Here is my one and only blog from Spokane. I drove over on Monday and have been so busy playing and chatting that I haven't had time to blog. Lois and I have been out and about most of the last 2 days with lunch being a major item on our itinerary. Yesterday we ate at Mizuna's downtown and I had the most spectacular appetizer of melted Brie with some sauteed fall mushrooms and slices of crusty bread. That along with a cup of squash and pumpkin soup swept with a wisp of curry. Outstanding. Tonight Jerry and Lois treated me to Thai food at a small restaurant nearby. Wonderful.
The weather has been around 50 during the day with a splash or two of rain but otherwise quite uneventful. There is snow on Mt. Spokane, and I noticed a layer of "powdered sugar" on the higher peaks of the Cascades on my drive over on Monday.
Lois and I stopped at Calla and Sam's new office today and enjoyed a few minutes of visiting. They have downsized their architecural firm and have moved to a very unique and intriguing suite of offices. And the best part is that there is a great little bakery/eatery in the same building and just around the corner. Then we headed out to Liberty Lake to look at Bob and Sharon Jayne's new house that should be completed by the end of November. It is a lovely 2 story with awesome views of the lake. And the guest room and bath on the main floor is referred to as the Kirkwood Suite. I'm afraid it will be spring before we get over to try it out.
I am meeting Mike and Mary and Pat tomorrow night for dinner at a restaurant nearby on the north side. Then I think I will have seen and visited with most everybody before I go home on Friday.
I left Ken to mind the dog and work on the upstairs bathroom, both of which he says he is doing. I think Craig has been by a time or two to see what he is up to.
I'm off to bed to read and rest up for another day of play.
Ciao
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Saturday, October 16, 2004
It is a drizzly Saturday here in Steilacoom, and I can't understand why Cooper thinks he needs to keep going outside. As for me, inside is the best.
I regret to report that I have nothing to report, but I am committed to 'keep on bloggin'. Ken is off to get new tires on the Jetta. We have had it for one year, doubled the mileage, and have worn out the tires at 40,000 miles. I understand the tires 'role' with regard to safety, but I can't get on a 'roll' when it comes to spending the money. So much money for round, black, smelly objects!
I had a long chat with Sheila last night to get caught up on all the Idaho Kirkwood activities. Brian should return from Las Vegas next week and should be home for a while. Both boys have soccer games today which signals the end of the season. And Sheila remains breathless with her contributions to help out the squadron families whenever she can.
Warren's birthday is next week and he will turn 9; our youngest grandchild!! He informed his parents recently that he intends to be a film producer so would like a video camera for his birthday so he can get started. His first work is going to be about cats (he insists that he was a cat in a former life) and the challenge is to decide if it should be live or animated, which would be much easier than trying to get a live cat to cooperate. He is not very forthcoming with what goes on in his head, but I love it when he does decide to share.
Nolan, age 11, recently completed a school project creating his family tree. I understand it is very well done, and once finished, he made the observation that he has a very strong military background: his maternal great grandfather was a POW during WWII and his paternal great grandfather was aboard the Jacob Jones when it was sunk during WWI. Both survived. Grandpa Rich O'Lear is retired from the Air Force and Grandpa Ken Kirkwood is retired from the Navy. Nolan's Uncle Keith Kirkwood served in the Army after he completed college. Dad Brian is an Air Force aviator and Mom Sheila was an aviator when she was on active duty and is now in the reserves. And off the top of my head, I can think of at least 6 other relatives within those generations who have served or are serving in the military. That is quite a heritage.
My next blog will probably be from Spokane.
Ciao
I regret to report that I have nothing to report, but I am committed to 'keep on bloggin'. Ken is off to get new tires on the Jetta. We have had it for one year, doubled the mileage, and have worn out the tires at 40,000 miles. I understand the tires 'role' with regard to safety, but I can't get on a 'roll' when it comes to spending the money. So much money for round, black, smelly objects!
I had a long chat with Sheila last night to get caught up on all the Idaho Kirkwood activities. Brian should return from Las Vegas next week and should be home for a while. Both boys have soccer games today which signals the end of the season. And Sheila remains breathless with her contributions to help out the squadron families whenever she can.
Warren's birthday is next week and he will turn 9; our youngest grandchild!! He informed his parents recently that he intends to be a film producer so would like a video camera for his birthday so he can get started. His first work is going to be about cats (he insists that he was a cat in a former life) and the challenge is to decide if it should be live or animated, which would be much easier than trying to get a live cat to cooperate. He is not very forthcoming with what goes on in his head, but I love it when he does decide to share.
Nolan, age 11, recently completed a school project creating his family tree. I understand it is very well done, and once finished, he made the observation that he has a very strong military background: his maternal great grandfather was a POW during WWII and his paternal great grandfather was aboard the Jacob Jones when it was sunk during WWI. Both survived. Grandpa Rich O'Lear is retired from the Air Force and Grandpa Ken Kirkwood is retired from the Navy. Nolan's Uncle Keith Kirkwood served in the Army after he completed college. Dad Brian is an Air Force aviator and Mom Sheila was an aviator when she was on active duty and is now in the reserves. And off the top of my head, I can think of at least 6 other relatives within those generations who have served or are serving in the military. That is quite a heritage.
My next blog will probably be from Spokane.
Ciao
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Well, we woke up Monday with nothing to do, and now it is Thursday and we still aren't finished!
We have spent a quiet week doing the routine: laundry, grocery shopping, and 'putering. We have had glorious weather the past few days, but the forecast says the rain will be here tomorrow.
Colleen left for new Zealand yesterday, and we received an email from her this evening saying the flight was uneventful and she was at her destination. I think she got there tomorrow, or left here day before yesterday?
We had Jerry and Mary Ellen McKain down for dinner tonight. They live just above us on Walnut Lane. Jerry was Ken's boss when he first started at Western State Hospital and Mary Ellen and I have played together in a bridge group. And I use the term 'played' very loosely. Since it is that time of year, we had rouladen, red cabbage, spatzle and German white wine. The only thing that would have been better would have been for us to be in Germany to enjoy the food and wine. We made it two times in 2003 and 2004 has been a big zero.
I am going to drive to Spokane on Monday for a few days of play with Lois. It has been a long time since she and I have had some 'girl time'. I think she is going to send Jerry on a fishing trip and Ken will stay here to keep Cooper company. Truth be known, we probably won't do anything more exciting than to sit in her lovely studio and drink wine and solve the problems of the world. She is a sister-in-law who has always been as close as a sister to me. She is a cool lady.
I think Keith is in Florida this week, and I think Brian is in Las Vegas. I know where Colleen is, and we saw Craig today at lunch time, so we know where he is. So please don't ask if I know where my kids are.
Ciao
We have spent a quiet week doing the routine: laundry, grocery shopping, and 'putering. We have had glorious weather the past few days, but the forecast says the rain will be here tomorrow.
Colleen left for new Zealand yesterday, and we received an email from her this evening saying the flight was uneventful and she was at her destination. I think she got there tomorrow, or left here day before yesterday?
We had Jerry and Mary Ellen McKain down for dinner tonight. They live just above us on Walnut Lane. Jerry was Ken's boss when he first started at Western State Hospital and Mary Ellen and I have played together in a bridge group. And I use the term 'played' very loosely. Since it is that time of year, we had rouladen, red cabbage, spatzle and German white wine. The only thing that would have been better would have been for us to be in Germany to enjoy the food and wine. We made it two times in 2003 and 2004 has been a big zero.
I am going to drive to Spokane on Monday for a few days of play with Lois. It has been a long time since she and I have had some 'girl time'. I think she is going to send Jerry on a fishing trip and Ken will stay here to keep Cooper company. Truth be known, we probably won't do anything more exciting than to sit in her lovely studio and drink wine and solve the problems of the world. She is a sister-in-law who has always been as close as a sister to me. She is a cool lady.
I think Keith is in Florida this week, and I think Brian is in Las Vegas. I know where Colleen is, and we saw Craig today at lunch time, so we know where he is. So please don't ask if I know where my kids are.
Ciao
Friday, October 08, 2004
We are having a wonderfully drippy soggy end to the week. The rain started lsst night, and it has been pretty persistent all day. Fortunately, the leaves on the trees are still fairly green and securely fastened so we can still look forward to some fall color. Actually, we are supposed to be back to sunshine by the middle of next week.
Colleen is taking care of last minute details before she leaves for New Zealand and Australia next Wednesday. She and several friends are attending a wedding in New Zealand and then she will travel to Canberra to see Bassim. He is taking her on to Sydney to meet his family. She will be gone for three weeks. Wish it were me!!
We have accumulated a few nice bottles of wine over the past year (it is difficult to accumulate when one continues to consume) so Ken spent some time streamlining the storage and tracking. Our basement stays at a consistent 62-64 degrees so he has hung long slim shoe bags from a crossbar, and each pocket is good to hold one or two bottles of wine. Then we set up an Excell spreadsheet to list what we have. Actually this all sounds rather elaborate for a mere three or four cases of wine, but at least we know what is down there.
