Haystack Rock....Cannon Beach Oregon

Last month we had the privilege of taking our two older grandchildren to the Oregon Coast. The highlight of our trip was visiting Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. The kids fell in love with the place and of course, the rock itself. Only yesterday my grandson said he wished we lived there all the time so we could see the ocean all the time. I heartily agreed. 

The surf, the sand, the tides and looking for shells in tide pools were exceptional experiences, most likely because it was so simple yet so pleasurable. 

On our last evening, we happened on the tide pools just in time for a glimpse of this beautiful starfish.          I think my granddaughter caught the essence of its beauty in the camera. I ooh and ah every time I see the clarity of this picture.    

                                                             

This trip is truly the highlight of our summer and created wonderful memories for us all. I hope we go again next year and bring along the parents!

Summer Haven...

Early morning finds birds splashing in the birdbath.
Breezy days add a lot of color as the spinner twirls around  in a splendor of color.

The Hosta has spread and ready to bloom.
Pots of geraniums and marigolds have begun to fill out and bursting with color.

A view from the bottom deck! Shade on the fence
Sun on the deck.
Our back yard is our haven...
A place to relax and play, read or nap. 

Prayers are the Promise of Hope

We were so worried and distraught last week when our 7-year old grandson Luke became ill. He had a high fever and a backache. Naturally he was tired and his appetite was off too. My daughter and son-in-law determined that if he was not better in the morning they would take him to the doctor.

In the meantime a call for prayer went out to friends and family by phone, email and Facebook! We literally had prayer warriors giving all they had to pray for Luke.

 An hour after I returned home from visiting, I received a text from my granddaughter that they were taking him to emergency. A later text informed us he was  admitted and would have and MRI. His blood work showed high white blood cell counts and inflammation. The results were clear, the blood work and fever were still troubling.  Prayers were still pouring out, with more people were praying.

 His fever calmed down after a two night stay but came back after being home just one night. He had a CT scan the following morning...the blood work was done again. The CT scan was clear and the mystery was hanging in the balance. In the meantime, prayers were said in his room by my daughter and her husband, a couple from church and our pastor and his wife.

His fever broke and remained low that Sunday evening. It remained low and on Tuesday, he was released from the hospital. We never learned what caused this illness. Other than the tests, he was given nothing but Tylenol or ibuprofen to fight the fever. We are still unsure what happened but are so grateful he is well again and getting back to his wonderful self...I believe, though that he had a lot of help from UP Above....because prayers are often answered. Thank God and all who prayed for him!

New Month, extra Resolve

Today I feel empowered to be successful and determined to stick with my goal of losing this extra weight. I would like to lose 4 pounds this month. It is a reasonable goal and within my power to achieve. After I lose those pounds I am determined not to find them again! I may or may not shared that I have been working out a healthier lifestyle. 

It will take a patient journey to reach my goal of losing twenty pounds so I decided to share this "out loud" so to speak and ask you for your support.  I will blog about it on Mondays and share my successes and challenges with you. 

The journey I am taking will also teach me so much more than how many calories are in a Snickers bar. I will re-engage the inner muscle of discipline. Discipline...a trait that lends itself to all aspects of life. I will be stronger in many ways.  Along the way I will incorporate fun and humor at my foibles and take note of what I learn from my mistakes.  Life is not all about celery or carrot sticks...it is what you make with them.

Get a great new look!

Check out my Mary Kay Website and choose a great new look...
Your Eye Color - INTENSIFIED



I chose the Hazel Collection for
my personal eye color compact



Lazy Summer....

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."

-- Sam Keen

 

I thought I should feel guilty for feeling lazy this summer as I marvel over the wonderful life that dwells in my back yard. Not so according to Mr. Keen. Now with his permission I will embrace my comfy chaise lounge while keeping an eye on the bird bath or the hummingbirds who seem to love the nectar from our hanging baskets. Next are the squirrels who seem to believe they own the abundant crop of English Walnuts ripening on our tree.  The bird houses are full of new families and it won't be long until the chirping babies venture out on their own. Ah...summer will be over soon enough and this year I am trying to make the most of our short time together.

Placement Challenge and the Friday Night Sew In

Ginger Joe loves projects!
And...whether I am sewing or typing
he wants to be right in the middle!

I belong to the Spokane Modern Quilt Guild. We were given 6 fat eighths from the Jay McCarroll Habitat with the challenge to make a placemat using all 6 prints.  The only other fabrics we could use were solids.  I started to make squares but when I laid this all out on the table, I liked the diagonal aspect with this eclectic group of prints.  As I looked at other member's finished products I realized that my abilities for machine quilting just are not there yet.  However, I enjoyed the project and the process. As you can see, our kitten Ginger Joe liked it too.

Finished project...I should have shown a closeup of the quilting here. It does give it more pizazz.  I am still working on my machine tension while trying to be creative. If I get a bee in my bonnet and use some of my other fabrics to make another one I may just do some applique on top of the diagonals.  All in all, I learned a lot in this challenge.  Now give me a dress or a home decorating project and I have more confidence and surges of creativity.  Why?  That is the question! 

I decided to take the opportunity to finish my project last night, sipping my favorite wine and joining others for the Friday Night Sew In over at Handmade By Heidi's blog where the projects are creative and inspiring.  Heidi and her cousin Bobbi over at Crafty Vegas Mom take turns hosting this monthly event where UFO's are completed and new surges of creativity spread across blogland.  It was fun to participate!

Friday Night Sew In!

Tonight I have been sewing along with the Friday Night Sew In bunch....and I nearly forgot to sign up!  I will post a picture of my project tomorrow when I am finished.

Thoughts for a Tuesday....

“Think highly of yourself because the world takes you at your own estimate.” - Unknown

Ode to the Cottonwood Tree....or snow in July!

Cottonwood oh Cottonwood...lend me your ear...
Please go from here...
 And take your white fluffs with you...
My grass is covered...again today!
You have over stayed your welcome...
Two weeks I say...
It is time for you to go!

Everything is covered...all my soil...

All my plants....

Look at this grass...green just this morning....now white as snow!

 

We splurged on a lush hanging basket that is
...Now a mere scraggly mess!
Oh how I wish I owned thee
 So I can get to the heart of the matter
 And cut you back to your roots and...
 Send your seedlings back to the river banks....
 So you can fill the banks with shade for others
.... Who can appreciate your majestic command ...
Over the soil that truly needs you!



An Independent Celebration!

 We spent a wonderful Fourth of July with our daughter and her family. She treated us all to a splendid fare of ribs, chicken and hot dogs. We were joined by my son-in-law's parents, now family who share most holidays with us. We were a merry party around the table through the simple act of enjoying ourselves. It doesn't get much better than that.

 

We were treated to a welcoming table filled with
All American apple pie and lemonade
and a good old fashioned pineapple upside down cake!

 

Look at the flowers she made from colorful patriotic papers.
We felt like celebrating right away.

Another great idea! Americana bandannas for napkins holding

 our cutlery within or Mason jar "glass"

We had such a good time and felt so special because of all the special care our daughter put into planning and decorating for this special day.  What is better than spending time with family sharing good food, good stories and laughter.