First Day of Spring.

Power outage.

What do you do when you don't have electricity for 55 hours? Good old-fashioned blogging:

The aftermath:

The kids couldn't play outside because of the cracking and tumbling branches. My espaliered apple-trees were toast, as well as a giant rhododendron that the kids loved to climb. But now we have lots of firewood!

Rain Rain Go Away

Dear Washington -

I want to like living here, I really do. But when it's mid-June and every day on the 10-day forecast mentions clouds or showers, it's kinda hard. You are robbing me of multiple opportunities. Namely the chance for my garden to flourish and for me to get my kids out of the house for hours on end. I do not appreciate this.

I know the sun comes up before 5am because it gets light, but I can't see it or feel it's warmth for your clouds are getting in the way. I don't even care if that sun comes through the window and blinds me in the morning that early. Seriously, BRING IT ON. My mom says "well California has June gloom" and I think, oh, just rub it in. 'Cause we have November, December, January, February, March, April, May AND June gloom. I am wearing a jacket inside and it's JUNE! I'm already mad that I had to turn my heater on in May.

Maybe you're just giving me a chance to get back in shape cause you saw me at the pool Saturday and decided that I am not ready for swimsuit season. But I will be the judge of that. And by the way one sunny day every 3 weeks or so does not win you any points. It just confuses people.

I'm so upset that I can't even catch up on my blogging that I want to do. My kids are doing the most DARLING things and no one is going to know about it because of you. Sometimes my baby cries for what seems like no reason, but I know it's just because he is sad about the weather. I also blame you for the argument Ben and I had last night. He can't help it if all of those clouds are making him inconsiderate. It's probably even your fault that the Lakers couldn't close it out in four (which also ruins my life by extending basketball season). Anyway, just so you know - when you do decide to let us have those 17 hour of sunshine days - I won't be forgiving you. Not this time.

Oh, and P.S. - I heard Mt. Rainer is really pissed off at you too. If it's even still there.

Farewell to Fall

Leaves Leaves Falling Down

Dancing in the Wind

Falling to the Ground

The Wind Blows

Then the Children will Catch You

You will Grow Again

When Spring Comes

-Avery G. Westbrook

Age 4

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Although we have five or six days until the first official day of winter, the Northwest welcomed in the new season early with snow and frigid temps today. Up until now it has been a blissful fall, offering reccession-proof fun and inspiration at every turn.

Photos from 10/28/2008