My Obsession with Rocks

 I've written before about my heart rock collection.  Sam gave me my first one, he found it while walking home from school.  I know which one it is, it's smooth and a nice worry rock.  My heart rocks are mostly from my guys, Hubby included.  My nieces and nephews bring them to me also.  Hana found a big one once and had to settle for a picture for me of her holding it, the hike would have been too hard with the rock.
If one of my guys gives a girl a heart rock, it's serious stuff.

 I have jars of heart rocks, I have them in my night stand, I have them on window sills and I have them in my gardens.  Each one is special because it means that someone thought of me.

I didn't catalog them however; I know which one Danny brought back from United Arab Emirates and I know which ones Sam brought back from Kuwait and Iraq.  When the guys are a world away and thinking of me my heart is full.  I know which one my niece Katie gave me because is matches her gorgeous red hair.

 My sister Jodi has been staying at  Birch Bay and we had fun painting rocks.  On Saturday, Shelly and I went out to the Bay for the day and Jodi gave me the painted heart rock.  Isn't it cute?

 Then we went for a walk on the beach.  Shelly found and gave me the orange rock the left.  She loves orange so I'll remember it's from Shelly.  We walked along and she pointed out the one on the right.

"Ooooh, Tam. there's a heart rock!  A good one."

"Oh, that is a good one!"

"Aren't you going to pick it up?"

"Uhhh, no, I can't."

"Are you hurt?"

"Nope, I don't collect heart rocks."

Jodi and Shelly are looking at me like I'm crazy.

"Sometimes I see great heart rocks and I step over them and keep on going."

"What? Why? Huh?"

"I only have heart rocks that other people have given me.  It gives them meaning."

"Sheesh, we'll give it to you."

"Oooh thanks ladies, I love you too."
"Could you please pick it up and give it to me?"

Sometimes I pick up egg shaped rocks. I love to stack rocks at the beach.  I live in a stone house.  Some of my favorite Bible verses are about God being my rock and salvation.

It's a good thing that the beaches in Washington are rocky.  

Sandy beaches aren't all they're cracked up to be.  

My sister, Kathi told me once that she can see me in a rest home someday with a small basket of smooth heart stones on my lap, touching them and remembering all the love I've been given.

It's true. I'm blessed.  By rocks and love, which are the same thing for me.

Sunday at the Bay

The guys doing what guys do at Washington State beaches, throwing rocks back into the ocean.

For hours.

 Guys watching guys throw rocks on the beach.

 Many guys and few nieces too, good thing the salmon was BiG!  Guys have heard about our family's Sunday dinner and they love to come for dinner.  They're always welcome!

A fun time at the Bay wearing sweatshirts, flannel shirts, long pants and wrapping blankets around ourselves, a typical Pacific Northwest picnic in July.  It was a nice break for Sam from the hot weather in North Carolina.  He flew back today, his leave went too fast.

Until next time, kiddo!

Eastern Washington

This weekend we went to Eastern Washington.  Sam had ridden ahead with Max and Hubby and I drove over on Friday.  We had a nice family dinner on Friday evening with Hubby's parents and his sister Cherie. On Saturday we got up early and drove to Walla Walla to move Max into his college apartment.

Max had us on a tight schedule but Hubby stopped so I could take a few pictures of the sunflower fields.

 Then we hurried along and passed the Country Mercantile.  Hubby turned around and we were so happy that we went back.  Best country store.  Ever.  A merry-go-round, carnival rides, a roller coaster and inside they had homemade chocolates, the largest selection of jams, dressings, BBQ sauce I've ever seen in one place, fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade tamales, homemade ice cream.  It went on and on, I could gush for a long time.  We made a few purchases.  And then cried as we left since we didn't have a cooler along on this trip.  So, we had to leave the tamales and enchiladas behind.  Next time!

 While Max did the damages walk-through with his landlady we started unloading the truck and trailer.

 It didn't take long and we had everything in and arranged.  The guys put his bed together and made it while I unpacked the kitchen and washed the dishes.

 Max's apartment complex is very neat and tidy.  He has a nice view of the pool and the laundry room off his patio.  He won't actually be living there until September but he will be working until school begins so this was a good opportunity to get him moved to Walla Walla.

 We made a trip to Walmart for some things.  Hubby and I bought cleaning supplies, toiletries, and groceries to get him started.  Sam bought him some posters for his room and hung them up, a nice housewarming gift.

 I think Max and Thomas have a great location for their college apartment.  It was fun to get things moved in and unpacked.  Max was pretty excited about his own place.  Our baby has officially flown the coop!  I'm pretty proud of him and his plans.  And we won't mind visiting Walla Walla, every time we go we find more places we want to check out.  

They have many antique stores and wineries and tasting rooms, our kind of place!

We said our good byes and Max went back to the farm and we drove home.

Summer=Birch Bay

 Last night we went out to Birch Bay to have dinner with Bill and Jodi and their family.  They are on vacation at  the Villa.  We made grilled cheese bacon cheeseburgers and root beer floats for dinner.  While the guys listened to music and visited, the girls were busy crafting.  First stop was the beach for the perfect rocks.

And then we made ankle bracelets from Pinterest and painted rocks.  We painted a lot of owls on rocks.  Hip and trendy owls.  Kassie painted a panda for Levi and  Hana worked on a special secret project.

If we made a mistake we just threw it back to the beach.

 I painted owls, hearts, a vintage trailer and holly.  Christmas in July, I guess.

 My guys even let me take a picture!

 Hubby was on the look out for pirates.

 Thanks for a great evening, Bill and Jodi and Hana.

It's Busy Here

Yesterday  Hubby left at 3 a.m. for George, WA.  He caught a ride on a hay truck so he could ride back with Max.  I flew around the house tidying up and then went to work.  Our vehicles were scattered all over town so I walked to them and got them all home after work.

While walking I stopped at the Lynden Farmer's Market and bought some beautiful produce.

Then I got company.  Hubby's cousins, Jill and Joanie and their friend Sue were in town so we had a visit and a glass of wine on the patio.  It was fun to see them and it was the only time I sat down yesterday so that saved my bacon for what was all coming my way.

 Blake and Lily were over last night hanging out with Sam and Hawley.  Lily was here is get her picture taken by the Snapsister that is my sister, however; she wanted no part of that.  So, she played on the lawn, ate grilled burgers and strawberry pizza instead.  That made her happy, it made the guys happy too.

 Hubby and Max came home after a very long day... with our new vacation home.  The 1957 Aloha is finally here.  She needs a little work.  Hubby is figuring the restoration out, and I made a new Pinterest board of decorating ideas.  Kassie helped me with the pinterest and we found some great ideas.

I texted Kassie to come by for strawberry pizza.  She was pretty surprised to see Max.

Thank you Max for bringing it over for us!  After it was loaded, two guys stopped and wanted to buy her.  She may not look like much now but she's a hot little trailer.  And her screen door is adorable!

The guys are going to the cabin on Camano Island today, and some girls too.   

Apparently, girls are invited too this year.  I'm not sure why but it makes me feel better.

Hubby and I are getting tires for the Aloha and helping Max pack for college today.  

And I am having some patio time today.  And I mean it!

Profound Irony

In the Summer it seems like my ironing pile grows as fast as  the corn.  It too can be knee high by the fourth of July.  In the winter jeans and sweaters don't need to be ironed.  Whereas in the summertime there are cottons and linens that need ironing.  The shorts, shirts, skirts and tablecloths pile up quickly.

The irony isn't lost on me.