To all our friends and family - greetings. First our apologies for not getting our annual missive out to you all earlier. The last six weeks of 2006 and first month of 2007 were quite hectic - even for us.

I really think that time moves faster the older you get or maybe it is just the speed of the world we live in today. Last year is such a blur. Though we did get a few pictures.

We made a promise to do more "date-like" things in 2006. To that end we went to see The Chieftains, The Royal Lippizaner Stallions, Oak, Ash & Thorn, Cirque de Soleil, Barbara Streisand with Il Divo, Itzak Perlman - last month, and Camelot with Michael York this month. We even have tickets to the opera - Der Rosencavalier in June; Will has never been to an opera. We took at class on Tapas at Cafe Gibraltar and classes on "food gifts" and chocolate at Draegers. We even went to the Napa Valley Wine Library annual tasting.

In January 2006, Robin took a class on working with wool in crewel embroidery. The teacher was from England and was organizing a class for May 2007. The class is making an Elizabethan sweet bag. There are 3 tutors and one is Jane Lemon who is coming out of retirement for the class. Well you can guess the rest, we are going to England and Scotland in April/May 1007.

Last February saw us again making the 13 hour driving trip to Arizona for the SCA Estrella War in Goodyear. Robin had been invited to teach goldwork and blackwork at the war. In fact she was given a token for teaching the most of anyone at the war. Will spent his time playing on the war field. We didn't go this year since we have other vacation plans - maybe next year.

February also saw Robin finally give into her lust for Crazy Quilting. She took an online class on encrusted crazy quilting (embroidery, plus lace, plus buttons, plus beads, plus applique, plus.....) and one on color. This has lead to lots of other things including plans to host the online teacher during her 2008 US tour.

In April, Robin traveled to Perry Iowa to take a 5 day advanced class on goldwork from the Royal School of Needlework. She wrote about the wonderful experience as one of the columns in Needlepoint Now. The hotel is, unfortunately, being sold and the future of such classes is sadly unclear. It was a wonderful learning experience and bonding with other needleworkers. Robin continues to write her column for Needlepoint Now, but will end the column this year with the last issue being July/August; after 3 years.

We continue to be active in the SCA and attended all the major kingdom level events for 2006/7. This year was Robin Kingdom Artisan; having been awarded the Golden Poppy/Kingdom Arts and Sciences Champion at 12th Night 2006. As such she helped with competitions and gave some classes. At 12th Night 2007 she stepped up as head of the lace makers Guild (Arachne's Web), having served as deputy for the prior 6 months. We also tried to attend some of the smaller events just because they are fun.

Will continues to be active, especially with the Company of Gryphons Guard - his war unit. We traveled up to Northern California for the big war against An Tir (Oregon/Washington) over July 1st weekend. It was hot - 95 degrees. Will fought. Robin stayed in the shade. We were also invited to a private tournament over Labor Day weekend in Columbia. Even though it was hot, it was a fun event. Will fought exceptionally well and held his own against more experienced fighters. We were well fed at both medieval feasts as well.

Will took a big step this winter. He became "Man at Arms" to Viscount Sir Brion of Bellatrix (currently Prince of the Mists). This is a type of contract for a testing period to see if they want to enter into a more in depth relationship of "squire". Brion is the son of Duke Paul of Bellatrix, the man who defined SCA fighting, and has become an accomplished fighter in his own right. Brion will act as coach to Will and in turn Will undertakes to learn and be guided by Brion. Will was also named to his first guard - to Princess Ysabella of the Mists.

In May, Robin was asked to run for the position of Assistant Region Director for the Greater Pacific Region of the Embroiderer's Guild of America. They managed to talk her into it. It is a 2 year position and anticipates stepping into the role of Region Director for 2009/2010. In part they wanted her because the National Seminar is in San Francisco in 2010.

We managed to take a vacation in October, but only because it was scheduled way in advance. Will's work actually asked what it would take to cancel the cruise, but fortunately they decided to let us go. We flew to Los Angeles and boarded the Regal Princess for a 2 week cruise down the coast and through the Panama Canal to San Juan. We both needed the vacation. You can see some pictures here. We still have to put up the detail shots.

Managed to spend Thanksgiving with friends near home as Will had the pager. Spent the xmas holidays doing the family visits. It was nice to see people and get in some good visits. Then the run up to 12th Night. Robin had a number of needlework projects to be completed for 12th Night and preparation for a display and 2 court presentations. She blogged about it on her blog.

A couple days later we were in Anchorage. Robin is project manager for 2 carpets which are being made in pieces and then joined. The materials were handed out in June 2006 with most of the pieces being completed by 12th Night. Then the pieces were given to the joiners who will complete the carpets by June 2007 - or at least that is the plan. Hence we took the pieces up to Anchorage to Robin/Anne. We had a nice visit. We also attended the Oertha Coronet event, and Robin taught a couple classes.

Robin has been doing some work with arbitrations, but has backed away from mediation and facilitation for a bit. We made some progress in cleaning out the garage, but water and mildew in one of the storage units meant the remainder "came home". We have been working on it, but it takes time. We hope to clear out another storage unit this year and maybe some of the garage. Robin hopes to find some time to focus on family history projects this year - finally. Will still has delusions of parking a car in the garage.

The cats continue to give us much joy and laughter. Pete continues to be Mr. Personality and very social. Pickwick is growing into being a cat. He finally has a "meow"; well most of the time. He is quite a character. Unfortunately we never manage to photograph him playing with his hot pink puff ball.

We admit to being lousy correspondents. The best way to reach us is email. Please keep in touch and do let us know if you are in the area. Hope 2007 is a happy healthy one for you and yours.

-- Robin & Will