A Light Touch

Like sifted powdered sugar over Christmas cookies, the snow has covered all the flaws of our landscape.

                                Here comes the sun

Almost Perfect!

 Sorry chef Ramsey. We can't all be perfect!  Looks yummy to me.

Success or Failure

Baked bread today. I decided to make two batches and fill 10 mini pans.
Bread did not seem to rise properly but still sliced well and looks normal.
Joe loves it but that may be because I plan to use it for St. James Treats!

Love our fireplace.

The warmth of the fireplace is amazing. As I walk down the stairs from the rather cold kitchen, I can feel the warm air floating up the stairs.

Torlai Grocery ...... The start of something big!

            Just open the screen door and you were in Torlai Grocery. Mom kept this going while Dad worked at Bemis Bag Company. Mom had trouble with her leg and while she was in the hospital Dad closed the store and we had a living room.
           Barbara...Martha...Judy...Corky ... Gloria

                              Martha                             Judy                   Barbara

                                                  Judy and Martha

                                               John (Corky)  Torlai Future owner of Springbrook Farms

 

Before King  County had flood control, it was routine to have a flood in the valley.

 Fortunately the flood stopped right at our home. Dad had a cheese room in the basement.

 He used to age huge wheels of cheese.  The room was formerly a wine room.

He wouldn't want either flooded!

 

 

 

Pike Place Market.....Our Stall

                               Our blue truck is next to the yellow van. You can barely see it!

                                       Mom and Dad

                             Dad and John Hammontree. I think John still works a day a week at Springbrook
                                          Farm.

                                Wish I could photoshop my hairdo (yikes)  Barbara ( Bobbie with cool do)


                              My Dad did not want to expand the business but Corky did, so he went on to
                          start Springbrook Farm. It started in a building behind the home on Springbrook
                         Road and moved to acreage off S. E. 196th.
                         Family is working on a blog to celebrate 70th. anniversary of Springbrook Farm.
                            
                          
                         

Faure' Requiem

St. James Choir sang  the Requiem last night. I have the music still going around in my head.
It was a fantastic experience.
As Father Ryan gave his homily I couldn't help thinking about family members and friends that have passed away.
The first was cousin Eros who died at age 18. This was years ago. We saw a photo of him laying in  a casket while we were going through a book. Rather disturbing to young eyes.

I remember when my Dad was given 3 weeks to live.  He was sitting in his favorite chair looking
into space. I asked him if he wanted to talk about it. "I don't mind talking about death." I said.

He looked at me as if to say, this is my death, not yours!  His exact words were, " Go home, Marti,
go home!

I felt very sad and stupid. Thinking it over I still feel stupid.

R.I.P.