Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from us to you! The Quantrells, Bachmeiers, and Aucutts (I couldn’t fit all the names on the picture).
The Quantrells, plus the Ginger. Who views herself as a Quantrell. 🙂
The Bachmeiers and Aucutts, plus two 4-legged family members, Bear and puppy Timber.
Next year, I will try and remember to take a tripod so everyone can be in the same photo.
Wishing you and yours a blessed and joy-filled Christmas and a happy new year!
Happy Birthday Jesus!
xoxo
three little drops hang
downside up, gazing balls show
sky view around me
downside up by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
purple-y icing,
frosted blooms hanging on for
dear life-autumn’s end
autumn’s end by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Ah, the good old family tradition of going tree hunting. That’s what we like to call it here in the northwest. After purchasing forest permits, we loaded up and drove to the nearby mountains to hunt down our tree. We found this fun creation. Not sure about the purpose, but it was great for photos. And possibly, with additional brush and a campfire, it might be quite cozy!
Poor people. They just have to put up with my attempts at taking pictures! As the almost shortest member with arms just as short, selfies are often quite comical.
Dogs (3, but never in the same picture), adults, and grands had a great time. A heavy blanket of snow added Christmas cheer and plenty of opportunities for the dogs to race, roll, and rumble. Snow gear was welcome in the often up-to-my-knees snow.
The Bachmeiers and Aucutts, plus Bear and new canine member Timber, crowd into the tree shelter. I mean, look at that! The dogs are facing forward and almost everyone is looking AT the camera. It’s a Christmas miracle.
The Quantrells also get a gold star (even grinning Ginger) for faces forward, eyes on the camera. Two Christmas miracles in one day!
The senior Quantrells took their turn in the tree shelter with all the grands. All eyes on the camera! Whoohoo! In the category of who is taller than Nana, the answer is nearly 50%.
My partner in life, love, and crime. We wish you all “Happy Christmas!”
Little Naches River area, WA state
Photo by Kathy Arthursson
Assisi, Italy
seven years it took
from walnut to parent tree
life spark so divine
life spark by Angie Quantrell
photo and art by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Seven and a half years ago, my husband found this walnut (seen in sketch) wedged in a small flower bed at work. Whether accidentally dropped or carried and deposited by an animal, the walnut had that spark of life and sprouted right where it could never survive due to the rest of the surroundings. So he brought me home a baby tree. A BABY baby tree. I was holding a baby tree in my hand, one that would possibly outgrow me if it survived, grow to both amazing heights and depths, and produce hundreds if not thousands of new offspring.
This year, year seven, my husband found a walnut near a fruit tree as he raked leaves to put on the garden beds. Hmmm. And then he realized the connection between the nearby walnut tree and the walnut. He found a total of three, though we’ve been watching every year to see if “this” was the year of harvesting walnuts. We nearly missed it! There could have been more, but we have an active wildlife scene going on here in the pasture.
Each walnut is filled with potential, and the spark of life given from God, to grow, reproduce, and fulfill its purpose. We are the beneficiaries. Shade, leaves, wood, food, beauty.
Life spark.
Our baby walnut tree, which is indeed taller than me, is resting for the winter so it can grow more babies. Meanwhile, it adds a festive touch to the pasture as it wears Christmas lights.
Photo by Angie Quantrell
Assisi, Italy
Dear Ones,
Happy Thanksgiving! May the Lord bless you, your family, and your friends as you remember and give thanks for what He has done.
Sending peace, beauty, love, and grace.
XOXO
Photo by Angie Quantrell
Assisi, Italy
a random leaf i
think not, rather a love note
signed, heart chewing bug
heart chewing bug by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Love, Laughter, and Life 