Celebrate Today

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Throwback Thursday 12-4

December 4, 2002

December 4, 2003

December 4, 2004

December 4, 2005

December 4, 2006

December 4, 2007

December 4, 2008

December 4, 2009

December 4, 2010

December 4, 2011

December 4, 2012

December 4, 2013

December 4, 2014

December 4, 2016

December 4, 2018

December 4, 2020

December 4, 2021

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Such fun to get to attend the annual neighborhood Favorite Things Christmas party on Monday. Everyone was asked to bring 5 wrapped gifts (that were some of our favorite things). Then each of us went home with 5 different gifts for the holidays. I love this tradition and time to be together with our neighbors.

Monday, December 1, 2025

Grand Reopening

Thanks to Jason and Anna for working to get our little library back up and running this past weekend (after it was knocked down by some students out partying the night after Halloween).

Sunday, November 30, 2025

November Twenty-Twenty-Five

In honor of our sweet friend Ron Eckert who passed away unexpectedly on November 2nd, I wanted to share a text I got from him in the spring of 2024 that is so poignant and worth reading again and again.

"Every so often I enjoy a late afternoon latte on a chilly MN afternoon. The added dose of espresso provides good closure to any given day with some complimentary energy towards the evening ahead. This week, while ordering a latte at one of my local favorite gathering spots, I uncharacteristically added another “shot” to my normal drink order. After hearing my order, a barista, behind the counter noted, “would you rather have a quad shot? That’s 4 shots as they come in two’s!” I paused for a moment and said, “perhaps 4 shots may be a tad much for today.” No sooner had I spoken the other young barista Thomas, who had just finished my beverage handed me a well-crafted 4 shot latte and said, Ron…“ just Sip Slow!”

Sip Slow…brilliant Thomas! Sip slow and enjoy the beverage. Sip slow in a world that has always been running at a quadruple shot pace.

Emily, as you enter this week preparing yourself to shape young minds with creativity and zest, it will be my hope that you have plenty of opportunities to sip slow as you help loosen the grip of college kids drive to present and promote rather than find their unique voice. Sip slow as you capture moments of wonder while running the soggy paths and street of Seattle. Sip slow while doing the mundane and ordinary things of life while being more present to perhaps some divine interruptions all around you. Sip slow while reading alongside Jason to close out the night. Sip slow as you connect with one of your many friends from a wide and growing community. Sip Slow…. as you shape this quadruple shot world and the children it holds with a pace that is all your own.

rev ron:)"

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Below are a few snapshots from November of times I'm trying to sip slow....