Monday Random

She left us on a on a weekday afternoon and I missed her terribly within...

5 minutes or so.

I really did :(

 

But time marches on and today I am back to my more usual routine--

cleaning house,

doing laundry,

listening to some good talk shows,

catching up on blogs I follow

(I am about 1/3 done with that delightful activity)

and observing the ever-changing weather outside

(and one very persistent bird who kept flying into our windows earlier this morn).

 

Since I need to get back to work

(because I am SO far behind after a week entertaining Small One),

how about a few random photos on this cloudy, sunny, showery, windy, calm Monday?

 

 

Found this lovely peony in one of my favorite mountain valleys.

I love peonies and I am thinking my garden might need one or two.

Alas, I think we are lacking room for more plants

(although this article on hugelkultur raised garden beds got me

thinking about some more possible areas we might use for planting)

Looks very, very interesting!

http://www.richsoil.com/hugelkultur/

 

 

I did say these were random photos...

very random

:)

The above photo is of DDD (dear daughter dog),

of course,

 and

 this is probably the moment it dawned on her that

taking a trip to the Vet is not the same as taking a trip to the beach.

Poor DDD!

She had to have three vaccinations that day 

and then had to share her beloved Papi with Small One for more then a week.

Poor spoiled and very loved DDD...

 

She is now back into her usual routine of

being spoiled,

being petted,

sleeping on the bed,

getting doggie cookies and

ruling the 'roost'

(or so she thinks).

 

 

A quick capture of some of our beautiful natives playing in a mountain meadow...

it was one of those unexpected blessings you see occasionally as you drive along our rural roads

(it's SO nice that today's phones come equipped with cameras isn't it?)

 

 

I am thinking that Small One needs garden gloves that are a BIT smaller

 if she's going to help out in the garden...

So much is happening outside right now.

Blooms of pink, white, orange, yellow and more!

LOVE springtime in the PNW!

And I especially love the month of May:)

 

 

Interesting sign...

Do you have newts where you live?

This was the first caution sign I've ever seen for them

 :)

 

Yikes!

It's time to get back to work...

 

Wishing you all a beautiful spring day!

Blessings,

Aimee

 

A Trip Down Memory Lane That Brought Us Up A Mountain (and the WORD on Wednesday)

Back in time to Easter 2014~

 

I had been thinking about visiting a certain destination for quite a long time...

 

I consulted a topographic map

(which made it clear this wasn't going to be an easy trip for me)...

but still something compelled me to want to see this place--

to relive a little bit of my childhood again.

So Easter of this year we headed towards a certain forest service road

(another clue it wasn't going to be an easy trip)...

on the way there,

I announced I had changed my mind...

my hubby hadn't changed his:)

So up we went on this narrow winding

(but thankfully paved road),

The views were pretty amazing

but there was a reason there are almost no photos going up

(the terrain map was correct and there was no guardrail).

And then we were there...

 

 

The lake was situated amidst a forest on the mountain.

 

 

The water was peaceful and there were lots of reflections to be seen

(along with a family and fishermen).

It was SO quiet...

 

 

Out of order photo--

a bit of the roadside scenery

(in other places you could see nearby mountains and the view at the very top of this mountain is said to be spectacular on a sunny day).

 

 

Moss, moss everywhere--

I LOVE moss, can you tell?

:)

 

 

Some skunk cabbage from across the lake with reflections...

 

 

This is an old picnic shelter...

there were also some camping sites and hiking trails in the area.

 

 

And some very special lake inhabitants.

 

On another note--

for those who might be interested,

tomorrow will be the 63rd National Day of Prayer here in the USA.

My granddaughter and I are planning to say a prayer for our nation...

you are welcome to join us in doing so..

see this website for more info:

http://nationaldayofprayer.org/

 

And some verses quite appropriate for tomorrow

(and everyday)...

 

Rejoice evermore.

 Pray without ceasing.

 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 I Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Photos:

Mt Hebo area

(Hebo Lake)

 

Note:

As my special visitor is still here...

and still wide awake,

please excuse any errors :)

On the Making of New Memories

From this weekend~

We've had a little visitor for several days now and have been very busy making memories...

playing at a playground,

eating out 

(yippee),

clothes shopping

(in anticipation of the warm temps forecasted for later this week),

story time at a library,

bedtime prayers

and

(A LOT of)

bedtime procrastination

by a certain young lady.

 

And did I say? 

having LOTS and LOTS of fun!

 

Today we continued that fun in the historic Oregon City area.

