A very white Christmas!

We do LOVE snow, and the three of us are having a very white and merry Christmas! Hope yours is merry too!

Wonderful Birthday Celebration!

My birthday falls on the first day of December, and due to the usual weather and getting older, there isn't too much to celebrate. But this year we decided to take a trip to Seattle where I grew up to celebrate. We had a fun trip there, stopping to see granddaughter Kory, and daughter Joy and family on the way. As we pulled into Seattle in time for lunch, the insurance man took me to a favorite, Ivars down on Elliott Bay. We picked out our plates of food, then sat where the hopeful seagulls watched us intently. It was damp and cold, but they have large heaters warming the outside air, and the view was marvelous. 

It was 'blue Friday', which was the discount you got for being a Seahawks fan. Tis' the land of the Huskies and Seahawks after all. 

One reason we made the trip was to see my brother and sister-in-law. My brother Joe had been in an accident recently, hence the wrist cast, and I wanted to check up on him.

We also wanted to meet the newest family member, Teddy. He is an ENORMOUS golden doodle puppy! That's right, I said puppy!!

Just like any toddler, he wants to be entertained and played with, so the insurance man did his part and danced with Teddy. I just tried to keep myself uncovered from his love and affection.

That evening we found our way back to downtown Seattle where we had booked a room at this very interesting boutique hotel. It is at the foot of Queen Anne Hill, and in a brick building built in 1908. The building is a city block in size, and was built to train car mechanics from blacksmiths to work at the Ford factory. 

 Front door of the hotel...

and the beautiful main lobby. The staircase goes up both sides for a total of 3 stories.

Second floor landing.

This is a shot of the wonderful architecture of the staircase.

At the top, a stained glass skylight.

The next morning we found that the complimentary breakfast was served in the pub on the main floor. We found a wonderful little alcove with cozy chairs and a gas fire burning. We enjoyed homemade yogurt with honey and fresh fruit, a toasted bagel and wonderful coffee. But you couldn't beat the atmosphere~We relaxed and really enjoyed this.

On Saturday we drove up the hill and enjoyed a walk with a marvelous view of Puget Sound, the city and the beautiful mansions there. We spent the day again visiting Joe, Cathy and Teddy then returned to the MarQueen for the night.

After enjoying the breakfast for a second day, we walked again before leaving Seattle, this time down to the Seattle Center just a few blocks away. The fountain has always been a special friend of mine, but not the right time of year for it to display with a cold spell on the way. Still, always nice to re-acquaint with old friends. 

We decided to get on our way south, and drive back home over Mount Hood before the weather closed in. Good thing too. We enjoyed the snow, and made it just fine before being snowed in by a foot and a half of snow that hit us later that week. 

Good thing JoAnn crocheted me this scarf and matching mittens for my birthday!! 

Bed or No Bed?

What a warm inviting cozy Christmas bed to climb into each night in December!
But I can't help but also think each night of the many in our community that don't have a warm cozy bed in our very cold temperatures. Our shelters are doing what they can to bring the homeless into town from their many camps, but it's never enough. I can't do much. I can help fill their stomachs with hot food. And I can whisper a prayer each night to the One who can do it all.