What can you do with yourself when  your internet is down for 10 hours?

Gather holly and greens for a centerpiece, bake a couple pies, sweep the front path,
wash the sliding  glass doors, finish  wrapping gifts and play a few Christmas carols on
the piano.
Well, that might be what YOU would do but not me.
I took Sebastian for his play date with cutie pie Cadence, came home ate lunch ( before I remembered I had fruit  compote, cardamom bread and two cookies with Cadence’s Grandma ) had a little nap,  my
sister brought home dinner and from then on  I have no recall.

Oh, my centerpiece? It’s plastic, but by candle light no one knows ( except you )

We started the season by attending Julfest.

We have gone for many years – get to sing along with some old Christmas favorites.   This celebration includes the Lucia Bride and with the lights low and real candles held y the girls and on their heads, it is spectacular. 

There is a program to follow along and for each song that the congregation sings, the words are written in Swedish and the final verse in English.   When you know all the verses in English, it is ok if you use that version. At least I did.

The pastors message was short but worth thinking about…..Let Jesus Show.
Think about it.

Singing Silent Night, in any language brings chills. 

Then we proceed  down stairs to little sandwiches, butter cookies, ginger snaps, coffee and tea.

         (

                                          3 Sweeds and one Norwegian lass )

We see old friends, most of them Swedish, but we love them.

It is a great way to start the Holiday season.         Keep singing about our Saviour .

In the car, driving, now,  where am I going? 
Well, the GPS says, Kathy F Bible study, so what is the problem,
o, forget to push go….
Ever had that moment?
Please say yes, especially if you are under the age of “grandparent”

40 th Wedding Anniversary November 27, 2011

                                      Who had lobster tail? and lobster mashed potatoes?

                                        Strawberries dipped in chocolate and pistashios

                                         Chocolate fudge lined bowl, filled with coconut ice cream

                                               Mom and favorite oldest son

                                               Mimi and Steve

                                                       Jackson and Tanner

                                          Anniversary dessert

                                                     Claire and Uncle Damon

                                                      Dale and Sebastian

                                                Tiffany and Sebastian

                                            The Conrads - family of 3
You might notice that  the proud father of the family is missing from the photos, but when the professional pictures of the whole family are ready, we can see him then.

40^th Wedding Anniversary   November 27 1971  - 2011

Family. Food.   Festivities Family:  All 13  of us.  Dad and Mom, 4 kids, spouses and grandkids
                    Al together Food:  Dinner at Daniels
            Brunch at Ivar’s Salmon House
                (  Only photos could do them justice )

Festivities  - Any time we get together it is exciting.  We were extra excited that our 13^th family member made his appearance in time for a family portrait.   ( kids surprised us with the photo shoot)   But while Tanner's  parents were preoccupied with him, they were missing from the other plans.  But we had as much fun as we could.

We do not usually exchange gifts on our anniversary, though I have always felt like it was the husband’s privilege to  give as many gifts and cards as he wanted.
I have tried to be frugal and started recycling cards long ago.  Anniversary, Father’s Day; you can say the same thing every year if you find a good one. And I have. Actually my favorite anniversary card  has been  “Rhet Butler and Scarlet O’Hara” on the front.  I don’t remember what it said inside, but I’m sure Darrell doesn’t either because I gave that one to him several years ( snatched it before he could toss it and I filed it for the next year )
Well, my skills have weakened and I could not find it.  I couldn’t find any ABC anniversary cards. Thankfully I had an appropriate blank card.  Just put a simple greeting inside. It wasn’t until I had sealed the envelope that I realized I had put 40^th !   ( maybe I can use a little white out next year )

A Casual Tea Party

It was a casual tea party. After all, two of us had been up at one in the morning.
I'm hungry, she said. So we  went  downstairs, had granola,a juice box and toast.We picked out a book to read. We were trying to be quiet , but somehow the violin that plays "ode to Joy" started playing and would not stop. The strings wer stuck together. Fixed that and hid it.  Then
we went back upstairs, but only one of us was ready to go back to bed.
The other one went back down to read a little more .   Then back upstairs, and we both went back
to bed.
So, our casual tea party started about 7 in the morning.  Note the pj's, hat, robe, colorful leggings and very fun flip flops.  Several friendly animals were also invited. As the gentleman said, all their names end with  E.  Sneake, Balde, and doggie. 
A great time was had by all  ( no calories for one thing )

Early Spring, two little birds came to our old newspaper box by the front door and began shoving everything out. Yes, tools, garden gloves, everything got pushed out onto the ground and they began building this amazing nest. You can see some of the materierls...feather, gum wraer, twine.  Then we got back from a long trip and they had no rest. The front door was used to much they left. Those little eggs were left behind.  
I hope they come back next year and we will use the back door until the babies fly away.

