Lake loves to visit Nora and Ed on “Nora’s Farm” where they have nine sheep, 12 chickens, two dogs, a barn cat, and one ten year old angora rabbit (Robert). It pleases me that Lake loves it so, as I’ve been loving coming here myself to visit Nora on her “fiber farm” for over twenty years now. We like to eat fresh farm food and have long deep conversations.

It was good to be back in the lovely spring weather, everything so bright green, Lake learning how to pee in the bushes, and us all eating kale and arugula blossoms out of the garden. Our last visit here was a memorable Groundhogs’ Day visit filled with Snow, Sea, and (naturally) Sheep. We were visiting Nora’s Farm right at the beginning of the infamous Seattle Snowpocylypse of February 2019. We were there when the first flakes began to fall. It was magical and we didn’t want to leave. But we did get out before being snowed in. It turned out they were snowed in for a week! It was cute that this Mother’s Day weekend, Lake remembered their sheep dog Buddy fondly as “Snow Dog”. He was keeping a close eye on Snow Dog so as to minimize getting snooped!

Lake and I find the sheep to be so interesting. It’s fun to get up close and say hello! They have really big coats now, so they were panting in the heat, even in the shade. Shearing time is coming soon, friends!

We were invited out to especially to visit the six new baby chicks. We thought we might be able to pet them, but at only 3 weeks old, they weren’t so very sociable yet. Really fun to watch their little chick antics though and listen to them cheeping.

The weather was heavenly and the pace was deliciously leisurely making for a lovely visit on Nora’s Farm. On Sunday we went into town to Fort Worden State Park and visited the Port Townsend Marine Science Center Aquarium. Nora wanted to introduce us to the octopus. How beautiful and smart and gracefully she moved.

We all had fun “petting” the sea anemones, sea stars and worms with their delicate fans so reactive to our touch!

And in the end we were really tuckered out and it felt good to have a cuddle and read our books!

Thank you Nora and Ed for the rejuvenating visit on your farm! We hope we didn’t wear you out overly much and wish you and all the farm residents well… until we meet again!

Bloomsday is a family tradition going back to my grandparents. If you’re interested in making it part of your tradition too, I invite you: it’s a 12 kilometer road race (run/walk/stroll) in Spokane, Washington… always the first Sunday in May. This year it was a beautiful sunny day and we joined 34643 total runners and walkers to complete the 12K 7.5 mile race.

Thanks to our first au pair Joanna-Denise coming to visit all the way back from Germany to push Lake in the stroller, Michael and I got to run together. So kind of her to make a returning guest appearance at Bloomsday. So while Jo was pushing Lake with Denise, Michael and I actually raced it together! We somewhat surprised ourselves with the achievement of 9 minute splits! It had been a while since I’d run it as opposed to walked this race given maternal factors. This year I ran fast and I finished 13th among the women of my own age (356). Yea mama!

Lake had a great time too! At 2:31… his time was really compliments primarily of Jo’s muscle as he rode along in the stroller eating fruit. Auntie Denise also helped out with the pushing and kept the pace brisk. Lake “ran” 20 minute miles for 7.5 miles! Way to go team!

What a memorable Bloomsday 2019. The whole VanLaanen Family earned their finisher t-shirts this year! Maybe next year Lake can run a few of those miles!

Newman Lake is exceptionally lovely the first weekend in May. Hence our family tradition to make an early season pilgrimage to Point Petite with Bloomsday as the excuse. NanaBaba have spruced it up something fierce, hot showers and potable tap water to name a few luxury improvements. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly!

Here were the first warm days of the year… we were quite lucky in that regard with our timing. Many folks were out as a result. More than usual, we remarked. There were many neighborly visits sprinkled throughout our long weekend. Friendly Folksy We quickly fell into the rhythm of the lake lifestyle and adopted a relaxed pace of fun-filled family activities. We canoed at sunset, practiced yoga on the dock, sat around the cozy fire, waded, swam and went hiking in the woods. So relaxing! My happy place is becoming my family’s happy place, too. So special!

Hiking in the springtime is as good of reason as any to walk with stick in hand. Or run with stick and sing Hakuna Matata. Means no worries! Over and over at the top of your lungs.

