Family...

It was BIL Mark's birthday last week. My SIL Shelley invited my granddaughter Jacey, her boyfriend, and I to a small family party.  I was in a bit of a quandary as to what to get Mark.  He pretty much has everything.  A while back I came across a leather bound journal made by a small mother-daughter business in Wyoming. 

 Ordered it and tucked it away in the gift box.  I have to admit I took it out a few times thinking I might just keep it for myself.  Then I would feel guilty about that and put it back.  Got down to the wire on a present for Mark and decided that the journal would have to be it.  Now I'm not exactly sure what rep I have in the family, but when I handed him his present he said, "Yes!!!, you got me a bottle of The Best Whiskey, didn't you!"  "Ahhh, nope."  His response to that was, "huh".   He sighed, and slowly opened his present. And he loved the leather bound journal. Said he used to keep a journal and had been meaning to start another, and this was perfect.  whew...

SIL Shelley is by far the best cook I have ever known.  At the small family gathering for Mark's birthday she cooked & served: steak, salmon, shrimp scampi, tortellini, insalata caprese, artichokes, grilled corn on the cob, green salad, and sour dough bread with her nephew's wine.

Everything was delicious, as usual. This is her idea of throwing something together. She is awesome!

 ~~~

My cousin, who runs two of the cutest air BNB's in Portland, came over Friday and we went to an estate sale.  She was looking for things for the houses, and I still needed a few things for the hovel.  She found a nice metal stand that will work well in a nook, and some retro dish towels.  I ended up with an oak mission style chair for the living room,

and an antique wedding ring quilt for my bedroom. 

The prices were more than fair. After that we scouted out some future venues to take in.  

Next we are planning to take my granddaughters and a friend of theirs for a girls day at the coast. Yay, road trip.

Fish'n trip...

Started up the Tahoe, turned up the heater, blasted the tunes, and hit the road a little after noon on Friday.  Traffic wasn't bad at all after I got across the river and out of the Portlandia metro area.

Took my time, still some pretty good snow on the south side of the gorge. The roads were dry and the sun was out. The scenery was spectacular, as ever. I never quite get over how big the Columbia River Gorge is.

Made it to BIL Don & SIL Marianne's river house and was greeted by the dogs, Gracie, a wire haired Griffon, and Joe, a German short hair pointer.  The door was unlocked, the house was warm, and the smell wafting from the chukar in the crockpot was heavenly.  Texted Marianne that I was in camp, and soon got a reply to put on layers, and meet them at the dock. Hurriedly stowed my gear, put on layers (it can get damn cold out on the water there), and hustled down to the dock. 

Looking N from the house, the Colombia is on the other side of the elevator

After hugs for Don, Marianne, and Pearl (the poodle) we headed up river, baited hooks, threw out our lines and started some serious fishing. 

Don at the helm trolling up river

 

Marianne watching her pink pole

Don and Marianne are nearly always hunting or fishing. They don't do stupid, or unprepared. They are really good with grandkids, guns, dogs, boats, and drop in relatives by marriage... 

Under Don's watchful tutelage I got lucky and managed to reel in my first walleye. There is no limit on walleye, but I was the only one to boat one that day.

After we got off the water & back to the house, had let the big dogs in, and eaten a delicious meal of chukar, Marianne and I proceeded to finish the wine I brought. There was a lot of catching up to do, so it was quite late when we finally went to bed.

I wake up early no matter what, habit after all these years.  Don's an early riser too, so he and I discussed a multitude of topics, everything from politics to lures while we finished off the first pot of coffee.  After Marianne got up, we layered up, kenneled the big dogs and headed back to the river.  

It was colder than cold early on, but there was hardly any wind, so it was bearable.  Lots of boats out working the early morning bite. 

You can hardly tell I have 4 layers on under my jacket & jeans, right, lol...

We fished til mid afternoon. I caught another walleye, and Don & Marianne both caught two. They were all good size fish.

We went in earlier than normal as Don & Marianne had to drive home to Prineville before leaving to charter boat fish at the coast early Sunday morning.

Loaded up my gear, petted the dogs one more time, thanked my BIL & SIL, and came home. It was a short but much needed break. 

Hodgepodge...

I know I've been slacking in the posting department, and in order to rectify that to some small degree I'm posting this Hodgepodge. 

 ~~~

The weather here has been much like the rest of the country, changeable... 

 ~~~ 

I drive by this immaculate little working farmstead at least twice a month.  Neat as a pin, the whole place.

~~~

Finally, found a rug for the 'not so great' room. Been looking every since I moved in, all were way too expensive.  This wool 9x10 in the colors and a pattern I like was waiting for me to find it at goodwill for $27.  Only has one small frayed corner, which I can easily repair, and needs a good cleaning, but that will wait for warmer weather.

Willie has taken it upon himself to watch over it

~~~

Participated in the church's blood sucker event yesterday. They were giving these T shirts to donors, go figure.  I didn't get the reference (haven't watched the Game of Thrones series) to "I bled for the Throne" til they explained.

One of the grandkids will like it.

~~~

 I was given this HS class, award winning, original design, pottery napkin holder recently...

 (I love this thing, it makes me laugh every time...)

by the granddaughter that lives with me. 

 ~~~

BIL & SIL have invited me to their river house on the Columbia to go walleye fish'n with them this coming weekend. Prayers up the weather cooperates.

 

 

Simple Pleasures...

The snow here mesmerizes me. I am relearning how to drive in it. Pretty sure that those who are used to living with it, are not as into it as this newbie to the PNW. It is an adventure I'm enjoying every time.

It is raining as I type this but this morning as I was taking my BIL & SIL to PDX for their flight to Cali the sun was out. Mt Hood was stunning in the early morning alpine glow.

my photo didn't turn out, so you get this photo by Patrick Campbell

 After I dropped off the "kids" I went to IKEA for breakfast, it's cheap, good, & close to PDX. Got my breakfast, and sat down by the big windows that look towards PDX. Heard a wonderful sound and looked out to see these two...

 Two of the  F-15 C Eagles, known as the Red Hawks, of the 142 fighter wing of the Oregon Air National Guard stationed at PDX. They are heart thumping to watch.

the Red Hawks on patrol (not my photo)

 I watched them run through maneuvers til they flew out of sight. 

Two simple pleasures in one morning, I'll take it...

Ol men & birthdays...

I swear, living with Willie is like living with a little ol man.  He doesn't like my driving, or snow, or rain, or cats, or squirrels, and his favorite pastime is napping...

*****

It is granddaughter, Miss B's 16th Birthday today. She has gone from a little little bitty baby, to the hunt'n, shoot'n, fish'n, scholarly, smart young lady she is today. Life has presented her with lots of challenges, and she has continued to meet them head on. 

Happy Birthday Miss B, you are much loved and wise beyond your years.