Pre-Vacation Soiree

Wally and Winnie

My brother's family takes an annul summer vacation together every year. What a great tradition! This year they are heading for the Washington coast. Although I couldn't make it this year, we did manage to get down to Seattle to say "hi" the the whole crew before they take off today.

McCartney Liu

Finn, Isaac and McCartney

Rob (Finn and Isaac's Dad) and Finn and Isaac

Sam (Isaac and Finn's older brother)

Finn, Eliza (McCartneys' Mom) and McCartney

my brother, Bob and Julie (Rob's wife and Mom to Isaac, Finn and Sam)

Randy (husband to Meg and Dad to Isable and Winnie)

Marilyn and Bob

Summertime, and the Livin' Is Easy....

Well, sort of...for Wally, not so much. He just worked a 6 day week, so today was his only day off. After worship, we came home, had lunch and then headed for a sunny spot by the bay. He made the best of his brief respite!

Otherwordly

If you know me well, you know that I harbor several "addictions" when it comes to collecting knick knacks. I've always been surprised by this side of myself, since I really can't abide "clutter". One would never guess this by looking at my living room which is FULL of "stuff" that has been lovingly given to me over the years. I don't think of it as clutter, though, I think of it as a gift store transplanted into my house!

One of the things I love to collect is drangonflys. They are beautiful and prehistoric in nature and they intrique me. So imagine my delight when I was out watering my hanging baskets the other day and discovered this big guy just sunning himself!

But let's not stop with the real thing, let's take a tour of the gamut of dragonflys that permanenly inhabit my world.

And let's knot forget the collection of sheep--and this is the latest addition to that menagerie, given to me by Jessie for Christmas...too cute, eh?

Rare Sighting

We saw one of these last night perched at the top of a tree in Cornwall Park! This is a Western Tanager (photo from web). It's the first time we've ever seen one of these birds here. Their coloring is stunning!

Summer Camp

Summer arrived last week, briefly! The high on July 1st was 59, the low on July 9th was 60! The PNW is all about extremes! We did our best to enjoy the heat and sun. Jess was here for a visit (great timing, it was over 100 in Portland!) and we spent lots of time near water. Just sitting.....

Or enjoying music in Elizabeth Park during their weekly free concernts.....

Or swimming at Semiahmoo.......

and enjoying the great view of Mt. Baker from there.....

or picking raspberries with dear friend, Leslie, on her farm....lots of memories for Jess here, she and Leslie's kids used to play Little House on the Prairie in these fields....

or watching Wally watch the sunset at Larrabee State Park......

or eating supper on the patio.....

or helping Dad edge the lawn....eeww, bad memories of doing this chore herself!

Summer has taken another hiatus, it's back to clouds and temps in the 60's. But....it's not raining, so all is well!