Thanksgiving Birthday

This Thanksgiving was great! We were able to combine Bob's 83rd birthday and Thanksgiving together. What better thanks could we ask for than to have so much family to share it with.
It started with a visit from Carie and Joey on the 24rd to the 26th. Joey played Frisbee golf with Carie, EJ and the Dog Horde, Carie helped EJ clean Guinea cages and make shell jewelry, and we still had plenty of time to sit around and visit.
Bobby drove in on Saturday afternoon and Debra made it home by around 5pm with more food to feed an army. We commenced to prep and cook as much as we could before Sunday, the Birthday Boy's Feast.
We had turkey and the whole kit-an-kabootle. Willeta and Fred came in about 10? Sunday, bearing pies galore then Jennifer and the Girls a little later, followed by Travis and Kelly and their two girls.
We were seated around the table for the meal. When everyone was finished we lit the candles on Bob's cake and sang a very loud rendition of Happy Birthday. Bob blew his candles out and we all cheered and clapped. The sound was incredible in that it was filled with so much love that it was almost overwhelming.
Yeshua, thank you so much for our blessings; our family. Please increase our times together!

The New Garden from Start to Now

Bill started the garden where Bob and Debra had it last year. They had been throwing all the kitchen compost on top of the area. Bill tilled and toiled until there were four long raised beds, then he proceeded to put the local river stone around each bed. (Still not quite finished but -- priorities, priorities!) He then dug fence post holes, cemented them in and put 8' deer fencing around the beds. Bill also made rebar gates in and out of the garden. We call one the sunrise gate and the other the harlequin gate. With all that done, we began planting with two apple trees and various cold weather crops, some perennial flower plants and herbs. I'm so loving those. Still to be done is the arbor for vining plants. A garden for utility, but artistic at the same time. (That's Bill for you!)

Great Growing Greenhouse

Bill and Bob put up a greenhouse for the potted plants to survive the winter and to start seeds in the early spring. They had it up and finished in 4 days. Bill used twisted juniper branches for the door handles and fencing for more support and plant protection when the plastic is removed. Bill and I moved the plants and seeder in and arranged them to my liking. Bill also hung up the birdhouses for storage on the shed wall inside. Debra's 55 gallon drums, she gave to Bob for water, are just inside for solar heat release at night and water in a pinch. Now the learning begins!

Absolute Albuquerque Adventure

Headed to Albuquerque, New Mexico to visit with Mom. We had a great time together, wonderful coffee by an aromatic fire in the cool crisp mornings, Chinese healing massages(the best I ever had!), "deep meaning" bible study (Thanks Mom for the Torah book), a vote for change, field trip to Santa Fe, and a to-die-for lunch under a huge poplar tree at La Casa Sena. So much in such a short time and every minute a pleasure. In youth we learn and in age we understand. (Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach) Hope we have many more times together!

Trippy Time Travel

Debra came home for a few and days and told us that if we wanted we could take a day for ourselves and she would look after things here for us. She almost got whiplash as we jumped for the door.
Took a drive to some of the old places in Austin this last Saturday. Before we got too far I asked to stop by this metal works place between Kerrville and Fredricksburg. Some beautiful pieces and pretty good prices. Once we reached Austin, we stopped by the house we lived in, near Lake Travis, Windy Point, and the Oasis Cantina down Commanche Trail. There were roofs everywhere where before were only trees. And the houses are huge and villa-like. It was a strange feeling seeing no familiar places while knowing I'd been there before. Even Windy Point was divided up into two parks and specialized between divers and sailors. We walked out on the diver's side.
The Oasis was under construction and the old building, that I thought was so big, was dwarfed by what is there now.
Our old house was remodeled and using every spare inch on the lot. You can no longer drive over the dam but use a lower highway that goes over Lake Austin right next to the dam.
The lady we met at Windy Point said the Iguana Grill was a great place to eat and had live music. The Suzie Brooks Band was great and the sunset beautiful. The food wasn't bad either. All in all, a great day.

Kabobs and Charcoal Aspearagus

Dick Allen came over last Wednesday and visited with us. We invited him to stay for dinner. He didn't know what he was in for. We later served him charcoal seared aspearagus and asked him how he liked it:) Then we served him kabobs with rice, which we find out he didn't care for rice. Just so everyone knows, we know how to make company feel comfortable. Hey Dick, where are you going? Come back!

Carr Carrier Cahoot

Dad and Mary came last weekend to pick up a carrier "especially made to tow behind their little volkswagon fuel saver up to Ohio" in Bandera, Texas. Thank goodness it was near us as we were lucky enough to visit with them for the weekend. We went to a party that was thrown by a local man who wanted the community to come together to get to know one another. He had a band featuring Jody Jenkins. There was free food and drink and we made the most of it. How nice there are people who open their homes to perfect stangers; what hospitality! Willeta came to do some paper business and deliver some MORE gifts to Bill, Diana, and Elura. Wow, family getting to know family - Cool! This is like I'd hoped it would be.

