January 31

Markus and I finally saw Les Miserables yesterday and we were both floored. It is beautifully shot, spectacularly acted, and emotionally raw. It was the first movie I've seen that was almost entirely sung - and I was surprised at how fast it became normal. Anne Hathaway is as wonderful as everyone said she would be, Russel Crowe was just fine. In fact, I thought his unchanging, almost-bored demeanor was completely appropriate for his unchanging character - to his bitter, cold end, he could not let go of his misplaced sense of duty. The children are heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. We shed some tears. We laughed ruefully. It is three hours of being swept away.

It was very good.

January 30

This morning, my alarm went off, I opened my eyes, and BOOM the word "cupcake" was there. Not "NO", not "WHY?", not "#*&@!" - just "cupcake".

Seven days prior, Kali and I decided that next Wednesday we would take ourselves out - we wrote it down it down in our calendars ("CUPCAKES - BECAUSE WE DESERVE THEM") and spent all of this morning picking out our top three choices. Salted Caramel and the Velvet Elvis (hello banana bread topped with chocolate peanut butter frosting and bacon bits) beat everyone else out, and I can honestly say that my entire day was made better by the prospect, the presence, and the consumption of these little guys.

I suppose it was also nice to spend time with Kali (I do like her a whole lot).

January 29

This is what I live with. #housematehumor

January 27

Snow day = French toast and fireplace fires. And ride in a snow tractor named Helga.

January 26

Trollhagen, Snoqualmie

This weekend was a snow weekend. I trundled up the mountain with these four (pictured above) to a little lodge named Trollhagen for a day or two of cross country skiing, good food, reading, hot tubbing, and sleeping in a loft. 

We learned the real meaning of skiing cross country when we lost the tracks, our energy, moral, and any signage marking the presence of civil society for an hour or so - but eventually we glided (glid?) back into known territory, moral was restored, and our little taste of adventure went down real well with the pasta and pie that came after.

There is nothing that makes a body more content than being worn out, warm, and fed, with the prospect of having nothing else to do but cuddle up with a book.

January 24

 We had a festive little gathering last night - full of laughs and good food and a little dog (?) named Bandit. We officially welcomed the Kyle's home with cider and African Soup (thank you Simply Recipes and Esther Bulthuis for making this possible) and it's just a plain old good thing to be surrounded by people who love each other a great deal.

 

Bandit deserves an extra picture, because though he's not a dog (he's a wild little beast who is more squirrel than anything else), he's just pretty dang cute and we love him. Not like Sarah loves him, but we love him.

January 23

My mom gave me tulips before she left for warmer climates and I get a tingle of satisfaction and glee every time I look at them because they are perfect. I also feel a pang of sadness because I miss my mom already.

But they serve as a small reminder of God's absolute attention to detail - down to shaded petals, curled leaves, and the mutual compliment soft pinks and greens grant each other. I don't think my mom and dad's safety, strength, and happiness will be overlooked.

January 22

Present-life highlight: Lunch with this girl everyday.

Also, see that building in the background? That's the library. It's my new job. And I love it. 

January 21

Today was that extra day off that makes a weekend feel like a vacation. Especially when the day off is a Monday.

We found Phinney Ridge doesn't love being open on Mondays and that Archie McPhee's has a photobooth. And also that Alisa makes a damn good pot pie.


I will leave you with this:

I don't know who drew this, but I'm glad he or she did.

Happy Martin Luther King Day.

 

January 20

The sun returned today after a good long sabbatical behind curtains of fog and cloud, and it was a wonderful thing to welcome her back. And really, she was in spectacular form. There is research that speculates that better weather causes better moods, and I am a firm believer in this research as fact. Markus and I walked along the water and sauntered through the Sunday Market and I hemmed and hawed over a pair of whitewashed mirrors...

"for my future house one day, you know?"
"What are you going to do with them now?"
" Oh I don't know...nothing probably, but..."

This kind of behavior gave birth to the show Hoarders.

Other things to be celebrated: The long life of this weekend. Tomorrow we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day off work, a day in bed. And probably a cake. It means today is another day to play without a care.

January 19

We still live in a cloud. But living in a cloud comes with its own stark, cold beauties. 

January 18

Today we welcomed the new Mr. and Mrs. Kyle home with strains of the guitar, the sharing of stories, and a widely well received introduction to Yonanas - commonly known as "poop fruit" throughout Stephen's childhood.

This is a promising start, Friday.

January 17

This morning was a ghostly sort of winter morning
There was no sun, no skyline
Just mist and lamplight

And eventually, my bus.

January 15

Baked potatoes, butter, group meetings.

January 14

Dinner with these two, and a final goodbye to our parents - sending them off 'Merican style with chilli, pie, and cool whip.

January 13

Well folks, that was that. It was our last family weekend of winter fun for while. While there will be more winter fun to be had (never fear), my family is dispersing for a time. My parents are going back to the warmth of the tropics (let the above picture not deceive you - it was a glorious 32 degrees cold), and Nicky is headed back to college at Wheaton. The rest of us will settle back into a routine of normalcy after weeks and weeks of festivities and reunions and holidays...and I have to admit, the little old lady that lives in my soul, is settling back into her rocking chair with a certain amount of relish.

But what a weekend to top it all off with - it was beautiful, and crisp, and full of things like antique stores and beach walks and siblings and cinnamon rolls. And a documentary on reviving the American Serengeti. Also it became clear to me that somewhere in my future lies a double pillow topped mattress of my very own.

We won't discuss the Seahawks/Falcons game here.

I love my family a whole lot and I really am very thankful for them. And also for these chances to be together from our little pockets of the globe. They are delightful.

January 12

 Rockaway, OR. 

  In each sail that skims the horizon,
In each landward-blowing breeze,
I behold that stately galley,
Hear those mournful melodies;

Till my soul is full of longing
For the secret of the sea,
And the heart of the great ocean
Sends a thrilling pulse through me.

- H. W. Longfellow 

January 11

It was this kind of winter day. Complete with the company of Hannah McMillen.

January 10

Today was a brunch day. It was a crepes, mimosas, ricotta cheese, jam, and lemon sugar day. It was Pauhghl Jens Adolphsen day (which is a good day indeed).

Brunch on days that mean working the night shift, means "silver lining in every cloud" in real life language.

January 9

Happy Birthday Mama!

Also Happy Welcome-to-being-an-American day. It makes me proud, if a little bashful, to say that you know more about US history than I do.

Thank you for being so wonderful. I can only hope to grow up to be as wise and grace-filled as you. I love you!

January 5

Congratulations Sarah and Chris! 

What an honor it was to be a part of this beautiful day - Sarah, my love, I couldn't be happier for you.
How exciting to celebrate so fully the beginning of this new family, and this commitment you two have chosen to make to each other. Thank you for letting us stand by you.

 I love you so dearly!

*Photo credits to Stephan Rickard, second shooter extraordinaire. 

January 1

Happy beginning!