It's the Little Things

"Glass is the most magical of all materials." ~Dale Chihuly

2012-01-22T19:27:00.000-08:00

I love Groupon! I first signed up for Groupon after my friend, Megan showed me the glass balls that she and another friend of hers had made. I had always thought it would be fun to learn how to blow glass. After a few months of daily emails I got the coveted Groupon offering the half off glass blowing experience. I bought two, as my friend Holly and I had talked about what fun it would be to try glass blowing when we watched people doing it at Mt St Helen's years ago.

So, away we went yesterday to have our adventure.

Gary was our "tour guide"/assistant/the only one who really knew what he was doing out of our small group. He is in the red cap and Holly has gotten started.

Hot glass to start!

Rolling it through the base color.

Into the fire!

Rolling through the color.

Back into the fire!

Gary did the shaping for us! Like I said~the only one who really knew what he was doing!

Holly was blowing through the tube that was connected to the rod to make the ball. Gary would tell us when to blow lightly, when to blow hard, when to stop blowing. He did the shaping.

Looking good!

After the ball was blown to the size it needed to be they headed over to cut the glass ball off the rod.

Lookin' good so far!

Gary then put a dollop of melted glass on the bottom to seal the hole.

Holly stamped it!

And away it went to the kiln...voila! Almost done!

This was the shop dog!

Then it was my turn!

Hot glass.

Spinning the rod.

Rolling through the base color!

Into the fire. It was nice and warm right here.

Blow light. Blow hard. Stop. Blow light.

Lookin' good.

And then the stamp and kiln!

These were the glass pieces from mine...amazing that they created such a beautiful ball.

There was this fantastic glass hanging in the studio. It was impressive.

The longest piece of glass was probably 4 feet long. Must be a heavy piece.

Tonight I picked up our pieces after they were in the kiln overnight. This is what the finished products look like. Mine is the one on the left and Holly's on the right!

So that you can get an idea of size...I am holding it. You can also see the base on it at my palm area.

After our glass blowing adventure, Holly and I headed to lunch at Deschutes Brewery. Love. And then we went to Anthropologie...a store where I love the "home" section and Holly had never been too. I think she loved it as much as I did. We then headed to Micheal's...she wants to take up crocheting. It was such a grand day!

Ladies Night Out

2012-01-21T19:44:00.000-08:00

I have some great friends. A good group of them were at the site I was working at and they still count me as one of their own. I worked with some great ladies and miss them, but have great opportunities to see them-even for ladies night out at Duke's- a cowboy bar! We had a great evening and I will remember this fun night out with these wonderful friends.

Jenny, Shauna, Jennifer, Brandy, me and Sara!

Nice group, eh?!

I love that you can see my glow-in-the-dark glass in the dark picture below. That glass contained an amazing drink...I won't repeat the name--but it was a little bit of coconut tastiness.

Jenny was staying at Sara's for the night and this is right before I left to head home myself!

Me, Jenny and Sara. And, Jenny--you can thank me later for not posting the picture of you sleeping...! :)

Thank you ladies for a soul rejuvenating night out and for keeping me as one of yours! I {heart} you all more than you know!

Dear Deer,

2012-01-16T19:49:00.000-08:00

Thank you for coming down to my "backyard" so I could be thankful for the glories of God's wonderful creations!

When it snows, deer come down lower on the mountain I live on to eat the vegetation. They graced me today with their presence in my backyard. This was the second day they came down. Two on the first day and three on this day!

Saying Goodbye

2012-01-14T19:54:00.000-08:00

As stated before, I am starting a "new" job and am leaving my current job. I will technically be doing the same job, just in a different building. I'm still working on processing this, but in the meantime-things end and things begin. One event marking the end was my going away party from the site I've been at for over six years. Alas, Friday the 13th was my last day. I didn't know and I still don't know exactly what to think about that, but it has happened and the next phase must begin.

Here are a few shots from the party...

The table of goodies- almost 100% gluten free.

Getting ready for the party to start~ Waiting with me are friends, Megan and John.

Above: My dear friend, Diane (pictured in the below picture on the left in black) used her artistic experience to create this cat picture for me!

Diane and Jan

Opening gifts. My friend, Sally, knows I love almonds-I have a lifetime supply now...or at least a years supply! She also made a yummy gluten-free pound cake with lemon icing!

Dear friends Jenny and Sara! I will miss them so much!

Two of my biggest fans! John and Cece!

Jenny and Shauna!

Pam, Monica and me! Pam and Monica are the nurses on "my" team that isn't my team anymore. Monica is the official photographer and most of these pictures are courtesy of her.

Monica also got a picture of my office space that I shared with Donna. It's weird to know that isn't my area any more.

I will dearly, dearly miss all of my friends and coworkers at my "always-will-be-home-to-me" site. Maybe some day I'll return. I hope that I never loose contact with those who matter most to me from my days at this site. My heart hurts to say goodbye.

Basketball and Friends

2012-01-12T20:02:00.000-08:00

I'm blessed with sweet friends. Friends who will decorate poster boards for the Trailblazer game that they invited me too while I work on cleaning out my office. And, they even help in the office cleaning out, physically and emotionally.

Jenny, Jenny's boyfriend, Matt and Sara bought a 15 game Blazer tickets package. Lucky for me, Matt couldn't go to the first game they had tickets too, so Jenny requested I join them! Much to my pleasure. The three of us girls went to the game last night and had a great time, even though the Blazers lost. We got on the jumbo screen with the poster boards that Jenny and Sara made! Woohoo!

Me, Sara, Jenny

I love the above picture~completely candid shot!

Sara was trying to get her arms around us...

We were up high-second row down from the top so we could see the whole arena!

Thanks ladies for the fabulous time!

I {heart} them!

2012-01-11T20:06:00.000-08:00

I haven't advertised this much, but I have accepted a job at another ElderPlace site (there will be commentary about this in a later post when I have successfully processed the emotionalism of this decision and the fallout following it). I have worked at my current location for 6 years and 4 months and this was one of the absolute most difficult decisions I've had to make in my fairly short life. To leave was to not only leave the stability, comfort and security of the place I almost consider home; it also meant leaving some of the people that are close to family for me. I spend most of my time in a given day at work and am surrounded by people I love dearly, both participants and staff and some of those staff are my dear office mates.

I have shared an office with two of these three for the entirety of my "career" at ElderPlace and one of them is like a second father to me. So, to make the decision to leave was also to make the decision to say goodbye to these close to my heart people. Though I will still see them, it will never be the same. For them, and all other that I am leaving behind at a site I dearly love, I thank them for who they are and who they've helped me to be. This is my last week at my current site and in honor of that--Office Mate photo time!

L to R: Kevin, Donna, John and me. January 2012

Such a group!

It's Christmas time again

2012-01-04T22:11:00.000-08:00

I didn't take many pictures of my Christmas adventure this year-for many reasons, but mainly because it wasn't anything really outrageous-just really layed back and nice.

Here are the pretty Colorado Rockies.

Snow covered below a blanket of crisp, blue sky.

We are a 3D family.

We went to see Hugo in 3D in Casper and I had to have a picture of us in our crazy glasses.

Mom, me, Dad, Josh.
I didn't take one single picture of gift times. Oh, well...

Back in Denver with Dad we went to explore downtown as we used to as kids and went to see this giant blue bear (like three stories tall, giant) and had to get a few pictures-they were hard to get because of the size and lack of light.

A totally blurry Josh and Dad in the "crotch" area...ummmm.....
And, I opted to stand near his foot than in the other area. With brother! :)

When I left Denver I really liked these waves of soemthing that I could see-when I got closer I discovered it was thousands and thousands of origami cranes that had been made and mounted in waves in the wall-pretty cool. A picture of the whole thing wouldn't have done it justice-so here is a close up of about 1/100th of the whole display.

And then, Christmas was over. I was back in Portland and back to reality. Though, I am thankful for the restful time I had and I even got to see my best friend from high school, Summer and meet her darling, just over 1yr old daughter, Penny.

I love family and friends.

Today...

2011-12-22T22:08:00.000-08:00

...is my birthday. I'm a year older. Can I say better?! I don't know. What I do know is I neglected to get a picture with all the lovely ladies who joined my in an early birthday dessert last night to help me celebrate. Though, it was amazing and oh, so beneficial to my soul.

Thank you, ladies, for the smiles and laughter and lettting me be me!

Let the Birthday Celebrations Begin

2011-12-11T21:49:00.000-08:00

So, these pictures don't all apply to my (early) birthday celebration, but they were all taken on the same day, so bear with me.

One of my girls groups, the one that hasn't been getting together on a consistent basis, got together yesterday morning for a cookie exchange. And, really, the most important part was to see all the new babies in the group. Three of the "girls" aka women from this group became mommies (2 or them for the second time) in the month of October. The two repeat mommies made it to the groupone because she hosted. There was also a 10 month old who came with her mommy. It was great to see all the little ones and how the older little ones got along.

These are the three princess'.

Evie was born incredibly early and was in the NICU for months, she is now 10 months old and entirely to precious; then there is Amelia and then my little Goddaughter Josie. All so precious!

Here are the boys swarming around the cookies while we were all coo-ing over the girls.

Alex in the red on the left, Myles in the center and Isaiah behind the stuffed animal on the right.
On my way home I realized how frosty things were and just had to take a few pictures of the frosty leaves and liked the definition of the frost on these rosebushes.

After being at home for a time between the girls group and a fun evening with a friend for an early birthday celebration I worked on Christmas cards....dun, dun, dun.

Then, Tera came and picked me up for a night out. It was so nice to know I was going out for the evening and didn't have to plan one minute of it. Tera planned the whole night.

First we went to one of my favorite all time restaurants- Deschutes Brewery---yummy gluten free buns for the amazing burgers and homemade gingerale=an amazing meal.

After dinner we went to Tea Chi Te for tea and walked the fun NW 23rd area of Portland to see the lights.

What a fabulous day and night spent with friends. Thanks, Tera for kicking off my birthday "season" the right way!

Birds on a Wire

2011-12-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

For some reason, birds on a wire fascinate me. I took these pictures a week ago or so. I like the color in the sky, and of course, the birds on the wire.

You can click on the photos to make them larger.

Miss Stephanie and Myles's Grand Adventure!

2011-12-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

I should have known when the day started out sunny, that it would indeed be a good day for a grand adventure. My friends Stasia and Dave have two darling kids. Myles will be three in February, and I had been thinking about "borrowing" him for part of a day and going on an adventure. Stasia had said that would be fine and once I came up with a plan we set it into play. So, today Myles and Miss Stephanie (how they refer to me) went on a grand adventure. We both had a blast!

I picked Myles up at 8:30ish and away we went. Myles loves Christmas trees so our first stop was going to be a REALLY big Christmas tree. The tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Look how small he looks at the base of that tree.

Smile, Myles!

Miss Stephanie and Myles at the base of the tree.
(I wish I could say my name the way he does-it's too stinkin' cute)

Looking at the tree from a higher perspective.

I love his expression in the picture. And, Sammy the cat joined us for our adventure also. You can see him in this picture.

In order to get to the tree we rode the Max train, which Myles loved. At each stop he would say, "go, go." He liked to be moving, not stopped.

On the way back to the car we had some apples as a snack.

And we smiled.

Walking back to the car Myles held on to a few poles and would spin around them. He can count at least up to 15...Stasia- when did that happen? And he said all of his numbers in order. He's growing up too fast.

The next stop was at my place of work for a potty break and to see the fish in the fish tank. Which he LOVED. I hadn't planned on staying long, but we were there for at least an hour. Maybe a little longer. Myles introduce Sammy the cat to almost everyone.

He checked out the fish.

He went spinning in Chaplain John's chair.

And, he even played catch with people using Sammy as the item thrown.

Eventually we got out of there. When Myles was first in my car he had asked if we could have a hamburger, fries and a shake. I told him it depending on which kind of shake he wanted. He stated that he wanted a chocolate shake, of which I approved of and therefore we went to Burgerville for a lunch of a cheeseburger, french fries and a CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE, which Myles was so excited about.

Look at that spread!

And, to top it all off, he got a balloon. It was green. He said green was his favorite color. Sweet!

After that, I delivered him home to his mom, who was missing him. He was wired. I apologized. He never did take a nap. But, we sure did have fun on our grand adventure!

A Peaceful Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T13:31:00.000-08:00

I had decided to spend Thanksgiving at home. In the peace and quiet of my home. It was marvelous. Every year I cook a turkey. This year it looked particularly nice and scrumptious.

Friday evening I headed down to Pioneer Courthouse Square to see the lighting of the tree. This year it is 75 feet tall and is beautiful.

Pre-lighting
with lots of people.

Santa and a few of his helpers to turn the lights on as the thousands of people on the square counted down.

Every year Pink Martini, a local group does a sing-along of holiday songs...Christmas and Hanukkah songs. This year held a special surprise. The Von Trapp Children, great grandchildren of Maria and Captain Von Trapp (the real life Von Trapps) joined us. Their voices were absolutely beautiful. I will hear them in concert, someday.

The lady in the middle, dressed in costume for a play called Ebenezer, has played Maria in a stage version of The Sound of Music.

And, the tree is lit!

And, I was there!

Lots of people are there!

On the way out...

It was a fun evening and a good way to start the Christmas season.

Merry Christmas!

Inside out, Upside down, Backwards & Sideways

2011-11-05T22:42:00.000-07:00

My friend, Linda and her family have a Harvest Party every year and theme it differently. Linda has invited me in the past but I was never able to make it. This year I was. And, the theme was inside out, upside down, backwards and sideways. The food theme was something to do with apples. So...I fed two birds with one stone (as my friend, Cindy the bird lover says) and I made "Inside Out Caramel Apples" AND they were yummy. Now, they didn't look like the ones in the picture, but they were just as delicious, I imagine. You see, I can't eat puff pastry, so instead of using puff pastry, I made a gluten free pie crust and used it. It didn't cut into nice strips like the puff pastry would have, but I still had leaves.

Pre-baked.

I made 8 of them. It took me four hours. I made two sets of pie crust (out of a bag from Bob's Red Mill) and homemade caramel sauce from scratch. I forget how long it takes to bake since I hardly ever do it anymore.
Pre-bake and post bake photos.

Doesn't that look amazing?!?! They were SO yummy. And, because it was a backwards themed party dessert came first. As it should anyway. My inside out caramel apples were a hit.

But, I don't have a single picture of the party, where there were soups, dips, appetizers all made from apples. There was a reading of the poem Backward Bill by Shel Silverstein was read and the game Apples to Apples was also played and lots of laughter filled the air.

Crazy Cat Lady

2011-10-31T21:44:00.000-07:00

I don't dress up for Halloween unless it is on a work day. Luckily, I've gotten off the last couple of years. This year, however, no such luck. Last year one of our nurse's had told me that her granddaughter was a crazy cat lady for Halloween and they sewed stuffed animal cats all over a bathrobe of hers and did her hair realy crazy. I had told her I was stealing the idea...and I did, this year.

I got a short bathrobe so I wouldn't die of heat and went to like a billion Goodwills and other thrift stores (really, it was only like 13, but still way too many) to find a decent amount of stuffed animal cats. I got dollar store foam rollers and put a few in my hair and teased out the rest...

I feared that I would be combing my hair out for hours, but I didn't have to spend long on it.

Every year Jack-o-lantern (Jack for short) gets made. The co-worker who used to make him every year left and has moved back east, so this year my friend Jenny from work made him. Every year I introduce him to participants as my boyfriend, Jack. They get a kick out of it. He is just around for about a month. and then gets dismantled for another year. He is also dressed differently every year. This year Jenny put a heart on him that said "Stephanie and Jack." We just had to get a few pictures.

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!!

"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord..." Psalm 127:3 (NASB)

2011-10-30T21:18:00.000-07:00

You saw a few posts ago that my friends Stasia and Dave and their son Myles had a new little one added to their family. Baby Josie was Baptized in the name of Jesus Christ this morning. I am one of her Baptismal Sponsors (aka sort of like a Godmother-which is how I refer to is when asked or when I am telling someone).

In honor of Josie's baptism I gifted her this cross that reads, "May the Lord bless you and keep you; May His face shine upon you." Numbers 6:24. Along with this cute block version of a piggy bank that reads, "Little Miracle, Big Blessing." Psalm 127:3.

Josie's grandparents (Stasia's parents) got this cake for the celebration and potluck after the church service.
After a few pictures with Josie laying next to the cake she stuck her fingers in the frosting and proceeded to get it all over her face...too cute. You can see Myles and Grandma Janice in the background.

Josie sleeping in my arms before the service.

We arrived early for pictures and this is Josie and me at the Baptismal Table.

During the baptism. Big brother looking on in curiosity.

All bundled up in the pew. I'm pretty sure she slept through the whole ordeal...water on the head and all! Actually, she may have awaken ever so slightly during that part.

Isn't she a precious child of God?!

Keeping Portland Weird

2011-10-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

About a year ago I shared this. This year I am sharing this...

Unicorn hood ornament....awesome!

Soccerball kicking leg attached to a house...crazy decore!

Keep it up, Portland!

What constitutes a Giant Pumpkin?!

2011-10-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

Apparently, one that weighs 1,431.5 pounds.

After wanting to go for a few years, I finally made it to the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta. It was a blast and I will go again.

I didn't know what to expect at all, and when I arrived there were all these huge pumpkins on display. They were amazing!

In order to move the pumpkins they needed to rig them up with this rope system and use a forklift to manuver them.
After seeing a few of them being weighed I got to see the biggest being weighed that was there that day. It weighed in at 1431.5 pounds...that. is. One. BIG. pumpkin. Wow. The guy standing with it is the grower. His name is Steve. He was pretty proud.

This pumpkin was also grown by Steve and had been at a competition in Half Moon Bay, CA. It had bottomed out, cracked and the "pumpkin juice" running down the sidewalk was sort of interesting.

After the weighing of the pumpkins they put them in this pond, at the Tualatin Commons, and prepared them for the regatta.

This is the moving of the biggest pumpkin to the pond.

Lowering the pumpkin...

Even in water, it must be difficult to push a pumpkin that heavy...

Look at all those pumpkins!

In black and white...

Smile!

I loved the suit that the guy in yellow wore...it said "Seed Extractor" on the back. Sweet!

By the way....I heard some people talked about buying those seeds...I thought to myself, "gee, I wonder how much a seed from a giant pumpkin would cost?" That was then answered by someone behind me, who must have read my mind. A mere $100. Yes you saw that right - 100 big ones for a seed, a pumpkin seed.

Trying to flip the pumpkin so that the flat part would be on top for carving an opening purposes. It took a bit of heaving and hoeing to get it.

Got it! Every once in a while there would be a stray pumpkin and there were these weird this remote controlled boats that would push them back into place.

Making the first cut.

Check out the inch depth of the hunk of pumpkin that is being held. That one piece alone would probably make a whole pumpkin pie.

Digging deep to get all the guts.

Taking away a precious bag of spendy pumpkin seeds.

Don't fall in!

A cute dog in one of the canoes in the pond.

Testing out the pumpkins. Making any last minute modifications.

After having added some fun last minute details.

Getting ready to head towards the start line.

At the start line.

go, Go, GO!

After paddeling down around the pond they were on the homestretch!

One of the pumpkins was a dud and the guy fell out....he swam, while pushing his pumpkin at least half of the race back to the start/finish line.

There were four different heats of races. The next was a relay. It as a competition between the Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Department and the Portland Office of the Army Corp of Engineers.

The third heat had to do with people fetching balls that were tossed into the pond by the audience. Racers had to fetch as many as they could and the balls had different point values based on color. The picture below is of the Mayor of Tualatin competing. There was another heat, which I decided not to stay for, but the event overall was a lot of fun. I have been to many fall festivals and events and this was probably one of my favorites. And, like I said, I will go back again another year!

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero." ~Marc Brown

2011-10-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

This little (but big) one...

is now the big brother to this little one...
Isn't she precious!

Stasia and David welcomed Josie into the world yesterday (10/15/11), while I watched after big brother.

I was so blessed to have the time I did with Myles and he was so excited to meet his new baby sister!
He was so excited to hold her, too!

As was I!

Such an adorable family!!

PS: I'm lucky that I get to be Josie's Godmother! Stay tuned for some possible Baptism pictures!

"It is important from time to time to slow down, to go away by yourself, and simply Be." ~Eileen Caddy

2011-10-10T20:39:00.000-07:00

After the hub-bub of all the wedding excitement, I retreated to a condo at Snoqualmie Pass, WA. A BEAUTIFUL area. This place was gifted to me for the weekend by my friend and co-worker John via his parents, who own the condo. I had never been to this area of Washington. Now I know I will return.

I had decided to take Ezme with me as a travel companion. She has always done well in the car, but she's never gone on any sort of a lengthy trip...here, we had 3.5 to 4 hours in the car...just one way. She did fabulously. Thank. Goodness. Really. I don't know what I would have done if the trip up had gone badly. I decided I wanted to make the most of my long weekend (I had taken Monday off) and left Friday night. I had planned to leave about 7...wrong...more like 8:15 after loading my car, grocery shopping, etc. But, at least I completely missed any traffic. Too bad I had all the rain AND dark roads at a late hour to deal with. But, alas at about midnight, I rolled in. And then spent a fair amount of time unloading my car. I can't even remember how many times in the last month I've loaded/unloaded/re-loaded/unloaded my car and then did it all over again. Same goes with the number of beds I've made/slept in/unmade. Shesh. Let's stay home for a while after this trip, please?!

Here is Ezme, in the back seat sleeping on the way up. Forgive the uncenteredness--it was taken over my shoulder. In the dark. On I-5....Don't tell my parents.

Shortly after arriving, in the pitch dark, mind you, I went to bed. Only after making the aforementioned bed (the 4th different bed I've slept in during the last 2 weeks)! I really had no idea what was out beyond the edge of where the light stretched into the dark of the night. No idea what was beyond the balcony.

In the morning I awoke, excited to see my view. Though, I couldn't see a whole lot more because of the fog. But, I do love fog and foggy mornings so I loved it! This was my first view...actually a little eerie.

I settled in with a cup of tea and waited for the fog to lift. Shortly, the view above turned into the view below.

There was hope for a beautiful sunny day!! John had talked about having pictures that his brother took from the hill (read small mountain) behind the condo but he hadn't been able to find them. My mission for myself was to get some more for him...and of course for me. You see, this is a big ski area and the lifts were right behind the condo to whisk people up to the top to ski down. Some day it would be fun to be there in the winter...when I don't have to drive and can enjoy looking at the snow from the warm condo! :) So much for being much of a snow lover.

As I trekked up the hill the fog and clouds were still lifting. Made for some beautiful and again, eerie, pictures. Edelweiss Chalet condo from mid-way up the hill.

A little higher up the hill.

I was so impressed by all the miniature vegetation on the hill. Rough climate to live in. Reminds me of what I would think a tundra would look like.

Indian Paintbrush, reminding my of my homestate. Ski lift in background.

Tiny daisy.

Ski lift in black and white~

Beauty~~

I could get used to this view!! I was enamoured with the mountains, rock faces, God's majestic creation in this area.

Fluffy clouds!

Me with beauty behind me!

Butterfly~

Coming back down. After being soaked up to the knee with fog turned dew remnants on the grasses.

Can you see my car? ...It was only one of about 3 there (sometimes only one of two).

The "hill" that I climbed. Invigorating.

I had aken a bottle of wine to open and have a glass for dinner. The wine I picked out was called Edelweiss. I thought is was fun, since I was staying at the Edelweiss. I never even opened it. I forgot a wine corker and didn't feel the need to buy one. So, I just took pictures of the wine with the view behind. Who knows, maybe if I stay at the condo again I can take the same bottle of wine with me, that is the rate that I drink wine at... :)

Ezme loved checking things out on the balcony. And, over the edge of the balcony, through the cut outs.

After my stroll up the hill, down the hill and taking a shower and getting ready for the day, I ventured out for Leavenworth WA. A cute little Bavarian inspired town. I had always wanted to go to Leavenworth, but it's a bit of a drive from Portland. Not as much of a drive from Snoqualmie Pass. Yay!!

On the drive over and up, I drove through the mountains and then all of a sudden found myself in this valley. I have no idea what it's called, but I call it Hidden Valley, and only for the sheer reason that there was a street sign for a street named Hidden Valley Lane or something to that effect.

There were some beautiful fall colors through the passes. Love Aspen yellow, backed by pine (or douglas or evergreen) green.

And then, I arrive in Leavenworth. The sign is just the beginning of the quaintness of the cute town.

The surrounding mountains. Leavenworth is located in Cashmere Valley.

I can't even describe my delight when I realized that this town is not just a sad attempt at Bavarian-ness. It is truely Bavarian-esque at its core.

I inadvertently was coming into Leavenworth during their annual Oktoberfest. I wouldn't have even though about it, except that one of my co-workers had mentioned it. And, there were lots of people. A popular event!

The tall building below is the Kris Kringle shop...Christmas year round! It was intense, too!

Notice the guy with fire and a clown nose. (Yes, I wish that was a sentence I could say on a regular basis) He had this torch and would put gas (crazy) in his mouth. Okay, maybe it wasn't gas, but it sure as heck was flammable and then he'd spit the liquid and this ball o'fire would come out. The audience was in awe.

Great ball of Fire~~

Crazy, I say!

After the street show, I headed into the shops to look around. There was this "Made in Russia" shop with SO MANY nesting dolls. Someday, I will buy some. But not this day.

So many wonderful colors!

On to an antique shop...with wine tasting. Who would have thought to have tasting rooms (yes, there were like 3 or 4) in an antique shop. There are two alone in the picture below.

Back outside. Since I can't drink beer, I didn't want to pay to go into the official Oktoberfest area. There was plenty to see outside of the secure area, so away I went. This building was behind the fence, but I couldn't not take a picture! All the buildings were beautifully painted. I was in awe and took a ton of pictures (not all are posted here--you can thank me later)!

Beautiful area, beautiful day!

This building was cute! The paintings are dipicting Aesop's fables. Great idea!

Right behind the flag you can see the fable of the Ant and the Grasshopper. Next to it the fable of the Crow and the Pitcher.

There were all sorts of people walking around with a string of pretzels!

More beautiful paintings!

One of the things I LOVE about this town is that all of the town is "in character." It isn't just part of it. I'm sure that there are some Rule or even Laws about signage, both style and height, but I love the quaintness it all creates. I took some pictures of signs that don't appear as their more modern and recognizable symbols and trademarks.

Exhibit #1: Starbucks. Not your typical Starbucks sign.

I LOVED the fall colors. No wonder this is my favorite season!

There are even these trees (I don't know what kind they are) but their leaves amaze me every year. They almost seem translucent when they are changing. Pictures don't portray this so well, but the colors are still wonderful!

Wells Fargo!

Met with Bavarian Village behind me! I WILL go back here! I will! Maybe for their Christmas Light Festival some year!

All the street names had German names also...Strasse!!

Fun times!

From higher up!

76 Gas Station! Yes, $3.99 for regular. That's when gas was $3.44 ish in Portland the night before.

McDonald's!

Safeway comparisons!

Goodbye beautiful and fun Leavenworth and Cashmere Valley. I will return to you soon! I hope!

Whilst I was gallivanting around central Washington, my travel companion was holding down the fort, or rather, holding down the bed, back at the condo!

I made dinner and hung out. "Planned" the day for Sunday. I knew alredy what was on the docket, but mapped things out. John's dad had died while I was preparing for Danielle's wedding, and the memorial service was in Bellevue on Sunday. Since I was so close, I had decided, without telling him, that I was going to go. On the way I was going to stop and see Snoqualmie Falls!

Foggy morning, again!

The falls were barely visible because of fog and mist from the falls.

On the left, behind the tree you can sort of make out the Salish Lodge.

I loved that there were these words in the cement steps and walkways. Verbs about the falls.

My favorite set...

Felled tree at the top of the falls.

Snoqualmie Falls is taller than Niagra Falls and houses power plants (2) under the falls. After my first views of the misty falls, I left and came back a bit later after killing some time in the neighboring towns of North Bend and Snoqualmie and the fog had lifted and mist settled a bit. I could then see the falls more clearly!

Not the greatest picture, but it'll do~ Proof I was there!

Salish Lodge and fall colors!

