Casting of tin

Seattle, Washington
Saturday, December 31, 2016

Spent a lovely (and low-key) New Year's Eve with friends. After dinner, the hostess broke out the Finnish tin horse shoes, and we set to melting them over the stove--and casting the melted metal into a bucket of water. The purpose of this activity? Seeing what 2017 has in store for all of us!

Read more on molybdomancy...

Wolf sighting!

Pateros, Washington
Saturday, December 31, 2016

This morning as we were driving a few miles south of Pateros on Highway 97, we almost hit a wolf. At first Frank thought it must have  been a large dog or a monster coyote, but it sure looked like a wolf to me. When we got home, Frank checked online and found that there is indeed a pack that was confirmed in 2015 to be the Loup Loup pass area. They inhabit a territory between Twisp and Omak. Here is the newspaper article from the Seattle Times.

Winthrop!

Winthrop, Washington
Friday, December 30, 2016

It wasn't quite the vacation we were hoping for--between a sick kid and some extremely cold weather--but Winthrop was beautiful, and we did get SOME cross country skiing in...

The gingerbread ger

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, December 11, 2016

After much rumination, we decided that this year's gingerbread house would be a ger--or yurt--the traditional Mongolian dwelling with which we are now so familiar. This construction of this house proved to be a particular challenge, but with geometry and part of Quaker Oats container on our side, we prevailed at last.

Final touches included a fence and an outhouse...

An afternoon with Grandma

Seattle, Washington
Saturday, October 29, 2016

A spent the afternoon baking Halloween cookies with Grandma. Amazingly, all the favorite cookie cutters from my childhood were still there--and Grandma (unlike me) makes as many different colors of frosting as you want...

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Seattle, Washington
Thursday, October 27, 2016

The small purse I bought in Thailand three years ago was finally TOO disgusting to keep using. So, I salvaged the very durable shoulder strap, and re-purposed it for my new bag. Very satisfying. And by the way, don't make a purse out of light-colored fabric if you expect it to be presentable for long...

Young artists

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, October 16, 2016

Today we spent the afternoon at a lovely birthday party. All the kids painted, and here is a small sample of the work they did. It was wonderful to see the variety! Kiitos!

A season of arrivals

Seattle, Washington
Friday, September 30, 2016

This was the first week of classes at the U--a time when students and scholars arrive from all over the state--and the world. One new scholar arrived in our department from Japan, bearing these tasty treats from Hokkaido. Here's to the beginning of school year!

Giant rose hips

Seattle, Washington
Saturday, September 3, 2016

A gorgeous fall afternoon, and we headed down to the lovely Kubota Garden south of Seattle. Wonderful paths to walk and vistas to enjoy. And monstrously huge rose hips...

A riot of rose hips

Lopez Island, Washington
Monday, August 22, 2106

Late summer is here, but somehow the proliferation of rose hips marks the coming of fall for me. Blue, blue skies, a chill in the air, and more rose hips than I ever remember seeing before...

Shades of Jordan

Seattle,Washington
Saturday, August 20, 2016

Popped into Trader Joe's this morning and was delighted to find it's fig season again. Reminds me a LOT of our time in Jordan--where figs rule supreme!

Job site tour on a sunny Seattle day

Seattle, Washington
Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Spent this afternoon on a job site tour sponsored by a local trade association. Fantastic views and lots to learn about how these buildings are put together. I even managed to ride the "manlift" up 12 stories without being too terrified. A spectacular day for it, too.

Limoncello!

Moisburg, Germany
Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Nearing the end of our three week adventure in northern Europe. Currently enjoying some REALLY lovely limoncello concocted by my host from lemons he brought home from Mallorca. That is, the taste of southern Europe enjoyed here in the north... Wow, good stuff!

Barefoot park

Egestorf, Germany
Monday, August 1, 2016

Yes, here we stand atop bits of crushed glass -- just one of the many sensations for our feet that we experienced at the Barefoot Park this afternoon (Barfußpark Egestorf). Some sensations were certainly more interesting and/or pleasant than others, but this particular one was challenging indeed! (We also tried mud, pine cones, stones, bricks, logs, grass, sand and more...)

Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Groningen, Holland
Sunday, July 17, 2016

It's our second day in Holland, but what is this? We already know that the Dutch taking cycling seriously, but this proves it. Yes, it's a garbage "basket" for passing cyclists: no need to stop--just throw in your garbage and keep on riding...

Long-arm quilting

Seattle, Washington
Monday, July 4, 2016

Yesterday I got the chance to try using a long-arm quilting machine for the first time. Kinda scary at first, but I was pleased with the results. Thanks, S!

Quilt Camp, Day 4

Lake Chelan, Washington
Wednesday, June 29, 2016

The Featherweight is packed up and I'm almost ready to hit the road. One last swim in this glorious lake. A giant thanks to L & B who made it all possible--and to the other ladies for their fine company!

Quilt Camp, Day 3

Lake Chelan, Washington
Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Here on Day 3 my projects are continuing apace, even with time out for visiting, eating and swimming...

Quilt Camp, Day 2

Lake Chelan, Washington
Monday, June 27, 2016

I did get some sewing done today, but I also spent some time learning to pick cherries. Sticky, messy work perched atop a ladder, but I did gain a new appreciation for those who do it for a living. Hard work!

Quilt Camp, Day 1

Lake Chelan, Washington
Sunday, June 26, 2016

Arrived at Quilt Camp today, but found I could only sit and stare at the lovely, lovely lake. Sewing will have to wait a bit...

Raggabirl goes to Washington

At the Library of Congress

Washington, D.C.
Saturday, June 18, 2016

Raggabirl is just finishing up a barnstorming tour of the nation's Capitol. You can see her here as she tours some of the big destinations in D.C....it was a big week!

