Miscellaneous Summer 2010 (Our of order)

Favorite Annual Event -- Bike Oregon 2011 (Out of order)

Every year we head down to cycle with 2,000 other cycling enthusiasts and its the best three days of fun. We usually arrive early so we can get some cycling in before the main event. We always get there in plenty of time on Friday to secure a parking spot, check in and head to the beer garden/nightly music fest. The food is fantastic. This year we were at the university in the heart of Salem and then we typically ride about 50 miles a day. This year, our fourth ride, for the first time we had to worry about moisture not heat. In fact. we got so soaked on Sunday's ride we turned around and head back. But on Saturday and the Thursday and Friday before that we had perfect weather -- cool but not raining -- and fields of gold poppies and purple lavender. Such a beautiful part of the country.

Happy Birthday to Me

Peter managed to send this beautiful, fresh bouquet that came right on time for my birthday. Then we were joined by Cherise, et. al at Tutta Bella for pizza, ice cream sundaes and tira misu with a candle in it. Really enjoyed my birthday.

Garden Show Brightens Winter

We don't have a garden or even planters that have exposure to the sun so our "gardening" in our urban condo is limited. Still we usually spend an entire day at the Flower & Garden Show. It's a very cheery thing to do in the middle of winter in Seattle. Here are a few photos of artists or gardens or art that caught my attention.

If only I had more space on my walls. Lungala Rubadiri of Nzalamba Art Works (www.nzalamba-artworks.com). The colors really speak to me and the images are all wonderful, I would have trouble choosing anyway.

I purchased one of her hen and rooster tiles. Loved all her work too.

Well-done reproduction of a Paris street scene.

A still photo doesn't do justice do this mobile garden art.

One way to use up your blue Platinum beer bottles. Drink up!

Thought these lights would add a lot to a garden patio. Wish I had one.

One of my favorite artists, she does these colorful ceramic totems.

The children's garden is always a delight. Even though we didn't have the grandkids with us we spent an inordinate amount of time here, a lot of it spent making string and feather bird's nests, the object of which is to provide building materials for bird's spring nests.

Who is that little owl?

Cool idea -- a bird seed "sand" box.

Andy is 7

Andy turned seven years old last week and Mom threw him a birthday party with 23 friends, accompanied by lots of sisters, brothers and parents, at a bowling alley in Richmond Beach north of Seattle that really knows how to cater to bowling novices. Andy was over the top happy and all the little bowlers did very well. I think I'd bowl if only they'd but up rubber bumpers when I play rather than those pesky gutters swallowing the ball before it even gets to the pins.

Snowmagedon 2012!!!!!

We had a little snow storm this week. That and a mini ice storm. Then the winds hit. Suffice it to say the place went nuts! Here are a few of my favorite pics.