DID SOMEONE SAY "ROAD TRIP"?!!

Had a fantastic vacation with my sweetie, Tom!! We had 2 weeks, so decided on a road trip to Sedona, AZ, a week there, and then a quick trip back home. Started out on a Tuesday night after work. Got as far as Salem, OR before the rain, glare and road oil did us in. The next day found us driving down the Southern Oregon coast and then on to N. CA and the Giant Redwoods.                           

                                                                                                   

Had to stop by The Trees of Mystery and get a picture of Tom with Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox!! 

                                                                                                                                                

Then it was off to see the drive-thru tree! Before we took a side road and got up close and personal with these wonders of nature!

This is looking straight up

a "big tree"!!!

We stayed in Arcata, CA our second night at a very nice Howard J's and headed over to Redding, CA Thursday morning. Stopped at Weaverville, CA to stretch our legs and grab a bite. While checking out a local pottery store, the very nice sales lady suggested we see the Joss House down the street and then maybe the the local museum to get some history of the region during the gold rush of the 1850's. We're so glad we took her up on it!

The Joss House, built in 1873, it the oldest operating Chinese Taoist Temple in California and maybe the United States!! If you ever get to that area, you really need to check it out. Our guide, CA Parks Dept. Ranger, Lori, was a wonderful fount of information and we could tell she really enjoyed the subject matter. The museum wasn't open, so we went to a nice little cafe for lunch and then headed to Redding. Our ultimate goal for that day was Chico, CA and my Uncle Jack/Aunt Jean's home. We hadn't seen them in a couple years and Tom had never been to their home. The trip over the coastal mountains was glorious and we made it to Chico around 3 in the afternoon. Their 2 sons, Tom and Bob came by to see us and we had a wonderful visit with them all.

Bob, me, Tom and daughter, Maya

My Tom had been 9 or 10 the last time he had been trhough the Redwoods, so he was very impressed. He read in a flyer where the Giant Sequoias were even bigger and really wanted to see them, so we altered our plans and headed to Fresno and on to Sequoia National Park Friday around 7:30 am. The 5 hour trip was well worth it!! OMG!! Those trees are gigantic!!! And OLD!            

                                                                                                                                     

One of these is 103' around the base and over 2,000,000 tons!! Amazing!! They're alot like humans, they only grow so tall and then they just get bigger around!! HA!! Another must see!

Saturday, we travelled across the bottom of the Mojave desert and over to Kingman, AZ, a Route 66 town, for the night. Did some sight-seeing/shopping downtown and had a great dinner at Calico's Restaurant before calling it an early night. Sunday morning would find us on our way to Sedona and a week of R&R!!

If you've never been to Sedona, you need to go at least for the day.





                                   This is some of the scenery from the area - breathtaking!!!

After spending a fantastic week at Los Abrigado's Resort and Spa in Sedona,                                                  

we headed home. Went north through Flagstaff and spent the night in Provo, UT. The next day was an 11 hour drive day that landed us in the friendly town of Pendleton, OR.  We stayed at The Rugged Country Lodge, a very reasonably priced combo hotel/b&b. Rustic, but comfortable and they had some killer cinnamon rolls with the rest of the complimentary breakfast. It looked kinda iffy when we drove up, but the clerk was so friendly and the place was just so cute, we had to give it a try.

For dinner, we drove through town and checked out the available restaurants. We settled on Stetsons House of Prime and we were glad we did! Two winners in the same night - wow!! What a way to end our vacation! It was a little spendy, but you got plenty for your money and excellent service. Check it out if you're ever in Pendleton.

The next morning, after biscuit and gravy, cinnamon roll and mocha (hey, I was on vacation!), we continued West on I-84 to Troutdale, OR and lunch with my daughter, Kellie and grandson, Derric. Derric was enjoying his last days of freedom before being sworn in as an Airman and heading to San Antonio, TX for basic training. Of course, you can't go up I-84 without a side trip on the Historic State Rte 30 and a stop at Multnomah Falls!



I had never driven West on 30 past Multnomah Falls, so we decided to continue on this picturesque route for a while longer, are we were rewarded with beautiful Fall colors and a surprise stop at Vista House.



We met up with Kellie and Derric at Elmer's in Gresham. Had a great visit and a very nice gentleman offered to take our picture when we were leaving so Tom could be in it. Thanks!!

