What A Big "Bang" It Was

Fireworks from the Cul-de-Sac

Taken above our head at our house!

All around us, 360 degrees, we had fireworks going off about us. In Washington, where there has been plenty of water this year, the neighborhoods have their own displays. Me, being from California, where a match could land you in jail, looks onto these displays in disbelief and amazement... and I have been here for 15 years (my Washingtonian birthday was on July 2nd)! What is even more of an amazement is what takes place on the reservations were they sale tons of fireworks... if you are up there on the reservation it looks like you've entered a war zone! Fireworks flying into trees etc. The first year I was here, my apartment was located on the reservation and I stood at my window looking out at the display with my mouth dropped to the floor. All I could think of was "These people are crazy!" I still think that when it comes to the 4th of July. They know how to C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E!

There's now sort of a Dueling Fireworks "thing" going on with the guys in the Cul-de-Sac to the north of our house and the neighbors in the "T" in the road to the south of our house. We sat in lounge chairs watching it for most of the night as if it was a tennis match. We did do our "own thing" early in the evening. We had a BBQ of hamburgers, potato salad, watermelon, and chips. We also went to a parade in Enumclaw and we set off our "little" packs of fireworks we bought the kids.

Brady with his first and only sparkler!

Riley is a pro and showing Brady how it is done!

The two 4th of July "party animals"

The "party animals" asleep this morning after a late night at grandma's house!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!!!

We are planning a BBQ here at the house, going to Enumclaw to see the parade, and watching fireworks... a very traditional 4th of July. For us fireworks don't take place until around 9 pm - 10 pm because of the sunset being so late at this time of year. At least we don't have to go to work the next day. I wish you a happy 4th where ever you are celebrating the day!

I am very grateful to live in the "Land of the Free" and grateful to those that have made that possible.

Have a great day!

Graphics by Judy

http://homespunblessings.net/

Sleepless In Seattle

Tonight as I write this I can see flashes of light and hear thunder in the distance. Did I read somewhere that a person shouldn't be on a computer when there is an electrical storm? Hmmm I should probably make this a quick post then. I am not use to this kind of weather any more than I am use to snow. Southern California isn't known for many electrical storms... and there are only a few in the summer here in Seattle. Just enough to be entertaining and not annoying.

I am also sleepless because I had a lot of ice tea tonight for dinner. I should know better but it sure is good. So here I am writing this late at night and exchanging e-mails with Judy.

We had 90 degree plus temperatures here last weekend. Yep, we finally had a taste of summer. I kept hearing people complaining because they are not use to it here. Like I think I've said before, I am use to warm weather but what they are complaining about isn't really as hot as many of you experience in the summer. Summers here are mild. But this leads me to a funny story...

I went into a store to buy some cards and the young African American lady checker was asking me how I was etc. I said I was doing alright. No sooner did I answer and she said in a louder voice, "Good! Don't tell me you're hot!" She was serious yet she had a smile on her face. I said, "You won't find me saying anything like that, I know better. I come from a place that can get hotter than this weather." I was thinking of Ontario and Upland when I said that. She in turn said, "That's right! I am from Mississippi, and this is NOT hot! No sir..." It was at that moment that I could detect that she did have a southern accent and I wondered how I could have missed that fact. But, she was right, she did know what HOT is. These Washingtonians are probably big wimps to her. I caught on fast, so she pardoned me :-) and I could leave with my purchase. The person behind me at least had a clue as to what NOT to comment on.

Work has been a little slow yet very busy. We haven't had tours or the regular duties but we are planning and preparing for events this summer and for the fall. The team can create more things to do. We have 7 local community fairs to attend in the summer... and we are going to add one more. That means that about half of our summer weekends are taken up with fairs going on. In June we had two, in July we will have three, in August there will be two, and in September there is one. The one good thing about working some shifts on a weekend is that I get time and a half... and I get time off on a week day for compensation. I usually will take Mondays off since Fridays are light anyway... so it makes for an easy week. I will tell you more about them later.

Have a good Wednesday! I am looking forward to having a four day weekend this weekend!

Graphics by Judy

http://homespunblessings.net

Let's Talk...

Let's Talk

Most of us are commenting on how fast time goes by. As July came on, we realized that 1/2 of the year is over. Should I say this? OK, I will whisper this... it will be Christmas again soon. But for right now, it isn't Christmas, it is summer. And summer has it's own traditions and things we love to do. So, my question this week is... what traditions do you have in the summer or on the 4th of July to savor this time of the year... and slow things down a little?

Last week I asked about skin care. Denise said that she didn't mind the Olay products. But Judy gave me a good tip about Perricone products. She really likes them. I think I might give them a try.

This week is half over for me. I have Monday off too! HUGS

Home Decorating and Happy July

Our New Recliner, Table, and Lamp

You all know about my love for Mission Style furniture. It is historical, classical, and comes from the Southwest (where I come from). It also is a compromise with what I like and what Dave likes. He likes wooden arms. This piece is a good accent piece for our living room because it has all the "Starbuck" colors that we use in the Northwest. Want to go to the Northwest? Just walk in to a Starbuck for coffee. The company's headquarters is right here in Seattle. Do you know where they got the name "Starbuck" for the company? I will tell you in a minute.

My husband also bought for me a new kitchen clock (above). I am a person that needs to have clocks everywhere to keep on time. I also have one on the wall in the our bathroom. I love things that are whimsical and fun to look at too. The colors on the clock compliments the little plates that I bought at one of my favorite shops in Enumclaw "This N That". That shop always reminds me of Renee because she introduced it to me.

"Starbuck" is the name of a character in the novel Moby Dick. He is the cook on board the ship and makes, of course, coffee. The logo is a mermaid because mermaids were often the figurehead of ships... I would have to check to see if a mermaid was the figurehead on the ship in Moby Dick.

Happy July!

Goodbye to June

I am typing the words but I can hardly believe it... this is the last day of June. Here in Seattle we wait all year to have these summer days. There is an assessment that goes on as to whether we have been experiencing the "June" we were hoping to have this year.

Aaron graduated, we took a road trip to see family and friend twice, attended a wedding and a birthday, BBQ'd, said "so long" to Susie, we've stayed in one cabin, a yurt, camped, and stayed in a hotel. We entertained my folks while they were visiting which I think was very successful. We have bought furniture (which I have yet to return to and show you how that has turned out). It's no wonder I am feeling a little tired!

Weather wise, we have had cool rainy weather and weather that has reached 90 degrees plus (which was this last weekend). We actually had thunder and lightening last night! Today is suppose to be cooler because of the cloud cover.

Gardening... I have worked on some of the planters but haven't completed what I want to do yet. I guess I have been a little busy, according to my assessment here, so it is no wonder. Yesterday I went and bought a hanging plant which is a part of the Northwestern culture. Most homes have at least one hanging plant at the front door. There are hanging plants everywhere... including Canada (which is the influence, I think). The plant I bought is called "mini bells" from the petunia plants. The whole plant is pictured above and below.

I hate to see June leave us but I think we have done a lot this month. I hope you have a wonderful last day of June. Make it a good one.

Sunday

It will be another warm day today, we are told. I will going church and going off to enjoy the sunshine.

Have a good day! Until tomorrow!