Complete...

"I'm so happy, I could cry..."

The period from August until now has been the longest that we haven't seen our children. It feels so good to have them home again...

Today we are celebrating Thanksgiving, yesterday the floods arrived...

Don't worry, we usually have some secret roads that are still open. We are expecting seven Dutch guests for dinner this afternoon. They've all been sent updated travel info, we should have a grand ol' time!  {smile}

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A New Chapter...

Today  was a very special day for me: I started working at  Tolt Yarn & Wool! Yes, at my favorite yarn store, can you believe it?!  {smile}

It was only (less than) four years ago when Tolt opened up shop. I remember asking Tif what I should try: to crochet or to knit?  She suggested knitting since I like to wear what I make, which is still so true. I knew how to do a knit  and a purl stitch and that was about it. I didn't know if I was a 'picker' or a 'thrower' (first a thrower, now a picker), had never heard of circular needles and basically had never really knit anything in my life.

Now four years later, I actually had to muster up all my bravery and apply for a job. I haven't worked (for money) since my mid-twenties (yes I know, I have been extremely fortunate that way) and I have never worked in a retail shop before either. The information is overloading my brain right now, but I'm also so incredibly happy to have found a place among the incredible staff there.

Yay, I am now a proud 'Toltia'!!!

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The Hike...

So last week we hiked to the top of 2nd Burroughs Mountain, just North of Mount Rainier. What a day it was! 

I am not a hiker and really don't enjoy inclines, but Mr. G. and Miss M. took this hike a few days earlier and the pictures looked just too spectacular to not give it a go. (even though they couldn't see the actual mountain all day because of low hanging clouds) 

We started at Sunrise (elevation 6400 feet), walked past Frozen Lake and then up through several long patches of snow on very steep hills to 2nd Burroughs Mountain (all the way on the left on this map). After lunch we walked down and finally made it back to Sunrise, but approaching from the south side.  About 8.8 miles (15 km) in total with an elevation gain of 1000 feet. An absolute first for me! {smile}

Here come LOTS of pics, most of them made by Miss M., they are in no particular order...

Mountain Goat!!!

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The Hills Are Alive!

You guys, yesterday was the best day ever! I did it!!! We hiked to second Burroughs Mountain: 8.8 miles (15 km), 1000 feet elevation gain to 7400 feet (2255 m). The highest I've ever been! 

We made tons of pictures, but I don't have time to edit them right now since we're having great weather over here and I want to spend it outside. I just wanted to share this picture with you all already! {smile!!!}

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Early Morning In The Garden...

I just stepped outside to pick some flowers from our garden to bring inside, 

when I stopped and just looked and looked and looked. 

This is what I saw...

PS: All photo's are unedited and straight out of my camera...

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Small Blessings...

It had been quite a while, but yesterday two knitting friends and myself went on a little field trip. Down south this time towards Enumclaw, which sits just below Mount Rainier. The day, the weather, the company and especially the destination couldn't have been better!

Through Tolt , contacts were made with Brenda (and her husband Jim) at Small Blessings Farm. They run a Blueberry U-pick, a Christmas tree farm, board a few horses and tend to a small flock of sheep.  We were literally welcomed with open arms, a tour was given and a lovely blueberry loaf was eaten. After all this hospitality we treated Brenda to lunch in Enumclaw. What a most fabulous and perfect day!  {smile}

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