Do you ever feel a little stuck in a rut when it comes to the meals  you cook? I sure do! You would think with all the online recipe websites and Pinterest that I would be experimenting like crazy. I don't know about you, but the problem for me is, I hate to go to a lot of work and the expense of buying the ingredients, only to find out the final result really wasn't worth the effort. Snagging recipes from friends is much more reliable, but I really like learn how to prepare a new dish hands on...like a cooking class!

Every where I've gone in the last few days, I've heard the the parting farewell words, "Have a Happy Mother's Day!" Do these clerks and bank tellers just look at me at my age, perhaps see the wedding ring on my hand, and assume that I am a mother?  I know this farewell is spoken with good intentions, and yet, part of me wonders if these words bring a soul ache instead of the warm "Hallmark card" commercial feelings?

We spent this past weekend in Plain, working on projects for our loft cabin. Prior to this, I will admit we had been calling it an "apartment", mainly because you have to go up a flight of stairs to reach the living area. Neither one of us liked the sound of that word for this space though....sounded way too urban. 

The past weekend was full of wonderful birthday celebrations! I find it hard to believe that special people in my life are actually turning 60! How is that possible when I am still sooooo young...mentally, anyway!!! My sister, Vangie, and a friend, Lynette, actually turned 60 on the same day last week and I had the joy of celebrating life with each of them.

Returning from a weekend spent at beautiful Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center in Peshastin, I felt refreshed and renewed. The site for our Women's retreat could not have been better! Situated in the Cascade mountains near Leavenworth and Peshastin, the main lodge and grounds are bordered by Ingalls Creek...just loved the sound of the rushing water.

Last night it rained so hard that the sound of it woke me up. I could hear the rain hitting the windows and roof with a such force and I was so thankful to be snuggled in my warm bed. Waking to grey skies once again, I huddled in a blanket out on the front porch for a quiet time as I read the Word and prayed. Looking at the dismal weather, I tried to encourage myself with the old adage, "April showers bring May flowers." I do love flowers!

I've been itching to visit the Living Room coffee house in Marysville ever since I attended the IF: Gathering several weeks ago. You may remember that they catered this event for women held at Life Point church in Lake Stevens.

Heading for home after a wonderful birthday celebration day at Friday Harbor, followed by dinner in Anacortes, our friend and chauffeur, Rhonda, asked, "Want to take a little detour and catch the tulip fields in bloom?" We all said, "Yes!", thankful that we had dodged the rain forecast for the day. 

One of the things I love about living in the Northwest is the scenic beauty that is just outside your door...or just a short drive away. In what seems like no time at all, you can be on a ferry boat heading out in the San Juan Islands, enjoying the view with friends

Raising two sons, my life was full of boys playing in the mud, searching for fish in the creek and the lake, riding 4 wheelers, playing sports like soccer, basketball, baseball and football; swimming, skiing, and hiking, attending science and computer camps, engaging in lots of very physical play...life in constant motion.

Several years ago, at one of the clinics' summer barbecues, I tasted some cake pops that came from Jenny Cookies. Someone said she was a local Northwest self taught baker and Party planner who had made become very successful, even throwing birthday parties for the children of Tori Spelling in California.

Whenever I'm on my way to catch the Mukilteo ferry to go to Whidbey Island, I spot this coffee shop as I'm headed down the hill called the Red Cup Cafe. I make a mental note to drive over and have a cup of coffee sometime but I never do.  

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I spent a few hours shopping and eating lunch in Fairhaven, a part of Bellingham, WA. Not normally much of a shopper, he indulged my love for village havens since it was my birthday weekend...yep, he's a pretty good guy!

Years ago when our sons were very active toddlers,  my husband wanted to surprise me with a weekend excursion for my birthday in February. Asking some old friends of his who frequently enjoyed local getaways, a new Inn was recommended, on a spit of land up separating Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Bay...yep, The Inn at Semiahmoo.