Ooh La La!

So, the people seem to be eating a lot these days. So, she left us for a brunch with a very French theme--Brie and quiche and poached pears and gateau! 

We are beginning to detect a trip coming up, but a bit in the future.  We understand there are many decisions which need to be made. Meanwhile we will all have to listen to those French CD's. 

Dinner with Friends

We had fewer guests this year. But one brought a dog who was pretty well-behaved. But we sulked until the turkey came out and then Alice made a pest of herself howling at the table until the keeper brought us some to our cat dishes. Then after eating all of that tryptophan, we couldn't stay awake. So we have nothing more to report.

Carroll College Plans

The diners look familiar.  But does the location? After drinks and view, they crossed the street to Pomodoro for a great dinner and further plotting  for the Carroll College fundraising project.  She brought us home a box of linguine with pesto and pollo.

From an Eastlake Deck

We expected to spend a cozy night at home with her. Ha! Such dreamers we are!

She left us again and landed at a friend's condo on Eastlake where they plotted a fundraiser for Carroll College. She was so taken by the view it was hard to concentrate.  She wants to move to a condo with this kind of view. We hope she will take us with her. 

Eerie Sixth Avenue

Sixth Avenue has become a shadowed corridor of construction and excavation, with more cranes than cars.

Gingerbread

There was a stop at the Sheraton for a view of the Gingerbread Creations...Nursery Songs and Tales.

London Bridge and the Sailing Ship were pretty amazing. 

At Assembly Hall

This morning and afternoon the keeper get together with a friend who has every right to complain about the keeper's idea of friendship. They spent time downtown and the keeper was introduced to Tom Douglas's latest place, and he was there! We have a hunch she will go back to visit soon.

Bad Taste

When she did come home, she brought us a frozen bird which was organic and natural, she said.

But she also brought us photos of some of the least natural flowers ever. Poinsettias look great in their true colors..red and cream...but green and blotchy orange and peacock blue??? with glitter? Who would buy these things? Given the numbers of them,  the store's floral manager apparently thinks that they will be a big hit...!!?? Not at our house....

Brown Pall

This morning the keeper left us waving a list of projects she would accomplish before seeing us tonight. It was an impressive list, for sure. One project involved West Seattle to see her friend who is not free to join us all for the TG festivities. She lives at St. Joseph's Residence. Before the keeper went inside she beheld a favorite vista of the city, but was appalled to behold a pall of smog hovering over like a dirty blanket.

La Luna on Queen Anne

Well, we spent the day with Cristina while she cleaned. She likes to do this when the keeper is out f the house. So, we understand that she worked at the office. Eventually she went out with her equally spatially dyslexic friend, Judy, who introduced her to a wonderful Mexican Restaurant on the hill.

 ¡ Comida muy rica!

They had a great evening with rich food and great music and she came home to us relatively early. 

50 Years Ago Today

She stayed home today to get some peace and quiet so she could finish annulments, whatever they are.  But we asked her if she was alive 50 years ago when JFK was killed.  She said that she certainly was. We asked her if she can remember that far back.  She said that she certainly could. So,we asked her what she was doing on that fateful Friday when she first heard about it.  

SO, this is what she told us.  She was sitting in her chair as a Frosh at Providence Academy in her Music Appreciation class.  It was a Friday morning and they were listening intently to Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, to the Air On the G String when Mother Superior came into announce the tragic news. They went to Mother Joseph's Chapel for prayers and then were sent home.
She hung out with the boarders and watched television there till her mother could arrive. She tells us that now every time she hears the Air on the G String she is taken back to that very long weekend.

May Angels Lead You to The Heavenly Banquet

On a day which couldn't have been more crystalline clear and stunningly beautiful our dear friend 

Jack took his leave of his earthly abode and headed home to God. We will all miss him terribly and send his family much love. It was only a month ago he cooked us lasagne from scratch! But such a big spirit lives on in our hearts and into eternity.

Rest in peace, dear friend!

Over packaged?

We couldn't wait for the keeper to get home this eve. There was a package the size of Cecil waiting for her. When she opened it, she found a bottle the size of a baby mouse. 

Evening in Bothell

Even though the days in Bothell can be crazy making,  the sun setting in the late afternoon can sometimes wash the irritations large and small away, if even for awhile.

