Today

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.  Cliche.  Possibly, but there is some truth there today.

Yesterday was my last day working at the Lynden Pioneer Museum.

I started working at the museum when Max went to preschool. Our boys grew up at the museum along with the museum director's son, Archer.  They are all young men now but when I began they were little guys.

It's been the perfect momjob. It was a flexible schedule, challenging, a creative outlet for me and it was fun.

So many wonderful people at the museum, a great boss and enough personalities to keep it interesting.

I am so thankful for my time at the museum.

Many people have asked me, "what is next?"

For starters I plan to clear off the dining room table.

Honestly, it is a lofty goal.

There are closets, cupboards and drawers to organize.

The house needs a good cleaning.

The floors need waxing.

I haven't planted any flowers this spring so that needs to happen.

The garage needs to be emptied.

I'd like to go to the dump.

I have good intentions to have a yard sale.

That said...

All work and no play makes Tami a dull girl...

I will be playing too, rest assured.

I am going to enjoy and stretch out my morning coffee time.

My morning walks may be later and longer. 

Hubby and I have a lot of camping trips planned for this summer.

I am taking Huaka'i Annie to a SOTF(Sisters on the Fly) event in June.

I'd like to do some Christmas crafting and take it to a show.

Hubby and I are going to get started on the Curtis Wright trailer project.

I am going to read a stack of books on the patio this summer.

Spend more time with my Mom.

Time spent writing, yes please.

Therapy Thursdays with Leslie and Marjean will still be happening.  It's going to look different, we plan to walk and have coffee.

Bay days!

Field trips with friends.

When Hubby goes away for business I'll be tagging along.

And long term, if I get bored, I would like to do some substitute teaching.  Possibly some volunteer work, but not for a year.  I need to get things in order here first and have a little me time.

Yikes!  I have a lot to do.  I better get started.

Here I go...

Bon Voyage

Last Monday morning, Hubby, his Mom, Esther and his Aunt Lynn and myself flew to San Diego, CA.  It was an early flight out of Bellingham.  We took a cab to the port, left our luggage with Holland America Cruise Line and then explored San Diego.

 We had a five night Pacific Coast cruise ahead of us.

On Tuesday we were at sea so we enjoyed the ship.  We took a cooking class at the Culinary Center, snacked, explored the ship, napped and lounged by the pool.

That evening it was Gala Night on the ms Amsterdam.  We enjoyed steak and lobster for dinner and then went to the piano bars to enjoy the music.

 On Wednesday morning we sailed into San Francisco.  I got up early to be on deck to sail under the Golden Gate bridge.  It was beautiful and it feels really close when you're on a large ship.

 I had to take a selfie as the rest of my party was still in bed.

 We took a bus to Pier 39 and enjoyed a sunny day in San Francisco.

It was a fun day off the ship, but then it is so nice to get back on board.

It's pretty relaxing on board.  We dressed for dinner in the dining room every evening and enjoyed either the show in the Queen's lounge or music in one of the piano bars.

Thursday we were at sea.  The sea was angry my friend.  We staggered around and watched other passengers stumble about the ship.

 It was Hubby's birthday on Thursday.  His Mom was happy to spend his birthday with him this year. Hubby and I took a Martini Mixology class in the afternoon.

We learned how to make three martinis and we learned some new toasts.

May the winds of fortune sail you,

May you sail a gentle sea,

May it always be the other guy

who says, "this drink's on me."

 Hey, that bartender looks familiar!

The instructor picked a good assistant.

 No matter how beautiful,

how smart, or how cute she is...

somebody somewhere, is sick of her sh*t!

CHEERS!

We had a delicious dinner in the Pinnacle Grill to celebrate Hubby's birthday.

On Friday Hubby, Es and Aunt Lynn went to Victoria.

 I went to the spa for a facial and massage.  Their spa area is gorgeous and the view of Victoria didn't hurt either.  Those loungers are heated and comfortable.

 We enjoyed our last dinner in the dining room and then went to a show featuring the Holland America singers and dancers. Then one last piano bar session.

The ms Amsterdam has good musicians.

We woke up in Vancouver B.C. and got ready to disembark.  But not before one last Dutch raisin bun for the ladies.  Those Dutch ladies love their raisin buns and gouda! 

We took the Quick Shuttle back to Bellingham.  It was fun for Hubby's Mom to see where he works and then we were home.

