Twin Falls Hike

Looking for a day hike?  Twin Falls

South Fork Snoqualime River

Seattle area is expected to be 68 and sunny this weekend, if you are looking for a cool get away, take a look at Twin Falls.

You start off along the South Fork of the Snoqualime river on a wide path, the trail passes through moss-laden forest along the shores of the river for about a mile.  This part of the hike is very easy and has plenty of places to stop, take pictures, let the dog run or the children explore!

Trail starts off wide and easy

At about a mile the trail leaves the shores of the river and you begin to climb up hill.  There are a few switchbacks, as we walked along this on Saturday my husband and I both thought it has the look and feel of walking in the Olympic Peninsula rain forest, with absolutely stunning old growth trees, boulders and lush forest growth.

It was lightly raining, humid and muddy

You finally reach the (first) top of the hill where there are two big benches to rest and get a glimpse at the 150-foot lower fall.  From here you experience very narrow trails and steep switchbacks as you ascend and descend.

Overlook of the lower falls, 150-foot waterfall

Eventually you come to a wooden staircase to your right, this leads to an overlook of the lower falls.  After you climb back out of there you'll continue for another 1/2 mile or so to the bridge where you can now see the upper fall on your left and on your right you will see the water just before it plummets down the lower fall.  You can continue on to the end of the trail for other vantage points of the upper falls.

Upper Fall - view from bridge

Things you need to know:

• Bring your camera, its beautiful
• You need a Discover Pass (or you can purchase a day pass at the trail head)
• The hike is 3 miles round trip
• This hike is open year around
• Dogs on a leash (scoop poop)
• Kid friendly - we saw ALL ages on this hike

rain, humidity and hair...not a good mix - for me!  Look at him, he looks GREAT!!

 While you are so close, get a coffee at the Snoqualime Falls gift shop!!

Snoqualime Falls

Glass Etching - by Charlotte Sherman

flower & swallow framed mirror and hummingbird

This is my favorite medium!!

Glass is so versatile…..ya, really. You can single layer etch it, or multi layer carve into it. You can paint it to look like stained glass, paint with oil, or paint with ink, all have a very different effect.
You can add gold leafing and jewels for a sophisticated antique-style look. And, my newest addition, you can chip it —- NO, I don't mean “chip” like break it, I mean glue chipping, it has the look of random fern-like designs so it is great for privacy windows. Then you can combine all or some of these to make an even more attractive, stunning piece of art.

I mostly use a diamond hand tool for all the etching I do, however for large designs a sand blaster helps save my hand. I DO NOT use store bought stencils, which means I draw my own designs then cut my own stencil, if needed.

I also don't use chemicals or lasers, everything I do is by hand!! So no two are exactly alike.
Usually I will have hummingbird or flower designs framed and ready to ship so check with me, otherwise I prefer custom orders. I have etched lettering and logos for store fronts, bars and restaurants and of course for homes.

framed mirror etching

Need ideas on what needs to be etched in your home? ok….your bathroom mirror, shower door, bath window, kitchen window, kitchen cabinet doors, your favorite party dish, your entryway, outdoor address plaque, rear window of your vehicle, wall hat rack, sky lights…. oh, ANY GLASS SURFACE anywhere at your home or office. Well technically I can also “etch” on rock, tile, and wood. So that makes an endless list of items!!

I can also copy and replace your broken antique heirloom glass. Many Victorian home owners have real antique glass etched doors. All it takes is a strong wind or simply shutting too hard to crack and break these. What I can do is create a drawing of the design and transfer it to a new piece of tempered glass that you can have installed into the door frame.

No job is too small or large, so ask.

Thanks,
Charlotte
 

11x14 frame Etched over dark matting, opening fits 5x7 photo

 11x14 framed Etched over dark matting, opening fits 5x7 photo - this one does not have the matting behind it

Custom etch on mirror cabinet

Pineapple Salsa

One of my favorite foods is traditional spicy salsa!

However, I've been told for years that I should not eat tomatoes - there are many reasons, ranging from the fact that they absorb lead and other toxins in our environment, to the fact that I have an intolerance to them - but only recently I stopped eating them.

