Seasonal Change

Even though the calendar shows us inching toward fall, the temperatures contradict the seasonal change. The expected high temp for today is 88 degrees. What a change from last Saturday's downpour and cooler temperatures.
Since I am back to work ... school ... my mind is focusing on fall. Today I have a roast in the crockpot and as I'm dusting the house I am putting out the autumn decor.
As I opened the storage box the scent of clove and cinnamon assailed my senses. Since the color scheme aligns with my furnishings, fall is one of my favorite seasons to "accessorize" our home ... even more so than Christmas.
Even though I have enjoyed the warm sunny days of summer and all those things that touch our senses ... I am kind of ready for the seasonal change. Less yard work, more relaxing evenings, soups and stews bubbling on the stove, bundling up in front of the fireplace, etc. ... life seems to move at a slower pace in fall.
The pumpkin patch, family cookie day, our Sunriver getaway ... many great fall family memories to look forward to. I hope you are enjoying the last sunny days of summer!

Cookie Monster

I am working at staying less than three years behind on my 2006 album and I have been "cruising" through the fall events.
I had to post this one of Colin because not only do I love the fall colors but the subject (Colin) is adorable.
Each October we plan a family day to decorate cookies for Halloween. In 2006 2-year old Colin was at the perfect age to join in the frosting frenzy ... and as you can see ... "a spoonful for my cookie; a spoonful for my mouth" was a great decorating plan.
I love looking back on all the fun. It's hard to believe that next week Colin will start preschool. Where does the time go?!?!?
Credits:
Brush: cinnamon brushed alpha
Font: ChromosomeLight, Rough Typewriter, Traveling Typewriter
Paper: LJD Autumn Days ppr03
Template: LJD Template 82

Remembering Kathy ...

Our Englewood group is so precious to us. We met many of these dear friends in the early 70's & 80's. We have shared our joys and our sorrows ... we share such a rich history.
Several years ago Nola & Larry made sure we had a reunion gathering scheduled at their home each fall. Even after 52 weeks have come and gone, when we get together, it only feels like a few days since we last visited.
Saturday evening we received sad news. Kathy ... circled in red ... passed away early Saturday morning. I guess my heart just wasn't ready to absorb this news.
Kathy & I taught a 5th grade girls Sunday School class together in the early 70's. She was a teacher in a school for the deaf and was a great mentor in my new adventure/ministry. I remember her encouragement ... she always mentioned what a good teacher I would be and asked if I had ever considered that as a career option. As the years went by, I did seek out employment in education as a classified employee. It's funny because this week as I returned to work, her comment came to mind again. Sometimes you never know what an impact your words of encouragement have on someone's life.
Three months ago at Lori's memorial service I spent most of the reception time visiting with Kathy & Fred. Good conversation ... warm & encouraging. I'm glad I had this time with them.
Our reunion is scheduled for October 3rd this year ... it will be a joy to be together again ... but we will be missing Kathy. Our love and prayers are with Fred and the family.

Where a Kid Can Be a Kid

All summer we've talked about a family tour on the Hood River Fruit Loop over Labor Day weekend. We were looking forward to the fresh produce, BBQ lunch, homemade desserts that make your mouth water, and the spectacular views of Mt. Hood. It was a good idea until we saw the weekend weather report. If you live out of town or were on vacation, you missed the .75 inch rainfall we had yesterday after a long, dry summer.
So ... this called for Plan B. Where can you spend the day that's enjoyable for all ages? Chuck E. Cheese's! I'm not sure who enjoyed it more ... the kids or the adults! Between all family members we had 300 tokens to use and 3.5 hours later we had nearly 2000 tickets to redeem for prizes. Matt, Walt and I enjoyed the Skee-ball game where Matt won the grand prize four times -- generating hundreds of tickets at a time. I think he should be on a league tournament team : )
Sometimes in life Plan B turns out just fine. In fact, maybe we should celebrate Brian's birthday there every year. Our family loves a new tradition! (just kidding Brian!)
As for the Fruit Loop ... maybe next weekend.
Credits:
Font: CK Ali's Writing, Pea Fay, ChromosomeLight, American Typewriter, Stone Sans
Template: Lina's Layouts -Template 24
Paper: Cathy K Designs -Summer Treats, Paper Yellow Burst
Elements: Welli Designs -Happy Birthday Ticket

A Motherlode Meal

Usually we enjoy a meal out with friends after church on Sundays. Last week we were invited to dine at Claim Jumper and this was Walt's order --
The Motherlode Sandwich ...
Stacked 8 inches high on a toasted French roll this sandwich included the following:
Cure 81 ham
roasted turkey
tri-tip
cheddar & Swiss cheese
onions
lettuce
tomato
pickles
1000 Island dressing
How does one take a bite out of this monstrosity?!?!?! You can bet there was a take-out box involved in this dining experience and the leftovers were used creatively in another meal the following evening.
Thanks, Ward for capturing this fun experience in picture.

