Decorating the House for Easter

Easter comes early this year (March 27), and I usually decorate the house the day after Valentine's Day.  I put all of my red hearts and candy away, and got out the bunnies!

I love this time of the year as we are anticipating Spring and Summer and time to get outside after the cold, dark weather.

Here's my start on the easter theme.  What do you think?

Elsie's silver service and my tulips

Bunnies and eggs in the dining room

Bunnies on my vintage drop-front desk

Bunnies upstairs!

Winter Day at Blyth Park

Don and I were getting cabin fever last week, so we grabbed Polly and jumped in the truck and took off into the sunshine.  We didn't have far to drive to Bothell, and took the back roads along the slough.

I hadn't been to Blyth Park for more than 20 years, and it hadn't changed much at all.  It was really wet and boggy, but we soldiered on and walked down to the water.  Polly was really tired when we got home.  She's been spending way too many hours in front of the fire!

Spring is coming soon!

A Cup of Tea

Before my piano lessons begin each day, I stop by my studio coffee shop (aka 'the pantry') and begin to brew my Chai Tea Latte on  my wonderful Verismo machine.  It's just like having a barista brew my specialty drink!  My barista training at Starbucks certainly comes in handy as I craft custom drinks for my 25 piano students.  Melissa loves her Americano, Jessica can't play the piano without her mocha, and Sequoia needs her brewed Pike Place Blend after coming off of a long shift in the ER at Evergreen Hospital.

 I'm a full service studio!

Chai Tea Latte

Verismo Coffee Pods from Dionna

Cups from Dionna

Mom's 87th Birthday

Mom celebrated her 87th birthday on February 2nd, Groundhog Day!  The family met at Red Robin at Northgate for a great lunch and a fun time together.

The Birthday Girl

The Kids

Choices, choices!

Paradise Lost

We have lived here in Maltby almost 15 years now, with our home facing Paradise Lake Road.  Many times, we've traveled this road, looking for its namesake.  We've never been able to locate it,  even on a county map.

On a recent ride back from Duvall, the stark winter landscape gave us a tiny view into our long-lost Paradise Lake!!  It's back from the road quite some distance, and there does not seem to be any public access.

I hiked back along the shoulder-less road to get this initial shot of the lake (the quality is poor, but it's better than nothing!).  It's it lovely?

Paradise Lake

Ferns Growing Out of a Mossy Tree

Polly's Trip to Duvall

Once a week, we get into the truck and drive to Duvall for lunch, antique shopping, and a walk along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. It's Polly's favorite trip!

Here's Polly contemplating the river and the Meaning of Life.

Weekday Breakfasts at the Maltby Cafe

It's wonderful to walk across the street during the week and have breakfast at the cafe who wins the "Best Breakfast in Washington" award year after year.  The people are so friendly, and we often see friends and neighbors there.

I was taking pictures of Don when a woman came up to our table and said we were such a cute couple that she'd like to take our picture.  We had a nice visit with her, and then resumed our breakfast.

What a great way to start our week!