We had a wonderful time.  Cruising is relaxing and it was fun to show Mom Es and Aunt Lynn that they can take more cruises, it's pretty easy and they don't even need us.

But we'd be happy to go with them again!

Blooming

 Our locust tree is in full bloom this week.  I am super busy this week. The blog will return soon.

I need to spend any free time starring at, listening to and smelling the locust tree.

Yes, you can hear a locust tree in bloom.  The bees are a buzzin'.

Spokane Pizza

 I had a pound of hamburger thawed and no dinner ideas last night.   I opened the cupboard and saw my stash of Mexican food canned goods.  Spokane Pizza!  This recipe is from my sister Kathi, she got it from her friend Lisa G.  I think it came from Iowa, or at least that is when we started making it.

I have no idea how it got its name.  It's a Mexican pizza but named after a city in Washington and  we got the recipe in Iowa.

I've lost the original recipe so I'll just walk you through it.

Get out the can opener, it's an important part of the recipe.

 Brown a pound of hamburger or sausage.  You can add onions too. I was too lazy to chop last night.

After the meat is browned open one small can of green chilies(optional) and a small can of enchilada sauce.

Add them to the meat and let it simmer for a bit.

 Spray a cookie sheet with Pam, then lay down and over lap 6 flour tortilla shells.  Open a can of refried beans and spread the beans over the tortillas.

 Spread the meat and sauce over the beans.  Top with cheese.  I had a package of shredded mozzarella that I used.  Open a small can of sliced black olives and drain.  This the last can to open!

Scatter the olives over the cheese and bake.

I used a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes and then checked every few minutes until it was browning and bubbly.

 You can top the pizza with fresh chopped tomatoes, lettuce and a dollop of sour cream after it's done baking.

Hubby and I wondered why I hadn't made this recipe in several years.  I have no answer for that because it is delicious and it is a recipe that is made up of ingredients that I usually have in the cupboard.

If you have any idea of why this pizza is misnamed I'd love to know.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Field Trips

Friday night I went on a field trip with the girls to the Anacortes Vintage Show. It was a grand entrance and a pretty show.  They sold 200 tickets for Friday night and it was an opportunity to browse without crowds.  I was tempted to buy the flamingos but I decided that the legs would get broken while traveling in a trailer so I left them behind for someone that is more careful that me.  We enjoyed the new Cabana at Anthony's Restaurant for a light dinner before the show.

 On Sunday, Hubby and I hopped in the car and drove to the XXX Root Beer in Issaquah.  We weren't just going for their burgers and root beer floats though.  There was a vintage trailer show in the parking lot.  We wanted to see Jake and Ginger's latest project, Ugly Al and Rick's Grumper.

A show debut for both of these trailer projects.  They did not disappoint.

Ugly Al has a hunting and fishing cabin theme and is anything but ugly.

 The bunting is ammo bags.

 Ginger designed the sticker.  I want one.

 Hunting vest orange on the trim.

We visited with Kathy at her sweet Rainier.  She always has the best accessories!

Then it was over to check out Rick's Rainier, the Grumper.

 Rick thought of everything and how to store it.  It's a man cave theme with wine crates incorporated into the build.

 A hidden, slide out loo.

We wanted to see a Curtis Wright model 5 up close and personal as we now have a whole new interest in Curtis Wright trailers.  Dal was there with his trailer and was a wealth of information.

I loved his blinds and he gave me his source.

 Dal's CW model 5 is shiny!  I decided it looks like a beautiful aluminum quilt.

 I love how his awning is attached and stays on with the poles wrapped up inside.

 He added a bumper and that is something we have been thinking about too.

Accidental selfie...

 The original fans were pretty cool.

 And then we just browsed around checking out the trailers.  There are so many creative people in the vintage trailer tribe.

 The stove cover is great!

 Such gorgeous wood in these old trailers.

 Bark cloth upholstery to swoon over in this little trailer.

 Some funky cupboard latches in this one.

 We had a sweet reward at the Triple X Rootbeer.  It's always a bonus when we can eat outdoors.

 We saw some old friends, made some new friends and met some cyber friends in real life.

I am so excited for camping season now!  We have a lot of trips planned for this year and Hubby wants to get the Curt Wright Flagship restored by Roslyn 2017.  What?  That may be a tad too ambitious but it's an admirable goal.

Get outdoors.