Romantic Thymes: Camping

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Camping

I went camping with my daughter, Amy, and grandsons, Mason and Gunner.  It was lots of fun. 



Did I say it was not in a tent?  (also had access to a swimming pool with Jacuzzi)



and free "all you can eat" pancakes each morning 7-11am, that we did not have to make, we liked this too

we only got 6 clams, but, weather was pretty

and we explored an old ship wreck from 1906, boys loved it, especially all the barnacles!!  (This was the wreck of the Peter Iredale @ Ft. Stevens Park).

We later learned how to build a campfire, I do not ever remember it being this difficult!!  We had lots of help from the KOA staff and even a fellow camping neighbor (who noticed we needed help from all the smoke blowing into his cabin...LOL). 

Mason is giving Mom helpful advice.

 
    About 2 hours later, we got a very hot fire going, Amy's guy, Jim, showed up on his motorcycle, to spend the night.  Out came the hot dogs to be cooked over the open flames, I cooked potatoes with garlic and onions, Amy sliced the veggies and Jim surprised us all by retrieving 2 large crabs out of his saddlebag, given to him by a friend he visited on his way to our camp.  I did not hesitate to get the hot water going, and making a garlic and butter sauce for dipping...mmmm it was the best dinner!!
  The next day it turned into a typical Oregon day...rain...we didn't let it spoil our day. After breakfast, Jim helped us pack the car before he left, he was not looking forward to the long ride home, he was dressed for it, but, would be cold and wet upon arrival home. 
  We took our time coming home, going up the coast to Sea Side.  You will never guess, we stopped at a yard sale in town, (we love yard sales) and Amy bought 2 old wood green chairs for replacement dinning chairs. They were only $3 each, she quickly shifted things in the car and found just enough room, between the boys in the back seat....my goodness we looked like a redneck moving van. (no offense intended)   Stopping for lunch at Doogers (known for their sea food) and found that there was a "muscle car" show on the street, we enjoyed checking out all the old cars (memories of those days came back to me). 
  We ended with visiting the "bumper cars" Amy rode with Gunner, he took the wheel and she did the gas, I chose a bright red car, ramming my grandsons, who did not hold back on crashing into their "old grams", even at 4, Gunner did a great job finding me on the race track.....I laughed until I cried, haven't had this much fun in ages!! 

love the "thumbs up" sign from the little one

Mason was gearing up to rumble

  Slept in this morning, moving a little stiffly, don't know if it was the long beach walks, clamming, or the bumper car crashes, doesn't matter, it was fun.

Busy days

Saturday, I went to the Farmer's Market to work with the Mission crew in selling hot dogs, nachos and drinks with the money going to our trip to Romania fund.  I enjoy this, all sales are donations, people find this hard to believe, everything has a price, God is growing our funds. 

That afternoon I met my daughter and grand sons, we checked out some displays, grabbed late lunch, went to the Circus and afterwards, got ice cream cones, watched while the boys played on the Riverfront playground.  Beautiful day, ending with a street band made up of old timers, playing a mixture of old rock, jazz, country and fun, shared a pizza for dinner while listening, needless to say, the boys fell asleep almost the minute they left my house.  ;^}

Sunday, church and enjoying my gardens.

Iris

front corner

Yesterday, I got my hair cut, hurray, went to Garden Club, where we made flower arrangements to be delivered to various local business.  I delivered to the Police dept., Fire dept, City Hall and City Court.  Nice way to say "thank you."  Stopped by my church to pick up the recycle plastic, glass and cans.  (4.5 large black plastic bag fulls)  Next, met a group of quilters from my Guild, and helped do "hand" quilting.  Quick salad, off to Life Group, (small Bible study group).....bed, after watching The Rabbit Hole.

Today, quick loads of wash, off to redeem recyclables, and drove into Hillsboro to attend Helene Knott's "Veggie Kitty" class at Sharon's Attic til 5pm. Early bed time, tomorrow is Ladies Bible study. All Classical, PDX radio station, allclassical.org, started their fund raising yesterday, and called me to help tomorrow afternoon as someone is ill.  I've always wanted to help with the fundraising, answering phones, taking pledges, it will be such fun!!  I also will help Friday evening, the last day. This is my favorite radio station and it is always exciting to see how people support them as all funding comes from listeners. 

    

I have started to paint again, very rusty!!  I'll keep you posted.

A Day at PSU and around my yard

My American Sewing Guild is sponsoring a fashion show in September to raise funds for the women of Uganda, helping them acquire sewing machines and such to become self supporting for their families. Sandra Betzina, designer for Vogue patterns, is the MC. I had ask my daughter, Amy, if there were bulletin boards to post info on this event, as I felt students may be interested in participation or coming. Not only did she check this out, but posted 29 cards herself, and I met her Tuesday and we posted 13 more.

looking down street, this area called University blocks

Portland State University is large, 12 x 10 city blocks, a city in itself.

Afterwards, we went for lunch at a Sushi Bar, very fun. The choices travel around the "bar" sitting area on a conveyor belt, where you pick what you want to eat, each plate costing $1.50. Cool way to pic and share.
The sun has come out today, it is rumored temps into the low 80's by Saturday, I'll take that.
My Iris are enjoying the rain and sun:

My yard is growing:

The potatoes are happy, and corn is slowly rising to the task.

I have an abundance of birds in my yard. So far I have seen Rufus Hummer, Wren tit, Wren, Northern Flicker, Ringed turtle dove pair, House sparrows, Western Tanager, Am. Goldfinch, European Starlings, pr. or Crows and Evening Grosbeak...what a show!!
Oh, did I mention the Columbia River is under flood watch, which means it is very high here in town:

this is usually beach at this Park

boat ramp, water clear to the road!!

Last night was the Columbia Quilt group's end of year potluck and revealing of the challenge quilts.  Fun.  I made a:

Watergate Cake (lots of compliments from crowd) quick and easy
1 pkg. white cake mix
1 3 oz pkg. pistachio pudding
3 eggs
1 C 7-up (lemon/lime soda)
3/4 C oil
(I added handful of coconut too)
mix together, stir in coconut, put in 9x13 pan (no need to oil), bake 350 degrees 35 minutes.
Frosting:  1 pkg pistachio pudding, 1 C milk, 1 8ox whip cream, stir together, frost cool cake, re fridge to keep....mm mm!     Nice summer cake.      Enjoy