The More the Merrier

Finally getting around to blogging some of the happenings around here. Seems if you don't blog weekly or so, things tend to get out of hand. I can't even remember the dates and order of the occasions! Carrie, Joey, and Callie came for a weekend a few weeks back. The weather was boiling (why am I so concerned with that?!). We played Bocce while Callie's dog Jack talked with all the shadows. Boy, Carrie and Joey have quite the competitive streak. Carrie and EJ explored the art of expression in dance, while Bill and Joey "discussed" Spiritual matters. How nice it was to be around so much family. It is well worth the major change in our lives to be down here now; and beginning to realize the wonderful gifts each of our family members have and the blessings they can share with us as a whole.

Beer Brewing --- A Spectator Sport

Bill brewed his most recent batch of beer, as the days have cooled to a merciful level, and well, he ran out of the last batch. He is now swilling down the Bud with his Dad. And I'm curious if his Dad is wondering as to where all his beer has gone.

So we saw our daughter/sister graduate! Tears, lots of tears. And there was cheese too (we won't talk about that though). We are so proud of all she has done and is doing (oh, she has a plan,a good plan!) In the photo of the graduating mass Damara is holding up her hand with the "I love you" sign.
So, now she can wear a T-shirt that has a big BS on it, and people can ask "What does that stand for?"
May God continue to bless you and increase you, Daughter, so be it!!!

Brownsville Coast Loop Adventure

We managed to sneak in another road trip (300 miles) before I have to become a cross country trucker. Brownsville was wonderful, once we found it:)and whats with the huge Dairymart?!(I've never seen one that big!") The museum was a great time-travel adventure. Lize, the last Kalapooya Indian woman in the area, twisted the wisteria in front of the Moyer House. The curious coffee guy was a total trip. Tip: Don't tell a librarian how handle books! Squirrel Headquarters for world domination are at Brownsville Pioneer Park. And the coast was blustery but we still loved it! It seemed that every time we got out of the vehicle the rain cleared for us. Ate dinner at Mo's in Florence, then one last look at Half Moon Bay before heading home.

Not Your Birthday, Hot Mama Day!

What a blessing God has given us through our friends!!! Amber, knowing I was not into having a birthday party, made a new tradition for me to follow, for hopefully many more years to come. HOT MAMA DAY ! After being crowned HotMama for the day I was bestowed with jewels and fed the finest of foods. Kathy's feta chicken burgers, salmon, complements of Eric, aspearagus with very teriaki, and butter cake with brownies made by Amber. Good conversaton and laughter plus all kinds of weather made our get together one to remember, thank you. We are so going to miss all of you!!!!

Birthday Binge and Bowl

Went to Dinner with Marc and Colleen in CG, gorged on mexican food brought to us by Frankie, and then hung out in the parking lot. I think all of us didn't want the night to be over; the last time we'd see each other for a long time, so we went bowling (EJ's idea or was it Colleen's?) What a blast, EJ danced to the music as she bowled, Marc beat the tar out of all of us, and I think I pulled something in my knee and shoulder and my wrist... Anyway, way great night. We're making some good memories to take with us.

Super Shaw Supp

The Shaws made a trek to our place bearing all the goodies for their fantastic tostadas! Colleen's beans, Marc's tostadas, and Ashleigh's salsa were a perfect blend to a great evening.
We enjoyed being together and visiting, but being possibly our last get together before our move, it was bittersweet. At least we can take all our memories of times spent together (tears and laughter) over the last 20 years with us. And, God willing, we will be able to keep our plans for future visits together.

Gorgeous Glazin' Gals

Margie, one of our neighbors, came over yesterday to glaze the last of her pottery projects before we leave for Texas. She has generously given me sole ownership of our kiln we bought together. I will greatly miss our time and talks with each other. She is a one-of-a-kind woman with a heart of gold and kind word for everyone. I'm grateful we have such media to keep in touch and share our lives, regardless of the miles that seperate us.

Memorial day

I have huge news!!! I am doing school on Memorial Day, isn't that exciting!!!???

Coastal Cruise with Colleen

Took a road trip with Colleen yesterday. The weather was suppose to be stormy at best. Check out this blue sky! There was a light warm!! breeze on the beach that made us want to stay forever. Got some fabulous smoked tuna at Chuck's Seafood in Charleston. Headed home late, wishing we could have stayed.

Better get icecream for the birthday girl. 13/2010

School'sOut

Only 15 more days until schools out!!! Summer is going to be wild and crazy

Well, we're making progress toward the transition of oregonians back to texans in 3 short weeks. Trying to get all the bills paid, emails changed, bank transfered, and boxes packed with 20 years of acquistions. And we are (ok, me!) total pack rats. Plus wanting to visit with friends as much as possible before we take off, getting us all set up to stay in touch. Its so sad to leave and scary/exciting to go on this new adventure. Lbwu