Queen Anne Gram

2009-02-02T18:29:00.000-08:00

So, things are good. just got back from Palm Springs. Lovely weather and I stayed with friends, so it was a cheap
trip!
went to the NIxon library/museum.: informative. also went up on the Palm Springs Aerial Tram...quite exciting
and scary. 8500 ft. high
Now back to everyday stuff.

New Year

2009-01-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

It can't be 2009 already....but it is. and truly, even though '08 was decent,even good,
I am glad it is in the "history books".
We shall all move on to bigger and better endeavors in '09...
I look forward to travelling, volunteering, reading, film going, listening to music
of all genres, tea drinking,(and tea leaf reading) wine tasting, and spending more
time with family and friends....and enjoying the presidency of our new leader!
Barack my world

December stuff

2008-12-26T20:36:00.000-08:00

spent time in MN 12/17-12/25 lots of cold and snow. good Christmas
back to Seattle on 12/25 lots of snow and some cold. when did Seattle
weather change?....I blame Bush
WA Christmas on Sunday 12/28, unless all the roads are still covered
in snow & ice & slush.
2008 went too fast

Back from AZ

2008-11-13T13:23:00.000-08:00

what a lovely trip....7 days of complete sun and warmth. well, we did have about
2 drops of "rain" but otherwise everything was perfect!
Stacie and Tom are such fine hosts...and Beckett is the best border collie ever.
lots of great food and wine.
looking forward to a return trip next year.

Birthday

2008-09-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

what a great day. lunch with Dani at Ray's Boathouse. gorgeous weather, good food
and cupcakes from Cupcake Royale.thanks for the wine too, Dani.
then Carol brings more cupcakes and the most beautiful wine glasses I have ever
seen!so of course we must try them out...they work fine! a tour of Bhy(bye) Kracke
park(the hidden park)followed. and that was the day. can't believe I am this old!
a couple of quotes about age....
"cherish all your happy moments; they make a fine cushion for your old age"

"as a white candle in a holy place, so is the beauty of an aged face."

and finally..."old age is like a plane flying through a storm. once you're aboard
there's nothing you can do.
thanks to all who sent greetings and well wishes

WA coast con't.

2008-08-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

don't know what happened to the rest of the post...i had more comments and a lovely
picture....probably operator error...i will try again.

WA coast

2008-08-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

It was raining in Seattle and Tacoma when we left for the coast on Monday,
but it was partly sunny and 67 degrees when we got to Ocean Shores. The B&B

thankful for the rain

2008-08-20T11:22:00.000-07:00

90+degrees in Seattle is a rare thing and I am glad it is over!
3 days of that is tiring.
lovely rain for the past couple of days...and milder temps.

It's August?

2008-08-11T13:33:00.001-07:00

Where has the time gone? Been doctoring for a couple weeks, appts. and blood
tests. seems I am low in Vit. D and calcium, so must rectify that.

Remet a man I knew 50 years ago! He is a widower(1yr.) and we are renewing
aquaintances. it is fun.

Fun party at Scotts yesterday. Ali & Bob are here from AZ.

Sick with flu like symptoms this past Th.& Fri. Ok now.

MN

2008-07-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

Back home after 8 days in MN....what fun we had. Halle and I arrived at 9pm on
7/22 and there was nonstop laughter til the day we left. Went up to Blue Lake for
4 days....there was swimming, canoeing, reading, card playing, deep discussions,
bbqing, slapping of mosquitoes and huge deer flies, but we had a great time...
climaxed by eating s'mores by the blazing fire. life is good.
Revisited a campground that we used to stay at in the 1970's....it is still in
great shape and is still owned by the same family. some things never change
and that is good!
then back to the homestead for more fun. visited with my old friends Lee & Bella
and then we headed home on 7/30 after a delicious breakfast at Jensen's.
travelling is good, but it is nice to be back...even if it is raining.

