“The morning steals upon the night, Melting the darkness.” – William Shakespeare


I once told my neighbor that my kids were doing Aikido camp. She thought I said, “IKEA” camp and was surprised there was such a thing to learn to put together flat pack furniture. We had a good laugh.
But this past weekend, I held my own IKEA camp for them at home. Seems important to learn when young – for me and for them! 🙂


We were lucky to have a boating to dinner adventure on Lake Union to celebrate my sister-in-law. Miss O was a diligent boat driver!


The weather was absolutely perfect this week so I squeezed in some time for paddleboarding on the little lake near our house.


The sign of the week seems perfectly paired with this picture of the early morning moon over my neighbor’s house.
(featured photo is sunset over Lake Union at around 7pm — the time of day this time of year when the crows have been flying home to their roost).
Good morning and happy Saturday. All those photos of your family enjoying family moments; Miss O looks so serious in her photo and Mr. D. I really like your smile. That sign makes my day. Really and the stars shining brightly, perfect. Enjoy what the weekend brings. Peace.
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Miss O was a good boat driver – and because her shift was on the way back from dinner, it was getting dark. Mr. D got the easier leg on the way to dinner. Thanks, Clay! Enjoy your weekend!
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Another full week in the books! So many beautiful water adventures.
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Water soothes my spirit — thank goodness! Thanks, Jane!
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Ha ha. I think we all need IKEA camp. When my daughter Laura moved into her first apartment, she live streamed herself putting together a very complicated IKEA bed with drawers underneath. It was quite funny.
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That’s so funny, Michelle! I think there’s a lot of humor to be had in those assembly projects!
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IKEA Camp looks like so much fun! I actually think they should implement a summer camp like that. You’re onto something, Wynne.
The boating to dinner experience looks so much! What a lovely week you’ve all enjoyed!
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I said the same thing to my friend — they’d make a ton if they did IKEA camp! 🙂
It was a lovely week – but with a lot of weeknight adventures. We’re resting up this weekend. Hope you three have a wonderful one!
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Love the moon and planets shot Wynne! I see some version of this every morning when we walk but it’s so interesting how the planet spacing in relation to the moon is much different when you are a bit more centralized in the US
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That’s so interesting! And I bet at 6,000 feet, it’s a lot clearer too!
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Your newest water photos confirm that your family are true mariners, Wynne! I love that. And I got a good laugh over IKEA camp. I think IKEA would love that too! Maybe they should hold an actual one. 😊
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I have my brother to thank for most of the mariner adventures. But yes, we have fun on those outings.
You are so right about IKEA camp – I think it would be wildly successful!
Hope you have a great weekend, Melanie!
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You too, Wynne!
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Wonderful pictures, Wynne! Happy, healthy and accomplished! 💐
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Thank you, Lori!
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I’m gonna chime in about “IKEA CAMP”…love the giggle about that, but I also think I’ll sign myself up to join you if you offer it for real. 😜
Miss O and Mr. D are amazing…so skillful! Good job, mama! 🥰❤️🥰
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IKEA camp really is a great idea, isn’t it? Kinda like Habitat for Humanity but at a smaller level. Okay, we better start planning. 🙂
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Love it! 🥰😜🥰
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Fabulous photographs as always Wynne.
Great idea on the IKEA Camp 😁
That moon shot is stunning.
Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you, Maggie! I really appreciate you chiming in!
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Truly my pleasure Wynne.
PS…I thinm we all need to attend Ikea Camp 😁
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Happy Saturday! What a lovely collection of memories 🙂
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Ah, what a lovely comment. Thanks, Dale! Hope you enjoy the weekend!
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Thank you!
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Fun photos and memories, except for IKEA! 😀
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Ha, ha, ha, Brad.
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IKEA camp. I love it! And your weekly sign, Wynne. It all made my day. 🙂
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Ah, what a perfectly witty comment, Susan! Right!
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Oh, I laughed at Ikea camp! Actually… this might be good for some grown-ups! Spend time together learning the complexities of assemblage, while sipping on their coffee and eating some meatballs! It should become a thing!
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I couldn’t agree more, Tamara — it should be a thing! Love the way you describe it!
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I live close to an Ikea, I may need to go get some meatballs now! 😉
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Ikea assembling training is a life skill! I stopped even trying it to avoid becoming insane!
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You’re right, Cristiana. Sanity comes first!
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Boat driver? Um, I don’t want the years to pass by too fast for you, but in that picture, Miss O looks like she’s about ready to sit for her driver’s license test!!! Ha, ha. It comes quick.
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I know – it’s incredible how fast it goes. 🙂 ❤
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Assembling furniture is a skill for a lifetime! As always, great photos.
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Thank you, Belinda!
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The range of experiences in which you immerse your children and yourself is remarkable, Wynne. You offer them skills and joys that will last a lifetime. Brava!
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I cherish this comment, Dr. Stein! Thank you!
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Dr. Stein’s comment is perfect. I agree wholeheartedly–it’s truly incredible all the experiences, skills, and emotional maturity your not-so-little ones are picking up. They’re already such incredible, kind, and capable little humans, and it’s so lovely to see. ❤️
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Oh, thank you for this incredibly heart-warming comment, Erin. I appreciate it so much!
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You are a master mom with your implementation of fixing things, Wynne. TG my girls learned these skills and my son and hubby are so good. It’s not that I can’t but, and, oh NM. I would botch it up to be honest. How fun for Ms O driving the boat and you to be on the lake paddle boarding.