In my search to find a replacement, I've tried Mango and Peach salsas - neither one tasted that great to me.  So then I turned to a fresh salsa with green chiles, jalapenos, onion and cilantro, often adding avocado.  This is a very good alternative, especially with chips, yum!

Today I want to share one of my new favorite salsas with you, Pineapple Salsa!

Ingredients:

• 1 pineapple
• 1/2 small purple onion
• 3 cloves of garlic
• Jalapeno -  mild = 1/2; medium = 1 - 1 1/2;  hot = 2 or more
• 1 bunch cilantro
• Dash of Salt

I actually buy a whole pineapple already sliced from the produce department, then chop it into bite size pieces.  I cut the cilantro next and add it on top of the pineapple.  All the rest gets diced into small bites and mixed in with together, salt is added on top and mixed again.

This salsa is great with grilled chicken soft tacos, on Mexican scrambled eggs or ..... experiment :)

Enjoy!!

Vintage Blue Bird Earrings

My favorite design 

This is from a vintage series of cards from the Victorian Era.  They have a blue hue swallow with red & pink roses around its neck.  Blue has never been on of my favorite colors, but this design is so lovely, if you like the Victorian look and they look amazingly nice with blue jeans.

All earrings are $30 plus shipping and handling

most orders can be shipped in 7 days.

charswildart@usa.com

Indicate if you want clear, blue or custom color glass beads

Sterling Silver wire

Matching Necklace Available also

• Choker: 14-16 inches $30
• Princess: 17-19 inches $35
• Matinee: 20-24 inches $40
• Charm only: $20

Lake Martha Retreat

     My husband and I had been talking about getting away for the weekend for a couple weeks.  Considering how unpredictable the weather is in April, we have a hard time deciding where to go.  I searched craigslist everyday for a week and found tons of great places and awesome deals, in fact I found too many!  I couldn't decide which place so I turned over the decision to my husband.

     We knew we wanted a place that was no more than an hour from our house, water front and a HOT TUB!!  If your not familiar with our area, an hour radius from here gives us a anywhere from the Pacific Ocean beaches, Mt. Rainer to more of a drier climate of Eastern Washington.

     Stew ended up deciding on a lake front rental house just outside of Marysville where we could also enjoy the beaches of Puget Sound.

Picture Gallery

view from the house

to the left - hot tub

Entry looking toward the garage and main road

Kyle, from upper deck looking down

from the dock looking at the house

My boys on the lake

Up stairs sitting room, fire place

Kyle

The boats

Our family

Puget Sound, just 5 minutes from rental house

Puget Sound near Marysville

Lots of driftwood

Beach

Beach, tide is coming in

The beach is on a cliff, it is always falling down

Huge tree

      Stew grew up around this area so he knew the beach to take us to that would not have many people at it - walking along this stretch of beach was my favorite part of the trip!  We even ran into old friends of his at the local grocery store.  THANKS HONEY for a great vacation!!

     If you are interested in renting this house, here is the link to their website.  Their ad says it sleeps 6, that is true, however there is only 1 bathroom that is next to the bedroom upstairs.  I'm mentioning that because I would not want to "share" that bathroom, its not very private feeling, there is a second door that does not close all the way.  I suggest just a couple, with or without their children, stay here.  

     The other issue is the hot tub.  They must have a maximum temperature set to 104, because it never got "hot" just warm like a bath, kinda disappointing especially considering the weather was a little chilly and their ad specifically said "enjoy the Hot Tub that is nice and Hot!" (#fail) 

     This home is very clean, cozy and beautiful.  We enjoyed seeing deer and eagles, beautiful scenic drive and a quiet, relaxing vacation.  We enjoyed our stay and hope to return.

