Small(ish) town, small neighborhood, big smiles

OK, for Western Washington this fall has been GORGEOUS so far. Yep, of course, there has been rain, but seriously it has also been crisp and wonderful.

If you have seen where we live, you would know that it looks pretty rural. (We own a barn for goodness sake!) However, we are literally less than 5 minutes from the busiest intersections in our small-ish town. Tucking into a pocket of quiet, except for neighborhood dogs chatting back and forth. Best of both worlds.

One of the coolest things that is near us is a little farm across the road. The guy who lives there has turned it slowly back into a working farm. This spring we saw calves in the pasture (the really wooly, Scottish ones). He cut down a cedar and planked it to repair his barn this spring. With the help of his friend he has also begun to grow different crops. Last summer he put out a little picnic table with a drop payment box and began selling some of what he grew.

People walking their dogs or riding their bikes will make a point to stop and see what's for sale, and perhaps bring home tomatoes, corn, lettuce, or now - gourds and pumpkins. Of course I had to buy some, hello! It's fall! I'd rather support my neighbor that folks I don't know.

Since it's right across from us, I check it out every day on my way past. Rain or shine, Toby's wares are out there. I just think it's a neat little quirky thing that makes us feel farther from the middle of town than we are. Sometimes that's a great thing. It's almost when I see the stand I take a deep cleansing breath. Like I said above, small neighborhood, big smiles.

Happy Fall to all,

H~

He Remembered

Hello again!


Ron is so observant. This summer we went hiking on Mt. Rainier with "the cousins" (and their parents). It was great fun to take preteen girls who squeal about spiderwebs through trees and watch the boys take off on their own talking and climbing, and throwing snowballs in the middle of July while wearing shorts. It was truly a day filled with laughter and smiles. During that trip we stopped into Paradise Lodge for a treat and a look. I mentioned in passing that I always wanted to stay in the lodge, since I was a little girl visiting with my parents, brother, and whoever came to visit. He remembered, and booked a night for us to celebrate our anniversary.


I was told to save the date, and told what types of clothes to pack. No idea where we were going. So exciting! We left straight from work, the kids were watched by Aunt Jen. All practices and commitments were covered.



This trip was cold, actually the last weekend the lodge would be open before closing for Winter. There was no snow on the ground, but beautiful colors of Fall were everywhere. The cliffs, meadows, and passes looked like they were on fire in some spots. We stopped every time I said I wanted a picture. (Yes! I got a night with my guy AND got to shoot pictures on the fly!) I have never seen "the mountain" with fall colors painted on it. The one season I'd missed.



It was a beautiful weekend. It was so quiet, the misty rain muted all noise. Crackling giant fires in the two fireplaces in the lobby. Sitting in overstuffed chairs and sofas while drinking a glass of wine. Eating in a restaurant where people from ages ago ate. Beautiful windows where the glass was setting to the bottom of each pane. I was in awe the entire time.


How did he remember? I think it was just a quick comment as kids ventured into a gift shop. He hears these things, and remembers. Ron works so hard on us, he pays attention, even while we are zooming around in the middle of daily life.


I loved this special time to go and live something I'd wanted for 20 years with him. What I had imagined about staying there was true. Rustic, part of history, calming. What I realized in the middle of it all is that my life is blessed, to be married to this man. I knew that, but I remembered all over again. He does these things, little and big, to help our marriage all of the time. How lucky am I?


Sorry if this is too gooey of a post for you. Just had to be expressed. Here are some shots of this trip to the mountain. Hopefully my emotions come through in the shots.



Take care of each other~