Tradition!!

People have asked if I've been sick since I haven't posted anything in over two weeks. No, I've been fine ... just enjoyed a "last of summer break" routine. Kinda of a "blah"-ger these last few weeks.
Last night was a "girls night out" and it was scheduled at the perfect time ... my last evening before heading back to work. What a great way to celebrate the end of my summer break.
Fiddler on the Roof was a special treat. I've seen the movie many times and know several of the songs by heart ... but it was something about seeing it LIVE ... and something about seeing it at a different season of life and relating to it in a different way. It is the story of survival, through tradition and JOYfulness, in a life of uncertainty ... it is the story of a father's attempt to maintain his family and religious traditions while outside influences invade their lives. Even though the story takes place more than a century earlier ... it is relevant to the same issues and choices today.
I got home at midnight and it was hard to face a first day on a new job with so little sleep ... but I knew I was backed with prayer and support from family and friends to help me get through the day. AND it was a great first day! I think I need more "girls nights out" and definitely need to go to more plays/musicals!

Serve Us or Service?

Sometimes summer can put churches in an attendance slump ... vacations and sunshine can beckon us away from consistent attendance. Not so at Tigard Christian Church ... this summer our focus has been on a "portrait of a disciple" ... serving like Jesus.
Yesterday we utilized what we have taken into our hearts and shared it with our community. Following our worship service approx. 175-200 people from our congregation spent the afternoon cleaning the Templeton grounds and building, preparing it for the opening of school. We pulled weeds, spread barkdust, washed windows, painted the entry sign, powerwashed sidewalks and the building, picked up trash, etc. And when we left there was a noticeable difference made not only physically to the building but in our hearts. It was a day for building community within our body -- for working alongside someone you may not know or rarely get to talk to ... a time to just have fun together. It was a day to realize how much we want to serve and love on our community. It was a day to get out of our pew and into our community as a conduit for God's love.
Our pastor, Steve shared that Dave Thomas (Wendys) had an MBA ... Mop Bucket Attitude ... what a great illustration on what it means to be a servant.

P.S. A special round of "gratitude"... and applause to our extremely organized Regional Ministry Team ... for all your passion, hard work, and attention to details!

More Finds

Today I was scheduled to report for Jury duty in our county. I left nearly an hour before I was expected to sign in. I took the back roads, got lost due to road detours, went the wrong way down a one-way street : ( , and forgot to put the parking sign in my car before I left the parking garage. To top it off my shoes set off the security alarms. The least I can say is that I was stressed and a few minutes late. I am just not familiar with this part of the county and NEVER travel there! What a frustrating morning ...
After the orientation and spending another hour reading it was announced that we were all excused due to changes in the four trials scheduled for the day. I was happy ... it was nice to return to my summer break schedule and not have to worry about returning next week.

As I left, I decided to spend some time shopping, taking advantage of the opportunity to browse through a few stores in the area that I never get a chance to shop in. I went through Craft Warehouse and then over to the Cornell Goodwill. Wow! I hit the jackpot again this week ... just what I was looking for ... a Black & Decker rice/veggie steamer. Ours went out this spring after more than 10 years use and Matt let us use his -- a "loaner." The one I bought today is in new condition and I'm wondering if it was ever used. I also found two sweaters, one from Banana Republic, and more glassware. I love it when I find deals : )
Even though the day started out harried and stressful I returned home happy and content!

Photo Album Warning!

I am probably writing this to Baby Boomers or to those who may have inherited magnetic photo albums from relatives from that generation . I found a little history on these albums from the internet ...
"These were made from a thick paper stock and coated with glue strips. There was a Mylar plastic covering both sides of this stock and it was claimed that this was a good way to preserve photographs. After being on the market for about fifteen years, conservators recognized that the glue being used had a very high acidic content. So much so, that after only ten to fifteen years in storage, new photographs were starting to show signs of deterioration. The acid was eating through the backs of the photographs and the Mylar was sealing in the acidic fumes causing a deterioration on the image side as well."
My summer project during the heat wave has been to scan hundreds of photos from our first year of marriage. We put them in magnetic photo albums during the 70's and I could not believe the damage ... many were permanently adhered to the album page and could not be removed without ruining them. Several were discolored from years in this type of album. What a mess! I tried using every method possible for removing them in one piece.
I have been working for days ... scanning, color correcting, cropping to save the best parts of the pictures ... and I only have 92 finished : ( It's very sad to see such a special time in life ... ruined.
Anyway, if you have precious memories stored in this type of album, find time to archive them before they are permanently damaged. It will be a good investment!