If  this photo comes through, I might have conquered my new compter system. If it does not, I will just say it is the cutest little almost four year old who is showing us her Izlela. She got it months ago after a visit to the ER and has "babied" it.  It bloomed again!

Kathy " letterman" Tanners Top Ten reasons to eat at the Burg
10. They have great French fries
9. You can eat in your car
8. They take your order at your car window
7. They have great French fries
6. They give you lots of salt for your French fries
5. The prices are good at The Burg
4. You can wear slippers
3. You can wear slippers that don’t match
2. You can wear your slippers on the wrong feet
1. Memories are made at The Burg

A visit from our St. Louis Kerr’s

It did not take long for 3 little Kerr’s to feel at home .

We have a kid friendly home and love company.

We only had one full day together and we made the most of it.

They were on St. Louis time, so they were up early and very excited

After breakfast we headed into Seattle. The waterfront. We drove into the first parking lot and it was quite a walk down the promenade to the ferry terminal.

But first things first. Tommy ( oldest and fastest talker) lead the way and was aware of many spots for fun and photo moments . Lots of sculptures and of course, many, many boats.

We stopped for a bite to eat, a little deli with just soda, sandwiches and soup. Tommy wanted to know if the refills for soda were free. Mom said to go and ask. He did. He had to ask a couple times, sometimes little people are ignored. But, he got the right answer, they give free refills. “ What am I drinking” he yelled. Orange Crush says Mom. So, Tommy gets his free refill of Orange Crush.

For some reason there was not much room left in their tummies for food, but a few chips and a couple bites of sandwich and we are off . The pier has its own carousel. ( the same pier where Jessie and Jeremiah were married). So we all took a ride. All of us .

The ferry ride was fun. A ride to Bremerton and then a ride back. While waiting in line for our return trip the three little Kerr’s just hung around. Right side up and upside down. Tommy, Elizabeth, and not to be outdone, little Julia.

Somewhere along the walk back to the car, Tommy was
aware of people eating ice cream. Free ice cream. We are close to a little Kiosk where they are scooping up cones and Tommy says,”Are they free?” and the answer, yes they are free. So we get in line and that is when Tommy spots are large box on the ground. “What’s in that box?” well, there are baseball caps advertising a new movie that is coming to town.
Yes, they are free. ( but only to the hands of an adult, the movie is r rated).
Now we are in line with three precious little people, all wearing their new baseball caps.
The ice cream was super good, and made the rest of the walk back to the car seem short.
We are a little tired by the time we get home. Well, those of us over 7 years old are tired.
The kids are happy to be chasing each other around the back yard and I am pulling weeds when Cara appears, refreshed and starts weeding, too.

That is how we all got hungry again. So we get cleaned up, put on our favorite shoes ( the matching flip flops I have been waiting for a little person to wear with me ) and we are on our way to Red Robin.
We pass through wonderful revolving doors to a big booth and wait patiently for dinner. The slow service is the only complaint, and only by me. Tommy was busy asking the waitress a few questions, very politely.

On our way out the restaurant, each kid gets a colorful balloon. The kind that you have to hold on to or it will fly away. However, there is no protection if the ribbon slips off. And it did. We were walking across a covered bridge to the parking garage and suddenly the balloon was out of reach on touching the roof. Just in time, a tall, dark and handsome man, in a Texas Longhorn shirt, came by and stepping up on the railing ( with one boot ) he snagged that balloon. We all said our thanks and were home just in time to greet the missing family member, their Dad.
This was a very fun day.

