Summing Up 2011

Instead of a long Christmas letter this year, I've decided to sum up the year via the blog and then post the link on Facebook.  I am still sending out paper Christmas (or Winter Holiday) cards.  Coming up with a design for the card and then executing it are a big part of our holiday tradition.  Here is an early prototype of this year's card.  I had to show off the fact that I did a lot of exterior trim painting this summer:  

To sum up the year, I first have to say that it wasn't as momentous as 2010 or 2009.  There were no trips abroad, our surviving parents are still surviving.  It was more of a hunkering down kind of year.  I took up more weaving and basketry and yoga.  Roger brought in more firewood and concentrated on the Grange and the Agricultural Resource Committee for the County.  He believes fervently that the Grange is an optimum venue for community involvement, a place where people with diverse views can come together over common issues of survival in desperate times.  It should be a place where a human secularist can feel at home.  The jury is till out on that one.

Al and Roger relaxing in Al's new digs

Another major theme for 2011 is the settling of Alfred Ellison, Roger's father, in an Assisted Living Facility up here on the Island.  Many of our friends can relate to this scenario.  It involved countless trips to Auburn over the last ten months or so.  It also involves the dismantling and disbursement of the family heirlooms and goods.  And the selling of assets to pay for the new lifestyle.  Does anyone want to buy a practically never driven 2010 Chevy HHR or a Kodiak RV?  The home in Auburn is also up for sale.  On the plus side, Al is spending a lot of quality time with two of his sons.  He comes here for dinner at least once a week.  Roger can accompany him to all of his doctor appointments.  It has brought us a lot of peace of mind.

It should be noted that the weather this past year was weird.  The Spring/early summer was horrible, cold and rainy.  Many crops failed due to the poor, freezing bees not venturing out to pollinate at the proper time.  But from August through late Fall, it has been pretty nice, and dry.  Today, for instance, 32 degrees with sun and blue sky.  There have been a couple wind storms, but the rain has not come, the pond still way below spillway levels.  They say another La Nina this winter, we shall see.

So, to hit some of the highlights:  Trip to Maui in March, Granddaughters getting pony rides for their fifth birthday: 
And in July, the Tribal Canoes landed here first on their way to the their meeting at Swinomish:

And in August we spent a few days on Lake Roosevelt in Eastern Washington with some very close friends.

In September, I reconnected with the Class of '71 at my friend Mary's house in Maple Valley:



Me and Mike Schmitt



In October, Roger organized the first Harvest Parade for farmers and I went to the Barreca Thankstween celebration on the same weekend., 

And so there were lots of fun activities all year long, and plenty of visitors, too many to list.  But I think, most of all, 2011 might become known as the year of the carport--or as we like to call it--Temple of the Subaru.

It is not quite done, but a heck of a lot further than we were last December.  Feel free to wander back to past posts to see the progress we've made throughout this past year.

Maybe it wasn't the most exciting year that ever was for us, but it was a full and satisfying year.

Next year holds plenty of promise.  Our first grandson is due in the Spring.  A family reunion, centered around my Dad's 90th birthday will be here on San Juan Island in June.  And a few interesting road trips are planned, as well.  Stay tuned.

The Very Rich Hours of Anita Barreca

Roger was in charge of the Parade.  First Annual FH Farm Parade    Check out all the photos on the underlined link, including one of Eric driving a rototiller and towing a cart with two black labs inside. 

On that same day, Barrecas were celebrating their personal Thanksgiving at Jeff's place in Seattle.  Bina presented Nala to the family.

Nala was a big hit with Audrey and the step-grandmas.

Barreca jam session 2011

We also had the now infamous jam session sans Roger but with Matthew's friend Liza on violin. 

Other Colorful Events

The weather cooperated this month, perhaps sheepishly asking forgiveness for such a crappy summer.  The Fall Foliage has been great.  On the week following the Farm Parade I organized the SJC Textile Guild's General Meeting and our guest speaker Gail Harker, gave a speech entitled "Immersed in Color".  And ever since the slide show I've appreciated the color combinations just that much more.

Speaking of color, a big event for Roger and me this month was the arrival of a colorful triptych painted for us by Peggy Sue McRae.  She has named it "The Very Rich Hours of Anita Barreca" which is probably what I should rename this blog. An inspiration for this project was the medieval illuminated manuscript, called "Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry", where a blue arc divides the sky, suggesting the passage of time.



The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of Berry



The Very Rich Hours of Anita Barreca

There were other influences in the work as well and we like it very much.  I am working on a coiled basket which will repeat the colors and pattern.

I started volunteering two days a month at the Island's Food Coop.  I painted the bathroom. We took Roger's Dad down to Auburn--first trip home in six months.  We took my friend Karen to The Cask and Schooner, our latest favorite restaurant.  We attended the Ag Guild's Harvest Dinner under the tents at the new Brickworks Farmers Market venue.

And today, Thornbush Farm hosted an orchard walk.  So I thought I'd add a picture of what the orchard looked like today. 

It actually stopped raining for most of the tour.  But the wind came up and . . . you guessed it, Jay. . . took down more of that willow tree you bucked up last month.  When are you coming up again?