The End of a Chapter

Good Luck on the Drive Home!! We are proud of you!

We are all so proud !!
Everybody poses with the newest Ferguson Family Graduate :) 

Laura Graduates..

The official moment where our very own Laura Graduates from SPU. Now if only there was somehting in the fancy folder....

Congratulations Laura!!!! 

Memorial Day Part V

This is what it is all about.

The men and women who have fought for the liberties that we as American Citizens are priveledged to enjoy. To every man or woman who had defended us in the armed services and to all those who will, to every man, woman, child, mother or father who has greived over the loss of someone they loved because they believed in America.
May God Bless you all. 

Memorial Day part IV

I think I will let the pictures do the talking for a while.

Enjoy...

 

Memorial Day part III

Teresa and Laura place flowers

The Various graves, for those of you who could not be with us in body, but were with us in spirit, Thanks for the flowers!
 

Memorial Day Part II

This is in parts, simply because The computer and I are not that well aquainted.

Here are the beautiful flowers, ready to be taken to the graves.
The Ferguson clan, minus Jan who is holdign the camera.

We placed flowers on the graves of all of those who have gone before us and whom we remember fondly, either in person or in memory from stories. 

Memorial Day, part 1

Our Trip to Oregon began on a rainy Saturday afternoon, we were loaded up with flowers from the grandparents and ready to go. We arrived at the cemetary to find that we were not the only ones to remember loved ones this weekend. There were many flowers and families. I guess the only sad things were the few undecorated grave sites from long ago....

As odd as it may seem to some, this trip is quite enjoyable, it is looked forward to by everyone even though the heart of it is just a little sad. Today we spend time remembering those who some of us have loved and some of us have never met, but who went before us and taught us the things that are the center of our lives.

I know that is in part the training of these people that have made the Ferguson family the way it is today, Loving compassionate and strong. A group of people to be proud to call friends.











Happy Memorial Day. 

Baby Quilt! It took about 30 minutes to get one picture to work so it might be a while before I try posting any more...sorry its crooked, the computer is really not my friend any more 

Stupid Computer, Happy Life

Hey all!
I know I promised pictures, and I still hope to post them, it just that my technology is conspiring against me. A While ago we started having difficulties with our internet and discovered that it was being caused by our anti-virus program, so we got rid of it. Well, now our whole computer is acting weird and the internet is REALLY slow. So I am pretty sure that the computer has a virus of somekind. Meanwhile it won't let me post any pictures, because the blog picture program won't work. Grrrr.
Other than my computer life is WONDERFUL!
The Ferguson's started my birthday celebration this last weekend, Grandma Ruth made me the most delicious dessert in the WORLD!! Luscious Dessert, aptly named, might I add :)
I am looking forward to Memorial Day Weekend, it is always so much fun. My class is finally getting close to an end.. just one more reading and required movie to watch, then the test for that, then there is an extra credit movie I can watch- with no reading required so I will do that in an attempt to boost my grades and then the Final, yikes, but then I will be DONE!!
I finally finished the baby quilt I am making for my cousin's baby, I took a picture of it, but I havn't been able to load it yet due to the afformentioned technical difficulties. I will try to remember to bring it down this weekend to show off :)
Holly is doing pretty good, but I bought her more bunny food and she doesn't seem to like it, which has me pretty concerned because there is nothing she likes more than to eat. So I might have to try a different brand and see if she likes it better. She will still eat her treats, so I don't think she is sick, she doesn't doesn't seem to appreciate the new food.

That's life in a nutshell, we are going up to Dan and Joy's tonight to celebrate Jonathan's new job!! So that will be fun. Jonathan has promised me a dance night next Wednesday so I am very happy, he won't have to work the next morning and I can suck it up. LOL
Dan and Joy have a new dog, he is a miniature pinscher and kinda cute for a little dog, unfortunately he is taking a while to get comfortable around visitors. His name is Macchiato, or Mac for short.
That's it for now!
May God Bless your day!

