rut when it comes to the meals  you cook? I sure do! You would think with all the online recipe websites and Pinterest that I would be experimenting like crazy. I don't know about you, but the problem for me is, I hate to go to a lot of work and the expense of buying the ingredients, only to find out the final result really wasn't worth the effort. Snagging recipes from friends is much more reliable, but I really like learn how to prepare a new dish hands on...like a cooking class!

Every where I've gone in the last few days, I've heard the the parting farewell words, "Have a Happy Mother's Day!" Do these clerks and bank tellers just look at me at my age, perhaps see the wedding ring on my hand, and assume that I am a mother?  I know this farewell is spoken with good intentions, and yet, part of me wonders if these words bring a soul ache instead of the warm "Hallmark card" commercial feelings?

We spent this past weekend in Plain, working on projects for our loft cabin. Prior to this, I will admit we had been calling it an "apartment", mainly because you have to go up a flight of stairs to reach the living area. Neither one of us liked the sound of that word for this space though....sounded way too urban. 

The past weekend was full of wonderful birthday celebrations! I find it hard to believe that special people in my life are actually turning 60! How is that possible when I am still sooooo young...mentally, anyway!!! My sister, Vangie, and a friend, Lynette, actually turned 60 on the same day last week and I had the joy of celebrating life with each of them.

Returning from a weekend spent at beautiful Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center in Peshastin, I felt refreshed and renewed. The site for our Women's retreat could not have been better! Situated in the Cascade mountains near Leavenworth and Peshastin, the main lodge and grounds are bordered by Ingalls Creek...just loved the sound of the rushing water.

Last night it rained so hard that the sound of it woke me up. I could hear the rain hitting the windows and roof with a such force and I was so thankful to be snuggled in my warm bed. Waking to grey skies once again, I huddled in a blanket out on the front porch for a quiet time as I read the Word and prayed. Looking at the dismal weather, I tried to encourage myself with the old adage, "April showers bring May flowers." I do love flowers!

I've been itching to visit the Living Room coffee house in Marysville ever since I attended the IF: Gathering several weeks ago. You may remember that they catered this event for women held at Life Point church in Lake Stevens.

Heading for home after a wonderful birthday celebration day at Friday Harbor, followed by dinner in Anacortes, our friend and chauffeur, Rhonda, asked, "Want to take a little detour and catch the tulip fields in bloom?" We all said, "Yes!", thankful that we had dodged the rain forecast for the day. 

One of the things I love about living in the Northwest is the scenic beauty that is just outside your door...or just a short drive away. In what seems like no time at all, you can be on a ferry boat heading out in the San Juan Islands, enjoying the view with friends

Raising two sons, my life was full of boys playing in the mud, searching for fish in the creek and the lake, riding 4 wheelers, playing sports like soccer, basketball, baseball and football; swimming, skiing, and hiking, attending science and computer camps, engaging in lots of very physical play...life in constant motion.

Several years ago, at one of the clinics' summer barbecues, I tasted some cake pops that came from Jenny Cookies. Someone said she was a local Northwest self taught baker and Party planner who had made become very successful, even throwing birthday parties for the children of Tori Spelling in California.