Kids’ weekend at Hartstene

Phew – just had a great weekend down at the cabin. Beautiful, bright, crisp weather and a gaggle of great guests – Alison, Anna and Dashford, and Kyomi and Jonah.

Roaring fires, piles of Lego and Jenga, dead jellyfish.

Anna found an innovative way to store her increasingly large collection of precious shells and pearls.

We made an excursion up the trail into the woods to seek out a Christmas tree for the Rusens but Alison proved too soft-hearted to slaughter and dismember the only medium-sized fir we saw.

Giving thanks for pie

Thanksgiving weekend was a lot of fun this year. We spent the Thursday making three desserts for the Watts’ dinner at Bill and Mary’s – an apple pie, a pear pie and a pumpkin pie.

A good turnout, ample pie-age and Bill reading a fascinating letter detailing the early history of the Watts’ Laurelhurst home rounded off a fun family day.

The next day, Kurt and a truly gargantuan Ginger popped by.

We spent the afternoon trawling Ballard for hip Christmas gifts and regular infusions of hot beverages. My discovery of the day? A pub serving cask conditioned mild ale – just like home! Kind of.