Well the other day I grabbed and apple to eat, cause that is what I do, I eat apples and whamo – right there in the apple skin are the 3 crosses from Calvary.

Calvary Apple – The 3 crosses from Calvary on my apple.

I immediately said, “Hey honey, look at this, It is the crosses from the crucifixion on my apple”.  My Fiancee thought that was pretty cool, but quickly  wanted to know if I was going to eat it, cause it is an apple and apples don’t just grow on trees. (wait they do, but money does not grow on trees and we can’t be wasting food).   So we showed the kids and christened it Calvary Apple.

Then I bit into it, now I wonder if there is any irony there?  I don’t know about that, but it was delicious and I ate all around the three crosses, until there was nothing left but them.  Finally I succumbed to the temptation of the tasty apple and finished eating it.

Now some may question why I did not try to sell it on e-bay or save it for prosperity. And I would say to them, two things, one I was hungry and two, God created apples for us to eat and three, as I said before apples don’t grow on trees so you must enjoy them while you can.

January’s snow storm provided a wonderful sledding hill on the road going to the Jefferson Beach Fishing Pier near Kingston Wa.  The sledders were flying down as soon as the road became packed enough for the sleds. Since the road curves and is a good distance from start to finish it was an exhilarating experience for sledders of all ages including moms, dads, kids, and even grandpas. Approximately 6 inches of snow was received in a day long burst of winter weather making a winter wonder land for everyone to enjoy. People seemed to be out all day taking walks, sledding, visiting neighbors, and sharing food. Chili, fresh baked corn bread and hot chocolate were enjoyed in our neighborhood, especially by the youngsters who worked up enormous appetites dragging their sleds up the hills. Our local children slept especially well that night.

The monochromatic scenery supplied a dramatic backdrop for even amateur photographers.

A January morning breakfast at the Yacht Club Broiler in Silverdale Wa was just the way to brighten a dreary blustery winter day. We enjoyed  roast beef hash with eggs, scones and coffee laced with a little Baileys to warm us. Yummy!

The perfect picture of our Northwest winter weather can be seen from the deck of the Yacht Club Broiler.  Dare say this is the weather that makes us enjoy chowder, bread and coffee.

A flock of Mallards were enjoying the winter weather at the Silverdale Waterfront Park. It was quite evident the weather suits them just fine. Guess our weather is for the birds.

Speaking of Killer Hill – three locals had the eternally cool (and fast!) Radio Flyer metal railed sleds. The REAL DEAL! They flew down the hill – the kids were so impressed!

School was out, for many, so was work. So off we went to play in the frozen world. Power stayed on – hallelujah! Which made playing in the snow all the more fun with a chance to go inside, warm up and have some cocoa. We don’t get it too bad nor often – hope you all had a chance to play!

Snow White Horse

Indianola Clubhouse is also a Red Cross Warming Station in the case of power outage in the area. You can sled down there – or to the Indianola Country Store. The Store had limited sled parking on Thursday but was a great place to meet with friends and neighbors and discuss the best sledding hills to venture out to next! It’s also nice that we, in Indianola, can get out of the house, on foot, during frozen winter days!

One of the new shops in Poulsbo Wa is the Good Looks Boutique. Anita opened the charming store about 6 months ago and has filled it with clothes, jewelry, vintage goods, and tea.

Anita has a collection of pearls that is quite appealing.

Her displays are beautiful, the shop is pleasantly organized, and the merchandise is varied and appealing to all ages.

Anita sells Tea Forte, which is a line of tea with wonderful exotic flavors and exquisite packaging. These teas make beautiful and enjoyable gifts for any tea lover.

While in Poulsbo drop in for a visit with Anita and enjoy her shop and wonderful collection of merchandise. Be sure and tell her you saw her shop on Kitsap Now!

Christmas is in full swing at Valley Nursery in Poulsbo Wa. They have a generous selection of trees that can also be planted after the Christmas holiday is over.

Beautiful wreaths abound, but the hanging evergreen arrangements were my favorite.

For those wanting a “hands on wreath making experience”, Valley Nursery provides all of the supplies for you to make and decorate your own.

The gift shop is chocked full of seasonal gifts and well as an abundant selection of gardening supplies and books.

While you are visiting and shopping, take a walk around to enjoy all of the plants and of course the beautiful water feature.

Number 2 however is someone I have never heard of (mind you I do not have TV. Just Netflix. And a VCR/DVD Deck.) Yes a VCR. To many of you it’s right up there with the phone my 9-year-old saw in a thrift shop this past weekend. It was pretty old-fashioned even to my standards – ornate, fancy handle, on a pedestal. She picked up the receiver, that was familiar enough and said “mom, how do you dial it?” It was a rotary dial of course…. But she does math online, can adeptly search for horse videos and 12-year-olds seeing how fast they can sing the “50 Nifty United States” on YouTube. And do more on my cell phone than I can… she simply can’t understand a rotary telephone.

Anyhoo – Number 2, yes, I had to Google it adding to the count.. Oh poop, DWTS. See, no TV.

Number 3 Kyle Orton, no clue. Maybe he’s number two on DWTS? Ah, football player. I like football but don’t watch it much seeing as… I don’t have TV.

And number 4 is the same as number 2 – “dancing with the stars winner.”

So the list continues with people I don’t know and then gets back to number one, with pecan pie, sweet potatoes and green bean casserole. Now that I understand, it’s that time of year for which we do not need TV, except the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and… football.

Judy Odell was born and raised in the Northwest, consequently she is naturally drawn to the sea.  She has an incredible view of Puget Sound from her home and in recent years has discovered sport fishing by casting her line from her own beach on Puget Sound.  Her abstracts, seascapes, landscapes, sea birds and brightly colored florals, for which she is nationally acclaimed, represent the abundance and color of the West Coast.

