Whidbey Island- Gail's Birthday Weekend

Mt Hood in fog and clouds at sunset on the drive on scenic byway Highway 97 -

It's a fun drive with curvy roads and not that much traffic. The views are incredible as the dusk lighting plays on the landscape!

While visiting Langley (a small tourist town on the south part of Whidbey Island) it began to rain lightly. We encountered this rainbow on our walk to see the shops after purchasing fabric at Quilts by the Sea. Gail found some wonderful, lively, oriental fabric to make herself a purse. She's so creative!

Langley plans to have Mystery Weekend, February 23-25, "Death By Chocolate". Apparently, you go store to store collecting clues, and you gather in town later that day to solve the mystery. Note-the town writes the mystery.

There's a chocolate flower farm outside of town that creates all sorts of products from candles, chapstick, to soaps from these plants. It's amazing what you learn by exploring a small town...

Last weekend was Gail's 23rd Birthday. We drove to Whidbey Island on Friday, Feb. 9 and returned to Bend on Monday, Feb. 12. It was great to see her again and celebrate her Birthday! Billy, her husband, has been on detachment since early December, so celebrating with family made her day.

Larry always painted Gail's fingernails and toenails since she was a little girl. It was a treat to have him do it again.

(Kit, her American Eskimo, is in the background)

Deception Pass is north of Oak Harbor by ten minutes and is on the way to Anacortes, the main land. This is the only section of Whidbey Island that connects, via bridge, to the main land.

The waters of Deception Pass are know to have strong currents, so it's always fun to watch boats pass underneath these large bridges.

Life Lessons

Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint on it you can.
~ Danny Kay

Life Lesson

If friendship is firmly established between two hearts, they do not need to exchange news.
~ Sa'ib of Tabriz

Thank you to all our friends in Colorado who've made our friendships conquer the distance.

Life Lesson

In the end, these things matter most:
How well did you love?
How fully did you love?
How deeply did you learn to let go?

~ the Buddha

Friendships across the miles

Landscapes from Denver, CO

Denver from the Plane

Denver had just recovered from two large snow storms in December, when we arrived into the white city on December 30th.

Here are some pictures from the plane.

Gingerbread Festival at Sunriver

Life Lessons

The only gift is a portion of thyself.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

In memory of my cousin Raleigh.

In Memory of Cousin Raleigh

The passage below, was written by my second cousin, Sarah. She elequently describes her mother in great detail and her memory will live on in others. I hope to learn the gracious life Raleigh led.

Dear loved ones and friends:
My mother, Rosalie (or, as everyone knew her, Raleigh) Johnston, had her Coronation day today, December 7, 2006 at 7:30 in the evening. She went to be in the glorious presence of our Lord while at home with my dad and wonderful friends by her bedside. I would say that she has now, once and for all, won her battle with cancer.
I got the news about Mom tonight, shortly before the beginning of our University's Christmas production. As my mom was a great woman of faith, the words of the songs took on new meaning tonight. As I listened to the celebration of the voices, from the angels' proclamation to the majesty of Handel's "Messiah", I knew that this was but an earthly shadow of the heavenly celebration she was experiencing. I was also reminded that it is because of the birth of our Savior (and His gracious death), that she forever has life. What a new facet to the celebration of Christmas for me.

My mom was a woman of character... she was the same person no matter to whom she was speaking (well, except for "phone voice" :-)), and her word was her bond. I learned about honor (and humor) from both she and my dad.

My mom was a woman of great wisdom... many of my friends called upon her as their "mom" when they needed advice through the years. Even now, there are countless times when, in the midst of teaching or leading a Bible study, I answer a question beginning, "Well, my mom used to say..." I am praying that I hear her voice in mine and remember her wisdom as I teach my own children.

My mom was a woman of great love... the many people she loved and took in always amazed (and sometimes frustrated) me. :-) There was always "room in the Johnston inn" for those who needed one, as well as a listening ear for a hurting friend, a healing touch for a disabled child, or a word of wisdom.

Thank you for your love and prayers for my mom and our family during her struggle with this nasty, terrible disease. I have been reminded many times of the great gift of community - as we share both our joys and our grief. Thank you... for being community to us. We are more grateful than words can express.


The Lord bless you and give you all grace and peace during the Christmas season.
Love,
Sarah

Beginning to look like Christmas in Bend

Walking in Drake Park on a cold winters night. Just below 20 degrees and fresh snow.












In downtown Bend, the Christmas is up and fully lit. Much more natural compared to Rockefeller Center's Tree. But it's a nice touch for the square behind the Tower Theater and the Dechutes River.



And in the same square, resides Mirror Pond Gallery. It's one of the remaining historic bungalow houses in Bend and has since been used as a Gallery these past few years. We really should visit it one of these days.

Drake Park is a gorgeous, historic park located right in the center of town. It's a great place to walk, picnic, and enjoy the simple life of Bend. And we found some holiday lights gracing the houses along the park. Some in simple elegance and other providing a message.

The Blended Family

Kit biting Rebecca's ponytail.

Zent's First Thanksgiving!

Both Larry and I have much to be thankful for. We were especially thankful that Gail and Billy were able to come to Bend for a short visit. It was great to see them both, and of course little Kit! Kit is their seven month old American Eskimo puppy.
This Thanksgiving, it was our first attempt to cook a turkey and actually host the holiday. It was exciting! Our 15 pound turkey was moist and perfectly golden. We tried a new stuffing recipe and Larry made the best mashed potatoes using Rebecca's KitchenAid. Bravo Larry!



We dined on Rebecca's grandmother's china and used her festive red glasses too. And it wouldn't be Thanksgiving with pumpkin pie and homemade whipped topping. This year, we're celebrating a bunch of "firsts" and making new traditions for us as a couple and our family.

Though we have to mention, we do miss celebrating the holidays with our friends and family in CO! The celebrations and meals we've shared with all of you over the years has impacted us. We miss the joy at each gathering, and the fun we had playing cards, swinging from chandeliers, and trying new tasty holiday treats.

Winter has arrived on the Pass

Last weekend we went to Portland, OR for a shopping trip and to experience on of the McCormick restaurants in town with Craig and Kristin. Some of the shops we miss being approximately 4 hours out of the "big city" are Kohls, Trader Joes, and Uwajimayah. Needless to say, we had fun shopping for some needed items and our favorite food!

The pass to and from Portland had experienced their first snow and we caught some of winter wonderland's best on film.

Kit - Gail's Dog

Over the summer Gail fell in love with an adorable white fur ball, named Kit. His official name is in in Japanese and means White Fox. Here are some puppy photos of him on a trip with them from August. We'll see them next week for the holiday, and we're sure he's gotten bigger.