Also at the Library of Congress

Riding the carousel at the National Zoo

At the White House

Shiny, shiny

Washington, D.C.
Saturday, June 18, 2016

Walking back and forth to Dad's house in SE, we had several occasions to admire the shiny, shiny fire engines in the nearby firehouse...

Przewalski's horse

Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Spent the majority of our time at the National Zoo today either watching Przewalski's horses or waiting for them to come out of their barn. And riding Przewalski's horse on the Zoo carousel. The pandas, surprisingly, ran a distant third...

Other children's parents

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, June 5, 2016

This weekend A attended a blow-out Harry Potter overnight birthday party complete with Potions and Runes classes. And chocolate Snitches. We all have our strengths, and I am thinking that organizing this kind of party is probably NOT in my portfolio. I just want to say for the record: thank goodness for other children's parents!

One week later

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, May 15, 2016

Am still enjoying the process of putting up these New Yorker covers. It turns out to be lengthy process but a pleasant one.

The Wizard of Oz

Seattle, Washington
Friday, May 13, 2016

Last night the kids at A's school put on a fine performance of the Wizard of Oz. What I really appreciated about this performance was the enormous effort that the teachers and staff made to include ALL students that wanted to act. The result? Five or six Dorothies, at least three Tin Men, several Lions, and on and on. An impressive job!

Home improvement projects

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, May 8, 2016

After a bowl of Mother's Day pho, I requested a stop at Lowe's to buy some wallpaper paste and a wallpaper "smoother." After nearly seven years of stockpiling my favorite New Yorker covers--and dragging them around the world--I am finally ready to put them up permanently. No flowers or chocolates for me: I choose wallpaper paste...

Good, clean fun

White Center, Washington
Monday, April 4, 2016

Yesterday we attended a birthday party at the Southgate Roller Rink, and it was A's first time on roller skates. What a blast!

The last time I was on skates was 20 years ago with a group of my students from Nova. And the time before THAT was surely another 20 years earlier.

After yesterday's fun experience, though, we'll be back soon!

Rabbit #2

Seattle, Washington
Saturday, April 2, 2016

We decided to try making a second rabbit after the success of "Arnab." This time A wanted me to try "fur"--so we settled on some faux suede. This fabric was much stiffer than the stuff we worked with last time, and it has absolutely no "give." But I think it came out pretty well anyhow. This really is a great pattern.

Next step: stuff and sew him up!

Rabbit treats

Seattle, Washington
Thursday, March 24, 2016

While it's true that I have managed to rid MY lawn of almost all dandelions, wherever I go this time of year, I find myself picking these flowers for our rabbits. Dandelions are, paws down, their favorite treats.

Booth sales

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, March 20, 2016

Spent yesterday morning at the grocery store trying to move some GS cookies. I reflected on the fact that it's been a good long time since I sold GS cookies door-to-door in the 1970's. This most recent experience was enough to convince me that I could easily wait another 40 years before the next round...

Spring evenings

Seattle, Washington
Friday, March 18, 2016

The winter seemed SO long and dark, but now long spring evenings are here! The light is so lovely, with the apple, apple green and all the flowers.

The waiting was worth it.

Pi Day 2016!

Seattle, Washington

Monday, March 14, 2016

This year I decided to "marry" the two great traditions of Pi Day and St. Patrick's Day--and here they are!

The world joins in

Seattle, Washington
Thursday, March 10, 2016

In browsing the weekly ads that come to our house, this week I find that the whole world (including Safeway!) is coming to see the world as I do: that March 14 is a day to celebrate! No longer do we math teachers toil alone with our vision...check out those prices...

You can call me "Arnab"

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, March 6, 2016

Inspired by my daughter, I tried making a stuffed animal, namely a rabbit. I thought I'd try making it from a kafia since it's owner-to-be is a former student from Jordan. We had a good time using up bits from the edge of the kafia...

Click here for the pattern--not "easy" but certainly doable!

Bigger than life daffodils

Sparks, Nevada

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Just spent several days in Sparks, NV at a work-related conference. Something about Sparks itself reminded me of a mash-up of Ulaanbataar, Mongolia and Richmond, Indiana. But I loved the giant ceramic-tiled daffodils...

Green tea lattes

Seattle, Washington
Thursday, February 11, 2016

I am sure that this is not news to anyone but me, but today I realized that green tea lattes are now to be found at Starbucks in the States. I treated myself to one at the airport today and was immediately transported down memory lane to our repeated trips through Incheon Airport in Seoul. Funny how a taste of something can make time and space fall away.

Après-ski Indian lunch

Bellevue, Washington
Sunday, February 7, 2016

After a delightful afternoon of skiing up at Iron Horse State Park, we drove back to Bellevue to return our skis. Near the rental shop we found a delightful and thoroughly authentic Indian restaurant: Chaat House. It's a simple place but the food was excellent. Period.

Girl Scout redux

Seattle, Washington
February 5, 2016

My daughter joined the Girl Scouts in recent weeks and even started tentatively selling a few boxes of cookies. This reminded me that buried in the basement were my GS sash (left) and my mother's (right). Let's see, they would be from Seattle in the late 1970's and South Euclid, Ohio, in the late 1940's, respectively... I also notice that we both have two of the same badges--art and hospitality? But what I REALLY want to know is this: what did my mother do to earn that "Cinderella badge" down there on the bottom right?

Zalatimo Brothers arrive in Seattle

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, January 31, 2016

Good friends have arrived/are arriving in Seattle from Amman, bearing gifts from the inestimable Zalatimo Brothers for Sweets. A little taste of heaven and a wonderful reminder of our time in Jordan. A & S: however briefly, it is GREAT to have you back in Seattle!