We have not watched any of the debates, but my sense is that Bush could be in trouble what with Iraq and job losses here at home. And from what I am seeing and hearing, I think he is being out-maneuvered by Kerry and Edwards in the debates. Actually, I am uneasy with both candidates, but I guess those are my only choices.
We attended the Tacoma RV show yesterday and I am confident the sales staff outnumbered the buyers. I did an informal survey while driving back from California this week by counting Bounders, Winnebagos and "other" class A's. For every Bounder there was a Winnebago (4 each over the course of about 150 miles) and for every one of those there were 5 "other". Since we are Winnebago owners, we decided we wanted to see why the popularity of the Bounder. Two dealers at the show were Bounder dealers - but neither had one to show!! Go figure.
We have our confirmation for the month of January at Cocopah Resort in Arizona. It is an RV park surrounded by golf links - or golf links surrounded by RV parking spaces. Should be fun! Gary, do I need additional comprehensive insurance against flying golf balls?
Have a good week end and keep in touch. Ciao
Colleen is taking care of last minute details before she leaves for New Zealand and Australia next Wednesday. She and several friends are attending a wedding in New Zealand and then she will travel to Canberra to see Bassim. He is taking her on to Sydney to meet his family. She will be gone for three weeks. Wish it were me!!
We have accumulated a few nice bottles of wine over the past year (it is difficult to accumulate when one continues to consume) so Ken spent some time streamlining the storage and tracking. Our basement stays at a consistent 62-64 degrees so he has hung long slim shoe bags from a crossbar, and each pocket is good to hold one or two bottles of wine. Then we set up an Excell spreadsheet to list what we have. Actually this all sounds rather elaborate for a mere three or four cases of wine, but at least we know what is down there.
We have not watched any of the debates, but my sense is that Bush could be in trouble what with Iraq and job losses here at home. And from what I am seeing and hearing, I think he is being out-maneuvered by Kerry and Edwards in the debates. Actually, I am uneasy with both candidates, but I guess those are my only choices.
We attended the Tacoma RV show yesterday and I am confident the sales staff outnumbered the buyers. I did an informal survey while driving back from California this week by counting Bounders, Winnebagos and "other" class A's. For every Bounder there was a Winnebago (4 each over the course of about 150 miles) and for every one of those there were 5 "other". Since we are Winnebago owners, we decided we wanted to see why the popularity of the Bounder. Two dealers at the show were Bounder dealers - but neither had one to show!! Go figure.
We have our confirmation for the month of January at Cocopah Resort in Arizona. It is an RV park surrounded by golf links - or golf links surrounded by RV parking spaces. Should be fun! Gary, do I need additional comprehensive insurance against flying golf balls?
Have a good week end and keep in touch. Ciao
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
We spent Wednesday through Saturday with Jeff and Bev visiting botanical gardens near UC Berkeley, driving to Monterey to check out the fam camp (not impressed), stopping in Hollister to visit Jeff and Bev's son David and family, and visiting a 100 year old estate and gardens in Woodside. And through it all we did our fair share of eating and enjoying the fruit of the vine.
Sunday morning we headed north to San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge to drive through some of the wine country and then make our way out to the coast. As was the case during our entire trip, the weather was beautiful. We spent Sunday, Monday, and half of Tuesday driving along Highway One up the coast of California and Oregon. Is there anything more beautiful?
We stayed at Fort Bragg on Sunday night and upon departing on Monday morning, we drove through McKerricher State Park which is where we tent camped with the Schulers and the Mendozas about 23 years ago. I have never been so cold!! After 3 days of camping there, bundled in coats and blankets, we drove inland and were welcomed to the valley by scorching temperatures approaching 100 degrees!! That was a long time ago, but I still remember.
After staying in Brookings, Oregon on Monday night, we continued north to Florence where we cut across to Drain, Oregon to pick up I-5. That was a beautiful drive with the first part of it paralleling the Umpquah River and Mother Nature providing a palette of fall colors on the trees.
As we were traversing this route, we noted a campaign sign for Representative Bruce L Hanna. Now I have relatives in that part of Oregon named Hanna, and upon getting home and checking the internet, sure enough, Bruce is my cousin's son. He was appointed to the House of Representatives to fill a vacancy and now is running on his own. I don't know of any other relative who is/was a politician so I will wish him luck.
We both slept well last night and were glad to be home. That will last about 2 days and we will have itchy feet again. I do want to get out in the motor home for a few days just because this is such a lovely time of year and the campgrounds are virtually empty.
Ciao
Sunday morning we headed north to San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge to drive through some of the wine country and then make our way out to the coast. As was the case during our entire trip, the weather was beautiful. We spent Sunday, Monday, and half of Tuesday driving along Highway One up the coast of California and Oregon. Is there anything more beautiful?
We stayed at Fort Bragg on Sunday night and upon departing on Monday morning, we drove through McKerricher State Park which is where we tent camped with the Schulers and the Mendozas about 23 years ago. I have never been so cold!! After 3 days of camping there, bundled in coats and blankets, we drove inland and were welcomed to the valley by scorching temperatures approaching 100 degrees!! That was a long time ago, but I still remember.
After staying in Brookings, Oregon on Monday night, we continued north to Florence where we cut across to Drain, Oregon to pick up I-5. That was a beautiful drive with the first part of it paralleling the Umpquah River and Mother Nature providing a palette of fall colors on the trees.
As we were traversing this route, we noted a campaign sign for Representative Bruce L Hanna. Now I have relatives in that part of Oregon named Hanna, and upon getting home and checking the internet, sure enough, Bruce is my cousin's son. He was appointed to the House of Representatives to fill a vacancy and now is running on his own. I don't know of any other relative who is/was a politician so I will wish him luck.
We both slept well last night and were glad to be home. That will last about 2 days and we will have itchy feet again. I do want to get out in the motor home for a few days just because this is such a lovely time of year and the campgrounds are virtually empty.
Ciao
Thursday, September 30, 2004
We are back at the Schulers in San Jose after a very fun time at the reunion in San Francisco. We stayed at the Marine Memorial Hotel on Sutter Street which put us within walking distance of most attractions such as Market Street, China Town and lots of good restaurants. Our reunion coordinator did a great job with everything.
We spent lots of time reminiscing with friends we had not seen in almost 40 years - Joe and Marilyn Gareffa, Winnie and Gary Larson, Ken and Ruth Larsen, and Dick and Ramona Lynch. Actually there were about 40 couples in all, and almost all were in the squadron at some time while Ken was there. The reunion reinforced my ongoing belief about the military being family and nothing changes that no matter the years. We discovered that at least a half dozen folks live in the greater Seattle area so we are looking at our own mini-reunion.
There was a wine tasting tour on Tuesday that took us to two wineries in the Napa Valley. The first was Robert Mondavi, but we were given a more exclusive tour of their latest facility that produces some of their more handcrafted upscale wines. And the second was in Carneros; a sparkling wine facility.
Gary and Winnie returned us to San Jose yesterday, but not before we attempted to visit Allied Arts in Palo Alto (closed for remodeling) and Sunset Magazine in Menlo Park (only the gardens available for touring). But the highlight was to visit the apartment complex (Moffett Manor) in Mt. View which is where the Larsons and we lived while with VP46 at Moffett Field. It looks pretty much the same, except there are now grass and shrubs where the swimming pool used to be.
Moffett Field is now a NASA facility, although there is still an exchange and commissary and a Navy Lodge. Hanger One has been painted white, but many of the buildings are in need of paint and repair. A bit sad to see it like that.
We are now waiting for Bev to arrive home from work to proceed with a day of play - whatever that may be. We will probably leave for home on Sunday with a drive toward Bodega Bay to check out RV sites, then on to Brookings-Harbor, Oregon just because we like it, and then head up the Oregon coast. Then we'll head northeast through Oregon wine country and home.
Ciao
We spent lots of time reminiscing with friends we had not seen in almost 40 years - Joe and Marilyn Gareffa, Winnie and Gary Larson, Ken and Ruth Larsen, and Dick and Ramona Lynch. Actually there were about 40 couples in all, and almost all were in the squadron at some time while Ken was there. The reunion reinforced my ongoing belief about the military being family and nothing changes that no matter the years. We discovered that at least a half dozen folks live in the greater Seattle area so we are looking at our own mini-reunion.
There was a wine tasting tour on Tuesday that took us to two wineries in the Napa Valley. The first was Robert Mondavi, but we were given a more exclusive tour of their latest facility that produces some of their more handcrafted upscale wines. And the second was in Carneros; a sparkling wine facility.
Gary and Winnie returned us to San Jose yesterday, but not before we attempted to visit Allied Arts in Palo Alto (closed for remodeling) and Sunset Magazine in Menlo Park (only the gardens available for touring). But the highlight was to visit the apartment complex (Moffett Manor) in Mt. View which is where the Larsons and we lived while with VP46 at Moffett Field. It looks pretty much the same, except there are now grass and shrubs where the swimming pool used to be.
