SUMMER ARRIVES EARLY

Here in the Pacific Northwest we've been having a heatwave. Well, for us it's a heatwave. While this is standard fare for much of the United States, we in our little NW corner of our country are not used to (or prepared for) temperatures in the high 70's in early June. Our average high summer temperature in July and August, our hottest months, are a humorously low 67°F, yep you read that right!

We do not have air conditioned houses, outdoor pools, and many of us do not have basements (although we do) so many lack a sanctuary in which to "cool off". Thankfully, temperatures do lower at night and it never lasts for more than a few days. After being in Kansas for the last 2 summers, I'm not complaining though. At least I can open every window of my house for some cool ocean breezes (our version of AC) and feel somewhat of a respite.

I thought I'd share a few photos of "Signs of Summer" in a collage. From left to right starting at the top:

1. Shorts and sandals

2. Fans are our AC

3. Planted pots

4. Backyard squirrels

5. Ahh, pink lemonade

6. Short sleeves

7. Rockrose

8. Sunshine

9. Beaded jewelry of course!

Are you seeing signs of summer in your part of the world or are you in the dog days already? Our kids aren't even out of school until the middle of June!

FINGERPRINT FRIDAY

Our small town. Not only did God go into overtime creating natural beauty here in Anacortes WA, but yesterday I experienced anew why I love to live here and thank God for bringing us back.

Yesterday was a rare occasion when I picked up my son from school. After turning off my car to wait for him, I attempted to start it again and there was just NOTHING. Do you know that sinking feeling that you get when you know something is really wrong and you're really stuck? That's what I felt, and being in the back of the school there was no one around to help me.

The first thing I did was call my husband, but he works an hour away and was in a meeting. The only thing I could think to do was call the guys at Anacortes Automotive where I regularly take my car. And bless his heart, this man drove to the school within 5 minutes and gave my car a jumpstart. I wanted to give him a giant hug right there! The rest of the afternoon was spent dealing with the car and experiencing help from some guys at Napa Auto Parts who went way beyond "the call of duty". I couldn't stop thinking about how, if I was in big Kansas city where I didn't know anyone, I would not have had this kind of service or special treatment.

Thank you Lord for the "angels" you sent to help me yesterday and for allowing us to return to this special community! The way in which God allowed us to come back is a whole other Fingerprint for another day.

By the way, the first photo is Mount Baker. I drove up to a place called Cap Sante and took these this pictures this morning. If I turn about 180 degrees I see the view that's in the second photo of the marina, the city and the San Juan Islands in the background. Just breathtaking! My son sees Mount Baker from his classroom everyday. Talk about temptation to daydream in class!

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them?Thank you to Pampering Beki for hosting this each week! Everyone is welcome to join. To see how to join, as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

SNOWED IN!

We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning with about 4 inches of snow and more on its way! Schools were cancelled, so it looks like we'll be housebound today. These photos were taken in our backyard which is a greenbelt of huge cedars and pine trees. Just beautiful and majestic with their covering of white!

Our little town of Anacortes, WA doesn't have any snow equipment, so life pretty much comes to a screeching halt when we get a winter storm. We already have ice packed roads from unusually low temperatures and snow from earlier this week, so road conditions are particularly treacherous.

I thought we had left all of this weather behind when we left Kansas! Oh, well, it's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA!

Wishing everyone a safe and fun, Fourth of July! I am a Canadian living in the USA but I can still celebrate the birthday of this wonderful country (yes, I know it has its flaws!). These photos were taken at a fireworks display in our little town of Anacortes, Washington in 2006. For a little town of about 15,000 people they put on quite the display. We would go down to the water with our hot chocolate and popcorn (and blankets!) and see the show.

This year I'll still be in Kansas, but we have reason to celebrate this week because we finally sold our house last Monday after being on the market for 5 months. If all goes well, we'll be back in our beloved little seaside town by August and I'll be down by the bay watching the fireworks in 2009!

As a way of celebrating in my Etsy shop Beadin By The Sea, I have made some "Celebration Earrings". Check it out, you might just find something you can't live without! These earrings are free with a purchase from my shop but only until midnight tonight.

HEADING HOME!

After being here in Kansas City for a little over a year, our family has decided to move back to the West Coast. I am very excited to get back to our little town, our church and friends as well as my family in nearby Vancouver, Canada. We have enjoyed our time here being closer to my husband's family and seeing all that Kansas has to offer but we find the West Coast calling us back!

This is one of my favorite pictures (make sure you click on it to get a full view). It was taken at the Mt. Erie lookout point - the highest elevated point on Fidalgo Island. Are you wondering where on earth is Fidalgo Island ? It is an island connected by bridge west of the Skagit Valley in the upper Northwest corner of Washington state. The island contains the city of Anacortes and is known as the "Gateway to the San Juans". On a clear day, (here's proof they do happen in Washington!) this spectacular view allows you to see Mt. Baker, the nearby Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and the islands that make up the San Juans.

When I opened my Etsy store, beadinbythesea, we were in the midst of trying to get back to the West Coast but still being here in Kansas I went ahead with the name. Now there will be no more confusion, I really will be Beadin By the Sea!

To find out more about this beautiful place you can click here for the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce.