Blurry~

The whole time we were camping, the lens to my camera was dirty so most of the pics are hazy but it didn't stop us from having a relaxing time. Please excuse the blurriness. Is that a word?We went on a two hour row in our boat. Clear Lake is amazing quiet and you can see all the way to the bottom. No motors are allowed so it stays super clean.

We all came home with at least 10 mosquito bites. Did you know that mosquito's hunt their host by detecting carbon dioxide and it's the female that does all the biting? When you're out there exposed, you definitely feel like you're being hunted!! I'm sure I have malaria, yellow fever or some other disease. My head feels funny. Do I look okay?

My sister made pizza on the bar-b-que and that was fun & yummy. While we were packing to leave, we discovered 3 scorpions under our tent. One was dead because someone had stepped on it but the other two were alive. Yikes. We're all fine and no close calls but not a comforting thought, just the same.

I've said it before...I never get tired of Oregon beauty~

My sister taught darling daughter to crochet some more since we don't have patience with each other when it comes to teaching. I did some crocheting, we did some hiking and bike riding. We had a great time but I'm glad to be home. Don't you just love coming home to your own bed? I missed our bed. Our bed missed me. I just know it.

Getting Ready & Advise Needed~

Going camping Saturday to Clear Lake. Since the weather has cooled down some, I thought I'd bake some chocolate chips to take with us.

Please advise: What do I do with my gone.bonkers.over.Harry.Potter daughter? She wants to paint her room Electric Orange with Exotic Purple lettering spelling out the characters names. How am I supposed to live with that?

Hey~

Just relaxed this weekend. 3 hour bike ride with the family:: Farmer's Market:: Cherries:: Rhubarb:: strawberries:: garage sales:: sunshine:: warmth:: baking:: playing games:: painting:: just relaxing. Hope you're having a great weekend.



Baked with Rhubarb. Never baked with it before and I wasn't sure if I could use the green portion of the stock so I added strawberries just to make sure it was sweet enough. Recipe from here. Man these are sooooo good! Used her crust recipe too. I've never been able to make a good pie crust and this one just has 4 ingredients & BAM... I finally made a yummy crust. Easy too.

Playing Pretty, Pretty Princess!

We had a visitor. She's a hoot! Time went by too fast while she was with us.She's a playful girl~

Summer Days~

Okay, I love the heat and appreciate the sunshine but lately it's been HOT for about 20 bazillion days straight and I'm starting to feel worn down. We're supposed to have a few days that are below 80 and I'm looking forward to them. 95ish to 100 is a little too warm to get much done lately.

We did make some Vegan ice cream for Elaine's birthday. Chocolate with almonds & pretzels that were baked in butter & sugar. Kind of a sweet-salty combo. She liked it and so did the kids. Had a hard time keeping them from eating it all before we were able to give it to her.

Also been working on a buffet my dad gave me. He got it about 20ish years ago from a woman who was 80, getting married and needed to downsize. Don't you love that story? It had been her moms so it's very old. Love the little pull out storage. Don't have room for a buffet in our dining area so I'm going to use it to store my craft supplies & as a work table. Still need to stain the top and tighten up some of the joints for additonal strength. It was 96 at our house today but still made some stir fry with what we had on hand. Some chopped chicken, zucchini, green onions, sweet peas from our garden & a sauce made from honey, soy & orange juice. YUM and worth every warm moment making it. I think the panda bear chop sticks made it that much yummier. Washed it all down with this drink. Love the convenience and single serving size.

How are you all spending your summer days?

He Rocks~

My husband brings home bouncy balls he finds in the resteraunt booths he re-upholsters and oddly enough, he also finds guitar picks in them too. So we have a little dish for them and when he gets home in the morning, he empties his pockets and has a place to put them.

They come in handy too. Our son plays the electric guitar and is always needing a pick.

Ben: When I'm 18, I can do whatever I want, right?

Me: Yes Ben. As long as you don't break the law.

Ben: I'm going to move out and you can't come visit me until I tell you you can.

Me: Why?

Ben: Because I don't want you telling me to clean up or what to eat.

Me: I still can do that because I'm the mom and mom's can always do that.

Ben: But you can't tell me that when I'm moved out.

Me: Yes I can. I'm the mom.

Ben: Maaaahhhhhhmmm.

Me: You know that when you move out, you're going to have to pay rent and pay for food and pay for light & water.

Ben: No I don't.

Me: Yes you do. When you move out, you have to pay for all your own bills.

Ben: Fine. I'll play my guitar in a band to make money.

Me: Okay. You can do that but you better practice more so you can be really good and someone will hire you to be in their band.

Ben: Yeah, you're right.

4th of July~

Started out the weekend with evening swimming, at the local pool, to try and beat the heat. Friends were involved.

Oregon is so beautiful everywhere, even at the pool.

We went to a 4th of July parade which is one block from our house. That's a must every year.
Then a drive out to Sauvie's Island to pick blueberries. Most of the crop isn't ripe yet but there were still plenty to pick. More trips planned next weekend and then again the following weekend. All should be ripe by then. Need to freeze some for the winter months when they are scarce. Some tasting, while picking, was involved.

Dahlia cuttting at the blueberry farm too. Always love to come home with a bouquet.Then another evening parade in the little town of Vernonia then evening fireworks there. Man they put on a great display for such a little town. So close up too. Hope your 4th was a good one~