First up (in the photos at least) a stop at the Willamette Falls Scenic Overlook--

where Small One learned that a long, long time ago her daddy almost

made an unexpected trip over these very falls in a boat along with his brother, dad and auntie

(but fortunately they didn't).

 

 

 

Notice something Grandma neglected to do this morning?

Grandma needs to take care of that when Small One wakes up.

 

 

Of course we had to pay our respects to the natives...

native birds that is.

And, as always, there were many of our feathered friends there today--

pigeons, ducks and geese.

Lots of fisherman, dogs and happy people too

(it's hard not to be happy when you are standing in a park

 built between two rivers on a somewhat sunny day)

 

 

We were able to get really, really close this time...

 

 

Aren't they beautiful?

 

 

Small One said this was her favorite activity today..

it was mine too:)

 

 

LOVED this duck!

 

  More memories made on this pretty spring day...

memories

MUCH less scary than the ones made at the falls decades ago.

 

How was your Saturday? Did you make some new memories.
 

Blessings, Aimee 

Sorry that I am a bit behind on my blog browsing...
hope to catch up on all of your blogs later this week when the Small One leaves :)
 

 

 

Easter Weekend Visitors

We had some very special visitors this weekend.

They came wearing their very best apparel.

My hubby ran in to tell me of their arrival and

I rushed out (carefully) in order to give them a proper PNW greeting...

 

 

The first visitor was taking a dip in the lower pond with our koi.

I only wish I could know what our fish thought of him.

 

Myself, I felt it a bit cold for a swim it still being April,

but he seemed to be take it in stride, and

after all, he was properly equipped for such a cold dip.

 

 

My hubby and I snuck into the greenhouse...

we tried to be really careful and keep hidden...

but despite our precautions,

our new arrival caught a glimpse of us and decided it was a good time to

 take a stroll around the ponds instead.

Sorry Mr. Duck.

 

His Mrs. was even more shy.

She stayed pretty well camouflaged amidst the plants of our little woodland.

I never even caught a good look at her,

and

I may,

or

may not,

have gotten a photo of her.

It's really, really hard to tell...

 

We decided it was a good time to leave our little visitors alone to enjoy the ambiance of the day...

we thought it for the best.

 

Our visitors left at some point the way they came--

without any warning.

We wish them safety and many blessings as we thank our mutual Creator for sending them our way. 

 

You have to love a place where you never know next

what special creatures will make an appearance.

Have you entertained any special critters

or wonderful people lately?

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

In Sight of Beautiful Mt. Hood: Pt II

Blessings on this cold and very rainy (at least here) Maundy Thursday!
(yes I am late posting it)

I am busy today baking some hard-'boiled' eggs for Easter -- but since my DH is now aware of their presence, they probably won't last that long. I thought about dying them, but I don't have any red cabbage and I am not ecstatic about braving the rain right now.  I keep forgetting this is the Pacific NW where real summer weather only arrives after July 4th :)

Other items on the menu are glazed ham (my mom's favorite way of cooking ham), some kind of potato dish, asparagus and an Easter lamb cake (I am finally using that mold I bought years ago at Goodwill)...

I was going to make a Dutch Baby Pancake for breakfast on Easter, but now I am torn between vafler, crepes or the pancake. I know, whatever I make, it's got to have lemon as I am craving that yummy flavor right now (links to recipes below)

Speaking of lemon, I cooked last night's salmon using Teresa's recipe.. the combo of lemon, sour cream, salt, pepper and salmon was -- well delish as Teresa says:)

And now back to our road trip while the eggs cool down...

 

Another shot of my beloved mountain from up high...

on occasion, we also caught glimpses of Mt. St. Helens further north in Washington State

(miss you Washington).

 

 

A photo of an old wigwam burner. I posted one a long time ago I think, but this is a bit better.

This burner brings back memories of trips to southern Oregon to visit family.

There were a lot of them then

and they were used in that day. Not many are left so I always get very excited when I spot one!

This photo, as you can tell, is taken from a moving vehicle (ours)

 as we drove by the Olaf M Oja Lumber Co. in Sandy.

Here is a link if you want to read more about this big part of our history...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beehive_burner

 

A lot of people out this weekend enjoying the parks, the rivers, the beaches and the mountains!

A lot of horses and dogs too:)

 

Some more pretty spring flowers?

Even though we have year round blooms in our garden,

I just can't seem to get enough color--

and then spring comes

and EVERYTHING seems so bright and lovely!

I wonder if I am becoming a snowbird?

Could it be???

 

Some carvings I found down by the riverside...

wonder if this was made by a fisherman longing for the days of sunshine?

 

Look at those roots!

