Boooo! Happy Haloween!

My two grandkids were invited to an early Halloween party so I got to see them dressed in their finery...Miss C was a cat and Miss E was dressed as a panda....Don't they look Cute?

Of course, they can't wait for the big day-I'm betting the little one will be scared out of her wits!

TWTWTW (That Was the Week That Was)

I went to Michigan for a family wedding and took time to reconnect with some old friends. MI was hot and muggy-I expected it would be much worse! The wedding-Jennifer Siebert and Sam Sherer- were married  in Gross Point Woods and the reception was at the Anthenium in Detroit near Greektown. Here's a few highlights:

Mary Beth and Steve Rivas-Mary is my niece, Steve is her husband. They're so good for each other!

The last time Ray and I were in MI was 6yrs. ago for their wedding.

Crissy  and Catherine Stephens...They are my great nieces (Mom is Rachelle and Dad is Howard). Oh, they are so pretty! Crissy  (L) is a Jr. Bridesmaid and Catherine is a flower girl. 

Jennifer and Sam were the perfect couple! They were full of energy  and transmitted some of that energy to everybody there.....

Here's my sisters: (L to R) Isa Pomponi, Me , Aunt Rita, and Ellen O'Connell. Ellen is Mary Beth's mom. The guy in the rear is Bob Pomponi- Isabellas' husband and the proud grandparents of the bride. 

After the wedding I stayed with my friends Mary Ann and Jimmy Henry. We've been friends since 2nd grade, and they are Kristins' godparents. Next year we will celebrate the 50th class reunion. While in school the six of us girls hung out-probably since 4th or 5th grade, so it was a real treat to see them! It's been 25 years since I saw some of them. They are (Lto R) Me, Pat, Marse, Janice Kathy and Marilyn. It's remarkable that they all stayed in the same area....Of course, I had to be the outlaw.....

Jimmy is just Jimmy...what can I say?

Jim took me on a nostalgic tour- We renamed it "It's time for me to die" tour....He's pointing out the area where we all skated and did lots of other activities-the fairgrounds...now gone!

My church is no more...sold to another religion

We HAD to have white castle-AKA rank burgers-for lunch. A Friday night tradition!

This cute little bunglow was my home in Royal Oak...I sold it in 1976 for $23,500. I'm told this is a very desirable area now and the houses are worth $250k!!!!

Memories....they're great and now it's time to go home! 

Lavender!!!

The Sequim Lavender Festival should be on everybody's bucket list! I was here 8 years ago-just happened to be here at the right time. This year I planned a little better, and several friends were here to share the enjoyment. Sequim is located on Washington's Olympic peninsula and is well suited for growing all types of lavender. There are farm tours and street fairs-something for everybody and lavender products you might never see anywhere else! Each farm offers acres and acres of lavender, some areas where you can cut your own, musical entertainment, food and gift shops filled with locals' crafts. Just before the weekend we (Jeanne Williams, Teresa Johnson and I) visited the Sunshine Herb and Lavender Farm owned and operated by the Ragsdales. Jeanne thought they might be relatives, since her maiden name is Ragsdale. There's a possibility they may be cousins.....

You can drive yourself to each farm or pick up a shuttle to visit the 8 farms on this venue. There are many more farms you are invited to visit.  On Saturday, Cecile Thompson and I visited the Olympic Lavender Farm, The Jardin Du Soleil, and the street fair with over 100 venders. Whew!

At a u-pick, this gentleman has a lovely bunch!

And, she's gathering a fragrant group...I just bought a few plants...

Now, I have to plan a trip back to Coarsegold....going to MI for a wedding!

From Port Townsend to Port Angeles

...And little stops in between. I've been here before, eight years ago-but I don't recall sightseeing too much. I do remember going to Victoria and since I've been there recently I didn't want to go again, so I just took day trips to see what's on the Olympic Peninsula. Of course, you have to take into the fact that it's beautiful, sunny and warm for two or three days, then stormy, rainy and icky for the next three days..so trips came in spurts.

This is Discovery Bay. Its East of Port Townsend and flow into the Straits of Juan De Fuca

Right at the point of the Bay is a very nice Visitors information/center run by the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe. It's actually in a little town called Blyn. As you get into Port Angeles you see the signs to the Olympic National Park 

The drive to Hurricane Ridge is stunning! Not to be missed!

The deer are so tame-but it's best to remember they're not! They can do a lot of damage to a car. I saw a lot of signs about elk but no live elk today....

There's a spectacular Visitor's Center at Hurricane Ridge-and the view-oh my!

I took these to show the panoramic view of the Mts., including Mt. Olympis

And now, on to the Lavendar Festival this weekend!

Mt. St. Helens

I'm continuing my travels north and stopped at Columbia Riverfront RV park in Woodland, WA. Ray and I worked here in 2001-02 and I like to stop here to renew old friendships, and take the opportunity to sightsee. Here's a photo op-with your friendly elk.......

Ray Arntsen is a dear friend I don't see too often. This visit we took a drive up to the Johnson Observatory at Mt. St. Helens. Ray lived here when Mt. St. Helens erupted (May 18, 1980)  but had never been to the Johnson Observatory! Naturally, the weather wasn't cooperating but still well worth the trip.

The fallout rock and ash actually covered the Toulle River-in some parts it was 600 ft. thick! 

No matter the weather-if you're in the area this is a must stop. 

LINCOLN CITY REUNION

Teresa nd Debby are two of my dearest friends and we don't get to see each other very often...This time it's been almost a year so I drove to Lincoln City, OR, Teresa came from Stanwood, WA and Debby lives down the road in Newport. We had a whole week to laugh, giggle and catch up on each other's lives. Email is OK, skyping is good, too, but there's nothing like the face-to-face contact. 

Scott, Debby and Teresa in the Slocum's kitchen. Debby is an excellent cook, and whether we ate at their home or ate out, all meals were excellent! Below, you'll find us in a great silly mood....We went to high tea at the Grand Victorian B&B in Newport. She was even able to prepare a full service gluten free for Teresa!

That's me enjoying apricot tea and home made devenshire cream-delish!

Debby has the cream all over her mouth, too.

Teresa looks like she's been caught in the cookie jar! We had a great time-the hats were courtesy of the B&B-We had a wide selection..

A GREAT spot for ribs, pork or chicken in Depoe Bay. They cook (smoke) all their meat right on the premises and just getting out of the car makes you salivate. The desserts are to die for. The local Lady comes in @ midnight to do the baking-pies, muffins, cupcakes brownies and cookies- just so they are fresh for the customer that day. It's hard to get out of there.....We saved a lot a clams this week by eating several times at The Bone Pile.....

Here we are in all our glory...Debby(L), Teresa (middle), and me (R).

These two pictures are from the outdoor display at the Freed Gallery-just great iron pieces!

And, poof! the week is over! Love you guys......

Miss E is Three!

Miss E is getting much better opening presents since Christmas-and she doesn't need big sister's help!

 The kids were in the pool most of the day-got out for snacks and dinner only!

Miss E has her very own big wheels-she's been riding Miss C's for some time now

The cake was special-it's called a picture cake and Miss E's picture was right in the middle with all her Disney Friends-so cute!

It was a fun day-E had so many cute faces all day-kind of surprised and a little overwhelmed at times...