SparkPeople.com

While vacationing at Wallowa Sharon told us of a online site, SparkPeople.com that helps you manage a healthy lifestyle. It tracks your food, exercise, water consumption, weight, etc. Each day I receive emails with great tips, recipes and encouragement to help keep me motivated. I have loved using this tool and have been very successful. Many times I will change my mind about a food I am reaching for when I realize I would have to record it on my Nutrition Tracker. On days when I feel lazy and need a nudge to go for a walk or workout with Wii Fit I am reminded that I can add this to my Fitness Tracker for the day. Give this site a try and see what you think! Let me know how it works for you.
Today I enjoyed the best lunch idea using a recipe they emailed to me:
Greek Hummus Wrap
INGREDIENTS
1 Best Life Flatout Bread Multi-Grain w/Flax
1/4 cup Athenos Reduced Fat Feta Cheese w Basil/Tomato
1/4 cup onions, raw, sliced
1/4 cup red peppers, raw, sliced
1.4 cup diced cucumbers
2 leaves of romaine lettuce
4 T Atheno's Roasted Garlic Hummus
DIRECTIONS
Makes 1 Greek hummus wrap
Spread 4 T of hummus on the bread. Sprinkle a 1/4 cup of feta on top of the hummus. Add all of the veggies. Roll the bread in a burrito style and enjoy!
Number of Servings: 1
Nutritional Info
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 295.2
Total Fat: 14.2g
Total Carbs: 31.5g
Dietary Fiber: 11.7mg
Protein: 21.1g

Good Goodwill-ing

While running errands this morning I thought I would stop in and check out Goodwill. It's been quite a while since I've dropped in and Thrifty Decor Chick always inspires me on her blog with her incredible finds.
The mornings there are much quieter than when I usually go so it was nice to leisurely look at everything. What great finds ... a Barbie camping chair for Calleigh, a beautiful dark red ceramic platter, a serving dish for crackers (October Cookie Day is coming up!), 2 pillows I have had my eye on @ Target (they are in brand-new condition) and a few pieces of glassware. I was tickled to discover these hidden treasures.
When I went to check out the clerk said I had a birthday discount I could use ... 25% off and when I told her my birth year she said I also qualified for another 10% because Wednesday is Senior Discount Day ... I know ... sad to say that I qualify BUT, I'll take it. I saved more than 8 bucks today on these great finds : ) Gotta love it!

Farmer's Market

Saturday morning we woke up to a long to-do list but all that had to be put on hold. I have wanted to go to the Beaverton Farmer's Market all summer but some other priority always "bumped" it off the calendar. I am so glad we made the time to go ... what a fun experience! Walt was kind of dragging his heels but once he got there he was "sold" on the whole idea.
We weren't prepared for how crowded it was on such a hot day. We found parking a few blocks away and even in the crowd we saw familiar faces. It was fun to catch up with a former principal and her husband. She had some great suggestions for where the best deals were on flowers. I couldn't believe it ... the huge paper-wrapped beauties were only $10 ... yes, just ten dollars!!! We picked up some great produce and sampled some wonderful treats from several booths.
If you've never experienced the Farmer's Market, I would encourage you to go. I know I will be back again before the end of summer. Next time I'm going to bring my appetite and buy some of the tempting food items. Yum

The Official 2009 Wallowa Group Photo

Here it is folks ... the official 2009 Wallowa group photo. Can't believe we squeezed everyone in. Ten people had to be photoshopped in as there were several early departures. The picture was also complicated by the fact that half the group is in the shade and the other half in full sun. It came out quite well despite the odds : ) and I did learn many new techniques in using Photoshop Elements.
Next year ... let's make it easy. How about setting a time to meet for our annual picture before Friday down at the Day Picnic Area?!?!?!? LOL It would be great to get everyone in the "original" photo.
What a great memory of such a fun week together!

Escaping the Heat Wave

The Portland area reached 106 degrees yesterday and predictions are that we will see that temperature again today. To escape the heat I picked up mom yesterday morning and drove over to Lincoln City. Whew ... the high there was 76 degrees ... a perfect day at the beach.
We set up the sun shelter and enjoyed a "picnic" lunch while delighting in the view of the ocean. After a long walk on the beach we drove down to Mo's for lunch, browsed through the Christmas shop and the outlet mall before heading home to the extreme heat. What a great escape! Hope you are finding ways to stay cool!

Twenty Years Ago ...

I keep meaning to blog about this but somehow it keeps getting put on the "back burner" of my blog to-do list.
July 3rd marked the 20th anniversary of our move to Tualatin. We only moved 20 miles from Portland but it seemed more like 200 when you consider that I lived in the same 10-block radius for the first 36 years of my life.
When I first toured this home it was exactly what we were looking for. The neighborhood was a wonderful place to raise 3 boys ... great schools and parks nearby. We have great memories within these four walls.
Now that we are empty-nesters the house seems quite spacious for just the two of us. We still love our neighbors and the location so we have no desire to move. We have plenty of home improvement projects to keep us from getting bored. This house is still a good "fit" for us.
I am so thankful for the twenty years of memories we have shared as a family in this home.

