30 years!

Happy 30th anniversary to my parents!

They've had an adventurous 30 years, and this last weekend was one of the more thrilling/terrifying ones yet, I'm sure. The motorhome's towcar had a blowout on the road coming back from Pomeroy (for my dad's 45th high school reunion!). They stopped on a hill to access the situation when they saw smoke rising from a wheat field about a quarter mile back...then they realized the sparks from the wheels STARTED A FIRE! They couldn't get a hold of 911 (still a mystery) but, thanks to smartphone technology, they were able to Google a nearby police/fire department and get that fire OUT. Whew!

Never a dull moment with those two. I'm happy to report though that the motorhome/our first home in California is safe. The towcar, however, didn't fair as well and needs some repair. I'm just happy mom and dad are ok and didn't start "the great Palouse fire of 2011."

Happy 30th, you two. You're an inspiration and a great example of a loving, dedicated and faithful couple.

10 years

My 10 year reunion is this weekend.

Pictured: Season, me, Jeff, Erin, Liz

I'm not going...not for any reason really besides that it's tough when you live in California. I hope everyone has a great time at the various BBQs and, of course, at RC's...where everyone will inevitably end up at some point over the weekend, I'm sure.

Rock on, GHS class of 2011.

A Royal Affair

I forgot to mention this, you know, a month or more ago.

I got up early...super early...to watch the wedding. THE Royal Wedding. My friend Heather and came over for tea and scones -- proper English wedding fare, I'm sure -- and enjoyed the festivities. I brought out my cream and sugar set as well as some of the doilies and fun coffee/tea-time dishes Justin and I received as a wedding gifts.

I've always had a little crush on Prince William...ok, ok, it hasn't always been so little, especially when I was about 14. Every time I'd come home from somewhere and ask if anyone had called, my dad would always tease me by saying Prince William had called.

I'm glad I got up to watch -- and I'm also glad I had the company of friends who wanted to watch with me, whether it be on my couch or on their own -- we exchanged a few calls and texts with others watching elsewhere to comment on various happenings and the dress unveiling. The couple looked so happy, as most do on their wedding day, and who doesn't love the idea of a prince marrying his princess!

Plus, I love the moments I get to think about my trip to London with my friend Jen to visit her sister, Carla!

I was so happy to be in London, I couldn't keep my eyes open!

Jen and me after our tour of the Tower of London. Not a good day to wear fancy shoes. That's another story for another time.

 

Me in front of Buckingham Palace. That balcony right behind me is where the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge locked lips in front of a roaring crowd of wedding celebrators.

Run to the Hills

Justin and I like hiking. Hiking is something Justin did often during his childhood. It's something I never did during mine. I wouldn't say we're hardcore hikers, but maybe we will be someday! If we keep it up this summer, we're thinking of trying an overnight hike where you walk into your campsite.

We have experienced those so called "walk-in campgrounds" around these parts...but this time we're talking a real walk-all-day-to-the-site type walk-in campground...something we're prepared for going into it.

Last weekend we headed up to the hills west of Palo Alto for a quick hike. It was sunny and warm in San Jose so we were surprised to find fog and the weather to be about 20 degrees cooler in Palo Alto...that's the Peninsula for ya! I'm glad I grabbed my sweatshirt on the way out the door.

 

At he peak of the hike

Lunch break

Suddenly the fog rolls in like crazy!

Here's a video of it coming in...

Then the backdrop is completely covered in fog

We found a cave!

Giants in the fog

Gumdrop tree in the fog

The end of the trail.

Got Brown Bananas?

Why make banana bread when you can make Aunt Barbara's banana chocolate chip cookies?

They're a family favorite. They're especially a Joe favorite.

Here's the recipe:

Aunt Barbara's Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies

• Melt 1 cube butter or margarine (I use butter. Why not?)
• Mash 2 or more ripe bananas (I usually use 2)

Stir together and add:

• 1 unbeaten egg
• 1 cup sugar

Mix well and add:

• 2 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (my advice...don't ruin these cookies with nuts. I've never used nuts.)

Stir well. In a separate bowl, mix together the following and add LAST to the banana mix:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. cloves

Mix well. Bake in 350F oven for 8-10 minutes on a greased cookie sheet. 

Gold Star Moms Memorial Dedication

A little Friday trivia for you:

Families with immediate members active in the military are called "Blue Star" families. It's something that started during WWI.

Families who've lost an immediate family member who was active in the military are called "Gold Star" families.

If you look closely in windows of your neighborhood, you may see a flag that looks like either of these, noting the home of an active or lost military family member.

My parents have a Gold Star flag in the window of their home. We were also each presented with Gold Star pins at Matt's funeral.

The Legion Park in Grandview is being rededicated this weekend. During the event, the City of Grandview will also dedicate a Gold Star Mothers Memorial located at the park -- the memorial has been created by a local Boy Scout for his Eagle Scout service project. You can read more about it in articles from the Grandview Herald and the Sunnyside Daily News.

The Sunnyside Daily Sun article includes more info and is more of a community spotlight feature on Nicholas Denchel and his project. It also notes there are 35 Gold Star Moms in Grandview. 

My mom and other Gold Star Moms, from all current and previous wars, in Grandview have been invited to attend and participate in the dedication. I'm always humbled by the military community and the hometowns of military families; their generosity and support of families and the honor bestowed on both active and lost members is unwavering, no matter how much time has passed. 

If you're in Grandview this weekend, you should check out the rededication of Legion Park and the dedication of the memorial. If you go, give my mom a hug for me :) You can hug my dad, too, but be gentle because he had hernia surgery just yesterday.

PS - Yes, my dad had surgery yesterday. He's home already and recovering nicely. They used his same heart surgery scar as the entry point. Convenient, right? He was [sort of] hoping for a new scar so he could have 11 signs of all 11 of his surgeries. The man is stitched together like a scarecrow! A very lucky, brave scarecrow.

The Old Gray (grey?) Mare

So...I've discovered I have some gray hair on the ol' noggin'. They're starting to pop up with more frequency, and I'm noticing them more lately because, much to our disappointment, Justin and I discovered our lemon tree only grows lemons, not money, so I haven't been to the beauty salon in quite some time.

What's more disturbing about the gray hair is that the gray strands resemble spiral macaroni.

I have a bit of a wave in my hair, but I do not have spiral-curly hair. Not yet, anyway.

The next time you see me I might look like Miss Frazzle!

I'm not ready to start more regularly scheduled dye jobs...nor am I ready to have spiral macaroni gray hair! Help!