More mist when I stopped on the way back to the condo for the night!

I enjoyed my time away, though I must say, it was a little too quiet. I was itching to get home when I woke up Monday. I packed and once again loaded my car and took a few last pictures!

My travel companion and me!

Ezme looking out the window saying goodbye! She hadn't seen this view since we arrived in the dark three nights before!

Goodbye, Edelweiss, until we meet again!

~~The End~~

Oh, wait...the post script~ Ezme on the drive home, hangin' out in the back window. Good thing I didn't have to slam on the brakes with the Seattle traffic at all, she would have come flying. :)

Cute wedding video

2011-10-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

If you want to see a cute wedding video click on this link: http://vimeo.com/30472504.

With Weddings Come Showers and Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

2011-10-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

I realized after doing the wedding blog, that there were other wedding events that I didn't blog about yet...here is a view...

Danielle had two showers, one in August for friends of the family and then one in September a week before the wedding for friends. We decided that the one I would coordinate would happen in September so that Alexis could be there.

Shower number one was an "Around the Clock" Shower and we all were assigned a time of day and given the mission to give a gift that pertained to that time...

I think that my time was 7pm...I went for dessert stuff.
The shower I coordinated in September had more friends of the bride and groom, than family and family friends.

We had it at Danielle's mom's house in Salem and I made yummy, mini, crustless quiches. A few different kinds.

We also had lots of other yummy foods and mimosas to boot!

We played a few low key games and then came the gift opening.

Danielle and her mom, Vivian. Color coordinated and all, and even unplanned!

Alexis, Danielle and me!After the shower and clean-up, Alexis and I rushed off to go do the grocery shopping for the Mexican dinner we were having at the beach for a combined Bachelor/Bachelorette Party with lots of folks. We then headed to Neskowin, the location of Alexis' family beach house. Gorgeous house it is, too!

After a drink and a little bit of catch-up, we headed to Lincoln City to go to Aunt Mary's, the bar/"adult" shop that I'd been to for Jamie's Bachelorette Party earlier in the summer. It was a hit.

Danielle and Garret with large "shots."

The girls at the second bar we went too.

After that we headed back to the beach house to make and eat dinner. The guys also wanted to watch the Ducks game. Everyone pitched in and helped with dinner and we were eating in no time!

Danielle and me~

Katie and Danielle~

Watching the game around the table. Before long all the guys were at the bar talking and the girls were all sitting at the table watching the game...how'd that happen?!

Henry came to the rescue when neither can opener would work and knifed his way into the cans! Go, Henry!! He also supplied all the margarita goodness to go with the mexican theme!

Jenga~~

Alexis, Valerie and Kyle. Michael, Katie and Danielle

Danielle fell asleep on Henry's lap when he was rocking in the recliner!

There were some courageous souls who braved the wee morning hours and went to bed at 6am. This was the view of the kitchen/dining area at 8am when I got up. Any partying happen here?! I'd say so!

I decided that I'd go walk the beach before everyone got up. This is the view of the amazing beach house! It was glorious!

The beach!

While I was walking on the beach it started pouring. The rock looks foggy, but that is the rain coming down. I was drenched in minutes.

All-in-all it was a glorious, busy weekend full of loading and unloading my car, full of friends and fun adventures!

Danielle and Garret get hitched!

2011-10-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

One of my dearest friends, Danielle, married her long time boyfriend and soul-mate, Garret. The wedding was in Salem at the 4H Retreat Center on Saturday, October 1, 2011. It was beautiful.

The plan was to have the ceremony on a dock pond-side. The weather forecast wasn't in agreement to these outdoor plans, but rehearse away we did on Friday evening.

Here comes the bride...

Officiant Fred, Garret, Best Man Henry, Grooms"man" Sierra.
The retreat center was gorgeous, and they had gorgeous neighbors in the form of an orchard.

Decorating with curly willow, mums, and lighted branches. Eric, Garret's sister is working away with Danielle.

Curly willow decorating: DONE! :)

After lots of hours decorating, rehearsing, and more little tasks we went back to Danielle and Garret's to finish things up. Before going to bed I had to take a picture of Dr. Jones, their cat...this is how I felt...

Wedding Day!

Danielle was doing dishes on her wedding day morning. I wonder how many brides can say that? Then she folded laundry. She makes me smile :)

We headed out for manicures and pedicures...

Sierra, Mom-of-the-Bride Vivian, Bridesmaid Alexis

...and then to get our hair done.

At the retreat center we got dressed and makeup on.

I loved my hair!

It took three of us to lace Danielle up in her dress. I stepped back to get this picture of she and her mom.

After not much food, the bride was hungry. And, she didn't spill!

Sierra and Alexis signing the "guest book" (leaves that were signed and then will be placed in the tree in the frame behind Alexis).

Pictures and wedding favors of spring flower bulbs.

Reception hall all set up.

Lanterned walkway.

Canoe full of ice, water, beer!

Family picture time.

The following photos were taken by Megan M Jones.

Head table at the reception.

Bridal Party! One of the docks we stood on was sinking, slowly and we had to stagger ourselves so we wouldn't sink it. This was not that dock...though I'd like to see those pictures.

Alexis, me, Danielle, Garret, Henry and Sierra. We were a good looking group and a fun group. I was so glad I got to meet Alexis and Sierra with all the wedding events. They are all great people!

Yep...the rain had started by this time. You can see the drops in the pond surface.

Back to dry "ground." Alexis and I got to be good friends. She lives in Phoenix, so a large majority of Bridal Shower and Bachelor/Bachelorette Party Planning happened over long phone calls. Then we had lots of in the car travel time to and from the beach for the Bachelor/Bachelorette Party to get to know each other better.

The three girls all in black with our green scarves!

Beautiful Bride and Maid of Honor. And, I was very honored to be in this place.

Danielle was peeking out the window! And the rain kept coming. It was looking like Plan B would become reality.

LOVE her shoes! The ceremony...Fred and the Groom, anxiously awaiting!

Another of Megan's photos...I love this one!

The kiss...

Mr and Mrs!

My bouquet!

Sierra with G's tie on!

The first dance!

Henry dancing with Avery, one of Garret's nieces! They stole the show!

The cake and cupcakes!

Love this picture of Sierra once she had put on her "fancy schmancy saurus" tee shirt on.

dancing and decorations.

Cake cutting. They were nice.

"Get away" car! Henry decided to put "About time" on it...6+ years in the making.

Bye~

Signing of the Marriage Certificate.

After the reception I was taking things down to a cabin that some of us were staying in and almost stepped on this huge slug. Almost as big as my foot!

The reception hall the next morning.

The pond the day after all the rain.

The truck bed filled with empty bottles--it was a party, indeed!

Clean-up time.

It was quite the month leading up to the wedding and it was quite the weekend and when all was said and done I had no concept of time or day, but had seen one of my dearest friends married and made new friends. It was a great celebration!

It's acting up again...

2011-09-17T13:47:00.001-07:00

...my wanderlust, that is...how many of these and these (well for that matter, all of these) do you think I can see in my lifetime?!~ I better get started...

(see decent sized map at: http://www.terragalleria.com/parks/info/parks-map.gif)

Remembering....10 years later.

2011-09-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how time moves. At times, so fast, at times so slow. Ten years later I still remember. At times it seems like an eternity ago, at times, like it was yesterday. At the time of the 8 year anniversary of a day that changed our world, I wrote this. Today, I re-read it. Today, I remember. Today, I find it difficult to watch the still horrifying scenes of that day. But, today, I still find the unity of our country that bubbled to the surface that day and in the weeks to come, amazing. I still find the heros of that day and of the years to follow truly remarkable. Today, my brother is there. He is at Ground Zero. Working and Remembering and I am sure he is being moved more that he ever thought imaginable. Today, I watch the memorial services from NYC, DC and Pennsylvania. I will never forget.

Photo taken by Frank Culbertson from the International Space Station on 9/11/01.

Nine.Ten.Eleven (Ceremony)

2011-09-10T23:58:00.000-07:00

Today, my friend Jamie married her soul mate, Alex. They met in school and went to a few dances together and hung out. After graduation they parted ways and then reconnected and now are husband and wife. Jamie is part of one of my girls groups. The Concordia 4. We would get together once a month, or at least that was our goal, and in most cases we were successful. Sadly, one of our Concordia 4 left for a job in Alaska before Jamie and Alex got married. I took lots of pictures so that Rose could see the events of the day. There are two posts, one with the ceremony, one with the fun of the reception. Forgive the blurry pictures...I was taking them without a flash to prevent being a total nusance.

Jamie and Alex got married in The Old Church in Downtown Portland. Beautiful organ. It was also beautifully hot. (Rose you wouldv'e melted). After seeing how warm the church would be at teh rehearsal, Alex's mom got ahold of a bunch of hand held fans that we all could fan ourselves with, and have a momento to boot.

Flower Girls (nieces of the Bride)
Awaiting the beautiful Bride.

Dad walking daughter down the aisle.

Mom and Dad giving the Bride to the Groom.

The message.

The vows.

The Kiss.

The Mr. and Mrs.

Coming out of the church.

Such a beautiful ceremony joining two beautiful people. See the next blog for the reception!

Nine.Ten.Eleven (Reception)

2011-09-10T23:52:00.000-07:00

After such a beautiful ceremony, we headed to Jamie's Mom and Step-Dad's home for a reception in their gorgeous backyard.

The cake/cupcakes!

Bride looking at the yumminess~

Such a pretty Bride!

The set-up in the yard (part of it, anyway)!

The adorable table favors~~

Rachel and Jo~ Wedding Coordinators extra-ordinaire~

Me and Rachel~~

The food. There was lots of yummy food.

