Henia, my husband's sister from Florida, sent an adorable Christmas wall hanging. For quite awhile we could not figure out how it was suppose to hang because the snowman in the center was upside down. It would work if you laid it in a circle, but even that looked odd. So the only logical solution was to cut the snowman free and sew him back right side up. Now, if I can only get that cute moose at the bottom to look in the same direction as the others...

Windy, rainy, sleety  (is that a word?), but still beautiful on Orcas Island. The village at night lights up like one huge Christmas tree. The nativity scene in front of the Community Church reminds us to not take Christ out of Christmas. Shopping at the wonderful little gift shops beats Walmart any day. Most of the items are locally made or at least made in the USA. Not that I never buy other goods, but I would like to think there could be equality in the market place. Besides, what could be better than actually knowing the creator of that beautiful hat and meeting the sheep that the wool came from?

I love the cards we are receiving that have small villages, snow...cozy written all over it and without words says, "Peace unto you."

The year 2012 is not over and we are getting reservations for next summer at the Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast! Weddings are being organized and rooms are being booked. We are optimistic that this coming summer will be the best ever. We say that every year and it gets better every year. Any reason to stop saying it now?

This picture was taken by one of our guests. We love our 101 years old house on West Sound Bay!

Vision and seeing what can become, is a gift given to some fortunate people and these people, I am convinced, are the ones who find purpose and joy in their lives. Whether you believe in God or your own self-independence, moving ahead with vision takes great courage. Let me give you an example. Here is a lot in Tijuana where our missionary friends are going to build a church. They are asking for prayers to even be able to purchase this lot for around $10,000. Then they will build a church. Do they have reserves? No. Do they have a wealthy congregation? No. Are they foolish or do they believe that God will provide? I am certain of the answer and so we join in excited anticipation for a wonderful little church here on this exact lot.

 

This the lot. The house is not worth saving.

 

 

This is the street. Great faith will build this church.

I have been away for an amazing time with my sister on Coronado Island at the Coronado Beach Resorts (San Diego) and then in Palm Springs (92 degrees...yahoo!) with my brother and sister-in-law. Being used to the Pacific Northwest temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees, I darted from one air conditioned building to another, except for the 2 hours I spent in the pool at my brother's complex. It was the most time we have spent together in probably 50 years and it was really enjoyable.
While I was away, a friend sent me the most perfect photos for our pet-friendly bed and breakfast here on Orcas Island.

It is great to be back. I hit the ground running with  all our rooms booked for the Veteran's Day holiday. I'm not complaining. Being busy this time of year is a good thing!

I love history and I love old churches. Actually, I love the old, grandiose cathedrals, but they are few and far between here in the West. On a recent trip to BC, Canada, we were walking around Hope, (such a great name of a little town that has an historic church) and ran across a tiny church in the woods. With my new Nikon camera...yes, I did finally get a decent camera...I got some nice shots of Christ Church.

Focusing on the tiniest details, finding magic in even the smallest inspirations, embracing the briefest moments—that's where passion is.

 

Rarely do I find anything of real significance on Facebook. It's not that I don't enjoy seeing pictures and learning the latest in people's lives, it's just there is a lot of foolishness and harsh and sad commentaries. However, once in awhile there is something that touches the heart...my heart, anyway... and I want to share it. It could be my deep abiding love of cats, the mention of magic, or the powerful word, PASSION. Whatever invokes the feeling of Ahhhhh...I'm all for it!