Moffett Field is now a NASA facility, although there is still an exchange and commissary and a Navy Lodge. Hanger One has been painted white, but many of the buildings are in need of paint and repair. A bit sad to see it like that.
We are now waiting for Bev to arrive home from work to proceed with a day of play - whatever that may be. We will probably leave for home on Sunday with a drive toward Bodega Bay to check out RV sites, then on to Brookings-Harbor, Oregon just because we like it, and then head up the Oregon coast. Then we'll head northeast through Oregon wine country and home.
Ciao
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Here we are in the land of sunshine with the temps hitting the high 70s. Our drive down on Friday was uneventful, as usual. And it took 13 hours as usual. Mt. Shasta looks quite pathetic with just a few showings of white........and I am always shocked by the increasingly lowering levels of Lake Shasta.
Yesterday was shopping and manicures for the girls and beer for the boys. Bev and I spent some time at Valley Fair Shopping Center which is now about 10 times bigger than when we lived here years ago. It was bustling and crowded; sort of like we might see at Tacoma Mall the week before Christmas. There just seems to be a lot more money to be spent here in Silicone Valley.
Ken and Jeff spent the afternoon at Los Gatos Brewing Company celebrating Octoberfest with 'The Internationals', a local oompah oompah band that is a favorite with the Schuler clan. The two guys came home jovial and grinning so either the music or the beer was good.....or both.
Debbie and Peter (Schuler daughter and son-in-law) pretty much took care of dinner last night: Tomato, bacon, and blue cheese salad, two London broils each with a different marinade, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and broccoli and brussel sprouts. Accompanied by several bottles of good Northern California red wine.
We are going to church this morning and then will hop on Cal Trans to go to San Francisco for 3 nights for the reunion. We are looking forward to it.
Time to dress for church. Have a great day. Ciao
Yesterday was shopping and manicures for the girls and beer for the boys. Bev and I spent some time at Valley Fair Shopping Center which is now about 10 times bigger than when we lived here years ago. It was bustling and crowded; sort of like we might see at Tacoma Mall the week before Christmas. There just seems to be a lot more money to be spent here in Silicone Valley.
Ken and Jeff spent the afternoon at Los Gatos Brewing Company celebrating Octoberfest with 'The Internationals', a local oompah oompah band that is a favorite with the Schuler clan. The two guys came home jovial and grinning so either the music or the beer was good.....or both.
Debbie and Peter (Schuler daughter and son-in-law) pretty much took care of dinner last night: Tomato, bacon, and blue cheese salad, two London broils each with a different marinade, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and broccoli and brussel sprouts. Accompanied by several bottles of good Northern California red wine.
We are going to church this morning and then will hop on Cal Trans to go to San Francisco for 3 nights for the reunion. We are looking forward to it.
Time to dress for church. Have a great day. Ciao
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
What was I saying about the beautiful weather? Today has been cool, cloudy, and rainy. So goes fall in the Northwest.
The motor home spent the night at Gilchrist Chevrolet last night while they tried to figure out a problem with the dash display - ordered a new one. The main reason for the trip to Gilchrist was to get the shocks replaced which is a concession by Workhorse for any chassis that was built prior to 4/04. Ken hasn't been able to test it at 65 miles an hour on the freeway, but he said there was a world of difference in the handling on the way home in traffic. I don't know what it came with, but now it has Monroes on the front.
As most of you know, I am addicted to RV.net which is an online forum for all things Rving. The moderator from Spokane Valley has suggested a little rally in October in eastern Washington. So I have given my input and we will see what comes together. We won't be available until the 2nd week end so we will see what the dates are.
Ken has been pouring over old slides to see if he can find any from the days in the 60's when we were with the folks we are going to see next week at the reunion. The few that he has found show all of us as being slim, the guys have crew cuts and we all have dark hair and few if any are wearing glasses!!
We stopped at Costco today to pick up a printer cartridge so we cruised the food aisles for the demo tables to supply us with lunch. I took note of all the Christmas displays. In fact, I think every store I have entered in the past week has had the full gamut of Christmas stuff already. Isn't this just a bit early?
We received the October issue of Sunset magazine today, and there is not even a nod to Octoberfest (nor was there in the September issue), so I igonored their ignoring and prepared sauerkraut and bratwurst for dinner tonight! Last year at this time we were in the land of Octoberfest enjoying all that Germany has to offer along with Brian and Sheila and the Schulers.
Colleen has finished her 2 weeks in the office at Fuller Seminary in Colorado Springs, and is now in Pasadena for a leadership conference and then will be home on Sunday........for about 2 weeks before she leaves for New Zealand to attend a friend's wedding and then on to Australia to see Bassim and meet his family.
Ciao
The motor home spent the night at Gilchrist Chevrolet last night while they tried to figure out a problem with the dash display - ordered a new one. The main reason for the trip to Gilchrist was to get the shocks replaced which is a concession by Workhorse for any chassis that was built prior to 4/04. Ken hasn't been able to test it at 65 miles an hour on the freeway, but he said there was a world of difference in the handling on the way home in traffic. I don't know what it came with, but now it has Monroes on the front.
As most of you know, I am addicted to RV.net which is an online forum for all things Rving. The moderator from Spokane Valley has suggested a little rally in October in eastern Washington. So I have given my input and we will see what comes together. We won't be available until the 2nd week end so we will see what the dates are.
Ken has been pouring over old slides to see if he can find any from the days in the 60's when we were with the folks we are going to see next week at the reunion. The few that he has found show all of us as being slim, the guys have crew cuts and we all have dark hair and few if any are wearing glasses!!
We stopped at Costco today to pick up a printer cartridge so we cruised the food aisles for the demo tables to supply us with lunch. I took note of all the Christmas displays. In fact, I think every store I have entered in the past week has had the full gamut of Christmas stuff already. Isn't this just a bit early?
We received the October issue of Sunset magazine today, and there is not even a nod to Octoberfest (nor was there in the September issue), so I igonored their ignoring and prepared sauerkraut and bratwurst for dinner tonight! Last year at this time we were in the land of Octoberfest enjoying all that Germany has to offer along with Brian and Sheila and the Schulers.
Colleen has finished her 2 weeks in the office at Fuller Seminary in Colorado Springs, and is now in Pasadena for a leadership conference and then will be home on Sunday........for about 2 weeks before she leaves for New Zealand to attend a friend's wedding and then on to Australia to see Bassim and meet his family.
Ciao
Monday, September 20, 2004
I think I am attempting to take up the slack while Martha Stewart serves her time in jail. I've been so domestic I can hardly stand it. I have all the ironing caught up, and some of it has probably been waiting in the linen closet for a year, and that includes all the tablecloths and napkins I am apt to use between now and the first of the year. And Ken keeps bringing peppers and apples from the garden so that calls for kitchen duty!! And Martha would be proud to see me cruise through the house, removing and rearranging and going from a summer to a fall look!
We just made our reservation for the month of January at Cocopah Resort in Yuma. We are scheduled from January 7 to February 7 so let's hope we can get out of Dodge and down through the Siskiyous in a timely manner. I have been reading some on-line journals from folks who have spent time in Puerto Penasco, Mexico, which is where we plan to spend the month of March, and it all sounds quite appealing. I am amazed that these folks freely go out for margaritas. What happened to the concern about ice in Mexico? I would be a happy camper if the water and ice are not a problem!!
Gary & Carolyn Ousey will be arriving in our area on the 29th of December, so they will join us for our annual New Years Eve/New Years Day festivities with the Schulers. News Years Eve amounts to a good dinner followed by a valiant effort to stay awake until midnight and New Years Day is a full day of football for the guys and a full day of Boggle for the girls.
Keith made his usual Sunday evening phone call last night. Since I had just spoken to Janet and Rachel earlier in the week, and Sarah was at work, Keith was the only conversationalist. They have been in a holding pattern to close on their lake property in Montana, and I think the next day or two will be the day. All the paperwork is signed so it is just a matter of waiting for it to record. Hmm, perhaps Mom and Dad should wander on over just to be sure the lake is still there. Nothing like having a free parking spot! Well, sort of. I'm not sure there is a place for the motor home as it is now, but with a few modifications, it should fit just fine!
This was a beautiful fall day with lots of warm sunshine, but we couldn't see the Sound until the fog lifted about 10:00 a.m. Fall is in the air. Keep on blogging!
We just made our reservation for the month of January at Cocopah Resort in Yuma. We are scheduled from January 7 to February 7 so let's hope we can get out of Dodge and down through the Siskiyous in a timely manner. I have been reading some on-line journals from folks who have spent time in Puerto Penasco, Mexico, which is where we plan to spend the month of March, and it all sounds quite appealing. I am amazed that these folks freely go out for margaritas. What happened to the concern about ice in Mexico? I would be a happy camper if the water and ice are not a problem!!
Gary & Carolyn Ousey will be arriving in our area on the 29th of December, so they will join us for our annual New Years Eve/New Years Day festivities with the Schulers. News Years Eve amounts to a good dinner followed by a valiant effort to stay awake until midnight and New Years Day is a full day of football for the guys and a full day of Boggle for the girls.
