The Best Thing About Blogging

The best thing about blogging, for me, is getting to interact with so many wonderful people across the globe.  I have been so blessed to get to 'know' myriads of like-minded and inspiring individuals, and often think about how much fun it would be to meet you all in person!

When I got an email from Elise, who blogs at the fabulous Fleur d'Elise, saying her family would be visiting our neck of the woods and would love to get together, I was so excited!

Tasha, two of my sisters, and I cruised over to Spirit Lake Books & Coffee, along with Tasha's bro Alex who came along to look into getting his books sold there. (Look for them on the shelf!)

Libby, Elise, Ellie, Tasha and I

When these adorable sisters walked in the door, I knew we were all Kindred Spirits.  For one thing, Elise had a green dot Cath Kidston bag...!  But really, within minutes we were talking, laughing, and joking like old hands over homemade cinnamon rolls, sandwiches and milkshakes.  Libby went with me for seconds on the milkshakes... my kind of girl:) (we also share a very uncommon shoe size - woot!)

The afternoon went by way too fast, but we're scheming for another meeting before they leave, which will hopefully include some badminton, which we also all adore!

Tasha's account found here♥

Thanks to Alex and Algy for the portraits!

In the Orchard

I opened my eyes, suddenly, and gasped.  

I really did, it was just so beautiful.  Also, my back was so very agonized.  And my brain was telling me it would be a good idea to go back to sleep for at least another two weeks.

Four hours before, Tasha and I fell asleep under the apple trees in her orchard, watching the sky turn from dull grey to silver as the dawn broke over the trees.  In a blanket fort constructed of quilts, afghans, and vintage brooches.

Oh, and saying...

Don't Blink.

To each other.

This was the first ever Orchard Sleepover, and Tasha introduced me to The Doctor.

We set up our tent - it's been way too long since I made a blanket fort.  Put it on your list to make a blanket fort this week... you'll love it.  If not for you, then for your children or siblings or the church kids.

Blanket forts are the best!

The moon was full, and the whole orchard was silvery and peaceful and lovely.

We set up the computer, and the end table, and the blue lights.  Pillows abounded.

Bananas and chocolate cupcakes with edible ball bearings on top (silver cake sprinkles) were the bill of fare, as well as French caramels, and chips.  Only we called them crisps.  Tasha and Alex made 3D glasses - there were special button badges, too, to commemorate the occasion.

Then we settled down to episode after episode of Doctor Who - I met Nine, who was cool and funny and fantastic, and Rose, who was cute and spunky and loyal.  And then came Ten.  And we squealed. Ten was brilliant and brilliant and brilliant.

Don't Blink.

Blink and you're dead. They are fast. Faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back! Don't look away. And don't blink. Good Luck.

It was awesome.

Oh, and apples most definitely do not keep the Doctor away.  Just for the record.

Bonnie Dog 

KFD Originals - Allons-Y, Timey-Wimey, Run.

We were all fantastic.

Allons-y!

P.S. Once you've seen Doctor Who, you know how things make you think of things.  There's a lot of stuff in this post like that for you.  Like the bananas.

For the rest of you, just enjoy the post, and smile indulgently at Whovians.  There's not much else you can do:)

--Me

P.S.S. Read Tasha's account of this extraordinary event here!

Warm Summer Evenings

 

 

 

The days are spinning by like a top.  

Up here, we're right in the middle of the beautiful days of Summer - not too hot, never too cool, with cool pines and a deep lake and piles of projects billowing around me like steam.  I can start to see through to the other side, though, and it includes lots of exciting and big opportunities on the horizon.

And in the middle of it all, a perfect evening at the lake to recharge and refocus.  And a really, really fantastic surprise after that.  As in a fantastically brilliant surprise.  With 3-D glasses and jim-jams... Coming soon!

Thanks so much for all of your wonderful comments on the CA trip - it's so great to be home again!

Oh, and if you haven't yet entered, don't forget to check out the 

MIDSUMMER MODCLOTH GIVEAWAY!

On Mother's Day

 Yesterday was a Talache day.  In other words, it was a day spent at one of my favorite spots on this earth.

It's a little strip of rocky shore nestled beneath the plunging slopes of the mountains I love and live in.

Lake Pend Oreille - the fifth deepest lake in the US.  And cold.

Some of my most treasured memories are kept along it's shores...  We made a few more to add to the collection yesterday.

We spent Mother's Day here last year, and the year before, and the year before that.  Perhaps even the year before that... suffice to say, we go way, way back!

The weather was perfectly spectacular.  In past years, we've had weather of all kinds - rain, hail, fog, and balmy sunshine.  But as Mother's Day was a week later this year, we had a day of pure, cloudless gold.

 

My Mother.  Spending this wonderful day at Talache is a perfect picture of her - there's no place she'd rather be.  Unless it would be salmon fishing up in Alaska...!

Words, empty words.  How could I possibly choose the right ones to convey what my mother is?

She's a true inspiration, showing me what pure, selfless womanhood and motherhood is.

Her strength, her selflessness, her dedication and her common sense are laced with a crazy love of adventure and a sense of humor so non-British that we always groan at each other's jokes.

My mother is the most inspiring person ever.  Someday, I think I'll write a book that will show her in her rightful place as the modern day Ma Ingalls.

My dulcimer is the traditional instrument of choice at Talache

And playing it while reclining in the hammock is pure bliss.

Eight families were able to join us, and children were everywhere!  Here they take a spin on a log.

(photo credit my Dad's iphone)

This here's my gorgeous sis Ellen.  

Her hair is naturally curly - I'm eternally jealous. :grin:

I take most of the pictures on the blog, but if I'm in one, chances are she took it.  This girl has major talent.

She's also genius at gardening.  And she makes a mean four strand french braid.  Her sense of humor is nearly identical to my moms - those two are dangerous in the joke line.

My sweet friend Wild Rose and her family were able to come, which was a real treat!

We took a stroll along the shore with our cameras in hand, shooting everything in sight;)

Ellen and Rebekah

The evening closed in, the shadows lengthened.  The bonfire was lit, and hymnbooks pulled out.

My favorite part of the day.