January 2010 in and around Home in the Valley and new Laundry Room

Love it, counters, cabinets, drop down counter

Dear Co-Owners of, Co-Inhabitants in, and Co-Hosts for Tessadora Manor, magically situated atop a picturesque hill dramatically reached via beautiful Rocky Lane ..... what a treat to be able to try to see into such an imaginative mind. And what a treat to be able to get excited about your opportunities to build onto that vision. We have decided there is true genius involved in the CREATION of that house. There are rooms that have angles and ideas that exist nowhere else on the planet -- and never have.

Walking up to the house with its special external appearance, enhanced by the laced window curtains, is a perfect vision we will never forget. And, during our discussions on the way home, when we put ourselves in your places as you ventured through your new house for the first time -- well, it must have been like opening up a treasure trove and slipping inside. We both know we've "seen" this house before -- probably in a children's book; we loved it there but love it even more in the "flesh".

We enjoyed the day with you very much. We thought the dinner was really special. Thanks for the introduction. Our whole time there was just plain fun! Oh. And. We think we've figured out the pit. If indeed that room was a planned sauna (and we agree with you on that note) the purpose of the "pit" was to contain cold water for plunging into prior to leaving the sauna. This would replace the practice of the crazy Finns when they dive into a lake, or roll in the snow after heating up in their saunas. Maybe we're right, or maybe we're just full of Towels, Buckets and Shit! (A joke between our dear friends and us)..

Thanks for the great day. Each time we think about you guys in that house, we smile.

Looking forward to our next get together, whenever/wherever,

Don and Marge"

I always think about this letter from our friends......

I know that someday we will leave here. That day is coming up for sure as I really want to be closer to my family and friends we left behind in Renton, however, I am not ready (neither is Rock) yet to leave this "God's country", the peace and serenity that goes with it, and neither are the kids ready to have "no retreat" to go to.....

Therefore, for who knows how long, we will continue to live in the valley, on the side of a hill, with mountains all around and a river running through it!

As you can see, this winter was so warm, there hasn't been much snow so far, we have been able to take walks and have just enjoyed this warm winter weather. We have snow shoes waiting for us but haven't been able to use them yet. I am not complaining, that is for sure. Notice how little snow, if any, there is, just ice chunks in the river.