cosiness

Yeah; jury-rigged an extension cord, so I have lamplight with which to grade papers!

  This is the other end of my shoe-filled closet.

Think one of the nice things about living in a greyish climate is that the lights seem to twinkle more.

no change

just realized that it has been over a month since I've found any money on the ground.  At least there are still metaphoric pennies--gorgeous sun rise during my morning ramble was a shiny moment in the day.

And my students continue to delight--today, got to hear their reports on their first American Thanksgiving.  To a person, they raved about smashed potatoes....kept trying to tell them they are mashed, but then we agreed that either phrase is applicable.

I've pretty much always had great students, but I've never had students who thanked me by name at the end of every single class period.  

We'll see if they still do that after finals.

scenes from Suquamish

 Okay.  Seems that these heads of concrete are considered tres chic on this island.  This sprite is beside my new parking space.

Dee-lightful little purse found at an incredibly reasonable vintage store in Pouslbo.  Now, I need an event to which to carry it.

Behold my closet.  I just stand and admire the neatness and order.

 Walking out a pulled lumbar muscle, found this blustery view of Agate Pass.

and here is an outside shot of my new living quarters.  For now.

the very least

“The very least you can do in your life 

is figure out what you hope for. 

And the most you can do

is live inside that hope.

Not admire it from a distance, 

but live right in it, 

under its roof.”

 

~Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

poetry of gratitude

Just returned from a jaunt to Portland for T-day.  Despite the most lengthy water-logged/windy drive I've encountered from here to there, there are many gratitudes at present.

One of the largest stalks of Brussel sprouts I've seen--so tender and tasty--despite some of the eye-rolling of suspicion over this dish.

Happy dog and uncle enjoying some quiet time.

Glorious lefse, puffing up nicely.  Think this is the latest in the season I've ever waited to make a batch.  Cousin J & I tried using a tortilla press, but found the results were too thick. 

Setting of the table beginning.

filling with food

Aunt E capturing another view of the table (and styling her new wig.)

Thanks, indeed.

drippity, drip. drip, drippity drip

Trying to ignore the steady 30 hours of rain and subsequent roof leakage and book damage and the actual dripping upon me even as I type, and enjoy the cosiness.

Found the Poulsbo branch of the county library with these beautiful wooden carvings by the door.

and this lovely reading girl perched outside the windows.

do you know the muffin man?

(I realize the song has nothing to do with gingerbread cookies, but it was running through my head while we did this project.)

There's nothing better on a wildly windy and wet night than to build a big fire and to roll out a batch of spicy goodness.  The world is a friendlier place with the scent of cloves and ginger wafting about one's kitchen.

celebrating the birth continues...

Having read several raving reviews of this new restaurant hitchcock, I was thrilled that it was the venue for my Bainbridge b-day gathering.

It completely lived up to it's reputation, on all plates.

 I missed the cheese course and the dessert shots, but they were gorgeously presented; including a birthday candle!

 The culinary discovery continued with today's lunch at a Poulsbo crepery.   Cosy spot to watch the pounding winter storms on Liberty Bay.

Walked down the boardwalk after lunch to see where it went and was vastly amused to see these stairs leading into a wall.

And to recuperate from all the essay grading that is beginning to occur, a serene spa soak was in order.

baby, it's cold inside as well

 

haven't seen windows frozen since my Minnesota years.  Brrrrrrr. 

welcoming a new year

up early enough to see the moon

gorgeous vista during breakfast and practicing

Bogart's still a bit cranky that I was gone for a couple of days.

Met cousin J for lunch at a surprisingly good tapas place in Poulsbo.

Sitting in the sun, enjoying spicy food was delightful.

Followed by tasty bites o' chocolates.

and a cup of coffee overlooking Liberty Bay. 

with all the cards, calls and e-greeting and the day's ramble, it was a serene and lovely beginning to this year.

finding out what I'm doing here...

 

Had the luxury of taking my annual birthday retreat outside of Pt. Angeles.  A lovely little unit with a water view and many curious seagulls.

 FYI--gulls do not care for kale.

wintery landscape
 

Hiking along Dungeness Bay; didn't make it all the way to the lighthouse; next trip.  And my credo for the upcoming year:

cherish your solitude. take trains by yourself
to places you have never been. sleep out alone
under the stars. learn how to drive a stick shift.
go so far away that you stop being afraid of not
coming back. say no when you don't want to do
something. say yes if your instincts are strong, even 
if everyone around you disagrees. decide whether 
you want to be liked or admired. decide if fitting in
is more important than finding out what you're doing here.

eve ensler

dancing joys

 not sure if these sculptures of a friend's children are whimsical or creepy.

 dropped dews

trying on the first recital tutu

If you think the world (politicians, Euro, disease, etc.) is no damn good, get yourself to the nearest dance studio.  Three-year-old ballerinas embody the essence of joy like you've never seen.

And you might learn the choreography for Twinkle Twinkle.   Which may inspire you to twirl about a bit in exuberance.