Gymnasts

Mugging for the camera! First competition is in two weeks.

Just another snow shot

Cause who has enough snow shots?

White Christmas

Since it's still officially Christmas season, I'm calling it a White Christmas! The family indulged me in a breakfast at  Coleman's, yum!

Hi There

This one is a few weeks old - Portland Aquarium has these 'rescue' birds. We hear that it's scheduled to close, though, which is a shame.

Christmas at the Beach

Actually, two days before Christmas but close enough, right?

Merry Christmas!

Hoping for peace and joy this year for the whole world.

At The Coast

Book Response: Einstein and Buddha

A collection of quotations from quantum physics and from eastern philosophical traditions, paired up. Amusing to dip into ad a relaxation, but I didn't find it really thought provoking or insightful - the parallels between the quotations were often somewhat strained, and anyway when you take a statement out of its context out usually suffers for it. Some of the introductory text is worthwhile - for example, I had never heard that Heisenberg worked for the Nazis.

Worth a read, but don't expect more than it is.

Art by Isaac

Pizza and games

Sydney worked the machines carefully and walked home with the prize she coveted. We all had a good time, which is not always the case ....

Pumpkin spice bourbon latte

Courtesy of Sydney. Eat your heart out Starbucks :-)

Book Response: The Great Good Summer

Very well written. Likeable, believable characters. Explores some very serious territory around religion and family and mental health. The kids leave home on their own without permission, which is off course a serious thing; it's all resolved well, and not glamorized, but still it seems it's more for adults than for kids.

Book Response: Sign of the Cat

Quite a fun book, if you can overlook the whole 'noble birthright' thing. Otherwise, well written, well done characters, good dialog, reasonable sailing details. Somewhat silly - after all, he talks to cats by meowing with them - but not in a bad way, more like a Tall Tale...

OHSU

Defending Her Challa

Sangiovese

After taking a couple years off, we're back into wine making again this year with 200# of some wonderful Sangiovese from Washington via Hillsboro Mainbrew. Look at those numbers! I'll have to check my records but I think this is the sweetest grape we've ever had. It's in the middle of a happy primary fermentation right now and it smells wonderful! Primary is one of my favorite aromas of all.

Produce Basket

Vegetables from our new garden, packed by Sydney for the grandparents.

Another New House Pic

Here's a picture with breakfast coffee and a favorite book, The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, which I can highly recommended. (And showing off the HDR skills of my phone cam :-)

Our New House

We've moved, or rather we are moving, just about three blocks up the street. Here's a picture of the new place. Why? It's a bit larger, has a much larger yard for the kids to run around, and a secluded, almost-in-the-country feel to it.

Welcome Cake

Sydney made this cake to welcome her cousin, who will be staying with us for a while.

A Day at the Beach

Book Response: In the Forests of Serre

wonderful book! McKillip hits it out of the park again.

Book Response: The Little Bookroom by Elanore Farjeon

Once in a while when you discover a new author, you think, How could I have been missing this one all these years?

A few weeks ago, as mentioned here, I participated in a short section of the Race to Alaska. Well, the winner was a team going by the name Elsie Piddock, which turns out to be the title character in a children's book by Eleanor Farjeon. Curious, I checked out library and found her book The Little Bookroom.

Well, let me tell you, I'm excited! This is a book-full of delights, short stories (some very short), all about children being children. Some fantasy, some realistic, all with great heart and respectful telling. Farjeon is a master in the genre, and would go well on a shelf with E. Nesbit.

Wonderful illustrations by Edward Ardizzone complement the stories. First published in 1955; pictured is a 2003 New York Review of Books edition.

Finally Camping!

Terrie and I grew up camping, and kept it up after we got married, but have never gotten the kids out there - until now! It was touch-and-go for a while, since the coastal campgrounds fill up long in advance, but at the last minute we found a campsite at Beverly Beach (someone cancelled?). A frenzy of tossing gear into the car and we were off! This is a great place to camp, sheltered from the wind but only steps to the beach where a stream runs into the ocean. Beaches with streams are the best! We had a great time. Later, I asked Sydney where we should camp next. "Same place! No, Crater Lake!"

Working Hard and Having Fun at Softball

This weekend past Sydney's team, Oregon Rampage, participated in a tournament in Newberg. They played four games, and won all four through great teamwork and hard work. The last game in particular was hard-fought, with no score for the first three innings. We were up, we were down, and finally it came down to bases loaded with Sydney on third, watching with eagle eyes for an opportunity - which came in the form of a walk! But her face was shining with happiness as she came down on home plate to win the game.

These girls are amazing for their spirit, teamwork and perseverance.

Pictures from our R2AK Campaign

I know, in this day and age I'm posting pictures that were taken days ago? Oh well, better late than never. Here are pictures from our day with the R2AK: evening before the race; en route with Victoria in the background; the race fleet in front of the Empress Hotel (a favorite of my parents); enjoying a coffee brewed on board the next morning; skipper Tom watches over our faithful steed towing back to Port Townsend; me driving this amazing C&C 37/40 XL which graciously gave us a tow - the owner, crew and passengers were incredible generous and hospitable, truly the spirit of the sailing community.

R2AK Race Site - Race Sponsor Small Craft Advisor

Race to Alaska

Here is our GPS track as we sailed from Port Townsend to Victoria in the first leg of the Race to Alaksa (race site). We only signed up for this one leg, not for the full 750 mile race, by the way. Anyway, we had good winds and weather for the sail, leaving at the 5:30am starting gun and arriving 28th to ring the bell at 2:28pm (full results). Hard on the wind the whole way, with a pretty good-sized wave and swell running, but we had fun. I hope to post more pictures as time allows.

Seattle Whirlwind

Barnstormed through Seattle over Memorial Day weekend: fishing on Green Lake (these little guys were living in a crack at the base of the wall), dinner at Palermo (puttenesca! yum), swimming (at the hotel), collect a canoe that needs a good home.

Birthday treasure hunt

Here are some of the clues for the treasure hunt Isaac had to solve to find his birthday present. He just turned eleven.

Home Run Hitter

Yesterday Sydney got her first home run!

Catch-up February and March