Fyr Bal Bonfires

Next the sun starts going down..... then the year's chieftan is named and that dignitary lights the first bonfire. Then just as soon as the first bonfire goes up, then up goes another and another and another. The entire Eagle bay inlet was lined with bonfires -- along the entire beachside coast. WOW!! I attempted to count them and I think there were probably about a dozen. A perfect night for family fun.

Ephraim: Fyr Bal 2009

Our first ever, village of Ephraim, Fyr Bal. What a glorious weekend of weather for so much fun. What I've learned about Fyr Bal, is that it's an ancient tradition from the Scandanavian country heritage. It has to do with the transition of the seasons: saying good-by to the winter & welcoming in summer. There's something to do with the burning of the "Winter Witch" in there as well, but I'll show you those pictures in a minute.

This is how the evening festivities got underway. Well, actually, first we stopped at the food tent, and enjoyed a DELICIOUS 'cherry-pie-in-a-cup' that was just too good for words. Then came the little girls singing and dancing. How about that precious, precocious little teeny tot? She really wanted up on the stage and then once she was there, proceeded to steal the show. Allen reminded me, wee ones and animals always have that potential.

BTW: The word 'Ephraim' is the Moravian word for: faith.

Time to ESCAPE!!

Our first boat outting of the season takes us from Sturgeon Bay under the bridge and then on into Green Bay. When we picked up our little blue boat in the marina yard, I spotted an "Escape III" from Michigan and giggling took a picture for my fellow 'escapees.' Then we put out to sea and while trolling slowly thru the no-wake zone, there she was again!!! I just about fell outta our boat! The third time I've spotted the "ESCAPE" in my very brief mari-time experience. This is the first time I've seen her on the high waters. Maybe next time I'll see her with sails a furlin'.

Complimentary Color

Complimentary colors careen creatively. Have I mentioned that growing things goes well up here? Today's poppies are mixed in with the purple iris -- pizzazz of a different sort. These are growing at the end of our block to the north. I like being up here for a second spring. It's like living in a parallel universe..... seeing the iris all over again.

Grandchild # SIX!!

Pound the drum. Light the firecrackers. Where's the champagne chilling? It's time for a great big birthday party!! We have a new life to celebrate. Welcome to Duncan Riley Clement, third son of Brian and Megan -- our Denver Duo has a Testosterone Trio!! He weighed in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces and is 20 inches long. Can you smell the new baby smell? When can we get the six of them together? Six kiddos under six years of age. Yehaaaaa!!! We're really so very fortunate to have these many blessings: healthy and whole. Grand-parenting is such a joy. Happy, happy, joy, joy.

Going, Going, Gone

Tonight's sun down. Sister Bay Marina. Debbie-lapse photography. We saw our first mosquito tonight, so the summer is unfolding in earnest now. I have ridden 102 miles on my bike in the last six days, bringing my total to 174 miles since we've been here, almost two weeks now. Sunsets. Flowers in bloom. Bike riding. Sunroom illustration progress..... this is indeed our slice of heaven on earth.

Seven Children: Thank You

My little "paper doll" family begins to emerge from my fabric stash-collection. I remembered that last season my quilt-store owner, buddy, Linda introduced me to this incredible product from Steam-a-Seam. It's very much like Wonder Under, but it's designed to be 'respositionable' by having double peeling sides. Difficult to explain, but sooooo much fun to use -- especially when this whole quilt will essentially be fused. (After I described what I was doing, she suggested I would prefer the lighter-weight variety, as it's more flexible.) I may end up piecing borders for above & below the kiddos. We shall see. I'm thinking of paper-piecing a 'string of pennant flags' as they are 'performing' my song..... all caught in the act of signing "Thank You."

It's taking shape! I've been thinking about this concept since last year. It's thrilling to see it starting to emerge. What a gift to have "time" at my disposal. Now I'm wondering how many children will be in the finished design?? PROGRESS!! Just in time to walk downtown for tonight's sunset extravaganza.