Sunny Days

Well life continues to be busy, I am still struggling through my class, but The Midterm is over and I only have a few more weeks to go. I am looking forward to the Memorial Day Trip and have heard that Grandad and Grandma Theo will be coming! I can’t wait to spend time with everyone :)
The Summer is already filling up with activities, both my brother and Laura are graduating, as well a good handful of birthdays, plus happy things like Memorial Day, The 4th of July and The long awaited Yellowstone Trip! Also we have decided to attend a Medieval Festival in the faire Camlann Village. I am making costumes for both myself and Jonathan, Dan and Joy are planning on coming with us and Laura is thinking about it. If anyone else would like to join us, it should be a grand time! I am REALLY going to try to put up some pictures tonight, M-W I am so busy with homework and Bible study that I can’t even think straight, so here is my big chance- an uneventful Thursday. LOL. Tomorrow of course we will be driving down to Longview to spend time with some of our favorite people!
It has been beautiful the last few days and I am hoping that this sunny trend continues through the weekend, despite the nay-saying weathermen.
Well, I suppose I rally should be working! See ya’ll soon!
God Bless

So Much to get Done and So Little Time!

So I found out that planning a wedding is NOTHING compared to being married, working full time taking classes part time and joining a Bible study, all at the same time. So far I am alive, but so busy that I have to keep reminding myself of it!

First of all: about being married: Its great!! Jonathan and I spent this last weekend together on a nice long date! We went to see Sleeping Beauty, the ballet at MCaw Hall in Seattle! It was so beautiful and the music was amazing! I have decided that I really like Ballet's.. you get great music and a beautiful story all at the same time!
Second: Work: It's going pretty well, We have our "spirit Spotlight" this Friday and the theme is Cinco De Mayo.. so I have to dress up in a Mexican Theme... not sure if I can do that as well as I did the 70's theme. We will see
Third: Class. I am taking a film class, which I thought would be interesting and mildly fun. I was wrong. I HATE it. Some of the reading I am doing has interesting information, and it is interesting to see a different variety of films than I am used to. BUT the format of the class, the amound of reading and the testing layout drives me crazy!! Each week I have to read between 40 and 70 pages, which in itself is not bad, normally I could do that in 30 mins to an hour. But in order to compare it to the movie and remember all the info I have to take extensive notes, whcih means I spend about 4-7 HOURS on the reading. Then I re-read the chapter quickly and review my notes a couple of times and watch the film then review my notes again. And still I do poorly on the test. This class is the bane of my current existance.
Fourth: Bible Study: I am really excited about this, unfortunatly is does require quite a chunk of time outside of the Wednesday meetings which coincide with my test due dates for the hated film class. Luckily we are doing it for 20 weeks instead of 10, which means, I will be attending every other meeting until class is over.
Life in General:
We got a new digital camera that I am really excited about, I finally uploaded the software onto the computer and have even edited the photos so that they look good! Now I jsut have to put them on the blog.... coming soon I hope.
My best friend and cousin is having a baby boy in the next month or so and I am making a quilt for him.... which is another thing on my plate at the moment, but I think it is going to be very cute in a rugged baby boy way :)
I am looking forward to coming down this week to celebrate Teresa's Birthday and Mother's Day this weekend!
Sorry it is such a long blog.. and that is has been such a long time!
God Bless all of you!!

April Showers

We were able to begin April with some enjoyment, while it was pouring down rain Jonathan and I headed to Longview for a much desired visit. Saturda was so enjoyable, we got to spend time with the whole family, including both sets of grandparents and aunt Linda! It was so good to see everyone again and catch up on the news and Grandma Ruths photos.
There is not a lot going on up here, Jonathan and I both continue to work, and my dear husband is still far too overworked, we cannot wait to make a change in that department.
I am beginning to look forward to Spring/Summer. Today is is very pretty but surprisingly COLD! It was a mere 35 degrees today when I left for work. Brrr.
I have lerned that Orchids are shade flowers, so now I want to go orchid shopping so that I can have a pretty flower friendly home.
I borrowed a book from Jan and it was really good, I just finished it last night, it is called Passing by Samaria. I forget who the Author is, I will endeavor to take a look and let you know.
This coming weekend we will be helping Dan and Joy with moving/fixing up their new home, Congratulations!!
Well, thats about it right now.
God Bless!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Top O' The mornin' to ye!
Today we are supposed to celebrate Saint Patrick, the man largely responsible for spreading Christianity throughout Ireland, he succeeded where others had not, by incorporating celtic symbolism into Christian symbols, aka the Celtic Cross. Basically he was a cool lad, I believe that I shared more history last year, so feel free to look it up :)
Here are work we are celebrating green food day... technically it is St. Patrick's Day but we are holding what we call a "Green Graze" each department got together and put some food together that is either green or authentic Irish fare. My department chose to go authentic :) Its really cool, one gal made corned beef and cabbage and potatoes, and the receptionist and I each tried a different recipe for Traditional Irish Soda Bread. I made mine in my Dutch oven, which was origianllt called a "Bastible Pot" and is close to what was originally used. It is a very simple bread and would be served almost every day, and it turned out very well :) If your curious the recipe is:

Traditional Soda Bread
Ingredients
· 4 cups (16 oz) of all purpose flour
· 1 Teaspoon baking soda
· 1 Teaspoon salt
· 14 oz of buttermilk
Baking directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 F. degrees. Lightly crease and flour a cake pan.
2. In a large bowl sieve and combine all the dry ingredients.
3. Add the buttermilk to form a sticky dough. Place on floured surface and lightly knead (too much allows the gas to escape)
4. Shape into a round flat shape in a round cake pan and cut a cross in the top of the dough.
5. Cover the pan with another pan and bake for 30 minutes (this simulates the bastible pot). Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
6. The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped so show it is done.Cover the bread in a tea towel and lightly sprinkle water on the cloth to keep the bread moist.

Despite my Protestant background I am wearing green, instead of orange, moslty because most folks wouldn't understand the history behind it. and I don't want to forget all the Catholicism has done for Christianity, because of its highly ritualistic background it was able to convert many paganistic areas of the world that were accostomed to the ceremony in worship.
So Three Cheers for St. Patrick!!
And I hope you are all wearing either orange or green to celebrate his spectacular life!
God Bless!

End of Busy Season:
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jonathan came home from work yesterday without calling me first, he just breezed on in at 6:15, it was beautiful. Of course seeing as he didn’t call I hadn’t put dinner in the oven yet, but I soon remedied that, and we ate earlier than we had in months. I made chicken with mushrooms, thyme and onion with rigatoni and steamed broccoli on the side. It was accented with a glass of Chenin Blanc and it turned out very well. I made a tempting dish of dark Chocolate Mousse to finish the meal; all in all it was very enjoyable :)

On another topic the sewing Expo was really cool, I learned a lot about quilting and pattern fitting that I think will really help my creative projects. I found a free-motion quilting foot on e-bay that I can’t wait to try. I practiced a little bit, but without the foot my thread kept getting a little tangled. A Lot of practice and I might just make it!

We don’t have any plans this weekend and I am really looking forward to spending a lot of time with my dear husband. We are planning on going to Leavenworth with some friends over St. Patricks day weekend and I will tell you all about it!
That’s all for now,
God Bless!

Ups and Downs

So it has been an interesting week. Joanthan was given a pair of Seattle Sonics tickets complete with free parking pass. The seats were amazing and we even got to rub elbows with the "high society" set at half-time where we got to enjoy food and beverages free of charge, it was pretty cool! And we won the game, which always makes for a good experience, I even managed to figure out what was going on by the end of it. On the other hand Jonathan has been working much too long and hard. I have never seen him this stressed out before, it makes me want to yell at all the partners. He has to put in some time this weekend, and that makes me angry, EVERYONE needs a break from work once a week and Jonathan should be given the same consideration that the rest of America gets. Pray for him please.
We can't wait to have The Ferguson's up this weekend, I think that we will have an enjoyable time. :)
Well, that its for now,
God Bless!

And Life Continues...

The Symphony was amazing! It was so much fun to get dressed up and Go to Benaroya Hall again! I love the Symphony. It was called The Fabulous Forties and they did everything from Broadway Show tunes, to Swing to Hits of the day. There were also a pair of Swing dancers who came out and danced to a couple of the songs, it was really neat to watch. There was a guest Baritone who had an amazing voice! He did the vocals for some songs form Oklahoma! as well as Stranger in The Night, which is just such a great song! Afterwards we went to Buenas Aires an Argentinian Steakhouse, the food was fantastic, and the atmosphere was just right. Happy Valentines Day!! It's such a great Holiday when you have someone to celebrate with :)
Yesterday was Joy's Birthday, She is now 23 years of age, She and Dan, along with Anna, Aleena, Sarah and Josh came over to celebrate her Birthday with a Dinner party at our house. It was so much fun, I used the good china, and made cheese stuffed Tortellini and Stroganoff, as well as fresh baked Italian Herb Bread, straight from my breadmaker, was there ever a better invention?! I recently found out that Joy loves Tapioca Pudding, so that was the dessert menu. I topped it with sliced strawberries and Joy had a single tall candle in her dish. It was a lot of fun! I forgot to take a picture of her with her tapioca but I did take several other photos and now I used up my disposable camera, so I jsut have to take it in to get it developed so I can share the pictures with everyone!
My class is going well, only one more assignment before the final. This last paper I turned in was so annoying, I hated the story that we had to write about. It was just pointless. But I got it done and we will see if my professor goes for my "theme". I think that I will be able to make it through! I go in for a guidance meting on Monday and will find out how many classes I need before I can graduate with my AA. If I can do it this summer then it will only have taken me 6 years to get a 2 year degree... Life has some pretty funny turn in it.
Well I thinkI got you all up to date... "chick-flick" night is on Monday and we will be watching Meet Me in St. Louis, which should be a lot of fun :)
God Bless!

