Thanksgiving in Grand Rapids

 Hubby and I went to Michigan for Thanksgiving to visit Danny and Jess. We ran into Mark and Karen at the airport, different flights, same destination and motive, see our guys!

 We had an easy travel day. Dnny picked us up from the airport and Jess had dinner ready at home.  After dinner we went to Hux's favorite hang out.  Everyone knows his name and the treats are abundant.

On Wednesday we went hunting and gathering for our Thanksgiving dinner. Between the market downtown's bakeries and Nantucket we scored the best pies and rolls ever.

Jeff joined us for dinner and then the Housemans and more friends came for dessert and a game.

Jess and I did some shopping on Black Friday morning.  They live within walking distance to Breton Village.

Friday night we went to Max's South Seas Tiki Bar in downtown. I cannot tell you enough good things about their tiki collection.  One of the best I've seen.  Danny knew a manager and he gave us the full three story tour.

We enjoyed pupus and cocktails and s'mores for dessert.

 There ware many artists involved with Max's and everything is beautifully done.

 Save room for the s'more! Crazy good!

We met up with friends at Z's and had a ball there too.

 It was a fabulous trip, so good to see Danny and Jess settled into their house, enjoying their work and getting to see their friends again.  I didn't take a lot of pictures, my only regret, because I was just taking it all in.  Their hospitality was heart warming and I missed them as soon as we walked into the airport to go home.

This afternoon I am hanging out with some of my favorite first graders, and then leaving right from school with Annie.  It is Trailer Trash Christmas time! I'm giddy! Annie will be all decked out for Christmas. Annie and Christmas are my favorites and when combined, watch out!

Enjoy this December weekend! If only their were eight weekends in December...

Summertime Fun

 We went to George, Washington for the Fourth of July and camped at Max and Kassie's house (one of our favorite campgrounds) with Kassie's family.

We get a lot of cute visitors in our trailer.

 We celebrate on the fourth in downtown George with the Cherry Bomb run, a cherry pie, a parade, a festival and fireworks.  It's a small town with a BiG celebration.

The tolerant camp hosts... Thank you kiddos!

We color, do some crafting, play cards, nap and eat a lot of delicious food.

And we play on the Columbia River.  We play hard.

 Ella and I did some visiting about her starting kindergarten in the fall.

She is going to have to call me Mrs. R. at school and it's hard for her to wrap her head around that idea. I have a lot of fun with Ella and can't wait to see her in school.

No emergency here just some Coastie spreading dye.

Hubby and I went tubing and apparently my upper body strength isn't great at 60. Holy soreness.

The kids left and Kassie took the 'rents on a wine tasting tour.  We visited Jones, Errant Cellars (where Kassie works on the weekends) and then Cave B for lunch.  Hubby and I were happy to see Kassie at home.  She married our farmer, moved to a tiny town and she has jumped in with both feet.  

She knows everyone!

Hubby and I feel blessed to have such a good time with Max's in-laws. Idalia and I both said, we cannot wait for next year.  Max and Kassie probably need the year to recover, cuz we are a lot.

We took the back roads home and are always in awe.  Washington, you are gorgeous!

We are back home for most of July.

 My ferns are happy this year.  This summer is cool and a bit rainy. Not my favorite but it's nice to have the lawns green and the forest fires under control. If I need sun, I'll hitch up find sunshine on the other side of the mountains.

It's not all pretty and relaxing though.  I'm cleaning the attic.  We brought one load to the thrift store and I'm working on the second today.

Hubby is taking out the hitching post.  He doesn't like mowing around it.

It makes me sad. It means we aren't getting another horse.  I think everyone knew I wasn't getting a horse but this made it real. And sad. I think we all remember this ugly cry story.

 Enjoy the sunshine today, the rains are a comin'!

February Love

February seems to be going by quickly, though, I have enjoyed every minute (except for a power outage and snow in the attic).  It's been all of the best for me, snow, snow days, Love Week, our wedding anniversary, Valentine's Day and a house party with friends. All the loves.

 This sunshine was the calm before another storm.

 I like to get outside in the snow so I shovel the driveway, bring in the firewood, get the mail and take photo walks. Any excuse to be outdoors!

 It was back to school on Friday and since there hadn't been school Monday through Thursday, we celebrated Valentine's Day on Friday. And y'all know how much I love Valentine's Day at school.

 It's all so sweet and first graders are really kind and thoughtful.  

 On Friday evening our friends arrived to spend the weekend at The Stone House. We had a Valentine dinner for them.  The girls dressed for dinner.  It was fun and cozy.  

Since I had four snow days that week, I worked on my napkin folding skills. 

Hubby created some delicious cocktails and helped with the cooking.

 It was so great to visit with our camping friends in February.  We are making a point of meeting up in the off season.  I love it!

 Annie is safe in the carport but still gets snow due to the NE winds.

I have two Sisters on the Fly trips scheduled for 2019.  Hubby and I have about 7-8 other trips on the books.  I know, right? It looks like a fun summer!

It's snowing like crazy right now and sooo pretty!  Get out there and enjoy it.

Happy 2019

Happy New Year friends! A fresh start and new beginnings, here we come.

 Christmas decor is back in the attic.  I took a lot of time this year organizing and going through things as I put everything away for another year. I kept the poinsettia as it still pretty and some wintry coasters that I love.  There is candy on the kitchen counter but it's not long for this world either.

I took down all of the blow molds, Napco figurines and bottle brush trees from the kitchen shelves.  As I put things back together I went through each basket, found and organized all 2018 tax information, took care of appointments for doctor referrals, and organized bills and records. 

 During December I don't look at the bank account because it may be frightening and because I'm busy.  I have since balanced and checked everything and that feels good.

As soon as the new year arrives I start making campground reservations and airline reservations.

Check and check. I like to look forward to something so the January rain doesn't get me down.

All holiday linens have been washed, starched and ironed.  I am still working on the pile of shirts.  Oh, how I miss Toni and Pearl.  Our local dry cleaners closed in November and I miss those girls and their mad ironing skills.

 I am dreading the power bill for December.  The lights are taken down inside, Hubby has to take down the outside lights this weekend, weather permitting.

 We enjoyed many lovely holiday meals.

 Baked Alaska for dessert, yes please. Oh my, it was fun!

Now recipes like Sassy Water are popping up everywhere.  Not as fun but I'm ready for less.

One last hurrah!  The traditional post holidays clean out the deli drawer mac and cheese dinner.  I'm going to make it for dinner tonight.  Whether it's good or bad this year, it will never be duplicated. 

Vacation ends on January 7 for me and until then I am organizing, prepping and doing some relaxing.  List making is my favorite so it doesn't feel like work to me. Goals and resolutions do not begin until vacation is officially over, as in back to school.

I don't make hard core resolutions so much as goals and just wanting that uncluttered fresh start that comes with a new year.

Here I go!