🙌🏽💗
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Your strategy to let others do it is so smart, Cindy! We all need to know our strengths! Sending lots of love to you! ❤ ❤ ❤
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We’ve just gotta let go of something for sure.. Aww thanks so very much, and back to you Wynne!
❤️
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Ikea camp could be a thing, lol. Lovely photos.
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It really could be!! Thanks, VJ!
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Love your photos and you do find some great signs!
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Thanks, Michele!
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🌞🙏🏻
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So much joy to savor here, Wynne. 💞 The sky photos are beautiful. Your children are so talented thanks to their mom’s love and encouragement. 💞
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Oh, what a kind comment. Thank you, Rose!
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Hi Wynne, I was just watching an interview with Jennifer Anniston. She is a dog lover, and has a line of “Clydeo” children’s books. One is a cookbook for children learning, and I thought maybe it is a book your family would enjoy together. Here’s the link so you can take a look:
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Oh, that looks great. Thank you for the suggestion!
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You’re welcome. She was so excited about her books in the interview. There are 3 Clydeo books so far. One came out in October, this one just released, and another one at the end of the year. (So sorry for posting the link twice.)
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The link did not post in my last comment, here it is so you can look it up if you want:
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One of the best things we can do as parents is to show our children how to be independent. You always do an excellent job with that, Wynne.
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Ah, what an incredible comment coming from you, Pete. Thank you so much, my friend!
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Raising ’em right, Wynne. Never too early to learn how to assemble furniture! I have paddleboarding on my radar. Please send any tips you have to this novice!
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Oh, how fun! I think my tip would be to start with calm water! Our paddleboards can also be converted to have seats like a kayak and that’s a good way to go! Can’t wait to hear about this adventure, Gwen!
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After struggling through too many furniture assembly fiascoes to count, I for one would welcome the chance to attend an IKEA camp. Especially if they served Swedish meatballs in the chow hall.
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Swedish meatballs would be a great feature. I think someone could make a mint off this idea!
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I’ll add it to my ever-growing list of get-rich-quick schemes. Years in the making, by the way, and yet here I am, still a million dollars short of being a millionaire. Sigh.
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Me too, Mark!! 🙂
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Putting together furniture is so much fun!😊 Seems like your babies were working so hard. Glad they had fun. Thanks for sharing your pictures!💕
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I like assembling furniture too! Thanks, Shaun!! ❤
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You’re welcome, Wynne!
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Ikea, boating and birds oh my. Great all round.
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Well when you put it like that – who could ever object to that combo? 🙂 Thanks, Rebecca!
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IKEA camp – where relationships are tested and tiny wooden dowels are king!
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You nailed it, Mary!! Oh, I’m laughing!
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a lovely cheery post — and Dunn’s Lumber quote: how funny 🙂
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Ah, that Dunn Lumber guy knows how to get your attention! Thanks, John!
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I reckon I’d be his #1admirer; he’d be thrilled to have a fan down under 🙂
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Happy Sunday, Wynne! Beautiful photos and good skills to have. I’ve put together lots of furniture with the help of hubby or kids, and the accomplishment feels good. 🙂 Probably never again though! LOL I love the beginning quote, and the sign and your photo work perfectly together. A boat ride sounds wonderful too. Have a good week ahead. 💙
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The accomplishment feels good – you have that right, Lauren! Thank you!!
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That boat looks inviting. I can see how Miss O loves to paddle it. The photos are gorgeous, Wynne.
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Thank you, Hazel!!
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love this! I think these life skills/experiences camps are priceless and incredibly important
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You are spot on, Beth!
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Putting together IKEA furniture is always fun, especially if you buy their Swedish meatballs and make them for dinner. They are the best.
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Oh, you know how to make the plan work, Edward!!
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Yes, my friend.
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IKEA camp… sounds pretty fun, with some cool modular results!
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Exactly!! Who wouldn’t want that? 🙂
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Great pics! I know a bunch of people who would totally love IKEA camp, although I’m not one of them 😅. I would have to go to Patience Camp for a whole summer or two first!
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You are totally cracking me up with patience camp. Hilarious!!
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I think IKEA camp is a great idea! This is an essential skill. I like the snazzy life jackets too.
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An essential skill — exactly!! Thanks, Darlene!
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Wynne, nice to be back here. I knew I was in the right place when I saw the sign-o-the-week. They have never failed to put a smile on my face, and I look forward to more smiles in the weeks ahead. I also got a chuckle thinking about my personal history with assembling furniture. I can’t say my language during such projects was always G-rated.😁
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Oh, I’m laughing, Bruce. Nothing like going along in the instructions and realizing you messed up two pages back! I taught Miss O the trick of popping out those lock sockets by hitting the back side when you gone wrong. 🙂
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Time spent on the water must be so peaceful and nourishing. Good for you. That moon picture also feels peaceful and nourishing. Love the sign of the week. 😛
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