Camping Chronicle # 1 with tips

Once upon a dandelion, there was a young married woman.  She was expecting their first child in a couple of months.  A neighbor (and co-worker), had just purchased a camp trailer, and was selling his pup tent.  "Well", the young woman thought, "Wouldn't it be fun to surprise my husband with a weekend  getaway?" "We could hike away from the bright lights of the city, and go camping at that cool park we've passed a number of times out on the highway!"  The young woman had waffle stomper hiking boots that were a couple of years old and quite comfy.  She compiled a list: they would need a good pair of waffle stompers for Hubby, a orange external frame back pack for each of them, and the Pup Tent of course.  One Friday after work,  the secret purchases had all been made; the young woman enthusiastically sprung the surprise on her unsuspecting husband.  She packed their backpacks, and they set out.  The couple navigated their way down neighborhood streets, out through the sub-divisions, and past the little ranchettes.  It had been a full work week, and they started this little adventure, already tired.  The orange packs began to feel heavier and heavier.  It began to get darker and darker and they had not reached the park.  Hubby's boots began to feel uncomfortable, and the little mini-breaks became more frequent.  By the time the couple reached the park, it was midnight.

There were tall iron gates to the entrance, and they were closed tight.  The flashlight illuminated the mean little sign "DAY USE ONLY".  The temptation to just collapse right there on the spot, was great.  But the young couple trudged back, from whence they had come.  They had passed a little abandoned gas station, with a pay phone on their way.  It was 2 a.m.  They called their VERY good friend to come pick them up.  He even drove them through an all night drive through in town, as they hadn't eaten, and then drove them home.  We   I mean, they backpacked for hours and miles, only to spend the night in our their own bed.

Camping tips:

l. Know where you're going! Make a reservation.

2. Don't pack baking potatoes and everything you own in a back-pack, Grapes of Wrath style   (even if you are in Steinbeck country!)

3. Don't wear brand new boots, or else be prepared to nurse blisters the size of quarters.

4. Start out in the morning, refreshed.

5. Always carry phone money

6. Always, Always, Always, be thankful for good friends.

Oktoberfest 2011

Just like the lebkuchen we got in Germany's Nuremburg Christkindlmarkt.
There was good participation in the chicken dance.

This little liebling reminded me of our Sarah at that age.
Aren't they cute?  They're a yearly fixture.

fraulein
He marched to all of the songs and little sister followed like a shadow.  It was so sweet.

The girls did a great job with the maypole dance
as shown by their completed weaving

Whee!

A little violin solo of "Eidelwiss"
A cute group including 2 expectant mommies

The girls picked their partners from the circle of boys

Pretty hops
Townsquare

We ventured up the hill to the Weiner dog races

and to listen to The Voices of Hope concert in the beautiful St Mary's Parish Church.

I love the strong sense of community at Mt. Angel.  It warms my heart to hear the locals greet one another by name as they pass one another amidst the throngs of visitors.  It was nice to be able to share Oktoberfest with Sarah and her family this year.  Of our girls, she has the most memories and emotional attachment to Bavaria/Germany from when we lived there.  It was like stepping back in time; seeing her blonde, braided hair, daughter in a shop, admiring a dirndl set for her doll.  I found some more candles for our Christmas pyramid. (They're kind of a tricky size.)  Seeing all of the hops adorning the booths, reminded  me to pick some of ours and bring in the house.  I usually forget about them until they're spoiled by the fall rains. I'm enjoying them on the dining chandy.

Labor Day Weekend

We went to Mom and Dad's. Dot was there from Salt Lake City. Mom is recovering sooooo well from her latest surgery, 2 weeks ago, now. Such a wonderful answer to prayer! It was a good weekend....Unbelievable....not one picture taken. We did our usual ....laughing....laughing...more laughing. New finds, fun, and flavor. Had a blast sharing Pinterest with Dot, late at night, and just cracking up! After Mom's awesome Dr.'s appt. (don't ya love a good report?), had a good lunch with Mom and Dot at Hola!, munchin' tortilla chips, and Peruvian "Culantro Sauce."

On the way home, Jim and I stopped in Sisters at Bronco Billy's. He had Billy's barbequed ribs and I had an absolutely, yum,yum,yummers "Caballero" burger. It had guacamole and salsa, and was so flavorful.
And then we had one last "Hurrah!" We shared a Marionberry Shortcake, with Three Sisters Vanilla icecream, dessert with each other.. Oh.....My......sooooooo good.

Lightning strikes have started fires everywhere. Am so grateful for Hot Shot crews, and pray for their safety. The terrain is so treacherous in places, I can't even imagine doing their job.

Night Glow 2011

I called Sarah awhile back, and asked if they would be interested in joining us this year for the Art and Air Festival. I thought she would enjoy a photo op. Tori thought it sounded fun, and has wanted us to take them to it, ever since she found out we had taken Josie and Matthew a few years back. Sarah and the kids met us at Costco, and we all had a "spendy" supper! The nightglow this year didn't seem as good to me, as when we had gone before. There seemed to be lots more people, noise, and alcohol consumption. The actual balloon night glow portion didn't seem to last as long, or seem as dramatic. We kept an ear open for a call from Anna saying "it was time for a baby", but it never came. My favorite part of the night was listening to Josie and the girlies singing pop songs together in the back seat on the way home. The couches and beds were full as they all spent the night.....short as it was.

Gotcha!

I know what ya mean Violet. A million years ago, He captured my heart singing to me too! Saturday, while we were Kate's, Violet was fussing. Jim was holding her, and started singing to her. She calmed right down and just stared into his eyes. We got to watch the kiddos play on their new play structure. They're going to have so much fun with that, so happy for them.
We went to IKEA earlier that morning, had breakfast (love to get tender Swedish pancakes) and picked up some things for the craft studio.

Weekend Wonders

We went to my folk's this weekend. It was a fun time of garage sale-ing with Dad, and a relaxing walk through the garden with Mama. I love love love the aqua blue melamine cup hanging on the tree. It's from our family dishes when i was a girl. In the summer we would pour kool-aid in the cups, stick spoons in, and freeze 'em for popsicles.

"Brilliant"

Last night we went for our date night of the week. We picked up some Costco dogs and pops, and headed to the park. I love the lamps and beautiful hanging flower baskets in this park. There were so many instruments on stage, you would think there was a group band coming up. We were treated to a talented DUO from Scotland and Ireland;

"Men of Worth." They were musically gifted on all of the instruments (love me some good bodhrain playin'), harmonized wonderfully, and were witty and a lot of fun.
There was plenty of toe-tapping, hand clapping, singing along, and kids twirling and jiggedy jiggin' around. A couple and their little girl; Isabelle, sat next to us. She didn't just have a great sense of rhythm, but a cute jacket too!

Playing Doubles

Saturday, i drove to Kate's and spent some time with her and the kiddos. It was fun having lunch and playing outside with the older ones while Kate and the babes napped. Later, after Kate had fed the babies, she took the older kids to the park. I stayed home with the twins. I thought...."sure....I can do this." I would've done better if I wouldn't have been so concerned about trying to get them both asleep at the same time, and not wanting either of them to be crying when she returned. I was a like a bobble-head bouncing each one and popping binkies back into mouths. I would get one to sleep and the other one would fuss....back and forth it went. Oh Kate, how I admire you!! Super woman!!

(note Buster, the protector dog, parked behind the bouncy seats, between the babies and the door. He guards them.)