Reconnecting

2008-07-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

Isn't it fun to meet someone you have not seen since you were 17?! Well, it was
for me. I had such a crush on him, of course he was 6 yrs older than me, but
now it does not make that much difference. we'll see how things progress ;>}

stuff of life

2008-07-20T22:37:00.000-07:00

Been busy since I last wrote....volunteering, chocolate tastings, birthday
bbq for a good friend, Mt. Rainier with Dani & Shawn for their birthdays..
blackberry pie(not that great) lots of laughing(that was great)lots of snow
and wildflowers and we found out Shawn does not like heights.

Going to T town to meet a guy I have not seen since I was 17. interesting, I hope.
Pick up Halle and then we are off to MN.
Life is good!

07/04/08

2008-07-06T00:27:00.000-07:00

Lovely "fireworks" day. the view of the Lake Union fireworks was
stupendous. 8 guests agreed. lots of food and wine and fun.

MN

2008-06-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

Spent a few days in MN for Kelly's birthday and to see the new house.
lots of food and some wine. the house is great....so open and airy.
quite a change from the log home. going back in July with Halle.

Mother/Grandmother's Day

2008-05-15T23:48:00.000-07:00

What fun! a grand tour of the Pike Place Market. 9 tour stops and 14 samples.
great day with Shawn and Miss Planner Dani. Orchid corsages no less. and lovely
gifts.Fine day. even though we had a few sprinkles. not enough, however, to
dampen our spirits.

Wine tasting

2008-04-20T17:33:00.000-07:00

Oh, what a fun wine tasting it was....3 wines from Argentina(1 white 2 reds) and
we finished with 2 Vin Santos.....exquisite. and of course all the things to go
with a tasting...cheeses,pate, olives, bread, crackers, fruit and brownies and
biscotti. and a fine group of wonderful friends to enjoy it all with...what
could be better?

Back to normal....

2008-04-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

Well, what a change! early part of the day was partly sunny and now it is back
to the rain. Spent the day in Tacoma with my cousins at the Croatian Hall for
the Daffodil dinner. always fun.

MN

2008-03-25T08:11:00.000-07:00

ok, you visit MN in March and you expect cold, but you do not expect 11 inches of
snow! 8 inches on Good Friday and 3 more on Saturday....holy cow. but is was
beautiful and I have the pictures to prove it.
I leave today for home...it is sunny and cold here, and sounds like it is the same in
Seattle.

New photo

2008-03-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

A new photo titled "Gallery Goer" taken at a new art gallery in Phoenix..."Office Space". this photo was taken by the owner/photographer of the gallery. what a coup!!

Arizona

2008-03-12T18:21:00.000-07:00

Arizona in March....perfect(at least this year) great visit with Stacie & Tom. The gallery opening was a smashing success. Had a couple days with Ali & Bob...very relaxing. Made it home just in time before Southwest cancelled several flights. I am calling myself lucky.

Leap day

2008-02-29T15:29:00.000-08:00

Well, we did not need this extra day because it brought rain... we could have just gone to tomorrow because it is going to be sunny! ;>}

Obama wins

2008-02-10T12:13:00.000-08:00

Caucusing is an interesting experience. Met many new people...all age groups were represented from 17 yr. olds to one woman who is 96. and of course, moms and dads
with infants in tow. Our group was quite civilized and calm and Obama supporters were in the majority. Waiting for August.

Caucus day

2008-02-09T08:18:00.000-08:00

The caucus starts at 1pm and I will be there! I have already sent in my primary ballot, since
that is the way it is done in my State.
Went to see Obama yesterday and the crowd was amazing....it filled Key Arena to the rafters...
several thousand could not even get in, so after the 48 minute speech inside,Obama went outside
and spoke to those who could not get in...what a guy! I am anxious to see what happens at the
caucus.

back again

2008-01-30T21:22:00.000-08:00

Wow, it has been a while. I have been home for a week. glad to be out of the MN cold and it is
even worse now. Minnehaha Falls is frozen solid.
It has been cold here too, but not that bad. we did have some snow, but it melted right away.
now it is back to rain.
Many plays to see in the next month....3 Days of Rain, Persuasion, and The Miser. I love the
theater.
more later...

