WHY DRIVE ON THE BEACH? ...BECAUSE YOU CAN!

Another adventure awaited our old trusty van last weekend.  We went for a little camping trip out to the Washington Coast where believe it or not people actually drive their cars on the beach!  Why you ask?  Well...I asked the same question...over and over again...and the only answer I was able to come up with is...BECAUSE YOU CAN!

We had a great time camping and had surprisingly great weather on Saturday...but it was Sunday we looked forward to because all the weather forecasts were for great weather on Sunday!  So we thought we really lucked out on Saturday to be able to have 2 great days of weather.  So we got in our tents very late on Saturday night and just started to fall asleep when I heard this strange..OK...not strange, actually very familiar...sound on the tent.  My gosh it was rain.  A little became a lot and quite steady I might add...all night long and all the next day.  Well we aren't dumb!  We know when enough is enough so by the time we got everything packed up and ready to head back home we had been there almost 24 hours to the minute!  Way to pack in a full 24 hours! 

We do have a special tradition we do with camping...it's called MOUNTAIN MAN BREAKFAST!

It is an artery clogging delight that you make in a dutch oven with charcoal briquet's.

(Heat oven, cook bacon, onion and green pepper)

(Add hash browns and heat for about 20 minutes then add about a dozen eggs (whisked together) and pour over hash brown mixture.  Cook until the eggs are set, cover with cheese and cook til melted.)

(Dish up and enjoy!  Trying to not get too wet in the rain!!!)

This is not an exact science but it is a lot of fun...next lesson will be on pudgy pies!

Take Care

WE GOTTA REGATTA

Hello!

I've been out of town and have now returned.  I was basking in the sun at Vancouver Lake in Vancouver WA. watching the Northwest Regional Regatta.  My son is the bow seat in the Men's lightweight 4 of the BIRC...not sure if that makes sense to any of you!

It didn't to me a few years back!

Crew is a beautiful sport to watch but don't blink...the excitement will pass you by in a hurry.  Bainbridge Island Rowing Club is a wonderful organization with fantastic coaches.  These people care so deeply about the kids that are rowing on their teams and help groom them to be the best they can be.  It was an amazing thing to watch.  The other aspect of this sport that touched my heart was watching the rowers in their down time.  These kids have an opportunity to bond with each other and make lasting friendships that they will never forget.  Not to mention the connections the parents make and relationships built there.  Everyone pitches in to help, some with exceptional effort in planning and executing the feeding of the masses!  Thank you to all who were a part of such a memorable weekend.  And thanks to the rowers...these young men and women are dedicated and unique people.  I see the potential in all of you to do great things and look forward to seeing your accomplishments.

have a great day!

Fresh Flowers

If you have never been to Pike Place Market and seen the amazing array of fresh flowers you have to find the time to do it.  Big bouquets of flowers sell for such a reasonable price and they will brighten your home for days. 

SPEEDY

Speedy...isn't that just life these days...speedy, fast, furious.  You know the question we all ask ourselves..."where did the time go?".  That was this week for me.  It started out with my first born turning 16.  Yes...SIXTEEN!!!  How?  When? Where did the time go?  (and look out because his appointment for his drivers test is next week)  Just kidding...he's a good driver...hopefully not too SPEEDY. 

Going along with the SPEEDY theme...Son #2.  He's speedy...  Today I get to go to one of his track meets.  It's so fun to watch these kids run.  He's getting a bit of a reputation for being speedy...

Here he is with his 4 x 400 speedy team.

Take care,

Meagan

WHAT TO DO WITH OLD ACCESSORIES...

i saw this car is Seattle...

i had to look twice...then again

the owner of this car put some serious creativity into recycling their old accessories.

this car has everything from calculators to handbags on it.

just had to share the experience with you...look hard...it's like playing where's waldo.

MY KIND OF SHOPPING

My friend Joan introduced me to my new favorite store. Watson Kennedy .  If you ever get a chance to go it's in the Pike Place Market area on 1st Ave. in Seattle.  This store has such amazing merchandising.  They do fantastic color stories with their displays and it makes the most frugal of shoppers want to open their wallet.  If you manage to walk out of the store without a purchase in hand...I can promise you that you will leave the store with your head spinning and full of great ideas.  I was able to ask the clerk if she would allow me to snap a few photos to share on  my blog and she was so great to let me.  So if you can't make it to Watson Kennedy here are a few peeks into their great store...Hope you enjoy!

Have you got your field trip to Seattle planned yet?

BREATHE IT IN...

The last several weeks have had that smell...you know the one...the smell every spring when the cherry blossoms are at their peak and the lilacs are coming into bloom.  I walk in the evening and just as I turn the corner I see the light post with the beautiful glass lamp buried in the blossoms way up high, glowing pink, and I breathe.  I    B R E A T H E   D E E P...again and again and again.  I can't get enough of the smell.  It brings me back... back to a time...a carefree time of laughter and playing, getting dirty, building forts in the woods, staying up too late and loving every minute of it.  A time of dreaming...such good dreams.  I love this smell.  I love it when it gets carried by the wind which lovingly drops it at my door.  I'm thankful for this smell and how it fills my soul.

Keep dreaming!