Remin (pause to look at the lunar eclipse)

reminds me of my granddaughter's hair the last time we had her.

Pause to say a silent THANK YOU to wonderful sister-in-law who had some detangle magic:)

 

 

Another view of Mt. Hood--and lots and lots of trees. 

 

I NEED a horse again.

OK, I want a horse but perhaps I will just be satisfied with a trail ride--

if we ever get some more spring sunshine that is.

 

We are now up to 5 snake sightings in a ...

'unfortunately' one is no longer with us

(my car is very, very 'naughty' it seems...

but honestly I didn't know till my hubby told me this morning)

Have a blessed Easter!

 

Blessings,

Aimee

 

Links:

Lemon Strawberry Crepes

 (http://www.wiveswithknives.net/2012/06/08/lemon-strawberry-crepes-farmers-market-style/)

 

Lemon Vafler

Sons of Norway has this recipe. Just google their website for lemon vafler.

I LOVE Norwegian waffles--they are thin, crisp, and with the right wafflemaker, heart-shaped.

 

Lemon Dutch Baby

http://www.alaskafromscratch.com/2013/12/17/meyer-lemon-dutch-baby-pancake/#

(her recipe for Smoked Salmon 'Deviled' Eggs makes my mouth water!

I would LOVE to visit Alaska someday )

 

Easter Lamb Cake

http://www.prouditaliancook.com/2014/04/making-easter-lamb-cake.html

(I really, really want to make one of these this year but might wait till Small One is here

 so she can have some fun decorating it with me)

 

Teresa's Salmon

http://teresakasner.blogspot.com/2013/12/blog-friends-holiday-luncheon.html

(I didn't use the rosemary called for in this version. This was SO yummy!)

 

I think this cold, winter like weather has made me hungry.

Think I'll go eat a hard-'boiled' baked egg :) 

In Sight of Beautiful Mt. Hood: Pt I

Much has happened since I left you all at the lake...

We've had more fun time with the Small One...in which I almost wanted to--for a moment or two that is--move into a town. But then the feeling passed--or did it?

We 'celebrated' the official beginning of the Snake Season here...4 sightings, the latest today, in less than a week. Did you hear me scream???? Frog season is also going strong--one of them made me scream too.

We--well I, came to the conclusion (after some prayer) that a lack of organization on my part was the reason I never, ever have time to be creative -- at home that is. Since that realization, and a visit by some a lot of ants, I've set upon a new course and am working hard to get this home organized--starting with our kitchen. It is amazing that a few simple changes can make life SO much easier, be fun to do and save one money  (some thing I also came to a realization about these past few weeks).

But this post isn't about organization. Nor is it about being creative, although I did make my FIRST crochet stitch (sadly without taking one photo) this weekend. Yep, I really did -- and I think it was even a totally official and authentic stitch. LOL

As with all people, life has been a series of ups and downs; challenges and goals met; obstacles, realizations; rainy days and sunshine:)

And now on to the point of this post--our latest road trip.

 

Beautiful Mt. Hood in all her radiant spring glory.

Whenever I see her I think of my pioneer forefathers who settled not too far from here.

This, of course, is taken at Jonsrud Bluff in Sandy, Oregon.

If you ever go there you HAVE to take a look through the telescope there:)

 

Along the Clackamas River near Estacada.

 

Pretty flowers---yes, I still LOVE pink!

 

Along a creek that flows into the Clackamas River

(I think this is Dog Creek)

 

Another reason I LOVE this time of the year:)

 

Fishy, fishy in the brook-

or in this case at the Fish Hatchery.

LOTS and lots of fish--

 

 

Fish.

 

 

Fish.

Mmm. I think we'll have salmon tomorrow night.

If you eat salmon, how do you cook it?

 

Wishing you blessings this Holy Week.

Aimee

On the Day I Discovered My Hubby Was Right --- Again

A lot has happened lately.

I completed a goal I set for last week

(yes, you may say 'yippee'!).

 

I bought the Frozen DVD and have watched it twice since Tuesday--

once with my dad

(who really liked it by the way);

once with Small One and my hubby

(who both like it too, one much more than the other).

 

I now find myself singing not one, but two, of the songs from the movie and

 I keep finding things I relate to in the film...

 I feel I have a lot in common with Elsa

(although her hair is a lot nicer than mine--LOL),

some things in common with Anna

(I used to be quite gullible when I was younger).

I adore rosemaling and have lots of it

AND I have had the pleasure of riding a Norwegian Fjord horse before just like Hans does

(hopefully that is the only thing I have in common with him)!