Mother Daughter Weekend



This is our first time to get away, just us girls

Chelan here we come but first,

We got started just about noon – well, we got 2 blocks away and there was this sign:

GARAGE Sale
We could see baby and kid stuff in the driveway and that was all it took
( With one pregnant daughter, and one with a 5 month old , it was a no brainer )
We now have a new best friend, Kelly and her daughter Haley
photo: shoes
An hour and $100 later, we are back home with the goods. Darrell held an interesting pose, with very little comment.
Photo: Darrell

On the road again
A sunny day and Nita at the wheel, our next stop is the Sultan bakery near Monroe
Huge, messy sandwiches, large fries and delicious lemon, berry cream cake

Photo: Mimi

On the road again

Espresso bar – some like it hot, some like to cold, but all the Tanner women love coffee.

Next stop is Leaven worth. We could have spent a long time here, but that is not our goal. Jut a potty stop and quick walk through a few shops and
Ice Cream.

On the road again

Smallwood ‘s Harvest , A country Mercantile – jams, honey, kitchen things,
photos: Mimi, old pick up, etc.

On the road again.
Our next stop is our condo , I should have taken some photos, enough to say, we are very comfortable - it is now 7:00 and just enough time to settle in and then head to Wapato Point for dinner at 8:00
photo: dessert to share, Chelan by night.

By the time we get back to our condo, we are all ready to relax.
Because we need to get an early start tomorrow. The first place that is recommended by those who frequent Chelan, is

Blueberry Hills. It is hard to say whether the food or the atmosphere is better. But the atmosphere certainly is charming. The outside would never give you a clue to what is in store inside.
Photo: girls
First, you read the note outside that says take a menu, help yourself to a beverage, give your order to the cashier and then sit down.
We did have to wait a bit, but there was so much to take in. Tea pots and cups on shelves. 100’s of sunglasses hanging from the ceiling. One corner had baby clothes for sale. A cupboard full of jams, jelly’s and honey. And the entire building had blueberry lights strung around the rooms. Old fashion appliances.
Photo: eggs benedict, peach blintz, and Ma-cha-ca. Oh and a side of bacon and Joe.
The wait was worth it.
Upon leaving, we realized we could pick some gigantic blueberries, for only $2.50 a pound.
Photo: in the field
Photo: 4 on bench ( I am the one without sunglasses Ü )
We walked around Manson and found a farmers market, Not typical, but interesting. Some food, some clothes, rock, jewelry and an Owl.
Photo: Owl , with keeper. Grandma’s organic garden.

All of the area has amazing hanging baskets. They get watered two or three times a day.
Photo: Flowing flower basket

We took sandwiches to the beach. A grassy spot just steps from our condo. We watch boaters, waders, parasailing and a bachelorette party. (those cupcakes looked so good )
Photo: parachute
Next stop, pedicure at Pinky’s. Yep, that is her name. The owner is Pinky. I do not know the name of the guy who painted my toes, but I have never had such a short, nonverbal , pedicure. O, he asked if I wanted a manicure. Then he moved on to Mimi. As you can see from the photo, he had a conversation with her. Tiffany enjoyed her attendant, but we all wondered why after a nice lotion was massaged into our tired legs, it was immediately washed off.
Photos: Pinky’s sister is having a baby in two months. Toes
If you have been to Chelan, you have probably been to Campbell’s. Once again we can eat outside. Bucket of shrimp, fish and chips, Hawaiian steak bites, Blackened Ahi Salad, and little chocolate desserts.
Photo: food, desserts, girls
We take a little walk after dinner to get a better look at what was left of a house, just down the street. Standing next door is a lady who tells us the first just happened on Thursday. Her son was working on some machinery and a spark must have landed on the carpet ( and the carpet must have had some gasoline spills on it, from other projects).
Photo: burned house
We walk back and notice a B & B that looks very cute. So we walk up to the door and ask for a brochure. The owner asks us in, after she gets her two large dogs to settle down. The dogs are now in the living / dining room area. It is obvious they spent time there. The owner says she keeps the gates up to keep the dogs from jumping on the beds. After settling herself on the steps, she tells us she has had a long day. The menu for breakfast sounded good, but could not entice us to get beyond the other “features”. ( dogs are nice, but dog hair, not a pretty picture)

Tiff and Mimi use the hot tub. Nita and I watch a bit of Jimmy Stewart.
Morning coffee, muffins and blueberries on the deck.

Leisurely pack and clean up the condo. We are going to a winery for lunch – beautiful gardens and good food.
Photo: gardens, girls

Now we need to get on the road again A very slow, bumper to bumper ride for much of the trip, but home in time to gather with the rest of the family for dinner.
Photo: 4 kids.