craigslist ad - helps to find it

 Treat yourself to a relaxing getaway to unwind and enjoy the Hot Tub that is nice and Hot!
Private full waterfront home with a New Hot Tub. The fishing, and waterfront views from this home are worth a stay. This cozy getaway is close in with a beautiful scenic drive and is located on one of the most peaceful and quiet lakes in this area. Here on Lake Martha, you will give yourself that much needed quiet time, read a book, or watch a movie.
Super clean, and quiet lakefront home, and there is NO JET SKIING, OR WATER SKIING on this beautiful lake, Electric motors only... If your up for just unwinding after a long drive, sit on the deck and watch the Eagles fish right off the Lake, and cozy up to the nice wood burning fireplace. In warmer months, swimming is great!
We so enjoy this lake for being a safe and fun place to be out on the water with the kids and NO worries of Jet Skis or Fast Motor Boats wizzing by! Go out on a relaxing paddle boat tour of the lake, or a row boat is available for anyone who wants a little cardio workout!
View from just about every room in the house. Build a fire on the beach or you can fish right off the dock and there is YEAR ROUND FISHING!
Neighbors appreciate quiet after 10:00 P.M. > R.V. PARKING is available in gravel parking area > NO R.V. Hook-ups available. R.V. Parking Space is 43 ft. L Ã--Ã--13 13ft. 9 in. Wide.

 

Sun Poppy Jewelry

Sun Poppy 

Original watercolor by Sandy Ault

     My sister, Sandy Ault, is an artist from Texas.  She began her career painting photos commercially just outside Houston in her early 20's.  Since then she specializes in one of a kind watercolor landscapes.  She loves painting waterfalls, flowers and people portraits.  Recently she has added murals to her specialties.  "Sun Poppy" is an original watercolor painting that was sold in Arizona during one of the art shows I attended.

     For the jewelry creations we take the original painting and make high resolution prints in miniature.  Fusing these pieces of art onto glass stones, making the beautiful charms you see here.  Turning the charms into necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Glass beads in matching colors are strung with sterling silver chain or wire for earrings.  Customized to the colors you choose.  Sun Poppy looks great with a variety of colors:  

• Choker: 14-16 inches  $30
• Princess: 17-19 inches  $35
• Matinee: 20-24 inches  $40
• Charm only: $20
• Earrings: $30

 *prices do not include shipping/handling

      Orders can be emailed to charswildart@usa.com and payments are taken through Paypal. Most items are shipped in 7 days.  Please indicate your length and color choice.

THANKS - check back, I'll be uploading more weekly

Charlotte

   

Walking Memory Lane - family events

This past weekend was GREAT!!  At the Puyallup assembly hall, I ran into a friend that I havent seen in 9 years!  So this is a quick catch up just for you :)  

Time passes so fast, I can remember this picture like it was yesterday!!  My girls and I came up to Washington for a visit in the summer, we went school clothes shopping at Mervins and decided to try on some of the party wear...fun times.

This is our house.  We moved here in October 2004 just 3 months after Stew and I got married.  The trees are a little bigger now, and that car is long gone.  We did some rock work, but you cant see it in this picture.  At the time we needed a big place so that everyone could have their space.  Now one of the bedrooms is an office for me and the other is Kyle's bedroom.  Downstairs we have an extra room for guests.  Although if this summer is HOT, we will probably sleep down there since it's cooler.

Girls in Montana, not sure of the year on this.  Could have been 2005

 Breanne

Breanne 2008

Breanne's wedding, September 21, 2010,  was at a local park by a lake.  Stewart and Kyle both walked her down the "aisle."

Breanne and Jaime

Danielle

Danielle 2008

Danielle's Wedding was at the Kingdom Hall, November 6, 2010.  It took me two hours to curl her hair!!  Wish she had that kind of time more often, it really looked gorgeous. 

Danielle and Dana

We really like Jaime and Dana, both girls picked good husbands.  They seem happy and well taken care of, cant ask for more.

Kyle

New Born

We see this face ALOT!!

Blonde Bre

Before we knew about his allergies :(

First day of Kindergarten September 2012

 Kyle is excited that he can read now and loves school.  He had a fantastic teacher, that helps get the education career off to a great start.

Alijah

New born with mom and dad

sweetness

He never stops long enought for a picture!

This boy is always on the run, so every picture I have is blurry!!  Breanne, I know your reading this, send me some clear pictures, please.  She is expecting another boy any day now.  I'll update this with pictures when I get some, at least when they are new they sit still for the camera :)

That's all folks...

thanks for walking memory lane with me.