07-31-13

Kids are away, parents will play.  We were in search of green today... green trees, green grass, even a green hue to the lake.  But, difficult to get us in it and still spotlight the green.  Midweek fun...

07-30-13

My phoneography class is almost over!  I’ll miss the prompts, and learned a lot, but looking forward to using my real camera again.

Today's challenge is summer reading, which was easy, because Bruce and I can often be found on the front porch reading or chatting.

07-29-13

Bruce was playing with settings on my phone camera on our walk tonight.  The color point is kind of fun.  Here's the end of our block in enhanced glory.

It's Monday.

07-28-13

Have water bottle, will travel.

For the third day in a row, we headed down to Oregon.  This time farther south, to drop Xander off at tennis camp in Corvallis.  Long day, especially with terrible traffic thrown in.

I'm falling behind on my photo class prompts, but liked this pic Bruce shot of me when we hopped off the stopped freeway.

07-27-13

This photo doesn't do it justice, but imagine a glass chapel on top of a cliff, with three hawks circling around in very close proximity.  I felt like they were mocking me over their ability to fly, but was also in awe of seeing ht wind in their wings from above.

I spent the day at a prayer retreat at the Grotto in Portland.  Solitude, peace, and prayer, as their tag line reads.  Feeling blessed for taking a day out of the rat race to rest.

07-26-13

Some will know where we spent our evening from this photo.  The unique water fountains are all over the city.  The rose city.

Bruce and I headed to Portland right after work, did a long walking tour, and landed at the Rogue Brewery to meet other on-line real estate investors from BiggerPockets, my latest favorite time suck.

Happy Friday!

07-25-13

We went to the Monticello with friends tonight.  Chef Ramsey was here in Longview awhile back to film and episode of Hotel Hell, and we decided to check out the new menu and ambiance.  They were out of what Bruce and Jeremiah wanted. My starter salad was awesome, Bruce’s chowder was meh.  My veggie pasta was great, Bruce’s Rueben was… an overpriced plain sandwich.  Our shared lemon coconut cake dessert got thumbs up from Bruce, meh from me.

07-24-13

Today’s prompt is about blooms.  My yard is a bit scarce on spectacular flowers right now, so I walked to the lake garden at the end of the block.  Found lilies, black eyed susans, and two kinds of daisies.  As I was getting ready to head home, these purple bursts of color caught my attention.  They've also caught the attention of many bees.  So lucky to live in a place of such abundance, others in my phoneography class are posting photos of succulents and dessert flowers.  

07-23-13

My phoneography class prompt today was laughter.  Seems like it would be difficult, but not with Bruce nearby… celebrating our anniversary again tonight, great food and company.

07-22-13

My photo challenge prompt today is summer routines.  I immediately thought of gardening, since I do way more of it in the summertime.  Haven't purchased lettuce for awhile now...

07-21-13

A quiet day at home.  Got one kid off to church camp, and another ready to leave for a different church camp tomorrow. 

And Ministers Delight (a crockpot cobbler) for dessert.  We have family dessert on Sunday evenings.  We’ve been transitioning from restaurants to fun sweets at home.  We traditionally have Ministers Delight in November after shoebox ministries shopping, so guess this is kind of Christmas in July…

07-20-13

Wow, I’m glad I didn’t have big plans this weekend.  Even my simplified plans seems daunting, think it is time to rest up for a change.  We did get to the berry fields today to restock the freezer to supplement the slim fruit choices in the winter for breakfasts.  Fun and yum!

07-19-13

This evening I took the family, kicking and screaming, to a local play at a new community theater.  And we all had a good time.  The theater is intimate and we were in the front row.  Perfect for throwing popcorn at the villain.

Happy Friday!!!!

07-18-13

21 years together, and here we are!  Reflections, shadows, that iconic hat.  Errands, lake walk, and enchiladas.  Looking forward to a weekend and experimenting with Bruce's date ideas. Even Xander wants in on the fun...

Happy anniversary!

07-17-13

Yesterday my photo class prompt was "close up", today it is "far away".  Yesterday on my lake walk I had an eye out for details, today I had my eye out for sweeping views.  Enjoying the summer sights and weather...

