Indepence Day!

Happy 4th of July for all of you from the USA and Happy 4th of July to the rest of the world too (let's all party)! We were awakened at shortly after 3:00am to rolling thunder which shook the house. Many people here in western Washington complain that it always rains on the 4th of July. Personally, I find it reassuring. Afterall, the Einsteins down the street from us hardly practice discretion when setting off their fireworks. Each year on the 5th we police the yard for paper, sticks and other debris that has blown our way. So far the rain has never prevented us from eating bbq, waving the flag, being with family or friends or feeling patriotic and extremely fortunate.

For us the festivities actually began on Saturday with the annual Fourth of July Parade in Tokeland, WA. At the end of the parade there was a picnic complete with sack races for the kids and a bagpipe band.

And this visit held a special surprise because my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Wayne were visiting. I haven't seen them in 9 years! My cousin, Mark, will return from his 4th tour in Iraq in August and he's getting married. I haven't seen Mark in almost 20 years. Not to sound cliche', but were does the time go?!

We left A2 with my Mom & Dad for several days and she is having a grand time at the beach.



Yesterday Dad turned 65. Happy Birthday, Dad! I finished his hat (while watching the parade) and successfully made him some cardamom bread. It wasn't near as good as Grandma Helen's, but it was edible and recognized as caramom bread so I was happy.

Yesterday's mail included a package from Sapporo, Japan. Inside there were gifts galore courtesy of JRS . Several weeks back she held a contest to "Name the Song". She showed words from a Karaoke song that she and a friend performed and the first three people to correctly name the song received Japanese goodies. The song was "Centerfold" by the J.Geils Band and it induced a 1980's flashback. Anyway, inside the package were socks, a bag (just the right size for knitting accessories), my very own chopsticks, 5 adorable erasers shaped like sushi and noodles and three packages of rice candy for my girls. Thank you J! I'm looking for baby knitting items for you.

Cindy out in St. Louis is recovering from a bout with some poison ivy and promises some July spinning. She's very talented and I can't wait to see what flies off of her wheel!

And in other blog news, the world is still awaiting the arrival of Terri's new granddaughter. Terri has been knitting up a storm and that will be the best-dressed child in Australia!