Wallowa Photo Fun

As I'm going through our 500 Wallowa vacation pictures, I have been thinking of a few creative ideas of things to do with them.
Sharon had this idea for the canoe. She wanted a picture with an old-fashioned postcard look. I thought it would great converted to B&W but colorize the canoe. Of course, there's a story behind the canoe ...
Sunday afternoon Tim M. took Nancy and Chris out for a canoe ride on the lake. Nancy was hesitant but was overwhelmingly reassured that this canoe was designed in such a way that it would not tip over. Well, guess what ?!?!?! While watching them enjoy a leisurely paddle ride quite a way from shore, the canoe rolls over! I think Nancy was a bit shocked. She decided to swim/walk back to shore only to be discovered by a row of geese swimming rapidly toward her ... did they have dinner on their minds?!?!?! It did look kind of scary at the time ... you had to be there! This definitely will be a "legend" talked about around the campfire for generation to generation.

After packing up Saturday we decided to take photos of all the Third generation Wallowa campers in the Mooney's canoe. Yesterday while looking through an old photo album we found a picture of the Second Generation campers from 1988 in the Jackson's boat. I thought it would be fun to put the two together. I see a few family resemblances between the two photos. Such a nice reminder of the fun we've had through several generations. Next year is the 30th anniversary of our family's first camping trip to Wallowa Lake. So many good memories : )

The Wallowa Diaries

We are home safe and sound from Wallowa Lake, unpacked and easing back into reality. I thought I would share a few highlights from our trip ...
I typed this on our laptop during our return trip. Just needed to include photos when we got home ... we took 500 photos between our two cameras! Yikes!

Saturday –“We’re Off!”
We left Lewis and Clark State Park at 6:30am for the traditional start of our caravan to Wallowa Lake. We arrived at the registration booth at 2:30 and had our home-away-from-home campsite set up by early evening.
For several of us, we were setting up in new sites in the D Loop. We loved the layout of our new site, and with our group forming a circle we had a nice grassy area in the center for the kids to play in. I’m sure these will now be our favorite sites in Loop D.
Since we didn’t have much of an appetite after setting up, we had Mt. Huckleberry ice cream for dinner. What a great way to start our vacation! By the end of the week ... we really don't care if we have ice cream again for a LONG time!
We ended our evening with a great fireside conversation about our Adams High School years that Brian said resembled the movie, “Dazed and Confused.” Well, it was the late sixties - early seventies AND it was quite a unique school : ) It was nice to enjoy a good laugh and unwind from our travels.

Sunday –“Floatie Fun”
After a leisurely morning routine we spent most of the afternoon down at the Marina cruising the lake on our floaties. Our special treat was having Tim join us after dinner. He stayed until Thursday afternoon.

Monday – “Fun Galore at the Shore”
We spent the morning in town to pick up our rodeo tickets, shopped a few of the stores and enjoyed a special treat at Mad Mary’s Soda Shoppe. A new lake activity included the game – Ladderball. We had fun playing some very competitive rounds … guys against the girls. We enjoyed a very “gourmet” steak dinner with some tasty additions prepared by Tim. He has become quite the chef. Must be all those Food Network programs : ) Following dinner Brian and Tim joined us for a trip to Joseph for a visit to the Ember Brew House. We love the ambiance at night.

Tuesday – “iHike" …
Our activity for the day included a quick day hike from the trailhead to the bridge on the Mt. Joseph trail. We had quite a large group for this very entry-level trail. After the first lookout we left in two separate groups. Several went left; the others went right. Those on the left were heading to Ice Lake (the wrong direction) We sent our Tim to jog back to find the group and we were now separated into three groups. In the meantime Calleigh fell asleep in my arms. We decided to have our Tim jog back to find the other group. He did not return but the “other” Tim finally found us and led us to the correct trail … but we still couldn’t find our Tim. I decided to sit with our little sleeping beauty at the intersection of the two trails and finally saw Tim running down the trail. How could such a simple hike turn into such a complicated event?!?!?!

We decided to reward our persistence with an ice cream cone from the Matterhorn. Nothing soothes away frustration like a waffle cone filled with Tillamook ice cream.
Another way to cool off was an afternoon down at the lake. … so cool and refreshing … and a little floatie time plus a few competitive card and board games. Many days during our week long stay we enjoyed the marina activities so much that we stayed until near dusk.