Centerpieces in black and white~

Bride checking in with the kids.

The girls (the Concordia 4 minus Rose who is in Alaska, but was there in spirit)!

I {love} this picture! (And, because of camera difficulties, I can't even tell you how long Jamie's lips were making contact with my cheek, HA! I love these girls)

The cake/cupcakes (from the air conditioned house) with the guests in the background. Outside. In the heat.

The cutting of the cake.

The feeding of the cake. Alex was so gentle--no cake smashing!

I thought Jamie would be the one to worry about, but she was perfectly lady-like.

I love her face in this one...she is saying that the cake is really good!

Champagne toast from the Bride~

Bouquet toss.It caught some air!

And, big sister, Alicia caught some flowers~

Garter time...

Sling shot version.

Time to dance~

Sisters Anna, Alicia and Jamie getting down.

First dance and little ones looking on.

Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dance

Alicia, Keri, Mishka

Rachel and Zach snuck away and found comfortable chairs!

Pictures of the dress.

Dance Party time.

She shed these shoes early on. Cute pink, flats.

After a bit of a wardrobe change.

Sisters singing horribly off key to Jamie and Alex.

Time for flip cup. What a fascinating game and highly entertaining to watch.

Keri rocking Zach's hat.

More flip cup. It's all in the defense, ya know?!

Rachel flip cupping.

Embraces. Jamie's always been a good hugger.

Groom, Me, Bride.

Alicia, bridesmaid and Alex.

What a fabulous party celebrating a fun couple! To many, many happy years Jamie and Alex!

Mt Hood lost behind smoke at Lost Lake

2011-09-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

Lost Lake is a hike that I've had tabbed as "to-do" in my favorite hiking book for a long time. I finally decided to suck up the drive (which is what had been holding me back, pathetically) and go. I got up (sort of) early and packed a lunch and headed out. I have written before of my love of Mt Hood and I was so looking forward to the amazing views I would see.

The drive through the gorge was beautiful.

The view of Mt Adams was wonderful.

I arrived at Lost Lake, paid my fee and got parked. I made my way over to the lake, anxiously awaiting my wonderful view, and this is what I saw....humph...

I decided, even with no view, I was going to still enjoy my time in a beautiful setting.

The above is what I saw, the below is what I had hoped to see...there'll be another time.

Me with the lake and smoke behind me.
From this view, you'd never know there was a fire and so much smoke.

The light making it to the ground looked orange at this point, filtered through the smoky sky. In some areas it was red.

This isn't the most flattering photo, but it gives you an idea of the coloring.

Pretty ominous looking~

There were some pretty massive root systems on fallen trees...Me with the root system to give size comparison...

Pictures don't even do it justice...really.

I was in awe of the color of the water due to the reflection.

Almost as dark as night under there.

My feet in the water that was so clear. Smoke ahead.

The sun behind the smoke.

As I went along on my hike the smoke encroached more and more. By the time I left it was starting to settle in the area. Shortly after I got home, after my detour and nice drive to get home, I saw on Facebook that the resort and campground had been evacuated and closed due to the smoke. I was thankful I got out when I did and didn't have the evacuating people (there were lots of them) and chaos to deal with.

I made my way away from Lost Lake and headed towards Parkdale. I had planned to return to PDX via Lolo Pass Rd, which would have taken me very near the fire. I feared that they may have closed the road, so I went for a much longer drive to Hwy 35 to Hwy 26 and stopped at Timberline Lodge.

This is the view from near Parkdale.

Coming up on Mt Hood from the south you can see all the smoke.

View from Timberline Lodge (parking lot).

Mt Hood!

Above you can see Mt Jefferson and the smoke from a wildfire burning there, also.

Mountain Lupine, so pretty...

Me with a grand mountain behind me.

The Pacific Crest Trail passes Mt Hood at Timberline. This is a trail known well by area hikers. It runs from Canada down through WA, OR, CA to Mexico.

Instead of walking the 550 miles to Canada, I walked 550 ft toward Mexico, so I could say that I've at least been on the PCT. This is the view towards Canada...

What a view...

All-in-all, I didn't get the view that I had planned on, but I still got a view, and have pictures and a story to tell about the Dollar Lake Fire. A good day, I'd say.

"The Dahlias were blooming in the ground as if they were welcoming her." ~Love Happens

2011-08-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

I love flowers, of any kind. In the last few years I have come to love Dahlias. I've realized that I am not a fan of the old fashioned pom pom dahlias. I love the colorful, fireburst looking dahlia. The varigated colors are phenomenal. Someday, I will have lots of these beautiful flowers in my yard. Someday....In the meantime, I will enjoy them at the Swan Island Dahlia Festival. And, I will daydream about the ones I will pick out to plant in my yard.

**warning:lots of flowers to come**

Rows upon rows...

I was amazed by the size of this one...

There is a pond that has HUGE Koi!!

They have a Ponderosa Lemon Tree with HUGE lemons...You can see one of the lemons behind some of the leaves below and just to the left of the sign.

In the display of cut dahlias, they also use the lemons. Each lemon was about the size of a large grapefruit/small cantalope.

I love the dahlia called Jitterbug. It is used in the display below with the purple dahlia.

Displays....

I couldn't go and see all the beautiful flowers and not take some home, right?! This is the bouquet that I bought.

Pretty, huh?! Now, wouldn't you want some in your yard, too?!

Joining the deer for dinner

2011-08-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

I'd never been to Oxbow Park, until today, that is. I joined my friend, Linda and her husband (Larry) and daughter (Connie) for a delightful picnic dinner in the park. We roasted hot dogs, ate yummy salads, cookies and of course roasted marshmallows. It was one of the hottest days Portland has experienced this summer and the park was cool and a tranquil place to spend the evening hours. Just as we were talking about packing up dinner stuff, along comes a deer to enjoy her dinner in our company...even though we were in her territory.

Linda, grill, deer, Connie. The deer was so close and crunching away on leaves.

Packing up the goods...

Thanks, Linda, Larry & Connie for the invite to a lovely evening!

Perfect Summer Evening

2011-08-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

I love Portland, especially in the summer months when there are loads of events to attend. There are festivals, concerts in the parks and outdoor movies. Last night, Tera and I ventured out to a park for a Portland Parks and Rec sponsored movie night. We were seeing "Back to the Future" and went with picnic dinner in hand. We were celebrating Tera's birthday a few days early, and it was glorious.

Does she look tired?! The movie hadn't even started yet. That watermelon was amazing though!

We had dessert, also. My g/f snickerdoodle cookie was pretty amazing, too!
Us with the screen behind us before the movie started.

Thanks Portland, for the enjoyable experience! We had a blast and will be back!

Beach Weekend Bachelorette Party (& Bridal Shower)

2011-08-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

Jamie is a friend of mine from college. I see her monthly with my Girls Group. She is marrying Alex this late summer/early fall and so there have been wedding events scattered through the summer-Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party to be specific.

Jamie on her Bridal Shower Day~ (7/30/11)

The weekend of August 12-14 was her Bachelorette Party at Lincoln City. I went over Saturday rather than Friday, and joined in the festivities.

We hit up Aunt Mary's, an interesting little place. Described as "the vegetarian/adult novelty hangout in Lincoln City." This is the kind of place that truly does have a "back room." 'Nough said....

Shot time...

Smile!
~Cheers~

After Aunt Mary's we headed back to the house to get ready to go out for the night.

Jo assisting Rachel.

**Note: If you are easily disgusted or very sensitive you can pass these next two pictures**

Fun-fetti Penis Cake

Post frosting...

**Alright, you can come back now if you passed the previous pictures.**

There were twelve of us who were at the beach house for the gathering. Saturday night was the night to go out to dinner and to a dance club (yes...I am quite the clubber--yeah, right, but you do what you do for friends)! Jamie wore red and the rest of us wore black...

Group Shot

Me and Elysia at the club, holding down the table. :) As much as the club is not my scene, I enjoyed my time and barely noticed that I was eating dinner at 10pm, or that I went to bed at about 1:45am.

Sunday morning I got up before most of the others and went for a walk on the beach. I can't go to the coast and not walk on the beach. It was a beautiful, sunny morning!

I found all sorts of fun stuff on the beach...

hollowed out logs...

a star fish amputee...

and some pretty cool ripples in the sand.

What a nice view.

It was a fun, and actually, very relaxing quick weekend away. Looking forward to the wedding day now, Jamie!

"Every goodbye makes the next hello closer." ~Anonymous

2011-08-08T21:56:00.000-07:00

There are some friends that you don't want to say goodbye too. And sometimes, if you are like me, you can just pretend that they are on "vacation." My friend Rose and her husband, also friend, Lee just moved up to the wilds of Alaska. Rose graduated in June with a Masters in Teaching degree and in order to be able to work (since Oregon schools are downsizing) she took a teaching job in Pilot Station, AK, truly the wilds of Alaska. Before they left we (our core group of friends) congregated as often as we could. There were movie nights, parties, a bridal shower and lots of laughs at all those events. In a short few months Rose and Lee will be back for the Christmas holiday and I will get to say hello to them again.

Rose and Lee in Anchorage (I hijacked this picture off Facebook)!

Rose and Lee sang Pray For Me during the last church service they were here for.
After the service and the bustle of people who love Rose and Lee departed, there were a few of us who hung out for a bit longer. Jen and Daren (and Oscar) came down from Seattle and it was so fun to catch up with them and spend time with everyone that was there.

Daren and Zach had a great time with the doll and this toy...pink spiky hair, or swim cap, or...

