Family and Friends to be Thankful for....

Many cooks make light work!

Ryan and Sheila and Ryan's mom Sharon(Calgary) join us from Vancouver (Janae and Kelly too!)--as well as Jean and Marj from here--all Canadians. It was so nice to make "connections". Sharon and I became facebook friends computer to computer sitting side-by-side--our kids were laughing at us. Suzanne joined us for the holiday too and that was so nice.


Justin (not Annie) gets his gun..no we're not joining the NRA. But Terry and Justin are planning a pheasant hunting trip with my brothers/nephews to North Dakota next fall.


Justin and Kelly buy remote-control helicopters which were flying and crashing all over--quite exciting trying to get a picture "in flight".

Tucker moves to Canada with "mom". He hates being outside in winter --so Janae and Kelly are taking him to the north country where he will be an "inside" cat for the winter.


And now already looking forward to the next holiday!!--We love having our family around our fire and look forward to having Gretchen around it the next time we're together! Yipee!

Happy Anniversary Dan and Tonya!

We enjoyed our sweet family for the weekend. It just happened to be Dan and Tonya's anniversary so they headed off to LaConner while we got the girls. We did love that.
......watching the neighbor fly his remote control airplane
.........moon sand

We go on a "field trip" close by to see the swans.
taking flight!
loving Tucker.....

pizza after gospel mtg. and then to see Grandpa Jim's bird "Squawk"--and squawk he did!

After talking to Justin on Skype and laughing at his hilarious mug shots for the camera, they were getting ready to leave. Julia had become her famous "meow"--a cat. She laid down on Terry's shoe and pretended to sleep. "I'm staying--meow"--we know that wouldn't have lasted long! But it was a nice thought!
Another very funny story--Jacqueline doesn't really like the neighbor dog, Sammie. I've been telling her what a nice dog she is. "But she just jumps all over you!"..
Anyway, much later on the way home it was dark (key point here) and I hear this little voice, "Auntie Donna?" "Yes?" "Is Sammie nocturnal?" We're still laughing about that one!

Obviously we love it when they come!

The Trumpeter Swans are Back!

These beautiful, majestic birds migrate back to the Skagit Valley every winter from the frozen north. There's always the thrill of their first "trumpet" in October when the first few straggle in. A few weeks later they come in droves. They fly overhead playing their trumpets, announcing their arrival. They congregate as large groups. Sometimes, down on the lake we see them skiing in like float planes, leaving a wake. They congregate noisily, trumpeting their friendships. They seem to be very social. In the spring, the little ones hatch, then grow up just enough to make the long flight north. Very delightful to watch!

Hey Wayne......

You'd better get over here---hot out of the oven! I used Margaret's recipe this time from NE Montana. Can't beat it!

Having fun with logs........

Hmmmmm.........wonder what this will be?---stay tuned!

the porch railing-process in previous post


Half-done! Lots of work from forest to this~and so much fun to see it happen!

Catching up

Tucker (above) looks forward to a warmer winter up north! :o)--see comment section~

Terry makes a log railing for our front porch. He starts with raw logs in bottom picture. Then he peels them with a drawknife. He then uses his new fancy tool to cut out the ends. Then he clamps it all together. Of course this takes longer than it sounds. Lots of peeling! I do enjoy his hobby~~and of course he does too!









Fall fotos


We've had a gorgeous fall!




International dinner at Delany's


Rhonda and Trevor (helped by Fiona) hosted a lovely dinner for some couples from both sides of the border. It was very elegant and delicious. And we realized again that there are no borders to what we enjoy together!

Dressing up is fun to do!

The cowgirl is sitting on Cinderella's carriage. At least that's what she told me it was last week!


Darryl and Kelsay come over with the Boyd's on Halloween. It was very fun for us! Terry "knighted" them at the door. I think maybe all the "boys" had too much sugar! Very entertaining!



Cute as a button!
Of course these two are too!

Mackie is thinking.."Who is THIS?"