Apples, apples everywhere!

After a lovely trip into Hood River's Fruit Loop region with Jenny, I joined my friend Linda and her clan (there were 13 of us total) for a caravan trip to the fruitful region today. After some slight medical issues, it was nice to sit in the backseat, visit with a friend and just rest. As uncomfortable as it was at times, it was a nice escape. We were lucky enough on this day that was predicted to be filled with rain to have a dry picnic lunch outdoors at my favorite "Point" in Hood River. We then went to a few fruit stands to get fruit. I also got more butternut squash for soup. 

I loved the colors of apples everywhere. These ones are called "Lady Apples" and are so fun with greens and pink/red colors.

 Honeycrisps...lots and lots of honeycrisps. 

Apples anyone?! (I only bought like 5 lbs of apples and pears this visit!)

Happy Birthday, Mary!

From Darcelle and all the Drag Queens! 

 Mary is in the center of the picture below. Several of us got together for her "29th" (read 30th) Birthday! Her dream was to go out for drinks and then to Darcelle's. 

 It was quite a night!

On to a fabulous year to come, Mary!

A Shawl with Meaning

I've always wanted to crochet a prayer shawl. I've looked at patterns, color ideas, etc, etc. I was never "moved" to actually crochet one. Recently, I had a friend from work who has had some struggles, both she directly and close family and friends of hers. One night when I was praying for her I got a strong feeling/message that this might be the best recipient of a prayer shawl. Away I went. I got onto Ravelry (as we've learned before-one of my favorite sites) and when I logged on and typed into the search "shawl" a very fitting pattern popped up as the top on the list. It just seemed to fit this friend. Then I had to figure out a color. I didn't want to ask what her favorite color was, so I just "winged it." I looked back into the Prayer Shawl books of patterns, etc and they had color charts. Black is a symbol of strength and perseverance. It seemed fitting and black goes with almost everything. I got right to work. There was a blessing I read before working on it (all except one time). I crocheted while sitting in silence and while just thinking and I crocheted while listening to my favorite worship songs. My fingers moved fastest when listening to music and I could feel the good energy flowing. It was a really remarkable experience for me and very different than any other crochet project I'd done. It was intentional. I was intentional. I was mindful, prayerful and found it to be powerful for me. I got to give and explain the prayer shawl to my friend, Natalie yesterday. She appreciated it. As did I.

 It was long...something like 69 inches long by 20 inches wide (I think- I don't remember the final measurements).

 Scalloped edges that I added. "Lacy" pattern. 

"God blesses us so that we're able to bless others." ~Unknown

A Whisper of Beauty

I live for these kind of moments that take my breath away. And I thank God for opening my eyes daily to His beauty. There is nothing like it.

“We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness.” ~Unknown

Beautiful Fall Colors coupled with Beautiful Friends

My dear friend, Jenny had a bit of a surgical procedure. She was going a little stir-crazy after two weeks at home. She needed to get out of town, so out of town we got. For the day. To Hood River. It was great.

Here we are at Rasmussen Farms. Creepy no-neck pumpkin people in the background.

We stopped at The Gorge White House for a looksy-loo and a wine tasting. I tried a blueberry wine. Different.

After a few fruit stands, pears, apple, cookies, apple cider, laughs we headed back into Hood River, walked around town and went into some of the cute stores and had lunch. While we were waiting for a table I had to take a picture of this amazing color on one of the trees. Pictures never do colors justice. Eh, it is still nice.

 Here are a few of the leaves on the ground. Amazing red. Amazing. The colors that day were phenomenal. Into the gorge and then back around the south east side of Mt Hood and home. 

 Some of my spoils from our trip! 

I'll be returning to Hood River in a few weeks with some other friends and this trip got me just in the mood for it! I love, love, love Hood River. Thanks for the fun time Jenny! I always enjoy spending time with you and the laughter and conversations we have! 

13.1 Miles

Equals a Half Marathon.....

 And, I didn't run or walk it at all, but this lovely lady did...

 Diane (the one on the right) and her daughter Bronwyn walked the Portland Half Marathon this year after months and months of training. She/They rocked. I told Diane I would come cheer her on. I did. She didn't hear me. I was almost at the finish line. They were finished and just wanted to get the last few yards done...

I did meet up with them in the cool down area...

Somewhere (on Diane's camera) is a picture of the two of us. She looked way better than me and she had been up since the crack of dawn and had walked a half marathon. I have no excuse! :) 

Next year she wants me to join them for the "fun" (read self inflicted torture-I'd rather do a 13.1 mile hike with a stunning view or waterfall as reward)...should I do it? Yes, the marathon, not the hike. Or maybe I'll just do the hike and call it good. 