Rose and Lee, good luck and many blessings to you in your Alaskan adventures. It will be great to say hello to you again soon!

"You ought to have seen what I saw on my way...

2011-08-07T19:45:00.000-07:00

...To the village, through Mortenson's pasture to-day:
Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!
And all ripe together, not some of them green
And some of them ripe! You ought to have seen!" ...
~Robert Frost

I must admit that this poem extends from here, but bores me dearly. My blueberry picking time, however, didn't bore me. I've always wanted to go berry picking, and after being tipped off to a great blueberry farm by my friend, Diane, from work, off I went for an experience. It was a hot day, I was freshly sunburned, but oh-so-productive in my berry picking endeavor. There were lots of rows of bushes and I had no idea how to pick which row to pick on and settled it by selecting row 22....my favorite number. It was a good row to pick. I emerged from the bushes 6+lbs later. Unlike Mr. Frost's poem, there were still lots of green berries, but lots of ripe ones also.

Now...to bag and freeze some for the winter and crossing off of my to do before I die list!!

To Smooth the World's Edges...

2011-08-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am eternally behind this summer. I am behind in reading, writing, blogging, friending, out-of-doors-ing. I'm slacking on leisure time, saying no time and enjoying time. I'm becoming buried and it really is only just beginning. Don't get me wrong, there have definitely been high spots of the summer, but not consistently and not withstanding. I hope to catch-up on at least the blogging time in the near future as I have so much to show and tell of those high points, but in the meantime...enjoy...

What if we rolled our Rs instead of our eyes,
if we gazed at faces instead of screens?

What if we wore our listening ears always (no more taking them off only to put them back on),
if we popped off our sunglasses so our eyes could smile along?

What if we tore away at defenses one disarming compliment at at time,
if we stopped screaming "hurry!" and started whispering "wait"?

What if we stopped looking around for something else, someone else, and simply loved and let ourselves be fascinated by the something, the someone right in front of us?

What if we did all of this?

Wouldn't we together sand at least a few harsh edges off the world?

~courtesy of J.M.

Music in the Park

2011-07-30T22:35:00.000-07:00

There is no better way to end a warm, Portland summer day than playing Scrabble on an iPhone, laying in the grass and enjoying live music with a friend. All accompanied by an early dinner and the amazing Grilled Cheese Grill. Nice, Portland, nice. And thanks, Megan for such a nice evening out!

A Volcanic Visit with Dad

2011-07-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

My Dad decided to make a sort of spur of the moment trip out to Portland from Denver. And, by spur of the moment, I mean, about a two month warning. After figuring out scheduling issues, we settled on this past Tuesday evening through Monday morning. Then the planning of fun things to do began. We'd planned to go hike Smith Rock State Park, but after doing some reading of recommendations to not hike it in July, we put those plans on hold. Instead, we were going to head to Crater Lake as our "big" part of the trip. Dad arrived Tuesday evening at the end of my work day and on Wednesday morning we got up, loaded the lunch we'd packed the night before and hit the road. The game plan was to head to Crater Lake, spend some time there, eat lunch, site see, etc and then head north to Bend. A town neither of us had ever been too.

I'd only been to Crater Lake one time and it was still very snow covered, so it was a treat to enter the North Entrance and be able to see the pumice field that was created thousands of years ago and still lays very desolate.

Even though it was more than half way through the month of July, there was still a lot of snow on the sides of the roads in some places. Notice the car coming towards us and how dwarfed it looks next to the snow.

More snow~

Mount Thielsen ~I loved this mountain. I was so in awe of it.

Dad's first glimpses of the phenomenal Crater Lake, which was once the majestic Mount Mazama. And, in all actuality, it is considered to be a caldera and no longer a crater.

Isn't it beautiful?!

Wizard Island in the middle of the lake~

Me and Dad!

If I remember correctly, the figures below are called fumaroles. Made by lava that had been coming up to the surface, fossilized and the ground around it eroded away leaving the lava exposed in these "spires."

It was nice and sunny for us!

Wizard Island. If you look at the "top" of the island you can see where the crater as this is a volcanic cone. If you look toward the bottom of the picture you can sort of see where the lava had been sliding down and is in an ark.

We stopped at lots of look outs along Rim Drive. Eventually we stopped for lunch and shared with this little guy. He's got a grape in his mouth. He also liked blueberries.

During the summer months you can hike down and take a boat to Wizard Island and hike it if you'd like. This is something that I would love to do, but they were still training on the day we were there, so it'll have to happen on another trip. In the picture below you can see the boat and they dock in that little bay of the island.

More snow...love the puckered look.

If you look closely in the exact center of this picture you can see the Phantom Ship.

I am still in awe about the colors of the water.

Dad and me from an outlook that is actually inside the caldera.

Peace on the snow.

Mount Thielsen from another vantage point!

We got to Bend for the evening and spent time wandering downtown and eating. In the morning we got up and headed toward Sisters. From there were made our way up to McKenzie Pass. On the drive up there were massive lava flows that age 2,600 years. It was like nothing else either of us have ever seen. Incredible. There were some areas where it seemed as though the lava flows were a hundred feet deep.

We stopped right at the pass, also the site of the Dee Wright Observatory. It is built completely out of the lava rocks that make up this desolate scenery.

It was so windy up there, but worth the trip and the stop.

A walking path among the lava flows.

You can see the little peak on the left side of the picture...that is Little Belknap Crater...one of the two sources of all this lava.

The peak offset to the right from the center of the below picture is Belknap Crater, the other source of the lava flows. If you look closely right under it and then to the left you can see two treed areas that the lava flowed around and created these secluded islands of still living vegetation.

The observatory~ See me in the "window"? Big windows!

Peace, Dad!

One of the views from inside the observatory. Two if the Sisters Mountains.

This points to all the peaks you can see from the top of the observatory.

The Pass sign! 5,325 Feet.

Us with the Sisters behind us. The people that took this picture of us had just taken a bike ride UP to the pass. They told us they do it every year....I would have died.

After visiting the Pass and Observatory we headed back to Sisters, got some goodies at a bakery that has gluten free treats and then headed back to Portland. On Friday we had planned to go to Mt St Helens, however,, it was very clouded in. Instead, we went to lunch at Deschutes Brewery, hit up Powell's book store, went to the International Rose Test Garden to enjoy the flowers and then on to another place, a surprise for Dad.

One of my favorites~~

One of Dad's favorites~~

A picture doesn't even do this place justice. The colors are amazing.

There are the most unusual squirrels at the Rose Garden...they are spotted.

The surprise, which I hadn't planned, it just worked out, was that I took Dad on the Portland Aerial Tram. The views are amazing!

The view and the tram.

I love Portland!

Since we didnm't make it to Mt St Helens on Friday, we decided to go Saturday. First, we went to the PSU Farmers Market. It was glorious, and busy, and full of good food and lots of people.

After the market we hit the road and headed north to see the last of the volcanoes we would see this trip. I still think it is so funny that we didn't actually plan to see so many volcanoes on purpose, it just happened that way. I realized when we were in Bend that that was going to be the case. It was worth it!

Mt St Helens!

As we are gradually getting closer~

The hillsides were covered in these gorgeous purple flowers, there is also some orange scattered in there. I loved them.

You can see the trees that were in the blast zone of the 1980 eruption, still in place.

The crater of St Helens and the desolate escape at its base.

I never would have known that there is a waterfall coming down off the mountain. It is called Loowit Falls. It is a 98 foot tall fall and in the picture below you can decipher it. What is seen is only 22 feet of it. Look for the falls on the right side of the picture, about a third of the way down. You can see a dark area with a white vertical stripe on the left side of the dark area. Apparently you can hike to the falls. What a rush that would be....maybe someday I will do it.

Just above the center of this picture you can see two large grey rocks...they were blasted from the base of the mountain to this location (approximately two miles from where they'd started from).

Such disaster a mountain can cause.

Gotta stop and say hi to Bigfoot!

A house that was built just before the eruption and was impacted and partially buried by the torrents of water, mud, etc that came down the mountain following the eruption.

On Sunday, our last day before Dad headed home, we went into the Columbia River Gorge for some milkshakes at Cascade Locks. We took the Historic Highway back and stopped at a few waterfalls.

Bridal Veil Falls below.

Dad's thing this time was the peace sign... :)

Dad loved the big rock you can see below. It looked so different depending on which side you looked at it from.

The view from Crowne Point.

Come Monday, I had to go back to work and Dad had to go back home. All in all we had a spectacular trip. We put over 1,000 miles on Dad's car, in our adventures here alone, plus his miles getting here and home. We saw so much and I was so glad he could come. Mom's visit up next...where shall we go then?!

Let the wedding season begin!

2011-07-16T23:51:00.000-07:00

I met Janelle probably 4 years ago. She was an MSW student intern at work and we co-led the most amazing group. I still long for those days and that group. Today, she married Chris and I was honored to be invited to the small, intimate wedding that took place (thankfully after all the morning rain we had) outdoors at McMenamin's Roadhouse. It was glorious!

Chairs set up before the wedding ceremony.

The Bride being walked down the isle!

The Vows.

The ring exchange.

The Mr. and Mrs.

The first dance.

The speech.

The cake (and cutting of).

The karaoke. Janelle and Chris are big time karaoke fans and that was the music/entertainment at the reception. It was great fun to watch!

The beautiful bride!

It was such a fun evening and beautiful wedding!

"Of all Flowers, me thinks a Rose is best." ~Shakespeare

2011-07-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

My girls group had intended on going to the zoo on such a nice Friday evening, however, the time the zoo closed was too early for us to spend any time there. We quickly came up with plan B, which was to go to the International Rose Test Garden. We sat in the ampitheatre to eat our dinner and then headed over for the roses.

