Time for Fave Fives

I am away from home again, but I'm pausing to carve out some time to share my Friday Fave Fives for this past week.  It was a busy week.

1.  Saturday was fun.  Nurse Daughter and I spent all morning plant shopping.  Then in the afternoon, I worked in the garden a bit.  After that, The Professor and I met both daughters at the local arboretum and walked the dogs.

What was Older Daughter searching for in the pond at the Japanese Garden?

Koi!

And turtles!

2.  Sunday, after The Professor took his turn preaching the sermon at our church, we grabbed a quick lunch and then visited Bryn Du Mansion where the local gardeners club held its Daffodil Festival.  Yes, the theme was America's Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary.

3.  Monday was one of those days when the errands piled up.  We were able to put them all together in one long trip. I'm thankful the errands all got done.

4.  As usual, we enjoyed our time with T and S at a local coffee shop.  I am so thankful for our friendship with them.

5.  Why am I gone from home?  I am attending a wellness conference called Seeking Whole Health.  I thought I'd be sitting along all day.  BUT.  It turns out that a good friend is attending with her sister-in-law.  So we've been enjoying our fellowship together and learning lots.  After dismissal today, we even got in a mile and a half walk in a local park.

What did you find in your week that made you stop and be thankful?

Oregon Barns

 Much of the state of Oregon is rural.  Therefore, there are many barns.  The day after our Pacific Coast beach adventure, we drove all around the northwestern section of the Willamette* Valley which is where my brother lives.  We were chasing those wineries and vineyards.  (*Willamette is pronounced Will AM et, just so you know...)

My opinion is that you can't have too many barn photos.

Are you bored yet?

Which is your favorite?

Fave Fives in April

It's Friday night.  I'm late!  But I'm here to post my Fave Fives from this week.  I am glad that Susanne holds us all responsible to posting our five blessings from the past week.  It helps me focus and remember how blessed I've been this week and all the time.

1.  One reason I am so late to post is that I spent most of my day at the local hospital sitting with my friend whose momma was having a heart surgery procedure today.  Usually my friend handles everything calmly but this surgery was stressful on both of them.  I am thankful I could be with her to sip our coffee and just chat all morning to keep our minds calm.

2.  Another reason I'm late?  The Professor and I took Warrior Boy over to Chap's house and enjoyed BYOD (bring your own dinner) and a movie with them.  Even PAL enjoyed watching the Adventures of Robin Hood movie.

3.  One afternoon I drove PAL and her mom to visit a local garden nursery.  My goal was to buy some plants since I haven't started any seeds yet.  I found both kinds of tomatoes we want to grow this summer as well as kale and some herbs.

4.  After Easter church service last Sunday, we enjoyed a family dinner and Chap's house.  Dinner was delicious.  Then we spent some time hanging out and putting together a 500 piece puzzle.  Yes, we did the whole puzzle in one afternoon.

5.  When I was in Oregon last week one of my cousins mentioned that he had researched my Ohio town and discovered that a famous Civil War veteran was born here.  John Clem.  He was the youngest person to ever serve in the Union Army.  At nine years and ten months he joined the army and became the drummer in the Michigan infantry.  When we returned home, we did a bit of research and found the statue dedicated to him on one of our main streets.  How many times have we passed this corner and not noticed it??  I'm glad my cousin told me about John Clem and that we found this monument to him.

I hope you have found many blessings by looking back over your week, too.

Oregon Beach

 Pacific Ocean Coastal Beaches are places of home to me.  I grew up visiting these beaches.  It's probably why I am a Beach Girl.  During our visit to Oregon last week, my brother drove us to Rockaway Beach and Nehalem Bay Beach because he knows how much I miss my beaches.

Oregon Beaches are famous for their driftwood piles.  Think:  forests like the Redwoods and Olympic National Forest.  Trees fall down into the rivers.  They are swept to the sea.  They're battered by the waves.  Then they end up on the beaches.

What to you do with all the driftwood?  You build forts and fences and windbreaks.

Beaches bring me joy and peace and rest.

The Symbol of the Season

 Happy Resurrection Day!

HE IS RISEN!

A Week Away

 I'm back! Our trip was a quick one, just five nights away from home.  I'm sorry that I didn't have the opportunity to check on everyone's blogs.  But now, life is returning to normal (sort of).

I am posting my Friday Fave Fives to share all the wonderful things that happened on our trip. (the link takes you to Susanne's blog where you can join and post about your FFFs, too)

1.  I am thankful for safe travels.  The Professor and I were happily surprised at the short waiting lines, especially at TSA checkpoints.  Our four flights (two each direction) were smooth and on time.

2.  OK.  Where did we go?  My cousin passed away last month and I wanted to attend her memorial service.  If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you will know that I was born and raised in Oregon.  Portland, to be exact.  Almost all of my family (especially on my dad's side) live in Oregon.

3.   We spent all of Saturday (after we checked out of our hotel by the airport) visiting friends.  I have a college friend who married a guy I've known since high school.  She makes and sells soap and years ago my daughter (and I) worked with her at local county and state fairs.   (If you want to purchase some the best soap in the world, go to Laurelstone Soaps www.lssoaps.com)  We had so much fun talking that we didn't take a single photo.  Then we met another friend for dinner at a delicious Lebanese restaurant and talked until we closed it down.

4.  After visiting our former home church for their Sunday morning service, we drove to where my cousin's memorial service was being held.  The tribute to her was lovely and prompted so many memories of her and our times of playing together as children. Like the time it snowed and we were at school.  She and I decided to go outside and play in the snow at lunch recess and since we were the only ones out there, we didn't hear the bell and stayed out until the principal rushed out and pulled us in.  Yes, we did get in trouble for that one.  All my cousins and my brother were there and also some of their children and grandkids.  After the service all but the oldest cousin gathered at a coffee shop and we chatted for another two hours.  I am so blessed with all those boy cousins (and a brother).

left to right:  cousin1, cousin3's wife, cousin3, me, cousin4, cousin2, my brother.

All but cousin4 and I live in Western Oregon

5.  Monday and Tuesday were devoted to time spent with my brother and his wife.  He drove us out to the beach on Monday and then on Tuesday we did some exploring of the area where they live which is Oregon wine country.  I took so.many.photos.  Here are just a couple from those days.  Come back for LOTS more.

The beach!

Vineyards!

And then it was time for us to return home.  Even Eleanor was ready.

A Quick Fave Fives

 I am leaving on a jet plane very soon, so I am doing my Friday Fave Fives quickly.  Here are my Five Blessings from this past week.

1.  We enjoyed an unexpected fun evening with Tall Boy Friday night.  A friend from school gave him a free ticket to attend our local school district's Fiddle Fest, a night of music by the string band from all the middle schools and our high school.  We all had a great time and loved the music.

2.  I always enjoy our monthly fiber arts group get together at a local coffee shop.

3.  After the group time, Nurse Girl Daughter and I decided to make a quick detour to one of our favorite garden nurseries.  I never win raffles or door prizes or anything like that.  So imagine my surprise when I answered my phone on Monday and the caller was from the nursery.  She told me that I WON! A GIFT CARD!   AND.  So did my daughter!  I am sure there will be another visit to the nursery soon.

4.  My daughter is friends with a couple who own an alpaca farm.  They were out of town last weekend, so she went over to the farm to check on the alpacas and feed them.  I tagged along.  It was so much fun (even if she had to muck out the pens).

5.  I finished another blanket for our local pregnancy center.  Super simple pattern.  All knit rows.  Size nine needles.  Simply Soft yarn by Caron.

Okay!  I'm out the door! Yes, I packed lots of knitting and a few books!