Kefir

Ginger Kefir
So my friend Marji gave me some Kefir grains - yet another thing I have to learn about and discover interesting things to so with. I waited quite a while (keeping them in the refrigerator to remain dormant) until I tried. My first batch - grains, 1 quart water, 1 teaspoon molasses. Wait two days. After two days, I removed the grains and started another batch same way with those. I took the Kefir water, added fresh ginger, bottled it tightly for two more days. Then, refrigerate, wait until chilled, and had my first taste. AMAZING! REFRESHING! NATURALLY CARBONATED! GOOD PROBIOTICS!

Now, I have my next one brewing with lemon juice instead of ginger.

This is fun.

Seattle Camino Day 4

Last day - wanted to see if Costco hot dogs tasted same as Korea. They do. WELL Charles came in, and ate with us. Come to find out - when he lived in Korea, he walked right past the school she taught at every day! Crazy small world!

Kona will miss her.....bad dog.

Seattle Camino Day 3

Day begins at Westlake Center

Oh yes we like this a lot. Seattle's Best first store was on Vashon Island, but this is the Seattle flagship store. 

Walked to waterfront..... 

Oysters at Ivars 

Amazing place - must see 

Must do Space Needle 

Monorail back to Westlake after walking everywhere. 

Seattle Camino Day 2

Downtown Kirkland, mosey time, beautiful weather and conversation

Ending the day at St. Michelle

Seattle Camino Day 1

How wonderful to be reunited with my Camino buddy! How more amazing that Seattle was SUNNY!

 Started from airport pickup to Seattle. Gum Wall....ewww..much nicer when frozen!

Original Starbucks 

just HAD to get her some amazing seafood chowder 

From Seattle - to Kirkland 

We came home to a dinner/fellowship time with Maki, Marji and Michelle. Namjoo shared her experiences of 4 years in a convent, and others shared their testimonies of grace and redemption.

Stroke and Alzheimers - Each Day a Gift

All Three Sisters Together!

We made T-shirt scarves and got our picture in the bathroom, since no one was around to take our picture. Mom is having a real hard time physically lately. She needs help in and out of her bed - but every day she gets dressed and all beautiful - God bless her lovely heart.

SO fun to have just us - girls that could gang up on dad - or at least try to

On their way to dinner, they got stuck behind super slowpokes, so speed racer mom took a short cut to beat them old folks - go speed racer! They make a good couple - he has the working body and she has the working brain. He is doing really well, considering the frightful years ahead. She is 83, he is 84. 

Del and June do so much for mom and dad, we could never thank them enough. However, Del does not like his picture taken in the event it may end up on the internet. They joined us for a lovely veggie burger at Bonaventure.

Sometimes I just stare at my mom - she is so beautiful. I think it is her faith and trust in Jesus that makes her shine so - I really do.

We have all been worried about dad not eating enough, so while Janice took mom to a movie in the wheelchair van, I took dad to lunch. He "wasn't real hungry" but ate a big bowl of soup, bread, hot crab sandwich, and this pie! This is the "before" picture.

And it's GONE! ALL of it - you GO dad!

He really needed attention to his nails - so we got mani and pedi's. He loved it.

While dad and I ate and pampered, Janice and mom bawled at Les Miserables. Beautiful women!

Happy New Year 2013!

How fitting that God says in Jeremiah 29:11 ~

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." 

Hoping for YOUR future as we turn the calendar - yes - each and every one of you who reads this.

All for His glory - whatever may come.

Reminds me of a hymn: Words Edward Mote, tune William Bradbury

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,

I rest on His unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood.

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh may I then in Him be found.

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

Christmas Eve 2012

I guess I am ruined forever now - when I offer to bring a veggie tray, I must do this.

 Deep fried turkey, roast beef, and ham...all super injected with Vitamixed herbs.

I tried to have Andy and Ben follow how Joseph slices meat - all neat and tidy -

but they didn't listen to me 

 This dude especially did not listen to me - he is like Jack the Ripper how he slices meat

BUT it was DELICIOUS!!!!! 

Andy was only one who wanted to play this game, as you can tell by these photos

No Vanderhoff gathering feels right without a fire

T Shirt Scarves

After breaking 3 sewing machines needles, burning my hands mercilessly with hot glue,

Making the hugest mess (that I declared to all that if Santa is REAL, he will clean this mess up for me - and he did!)

 I started and finished 18 T Shirt scarves on the day before Christmas Eve, AND made a batch of peanut brittle.

My broken knee hurts.

Annual Girls Christmas Night 2012

We made it back to Seattle for our 3rd Annual girls Night at Christmas Time. Kelly, Julz and I. We got a special deal at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.

We always have our chauffeur (Joseph) drop us off and pick us up so we don't have to deal with cars and traffic.

 We did meet up with Andrea and Stevie (and our other friends shown here) for some shopping to begin with. It was quite a large group.

Julz and Andrea taking a break

 We could NOT find our names on the NICE list!

 Dinner at The Purple... Pizza, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, and Lobster Mac and Cheese.

Nice that Kelly is over 21 - we got the heavyweight flight to share - Washington versus Australia - we voted Washington

After dinner, we took hotel limo to meet the Duck Holiday Tour

Can NOT hit downtown Seattle at Christmastime without a visit to the Sheraton Gingerbread displays = AMAZING as always

As we were waiting for our chauffeur to come get us, just chillin' in lobby

 Our good friends O'Connells and Rorbergs just happen to walk in!!!!

They wanted to see the room we stayed in, and little did I know that Julz showed the boys the secret her and Kelly discovered the night before!

BEST way to end our 3rd Annual Girls Time = spent 2.5 hours in King County Sheriff office to get our CPL - used to be CWP. This was my Christmas gift to Kelly. We will receive them in mail in 30 days. It was PACKED in light of the tragic Connecticut school shooting. God bless all those families who lost loved ones.

They have my fingerprints on file now. I cannot commit crimes and get away with it. If they find my body anywhere, they can quickly identify me - this is a good thing. They took both hands, so if they find me with only one hand, they can still ID me. Morbid.