Emma Comes Calling

Today little Emma came to the office to visit with her mother. Emma can walk and kick a soccer ball already! 

Simple Supper with Friends

She left us tonight to have a simple supper at the house of those greyhounds!

They toasted their friend Jack by the fireside and then had delicious simple fare.

The divine MG showed off a few Irish dance steps as well.

We weren't too upset when she left because we had her all to ourselves today as she worked on a retreat for the weekend. She was very enthused about it. 

When she came home she found out that it was being moved to Lent! We think she was relieved, mostly.

Noooot Yet!

Well, he's arrived in LFP. So far only two neighbors have lights up!

With candy canes and sleigh!!!!

She is Back

We heard the car come home earlier than expected.

We tried not to look too excited. 

Night Prayer

Tonight the group will gather in silence in the chapel for quiet prayer. 

We believe the keeper will be in her element there.

The NPH leaders

The leadership cohort from Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos is also making the retreat. 

They gave a presentation about the work of their founder, Fr. Wasson, and how it continues today.

One of the retired priests just have one of them his Chelsea pennant!

Nueva Creación

Today we remember the Jesuits and their housekeeper Elba and her daughter Celina, 

all martyrs of El Salvador.

Palisades and More

We have a pet sitter. The keeper left us for a retreat at the Palisades in Spanish with a Bishop.

It started last night but she was too caught up in the events of yesterday to go.

It seems to be going well. The Bishop found another Assistant. 

  She got down there late aft after accompanying someone to Gethsemane Cemetery 

and the baby section. Very touching, we hear. 

We are waiting for the pet sitter to feed us. 

QFC!

This was quite a surprise at the pump this morning. It seems the keeper has rung up many bonus points of late. She hadn't seen this price in a very long time.

This is for Jack

This morning the keeper heard scary news about a friend who had a stroke.

She and another close friend who had also just been with him a week ago  for dinner went to visit him and ended up back at the home where they all have had many wonderful conversations with a wee bit of Scotch by the fire. This post is for you, dear Jack! 

Be well and know we love you!!!

From a Library Window

She also had meetings at the Chancery.  She spent her down time working in the SU Library. 

The view was breathtaking.

Presente!

She visited the Table of the Dead in the Chapel and the Monument to the Slain Jesuits, the Housekeeper and the Housekeeper's daughter next to Pigott Hall.

The fountain is one of tears that pour down in the abundant Northwest rain. 

However, not so today.

Salvador, Land of Martyrs

The keeper left us for meetings at SU.  When she arrived she found the campus bedecked with crosses commemorating the many women, children, and men who died as a result of that violence.

Sobering.  Innocent lives. Assassins trained by the School of the Americas.

The Assembly

Last  eve the keeper hauled out of here to get downtown for an Assembly on Immigration. The church was full, and very engaged.  Great speakers. Great business was transacted with Councilmember Dembowski. Many friends from many chapters of the keeper's life participated. A good and just evening it was!

The Shaved Kale Salad

Tonight we observed her trying to create the new winter salad.  She and a friend had really liked the shaved kale number a few weeks ago at Piatti. So, guess what she is trying to replicate...?

She has decided it needs a few more tries.  It's ok for a first try, but needs a bit less sweetness.

On the Feast of Martin of Tours

We were thrilled to have the keeper home with us today, or at least part of today.

But we did have ML working on the deck. She is solving electrical puzzles as she methodically tackles each section. We know that our deck will withstand any force of nature long after our house is destroyed. It may even anchor our house! 

These pictures have nothing to do with today. They are leftovers from the last few days. The keeper told us she was just really tired and unmotivated to look for what is noteworthy today. We told her it has been a very long and intense several weeks.

50 years ago!!!

This afternoon there was an impromptu reunion with two of the teachers who taught the keeper 50 years ago.  Hard to believe that she was  a Frosh that long ago. not hard to believe that Math was not her favorite subject.  But the sister on the middle helped her see algebra as a language. And she learned about prevenient grace  and concupiscence from the sister in blue. Oh, PAV!

Wait In Patience for Your Heart's Desire

This afternoon the keeper gathered at a wedding banquet with many friends. 

It was a joyous occasion for sure, we hear.

And the wedding couple asked everyone in lieu of wedding gifts to make donations to groups which bring about a more just world!  

IMPACT!