After one more stop at my Aunt Kay and Uncle Alan's in Longview, WA, we headed for home and, curiously, we arrived almost exactly 2 weeks to the MINUTE from when we left! Try to do that on purpose!!

All in all, it was a great adventure and we are already planning our next one. I suggested we could fly to the E. Coast and rent a car, visit with my daughter and son-in-law - Carman and Matt - and family a few days and drive back across the US. There's so much to see in this country and I want to see as much as I can before I say that final "Good Bye" - I guess that's my bucket list item  #1!

Well, that's it for my travelogue.
Till next time!

Jackie



GREEN TOMATO PIE - YUM!!!

It's that time of year again - when the tomatoes are on the vine but the sun isn't warm enough or out long enough to turn them red. So, what do you do with a bunch of green tomatoes? Well, you could go for that Southern Comfort Food - fried green tomatoes. Or, you could be brave and try something different - green tomato pie! I in know, doesn't exactly sound appetizing. But it's delicious! Had never heard about this dessert until about 5 years ago when I was faced with 3 tomato plants filled with green tomatoes. I was talking to my neighbor Joan and she told me about making these pies. She had gotten the recipe from another neighbor - Shirley and swore it was a great way to use up these green fruits. So, I got the recipe and made several, freezing most of them for our yearly bake sale at the credit union. They really are delicious!  That year I had only cherry-style tomatoes, so it took a looonnnnggg time to cut up all those babies! This year, I have been given a half box of big green tomatoes from one of my credit union members. So, it shouldn't be such a time consuming task! (I'll save the reddish ones and put them on my kitchen window sill to ripen for eating! )

I misplaced the original recipe, so I just go on-line and Google - "Green tomato pie". There are several selections to choose from so if you are tempted to try it, just look through them and pick one that matches your items in your pantry. I went for the simple southern recipe and I cheat by buying pre-made pie crusts. But, it works and tastes great! So, go ahead, be adventurous and make one! You'll agree, it's a much better way to use up all those green tomatoes hanging on your plants! Of course, you can still fry up a couple.


Talking about FRIED GREEN TOMATOS - that is one of my all-time favorite movies!!  I may have to go on my Netflix or Amazon Prime and see if I can find it and give it a viewing this afternoon. Want to join me? I'll pop up some popcorn! 


HAPPY BAKING AND GOD BLESS!!
JACKIE

RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD...

Fall has fallen on our little corner of the world. Leaves are turning. Flower baskets are dying. Clouds are dripping water all over us. Neighbors are getting ready to head South for the Winter. Soon it will be time to carve pumpkins and plan my costume for the Halloween party at work and for the kids at the Inn. The ladies club here at the Lake always put together a fun party for the local kids with games, prizes, hot dogs and lots and lots of candy. The kids love it!


We're thinking of dressing in 80's rock stars for work. We always have so much fun decorating the branch. Our members love it and look forward to how we're going to decorate each year.  I'm thinking of either Madonna or one of the Bangles or Go Gos. The gals at work were thinking more along the line of Tina Turner due to my "great legs"!  But I just don't think I have the hair for it. 


I'll let you know soon.  I already have leg warmers - I know, but they keep my legs warm when walking in the winter!! What can I say?!


In the meantime, I have weeds to pull, shrubs to trim, grass to feed and I really need to get back to my projects! Christmas will be here before long and I need to make ornaments for the grandkids.  


This Saturday, though, is dedicated to walking in a Strides Against Breast Cancer event in Tacoma. This is my third year and I look forward to seeing all the participants. Everyone is always so excited to be there -rain or shine. This is such a worthy cause. 


Well, time to go for now,


Be well and God Bless,


Jackie

VACATION, FLYING AND OTHER STUFF!

Well, it was a quick, furious, eventful visit to Pennsylvania last week! Got to spend time with my daughter and her 4, very active, children and see my handsome son-in-law for a bit. Watched my first field hockey game and my first Lacross game! So much to do and so little time. The last night, Carman and the kids and I went to the new Applebees in Thorndale and had a great time. The kids were going on and on about their classes, teachers, etc. So much laughter! 