Keith made his usual Sunday evening phone call last night. Since I had just spoken to Janet and Rachel earlier in the week, and Sarah was at work, Keith was the only conversationalist. They have been in a holding pattern to close on their lake property in Montana, and I think the next day or two will be the day. All the paperwork is signed so it is just a matter of waiting for it to record. Hmm, perhaps Mom and Dad should wander on over just to be sure the lake is still there. Nothing like having a free parking spot! Well, sort of. I'm not sure there is a place for the motor home as it is now, but with a few modifications, it should fit just fine!
This was a beautiful fall day with lots of warm sunshine, but we couldn't see the Sound until the fog lifted about 10:00 a.m. Fall is in the air. Keep on blogging!
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Although nothing terribly exciting to report, I'm making a valiant effort to KEEP ON BLOGGING!
Ken is replacing the flooring/toilet seat in the downstairs bathroom - and it has not been fun. If you come to visit, be sure to tell him how great the floor looks!! It is times like these that make me wonder if we shouldn't consider a nice new little bungalow or condominium. This Old House where there is always something that needs to be fixed.
We are finalizing some plans for our winter trip down south. We are going to spend a fair bit of time with Gary and Carolyn Ousey, at least in the same general areas of Yuma, Casa Grande' and Puerto Penasco, Mexico. We spent time in the Casa Grande' area last winter while staying at Picacho Peak, but Yuma and Mexico are new to us. Woohoo! I think I have figured out that the RV lifestyle is made all the more enjoyable by the fact that there is no lawn to mow and nothing to fix (take it to a repair shop) - See paragraph 2 above.
We have been cool and rainy all day today, and I think that is the expected norm for the next few days. Fall is here!!
Keep on bloggin'
Ken is replacing the flooring/toilet seat in the downstairs bathroom - and it has not been fun. If you come to visit, be sure to tell him how great the floor looks!! It is times like these that make me wonder if we shouldn't consider a nice new little bungalow or condominium. This Old House where there is always something that needs to be fixed.
We are finalizing some plans for our winter trip down south. We are going to spend a fair bit of time with Gary and Carolyn Ousey, at least in the same general areas of Yuma, Casa Grande' and Puerto Penasco, Mexico. We spent time in the Casa Grande' area last winter while staying at Picacho Peak, but Yuma and Mexico are new to us. Woohoo! I think I have figured out that the RV lifestyle is made all the more enjoyable by the fact that there is no lawn to mow and nothing to fix (take it to a repair shop) - See paragraph 2 above.
We have been cool and rainy all day today, and I think that is the expected norm for the next few days. Fall is here!!
Keep on bloggin'
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
I love this fair! That is the mantra for this year's Puyallup Fair, sixth largest in the nation. Ken and I took advantage of military appreciation day yesterday and attended. This was our first visit, and we have lived in Pierce County for about 12 years. We rode a special Pierce Transit bus from Lakewood Mall and were dumped right in front of the gates. We walked through the livestock sheds and saw cows, sheep, goats, chickens, doves, horses, ducks, geese, and pigs. Speaking of which, we supported the Young Life booth by having BBQ sandwiches for lunch, then moved on to scones (a fair must) and coffee, and then I topped it off with a double-dipped caramel apple (not very good).
We watched a demonstration of draft horses which was great fun. Their were Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons, and even Shetland ponies, but I have to say I love the Clydesdales with their furry hooves. Each horse weights about 2000 pounds, and his harnessings cost about the same number. We saw the award-winning pumpkin that tipped the scales at over 900 pounds, and I always love to look at the fruit and vegetables mosaics created by the area's granges - yes, there are still a few. Ken made the observation that there were not many folks in the animal barns, but the exhibition halls full of commercial booths were packed.
We received the attendee list for the upcoming Navy reunion in San Francisco, and we are excited to see folks whom we haven't seen in 40 years. It looks like there are only about 40 attendees so we should have a good chance to visit with all over the 3 days. We will combine the trip with a visit to the Schulers in San Jose.
We are in a head to head battle with the ivy around here. Any good ideas on how to eradicate it? I think sweat is the only answer. We have been told that there is a product called Caseron that is an emergent, meaning it will prevent new growth, but won't do anything to the existing stuff. It is a granular product so it is easy to control the application, and I don't think it has harmful side effects.
I am going to forward this web address to all of you who might be interested in our activities. I would hate to think that Gary and Carolyn Ousey in Victoria are the only ones following our exciting lives. Ciao
We watched a demonstration of draft horses which was great fun. Their were Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons, and even Shetland ponies, but I have to say I love the Clydesdales with their furry hooves. Each horse weights about 2000 pounds, and his harnessings cost about the same number. We saw the award-winning pumpkin that tipped the scales at over 900 pounds, and I always love to look at the fruit and vegetables mosaics created by the area's granges - yes, there are still a few. Ken made the observation that there were not many folks in the animal barns, but the exhibition halls full of commercial booths were packed.
We received the attendee list for the upcoming Navy reunion in San Francisco, and we are excited to see folks whom we haven't seen in 40 years. It looks like there are only about 40 attendees so we should have a good chance to visit with all over the 3 days. We will combine the trip with a visit to the Schulers in San Jose.
We are in a head to head battle with the ivy around here. Any good ideas on how to eradicate it? I think sweat is the only answer. We have been told that there is a product called Caseron that is an emergent, meaning it will prevent new growth, but won't do anything to the existing stuff. It is a granular product so it is easy to control the application, and I don't think it has harmful side effects.
I am going to forward this web address to all of you who might be interested in our activities. I would hate to think that Gary and Carolyn Ousey in Victoria are the only ones following our exciting lives. Ciao
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Believe it or not, here we are sitting at home watching television on a Saturday night. Will wonders never cease? We are even considering going to church tomorrow!!
I called and talked to both my brothers this past 2 days and both are doing well. I am pleased that Pat has managed to get on board at the VA hospital in Spokane for some of his medical care. And he will be able to receive his medications through the VA at no charge.
Mike and Mary are fine. Mary flew to Texas last week to visit Becky. And she doesn't really like to fly, but Joel said she just announced that she was going to fly to Texas, bought her ticket, and didn't even ask if anybody else wanted to go!! Joel says Becky is much happier teaching at Texas Tech than she is being a student. I'm not sure where she is in the process, but I believe she is working on her thesis for her master's degree.
I spent several hours at the Lakewood Mall today - shopping is a good way to get one's walking time in. I purchased a new saucepan for the MH kitchen as well as some pieces to create a floral decoration for the dashboard of the MH when we are parked. I half-heartedly bought 2 or 3 tops that might work for our trip to San Francisco later this month. I always buy with the attitude that I can (and probably will) return it.
Three years ago today we were just settling in to our hotel room in the south of France when Ken turned on the television and stared in disbelief at what he was seeing. We found all the French and Germans we encountered on that trip to immediately express their sympathy once they learned we were Americans.
Curt and Linea flew to the midwest yesterday as the first leg of her journey to start her college days at Columbia University in Chicago to pursue her singing. Cinda will join them next Thursday and she and Curt will return to a very quiet house on Sunday. We are hoping we will have a week end in October when we can go camping.
I ran across a recipe today that I can't wait to try..........and from the looks of it, I should wait a long time!!
Holy Cow Cake
1 box chocolate cake mix (devils food)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 jar carmel syrup
1 large bowl Cool Whip
1 block cream cheese
4 Heath candy bars (crushed)
Prepare cake as directed and bake in 9 x 13 pan. When cake is done and still hot, poke holes in it. Pour condensed milk over cake. Then pour carmel syrup. Sprinkle 1/2 of the candy pieces and refrigerate. When chilled, mix Cool Whip and cream cheese together. Spread the mix over the cake. Top with remaining candy pieces and keep cold until ready to serve.
And if you would like something with a little less guilt, we tried this this week and it is pretty good:
Crustless Apple Pie
Vegetable oil spray
Whites of 2 large eggs, or egg substitute equivalent to 1 egg
3/4 cup sugar (I will only use 1/2 next time)
2 Tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup flour
1 cup diced, peeled apples (1 to 1 1/2 medium)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8 inch pie pan with vegetable oil spray and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites, sugars, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, lemon zest and nutmeg until smooth and fluffy. Beat in flour until smooth and well blended. Stir in apples. Turn into pie pan and sprinkle with nuts. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Pie will puff up as it cooks, then collapse as it cools. 151 calories for 1/8 pie.
I think I have done enough damage for now. Ciao
I called and talked to both my brothers this past 2 days and both are doing well. I am pleased that Pat has managed to get on board at the VA hospital in Spokane for some of his medical care. And he will be able to receive his medications through the VA at no charge.
Mike and Mary are fine. Mary flew to Texas last week to visit Becky. And she doesn't really like to fly, but Joel said she just announced that she was going to fly to Texas, bought her ticket, and didn't even ask if anybody else wanted to go!! Joel says Becky is much happier teaching at Texas Tech than she is being a student. I'm not sure where she is in the process, but I believe she is working on her thesis for her master's degree.