Wednesday –“Let’er Buck”
Our day included several rounds of “I’ve Got It,” and “Left, Right, Center” which were both new games to our full table of players. Several fit in a lake visit, some read, others napped while waiting for the evening event … the Chief Joseph Rodeo. This year we dressed in full cowboy regalia and the Mooneys were voted, “best dressed.”
As usual, we dined at the Ember’s Brew House before heading over to the Harley Tucker stadium for several hours of thrills and spills. The big let down was the elimination of Barrel Racing (my favorite) due to the slippery surface ... disappointing.




Thursday –“Surprise!”
What an awesome surprise party Michelle and Jenn put together for my birthday … a day early so that Tim could participate before heading back home. I was totally surprised! The girls planned an ice cream bar down at the day picnic area -- colorful custom-made garland hung from trees, there were goody bags for the children, and a special sundae dish for the “birthday girl.” With a July birthday it is usually hard to put together a surprise party – so many people on vacation or busy with summer activities. Michelle and Jenn are amazing party planners. If you ever need to add a creative touch to your next party, you need to talk to these gals! They are a great team.
Following our refreshing dessert we grabbed our floaties and headed out to the lake. Nothing compares to this relaxing activity … in fact, Calleigh fell asleep on my lap while the gentle waves rocked her to sleep as we floated near shore.

Friday –“Happy Birthday”
My celebration destination choice was a family lunch at Terminal Gravity Brewery in Enterprise. The Schleining family ate there last year and it was highly recommended. And they were right … we were not disappointed. I think it has the best food in the Wallowa area. I ordered the Aloha Chicken sandwich on homemade Ciabatta bread … delish! Next year we’ll go back for dinner since that is when they serve their wonderful pasta dishes. If you’re ever in this part of Oregon, plan to enjoy a meal here.
No Wallowa birthday would be complete without a little afternoon lake time. What a great cool down on an extremely hot day.
To round out our day’s activities we enjoyed the evening around the campfire with the girls … chatting, roasting marshmallows and baking potatoes over the fire …a great midnight snack before heading to bed. I can’t remember a better birthday celebration!

Saturday –“Pack It Up”
We woke up in the predawn hours to a busy campground – tents coming down, blaring rap music floating from a truck cab, several car alarms going off. Oh, yah … it’s rodeo weekend in Wallowa! This was the first year our pack up went smoothly and quickly.
We were able to take photos of each departing family. Keep watch for the official photoshopped edition … coming soon. Yes, I wore my official “going home” shirt. Explanation: After looking through years of Wallowa photos I noticed that I consistently wear this orange shirt in all of our group photos and is a must for heading home.

We enjoyed our last ice cream cone of the Wallowa year, headed down to the marina for a last hour of enjoying the lake, picking up last minute treats and souvenirs in Joseph and then hitting the road for a long 6.5 hour ride home.
The closer we approach home the more anxious I am for the feel of carpet between my toes, the fresh sheets on my comfortable bed and reaching in a refrigerator for food instead of picking up bobbing bottles in the cooler. As much as we love the Wallowas and the sadness we feel each year we leave the lake, we find ourselves thinking, “There’s no place like home.”
As we continue on I-84, we are already planning for next year … the 30th anniversary of our first family vacation to this beautiful part of NE Oregon. We have been reminiscing about all the great memories during those years … those who have been a part of our Wallowa history and the “legends” that are being passed down from one generation to another. No matter what other vacation destinations we have enjoyed … none compare to the beauty, friends and family, and the fun of Wallowa Lake.

Another Wallowa Tradition...

Seems like I have dried bananas for Wallowa since the 80's so yesterday was the perfect day to reduce 15 bananas into a tasty treat in a ziploc bag. They are great for hikes and take the edge off the sweet tooth while also providing a healthy snack ... great for the grandkids. I am not a big banana fan ... it's a texture thing : ( so this is one way I can enjoy a banana.
I do have to share a great hint: I found a kitchen gadget down at the outlet mall that evenly slices a whole banana in a one-step process. I think it was on clearance for about $2. What a great time-saving tool. It now only takes seconds to peel, slice and fill the trays.
I love my food dehydrator and can't believe it still works nearly three decades later. What a great investment.

Wallowa Baking Day

I was asked to provide cookies for a memorial service at church this weekend so I thought it would be good to also bake for Wallowa. After going through my recipe cards -- old technology! -- I decided I would make a few of my favorites from the past.
Chocolate Crackles have always been my favorite. It is much like a powdered sugar brownie if under-baked a bit. Seems like I only bake them at Christmas now that we are empty-nesters. Rae is a big fan of these cookies so they made the top of my baking list.

