Barn shadow

I love it when this happens......

Long Autumn

A couple weeks ago Chemyn and Louise came to the farm for lunch and to meet Ryan James.  They brought with them a new piece of glass art that David made and that Louise determined belonged in our house and she was right.  This photo does not do it justice, you will have to stop by some day and see it in person.

Interestingly, it feels like this piece was designed for this space, it was not!!!  But it's absolutely perfect.  We are in love!

David calls this Long Autumn.

Alicia is 30 years old!

Friday night we celebrated Alicia's 30th birthday with a quiet dinner at home. 

We put Alicia on a plane when she was 16 years old and sent her off to the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan for her senior year of high school.  She then went to the University of Texas at Austin to study flute performance with Marianne Gedigian, then on to the New England Conservatory in Boston for her Master's degree with Paula Robison. 

After four years as the concert manager at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum she came back home to farm with us.  She is a really good farmer.  She challenges our thinking, learns every day and reminds us of the joy in the life we chose so many years ago. 

This smile.....one of the many things I love about Alicia.  

Matthew and Alicia, both have just begun the next decade of living life on their farms and together.  

Ryan James

We were so lucky to have a whole month with Roni Jo, David and Ryan James during December.  Ryan changed so much during the time they were here on the farm.  An added treat was a week of all things Funk when David's parents Paul and Jean, as well as his two brothers, John and Mark arrived.  We had SO MUCH FUN!!!!

A few images from that time, mostly of Ryan James!

Gramdma Jo aka GG, meets Ryan James for the first time!

This melts my heart.....

And Auntie getting a turn.

Charlie isn't sure about playing second fiddle to a baby!

Santa Baby

I dug through a box in the attic marked "Roni Jo baby things" and found this little outfit.  My mom made this for Roni for her first Christmas!  It fit Ryan James perfectly when he first arrived but not by the time they left!

Shopping at Costco right before Christmas!

Papa Paul and Santa Baby.  

And Ryan's other Grandpa.  This little fellow is going to have an interesting life with these two grandpas!

Starting piano early.  Look at the smile on Ryan's face!

Grandpa reading a book to Ryan James that he picked out at a new children's book store in Spokane.  We will definitely be frequenting that store!

Ryan James and GG.

Chemyn gave Ryan this book, Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak.  It was one of her favorites as a child and it appears as though Ryan is enjoying it already!

More piano time with Grandpa.  The Saltwater Boogie legacy is sure to continue!  Auntie Marge would be so proud.  

And, that's enough.......

Winter Wonderland

We haven't had much snow or frost this winter, so far. A few days ago, we were treated to a winter wonderland of frost and a little snow.  It's all gone now, but it sure was pretty for most of one day.

80 Years

My mom celebrated her 80th birthday this past Saturday.  She looks and feels terrific.  She has a lot of living ahead of her.  What a treat to live close and have time to spend with her.

And the next morning, this was the sunrise that greeted all of to kick off mom's next decade.  It's going to be a good one, by the looks of this beauty.