Diner En Blanc

When Rene, Kathy, Jean and myself planned the Riverbend Ladies Camp we didn't plan much.  It was going to be pretty loose and easy going.  And it was, with a few events.  Jackie asked if we wanted to do a dinner with everyone wearing white.  I was excited as a Diner en Blanc was on my bucket list. I told Jackie, I'd help her.

As I was packing champagne flutes, an ice bucket, candles, table linens and making place cards, Hubby remarked that I camp differently than him. Yes, well, I was going with serious glampers.

 I love my camping girlfriends so I wanted to treat them to a Champagne Cocktail to get the party started.

 Rene asked if she could help me with anything, uhhhmm yes, I had my champagne chilling in other camper's fridges. Could you go and find it?

 We got set up and dressed up for the Diner En Blanc. We had an early dinner because the bugs were bad in the evening.

 All these beautiful, gracious, women dressed in white gathered by the river.

As they gathered and sipped their champagne I could feel the excitement and the love.

 Jackie had homemade lasagnas in her trailer freezer (of course she did) and the rest just fell together.

Shelly asked the blessing and Jackie made a toast and we enjoyed a delicious dinner.

There was some dancing by the river.

 There was so much beauty, on the table, around the table and in the friendships.

 Did you know there were fancy cocktail aprons for housewives in the 50's?

Kathy and Wendy knew.

These women know how to celebrate life, beauty and joy.  They know how to dance by the river and surround each other with compassion and love. I am so thankful and blessed by each one.

*please note that many of the pictures were taken by others, we agreed to share. 

Riverbend Ladies Camp

Last Wednesday I left on my girls' trip with Huaka'i Annie.  We met in Twisp this year at Riverbend RV Park. I was a tad apprehensive about driving over the North Cascade Highway but it went really well.  Hubby took this picture as I was leaving home.  He is super encouraging and proud of my independence.  I love that guy and his encouragement.

 I packed several hats, tiaras, petticoats and enough clothes to stay a month.

Every eventuality.

 I got to the camp first, and set up my site.

 It was too windy for my awning, I don't know why I even tried,  Then I ate lunch because I had been so nervous about the drive that I couldn't eat the night before or that morning.  At this point I was so happy and chill.

My view was lovely,

 And then my tribe started to arrive.  Packing light isn't on the agenda.  Trailers and tow vehicles packed to the top!

 Jean whipped up a little yeehawwearehere cocktail party.

 There were 13-14 of us and all parked waterfront.

There were a lot of Aloha trailers and sisters.

We toured and ooh and aahed over our clever and cute vintage trailers.

 We went to Winthrop for wine tasting and then to dinner at the School House Brewery. Tracy made a fashionably late, dramatic entrance looking fabulous!

Fly fishing, farmer's market, trips to the bakery, biking, shopping, bags and bags of goodies from French Quail, junkin', floating on Lake Perrygin,  and a lot of visiting and laughing. Oh and sunshine!

It was a jammed packed weekend of FuN!

 So many good memories were made this year.  I love these women and their adventurous spirits.

The mosquitoes were ferocious, plentiful and mean.  That was the only negative.

Every thing else was a dream come true.

Tomorrow I'll share our Diner En Blanc.

Ooooh La La

Update on the Guys

I'm not above theft when it come to pictures of our guys and their girls. I thought it was time for an update on the guys.  The blog used to be all about them.  Now Hubby and I are home alone and we don't see the guys as much so I don't write about them as much. I didn't have many recent pics so I went hunting on FB and Instagram. 

Danny and Jessica live in Grand Rapids, MI.  Danny is an entrepreneur.   Danny is working on new products that involve refrigeration. He's been enjoying some wood working as a hobby and building some furniture.  Jess is a high school teacher.  Jess is working on her masters and teaching full time so that keeps her busy.  They have Huxley, their puppy, to keep them entertained.  They both love to travel and are adding pins to their map of the world to mark places they've been to visit.  Their next stop is Lynden in August, as they are planning a road trip, with Huxley to Washington. I can't wait!

Sam and Angela live in Bellingham, WA.  Sam is a warehouse manager for Cenex.  He is serving in National Guards as a medic.  He was a medic in the Army and hopes to get a fire fighting/ medic job. Angela is the manager of a coffee shop.

Sam loves to be outdoors, camping and fishing and hiking with their dog, Reagan.

Max and Kassie are engaged to be married on December 16.  Max is farming in George, Washington and Kassie is a dental assistant in Bellingham. Max bought a house and is waiting to do some fixing up and painting until Kassie moves to George.  Then they can make it their own.

Kassie is going to school to get her dental hygienist training, and working and planning their wedding.  They like to go snowboarding in the winter when Max isn't as busy on the farm.  They have a dog too.  Bo loves living on the farm. We are going to stay at Max's place for the 4th of July. I'm excited to see him, Bo that is.

Some times I really miss them.  And sometimes we have cheese and crackers and fruit  wine for dinner and then I don't.  I'm excited to see them this summer and I am hopeful for one night with everyone together.  Cuz that is all mamas ever want...  Well, that and grand babies.  I'm kidding.

Maybe.