It wasn't all smiles and fun times, though. There was a rainstorm on Friday that left part of the RV park flooded. Water in the pavillion and wash room building, flooded campsites, debris and missing gravel from one of the roads. Quite the mess for my daughter to have to  handle while Matt was out of town. Just happened that way - not planned!! She had some help from park residents and the water receded during the night. Matt had some rock work to do when he got home, but they're back to capacity and more campers will be coming for the weekend bonfire!


Did I mention I flew out and back first-class?! Used some of my mileage points. I was especially glad I wasn't in coach while we were stuck on the plane for 1/2 hour waiting for a maintenance person to unstick the baggage loading apparatus! All together, I was 1 1/2 hours late getting home, making for a very late bedtime for me! While I was waiting to board my delayed flight leaving Dallas-Fort Worth, I found a little chapel at the airport. I've never seen one of those before! It was really nice. I sat down for a while and talked with God. He calmed me down and then had me call my pastor's wife, my friend Jeannie, and ask her to include me in her evening prayers. I had to leave a message on her cell, but she got it. When I arrived home, safe and sound, I got her return message telling me she had received my request and included me in her prayers for a safe trip. That's what friends are for!!


Haven't had time for any crafts since I came back or time to try out Zumba again. But the weekend is nearly here and I'm definitely going "dancin'" Monday evening! Will be able to get 3 or 4 lessons in before I take another vacation - don't you love it!!


Oh, while waiting at the DFW airport, and after my visit with God, I sat next to another passenger who was wearing the same Nike Free shoes as I was!! They're orange and white floral swirls and just fun to wear. She noticed and we talked about how we loved them! Then we started talking about crafts and I mentioned my "Happy Door" on my potting shed. She and her husband recently sold their home but not before she had modge-podged large areas of it! Inside cupboards, drawers, a door, the pantry, etc, etc!! She really had fun, it sounded like! Anyway, I gave her my blog address so she could see my door. Hope she gets a chance to check it out. 


Time to go. I'll post more craft/glass pictures next week. Got company coming for OysterFest this weekend - that's a whole other session!


Happy blogging and God Bless!


Jackie

UP, UP AND AWAY!!

You won't believe where I'm writing this from! 37,000 feet above the US!! I am headed to see my oldest daughter, Carman, and her family in Pennsylvania. Had enough miles to fly first class there and back - all right!! Since my flight was cheap, I splurged on getting wi-fi so I could check my email, IM chat with my cousin Linda, and add to my blog. Pretty cool, hey? (that's for my Canadian cousins!)

The weather is great for flying today. I'm going thru Chicago-O'Hare and hopefully I won't have to run from one side of the airport to the other to catch my plane for the second leg of my trip!

The leaves should be turning in PA this time of year which makes it so pretty. My daughter and her hubby own an RV park where they also live. It's a beautiful setting. If you're ever in that neck of the woods, check it out. www.brandywinecreekcampground.com

I'm really looking forward to visiting with my 4 grandkids, that is when they have time! They're all active in sports and other activities, so they keep my daughter busy. She is pretty amazing if I do say so myself!

Had to get up at 2:30 AM to get to the airport this morning!! Ugh!! Can't believe I'm still awake!  It's so cool to look at the window from this far up and see the rivers and forests and farmlands and cities below me. The pilot just came on to say we were passing over Rapid City, Iowa. There's some clouds blocking my view, though.  Earlier he announced we were going over "Heleena, Mt"!  Really! Heleena!! Obviously not from out our way!

I'm planning on taking Carman to a spa one day this week for whatever she wants to do. It's her birthday next Tuesday, so that's my present to her. Some relaxing time! Hope it works out! Last year was her 40th and I surprised her by showing up a month early! Her Mom-in-law made appts for us at a little spa near Philly. We spoiled ourselves and then had lunch, did a little shopping and then got her back to the park to check some RVers in. Her hubby took her and I out to dinner that evening to a nice restaurant. I think she had a good birthday.

My youngest daughter, Kellie, is having a birthday Friday. I won't be home for that, but then she lives a ways from me and has odd working hours, so I don't usually spend her birthday with her. She still gets a special card, call and gift from me, though. I just love both of my beautiful girls!!

Tom has a birthday next week, as well! September is a busy month for me! And so is August! Three grandkids have birthdays that month! Means someone was having fun around Thanksgiving and Christmas!! HAHA!!

