Vacation/Staycation 2013

 Our vacation this year was another staycation for us which we almost always do.  We are not the get on the plane type of people for vacations, we would rather stay close to home and enjoy relaxing with family and enjoying the outdoors.  Both places we went this year are less than a 2 hour drive from our house.

 One of the favorite places around for us is the Pacific ocean, especially along the northern Oregon coast.

Our first stop is always to have lunch at this place.  I have posted about it before and this trip was no different, simply the best fish and chips around.  It was a 30 minute wait in line but it was well worth it.  (Edit: Located in Astoria, Oregon)

 On this 3 day trip we stayed with our daughter Natasha and her son at Ft. Stevens campground.  Her hubby Jason had to work and oldest son Matthew was at scout camp.  Below is Spencer braving the cold water.  He eventually got in up to his thighs.  Brrrrrrr!

 

Natasha and I together.  Whew, that damp air really does awful things to my hair.

 

 

Spencer found that the tide pools were much warmer than the ocean.

The rest of the vacation we spent at our favorite campground up in the Cascade Mountains.  This is called Tower Rock.  I have never climbed to the top but most of my family has, some thought it was awesome and others thought it was kind of scary.  It is quite steep and at the top you can get close to the edge.

 

Grandson Matthew and granddaughter Dawson were the only children on this camping trip.  He was so good with her, he played with her and watched cartoons with her.  His new nickname for her is shadow.

What is a camping trip without a dog...

 

...or two?



 

 

 Jim and Dustin found this power saw at a yard sale in a small town near where we were camped and bought it.  They aren't usually big garage sale fans but after this steal purchase they are totally converted.  Here they are looking on e-bay for comparable saws for sale.  Let's just say they got a great deal on this one.

That's me, Jim, Matthew, Dawson and Paige posing in front of Mt. Rainier unfortunately the top of the mounting didn't quite make it into the picture.

 

 

Here is a better picture of Mt. Rainier.  Dustin, Duncan, Dawson and Randy are such a cute little family.  The last time they took a picture here she was 8 months pregnant with Dawson so it was fun to get an updated picture.

 

We even found huckleberries to pick.

 

Nothing quite as good in the morning than huckleberry pancakes.

Our days were filled with sleeping in late, bicycle rides, picking blackberries and huckleberries, the guys rode their motorcycles up in the mountains, campfires with 'smores, lounging around reading, playing Skip Bo, cribbage and rummy.  Love making memories with my children and grandchildren.

 

This Year's "Honey-Doo" Project

So six years ago we started on a major project by building an addition onto our house. 

 

This was the patio I had to give up in order to build onto the house. (Hubby had started demolition at this point.)  The patio wasn't very big but it was a nice restful place.

This is how the backyard has been for the past 6 years.  Not really patio furniture friendly.

 

Finally, because we have had a whole list of home projects to get done, this new deck was next on the list to do. YIPPEE!

 

 

Progress is being made.

 Yep, I can envision what it will look like, and...

 

...now I can see pictures in my mind of being able to officially begin using this patio furniture instead of watching it gathering dust in the shed.

 

Stay tuned for the finished project.

I AM THE QUEEN OF COPYING AND I WILL BE MAKING THIS!

I have once again been inspired by something I found on Pinterest. 

Anne over at Design Dreams By Anne has so graciously given step by step instructions along with pictures on how she built this herself.

 

I am up for the challenge...stay tuned for my finished bench soon.

 

What's Bloomin' Round Here In July?

OUR WEATHER HERE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST HAS BEEN CO-OPERATING QUITE NICELY THIS YEAR. 

 

Here is an addition I made to this flower bed, a terra cotta pot stacked birdbath.  Hopefully the birds will be enticed by the bright colors.

 

 

This is some crocosmia (Lucifer red) that I planted last year.  I love the pop of red it gives the flower bed.

 

 

This is some pretty pink phlox.  I also have some white phlox but it hasn't bloomed yet.

This is a daylily.  I used to have a whole bunch of them but pulled out most because they got too greedy with the space and began invading other plant's territories.

 

 

This is a hydrangea in the back yard, the blue is so pretty.  You don't see too many flowers in the blue family.

This hydrangea is in the front flower bed and is varying shades of purple.

 With all the flowers in bloom I sometimes forget to cut some to enjoy in the house.  Here is a mixture of lilies, liatris, salvia, astillbe, hydrangea and even a gladiola hiding in the back.

I get my love of flowers from my grandfather (my mom's dad).  He was always working in his yard and garden adding new things.  We always swore that it was because of his chewing tobacco habit, he would spit that stuff everywhere and the flowers loved it.  Kind of gross but hey, it seemed to work.

Linking up here for a linky party:

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Lavender Farm Tour

Some very good friends of ours have opened a Lavender Farm, this being their second year  open to the public.  They have a cute little gift shop with merchandise from local artisans along with bundles of lavender, lavender soaps and lotions and lavender honey.

 

 

On July 12 & 13 at their Lavender Faire they will be offering classes on making these lavender wands along with demonstrations on making wreaths.

 

This is a visitor to the farm who happened to be in the area for a wedding this weekend and happened upon the farm via road signs.  She is from Delaware and has been enjoying the sights of the Pacific Northwest.  She enjoyed learning how to make wands.

 

Here is a sample of a few items that are offered for sale in the gift shop.

 

 

 

If you are in the area they are located at:

865 P.H. 10

Castle Rock, WA

Hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.