Still Dreaming of our White Christmas

Some might describe our Twin Lakes Christmas 2008 as “delicious”, and it was certainly that. But I would also use the descriptors: ruckus, fun and memorable. After Barb, Grandma, Lynne and Linda overcame broken pipe woes, we settled into traditional activities, like snow shoeing, drinking chocolate peppermint martinis and sledding. Here are a few random photos that evidence the fun filled moments—and the incredible snowfall!

Send us some of your favorite moments!

projecting & old music

I have only two xmas cds - charlie brown & 'the edge of christmas,' with such classics as Fairytale of NY and Run Run Ruloph, which always reminds me of watching home alone with grandma sleeping next to the fire. projecting and projecting. getting caught in downtown parking nightmare. great that run-up to the haspedis holidays is still stressful, but usually inside with tea, calloused fingers, paint fumes, (bloody thumbs, etc.), instead of outside with the hordes, slamming into revolving doors. Was forced, at last, by eric to make caramels and smell the butter and burnt sugar of the holidays. while the rest of the family has snow around their shoulders, I am inside listening to wind tear at the skylights, wet and drearing days outside, pushing toward - not spinning, falling, landing softly on - christmas eve.

Kingston & Still Snowing

WOW can you believe this! It is beautiful for sure but... we hope to be able to leave for the lake tomorrow but will see how the pass looks and go Tuesday if not Monday. The cabin looks good- Amy and Kurt were about and checked in out- all toasty warm and dry- last weekend so"over the meadow and through the woods" we go.

So you think you have snow?‏

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

news from the icebox‏

So, I know you are curious as to how I am surviving the winter storm '08. As we are in our third day of below freezing highs and lows between 18 and 20 degrees, it is an adventure. The wood stove is working at full capacity night and day but that is the easy part. I get to be cozy indoors working on projects I enjoy but that is after I thaw out the rabbit and goat water and cozy up their shelters. The rabbits are enclosed in their hutch with the light on and cages covered. The girl goats are pretty cozy in their little shed and I put straw in the bath tub to keep the buck warmer. He has new tarp to stay dry and keep some of the wind out as well, so all is going pretty well. There is a small electric heater in the well house to keep those pipes from freezing and David wrapped the little outside bit last night to give extra insurance. It is always the shock of the first few days that throw things into a frenzy. Having 2 nights with water still running, I am feeling very relaxed today and even confident- or waiting for the shoe to fall? So, stay warm and dry and enjoy 'living with 4 seasons" ! See you soon for Holiday fun.

Open at your own risk...

Dear Friends and Family,

Well, this is it! I really am getting old. The years rush by so quickly that I can no longer distinguish the end of one from the beginning of another AND my knees creak when I run up and down the stairs. At least I can still run up the stairs when the phone calls me out of the garden, even if I choose to do it less often.

The blur of this year confuses my memory but what I remember makes me smile. The kids spread out around the world this year with international incident, so all is good. After a year and a half in London, Erin finished her Masters in Fashion Journalism. She left the gray skies of London, enjoyed a few months in Italy, then headed back to New York City to find a place in her profession. She has settled in Brooklyn, with friend Giancarlo joining her to learn English at a school there. While juggling demands of 3 jobs in the industry, she continues to see that one single job that will provide creative challenge AND pay the bills. She enjoys her new profession and is getting use to being a New Yorker again.

Washington D.C. still keeps Colin challenged and entertained. The Phoenix Bike Shop (noted as the Best of DC Bike Shops this year) continues to train young teens and challenge Colin's leadership skills. He and Susan are leading DC forward on bicycle and one turnip at a time. Susan's community garden found a new location this fall. She is keepthing things growing in vacant lots throughout the city. Despite their busy schedules, they were able to travel to Prague for a friend's wedding celebration, visit Utah for some skiing and play with us at the Lake.
Kyrsa and Dave logged the most miles this year. After buying a home and building a beautiful new deck, they said good-bye to Seattle to try out life in the Orient. Kyrsa was offered the opportunity to work 6 months in Singapore, so off they went in search of adventure. The crowded urban life of Singapore was quite a cultural change from Seattle's REI lifestyle. From a small aprtment near the Indian sector of Singapore, they explored all that island-city has to offer, including monkeys running wild in the parks. Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia and even a visit to New York City to see Erin's new digs! Now back in Seattle and back at work, they are settling into Northwest rain. Dave is planning details for a winter back on the ski slopes to really feel at home. Their big complaint is that they missed the great snow last winter.

As for David and I, we really can't complain. David managed trips to New York and Washington DC. Fortunately, his job still pays his travel when he convinces them his presence is urgently needed on the East Coast; one of the many good reasons not to retire quite yet. As always, I enjoyed being in my garden and at my loom. I did a bit of substitute teaching just to earn a few pennies here and there, then spent them all travelling to the east coast myself. I was able to see Colin, Erin and my friend Carol (and of course many great art museums). Remembering the adventure keeps me smiling still. I love the trains, busses and subways; all manner of travel that releases me from the responsibility of driving and allows me to watch.

So there you have the Tulin Road saga for 2008. The goats and bunnies continue to give me something to spin. The garden does it's best to build up my hopes and dreams then dash them to the ground with black spot and mildew. Each year offers more ideas than time or energy and it is all pretty entertaining. I hope the year ahead holds lots of entertaining adventures for you too. Remember that I would love to hear from you. We are always excited to see visitors at our door. Come to Kingston and I will promise you a good meal, a warm bed, and maybe even a few small adventures.

Love,
Claudia & David

Happy Holidays and a Glorious New Year

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - A. Einstein

This new year choose to believe in miracles and the hope of tomorrow.

Start today.

Happy Holidays and a Glorious New Year.

My blog begins...

NOW!
so that means listen up.