Well, better close for now. I'll post some pictures from my trip when I get back.

Enjoy your life to the fullest and God Bless!!

Jackie

REUSE, RESTORE, RECYCLE and A GARDEN SURPRISE!

This has been a day to do all of the above. I'm one of those people who doesn't throw rubber bands away - all the time! Especially the ones that come on bunches of veggies or flowers. They're wide and strong and come in handy. Like today. I decided it was time to clean the glass light shades over the bathroom vanity. I do this about once a year. I know - should probably do it more often, but I'm just not anal about that kind of cleaning. Anyhoooo, when I took them off the fixtures, some of the ceramic surrounds inside that keep the shades from moving had broken and was coming off in pieces. I didn't even realize they were in there. Well, I cleaned the shades - they're so pretty and shiny now! - and then thought, what can I put around the bottoms to take the place of the ceramic pieces. And then it hit me - my wide rubber bands! They are just the right size and fit around the bottoms perfectly. See!

I know, they're blue, but they won't show, so who cares? It works!

I also started working on a refurbishing project. I've added that to my "Craft" page. It's not finished yet, but well on it's way! That's the "restore" part.

So what about the "recycle" you ask? Well, I'm a fiend about recycling our cardboard and our plastic containers - mainly bottles. I recently received 2 large boxes - stained glass in one and a lampshade in another. Neither can be used for reshipping, so off to the recycle place they go. Although.... Halloween is coming up and we might be able to use them in decorating our branch. So maybe I'll keep them for awhile.

I had a very nice surprise when I went out on my back deck to have my afternoon mocha and enjoy a bit of fresh air. I had some ripe tomatoes and a cucumber!! OMG!! I'm in Heaven!

Sliced cucumber and tomatoes for dinner tonight!!





Well, that's all for today. Between doing a little cleaning, a little refurbishing and getting some rest - still stuffy, but getting better - I've had a good day. Even got a movie in - UP - have you seen it? Kind of sappy, but cute and a good choice for a gray day.

God Bless and Keep You!
Jackie

THINKIN' I NEED A VACATION!!

Not sure whether it's allergies or a summer cold, but something hit me in the middle of the night Wednesday and now I'm all stuffed up and tired. I just want to wrap up in a blanket and drink hot tea and watch movies or take a nap. Wah, wah, wah!!! Got to get over it before next Wednesday because that's when I take off for Pennsylvania to see my beautiful daughter, Carman, and her handsome hubby, Matt and my fabulous grandkids, AJ, Jenna, Laine and Mia!!

SKI TRIP  2008

I can hardly wait to see them all! Can you blame me? So, I'd better get over this, whatever it is right now!!

I've been kind of mopey all around lately. Ever get that way? Just kind of restless, but nothing really jumps out at you. Zumba was fun, and I'm definitely going back. I have several projects to finish or get started. Reading is always nice. It's probably time to start in on the Bible again. I've read it 4 times over the years and I always get something different from it depending on my life experiences at the time. I've downloaded it onto my Kindle, so it will be easy to take with me when I travel next week.

I'm also at that stage in my life when I'd really, really, really like to retire, or at least just work part time. I DO have projects to keep me busy, but limited time to do them. And then there's my neighbor friends who play cards on Wednesday and golf on Mondays and go to the fair during the week, etc, etc, etc. I'd like to travel and do things while I'm still reasonably young and healthy. So, how do I accomplish that and pay bills at the same time? Sounds like another project to me!! Think I'll take a real vacation first!

That's what Tom and I plan to do soon. Drive down the coast and then over to Sedona with stops in Reno and Bryce Canyon along the way. It will be our first real road trip and I'm so excited!! We'll spend a week in Sedona doing some hiking and checking out the galleries and "vortexes". And just relaxing! Awwwwww, yes. We'll find out if we can travel for a long time together without killing each other in preparation for our big trip across country in a few years! I don't think we'll have any problems. We both like to explore and take backroads. We did take a short trip several years ago on our first visit to Arizona. So, it's not completely new. It will be fun, to say the least. And when I get back, I'll have a new perspective and be refreshed and renewed and reenergized - at least for a day or two. HA!

Bye for now and here's a hug for anyone who needs it today!!