I spent several hours at the Lakewood Mall today - shopping is a good way to get one's walking time in. I purchased a new saucepan for the MH kitchen as well as some pieces to create a floral decoration for the dashboard of the MH when we are parked. I half-heartedly bought 2 or 3 tops that might work for our trip to San Francisco later this month. I always buy with the attitude that I can (and probably will) return it.
Three years ago today we were just settling in to our hotel room in the south of France when Ken turned on the television and stared in disbelief at what he was seeing. We found all the French and Germans we encountered on that trip to immediately express their sympathy once they learned we were Americans.
Curt and Linea flew to the midwest yesterday as the first leg of her journey to start her college days at Columbia University in Chicago to pursue her singing. Cinda will join them next Thursday and she and Curt will return to a very quiet house on Sunday. We are hoping we will have a week end in October when we can go camping.
I ran across a recipe today that I can't wait to try..........and from the looks of it, I should wait a long time!!
Holy Cow Cake
1 box chocolate cake mix (devils food)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 jar carmel syrup
1 large bowl Cool Whip
1 block cream cheese
4 Heath candy bars (crushed)
Prepare cake as directed and bake in 9 x 13 pan. When cake is done and still hot, poke holes in it. Pour condensed milk over cake. Then pour carmel syrup. Sprinkle 1/2 of the candy pieces and refrigerate. When chilled, mix Cool Whip and cream cheese together. Spread the mix over the cake. Top with remaining candy pieces and keep cold until ready to serve.
And if you would like something with a little less guilt, we tried this this week and it is pretty good:
Crustless Apple Pie
Vegetable oil spray
Whites of 2 large eggs, or egg substitute equivalent to 1 egg
3/4 cup sugar (I will only use 1/2 next time)
2 Tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup flour
1 cup diced, peeled apples (1 to 1 1/2 medium)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8 inch pie pan with vegetable oil spray and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites, sugars, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, lemon zest and nutmeg until smooth and fluffy. Beat in flour until smooth and well blended. Stir in apples. Turn into pie pan and sprinkle with nuts. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Pie will puff up as it cooks, then collapse as it cools. 151 calories for 1/8 pie.
I think I have done enough damage for now. Ciao
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Well, I was wrong about being home for a while. We just spent a wonderful Labor Day week end with Brian, Sheila, and the boys on the Washington coast at Pacific Beach. It was rather last-minute, but we were able to get a site at the Pacific Beach Conference Center which is owned by the U.S. Navy and is available to all military. We were fortunate, because the park was full! The sites are very nice with lots of green grass and a few trees.
Nolan and Warren dug up about half the coast of Washington as they proceeded to create 'the world's biggest clam farm'. It was only a few hundred yards down a hill to the beach from our campsite, so it worked out well. We were able to drive the car down so we denied ourselves nothing for a day on the beach: wood for a fire, a dutch oven chicken dinner to cook over the fire, lawn chairs, wine, wine glasses, and wine holders and extra long roasting sticks for the marshmallows for s'mores. It was a good time. The down side is that it is a ten hour drive each way for Brian and family.
So now we should be home for about 2 weeks before we leave for California. We have decided to drive instead of fly, so we will be leaving about 9/22. The Navy reunion is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and then we plan to spend a day or two with the Larsons who were also our neighbors while we were with VP-46. In fact, since Ken was in Hawaii, it was Gary who drove me to the hospital when Colleen was born. They live in Virginia and we haven't seen them for at least 10 years.
We were delighted to have Gary and Carolyn Ousey come through for a week end. We were able to sponsor them so they could stay in the Fam Camp at Ft Lewis and that put them close to our house. We enjoyed some good wine and some good company - and Gary was able to utilize our internet connection and get his on-line fix. We are beginning to talk about a rendevous this winter in Yuma, AZ at a resort where they stayed last year, plus a trip across the border to Puerto Penasco which is about 60 miles south. I have been to San Miquel de Allende, but that is the extent of our Mexican travel, so Puerto Penasco should be fun. I understand one can simply while away the time by eating fresh shrimp and sitting on the beach. Sounds good to me!!
Our warm dry summer is coming to an end. Today it turned cloudy and rainy, and I'm sure this is only the beginning. Although I suspect we will have a few nice fall days. I do love the fall with the chill in the air and all the wonderful produce that is available. We still have a bit of corn in the garden, along with herbs and some strawberries. The dahlias in front are still blooming, and I want to get some flowering kale for the flower pots on the back patio.
The ivy and the blackberries are about to take over everything so we have a young man coming tomorrow to do some clearing in exchange for some money to augment his college fund. Those 2 weeds are insidious and it takes a Heruclean effort to get rid of them.
Ciao
Nolan and Warren dug up about half the coast of Washington as they proceeded to create 'the world's biggest clam farm'. It was only a few hundred yards down a hill to the beach from our campsite, so it worked out well. We were able to drive the car down so we denied ourselves nothing for a day on the beach: wood for a fire, a dutch oven chicken dinner to cook over the fire, lawn chairs, wine, wine glasses, and wine holders and extra long roasting sticks for the marshmallows for s'mores. It was a good time. The down side is that it is a ten hour drive each way for Brian and family.
So now we should be home for about 2 weeks before we leave for California. We have decided to drive instead of fly, so we will be leaving about 9/22. The Navy reunion is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and then we plan to spend a day or two with the Larsons who were also our neighbors while we were with VP-46. In fact, since Ken was in Hawaii, it was Gary who drove me to the hospital when Colleen was born. They live in Virginia and we haven't seen them for at least 10 years.
We were delighted to have Gary and Carolyn Ousey come through for a week end. We were able to sponsor them so they could stay in the Fam Camp at Ft Lewis and that put them close to our house. We enjoyed some good wine and some good company - and Gary was able to utilize our internet connection and get his on-line fix. We are beginning to talk about a rendevous this winter in Yuma, AZ at a resort where they stayed last year, plus a trip across the border to Puerto Penasco which is about 60 miles south. I have been to San Miquel de Allende, but that is the extent of our Mexican travel, so Puerto Penasco should be fun. I understand one can simply while away the time by eating fresh shrimp and sitting on the beach. Sounds good to me!!
Our warm dry summer is coming to an end. Today it turned cloudy and rainy, and I'm sure this is only the beginning. Although I suspect we will have a few nice fall days. I do love the fall with the chill in the air and all the wonderful produce that is available. We still have a bit of corn in the garden, along with herbs and some strawberries. The dahlias in front are still blooming, and I want to get some flowering kale for the flower pots on the back patio.
The ivy and the blackberries are about to take over everything so we have a young man coming tomorrow to do some clearing in exchange for some money to augment his college fund. Those 2 weeds are insidious and it takes a Heruclean effort to get rid of them.
Ciao
Thursday, August 26, 2004
We are finally home for a few days to catch up. Since the last blog, we have been to the Tri-Cities in Washington, Victoria, Canada, Kalispell, Montana, southern Idaho, and San Jose, CA.
We met Brian in Prosser the week end after the 4th to 'hand off' the boys. I would have loved to have kept them longer, but Mom was due home from her 3 weeks of active duty in Arizona, and I think they were all a bit anxious to see each other. The boys and Brian swam in the pool, we went out for pizza, and we adults did a bit of wine tasting over the week end.
Jeff and Bev Schuler spent a few days with us during the week of the 19th of July. We took the motor home to Long Beach for two of those nights and enjoyed the sea breezes. We dropped them at SeaTac on Friday, 7/23, and drove directly to Port Angeles to get on the ferry for Victoria where we spent a very fun week end with Gary and Carolyn Ousey. We were thoroughly wined and dined and spent hours just gabbing. There was a vintage car show on the waterfront, so we took that in on Sunday. We were given the tour of Gary and Carolyn's brand new Monaco motor home and it is lovely. In fact they are traveling in it at this moment and we are hoping to see them here tomorrow.
While traveling back from Victoria, Keith called to say they were in the process of purchasing lakefront property in Montana and would be in Kalispell on Friday if we wanted to join them. Of course! So left here Wednesday afternoon, stayed overnight in Ritzville, and arrived in Kalispell on Thursday evening. Checked out the property (1 acre with 145 feet of frontage on Little Bitteroot Lake) and we all declared it to be wonderful. I believe as of this week, they now own it, and will wait for 20 years for retirement to live there. But this trip was a bonus to see all of them a second time since they were here at Easter. And that lakefront lot will very nicely accomodate our motor home!!
Our next commitment was rafting on the North Payette River with the Idaho Kirkwoods. So we saddled up the motor home and headed south. The day on the river was great. We encountered about a half dozen class 3 rapids and Nolan sat on the front of the raft through all of them. Warren wasn't so sure but what his parents and grandparents had lost their minds and we were all going to drown. We headed back to Mt. Home AFB on Sunday and stayed for a couple of days to continue our visit.