For Langley it’s extra nice having a rest stop along the way. He’s a bit like a donkey in that regard: stubborn! Lake is more than happy to oblige and join in having a sit in the dirt. Hakuna Matata.

Lake likes to say, I’m a funny guy! It’s true too. He said I liked our visit to Jamma Julie. We had a great visit. Also with Grandpa Ken and Gramma Annie. We even brought Langley with us.

Langley had a grand time lounging outside on the hillside estate a overlooking Hood Canal. He thought he’d fully immerse himself in the resort lifestyle and go for a quick dip in the pool. Okay, so maybe he accidentally fell in and it wasn’t totally intentional. Michael guided him to the stairs out as he swam his own rescue. We weren’t quite sure what he thought of that. Hakuna Matata!

April Showers Bring… April Flowers!

As the cherry blossom viewing peaked and gave way to shoots of new green leaves, the rains came through washing the petals away in rivulets of pale pink. Then, suddenly there were seas of flowers and bowers of blossoms everywhere and exploding flowering trees and shrubs over every street corner. Especially dramatic is the display in the Skagit Valley. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, where swaths of joyful tulip heads dance their colorful dance in the between, yet further, rain showers.

April showers bring more April flowers. One happy mama. And one happy little boy! Mud! Tractors! A perfect day, really… rain, sun, tulips and springtime! A must see. A must do.

PC Luisa Jehle (tulips, Lake in tulips) and “Thank you!” to Luisa for taking Lake to play in the muddy tulip fields.

Lake loved the Cirque du Soleil show that Nana treated us to last weekend. He was at rapt attention during the entire circus show on ice! Now, he likes to act out the scenes with Crystal, “the goirl”, the “ski boys” and the clown with the tractor that crashed! He will “skate” around the house with his arms lung out wide and victorious and then make a huge wide open clown mouth at the end. He’s ready to go back to another Cirque du Soleil, please! What a thrilling show for all! Thank you to Nana especially for hosting us along with a delicious Irish dinner afterwards. A perfect day, I’m glad to spend it with you all!

Parenting a toddler is an emotional roller coaster. So frustrated and annoyed one moment, so in love one moment later. On rough mornings where Lake is all endless whinging tears, turning the reigns over to Luisa, our magician au pair, is a godsend. This was a happy scene from which to leave work. Even though Lake likes to say, “I don’t want you to go to work Mama,” he seems to have a better time of it when I do. When Luisa emerged from her bedroom and arrived on the scene, it was like a ray of sunshine came out and dried up all the tears. It takes a village as the saying fondly goes. A perfect day, I’m glad you got to spend it with Luisa!

The ferry ride from Vashon Island back to Fauntleroy West Seattle had zero line and came frequently, every 20-30 minutes or so. And of course, free for the Eastbound passage. What’s not to love? We even had the boat nearly all to ourselves. Lake was joyous to run unbridled while we kept a loose watch on him. Either April is a great time to travel or Vashon Island remains a hidden gem for weekend getaway from Seattle. We’ll have to visit again and conduct more field research!

Michael and I have a tradition we’re inducting Lake into. When we travel we like to seek out the vegan and/or gluten-free restaurant(s) and patronize them. Lake likes this tradition since it usually merits a dessert he can eat.

On Vashon Island we found the Pure Organic Kitchen and Juicery. A tiny establishment with an “excellent” food handling rating, a rare distinction among vegan restaurants. One must exit the café and enter through the back door to access their one (very clean) bathroom; that’s how small it is. It was modern and delicious and we gobbled up their tasty treats- “one of each please!” I especially liked their kale pizza for its inventiveness and attractive presentation. Also refreshing and delicious!

Our quick and easy home-cooked hack of the vegan GF pizza, not nearly as fresh and raw, is Trader Joe’s cauliflower/polenta pizza crust (frozen) topped with a can of TJ’s Grecian Style Eggplant and some broccolini florets as the topping. Both ways are enjoyable. All the family is enrolled in the adventure of gentle planet living and fresh garden eating. Yum!

We explored some of the 10 miles of trails of Island Center Forest during our Vashon Island Weekend. It was refreshing to see all the green of springtime unfurling. Lake is carrying on Michael’s tradition of having a stick in hand while walking or hiking. We encountered only one other trail user during our day hike: a woman bicycling her dog. Vashon is a well-kept secret.