Minnesota

2008-01-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

I am in MN spending time with Lucia...while Kelly is in Costa Rica. It is quite lovely

here....a few flurries but sunny. temperature is in the 20's.

Kelly and Rusty left this a.m. and they should have just

touched down in Liberia. They will be gone for a week and I will fly back to Seattle on 1/22.

Molly is coming to town on Thurs. so an added bonus.

New Year's Eve

2008-01-02T22:07:00.000-08:00

Went to McCarthy's for dinner; smoked salmon ravioli, fresh green beans, a rice side dish.
I brought truffle pate directly from Paris(a gift from a neighbor) and Argyle sparkling from
Oregon and Delice de Bourgogne...cie magnifique. Now these people do not stay up late, so I
left at 11pm and watched the fireworks at the Space Needle with my two delightful 88 yr old
neighbors. We toasted with Baileys Irish Cream. such a night.
Happy 2008

Christmas

2007-12-27T20:05:00.000-08:00

Did get the shopping done....7a.m. is a great time to go....only me and 14 other people in the store, til about 10:00 and then it got crowded.
Christmas eve at Harper's...very nice, lots 'o food. and the ever popular WHITE ELEPHANT
GIFT EXCHANGE. I got, wait for it....a wind-up cell phone charger!
We played "Catch Phrase" that is always fun.

Merry Christmas to all

Nashville and beyond

2007-12-27T19:57:00.000-08:00

14 hour drive from Lakeville to Nashville...but, really, it didn't seem that long. Kelly & Lucia are good travellers. and I think I am too.
Saw Molly graduate....that was a thrill for all of us. Hung out in Nashville and then took a 3 hour
drive to Mecca...oops, I mean Memphis and Graceland....oooh, it was grrreat. very touristy of
course, but if you have any feelings about Elvis, you must go! everyone loved it, not just me.
Beale St. is so cool and we ate at the Majestic..finally got our ribs. xlnt.
The ride home to Lakeville was only 12 hours long...Molly came with us.
I left for home on the 12/20 and now I must do some shopping.

busy month

2007-12-10T21:14:00.000-08:00

I have been going non-stop since my return from AZ. Dinner with friends at my place on Fri. and then we attended
the Black Nativity play. Sat. a.m. fund raiser brunch at the Lutheran church in Magnolia...met
Santa. Croatian dinner and dance in Tacoma Sat. nite...such fun. Gig Harbor cousins were there.
Sunday went to see the Elvis Santa...with Alexander and his parents Mia & Mike and his grand-
father Marko. Sun. nite the Pontiac Bay orchestra with R.E.P.S. Christmas show. fun!
Pike Place Market today..bought a few gifts. Dinner tomorrow with the Radio readers and then
off to MN and TN on Wed. the fun never ends....and one of these days I must finish my Christmas shopping *<:-)

RAIN IN AZ!!

2007-12-03T10:23:00.000-08:00

Well, it did rain....for 1 and 1/2 days. but miraculously it cleared up about an hour before the partee!

Lots of food, fun, drinks and good guests. Ali & Bob put in an appearance, so that was good.

people stayed til about 10 and we had the chiminea (sp)? going full blast. needed to

keep warm cuz it was a cool nite.

went to the Tempe Art Fair on Sun. and ate at Caffe Boa...xlnt food.

the sun is back and that is a good thing.

I leave tomorrow and I hope the snow is long gone from Seattle!

thanks Stacie & Tom

AZ

2007-11-29T11:27:00.000-08:00

Flying out today to Phoenix....big party on Saturday. it wouldn't dare rain, would it? nah, it's
Arizona!!
anyway the party will be fun....food, wine, great guests. I hear McCain might put in an
appearance. ;>}
more later.....

