JerseyFlyGirl: August 2008

My view of Mt. Ranier from 30,000 feet on the way to Mom & Dad's. Always majestic, and a breathtaking view of the 14,000 foot peak... a beautiful day! (click on photos to enlarge)

Equally lovely was the water view from Mom & Dad's balcony... I couldn't have asked for nicer weather here in the Pacific NW! It was so great to have a week to relax with them and catch up! Why is it that coffee always tastes better when enjoyed with them over our morning chats? :o) Mom & I enjoyed sharing lots of conversation with this view in sight. So special! And Dad and I enjoyed his extensive collection of VanGogh & Monet prints and computer time that would "stretch" us both! ha! Then as always, we ALL enjoyed some of the best cooking you'll find anywhere!

I took a little excursion to one of my favorite places in Seattle... Pike Place Market.... you want "fresh"?? Fresh anything?... Fish, Flowers, Fruits or Veggies? Then this is the place to come! Not to mention fun shopping with local artisans, etc.
I was pleased to see that you can still buy a huge, beautiful boquet of fresh flowers for $5.! Wow!

A little lunch and goodies to take home from this local Russian bakery... Yummers!

Enjoying a little quiet time on this deck near the water. Thanks for a wonderful time, Mom & Dad!! I sure miss you!

And I always look forward to time in AZ with Aunt June & Uncle Darrel! I've been doing it since I was a kid and it is always a little "Oasis" of relaxation and fun!

If we all could enjoy the healthy and peaceful life of these two, we'd be blessed! And I could go on and on about their generosity and patience through the years with endless kids and teenagers, including me! They have one of the greatest gifts of hospitality of anyone I know.

Enjoying our favorite Mexican restaurant. And soooo much more to follow... a day of shopping (Aunt June & I are definitely "soul mates" when it comes to shopping! ha!), puzzle time, talk time, walk time, endless laughter, and even our very own little "play pool"... ooohh!! That's cold water! ha! I can hardly wait until my next visit with two of my most cherished friends/family!

The above photo was from a prior visit including my youngest daughter and family... we all treasure the "welcome mat" that is always out for us all in our desert retreat!

"Where's Dottie"??? Hmmm... she's not outside? Where did she go? Well, we laughed so hard when we went in the "guest room" and here she was... with my purse (which had been put up on the computer desk). She had even taken my pink wallet OUT of my purse! Okay June... what are you teaching your dog??!! HA!! You can see by Dotties ears back on her head that she knows she's not suppose to be there! Too cute!! So many laughs! I love it!! xo

Picking blueberries... it's been years since I've picked berries. In fact, it was when my two lovely daughters were just little girls themselves! And now, here I am with my "baby" and her babies! What a treat! We headed out early to avoid the "crowds" and visited the cherished farm that brings joy in the fall with pumpkins and cider and now in the summer with sweet offerings that come in a tiny round blue ball. To begin our adventure we stopped at the little country market that's here on the farm for a few homemade cinnamon donuts... Yummers!! I'm loving this country livin'! ha! (click on photo to enlarge)

The hayride out to the berry fields was as fun as any amusement park ride I've been on! Yee-haw!!

Mommy and her 3 little treasures. Baby brother pretty much slept thru the whole event, but I'm sure he'll enjoy the pictures when he's older! I so appreciate that Little Mommy wants to ensure that her kids are aware of life's simple blessings.

We were each allowed to choose a berry of our own to taste. Big Sissy took this very seriously and chose carefully!

Little cutie pie didn't really understand the concept of "just one" and quietly indulged in several of these sweet treats! And of course "Bear" was included in the fun!

Such a special treasure in a tiny blue berry!