My Uke in Progress

Preparing for the arrival of my new Uke is easy breezy.  I’ve been playing until my fingers are sore, doing my best to match my underwhelming talent to the amazing instrument about to come my way.  Tonight I am thrilled as I will be playing and singing with a singer/guitar player friend who just bought a Uke.  Music and waiting seem to be a wonderful fit and playing my uke seems the least I can do.  I am so excited to get my hands on my Uke 457 (about a week away) I can barely stand it.

I do not let weather stop my daily paddle on Lake Washington.  Whether paddling in the rain like the other day, or finding some rays of sunshine on the lake, it is always new, fresh and beautiful, and now warmish.  Lately we’ve been watching the herons and turtles interact in their dance of life.  Find a heron and you can be sure there is a turtle nearby.  I wouldn’t be suprised to find a heron with a bib, napkin and fork patiently waiting for the right moment to have a turtle lunch.  For their part, the turtles are wary and aware, particularly if they are not sun dazed.  On the lake the dance of life is a daily event.  Last week Karen and I watched an eagle dive on a mother duck and babies, thinning the herd.

Ahhh and then there’s that national and local economy to wait on. Hard to have imagined a few years ago what it would be like now.  As a firm, we are joyfully even now, if not as  busy as old times.  This has forced us to shrink to a size to match our workload.  Our awareness of this economy’s  challenges has fostered a newfound appreciation for the fortitude and foresight of our clients.  We are going out of our way to deliver great ideas, creativity and  talent to our current projects.  At the same time, we are preparing for the future by investing in training, innovation and technology.  With our fun current projects, its nice not to be sitting around waiting…

Whitney Summerford / Associate

Hard working with an eye for detail, Whitney brings a high level of energy to each project.  Her love for design comes through in her creative and innovative ideas and solutions.  Her talent and experience in producing graphic rendering helps bring those ideas vibrantly to life.  Balancing her artful side with a sharp mind and pragmatic character insures that her fresh ideas meet our clients programmatic, budgetary, and marketing needs.

Whitney graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelors of Landscape Architecture and has been practicing in the profession since 2005.  A born adventurer, she has immersed herself in the Northwest looking for outdoor adventures, rain or shine.  Her competitive side is fulfilled by a plethora of outdoor sporting activities which she routinely engages in.

Heidi Hughes / Landscape Designer & Office Assistant

With her adaptive and diligent character, Heidi has established herself as an integral part of our team.  By taking each new challenge head on, she has quickly gained valuable experience in multiple areas of the profession.  Exhibiting confidence, intelligence and huge raw talent, Heidi impresses all those around her which foretells of great things to come.  Heidi also supports the team in an administrative role which reinforces her flexible and positive nature.

 Heidi graduated with her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Washington State University.  She has been practicing in the profession since 2009.  As a Washington native, she cherishes her summers on the waters of Puget Sound and her winters on the slopes of the Cascade mountains.  Heidi is also a member of the Junior League of Seattle.