Just June Stuff....

This is the first time in 6 Junes living in the PNW that I have enjoyed being here for the entire month! All other years I was in the mid-west for most of it.          Recently, daughter Debbie and I had a Saturday afternoon shopping in the town of Troutdale.  On the drive there we were rewarded with gorgeous views of Mt. Hood.   

 

Finally, I made a purchase at the Country Store there....

A "Beach House" plaque!  I was there 3 years ago and wanted to buy this sign.  Not having the money with me I figured I would be back soon to get it.  Didn't happen.  The store had one left.  It is now mine and declaring my place, my "beach house"!

                                                                                                     

 

Our weather has varied from cool and rainy to hot and sunny!  The sunny days are great for walking.  It is refreshing to get be out in the PNW freshness.

I'm aiming to walk 3 miles comfortably.  Presently 2 miles is my limit.  With lovely floral all around it is an enjoyable goal.... 

A friendly bunny visiting the hobbit garden.  Dainty white flowers dot the Irish moss. 

On cooler days the kitchen is were its at! 
A pan of Shepard's pie is very satisfying( though, I understand it is "cottage pie" if made with beef)...peach/blueberry cobbler, too

The first Tuesday of the month is movie day for us ladies.  Sometime I go and sometimes not.  I went this time, driving 2 friends.  We saw Adrift. I true story. I recommend it.  A bit different and intense.  But good...

Granddaughter Micaela treated me to dinner one evening.  We had a wonderful time of chatting and hanging out!!

Saturday was a rainy day and the morning for the senior outreach at the church I attend.  I met a few folks who I hope will be friends soon.  After a breakfast of sausage and biscuits, plus meat and eggs I felt ready to chop down a tree, but instead played bunco.  No wins this time, but fun.

On the way home, I stopped to pick some celery and carrots. Well, bought some at the store.
It was a great afternoon to cook some homemade chicken, dumpling soup.  
This was good, since by Sunday I was quite sick and chicken soup was the perfect watch movies and "get well" food, in between naps.  

Times are a-changing for Gram G.  I am looking for employment. I have been here 5 & 1/2 years.  Most of settling in has been done and bank account is getting low.  I need something to interact more with folks here. I'm getting back to more piano practice for church ministry and personal performance.  Here's to whatever the future brings!!  

This has been a good 10 "just June stuff" days in the life of Grandma G.   

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly father know that you need them."  (Matthew 6:31-32)

Late Springtime Fun....

Late spring brings beautiful colors to the PNW!
Rhodies in bloom!
Rhododendrons are a familiar flower in radiant colors! 

My friend Nancy and I haven't had much time together so we went for a lunch at the Mediterranean restaurant, Petra House

We started out with hand washing with rose water from a majestic pitcher


A tea toast!
Cucumber/beef salad for Nancy
Meat safiha for me. 


3 open faced meat pies baked on our dough, topped with seasoned lean halal ground beef mixed with onions, tomatoes and spices. Served with cucumber yogurt sauce.

I had to try out the cute low sitting booths....

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Back home it was time to clean my sidewalk patio with an outdoor cleaner attached to the hose.  It worked quite well to clean off all the scum and mildew collected over the winter. 
Later, Keys cleaned off the back deck in time for Memorial Day gathering.....

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They say necessity is the mother of invention....I had a necessity and an admission....The rocks in my hobbit garden really aren't rocks, but plastic "shells".  When one goes to walk on them, one is surprised when the rock caves in.  Well, I had a thought...what about filling them in with the cement mix I've used for the stepping stones?? Now at least they feel like rocks when one walks on them. 

The End....

Gram G gave her Japanese maple a haircut.  Looks quite nice!

And replaced the dead, brown  evergreen tree with a decorative little one sporting round puffs...when they are kept trimmed






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Meanwhile, back in So Cal Angie joined Bill, Amanda and Berklee for the semi annual 
Joshua Tree Music Fest near the National Park!

Lots of sun, fun, music, food and friendship.....











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Here in Vancouver, I got ready for a Memorial Day cookout...
Gram G's homemade potato salad, Debbie grill master,lots of vittles

B-day cake for "little Jakie" 17 years old

Don't mess with him when he is in LaCross goalie mode!



First big party of the summer....
Maybe the only big party of the summer....

Everyone was SO patient while setting up for self-timer picture....
They know to keep Gram G picture happy.....




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Not the Portland Chinese Gardens, but still fun....
A taste of the Midwest.....back home in Indiana....on Thursday...
(Red Hat Mamas were scheduled to venture into Portland to the Chinese Gardens, but with "surprise" rain it was decided to try out the new Cracker Barrel restaurant closer to home.  The Cracker Barrel has just recently crossed over the Rocky Mountains into the west coast...) 

For Gram G....

chickenNdumplings, sweet potato casserole, corn bread, fried apples!  Yum!!  
NO okra....nope, no way, nada, never....

This has been a good 7 "late springtime fun" days in the life of Grandma G.

"See, the winter has past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land." (Song of Songs 2:11-12)