August of 2012

August as always begins with the River Romp the first weekend held at the Bar_UK Ranch in LaCenter Wa.

The 28th year was especially sweet since so many of our own family were in attendance.  Our two new Great Granddaughters were there for their first River Romp.  Maybe too little (Jessica 10 months - parents are Jesse and Amanda) and (Ana 5 months - parents are Justin and Ashley).  They were happy little girls and did  very well considering that the temperature reached 102 degrees F on the main event day of Saturday.  We all took turns dipping in the Lewis River for relief - including the little ones.

Ernie and Diana's family were all there to help with the babies - a relief to parents and of course Diana was really involved as she reluctantly assumes the title "Grandma".  To the right is Jessica and her auntie Asia who is always willing to help and who spent almost as much time in the River as I did!

Ron & I arrived on Thursday so we could select the best camping spot.  We found ourselves next to a broken water line - so the first project after setting up camp was for Ron to grab a shovel and help out Jeff and Rolf get started on the big job of digging it out - letting it drain and fixing it.  I was amuzed by all the mud - what fun!

It wasn't long before Jesse came to help and Ernie who was recovering from a spider bite that lead to Merca - was not allowed to help.  We are so glad he is finally recovered from this serious situation.

After the usual difficulties - requiring Jeff to kneel and think - the water geizer was subdued and the assignment of fun and good food continued.

We saved a spot for Angel and Jerry - and were delighted to learn Ron's neice Ann was with them.  We had not seen Ann for about 30 years.  What a joy it was to listen to this beautiful strong woman tell about experiences in India where she and her family lived for a time assigned by Walmart.  I had some amazing insights about how the evolution of our planet is slowly occuring as people who have been enslaved for centuries are beginning to learn about the possibilities of opportunities that we here in America take for granted. 

Rons sister Erna who was recently hospitalized with serious heart conditions was there in the motor home and it was wonderful spending time with her - and Ron's sister Cyndi and family.  After all it is a Family Reuntion and this year it was GRAND thanks to Pet & Ulf who have hosted this opportunity to re-unite for going on 30 time.

Rolf & Deana fished in Alaska before flying down for the RR with 100 lb of salmon - of which the Chefs grilled 75 pounds along with chicken to feed the crowd that usually exceeds 100 people.  Try cooking over a grill in 102 degrees.  Thank You to all the Brave People!  The pot luck brought by attendees along with the grilled treats made for a wonderful huge meal in the middle of a very hot day.  A few brave young people took part in a relay race as I sat in the shade of a tarp panting.
The Lip Sync that eveing was spectacular.  Two of the little kids who started performing when they were 4 - 5 years old are interviewing for careers on Broadway - New York.  Wow.  Such talent.

Just as the River Romp ended Maria and her family arrived from Sweden.  We were able to host them for only 3 days - but it was grand seeing our Swedish Daughter Maria (exchange student with us in 1980) and meet again her beautiful family.  Helena is 16 and will be spending the year in Seattle in her exchange hosted by Stina's family.  Simon is her "little" brother towering over her here - and he is well know in his community in Sweden for his acting abilities.  He too would love to try out on Broadway!  Little Lilly is the happiest two year old I have very met.  Even though she doen't yet understand English - we got along really fine.  What a little doll.  We took in the Saturday Market shown above and then walked around the State Capital for a while.  Thank You for coming Maria!  We LOVE you so much and look forward to your return for the 30th River Romp! 

We enjoyed Swedish Pancakes that Helena and Maria made and renewed Ron's interest in making them for me!  YUM

Thanks for dropping in.  Betty

We skipped Summer - Welcome to Fall

I am amazed that the last entry was inviting spring - and the time has flown by during a very busy and fun summer.  Today I am going to talk about September - because I can remember that month - and later I will write a short blog about each month from May forward - so I can look back on a very busy and eventful time.

Eli started bringing me Apples from his orchards ealy in September - and I didn't want to waste a thing.  First there were great apple pies - eaten quickly.  Then the tiny sweet Crab Apples became sweet clear beautiful apple juice.  When more came there was apple sauce made the old fashioned way by cooking the cored apples with skins and running through an apple sauce seperator.  Nice but a little bitter tasking.  So then Ron helped me peel apples which became more sliced and canned applesauce.  More pies, and pie filling in the freezer.  Then it was time for peaches so we went on a Sunday drive to the farms in the area and came home with 80 pounds of beautiful tree ripened peaches which became 36 quarts of canned sugar free peaches and lots of fresh peaches and peach pies.  Whew - I was so busy I didn't document with pictures so you will just have to imagine how beautiful all this fruit looks in my fruit room.

Then it happened!  The 30+ year old freezer in the basement started to fall in rusty pieces on the floor.  We still have corn on the agenda and need to freeze that.  It became urgent to replace our huge freezer and we considered our growing old togher needs and decided to buy a side by side refrigerator/freezer and replace our upstairs fridge.  Knowing that freezer would be only about 13 cubic feet of storage we also decided to buy a new 13 cubic foot freezer for the basement too.  Our kitchen was last remodeled and stocked with new appliances 12 years ago and the dish washer is'nd exactly doing it's job - so we did a deal at Lowes and bought all three appliances and scheduled the delivery date for Sept 11, 2012. 

We had already invited the entire family to a joint September Birthday Celebration for Eli, Debbie and our new tenant Barbara scheduled for September 14th.  Now we had to remodel the kitchen to fit in the new appliances - I wanted to paint all the surfaces white to match our new appliances - and we had to be done and have a big party on the 14th.  Whew - no wonder time flies!

My hustand is so brilliant!  Yes he looks a little stressed?  We found skinny cupboards already white at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store for $30.  Ron built the framework for the area around our big new fridge in 3 hard work days.  I scheduled pick up of donated old fridge and dish washer with the Re-store for the 11th - the same day Lowes were to deliver!!

See!  It all worked perfectly!  We Love our new fridge with water and cubed or crushed ice on the front of the freezer - and now we can see what we have to eat!  We still create too many leftovers!  Good as long as we use it in a timely fashion.  So that was done on the 12th.

Two days to Prime Rib/Steel Head/Baked Potatos/Salad/dinner for 12 or 13 people!

I made the September Birthday People wear hats - Bab's a cowboy hat - she makes beautiful native american Vases, Walking Sticks, and Stuff!  Eli had to wear Ron's Viking Hat - after all he is our son!  Debbie got to be the fairy princess with lights flashing on her St Patricks Day tiera!  It was fun and the food was anazing!  We had a great crowd - a great time with beautiful outdoor surroundings - the September flowers have been Beautiful!

The bottom picture is arranged in Ron's outdoor kitchen just over his sink.  We had Christmas lights on in the kitchen for our party - it was beautiful.
Here is a boquet for you!  Since that Party I have been resting and will continue to recover all winter.  More coming tomorrow or the next day.  Thank You for Visiting!

A Boquet for YOU!