07-16-13

My camera phone is being cranky.  I took a bunch of photos at the lack, and they never appeared in my gallery.  I took a bunch of photos of Xander in the garden and only a few of them appeared.

Low key day.  Heck, this young man never even left home today!

07-15-13

Phoneography challenge today is summer selfie, so here's my self walking at the lake.  I used to walk with my own thoughts, no earbuds, but now my BiggerPockets real estate podcasts are portable, so I'm also absorbed in my own little world while staying healthy...

07-14-13

Nobody we knew rode this ride at Rainier Days, but it was fun to photograph.  We went to listen to the bands and this nearby ride caught my eye.

07-13-13

I spent a good chunk of my day on our adopted block, painting and cleaning at the Habitat for Humanity construction site.  Bruce and Xander dropped by to check on me a few times, caught me painting trim.

07-12-13

I spent the evening looking at the sky for photo opportunities, because the clouds are back.  This photo is action a two-fer, because today's photo prompt is to capture play, so this is clouds and play.  I always feel like paddling is more play than exercise. Bruce got this great shot of me paddling through the clouds... TGIF!

07-11-13

Red car, red guy, red geraniums.  Phoneography challenge wasn't red, it was perspective.

07-10-13

My phoneography challenge for today is clouds, but there are not clouds in the sky today!

So look what came today?!?  A very large digital album commemorating our trip! Woo-hoo!

07-09-13

The theme today was jump.  The gallery has horses, dogs, and lots and lots of legs... Both Xander and Bruce were willing to jump on the bed to help me out...

07-08-13

For the first time ever, multiple photos posted for one day!  My photo challenge for my phoneography class today is a collage of summer colors.  Considered a few things, then walked around the closest section of the lake clicking away... maybe not the brightest summer colors, but fun to scavenge them.

07-07-13

A nice Sunday to wrap up a long weekend.

Dropped off Anastasia at Lewis & Clark college for a week of Nike swim camp.  Hung out with Bruce at a coffee shop and shopped for bathtubs a little.  Had sushi with Xander after paddleboarding.

Headed outside at dusk to photograph the golden hour light for photo class.

07-06-13

We went to the Pirate Festival today.  This year it was closer, at Willow Grove.

This year they seemed to be doing more talks about pirate lore and acting out fables, it was fun.

We spent a little bit of time at the beach too.  This was my photo for my photo class, capturing being a tourist in our own town.

07-05-13

The challenge for my photo class today is to taking photos capture a photo that demonstrates the relationships we have with one another.  Here it is, LOL!  I think it is sad how many family photos are showing up in my classroom gallery with pets as the main relationship; when did our society get so pet-centric?

Took a preemptive sick day today, hoping whatever I’m feeling doesn’t take hold.  Bruce and I watched 3 episodes of House of Cards, I slept a LOT, and finally got back to my e-book after a few weeks of neglect.  Wrote my dedication and snappy book description.

07-04-13

I was so hungry for dinner that I rushed to get dinner on the table, forgetting to take some photos for today’s photo class challenge – photographing food prep.

Oh well.  Here’s Anastasia throwing Swedish Fish to the crowds during the parade, with Kayla and Molly in the trailer.

Happy fourth!

07-03-13

The gangs all here.

And so starts the family time, food and festivities. 

We walked to the lake.  Some went to the playground.  Grandpa, Grandma, Kayla and Anastasia headed for a bench.  Lovely evening, and much less crowded tonight.

Viva La Liberty!

07-02-13

When I got home from work, no parking.  I guess all these people (in the background) need parking!

We joined the throngs to enjoy the cardboard boat regatta.  Although, the boats seemed more functional than fun this year.  I did enjoy the silver surfer on a paddle board made out of cardboard and duct tape.

And so starts the Go Fourth festival… the kids are working the salmon dinner booth tonight!

07-01-13

From where I stand…

Reentry is always hard after a long vacation.

Sandals would be cooler, but not yet done moving for the day.

I seem to be reading less and less and less…

At least I really enjoyed this quarters reading list, all for different reasons.

Today starts my phoneography class, so be prepared for some unusual pictures this month…