On Monday, August 16, Sheila and the boys, and their friends Pam Hoover and her 3 daughters came to Steilacoom for a quick visit and a day of shopping at IKEA. We had just about every bed filled including the motor home and the treehouse, and we had a great time. On the following Friday, Ken and I drove 13 hours to San Jose and arrived in time to have dinner with the Schuler family as the start of a week end to celebrate Jeff and Bev's 40th wedding anniversay. We spent Saturday at a bocce ball court trying to master the game while enjoying wine and food. We got to see several of our friends from the days when we lived there. We spent Sunday and Monday nights with John and Carol Nicoletti who were our neighbors across the street from us in our old neighborhood. We took a more leisurely drive home by dividing it between Tuesday and Wednesday. And here we are on Thursday.
We don't plan to leave town again until the week end of September 24 when we will fly to San Francisco for a VP 46 Navy reunion for Ken. So if any of you want to catch us at home, now is the time to do it!! We need to stay put and do some yardwork and catch up with the garden output.
Colleen is going to work at her old job in Colorado Springs for 3 weeks in September while they have a change in personnel, and then she goes to New Zealand and Australia in October. We see Craig once in a while when he comes by for lunch or after work, but his job is very busy at the moment. Ciao
We met Brian in Prosser the week end after the 4th to 'hand off' the boys. I would have loved to have kept them longer, but Mom was due home from her 3 weeks of active duty in Arizona, and I think they were all a bit anxious to see each other. The boys and Brian swam in the pool, we went out for pizza, and we adults did a bit of wine tasting over the week end.
Jeff and Bev Schuler spent a few days with us during the week of the 19th of July. We took the motor home to Long Beach for two of those nights and enjoyed the sea breezes. We dropped them at SeaTac on Friday, 7/23, and drove directly to Port Angeles to get on the ferry for Victoria where we spent a very fun week end with Gary and Carolyn Ousey. We were thoroughly wined and dined and spent hours just gabbing. There was a vintage car show on the waterfront, so we took that in on Sunday. We were given the tour of Gary and Carolyn's brand new Monaco motor home and it is lovely. In fact they are traveling in it at this moment and we are hoping to see them here tomorrow.
While traveling back from Victoria, Keith called to say they were in the process of purchasing lakefront property in Montana and would be in Kalispell on Friday if we wanted to join them. Of course! So left here Wednesday afternoon, stayed overnight in Ritzville, and arrived in Kalispell on Thursday evening. Checked out the property (1 acre with 145 feet of frontage on Little Bitteroot Lake) and we all declared it to be wonderful. I believe as of this week, they now own it, and will wait for 20 years for retirement to live there. But this trip was a bonus to see all of them a second time since they were here at Easter. And that lakefront lot will very nicely accomodate our motor home!!
Our next commitment was rafting on the North Payette River with the Idaho Kirkwoods. So we saddled up the motor home and headed south. The day on the river was great. We encountered about a half dozen class 3 rapids and Nolan sat on the front of the raft through all of them. Warren wasn't so sure but what his parents and grandparents had lost their minds and we were all going to drown. We headed back to Mt. Home AFB on Sunday and stayed for a couple of days to continue our visit.
On Monday, August 16, Sheila and the boys, and their friends Pam Hoover and her 3 daughters came to Steilacoom for a quick visit and a day of shopping at IKEA. We had just about every bed filled including the motor home and the treehouse, and we had a great time. On the following Friday, Ken and I drove 13 hours to San Jose and arrived in time to have dinner with the Schuler family as the start of a week end to celebrate Jeff and Bev's 40th wedding anniversay. We spent Saturday at a bocce ball court trying to master the game while enjoying wine and food. We got to see several of our friends from the days when we lived there. We spent Sunday and Monday nights with John and Carol Nicoletti who were our neighbors across the street from us in our old neighborhood. We took a more leisurely drive home by dividing it between Tuesday and Wednesday. And here we are on Thursday.
We don't plan to leave town again until the week end of September 24 when we will fly to San Francisco for a VP 46 Navy reunion for Ken. So if any of you want to catch us at home, now is the time to do it!! We need to stay put and do some yardwork and catch up with the garden output.
Colleen is going to work at her old job in Colorado Springs for 3 weeks in September while they have a change in personnel, and then she goes to New Zealand and Australia in October. We see Craig once in a while when he comes by for lunch or after work, but his job is very busy at the moment. Ciao
Thursday, July 15, 2004
I could have sworn I blogged sometime during July!!!! We have had some busy times. There were 12 here for the 4th. Steilacoom does a full Fourth starting at 7 in the morning and ending with fireworks at 10:30 in the evening. Brian and the boys arrived on 7/2, Brian drove back to Mt. Home to go back to work on Tuesday, and we got to keep the boys for a few days.
It was all just fun. We visited the Seattle Aquarium, the Boeing Flight Museum, and the Tacoma Zoo. Along with Aunt Colleen we spent one afternoon digging in the sand and building sand castles at Sunnyside Beach in Steilacoom. All meals were tailor-made for the boys to include cold cereal, grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese and pizza. Not a green thing in sight, just an occasional apple or carrot for vitamins!! We loved having them and they were just about perfect the whole time.
The tree house was well-used. They slept in it every night except the evening they watched the History Channel with a program about UFO's. Nolan was in the motor home with us and Warren was in bed with Aunt Colleen. We took the boys to the Tri-cities in the motor home where Brian met us on Saturday. Then it was off to Mt. Home on Sunday for the 3 of them.
Now we are anticipating the visit of Jeff and Bev Schuler. Bev says Jeff will be emailing me to tell me when they arrive next week........but so far no email. I suspect they are at the San Jose Giants game tonight so we should hear from them later on this evening.
Tomorrow is my last day of work. The office has a new person hired so my services are no longer needed. Yeh!!
Colleen flew to San Francisco for the week end where she will meet up with Bassim. He is on his way back to Australia to take on his new assignment: the Iraqi desk for the Australian state department. He would like to see Yosemite, but I wonder if the fires are going to preclude that?
Keep cool!
It was all just fun. We visited the Seattle Aquarium, the Boeing Flight Museum, and the Tacoma Zoo. Along with Aunt Colleen we spent one afternoon digging in the sand and building sand castles at Sunnyside Beach in Steilacoom. All meals were tailor-made for the boys to include cold cereal, grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese and pizza. Not a green thing in sight, just an occasional apple or carrot for vitamins!! We loved having them and they were just about perfect the whole time.
The tree house was well-used. They slept in it every night except the evening they watched the History Channel with a program about UFO's. Nolan was in the motor home with us and Warren was in bed with Aunt Colleen. We took the boys to the Tri-cities in the motor home where Brian met us on Saturday. Then it was off to Mt. Home on Sunday for the 3 of them.
Now we are anticipating the visit of Jeff and Bev Schuler. Bev says Jeff will be emailing me to tell me when they arrive next week........but so far no email. I suspect they are at the San Jose Giants game tonight so we should hear from them later on this evening.
Tomorrow is my last day of work. The office has a new person hired so my services are no longer needed. Yeh!!
Colleen flew to San Francisco for the week end where she will meet up with Bassim. He is on his way back to Australia to take on his new assignment: the Iraqi desk for the Australian state department. He would like to see Yosemite, but I wonder if the fires are going to preclude that?
Keep cool!
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Maiden voyage completed. We returned today from 6 days of travel to and from the wine country in eastern Washington. The new motor home performed very well, and at this point we have a pretty short list for the service department. The air conditioners kept up with the desert heat in Prosser.
We stayed at a very new very nice RV park in Prosser called Wine Country RV. I highly recommend it. Easy access from I-84, grassy sites for all and concrete tracks with gravel between for the premium sites. They have an underground sprinkler system so the grass is green and there are no sprinkler surprises since the grass is watered from underground. Immaculate restrooms, pool, spa, and grounds and friendly staff. What more could you ask for? Wi-fi? Yes. Store? Yes.
We dutifully visited as many wineries as we could manage. Our vote for most fun was Piety Flats in Wapato, WA. My favorite tasting room was Chinook with a little cottage whose tasting room looked like someone's living/dining room. And L'ecole 41 near Walla Walla which is housed in an old restored schoolhouse. All of the above wines were also very good. I find the wines that get my highest reviews are those that are poured by friendly, talkative, knowledgeable folks. We added a couple of cases to our wine supply during the visits.
We visited with Bill & Sammie Bourn on Thursday and Friday nights. Sammie and I met the year I graduated from high school when we were working for United Pacific Insurance Company. I was a bridesmaid in their wedding in Metaline Falls in 1962. Bill is a retured school administrator. They have 2 children, Joy and Scott, and 6 grandchildren.
Yesterday we spent a couple of hours with my cousin Ellen Jean who is 83 years young and is adored by all of her kids and grandkids. She lives in a 'mother-in-law' apartment at the back of son Larry's house.
And this week end the fun begins. Brian and the boys will arrive Friday night. Brian will stay until Monday and we get to keep the boys until the following week end when we will meet up with Brian and Sheila in the Tri-Cities. We have a Rainiers game to attend on the 3rd, and Steilacoom does the 4th of July from morning to night.