Kitty Diet...

...or not. 

Apparently when I am restricting carb loaded kitty food from a kitty who needs to loose weight as mentioned in THIS post, said kitty will make her own decisions on how to access food. And, of course, I had to take a picture before I stopped the gorging event.

Wildlife at Steigerwald

My friend, Cindy had been raving about Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge and has been promising to take me to "hike" there. She also promised to take me to hike at Champoeg State Park...maybe we divide them out to one a year?!

Anywho, we went to Steigerwalk today and it was the most beautiful early autumn day and the walk was great.

We saw a deer...

 And some frogs...and turtles...can you find them in the following pictures?...

 And we saw lots o'birds. Which is good since Cindy is a birder...though she didn't bring her binoculars or anything, but I always learn something about birds when I am with her. She also introduced me to Peregrine Falcons on PDX bridges a few years ago.  

Thanks for the new place to escape too, Cindy! I loved it!

"Do you like plums?"

As she pulls a bag of plums out from her purse at a pub last night...looking to pawn them off on me.

"Why, yes, yes I do. Let me take a picture to remember this hilarious moment. The plums won't last."

Lost Lake Take 2

My first hike of the season was at Lost Lake and it looks like my last will also be at Lost Lake. The temps were about the same at the start of each hike...the thing is: the first hike it got warmer, this hike...colder. It was down right chilly by the time we left. I blame the wind.

After the hike around the lake, we stopped for lunch and pictures. 

 Mary's dog, Leo came along for the ride and hike and did quite well, short legs and all!

 Leo LOVES Mary. Not like anyone can tell...

 One last picture before getting into a warmer car and heading home...not without a stop at my favorite East Wind Drive-In for ice cream/milkshakes in Cascade Locks, first. A must when you are driving through the Gorge.

Goal for next summer: hike more...2 at the same place in the whole summer is not acceptable.

Fun time with Friends

Mary, Holly and I whisked away to see the band "Five Guys Named Moe" at the Vancouver Sausage  Fest. We stopped for dinner and then headed over. We had a great night out! 

Mary, Holly, Me!

 The band!

Thanks, ladies! Next summer we will do more of this!

Music on the Mountain

In an effort to boost my end-of-summer concert attendance (and because Holly was unavailable for an earlier in the summer event) I headed to Holly's and from their we headed up to Mount Saint Helen's for the third concert in their first "Music on the Mountain" concert series at a newly constructed amphitheater. It was a hot day, and I left home in long pants and enough clothing to layer. I could only imagine how cold it might get on the side of Johnstone Ridge in the blast zone, with no shelter whatsoever. Holly changed when she saw my attire. We were both glad for our decisions later. Actually, we could have done with warmer or more layers. We had the air conditioning on during the drive north, we had the heat on coming back. Outside of the cold we had a glorious evening. We were talking about how we know how to do picnics...hummus and crackers, snap peas, grape tomatoes, laughing cow cheeses, salami and cheese and of course Holly set us up with chocolate bars for dessert. 

Here is the volcano upon arrival.

Smile, Holly!

I believe it is Mt Adams that you can see peeking over the ridge in the picture below.

What a great, albeit cold, setting for a concert.

As the sun was setting...

As the sun was setting we saw lots of people going up to the top of the amphitheater to see the sun set, I braved the cold and went up...so glad I did. It was a beautiful sun set.

We saw the "day old Blue Moon" rise also. I couldn't get a good picture, but we got this one with the moon between and behind us.

Thanks for the lovely afternoon/evening, Holly. I can always count on having fun with you!

Blue Moon Rising

Apparently, I couldn't pass up a beautiful summer evening to go see the moon rise. Not just any moon rise, but the Blue Moon rise. I went to Rocky Butte, an area with an amazing view of Portland and surrounding area to get the best view I could. There were a whole gaggle of folks waiting with cameras (many that were fancier than mine, many not) for the moon to make an appearance. (warning: there are several pictures...little commentary...)

If you look closely you can see Mt Hood through the haze from summer fires. Click on the picture for a larger version.

In the below picture you can see the moon peeking up over the hill just offset to the left of center.

 Coming up a bit more...

 Moon and Mt Hood...

If you look closely, on the left of the moon, you can see the plane flying in...

Part of the gaggle of people...

I have no idea who these people were, but I couldn't pass up taking this photo...I love the sweet embrace, from what I imagine is a long time married and happy couple. Hmmm....

What a nice outing for a moon rise tonight!