Surprise!

 Marnie likes to be surprised, but not with anything off-pitch. Whether it's singing or instrumental playing, she prefers beautiful music.

Honeysuckle and Wisteria

 I haven't discovered the reason for my love of invasive plants. There is something enthusiastic about them. No stopping. Wrapping their tendrils around whatever is closest. When I was a child, my mom planted a wisteria beneath our deck and I remember the incredible fragrance. I had to do the same.

The problem is that wisteria will tear down this deck if I let it. And I planted it!

The honeysuckle also smells delicious. When I was a little girl I would pull the stigmas out and suck on them for fun. 

This also requires cutting back every few years or that poor trellis will be toast.

Swimming at Wenberg

 We love to head over to Wenberg County Park to swim. The water is warmer and there are picnic benches and grass. Lake Goodwin is quite large and back in the day we've ridden boats here, but the swimming area is safely roped off. On this day we had the whole park to ourselves. Mostly because I told the kids we were skipping school to enjoy the sun.

Calvin Leaves for College

 It's time for Calvin to return to Rexburg for the next term. It's been fun having him here during the break. Safe travels!

Tula Pink Butterfly

 My friend Sharon Szekely and I decided to make our own Tula Pink Butterfly. I love making quilts with friends. She would come over and we would cut and sew together.

I wish I had a picture of Sharon's version. It was difficult to set all the pieces just right (symmetry) without twisting a block 90 degrees. 

I decided to add Asian elements to the quilting because there was a lot of negative space.

This was a perfect quilt for stash use. I'm a big fan of sampler quilts with an overall design.

I decided to show this quilt in a Salt Lake machine quilting show. I prefer large quilts for shows.

This is Tula Pink's own butterfly I found at Sisters. I love the ombre effect.

Later I decide to show it at Sisters, Oregon and it sold. Wilma and I had driven down to enjoy the classes and show. It was a delight to spend time with her. Here she is looking up close.

Jackson's Eagle Project

 Jackson has been approved to make bat boxes for the Camano Island State Park. He is beginning by cutting out the wood pieces and applying rot-resistant paint.

Then they made the poles for the installation.

They brought digging bars to the park to get deep enough into the ground.

It seems like forever since Jack was only a cub scout. Seven years passes by quickly.

Hawaii

 We took a trip to Oahu for our 25th wedding anniversary. By the time February rolls around each year, I'm ready to find some sun. And there was plenty in Hawaii. We stayed in a wonderful place in Waikiki set up by Paul's mom. I loved being so close to the beach. We loved visiting the Temple and Visitor's Center while we were at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

We visiting the Skinners' ward on Sunday as a surprise.

We hiked Diamond Head and snorkeled in Hanauma Bay.

And then we heard that there was a snowstorm happening back home. The pipes were freezing. Luckily, the kids were able to plug in the heatwrap. Goodness.

We loved kayaking to from Kailua to Mokulua Island.

And we ate malasadas at Leonard's Bakery, at Loco Moco Drive in, at Big City Diner, and the Yard House. Everything was delicious.