Tuesday

2007-11-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

Well, today is a better weather day than yesterday...we had winds of over 50MPH!! It would
have been nice to stay in and watch the dancing flames in the fireplace, but it was not to be.
I had a planned visit to my "toe" doctor and had to face the elements. But today is better, I will
be able to go out for a walk between the raindrops.
Time to think about Thanksgiving....luckily I only have charge of the sweet potatoes and the
cranberry sauce. That might be one good thing about the aging process....your kids have bigger
houses and will gladly host the dinners. I did it long enough...now it's their turn ;>}
Oh, I will also bring the wine...a 2005 Frank Family Red Zin.....I know-- who drinks Zin? but it is good for Thanksgiving dinner.

Saturday

2007-10-20T10:27:00.000-07:00

Even though it is cloudy today, it is a better day than yesterday...we had rain, wind, thunder and believe it or not, HAIL! I came out of the mall and the parking lot was covered with the icy stuff. Granted it did melt almost immediately, but it was a sight.
Thank heaven my purchases took away the sting of the weather.

Skagit Valley

2007-10-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

Beautiful weather in Seattle on this Oct. Saturday. A friend(Carol) and I took a scenic drive up to the Skagit Valley(Mt. Vernon, Burlington) to visit a farmer we met at the Ballard Mkt.
Lovely farm....free range chickens running around , happy cows grazing in the field, turkeys fattening up(if they only knew). Sustainability is the name of the game. We bought meat and eggs raised right there.
Glad to be healthy again.

2007-10-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

Had a lovely trip to MN. lots of good wine and food. Still trying to forget our music night out,but
that is another story for another time ;>)
Delightful weather, attended a high school homecoming game and watched Lucia in the marching band. lots o' fun.
Kelly and Stacie and I shared a delightful bottle of 1990 Quilceda Creek Cab. one of the best wines I have ever drunk.

Birthday

2007-09-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

At this age, should I be forgetting about birthdays? No way! not yet....maybe next year....
Had a lovely get together at Shawn & Jeff's....Bro Bob came along to celebrate his 9/11 birthday.
We had delicious cake & ice cream. lots of fun and good conversation.
My next celebration is Wed.....lunch with Judy at the Boat St. cafe.
I think that should be the last one, we'll see.

2007-09-12T23:10:00.000-07:00

Back from a marvelous trip to SLO(San Luis Obispo) to visit an aunt & uncle and see my little
sister ;>} lots of good food and wine and wineries and Taboo. And a visit to the James Dean
Memorial in Chalome. life does not get any better!

Another Birthday dinner

2007-08-29T23:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I am just sitting at home finishing up my bookwork for the AARP Driver Safety Class and my friends Linda & John call...they are down on Lake Union on their cool boat and they ask if I want to come down and take a cruise and have a birthday dinner...can't refuse. We sail over to Chinooks, have a lovely fishy dinner and
cruise on back. Such great people. It was a gorgeous day..about
82 degrees. can't ask for a better day.

early birthday celebration

2007-08-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

Well, here I go again...celebrating my birthday a bit early! but, what can you do
when someone says:"I won't be here for your birthday, so let's go out now".
You can't refuse...it wouldn't be sociable.
so, my friend Liz and I head for the Queen Mary Tea Room. I need to say that
that is such a civilized way to spend a birthday. We had "high tea" and if you
have not ever partaken, you need to do it....all sorts of scones, crumpets, fruits of all shapes, little sandwiches, and tarts, and chocolate cake....and of course,
tea(I had Yunan Gold) I may not need to eat until Friday nite! It was so much
fun.
Let the festivities begin.

new beginnings

2007-08-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

ok, so Molly got me into this and we'll see how it goes....there probably will be alot of rambling,
not much insight and hardly any advice, but I will forge ahead and I will not placate anyone(private joke)
judi

Hello.

2007-08-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

Alright so grams and I decided it was about time she enter the world of blogging... volia! Welcome to the ramblings, insight, advice, and life happenings of our one and only grams...

( :

love. Molly