“Everything we say at funerals should be said at birthday parties instead. We leave so much love unspoken.” – unknown


Mr D saw this coating of frost on our railing and said, “It snowed!” Wow, is he going to be surprised when it really does snow here!


Our beautiful, clear skies have led to chilly weather. Chilly for the PNW at least.


Kids at play. I am still marveling at that 12 foot hedge our friends have in their yard. The kids can climb into it and pop out the top.


This week our family made a point of going to eat at this long-time, family-owned restaurant near the University of Washington because it’s going to be torn down to build a big apartment complex. We have generations of memories here because it was my grandmother’s favorite place to eat.


Speaking of food, we went to my brother’s for dinner the other night. He made fresh pasta and my sister-in-law made a chicken-broccoli sauce. When my brother went to serve the sauce to five-year-old Mr. D, he said, “It looks like prison food.” He may never live that one down.
All I can say is that it was delicious. I don’t think they serve that in prisons — but I don’t know because I haven’t been to prison either.
But it makes the picking up garbage project that Mr. D and nine-year-old Miss O did for MLK day even funnier. It was community service but not in a “time served” kind of way.


My devices share a photo gallery with Miss O so sometimes I open my photos and find sweet surprises like this image she created. So here’s some love to go along with the sign of the week.
Your right we should say things more often to those we love, rather than waiting until they gave gone! I wrote this for my hubbys mother when we laid her to rest – I’m sure he never told her.
‘You will always be my mother
and I’ll miss you every day.
I’ll miss your disposition
and the thoughtful things you say.
Your gentle touch and shining eyes
will just be a glimpse away.
I won’t ever forget you mum –
here in my heart each day.’
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Oh, what a beautiful poem for your MIL, Pat! Thank you for sharing that here!
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Thank you. We never say enough.
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“It looks like prison food.” Priceless! Where do they come up with these things? Love all the images.
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Exactly, Darlene! I’m still chuckling…at five years old. I have no idea where they come up with these things! Thank you!
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Popping out of the hedges? A brand new source of entertainment…oh my! 🥰😜🥰
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It was so funny — and amazing!! 🙂 Thanks, dear Vicki!
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🥰❤️🥰
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My favorites this week are your beginning quote (yes!), Mr. D’s “prison food” (that got an lol), and the humorous monopoly sign. But as always, it is ALL wonderful. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Oh, three of my favorites too, Susan! 🙂 Hope you have a lovely weekend!
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That hedge looks so fun! So does Burger Master- it seems like sometimes you can tell the food will be great just by looking at the place. (Was Burger Master great?)
Prison food…😂
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You’re right – the outside of the place does give a flavor. It was great – they had the best milkshakes. It wasn’t prison food for sure… 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend, Todd!
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I’m going to be laughing at Mr. D’s comment all day! And I especially like your opening quote; so true.
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Isn’t that priceless? I hope you don’t have to eat any prison food today, Jane! 🙂
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The unknown quote is essential. Tell the ones you love that you love them and tell them why. Early and often, over and cover. If they ask why tell them a psychologist said so.
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Oh, I love this comment! Okay – we’re all on Dr.’s orders!
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Glad you got the laugh I intended, Wynne! Truth is, if people ask me when I do this why I am doing this, I am quite frank: we are all mortal and it is important to me that I let them know they are dear to me. Both men and women, eye to eye
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Beautiful!!
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I love the quote! We fight for silly things and our ego gets hit! We fail to praise a person until they die!
Your son is right! He didn’t like it and expressed perfectly! I hope your brother and his wife didn’t take it to heart! 😀
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Thank you, Ganga! You are so right about failing to praise others. No, my brother and SIL didn’t take it to heart. They were totally amused!
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Did anyone ask how it is that Mr D seems to know what prison food looks like…? 🙂
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A very good question, Deb. 🙂
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That’s a hilarious comment by Mr. D!! That’s one to keep for many years to come 😆 And when I saw the photo of the hedge, I first thought, Did somebody catapult those kids there??? I was relieved to read your explanation that the kids climbed up there 😆😆
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Yes, that hedge. When D’s friend said, “Mama, can we go play in the hedge?” I was surprised to see what that entailed. 🙂
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A boy and his dog both hanging out underneath a warm blanket …. Doesn’t get much better than that! You wrote about Joy in your post on Dave’s blog: Wynne, this looks like joy to me! At least contentment.
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Joy for sure!! Thank you, Brian!
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I love the opening quote. ❤️ and thank you for sharing those stunning photos .
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Thank you, Mich! So great to see you here!
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I am a bit jealous of the clear sky. In Brussels it was cold, grey and windy. Now is it a bit warmer, but still grey and windy. In one word, the weather here is almost always awful 😢. Cooper and Mr D under the blanket are super cute 🥰
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Oh, I’m sorry about the weather. I have to admit that wind is my least favorite element. Hope you have a nice blanket to cuddle up with!
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So many poignant moments. Your vision helps elevate mine. Thanks, Wynne.
