Summer Is Winding Down

This last weekend we went on a family road trip before school starts.  One of our favorite places to visit is the Columbia Gorge.  It is so beautiful and peaceful there.

 On our way back home to Olympia, we stopped at the Camas Vintage Street Faire.  What a fantastic event.

 

We ran into Erin Kiley ~ one of our vendors that will be at our Girlfriends Holiday Market show again this year.  If you don't know Erin, let me tell you that she has the most wonderful things and is so creative. 

Erin's booth

 and the signs that she makes.....

I hope you enjoy the last days of summer.

The Skagit Valley

The boys and I took a quick trip up to Mount Vernon to see family.  On our way back home to Olympia we stopped at Snow Goose Produce ~ a country market located on Fir Island in the Skagit Valley.  My nephew Taylor works there during the summer months.

Taylor got the boys a huge ice cream.......

             The cousins......Austin, Taylor and Wyatt

If you are visiting the Skagit Valley, it is worth the trip to this wonderful country market.

Raspberry Jam

Every year the boys and I go out to Spooner Farms to pick strawberries and make jam.  This year we decided to get raspberries instead.  

Wyatt - my inspector 

 I prefer to make freezer jam because it is so quick and easy.  Just raspberries, sugar and pectin.  Even better, there are more raspberries than sugar.  

What have you made lately?

In The Garden

Early this morning I went out to the garden to get some weeding done and take a few pictures.  I was surprised to see some cucumbers and lots of blueberries -  enough to make a pie.  I am looking forward  to harvesting some other veggies soon.

 The herb garden

Today

It was a great day.  I get to share Mother's Day with my son who turned 10 today.  I couldn't ask for a better way to celebrate the day.  We went to one of my favorite places for breakfast called Bair's Bistro in Steilacoom.  I love this place because it is a landmark building in Washington’s oldest town.  The Bair Drug & Hardware Store is an 1895 building, full of old stuff to include the original post office and soda fountain.

Mark and the boys waiting for a table...

Austin had a hot chocolate that looked like dessert

Then, we went to The Perennial Gardener in Olympia,

so I could pick out a hanging basket for our front porch

Michele is one of our vendors at the Girlfriends Market.  She was so busy and I can see why.....

she has the most beautiful flower baskets, plants, herbs and veggies

Michele hard at work....

And a new bike for the birthday boy.......

Spring

  I hope you had a nice Easter and are enjoying

the beauty of spring

even though it is cold and rainy in Olympia today, I thought I

would run outside in between rain showers and take a picture of my Rhododendron

 

We had a great Easter day with family and friends

I love it that our boys still like to hunt Easter eggs



They are still very innocent and child like in so many ways



This week is a tough one for me......

 It has been two years since my dads passing.  I want to share a few things about my dad......He was kind, loving, loyal, helpful, generous, always upbeat, optimistic and had a wonderful smile.  He loved his family, working and played golf whenever he had the chance.   There isn't a day that doesn't go by that I don't think about him.  We had a great father daughter relationship ~ he was the best......  I know time does heal and I can actually talk about him without bursting into tears, but my heart still aches. 

Dad, Me, Jeff (my brother) and Mom

Dads 70th Birthday

My parents wedding picture ~ They were married for 50 years

~I love this picture of me and my dad~

It was taken in 1968 at Lake Chelan, WA

On our way to church on Sunday morning.

Check This Out........

I know it has been a long time since you have heard from us  ~ but it's time......because there is important news to get out to all you junkers.  Our dear friend, Wendy Rushing, has her home featured in the Country Sampler ~ 2011 Home Tour Edition.  Gary and Wendy's house is wonderful!  So pick up a copy and take a look for yourself.  Our boys were so excited to see the Rushing's home in a magazine.......

Way to go Gary and Wendy!!

Pictures From The Show