"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." ~George Bernard Shaw

"Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time." ~Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn


Saturday, August 31, 2013

Six Word Saturday and Shadow Shot Sunday! August 31-September 1, 2013


Making pickles...here is the recipe!



Spices,vinegar and sugar await...


Cucumbers and onions sit in salt for 3 hours


After the pickles are in the jars
They are ready to eat!
Here's the recipe:

Bread and Butter Pickles
makes 4-5 pints

12 medium size cucumbers cut in 1/4" slices
1 1/2 # onions thinly sliced (3 large onions)
1/2 cup salt
3 cups vinegar, 3 cups sugar, 1/4 cup mustard seeds,
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp tumeric and 2 tsp celery seeds 

In a large glass or stainless steel bowl combine 
cucumbers, onions and salt and let sit for 3 hours.
Then pour into large colander to drain. Rinse with cold 
water several times and drain again.
In a stainless steel 10 quart pot combine the vinegar,
sugar,and all spices. Bring to a boil and add the well drained 
cucumber and onion slices. Reduce the heat to low and 
simmer for 2 minutes. 
Do not boil or the pickles won't be crisp. Pack pickles in
hot sterile jars and seal in cold water bath for 20 minutes.**
Can be eaten immediately. 
**I find that the jars will usually seal without the cold water bath
if your jars are hot and the rims and lids are hot also.
If you try this and they don't seal, just keep in fridge and eat away!
~~~~~~~~~~
For more Six Word Saturdays or Shadow Shot Sundays 
go to the links below! Happy Weekend!
~~~


~~~~~~~~~






Friday, August 30, 2013

It's Feline Friday! August 30, 2013





Best Friends Forever!
~~~~~~
Steve of Burnt Food Dude started Feline Friday
to convince us he loves cats! Thanks Steve!
To see more or to add your Feline Friday
 click on the link below! 
Have a fun and enjoy your day! 


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

It's Awww Monday! August 26, 2013


Naps are necessary !!!
~~~~~~~
Thanks to Sandee for Awww Mondays!
To see even more click below
and have a fabulous day!

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Sunday, August 25, 2013

Magpie #183 Passing Place

photo by Steven Kelly

Waiting for that 
Passing place-an open space
Far away from
The madding crowd race
  

I-680 near San Jose CA 8-24-2013

~~~~~~~~~
To read more of this weeks Magpie Tales go here: 
http://magpietales.blogspot.com/2013/08/mag-183.html 

Friday, August 23, 2013

It's Feline Friday! August 23, 2013


This is Missy Gracie
Rescue kitty Gracie has been living
with our good friends in Lake Oswego
for years. Her right front paw was seriously
mangled by a dog before she was rescued and
adopted by our friends. It is amazing how she 
manages to get around. Of course she is an indoor
only kitty. Much safer that way.  
She lives with this dynamic trio:
All are rescued kitties.


 Steve of  Burnt Food Dude started Feline Friday
to convince all of us that he loves cats....so thanks Steve!
Click on the link below to participate or just enjoy!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Eric Alders MPP August 19, 2013



Old wooden wheels creak
Creak crossing over 
Crossing over the bridge
The bridge between life
Between life and eternity

Quiet footsteps following
Following old traditions
Old traditions deeply rooted
Deeply rooted in eternal love
Eternal love of family

~~~~~

Each week Eric Alder posts one
of his photos for us - to read more
and to more of Eric Alder's fine photos
go here:


Monday, August 19, 2013

It's Awww Monday and We're Back Home!


On our vacation I managed 
to photograph these sweet birds.
I love watching these cute little Swallows
dip and glide along the Deschutes River
in Bend, Oregon. 
For more Awww Monday Photos
click on the link just below...

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Our drive back yesterday was pretty smoky...


But we had a 10 digit skyward vacation!
Have a great week! Now we're back to
loads of laundry and on-going projects!
~~~~~~~

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Magpie #182 What's Up?


Photo by Elena Kalis


The Surreal
Enabled by twisting
Reality



Photo by Elena Kalis 
~~~~~~~~
Tess Kincaid's Magpie Blog is dedicated
to the enjoyment of poets and writers-
To read what others have created using this
image please go here:


Day 7- A Beautiful Day For a Beautiful Wedding


Gorgeous day


Gorgeous setting


Gorgeous Bride


Heartfelt and Happy Ceremony


Everyone had a good time


What a wonderful wedding....

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Day 6 We goof off in Portland Oregon

Finally we get a day off with no driving...
Russell and I used the bus all day-
plus just walking 
all over downtown Portland. 



Looking down on Pioneer Square
while we take care of business.


Lunch at Deschutes Brewery in the Pearl
Some of the best French Onion soup ever!
Tomorrow? The wedding!
~~~~~
For more Six Word Saturdays go here:
and for Sunday Shadow Shots go here:
Have a great weekend!

Friday, August 16, 2013

Feline Friday August 16, 2013

HEY!
Did you NOT read the 
Do Not Disturb sign?


Thanks to Steve of BFDude for
hosting Feline Friday!
Click the link below to see more!!

Day 5 Baker City to Lake Oswego, Oregon


We got off to a late start- but finally
headed down the Columbia Gorge-
essentially 300 miles to Lake Oswego-
the air is smoky from all the wildfires
in Idaho and Oregon.



Another visual blight.....
do these really pay for themselves
when all is said and done?
I'm not really sure.


Getting closer....


We must be close-
we're getting a bit of rain!


Ahhhh....finally made it to our second home!
Jeff and Etta are such great friends
we always feel so welcome staying with them!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Day 4 Baker City to Boise and Back!!!


Existing concrete factory on I-84
near Baker City heading East


I-84 going towards Boise



Tom and Russell


Capitol Building Boise, Idaho


Snake River heading west


Deconstructed lime factory
heading west on I-84

Day 3- On Our Way to Baker City!


We made a side trip 
on our way to Baker City



I love the Painted Hills


They never fail to amaze me!



Hwy 26 near John Day, Oregon


The famous Geiser Hotel in Baker City
~~~~~~~~

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Magpie Tales Oh La La!!

Painting by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec


There once was a gal from France
Who refused to wear underpants
As she danced with abandon
The famous dance Can-Can
Henri was totally entranced!

~~~~~~ 
Thanks to Tess Kincaid for Magpie Tales!
To see what others wrote go here:


Monday, August 12, 2013

Day Two in Bend Oregon


After having a nice breakfast we headed towards
the Old Mill District-
We walked and walked all day
passing by patient dogs waiting ....



Walking by old schools having
 a second chance of usefulness....


The city of Bend has been smart at reusing 
old buildings, rather than tearing them down
and blending old with new.... 


Artists do the same creatively recycling
 old parts into new art.....


One example of affordable housing


Meanwhile geese look for lunch while
families float by on the Deschutes River...
a lovely way to spend the day....



Finally we discovered a great neighborhood
watering hole suitable for families
The Riverside Market....