In memory of my sister Caren: April 15, 1962-February 14, 2013 My sister died on Valentine’s Day. Not that there is a good day to die, but when loss falls near a holiday or any other noteworthy day in your life, it’s hard to separate public celebrations from private grieving. Here are a few ideas […]
Holiday
Merry Armenian Christmas
To my friends here in the U.S., and overseas, who celebrate Armenian Christmas on January 6: Շնորհավոր Ամանոր և Սուրբ Ծնունդ (Shnorhavor Amanor yev Surb Tznund). Whether you celebrate holidays the Armenian way or with your own cultural and seasonal flair: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Pampers and Pakhlava Take the road less […]
Twas the Afternoon Before Christmas
Twas the afternoon before Christmas. And all through the house, not a creature was stirring (or so we thought). The child was nestled all snug in her bed (as it turns out, not so much). And mamma in her apron with Big Papa by her side, had just settled our brains (because it had been […]
Backstage at PNB’s Nutcracker
2014 is the swan song for PNB’s distinctive Nutcracker. After 31 years, the brainchild of Founding Director Kent Stowell and beloved children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, bids adieu to northwest audiences. Next year there will be a new take on Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker. I hadn’t been to a performance for many years, and […]
Close encounters of the Santa kind
This year, Little Bird made it known she really wanted to meet Santa Claus. Live and in person. When I heard that Mr. Claus himself might make an appearance at her preschool excursion to see a children’s performance of the Nutcracker, I went along to help the two of them get acquainted. Plus, I really […]
Rudolf’s relief workers: Sled dogs
Two weeks ago, when we visited Enchanted Winds Tree Farm, we got to meet two beautiful sled dogs, Maka and Cassie, who were visiting with their owners from Cle Elum, Washington. Sled dogs or sledge dogs are a distinct breed of dogs, known for their incredible running speed. These powerful dogs most likely evolved in […]
An enchanted Christmas tree adventure
Two years ago, at Enchanted Winds Tree Farm in Issaquah… Our first trip to cut down the family Christmas tree was memorable, but not in a good way. Our little one, at 1-1/2 years old, was very unhappy, so the following year we went to a tree lot instead. This year, we decided to try […]
Turkey Hugger
Some people are tree huggers. My daughter is a turkey hugger. A delicious day of thanks! Take the road less traveled, Beth
The Wishbone
When I was a little girl, my sister and I watched with rapt attention as Dad carved the Thanksgiving turkey and carefully removed the wishbone. When dinner was over, the tug of war began. We closed our eyes, held on tightly to one side of the wishbone, made a wish, and hoped to be the […]
The Great Pumpkin Hunt: Jubilee Farm
Our search for the Great Pumpkin of 2014 took place at Jubilee Farm in Carnation. Ponies, pumpkins and SUNSHINE…what’s not to like about that? Last year our Halloween pumpkin search took place in the rain, but this past Sunday couldn’t have been more glorious. Jubilee Farm is a real working farm, which is one of […]