Long Time, No Blog

Hello all! I am aware that I have neglected my blog for far too long. So I am back, for now. I realized that I depended on my silly camera to tell my stories for me. So I had just celebrated my brothers birthday when my camera broke, I can't show you pictures but we did have an enjoyable time. I made a pot roast and a cake for Jeremiah, he had a swing dance competition with his Friend Lauren, and while it wasn't quite what they expected I think they still enjoyed themselves.

More recently Jonathan and I assisted in hosting a "Sweetheart Swing" at church. We were the dance instructors and we hired a WONDERFUL swing band, The Ham Carson Quartet, it was a lot of fun! We decorated the sanctuary and it was so pretty and romantic. Naturally from 2 + hours of dancing I was a bit sore the next day but it was well worth it. I do have pictures I took on a disposable camera, but I have to finish the roll this weekend and then I will try to post them.
Tuesday, being Valentine's Day was fairly low key for us... but we are planning a delightful day this Saturday. We received 2 lovely Valentine's in the mail from Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Larry and from Chris and Jan, Thank you so much!!!!
On Saturday we are planning on going to the Symphony at Benaroya Hall and then dinner either specially prepared at home or a restaurant, we havn't decided yet.
I will let you know what happens!
Thanks for sticking with me!
God Bless you all, and I hope that we get to get out of town soon and spend time with all the people we care about!

Camera Trouble

So about those pictures coming soon.
I was al set to load them onto my computer so I could put them here for you to see. But sadly just as my computer was about to suck them off of the ccamera, the camera just died. It turned of and amount of begging, beating or new batteries will revitalize it. and it seems as if the photos of my brothers birthday and the seahawks celebrations are gone forever, strike 1 for digital cameras.
So thats that. No more pictures from me till:
1. My camera miraculously comes back to life.
2. we buy a new camera

Sad day.
Happier News:
Today was Spirit Spotlight at work with a 70's theme, so I am dressed like a hippie, which is a lot of fun :)
Tonight I am going to the SPU Talent Show, because my friend, Anna, is in it!!
Jonathan has had some deadlines and therefore has been working late this week, which is disapointing.
That is my life at current, more to come when it comes!!

God Bless!
PS- If you use the link to My Photo Site it has more photos from the holiday Festivities. Enjoy!

Hot Water Heaters, Birthdays and Football!

Hey Ya'll!
My "baby" brother turned 19 on Saturday! My whole family came over on to celebrate the festive occasion with a hashbrowns n' eggs breakfast. We also played games and ate cake while watching him open his presents. All in all a lot of fun. Of course, to make things interesting The night before Jonathan discovered that our hot water heater was leaking. So While the rest of us celebrated Jonathan and Dad took out the old HWH and put in a new shiny working non-leaking one. It was nice to take a hot shower Sunday, instead of the whole campimg style boil your water to do EVERYTHING that happened on Saturday. Sunday of course was spent on Football. We went to church early to hang out with the football group with food and projector screen. The Seahawks WON the NFC Championship and will heading up against the Steelers in 2 weeks, may the Seahawks triumph victoriously!
Well, thats basically it, pictures coming soon!
God Bless!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!! Here are the much belated photos!! 

Aunt Wendy and G&G Nesler! 

My mommy gave her mommy a "puppy" for Christmas! 

Me thinks that Jewl' likes her Christmas Camera 

Mom and Dad wonder what they got for Christmas 

Jan's smiles with her new leather jacket! 

Daddy as Santa- football style 

It's almost time to light the Christ Candle for the last night of advent. 

I love listening to my daddy play the guitar!