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

Sunshine in Oregon

Fading lilac, still smells wonderful.

As my morning began, I had pleasant memories of my short visit with my friend Debbie, from Tulare, CA, who had come to spend a couple of days with me. We had fun running around finding fun things to see, and not enough time, but, quality visiting time was spent. Miss her, loved the time spent!!

The day was overcast, spots of sun started to show early afternoon. A leisure morning, washing breakfast dishes, letting the girls out of their bedroom, second cup of coffee. Curled up under favorite afghan, with Aslan sleeping on the back of the recliner, as I read from the latest book;

In the Company of Others, by Jan Karon. I enjoy the Mitford series, with Father Tim, very easy read (this book was large print, always helpful), you establish relationships with her characters, much like Mave Binchey's books. In this book, he and wife, Cynthia, finally make it to Ireland on vacation, Cynthia injures her ankle, plans go awry, but, it is filled with laughter, tears, healing of family, and great read. I did go to the gym, as to not feel guilty about "sitting around."

Suddenly the room became very bright, indicating the sun had come into its glory....out the back door I went. Neighbors were mowing their lawns, love the smell of fresh mowed lawn. Taking advantage of the sun break. I played in the garden for the next 2 hours, watching the chickens (aka: the girls ) throwing them some "past the prime" spinach and greens, they were devoured quickly. How can you not enjoy backyard chickens??

The gals came from a local hatchery, turned out from their expected jobs of producing chick eggs, to a new life of retirement with me. It has been fun, I got them last Wednesday, they are slowly learning their new surroundings. They didn't know how to roost (I thought this a natural thing), and this is the first time they have seen greens...they were so funny to watch, once they found they taste good, they were on it like it was a wonderful desert!! Now, every night they go into their bedroom and roost, have learned to lay eggs in the nest box, and are getting acclimated to the new surroundings quickly. I had 2 original Bantams, one of which wants to "sit" on eggs, amazingly, now the new gals are laying eggs in her nest also!! Didn't take them long to decide this. I was going to allow my sitting hen, Penny, to hatch eggs. With my Romania trip so close decided against this idea, baby's are alot of work.

mmmm.......look, a bug too...

their bedroom, aka, chicken house. yes, that's a flower box under the window, love it!! My friend, Gayle's husband, Ray, took my drawing and turned it into reality.

My first bloom of Peonys

and my new black Iris, soon to open

Into the house for late dinner at 7. I had picked new spinach, broccoli, pea pods and lettuce for a dinner of turkey burger, stir fry veggies and salad, with raisins, blueberries and strawberries. Oh, and I did finish that book. ;^]

My changed life

Welcome to my blog attempt, I have always though blogging would be fun. I have wrote in journals for many years, enjoy words. (I write/draw on my walls...really) I have friends who blog about their crafts, sustainable gardening and such. I do not think of my daily life as something to share, but, maybe it is. A little background; life has gone through many changes, I am a cancer survivor, lost both parents to this also. I give all credit for the last 12 years to God, and it is my privilege to enjoy each day. Almost 7 years ago, after a 19 year relationship my husband ended it. Shock, hurt, but, survival again. Either a dramatic depression, or, new chapter in life...I decided the new chapter sounded like me!! Move forward, never back. 6 years ago,I got the chance to move to the Pacific Northwest, I took it, moved 980 miles, took old job moving it to a new location, hired, trained employees, purchased a house, (old lady, over 80 years old, and I love her). I'm learning how to do repairs and slowly making her look pretty. Another change, Corporate closed my store a couple of months ago, remember, "move forward"...... Well, I turned Social Security age at that time....went for that while it is still available. The thing I first noticed, retirement brings time to do all those things you always said..."some day when I retire." Appointments were missed, due to "no day/date reference", so you make sure everything is on your date book. I made a list of 8 things I wanted to do and put it on my fridge. I have already done 6 of the 8. Have read many books, what a luxury. I'm attempting to learn about my community and making friends, which is fun. It is easy to over extend your week, wanting to do so many things, just the fact that I have "free time" is so heady!! I have added 6 more bantam Cochin ladies to my 2 lady chicken flock. I will soon add pictures as I blog. As I'm a Master Gardener, my gardens are beautiful with me home to attend and add to all. My love is herbs and flowers, with veggies thrown in here and there (a traditional gardener I'm not). I now have a "10 minute" lawn, love it. I also enjoy canning veggies from the garden and painting pictures of the garden. What do I want to establish with my blogging?? A place to share, where my daughters/grandchildren can keep up with me, practice my writing for that book I've always wanted to write....helping someone by their reading of my blog, I do not know where this will go, but, forward I go!!