 

I also totally believe that Olaf the Snowman was right and there are people in my life

 "worth melting for"

(this may not mean anything to you who have yet to see the film).

Ok--enough talk about Frozen and Nordic things -- till Våffeldagen later this week that is..

 

 

On a totally unrelated subject,

this past week

we found evidence that we've been visited by either a cougar or coyotes...

Small One took it a lot better than her poor grandma (me) who has a very weak stomach

(I'll spare you the yucky details and will only say a fawn was 

in the wrong place at the wrong time).

Sigh.

 

We know for sure we have had coyotes in this area because our neighbor,

when I visited to let him know the situation, told me they had

apparently seen a pack nearby earlier this past week...

(note to self...no more nightly trips to dump garbage)

we just don't know if they were the ones responsible. 

 

To add to the delight of living in the country,

we also apparently have another skunk

(not under our house this time though--yea!)

and ants--lots and lots of smelly, yucky ants.

HELLO spring!

(Don't misunderstand me,

I am still very thankful to be living in the country

AND for beautiful, wonderful spring).

 

 

A lot is blooming outside

(I braved imaginary 'visions' of wild animals watching my every move (not),

to take photos and check out the blooms Sunday)...

yellow, white, purple and pink.

I LOVE it!!!

 

 

Since we last 'visited', we took Small One to the beach--yet again--under cloudy, misty skies.

And today, under sunnier ones we visited one of my favorite lakes...

I find lakes particularly relaxing, don't you?

There were quite a few people there at sunset--walking, fishing, relaxing.

 

Maybe we should turn our entire yard into a lake...

nah, I wouldn't have fruit to eat during the summer if we did that.

Of course, my DH did want to add yet another pond...

 

 

We opened the door to our little 'dream come true' for the first time this season

and all looks good--

I can hardly wait to use it to go camping in!

Just need to pick up a pool noodle,

 and maybe a ladder for getting into the top bed.

We also removed the remaining kiwi we stored in there during winter--

still looking pretty good considering they were picked in autumn!

 

I am finally in a savings mode again

(it has really hit me how little time we have left before retirement

and some major expenses coming up).

Yikes.

I am SO thankful our home and all of our vehicles are paid off and

that we have contributed to IRAs for quite awhile now...

but still --

time is passing all too quickly and neither of us feel totally prepared for the date soon to come.  

 

 

And now it's time to go to sleep as I have a very long list of 'to do's' this week...

and, since it's Spring Break, I might have some more time with Small One.

Yea---more Frozen viewings:)

 

And about the title?

It's mainly to remind ME,

 that not only was my hubby right this time,

but he was REALLY right --

like totally, completely, overwhelmingly right.

Of course, that would make me

really, totally, completely, overwhelmingly

wrong...

:)

 

Have a great Monday!

Blessings,

Aimee

 

For, lo! the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

The Song of Solomon 2:11, 12 KJV

 

Photos:

Vernonia Lake at sunset

and our early spring garden.

 

Note:

Frozen of course refers to the latest Walt Disney animated movie.

Yep, it's another early morning blog--

so please ignore any grammatical and other errors:)

 

 

Bird (+ Other Critter) 'Hunting'

 The end of the rainy, windy, stormy weather of recent times

made me yearn for a road trip Sunday,

and

 sent my DH and I in search of 'critters'--

especially since my favorite weather blogger nearly broke my heart recently

with his announcement that the annual south to north bird migration has begun

(and he had radar proof of it).

 

Could it be that our downright weird winter weather this year

 has left me lacking in bird viewing opportunities?

Sadly, yep.

 

But where to go?

DH and I disagreed on our destination...

turned out his suggestion couldn't have been any better :)

 

 

I wonder what squirrels think about all day long -- besides food that is.

Do you think they are as fascinated by us as we are with them?

 

 

A little river surfing??

 

 

Duck couple or a couple of ducks?

You decide:)

 

 

I used to fly too.

Really!

Unfortunately, it was only in my dreams...

and my 'wings' (arms) seemed a bit sore when I woke up.

I wonder if birds ever have sore wings...

 

 

Up close and personal

(with the help of a zoom lens and awesome bird watching manners).

 

 

Sometimes I think this would be a great ability to have...

but it kinda makes my neck hurt to think too much about it.

 

 

And a beautiful end to a surprisingly short (but hopefully sweet) post.
Have a blessed week everyone!
Blessings,
Aimee

Note:
Sorry fellow bloggers--
I've been pretty busy these past days and it will take me awhile to catch up on blog visits.
I am looking forward to doing that though:)
Photos taken in Clackamas County, Oregon yesterday.