Tulip Fields

 Last week we celebrated our anniversary with a drive up to the Skagit Valley to see the Tulip Fields.  You may recall in a previous post that we tried to make a visit to see the flowers a couple of years ago.  Unfortunately, at that time we were in the midst of Covid and so the fields were closed to the public.  We could only enjoy a country drive and admire them from afar.  

 

This year we were able to walk the tulip gardens and fields in the peak of their glory. The weather was cool but dry and there were many dozens of other families enjoying the day. Everyone is so grateful to finally be out from under restrictions! Looking out over the fields we could see the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in the distance. They were a perfect backdrop to the valley and the flower color combinations were just stunning. 

 With over three hundred thousand tulip and daffodil bulbs planted in the three acre show garden, the variety of colors and kinds seems endless.

 

''See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.''

~~

We completed our afternoon with a meal and a yummy treat seated beside the fireplace at the local bakery restaurant in Mount Vernon. 

No need to say much in this post as the pictures say it all.  And so our lovely tour of the tulip gardens comes to an end.

 

Adieu!
 

 

 

Easter

 While our Easter Resurrection Sunday has passed, it is just beginning for my Orthodox family and friends.  However, it is interesting to note that the Easter season in the church actually lasts 50 days going from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.  This season is known as Eastertide.  So, may I just wish a Happy Eastertide to each of you!

You all know how I love to decorate for the various holidays and seasons of the year.  This year is no exception, although I have toned it down just a bit!

That love of decorating spilled over into the church where I have the pleasure of choosing and ordering the banners and paraments for the alter all year long.  With the help of others way more gifted than I am, the alter on Easter morning turned out really stunning.

 

 

 

I loved sharing Resurrection Sunday with my family.  While we missed having our daughter here, our two sons and their families were with us, and we were blessed to still be able to have my mom with us as well.

 

 

  In the afternoon after church we had an Easter egg hunt outside with the girls..

 followed by a delicious dinner inside. Rather than our traditional ham I had a nice turkey with all the fixings. It turned out perfect! Yum!

I didn't take a lot of pictures.  I was too busy enjoying this time of eucharisteo.  I pray your Easter has been or will be equally blessed.

He is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

 

 

* In the original language, “he gave thanks” reads “eucharisteo”. The root word of eucharisteo is “charis” meaning “grace.” Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks. It also holds its derivative, the Greek word “chara” meaning “joy.” Deep chara joy is found only at the table of eucharisteo- the table of thanksgiving. Ann Voskamp

Palm Sunday

 Yesterday was Palm Sunday.

 All glory, laud, and honor,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.. Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David’s royal Son,
who in the Lord’s name comest,
the King and Blessed One.

Baking

 My mother has always been the family baker.  I have many memories of coming home after school to the smells of fresh baked bread, apple pie or some kind of tasty cookie.  Her favorite of course, was toll house chocolate chip.  On the other hand, my dad's favorite cookie was oatmeal raisin.  For better or worse, chocolate chip tended to appear on the plate several times more often than oatmeal. Fortunately, Dad did enjoy both!  In our house my hubby is the one who really enjoys chocolate chip while I prefer other flavors.  The other day I was thinking about my dad and I was suddenly hungry for an old fashioned oatmeal cookie. I didn't fast during Lent this year,  so I whipped up a batch.  I split the batter up and made some with coconut, some with craisins, and some with chocolate chips for my sweetheart.  Yum!  There are few things more enjoyable than a freshly baked cookie still warm from the oven.

 

 In this sad and crazy world we live in right now, it is the simple  pleasures of hearth and home that help me through the days, calm in the knowledge that God is still here, he still loves us and he is still with us. May we all rest in that knowledge as we head towards Holy Week.

Adieu!

 

First Trip to Georgia

 A few days ago we returned from a trip across country to help our daughter and family relocate to their new community outside of Atlanta, Georgia.  It was quite the production getting both her and our toddler grandson as well as ourselves, two cats, assorted baby paraphernalia and baggage down to the airport and checked in.  Our little grandson was quite a trooper for such a long flight.  Thankfully, his daddy was waiting to greet us when we landed and to take us to their new home.

 

The kids "new" home is actually around 25 years old and needs a bit of TLC and updating.  It has great bones and sits on a big lot in a very nice neighborhood. 

Gazing out over the back yard from our bedroom window we could see the large park that backs up right to their property.  Everything was still dormant which was a bit of an adjustment coming from the Evergreen Northwest.  Upon closer inspection, we discovered there were tennis courts, baseball diamonds, a children's playground and a lovely duck pond and walking trail, all right outside their back door!

 

After our exploration of the neighborhood our "workcation" began in earnest as we launched into unloading and unpacking.  While my daughter and I scrubbed and cleaned and emptied boxes, the guys, worked on some plumbing, replaced an old sliding door, and started updating light fixtures.  I think we made a trip to the local Home Depot at least twice every day we were there!

 In the center of their town there is a nice little park surrounded by small businesses.  There is a small amphitheater for summer concerts. I can just imagine taking a summer stroll through the town as children are playing on the grass and listening to the music.

  

While the majority of our time was spent working on the house we did manage to find a couple of opportunities for a little exploring.  This included a morning wandering around the lovely town square in historic Marietta.

 

And we spent our last day in Atlanta itself. 

 

 We visited the Atlanta Aquarium, which is quite impressive.  

 

Then we took a walk through the Olympic Park which was created for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

 

All too soon it was time to head for home.  After over two weeks together we all knew it was time for us to begin the process of letting go and allow them to begin living out the special future and plan God has for them.  

 

 

 It's good to be home but I miss them and look forward to returning to seeing them in God's timing.  Thank the Lord for airplanes and facetime!

 

 

Adieu!