January

Hello, Dear Ones, How have you been? 

January is almost over, can you believe it?

Have you noticed that the days are getting longer? 

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are now 

seeing daylight past 5 p.m.

The mornings are still as dark as ever, but 

there are subtle signs that winter is moving along

in its steady march towards spring. 

I saw this ladybug the other day - 

lured from its hibernation by 

some fleeting, winter sunshine. 

Our snow has melted and we have 

had some warming during the day, 

although the nights are still icy

and cold. 

My Glacier Pansies have started blooming 

in the thin warmth of the January sun, 

a true testament to the resiliency of nature. 

Late afternoon light casting shadows.....

My new 'French' watering can stands ready for service. 

My rusty bear wind-chime frames a sunny view.

As we zoom in we can see bare trees in a sea of evergreen. 

Rising above, Mt. Rainier rests under 

thick clouds and snow. 

An inhospitable environment that 

even the most skilled of mountain climbers 

are reluctant to climb. 

So I stay inside where it is warm and pursue 

the gentler arts. 

I've been having fun creating flowered 

dish cloths and embellished dish towels 

as gifts for loved ones. 

This set went to my sweet Daughter-in-law, 

Jen, for her birthday. 

Here she is at her party with my son, Dustin. 

I've been spending lots of time with family 

the last few weeks :) 

I've been babysitting my new little grandson, 

Gavin, while his parents move into their new home. 

He is already almost 3 months old. 

When you can mark the passing of time 

with a baby, you realize how quickly 

it all goes by. 

I'll be sitting for this little guy once a week

from now on. Mommy and Daddy do need to work

to keep this sweet chub-chub in onesies! 

My Grandson, Ethan is almost 2 now! 

Uncle Dustin holds him still for a moment.... 

He is in constant motion, running and jumping - 

talking and singing.....

Until he is exhausted......

and then he sits in his little chair, 

hugging his 'lovey'. 

Here he is with his little red nose, enjoying his first snow. 

I've also been creating some Valentine's decorations

which I will show you soon. 

And I've been spending time in my sewing room 

with a little help from 'Birdy-Boy', 

my pet cockatiel. 

I'm sewing pillows for my day-bed. 

He loves to pull the pins out of my pin-cushions

and anything I have pinned. 

It definitely slows me down, but he is 

so methodical and determined that 

I just have to laugh. 

When he is not undoing my work, 

he likes to sit in the window and alert

me to anything going on outside. 

He is always on 'Hawk alert'. :)

He comes to me when I whistle and is quite attached 

to me, nibbling and whispering sweet nothings

in my ear. <3

Maggie spends most of her time curled up 

waiting for spring. 

Whitey-Bear is also lazy these days
and looking forward to warmer days.

Kai keeps us all young with his playful 

spirit and happy exuberance. 

I captured this January sunset at the bottom 

of our mountain road as I was returning 

home from the market the other day. 

January can be a difficult month as we cope 

with the darkness and the cold.

Finding solace in small pleasures, cherished family, 

 faith, beloved pets, and favorite past-times help 

as we wait for warmer 

 and happier days, here in the North.

xoxo