Chocolate Crackles
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate pieces
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 c. salad oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (never have added this)
about 1/2 c. powdered sugar
Melt chocolate. Combine with sugar and oil. Add eggs one at a time; beat well. Add vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to chocolate mixture. Stir in nuts -if using them. Chill dough. Drop teaspoonfuls of dough in powdered sugar. Roll to coat. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake @ 350 degrees for 10 mins. Cool on rack. Makes 4 dozen

Every Tuesday -when the kids were little and I was a SAHM- was baking day on my weekly schedule. It was nice to have one day where the aroma of fresh baked cookies, muffins, cakes, cobblers, crisps, and an occasional pie filled the kitchen. I think when Costco came to town and we got so involved with sports, my Tuesday baking days became history : ( Also, trying to bake in an oven nearly as old as our firstborn can be challenging at times, too.
Ranger Cookies were one of my all-time favorite cookies back then. I copied the recipe from a Current cookbook ... remember Current, Inc.???? In fact, the recipe card is so worn, it's hard to see the ingredients/measurements. Well, okay ... my eyesight is not the same either : )



Ranger Cookies
1 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups old fashioned oats
2 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup coconut
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together margarine, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Blend until smooth. Fold in remaining ingredients. Roll into balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Flatten with tines of a fork. Bake 10 mins.

Another Wallowa favorite is marshmallow treats. I also make Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispies that are hard to resist. Seems like marshmallow treats taste dull after a few days so they need to be consumed at the beginning of our vacation. I know there will be "volunteers" to solve this dilemma.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispies
2 cusp chunky peanut butter
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 TBLS margarine or butter
1 tsp vanilla
5 cups crispy rice cereal
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
In a 2-qt saucepan cook peanut butter, corn syrup, brown sugar and margarine over low heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture is smooth (5 to 6 minutes). Stir in vanilla. In large bowl add mixture to cereal; stir to coat. Spread into greased 13x9-inch baking pan. In 1-qt saucepan melt chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly until completely melted (4 to 5 mins). Spread over bars Cool completely. Cut into bars. Yield: 36 bars

Well, the kitchen is nearly back in order and time to take a break from the cookie sheets and oven. I am so thankful for AC on a day like today : )

Goal Reached!

I just sent down an order to the Costco Photo Lab for the last scrapbook pages of our 2006 Wallowa vacation.
NOW ... I can start packing and planning for Wallowa 2009 and leave with peace of mind that I am still less than 3 years behind : )
I spent most of the morning working on layouts, the afternoon going through my camping wardrobe, and then before and after dinner finishing the last few pages.
Tomorrow I will be working on meal planning and making a grocery and packing list. Life has been simplified with our website. A big help with organization in getting ready for our trip.

"Pamper-ing" Day

Today was the day ... the second annual Wallowa girls Pedicure and Lunch event. We met at the salon at 10:00 and enjoyed a morning of bonding and beautifying before next week's vacation. It's always nice to start off those first few days with lovely nails before sitting around the dirty-dusty campsite.
This year the Mooney girls and Beth joined us. Savannah had the most pampering ... she looked like Dorothy of Oz being attended to before seeing the great and powerful Wizard. She had several nail technicians working on both her feet and hands. She did a fabulous job for a 5 year old.
Melissa and Calleigh joined us for lunch at Red Robin. A great time of fun and fellowship! Now on to making those lists, shopping and packing for Wallowa Lake where the camping experience all started back in 1980!
Credits:
Paper:Lindsay Jane Designs -Just Pink 2 BG01
Template: Andrea Gold -502 Template Square
Element: KHM Cover Stories14-Freebie-pink-girl; 1 Girl Stuff -polish
Font: Problem Secretary, An Unfortunate Event, Cricket, ChromosomeLight, American Typewriter

While I'm At It ...

Here's a peek at the layouts I added to my album this week. I have several more pages to add before we leave next week for Wallowa. Just can't think of leaving -- knowing I'm more than three years behind again!!!
I wish I had more time to devote to this hobby... I love the creativity and recording our life events.

Craft Project

Oh, dear ... it has been a while since I last posted. I will try once again to "go back in time" in order to get caught up. Sorry to be such an inconsistent blogger!
I think I left off at Las Vegas ... we really did come home : ) Within a day or two of our return I had a sore throat followed by a mouth, throat, tongue and lips full of canker sores. A strep test turned out negative and the Urgent Care Dr. thought it was probably Lupus related. It certainly was miserable but as of today my mouth feels back to normal. I'm still avoiding salty things -- I don't want to push it : )
The other night Thrifty Decor Chick (one of my favorite blogs) posted about making pillows out of placemats. How clever! So while down at Costco I stopped at Pier 1 and found two clearance placemats and thought they would make a great outdoor pillow. This morning it only took minutes to sew and stuff it. It certainly perks up the recliner and fun to know it only required a little time and money to add a new touch to the deck.



I will return with more posts later ... Hope you are enjoying your summer.

