Saturday, September 25, 2010

Grateful

As you can tell from Pam's brief posting, things have been a bit crazy. We are all very grateful that John is doing so well, and now it will just take some time for all to return to a semi-normal state.
It has been difficult to concentrate on anything else, but I did manage to take some pictures (I love photos) that I will share.

While John was in the hospital here, and Pam was with him, Erin and Daniel and the three dogs stayed here. It was lively and kept our minds off scary stuff. O'Reilly loved having all the company; but as you can see, Erin didn't get much rest.



Daniel is standing beside a gift from John's friends (their name sounds like "bear"). It was HUGE and fun.
O'Reilly was very curious about this bear.

I have been wanting to can fruit since July, but it hasn't happened. This week I took a leap of faith and purchased several boxes of peaches, pears, and tomatoes. It is such a satisfying feeling to see the jars with their beautiful bounty. Mom loves to eat the peaches & pears all winter, the tomatoes are great in chili and stews, and I like to make jam for gifts.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Roadblock

So as some of you know my husband John had open heart surgery last week, and that has shut down all regularly scheduled activities. He is home and doing terrific and I will resume blogging soon. I miss it. Meanwhile please be patient with me.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Have I Told You Lately I love Spray Paint

So I found these lovelies at the Dollar Store, and knew they had potential. Money is excruciatingly tight right now, so when I decided my decor needed a pick me up, I headed to the Goodwill (more on that tomorrow) and the Dollar Tree. Now you may not think that pink birds with reddish ugly glitter are fall decor, but you would be wrong. They are so much better now. The paint is called espresso and it was just a little drizzly when I sprayed them but I would not be stopped. Today was the first day of School and I felt the need for a creative outlet.
Now they are gorgeous and I love them. Once again Spray paint has turned an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan.

I am working on Falling up my nest right now and these beauties will now fit in perfectly.


Monday, September 6, 2010

The Harbor Bite

Sorry I have been absent so much this summer. We have been out of town more this summer than I can ever remember. My daughter Erin will be a senior this year and we have spent lots of time watching her play what will probably be her last year of summer softball, and her last year showing sheep at state fair. We just got back from State Fair and then a few nights at my brother's home in Seaside. Erin did well at State Fair, but was showing against the best of the best, and did not do as well as she had hoped.
After State Fair we drove to Seaside, Oregon and spent time with my brother Erik, his fabulous wife Elizabeth, and their great children Joslynn, Gabby and Zach. Erik and Liz opened their second restaurant in February. (They also have a wonderful Pizza Restaurant, Pizza Harbor)
Here is most of the family ready to enjoy lunch at The Harbor Bite. Gabby had a babysitting job and couldn't join us, and Erik was cooking our lunch.


Here are some interior shots of the restaurant. We had dinner here also on live music night. The food is great. I had one of the specialties the Mermaid's Purse, which is your choice of white fish or salmon with different spices and white rice steamed in parchment paper. I had the salmon with capers, and it was fabulous, they also have an Asian purse, a Caribbean purse, and sweet chili purse. We had appetizers at both meals, including our family recipe clam dip made with razor clams.

We ate at the booth to the right for dinner.








The restaurant has a funky, fun eclectic style that is welcoming to families as well as those looking for a romantic dinner. The live music was provided by the Salty Dogs and was acoustical folk and rock. Lots of fun.





This is the exterior of the restaurant and the patio where we had lunch.






A close up of the sign.
So that's my review of the Harbor Bite, I know I am biased but I do believe that Erik and Elizabeth have a lot to be proud of. I don't have any pictures of Pizza Harbor because it was pouring rain the whole time we were there. The only time the sun was out was when we had lunch on our way out of town. Pizza Harbor has some of the best pizza I have ever eaten and we always eat there at least once during a visit. So the next time you're in Seaside or even close, please stop by The Harbor Bite or Pizza Harbor and try their delicious food and welcoming attitude.
So I think that I am done traveling for awhile and I promise to blog more often now that fall is coming and the kids will be back in school. I am planning on doing some fall decorating and will have pictures soon.