Notice the spelling of flowers...

Lots of roses in bloom.

Portland from the hill.

Rachel and Rose traipsing through the garden.

Rose walking among the plaques of all the Rose Festival Queens.

There were plaques with Queen Rachel and Queen Stephanie....no Queen Rose or Queen Jamie... :( Plaque or not, we are all Queens...right?!?!

Rachel :)

Me~among the roses.

Jamie :)

We know how to have fun!

~Our group~

All-in-all, not being able to go to the zoo wasn't such a big deal. No matter where we are we can have fun and enjoy just getting to hang out. Another great evening in Portland and with friends goes down in the record book!

Dreaming....

2011-07-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

...of a Hawaiian get-away....

And, realizing that as much of a dream as it might be, it might also become reality. Fingers crossed.

:) :)

A 5 Mountain Day in Honor of the 4th of July

2011-07-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

In honor of the long holiday weekend and in honor of the promise from the weatherman for a clear and warm Independence Day, I decided to head towards Mt Hood. I have passed the parking area for the trailhead of Mirror Lake multiple times, but have never actually stopped. I went with intention today. There are always lots and Lots and LOTS of cars, so I decided I would get up at the crack of dawn (almost, about 40 minutes shy of when the sun actually rose, in other words, 6am, which is a whole hour earlier than I can pull myself out of bed on a day I have to go to work) and got in my car with lunch and water and camera ready for the trail. I was on the trail just before 8am. It was cold and the air was brisk and fresh. I had lots of layers on and even wore my gloves. It was worth it.

Trailhead above; felled logs below.
Because of the altitude, flowers that bloom in spring in PDX were just starting. Here you can see some Rhododendron blossoms just getting ready to pop.

Here are some that just popped!

Trillium abound...and they were gorgeous, some white, some pink, some purple.

First glimpses of Mt Hood once I got to Mirror Lake.

A poor attempt at getting me and Mt Hood in the picture...not great lighting.

Mt Hood reflected in Mirror Lake.

My arms aren't long enough....apparently. :)

I hadn't necessarily planned on conitnuing to hike up Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain once I made it to Mirror Lake. I decided that I couldn't pass it up though. Once I got up past one of the switchbacks snow patches started appearing.

Lots of snow in July!

Once I arrived at the top of Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain I was in awe of the phenomenal view. It was what climbers here refer to as a 5 mountain kind of day. It was clear enough that you could see all 5 major mountain peaks in the area, Mt Hood, Mt Adams, Mt Rainier, Mt St Helen's and Mt Jefferson. I can't even describe how amazing it was to see each snow-capped peak in all the gorgeous sunshine placed almost strategically around the horizon tucked away in the folds of the hills and among the cloudless, aqua blue sky.

The first mountain I saw was Jefferson straight ahead...

Then I turned around and was greeted by Mt St Helen's...

....and then Rainier....

...and then Adams and Hood....

....I couldn't get enough of the mountains....look at those rolling hills leading up to Jefferson.

I settled up on a rock about 4 feet tall that had the most perfect little cranny that was just the right size for a person to curl up in and I basked in the sun with four peaks in my line of site and the fifth right behind me. I had taken a notebook and pen and wrote. I thought. I got sunburned and didn't even know it. I was thankful for such majesty and that I am privileged enough to see and appreciate the beauty. I also enjoyed my lunch among the silence.

These are two of the peaks (look like bumps) of Tom, Dick & Harry. The two that are not accessible are refuges for Peregrine Falcons.

Mt Hood with Mirror Lake below.

I love this picture....me staring at Mt Hood.

Blue sky, white snow-capped mountain, green trees, more green trees, SNOW, and my feet.

Shortly, lots of people started arriving and after about an hour and a half of amazing views, I headed down.

But, I got to enjoy more views on my way down.

All in all, it was a great hike. A great way to celebrate America's birthday. There are mixed reviews of the mileage...a few sources say 5.8 miles from the parking area to the lake, around the lake and then up to Tom, Dick & Harry. A few other sources say 6.8 and my pedometer-less legs couldn't guess if you made them, though my hips probably could.

I knew it was a smart move to get there early, I was one of four cars when I parked. By the time I got done with the hike (about 1pm) my car had been joined by about 40 others...

....they even wrapped around the curve of the highway....

...and I pulled out and went home!

I wasn't successful in napping in order to make it to firework time and like I told a friend of mine, I fell alseep right as the fireworks were starting because I am cool and old like that! Haha! :)

Hope you all had a great day celebrating the freedoms we have in this beautiful country and those that fight to keep it that way! Happy 4th of July!

July Poem of the Month

2011-07-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

i thank You God for most this amazing
by e.e. cummings

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth
day of life and love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any-lifted from the no
of all nothing-human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

nos·tal·gia...

2011-06-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

–noun
1. a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time: a nostalgia for his college days.
2. something that elicits or displays nostalgia.
(thank you Dictionary.com)

As of late, I have been nostalgic for my favorite childhood vacation destinations. I don't know if this comes because summer is finally among us, if it's because it has been months and months since seeing family, or if it is because I want to wistfully escape to a simpler time. A time where sunshine was everywhere. Where most meals were enjoyed on the back deck. Where band concerts, summer movies, 'backyard camping', ice cream runs, swimming lessons and bike riding sprinkled the days. A time where I couldn't see past the last few straggling summer days to the inevitable time when summer vacation would end.

These days, spring runs into summer, summer into fall, fall into winter, winter into summer, all without much notice, save the changing weather. It is amazing how nostalgic I can get over times past. Holidays, school vacations, running careless through the neighborhood. But this desire to return to place past, places that are part of my heart, my head, my being, places that were temporary in my life, but which contain some of the fondest memories from my childhood years. Places where I must say, I inadvertently left part of myself. Yes, this is powerful.

Some of my favorite places, places that I crave right now include; a trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota...I was in jr high...we went to Mount Rushmore, Bear Country USA, and stayed in Hill City, SD and ate a meal I am 100% my brother and I complained about before eating, but that I still tell people about now because it was so memorably great food at Alpine Inn. We also rode the Black Hills Steam Train and I loved the Needles Highway (when I wasn't sleeping, as I used to get horribly car sick)!

I crave Independence Rock, Fort Caspar and its Living History Days...both barely a stones throw from home. I yearn for parades, fairs and rodeos. Trips to the lake, to the mountain. Foggy morning walks through the woods, sunburns, lazy Thursday evenings at the City Band concert, running through the sprinkler on the hotest of days.

I crave Steamboat Springs, Golden, CO, Horsetooth Resevoir. I crave ice cream at Little America-Cheyenne (before the recent remodel)and the Denver Botanic Garden, Colorado National Speedway- dubbed in our time there as the fastest 3/8 mile paved oval this side of the Mississippi. I crave Water World and intertubes, the wave pool, lazy river, laughter.

I crave walking along the beach with my Mom, Uncle Ron, Josh-first on the West Coast at Carmel by the Sea, Pebble Beach, Montery, San Fran back in 2000 and then most recently on the East Coast in North Carolina, both at Christmas.

I crave eating ice cream as a meal in between places, because you are on vacation and that is what you do on vacation.

It is funny how some of my favorite memories, vacation or not, were the little things. Eating tacos on the front porch mid-way through a day of hard yardwork with Mom, going crawdad fishing with Josh and exploring all places wild with Dad. It isn't those "big" vacations to the Bahamas, Disney World that stand out first and foremost in my mind, grand and glorious as they were. I hope that I remember this when I have kids. I want to remember so I can give them the opportunities to have those fond memories of the little things. Simple things. Profound things. I want them to remember like I remember. I want them to be sentimental and sappy and nostalgic when they find themselves a half a country, a whole country away from those who they share those ties and those memories with.

I am feeling nostalgic. Sentimental. Ready to escape to my childhood.

What was your favorite vacation destination in childhood or not?!

Because...

2011-06-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

This is because you have no idea who you are.

This is because you talk too long and feel too much and say too little, and then decide to talk and feel and say a little more because it was too much. This is because you never quite understand the rules and cannot manage to get them clear in your head, let alone in your heart. This is because you try so hard, after you don’t try at all, and never seem to get that none of it was necessary, even from the beginning.

This is because you don’t have enough to do already. This is because you are always doing the things you are not supposed to do. This is because you forget how to feel. This is because you don’t know how to remember. This is because you cannot for one second let yourself be still.

This is because you cannot bear the uncertainty of mystery.
This is because you dream too little.
This is because you should have known better, or at least listened when you knew.
This is because you hate yourself for being difficult and incomprehensible.
This is because you need less sleep and more company.
This is because you always forget that it’s too soon in life to decide.
This is because you get it wrong, when all you wanted to do was get it right.
This is because you can’t make yourself fit in. This is because you don’t always care.

This is because I am exactly like you even when you think no one could possibly be. This is because this lost is what we all are. This is because none of us, after all this–thank God–somehow are not the only ones.

This is because even after all this
you must without question or hesitation
be absolutely seen and loved
just because.

And so must I.

~Courtesy of Jen Lemen

This is because...I appreciate aspects of this, not all, but parts, for sure. :)

Tea Time!

2011-06-13T22:17:00.000-07:00

I always feel better after leaving this group of girls. Even if we are missing one. One of my small groups met at Rose's for "Tea Time" and we had great fun, even though Jamie wasn't able to make it!

I made gluten free heart shaped shortbread cookies for the gathering!

Yumm!