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Wow – what an incredible statement. Thank you, David!
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Love the opening quote Wynne.
Thanks for sharing your lovely photographs.
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Thank you, Maggie!
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My pleasure always Wynne
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That pic of the kids on the school ground is joyfully priceless! 💕
And homemade pasta is always a treat. Looks like Mr D is very engrossed in the process!
Hope you enjoy your weekend. Hard to believe we’re into February now!
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Miss O was having a great time playing with the Kindergartners. And yes, the homemade pasta was great. I’m sure they don’t have THAT in prison! 🙂
Hope you all are having a great weekend!
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Hedges you can climb? Oh my!
Prison food? Honestly, where do kids come up with things like this? Too funny.
What a lovely daughter you have to receive such beautiful gifts!
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I know – the hedge was a marvel. And you’re right, I’m lucky to have such kids to make me laugh and love! Thanks for the lovely comment, Dale!
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I’ve never seen one like that. And yes, you are 🙂
Mine are 27 and 25 and often make me laugh 🙂
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I hope that we are all still laughing together when my kids are in their twenties too!!
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I cannot see why not and I wish it for you!
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I think climbing out of a 12-foot hedge would be just a blast – bring on the photo captures! And yes, celebrating family memories – so dear to my heart!
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I can only imagine what Mr. Z could do with the kids and the hedge! Thank you for the lovely comment, Mary!
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Well, for thing he would be in there climbing with them! 💖 He loves time spent in nature!
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Your posts always give me a smile and food for thought, Wynne…
“When my brother went to serve the sauce to five-year-old Mr. D, he said, “It looks like prison food.” He may never live that one down.”
Cheers to your wonderful family and Sat-Yayyyyy ! 💗
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Satur-yay!! Your enthusiasm is so incredible, Cindy!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
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I aim to please and am glad I succeeded and to you dear Wynne!!! ☕️🙌🏽🙏🏼❤️
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Love the picture of your son with his dog under the blanket. As for what is said at funerals….sometimes not so good. When my first husband died, I just gritted my teeth when people kept saying “he looks so good.” or “he looks like he is just sleeping.” I wanted to say “No, he looks dead.” 🙂
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Oh, Barb. That’s so hard to know what to say in response. Thank you for this comment to remind us what not to say. ❤
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That’s a glorious hedge.
My grandson is seven. They’re fun to listen to at this age – kids really do say the darndest things.
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The darndest things – so true. It’s so fun! Thanks, Michelle!
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Utterly charming!❤️💞❤️
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Thank you, Lori! Hope you have a great weekend!
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That quote is perfect! As some who reads obituaries, I see so many wonderful things written and shared after a person dies, that we know nothing about when they were alive.
Thank you for sharing these sweet, comforting glimpses of your life. 💞It makes the world seem brighter.
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I love your perspective on obits, Rose. And thank you for your lovely comment. I’m so grateful! Hope you have a lovely weekend!
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Maybe it’s deceiving because they’re kids, but the hedge looks ginormous! Laughing at the Monopoly sign. And wondering where the missing O went.
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Funny about the O. Must have run out — maybe they don’t have a monopoly on O’s.
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I see what you did there!
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😉
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Ah, the authority of a 5 year old! Wonder which TV show or movie he learned about prison food! 😆
The 12 foot hedge! I doubt very much that the original gardner thought that it would become a playground for kids! Why am I thinking of the Whack-a-mole game? Oops!
Another lovely week!
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Great point about the hedge gardener. Hmm – I think there could be a whole series of adventures in there!
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Adventures, yes! As a child I’d have happily played there, a seemingly secret place, yet safe and close to home!
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The quote, the sign, and Mr. D… looks like you had a full week. I didn’t experience snow until January of fifth grade and it snowed three times that winter in Houston. Will never forget how wet snow is and how unprepared for cold we were… but all of the neighbor kids were out in the side yard playing football and getting wetter each play. Now 51 years later, I scape it off the driveway and deck and it’s part of my life as a transplanted southerner in the midwest. I wonder how many people actually get the sign and laugh! Have a great week looking forward to 101 and next week’s photos. Stay well. Peace.
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How interesting about snow in Houston — and your transplanted experience. Ah, the phases of life! Have a great week, Clay!
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Beautiful! I am surprised that you don’t have snow! It’s must be because the snow made a wrong turn and went to Houston!
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Ha, ha, ha, Bethany. That’s where it is… 🙂 Hope you have a great week!
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Wonderful photos, Wynne, and Mr. D’s comment about “prison food” was hilarious. No more prison movies for him! 😆
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Ah, I’m chuckling all over again. Yes, got to find out where he’s getting these lines! 🙂
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I’ve seen a lot of prison and war movies, and the mountain of spaghetti with a ton of sauce on top is a classic.
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