It is back to work for me tomorrow, but the office is advertising for a permanent employee so I think I will soon be able to go back to the life of leisure I had been enjoying before I went back to work. We plan to visit our friends, the Ouseys, in Victoria this summer and the annual Kirkwood family reunion will be the first Sunday in August near Hopewell, OR. Plus whatever other fun things come along.
I just started reading "Cold Mountain".
We stayed at a very new very nice RV park in Prosser called Wine Country RV. I highly recommend it. Easy access from I-84, grassy sites for all and concrete tracks with gravel between for the premium sites. They have an underground sprinkler system so the grass is green and there are no sprinkler surprises since the grass is watered from underground. Immaculate restrooms, pool, spa, and grounds and friendly staff. What more could you ask for? Wi-fi? Yes. Store? Yes.
We dutifully visited as many wineries as we could manage. Our vote for most fun was Piety Flats in Wapato, WA. My favorite tasting room was Chinook with a little cottage whose tasting room looked like someone's living/dining room. And L'ecole 41 near Walla Walla which is housed in an old restored schoolhouse. All of the above wines were also very good. I find the wines that get my highest reviews are those that are poured by friendly, talkative, knowledgeable folks. We added a couple of cases to our wine supply during the visits.
We visited with Bill & Sammie Bourn on Thursday and Friday nights. Sammie and I met the year I graduated from high school when we were working for United Pacific Insurance Company. I was a bridesmaid in their wedding in Metaline Falls in 1962. Bill is a retured school administrator. They have 2 children, Joy and Scott, and 6 grandchildren.
Yesterday we spent a couple of hours with my cousin Ellen Jean who is 83 years young and is adored by all of her kids and grandkids. She lives in a 'mother-in-law' apartment at the back of son Larry's house.
And this week end the fun begins. Brian and the boys will arrive Friday night. Brian will stay until Monday and we get to keep the boys until the following week end when we will meet up with Brian and Sheila in the Tri-Cities. We have a Rainiers game to attend on the 3rd, and Steilacoom does the 4th of July from morning to night.
It is back to work for me tomorrow, but the office is advertising for a permanent employee so I think I will soon be able to go back to the life of leisure I had been enjoying before I went back to work. We plan to visit our friends, the Ouseys, in Victoria this summer and the annual Kirkwood family reunion will be the first Sunday in August near Hopewell, OR. Plus whatever other fun things come along.
I just started reading "Cold Mountain".
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Oh oh. I had no idea it had been so long since I last blogged. Well we have been busy making a decision and taking delivery of a new motor home. We stayed with Winnebago, the 2004 32' Brave. We are still in the process of 'moving in' and I continue to be amazed at how efficient and well-planned our little 24F was. This one has more space, but not laid out nearly as well as our old one. We plan to go to eastern Washington for some wine tasting the latter part of next week. And if the schedule works, Jeff and Bev Schuler will join us.
Colleen has completed her odyssey from New Jersey to Steilacoom with a stop in Colorado Springs. Bassim flew to the Springs and traveled the rest of the way with her. She is now settled into the guest room until she finds work, a place to live, etc.
We have had several days of very warm sunny weather with temperatures in the 80s. There have some been a few freakish storms in the area, but for the most part we have had great weather. Is this the extent of summer?
I have been reading a series of Alaskan mysteries with the protagonist being a woman in a motor home. Sue Henry is the author and they are very easy reading. I would say they would appeal to women more than men.
Keep on blogging.
Colleen has completed her odyssey from New Jersey to Steilacoom with a stop in Colorado Springs. Bassim flew to the Springs and traveled the rest of the way with her. She is now settled into the guest room until she finds work, a place to live, etc.
We have had several days of very warm sunny weather with temperatures in the 80s. There have some been a few freakish storms in the area, but for the most part we have had great weather. Is this the extent of summer?
I have been reading a series of Alaskan mysteries with the protagonist being a woman in a motor home. Sue Henry is the author and they are very easy reading. I would say they would appeal to women more than men.
Keep on blogging.
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
I have returned to work for a few weeks. My former boss called to say the office was overwhelmed and would I work for a while? I agreed, negotiated a nifty raise, and reentered the working world. I have the luxury of pretty much working when I want, and I also have the luxury of quitting any time I want. It is fun to return to the office but not feel the sense of responsibility as when I was the senior (and frequently lone) staff member.
No further progress on the motor home except to have our salesman call today to say one of their banks is raising its rate by 1/2% tomorrow. Too bad we are not independently wealthy so we could just pay cash!! With the price of gasoline, we are in no hurry to do much traveling for the time being.
We enjoyed the company of Jerry and Lois (Ken's brother and wife) and Curt and Cinda (Jerry & Lois' daughter and son-in-law)last Saturday when they came for dinner. Lois' birthday was in April so I gifted her with a hatbox and a wine bottle holder filled with a bottle of Beefeaters. Our decadent dessert after dinner was chocolate peanut butter pie. I'll share the recipe at the end of this blog.
We are thrilled at the prospect of having Warren and Nolan spend a week with us after the Fourth of July. Never have our grandchildren lived close enough for us to enjoy frequent short visits. Sheila will be on active duty for a few weeks in Arizona and Brian and the boys will come here for the Fourth. Then Brian will go back to Mt. Home, and we get to keep the boys. The treehouse, Boeing Museum of Flight, nad American Lake fishing top the list of what we want to do.
Speaking of granchildren, Sarah went to her junior prom last Saturday. She and Ben made a very handsome couple.
Travelog:
Upon approaching Zion National Park from the southeast, we came in at the 'upper' level which contains a mile-long tunnel that was built before the advent of motor homes. So for a fee of $10, traffic is stopped in both directions so the motorhome can traverse the tunnel down the middle since the outside walls are not high enough to accomodate 12 feet of height. The views were spectacular as we wound our way down and around the sheer red rock cliffs.
Joan drove us into the park another day going via the one main road that covers its floor. We were treated to beautiful sights, particularly the red rock, at every turn of the road. Being a born and bred Northwesterner, I never would have imagined I could be so enamored with rocks!
The towns of St George and Ivans were quite appealing, but I must admit to feeling oppressed by the influence of the Mormons in the area. There is a stakehouse every square mile, and sometimes there are two stakehouses side by side. We asked Joan, a Lutheran, how she managed to move in and settle down and she said she almost left. But getting involved in her own church and one or two social activities made a change for her. We observed a family in a restaurant that obviously practiced polygamy based on the women's dress (dowdy), their hair style (braids), the women not talking, and one more woman than were men!
Candace's Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie - The New Basics Cookbook
CRUST
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup sugar
8 T unsalted butter melted
FILLING
12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup heavy or whipping cream
TOPPING
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream
2 oz good-quality unsweetened chocolate
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1. Preheat over to 350 degrees
2. Prepare the crust: Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter in a mixing bowl, and stir together thoroughly. Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate.
3. Bake the crust for 8 minutes. Then set it aside to cool completely.
4. Prepare the filling: Mix the cream cheese, peanut butter, and sugar together in a large bowl until well blended.
5. Whip the cream with an electric mixer until stiff, and fold it into the cream cheese mixture. Spoon the filling into the cooled crust.
6. Prepare the topping: Combine the sugar and cream in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, without stirring, for 6 minutes.
7. Remove the pan from the heat, add the chocolate and butter, and stir until melted. Then stir in the vanilla.
8. Carefully pour the topping over the pie, and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 4 hours. 8 portions
Note: I used only 1 cup sugar in the filling, and I used super chunky peanut butter. The food processor reduced the peanut chunks to just little bits of peanut which was a nice surprise in the smooth filling.
No further progress on the motor home except to have our salesman call today to say one of their banks is raising its rate by 1/2% tomorrow. Too bad we are not independently wealthy so we could just pay cash!! With the price of gasoline, we are in no hurry to do much traveling for the time being.
We enjoyed the company of Jerry and Lois (Ken's brother and wife) and Curt and Cinda (Jerry & Lois' daughter and son-in-law)last Saturday when they came for dinner. Lois' birthday was in April so I gifted her with a hatbox and a wine bottle holder filled with a bottle of Beefeaters. Our decadent dessert after dinner was chocolate peanut butter pie. I'll share the recipe at the end of this blog.
We are thrilled at the prospect of having Warren and Nolan spend a week with us after the Fourth of July. Never have our grandchildren lived close enough for us to enjoy frequent short visits. Sheila will be on active duty for a few weeks in Arizona and Brian and the boys will come here for the Fourth. Then Brian will go back to Mt. Home, and we get to keep the boys. The treehouse, Boeing Museum of Flight, nad American Lake fishing top the list of what we want to do.
Speaking of granchildren, Sarah went to her junior prom last Saturday. She and Ben made a very handsome couple.
