Moon Over Mountain

Twilight hits Mount Baker and the moon rises high in the sky.

 



Weekend Reflections: Still Waters...

...are perfect for weekend reflections.

Complexity

Imagine how many different hands worked to bring this one steam engine to life - from the designers and drafters to the miners of the coal and ore, the welders and boilermakers, the riveters and fitters, the engineers and conductors and the passengers who paid to ride behind her.

Adrift

I can think of worse ways to spend a day!

Hovander House

 

Built in 1903, this Scandinavian inspired house was built and furnished for the Hovander family.  The barn seen here was finished eight years later.  The grand home has large windows for light and exterior gingerbread.  The family resided here until 1969.  It is now part of the Whatcom County Park system and I have to take a tour of the interior someday.

Wake

 

This is a picture from June, on a rainy ride home from Friday Harbor.  The ferry boat's wake expands into the distance.  I actually miss grey days like this.  I'm sure they'll be here soon enough and then I'll be missing the sun. 

Rose

 

I've been on the lookout for flowers lately, as so many are still around and haven't lost their petals due to the lack of our usual rain.  This rose was still in beautiful condition for late September.  I've always been a fan of the pink and yellow combination.

Weekend Reflections: Mirror Image

Grandpa and granddaughter watching ripples and looking for fish.

The Battle of Mineral Lake

Members of the Washington Civil War Association stroll about the town of Elbe, waiting for the train to leave for Mineral Lake.

Once on board, we sat in a beautifully maintained car that I would guess dated from the twenties. The first car behind the engine was open topped for up close viewing of the scenery.  I was in the open car when we hit the first hill.  The pleasantly huffing steam engine became a monster, billowing black smoke and sending blasts up through the foliage with such force that leaves and even small branches were blown off the trees. 

Yankee soldiers lie in wait for the confederates.

Shots are fired...

...and casualties mount as the battle rages.

The union forces eventually surrender, but this confederate soldier paid the ultimate price for victory.

Steamer

While visiting my dad this weekend, we took a ride on an old steam train out of Elbe, Washington. The Washington Civil War Association staged a mock battle at the end of the ride and rode with us in costume.  I'll post more pictures this weekend!

Metal Carved into Mountians

 

This multi layer metal engraved sculpture is part of the artwork on Bellingham Technical College's campus.  I was drawn to this because of it's many layers used to create Mount Baker, the foothills and the forest valley.

Bright

Before our late bit of summer slips away, I had to share a wild flower garden I came apon a few weeks ago in the Birchwood neighborhood.  All the bright colors and textures really appeal to me, as well as the wild arrangement. 

Loving Art

 

This bright and happy painting greets the children as they enter Loving Space Preschool.

Toadstool

This looks like a lovely place for some little forest creature to spend an afternoon.

 

Ready to Party?

With boxes of decorations in hand, we trooped down to the local playground to celebrate our girls' birthdays.  The theme was "Under the Sea" complete with fish garlands, fishnets, and a seafloor centerpiece on the table.

Duck!

Lizzi must have been REALLY quite to sneak up and get this picture!

Peace of the Sky

This playground equipment frames the beautiful late summer sky.  September has graced us with a little more summer, but you can sure feel that chill of fall in the mornings and evenings.

A Fantastic 7 Years

Eli and lizzi's daughter celebrates her 7th birthday today.  She is a smart, caring, and inquisitive girl who really isn't very little anymore.  I know this will be another great year for her!

Mom and Baby

The three plum trees in my yard are overly ripe and lots of fruit are now dropping.  This has made our yard very popular with all the deer in the area.  This mommy deer and her fawn are very frequent guests and my little girls and I couldn't be happier to see them.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

This Saturday I was so excited to attend my niece's first ever football game.  Yes, I said my niece!  Nooksack Valley Purple grades 4-5 took on a Ferndale squad for an entertaining afternoon.  I am happy to gloat that my niece did fantastic (the only girl on either team) making 3 tackles and helping her team win 32-6.  In case your curious, my niece is number 77 purple, the furthest to the left.

Weekend Reflections: Floats

Two abandoned floats reflect in Lake Padden's still waters

Corn Maze

Fall is nearly here, and that means it's time for our annual trip to the FFA corn maze near Lynden, WA.  This year's maze had us going in circles for quite a while before we stumbled on the right passage.  

Just Hanging Around...

...waiting for somebody to drop in for a bite.

Children's Garden

 

The kid's garden at Hovander Park is a fun place to learn about plants and gardening.  It is happy and whimsical and my kids love exploring it.  Always a must stop when we visit this park.

Big Red

 

The big red barn at Hovander Park (or as my oldest daughter calls it, "the farmer park")  as seen from the new playground.  

Sunflower Sky

 

A sunflower reaches for the sky.

Old and New

On our latest visit to Hovander Park we were excited to discover a brand new playground.  The kids loved it, as it had a nature theme, and I loved the way it was situated amongst the old farm buildings.

Weekend Reflections: On the Banks of the Skagit

Our camp at Howard Miller was just up the bank from the Skagit River.  I walked down one evening to sit at the bank and watch the last of the daylight slip down the valley.