Wedding Dress 2009

I think the tradition started in 1999 ... putting my wedding dress on every five years and taking pictures. Even though we have a professional photo shoot coming up we had to take a few on our anniversary last night.
There's always a little anxiety ... will it still fit after 35 years? Whew ... I can still get it zipped but I'm sure it's not the same fit as in 1974 : )
We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Olive Garden ... thanks, Barb! Still keeping with the Italian theme for this year.
We have enjoyed celebrating our 35th anniversary this summer!

Las Vegas, OREGON?!?!?!?!?

Today's high was 102 degrees but within hours we went from this beautiful sunny day...















to this -- Yes, that's a downpour! No sunglasses required here:




















Since this is the evening for our outdoor gondola ride we moved our reservation to an indoor ride. It is clearing up this evening and the temperature has returned to the upper 90's. For some reason this weather event reminds me of our Wallowa vacation. There's one common factor ... the weather always changes there when Tim comes to town (heeheehee) Sorry Tim, I couldn't resist! : )
Tomorrow ... the all-day Grand Canyon tour!

Adventures in Las Vegas

We are enjoying the sights, sounds, and the sun of Las Vegas.
We arrived early Sunday afternoon and after checking in to the Venetian we set out on foot to explore the strip. A walk can be quite a workout in the 100 degree heat.
We are enjoying the atmosphere of our hotel ... the ceiling has been painted to look like the sky, "streetlights" are dim giving an evening ambiance, storefronts resemble Venice and the canal/gondolas tops off the effect.
We have a adapted well to a daily routine. Up early. Out for a walk in the cool morning temps. Lounge by the pool to read and sleep in the afternoon. I'm halfway through my second book ... I hope I packed enough books! I just finished the 8th Confession by James Patterson and now reading Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. I think I'm starting to unwind from the "craziness" this spring.
Monday night we went to see Beatles Love ... it was an awesome experience! Definitely something I would see again. Our show started off with technical difficulties and we were a little worried they might cancel the performance ... bringing back memories of our canceled cruise visit to Catalina! But the show did go on and it was breathtaking.
Yesterday we walked from the Venetian down to Manadalay Bay ... probably close to 2-3 mile journey. We walked through each hotel and as we were trying to find our way out of the MGM we heard a familiar voice ... Tim and Rae. They had just arrived and were heading out to the pool. It was a fun moment to share our vacation adventures thus far.





Not one to gamble ... we did play a few penny machines. I was excited to find a Bejeweled game. Here's my take home winnings ... hahaha!







Tonight is our gondola ride ... an anniversary gift from Tim & Rae. More vacation news to come ...

Spring Beach Getaway

Following Calleigh's birthday party in May, we hit the road for a three-day beach getaway to Cannon Beach. I had some comp time to use before the end of the year, and with the unusually warm spring weather, it made for the perfect Oregon coast visit.
We actually got a little too much sun while walking on the beach and despite sitting under our sun shelter my ankles were exposed below my capris and I went home with permanent red "anklets" ... not a good fashion statement with marshmallow-colored legs : (
Matt drove down to join us for the day on Sunday ... only to find it a bit windy with a touch of fog on the beach. However, it was warm and beautiful in town. We had an opportunity to tour the Lockwood Beach house ... then enjoyed a nice pizza dinner together before Matt drove back to town.
For a few days previous to our trip I felt a sinus/respiratory thing starting up and by Monday I felt a little feverish and just wanted to lay on the couch and read. We left early Tuesday morning and exited the freeway near the Urgent Care clinic. I was sent home with antibiotics/sudafed/cough syrup and took the rest of the day off work. I never did improve and was actually diagnosed with pneumonia two weeks later.
Cannon Beach is one of my favorite vacation destinations ... it's quaint, quiet and a place for restoration.
Credits:
Font: Bulkyrefuse type, chromosomeLight, american typewriter
Template: JZ Designs -Template 12
Paper: Shelly Bauzon -P3 Beach Bum

Backtracking

I need to step back in time because I missed a few posts during my illness and studying for my test. Here are a few layouts of Calleigh's second birthday party from May:
It's hard to believe she is already two ... where does the time go???
Michelle had the room @ Conestoga Park and Rec decorated with such cute decor and each activity, the food, etc. was so well thought out. She is truly a "party planner." It was a joy to see Calleigh's delight with each gift she opened and how much fun she had blowing out the candles. Year two has much in store for this precious little girl!
Credits:
Quick Page: Ange qp printemps
Element: Summer Driggs -Sweet Springtime Bird 3
Font: American Typewriter
Word Art: Lindsay Jane -Icing Cake Happy Birthday Wordart






























As soon as the party was over, Calleigh made a beeline for play equipment ... no fear in that girl. We lost track of how many times she ran across the bridge and then down the slide. It was one of the first truly beautiful blue sky days of May and it felt good to soak up the warmth of the sun while watching her play. As soon as we said goodbye, we drove down to Cannon Beach for a Spring getaway. More on that in my next post!


