Travelog:
Upon approaching Zion National Park from the southeast, we came in at the 'upper' level which contains a mile-long tunnel that was built before the advent of motor homes. So for a fee of $10, traffic is stopped in both directions so the motorhome can traverse the tunnel down the middle since the outside walls are not high enough to accomodate 12 feet of height. The views were spectacular as we wound our way down and around the sheer red rock cliffs.
Joan drove us into the park another day going via the one main road that covers its floor. We were treated to beautiful sights, particularly the red rock, at every turn of the road. Being a born and bred Northwesterner, I never would have imagined I could be so enamored with rocks!
The towns of St George and Ivans were quite appealing, but I must admit to feeling oppressed by the influence of the Mormons in the area. There is a stakehouse every square mile, and sometimes there are two stakehouses side by side. We asked Joan, a Lutheran, how she managed to move in and settle down and she said she almost left. But getting involved in her own church and one or two social activities made a change for her. We observed a family in a restaurant that obviously practiced polygamy based on the women's dress (dowdy), their hair style (braids), the women not talking, and one more woman than were men!
Candace's Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie - The New Basics Cookbook
CRUST
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup sugar
8 T unsalted butter melted
FILLING
12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup heavy or whipping cream
TOPPING
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream
2 oz good-quality unsweetened chocolate
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1. Preheat over to 350 degrees
2. Prepare the crust: Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter in a mixing bowl, and stir together thoroughly. Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate.
3. Bake the crust for 8 minutes. Then set it aside to cool completely.
4. Prepare the filling: Mix the cream cheese, peanut butter, and sugar together in a large bowl until well blended.
5. Whip the cream with an electric mixer until stiff, and fold it into the cream cheese mixture. Spoon the filling into the cooled crust.
6. Prepare the topping: Combine the sugar and cream in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, without stirring, for 6 minutes.
7. Remove the pan from the heat, add the chocolate and butter, and stir until melted. Then stir in the vanilla.
8. Carefully pour the topping over the pie, and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 4 hours. 8 portions
Note: I used only 1 cup sugar in the filling, and I used super chunky peanut butter. The food processor reduced the peanut chunks to just little bits of peanut which was a nice surprise in the smooth filling.
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Another expanse of time has passed, so I can bring you up to date on the success of fishing and RV shopping. So far the fishing has been more successful.
As usual Ken and Bob caught their limit every day, but Helen made the news with 2 large Rainbow trout out of Liberty Lake. One was over 2 pounds and the other 2.5+ pounds. The price of the license was well worth it, and I'm ready to go again.
We have shopped long and hard for a class A, and we know what we want (Winnebago Adventurer or Brave), but we can't quite come to an agreement on price. Ken is ready to buy, and I want to hold out as the season progresses, the gas prices rise, and the 2005s start to hit the showrooms. Maybe there will be some inventory that the dealers are ready to move.
Travel Notes: New Mexico
Must admit we were not as impressed with the New Mexican desert as we were the Arizona desert. We stayed one night in Truth or Consequences, a town of not much significance except its name, and then drove on to Santa Fe for a stay of several days. We visited Old Town Albuquerque and Old Town Santa Fe. The art is the draw for both as is the case with Taos. Since I wear silver, I saw lots of stuff I liked and did succomb to a few things.
We visited the Los Alamos museum which does not charge for entrance, and is very well done. It contains dozens of exhibits and interactive displays - more than can be absorbed in a matter of one or two hours. We toured one pueblo which was known for its black pottery - the Taos pueblo was closed as is the case every winter for several weeks.
Jeff and Bev Schuler met us in Santa Fe while we were there so we enjoyed their company while sightseeing and eating good Mexican food.
We left Santa Fe and headed northwest with our next stop to be to visit Joan Von Ohlen, a friend from San Jose days, who lives in Ivans, Utah. Much of the drive was quite scenic, and we fell in love with the red rock that became more and more prevalent as we approached southern Utah. We stayed in a beaufiul state park, Snow Canyon, which is just outside the city limits of Ivins. If you are ever in the area, try to camp there. The lower tent sites are more appealing than the upper sites with hook ups. More about Utah in my next blog!
As usual Ken and Bob caught their limit every day, but Helen made the news with 2 large Rainbow trout out of Liberty Lake. One was over 2 pounds and the other 2.5+ pounds. The price of the license was well worth it, and I'm ready to go again.
We have shopped long and hard for a class A, and we know what we want (Winnebago Adventurer or Brave), but we can't quite come to an agreement on price. Ken is ready to buy, and I want to hold out as the season progresses, the gas prices rise, and the 2005s start to hit the showrooms. Maybe there will be some inventory that the dealers are ready to move.
Travel Notes: New Mexico
Must admit we were not as impressed with the New Mexican desert as we were the Arizona desert. We stayed one night in Truth or Consequences, a town of not much significance except its name, and then drove on to Santa Fe for a stay of several days. We visited Old Town Albuquerque and Old Town Santa Fe. The art is the draw for both as is the case with Taos. Since I wear silver, I saw lots of stuff I liked and did succomb to a few things.
We visited the Los Alamos museum which does not charge for entrance, and is very well done. It contains dozens of exhibits and interactive displays - more than can be absorbed in a matter of one or two hours. We toured one pueblo which was known for its black pottery - the Taos pueblo was closed as is the case every winter for several weeks.
Jeff and Bev Schuler met us in Santa Fe while we were there so we enjoyed their company while sightseeing and eating good Mexican food.
We left Santa Fe and headed northwest with our next stop to be to visit Joan Von Ohlen, a friend from San Jose days, who lives in Ivans, Utah. Much of the drive was quite scenic, and we fell in love with the red rock that became more and more prevalent as we approached southern Utah. We stayed in a beaufiul state park, Snow Canyon, which is just outside the city limits of Ivins. If you are ever in the area, try to camp there. The lower tent sites are more appealing than the upper sites with hook ups. More about Utah in my next blog!
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Sorry about the almost three-week hiatus, but family and Easter seemed to take up most of our time. Brian and Sheila and the boys were unable to join us for the holiday weekend but Colleen was here and we had the joy of having Keith and Janet and the girls with us the entire week leading up to Easter. We spent Sunday wine-tasting in Woodinville, a day at Safeco watching the Mariners opening game, and two nights at Pacific Beach where we enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Pacific. It was on the cool side, but Keith and his dad built a roaring fire on the beach both nights so we were fine while we roasted marshmallows and ate s'mores.
We are going to LIberty Lake on Thursday for a few days of fishing with the season opening on Saturday. Ken and Bob will continue their annual ritual of opening day fishing, and Sharon and I will await their return with the cooler full of fish. I buy a license every year, and every year I fail to use it. We'll see if this year is different.
We have been haunting the RV dealerships looking at Class A motor homes to see if we want to move up to something with more room, particularly closet and storage space. And the configuration of a Class A versus the C affords more living space by being able to utilize the 'cockpit' area. We have looked at a number of manufacturers and have decided we will stay with Winnebago if we do get a Class A.
Winter travelogue
After leaving Mesa, we drove all of about 1 1/2 hours south to Picacho Peak which is about 20 miles north of Tucson. We were there for 6 days and it afforded us an opportunity to see some sights in the area such as Bosphere 2, the Desert Museum, and the Karchner Caverns which were just discovered within the last 25 years. Our campground was at the foot of Picacho Peak, and right outside our door we had hundreds of handsome Saguaro cactus. They just fascinate me, and it seems every one of them has its own unique personality.
We drove to Sierra Vista and looked around Ft. Huachuca where Keith was stationed a number of years ago. We quite like the Arizona desert and its outcroppings of mountains, and Sierra Vista has a good representation of both. It was a leisurely 6 days, and the first time we had been by ourselves since leaving Steilacoom. Next stop: New Mexico
We are going to LIberty Lake on Thursday for a few days of fishing with the season opening on Saturday. Ken and Bob will continue their annual ritual of opening day fishing, and Sharon and I will await their return with the cooler full of fish. I buy a license every year, and every year I fail to use it. We'll see if this year is different.
We have been haunting the RV dealerships looking at Class A motor homes to see if we want to move up to something with more room, particularly closet and storage space. And the configuration of a Class A versus the C affords more living space by being able to utilize the 'cockpit' area. We have looked at a number of manufacturers and have decided we will stay with Winnebago if we do get a Class A.
Winter travelogue
After leaving Mesa, we drove all of about 1 1/2 hours south to Picacho Peak which is about 20 miles north of Tucson. We were there for 6 days and it afforded us an opportunity to see some sights in the area such as Bosphere 2, the Desert Museum, and the Karchner Caverns which were just discovered within the last 25 years. Our campground was at the foot of Picacho Peak, and right outside our door we had hundreds of handsome Saguaro cactus. They just fascinate me, and it seems every one of them has its own unique personality.
We drove to Sierra Vista and looked around Ft. Huachuca where Keith was stationed a number of years ago. We quite like the Arizona desert and its outcroppings of mountains, and Sierra Vista has a good representation of both. It was a leisurely 6 days, and the first time we had been by ourselves since leaving Steilacoom. Next stop: New Mexico
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)