Rose set-up the tea table and did a great job!

She also made g/f cucumber sandwiches (amazing), has g/f pretzels and g/f pecan sandies...I could eat everything that was there...it was glorious (not that I needed to eat it all though...)

This was Rose's first time to use her tea set and it was for a fun occassion.

Me, Rose, Rachel

Pinkies up~

I laughed, I cried because I laughed, I felt light after spending such a relaxing evening with such fun friends...too bad life will all be changing for our little group soon~ Rose is moving to the great white north~ Alaska in less than two months, so we are cherishing our remaining time together!

Today

2011-06-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

~ listening {to the dishwasher, dryer, birdsong, John Prine, Yiruma, David Crowder Band, Ben Folds, The Weepies, Laura Story, JJ Heller}
~ watching {the sun shine, the cat play, Scrubs in my spare time and still working on my Academy Award Best Picture winners}
~ dreaming {about travels}
~ writing {blogs, letters, care plans at work}
~ reading {just finished Water for Elephants, starting The Help; blogs, letters, Janet Evanovich}
~ hoping {for inspiration; for the best and then some}
~ crafting {crocheted afghans}
~ remembering {my trip to the beach last week}
~ contemplating {cutting my hair, the simple and complex--dinner menu, mopping floors; where I will be in one year, ten years}
~ anticipating {a potential visit from my Dad, summer hiking}
~ admiring {God's beautiful work in this world, my growing plants and flowers, the simplicity and complexity of life}
~ marveling {at the remarkableness of the human body; that warmth has been found in this place that has felt so cold for so long}
~ thankful {for everything}

First Hike of the Season

2011-06-04T20:36:00.001-07:00

After getting home late from Corvallis, I was ready to ease into Saturday. The challenge: I had also wanted to go hike a state park since it was free state parks day. As the morning wore on, I decided it was a little too late to go, parking would be a nightmare. Perfectly, I returned a call from Holly and she invited me to go hike with she, Brian and 1 1/2 year old Isaiah. I headed to their place a little later and away we went to Lewis River, Moulton Falls. It was hot, but the trail was nicely shaded.

Brian, Isaiah, Holly

We came upon some railroad tracks, which the boys had to check out.

Isaiah loves sticks, and drawing on the ground with them. Check out his curly hair!

We saw a profile of a horse head in this rock...see it?!

Looking down river.

Brian wanted to get to this bridge, so we did! The falls weren't impressive, apparently I never even took a picture of them.

Holly and Isaiah stayed up on the bridge while Brian and I went down to get pictures. See them just off center to the right in the picture.

The river was "refreshing" according to those swimming in it, but sunning on the rocks looked delightful...

Group picture near a small "fall," though not Moulton Falls.

Summer, I think, has finally arrived!

A Lesson in Oregon Geography

2011-06-03T23:58:00.000-07:00

The best way to get from Portland to Corvallis is via the Oregon Coast. Now, realize, I say this is the best way. It is however, not the quickest or the most direct way, but it is by far the best way. I had never been much further south on the coast than Tillamook, (which is not south in the slightest). I never really had a reason to go. Destinations shouldn't require a reason, other than the journey and experience, but it is my excuse nonetheless. I finally had a reason to go, so I went. It was glorious, and oh-so-worth it.

You see, a couple of weeks ago when I was in Corvallis visiting Tera, she mentioned her graduation from the School of Ministry that she has been going to for the last nine months. She mentioned to me the date, which was a Friday evening, which equated to my inability to attend. This was unfortunate, but not the end of the world, as I was getting to spend a good deal of time with her that weekend.

A few days after my return to work my coworker pointed out to me that I was off on June 3rd. The Friday of the graduation. I don't know what stirred me, in January, to request such an odd day off from work. That is not my general practice, but I am grateful that I did. It also, so happened, to be the best weather day of the year. Bonus!

Tera's graduation didn't begin until 7 p.m. So the question was, 'what to do with myself all day leading up to that time?' Solution--drive to the beach on the way. Crazy?! I think it was one of the most brilliant ideas I've had all month, especially considering it is so early in the month. So, after deciding on the plan, this is what the map leading me on my day away looked like....

Looks like fun, huh?!

When I was driving along I saw a sign for a covered bridge. If you don't know me, you don't understand my affinity for covered bridges, but I had to turn off the road and find the bridge. It was just a short distance from the main highway. The Drift Creek Covered Bridge.
Later in the day I passed the Chitwood Covered Bridge. It was right off the highway, there were lots of cars behind me, so I had to pass without stopping. I borrowed this picture from this site. Someday I will have to make an intentional stop.

I arrived at Lincoln City and looked for beach access. I can't say that I particularly love Lincoln City, at least not the parts I saw, besides the beach. I am used to the places I generally go. I did enjoy seeing a new place. I did enjoy the sand and the sun!

Proof of the sun AND that Iwas in it!

The sand was so warm (read hot) that my toes and feet got nice and pink. Besides the polish. Hard to tell in the pic.

This lighthouse was painted on the side of one of the buildings.

Sea grass in black and white.

Me in black and white.

There aren't many pictures of me that I like, but this would be one of them!

A ladybug landed on my windshield.

After taking off from the beach I stopped at the outlet shopping center. A trip to the beach mandates ice cream for lunch...it was tasty, especially in the hot weather. I then headed from Lincoln City toward Newport, I stopped at Cape Foulweather for some gorgeous views.

After getting to Newport I saw a sign for Yaquina Head Lighthouse. I pulled in, paid the fee and headed for my next adventure.

There it is!

Standing above this area the wind was so strong that if I faced right into it I couldn't breathe at all. The water was a beautiful color.

The lighthouse was opened in 1873 and is still an operational lighthouse.

Oil barrels.

Apparently, there is usually a line to get up the stairs to the lighthouse, but I lucked out and got to walk right up...a lot of steps.

One of the window views.

The lens...it was made in France and shipped over. Still the original.

There were two lightbulbs. The larger one on the right side was the primary bulb. It lasts about one year. When it burns out the smaller one starts working, sends a message to the coast guard and they come change out the main light. The bigger bulb costs $500.

You can see the light lit up.

Rainbows from the lenses.

114 steps to get to the top...

The view looking down.

There were thousands of birds covering the rocks off the head.

A simple, yet meaningful memorial.

Looking out across the ocean.

I walked down to Cobble Beach and hobbled among the cobbles. While I was at it I saw this cute little guy scampering across the rocks. He was only about the size of a quater with lots of little legs sticking out.

After the walk at the lighthouse and surrounding areas I spent at least 20 minutes combing out the tangles from my hair being so windblown. It was worth it, I think.

Egg shell...

I'm going to put in another post the video I took of the waves. There was this odd sound when the wave was receeding and I just couldn't get over it. The video wasn't happy in the post!

Hard to see, but seals sunning themselves on the rocks.

The lighthouse from Newport.

Flowers like the sun as much as I do.

After I said my goodbyes to the beach, the salty air, the peace I felt; I hopped back into the car and headed inland to Corvallis. I arrived, got something to eat, got changed and made my way to Tera's church. Her parents sat with me and we enjoyed chatting and watching the meaningful graduation ceremony. Tera had been one of two students chosen to address the audience and her classmates with a speech. She is an eloquent and beautiful speaker and I loved her speech.

"You are all on God’s track team. He set a race before you that must run in with endurance.

So make sure that you lay aside every weight that will slow you down in the race that God has given you. And make sure that you also cut off all sin because it will, if undealt with, easily entangle you and cause you to loose your footing.

While you run, fix your eyes on the one who ran His race with perfection, and let His humility and joy be your example and inspiration.

Use your unique running form that God has designed and do not slow yourself down by trying to match your teammates form, thinking that theirs might be better. And stay in your lane, knowing that there is no higher calling in life than God’s calling, and He is the one who put you in that lane.

When the race hurts at times, and you feel fatigued, take joy because this testing is producing greater endurance within you that will cause you to run even stronger. And do not give up, but remember that you are running for a glorious prize; press on, not looking back, but straining forward to what lies ahead.

And most importantly, do not, for one second, ever, ever, EVER forget who it is that has made you His runner…. by calling you by name to be on His team.

Know always that He believes in you – you whom He chose and trusts to run well;

Know always that He is cheering for you on every corner of the track, having only good things to say about His beloved athlete;

Know always that he will never cut you from the team, no matter how much, at times, you may feel like you have failed Him;

And know always that as His trained athlete, you never have to doubt your talent, but are free to run well, strong, and fast in this race knowing that He has fully prepared you for it."

~Tera Stegner CSOM Graduation Ceremony 6/3/11

After the ceremony there was talking, hugging and then the drive home for me. It was a glorious day away. A time for peace, renewal, reflection, fun and celebrating accomplishments of a dear friend. All things that I love.

Oh, and the geography lesson...there is a lot to see in Oregon, well worth the trip to Corvallis via the Oregon Coast. It was the best route!

May Poem of the Month

2011-05-31T17:55:00.000-07:00

FULL MOON

Author Unknown

In the darkening sky, if you cast your eyes,

You will see the silver lady rise,

Bathing the world in a steely blue

Edged with a haunting, silver hue.

Higher and higher she rises with grace,

Shrouding the trees in a cloak of lace,

Sending her rays to the waters below,

Casting reflections in ripple and flow.

Oh, such a majesty gracing the sky,

Passing a twinkle to stars riding high,

Oh, what a magickal sight we purvey

From dusk, till the night gives in to day.

And so, she sinks in horizons west,

Content in the knowledge that we saw her best,

She'll return once again when the sky turns black,

And if you should whisper, she might whisper back.