Credits:
Template: JZ Designs -030509 Challenge FS
Alpha: Scarlet Heels -red alpha
Font: Pea Faye, Pea Jay
Elements: digitreats jump brad 8
Paper: Kevin and Amanda -red pattern paper, Yellow Solid PP

Fashion 101

Today was my last personal day of the school year and I scheduled it around getting ready for our Vegas trip. Walt has been checking the weather and it will be 100 degrees when our plane lands. That only means one thing ... a trip to the Woodburn Company Stores to shop for a "lighter, cooler" wardrobe.
My favorite "fashion consultant," Donna joined me and, "Wow!" can she ever spot great fashion at a steal ... no, we paid for everything : ) She helped me find things to mix and match and pointed out many things I may have bypassed on the search. It was so much fun going from store to store and enjoying a good time with a great friend.
Thanks, Donna! My suitcase would have been rather sparse without your help!

She's a Girly-Girl

What a joy it was to have the grandkids overnight last weekend while Michelle went to PH Women's Retreat.
We enjoyed an evening of playing with toys, going to the park, watching a movie etc. We pack as much into our time together as possible.
One thing Calleigh requested ... to have her nails done. This time it included the full spa package with a foot and hand massage. She was so intrigued by all that Grandma was doing.
In the morning she wanted velcro rollers in her hair like Grandma and a touch of "spray" when it was styled just right. She's growing up so quickly!
What fun it is to spend time with these precious little ones : )
Credits:
Misty Cato -Photo Display
Font: Pea Kate, ChromosomeLight, Witchcraft, American Typewriter
Paper: A Work In Progress-Designs by Vicki -Pink Coffee Cream Papers #6
Wordart: CW Picket and Company -News Print Alpha/Girl

Stepping Out of the "Waiting Room" ...

This afternoon I received a "Recall from Reduction in Force" notice stating that I will be working at Mary Woodward Elementary starting August 26th as a Media Asst. Had I refused this offer I would no longer be eligible for recall with the District.
I am thrilled with my placement and look forward to working in an elementary school library again. The last four months have been a roller-coaster ride and I'm so thankful for those who have been a great support, have lifted up prayers and encouraged me. There were so many ups and downs ... twists and turns. It is such a relief to know my assignment now rather than worry about it most of the summer.
What an exciting new adventure ahead!

Then and Now

Our wedding day was captured by a very contemporary 1970's Portland photographer, "Photography by Fudge". They were not your everyday modern snapshots typical of that era. They were creative, the lighting soft and very unique. I remember we made a decision to make our wedding pictures top priority in our wedding budget. We wanted a keepsake from our special day to look back on and to love what we see 25, 35, 50 years later. I still find JOY in looking through our album. No regrets in the investment we made.
I scanned a few photos of me and mom taken before the wedding and combined it with one from our anniversary party. We look more like sisters than mother and daughter. It's hard to comprehend all the life that's happened over the last thirty-five years. I'm thankful for those who have come alongside us on the journey ... especially our parents.

"Fancy Family Foto"

Here we are ... fun and fancy on our anniversary celebration.

35 Years Later ...

... I go on choosing you!

Just a quick photo from blending our 1974 wedding picture and our recent celebration at Fiorano's with family and friends.
More photos to follow ....

35th Anniversary Party

Saturday ... on a beautiful warm evening ... we were joined by 25 friends, family and our wedding party to celebrate our 35th Anniversary ... a month early.
We spent an enJOYable evening at Fiorano's on the Lake of the Commons. Since our dream has always been to go to Italy this restaurant had all the atmosphere we were looking for. The food and wait staff were wonderful and they made us feel comfortable -- "at home" -- since we used a majority of their restaurant for four hours.
It was fun getting everyone together and a great time to reconnect with those we haven't seen in years. Each person in this picture represents someone special who has had an impact on our marriage and in our lives. God has truly blessed us and we felt so honored to have them celebrate with us.
More pictures to follow ....

Passed!

I was officially notified today that I passed all three sections of the para-professional test I took on Saturday. Whooo-hooo!
I am so thankful to everyone who prayed for me and encouraged me. The 3.5 hour test was challenging to take while having pneumonia ... especially trying not to cough. I didn't want to disrupt others taking the test. Bottled water and lemon drops got me through it. If I had taken my prescription cough syrup, I would have fallen asleep on the keyboard.
Walt brought this white board home from work and I spent hours going over and over story problems. It helped me see the process ... I am such a visual learner.
I am so thankful to have this "hurdle" behind me and whether I have a position at work or not next year -- from this point on -- it doesn't matter. I have been stretched and I learned a lot about myself in the process. Math takes everything out of me ... it really tries my patience. Who knows?!?! One day I may take a college math class and discover I really enjoy it : )