One of my favorites of Judy Odell’s giclees is of the old cabins that used to be on the beach in front of her home. Of course they are gone now and new large Puget Sound homes are in their place but her art captures a sense of what life used to be in our region.  “The camera records realism much more accurately than the artist could, but it is the artist’s task to improve on realism by leaving something to the imagination of the viewer.”  She definitely achieves her goal!

The original of “Beach Shacks” hangs in the Edmonds Library and is included in the City of Edmonds Wa. permanent collection.

The Point No Point Lighthouse painting was used for the poster for the Lighthouse Society.  Judy Odell thanks Jeff Gales, Director of the U.S. Lighthouse Society,  for encouraging her to paint her Point No Point Lighthouse painting and for using it for the US. Lighthouse commerative poster.  The painting was later donated to The Friends of the Point No Point Lighthouse and was raffled this past summer to raise funds for the preservation of the lighthouse. The Point No Point Lighthouse in Hansville, Wa is headquarters of the United States Lighthouse Society.

The “Springtime” giclee is a large 36″ x 48″ and was used for the poster for the Kitsap Arts and Crafts Festival in 2011. Judy is working in coordination with their scholarship fund. The original was painted in 1984 and won first prize in the Kitsap Arts and Crafts Festival that year.   Nordstrom had asked artists for paintings for window displays and this one was chosen and displayed with shoes of all the colors in the painting. Wouldn’t that have been a site to see!

Judy Odell paints in an impressionistic style in oil, watercolor and acrylic. She has studied with the great Russian artist, Sergei Bongart and with John Solminen, an internationally acclaimed watercolorist. Judy is a long-standing member of the Seattle Co-Arts, International Society of Acrylic Painters, San Diego Watercolor Society, and the Pt. Loma Artists Assn.

“Artists never retire. That is why we are so happy. The days are not long enough and there is so much out there to paint.”

Visit Judy at her web site or contact her for a commission or purchase. www.judyodell.com/Site/Welcome.html

Or visit her blog http://judyodell.blogspot.com/

I was fortunate to make a visit to Langlois Pianos in East Bremerton.  5959 State Highway 303 NE, Suite 101, Bremerton Wa. to be exact.  Langlois Pianos, in business since 1865, is the oldest family-run business in the state of Washington. Ira Langlois III continues his family tradition of making custom hand made Grand Pianos and Upright Pianos.

In addition to custom hand made Langlois Pianos he also sells Kawai,  Perzina, and others, plus he has an impressive selection of grade “A”  used pianos.

This is a gorgeous Samick Millennium Revolution Grand Piano in showroom condition with a Bubinga polish finish that completely captured my eye. What a beauty!!

Here is Ira tickling the old ivories for me on a Langlois Piano.  The sound was captivating with richness and fullness. For a description of what goes into the production of a hand made Langlois Piano go to this link on Ira’s web site.

www.langloispiano.com/c/LL/Langlois+%26+Sons.html

Check out this utube video of  Marina Lashkul playing a Langlois Piano. This can give you an idea of the sound of a Langlois Piano and also a brief introduction to Marina’s beautiful playing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiYgZHiuoW8

Langlois Pianos carries the widest selection of sheet music and instructional materials/books in the region.  I was amazed at the variety and breadth of the selection of books Ira presents.

Langlois Pianos lists a portion of their selection on their web site and they also do special orders.

www.langloispiano.com/c/SM/Sheet+Music.html

So next time you are in East Bremerton, or want to schedule a visit, Ira would love to help you in your search for “the perfect piano for you”.  His family history is quite extensive and an asset to our local area and lore.  Or if you are simply in the mood for some new sheet music or music instruction he is definitely the man to see.

The American Legion Park of Poulsbo Wa is located just off Front Street.  It can also be accessed at the north end of the Boardwalk at the Liberty Bay Park  on the waterfront.

This is a shot of the boardwalk connecting the two parks.  It is a very safe boardwalk and perfectly maintained for accommodating baby strollers, toddlers, walkers of all ages, and even bicycles (except for the overcrowding factor).

This great boardwalk offers an enjoyable view of Liberty Bay.

This photo was taken exiting off the boardwalk into the park.

The biking trails are  especially good for younger riders practicing their skills.

There are several little private beach areas which are wonderful for children or intimate conversations.

Plus there are larger open areas, picnic tables, restroom  and a playground. Birds are abundant here so bird watching would be favorable.

Check out this great little park next time you are looking for something to do in Poulsbo or take a shopping break from the downtown, relax for awhile and have a picnic!

This is the checkout  at the Clear Creek Nursery and Produce Stand in Poulsbo Wa.

These pots greet you and indicate the entrance into the fencing wall used to distinguish and protect the nursery.  It is located on the corner of Hostmark and Hwy 305, and is a satellite nursery of the main Clear Creek Nursery in Silverdale, Wa.

This charming little nursery has lots of plants, pots, and garden decor.  The lady working at the nursery is most helpful and has a fantastic knowledge of their inventory.

It also has an interesting selection of homemade relishes, jams, canned fruit, pickles, and even pickled eggs. They are Made in Washington and look absolutely delicious. I purchased beets from the produce section and came away determined to make my own pickled beets. The jars of canned goods were so wonderful that I was encouraged to give it a try.

Next time you drive past the intersection, swing on in and give some support to this fledgling business.  We want them to stay and expand.  Given the depth of inventory and beauty of the Clear Creek Nursery in Silverdale, they are certainly capable of providing an outstanding new business to Poulsbo.