Crayfish, turtles, and snakes— they were as much a part of our camping weekend as the campfires, tents, and trains. For the second June in a row, our family camped on the banks of the Juanita river for a weekend. This year, because of the dry spring, the river was much lower than last year. My nieces and nephew spent hours wading and swimming in the shallow water. Cordell said, "Almost every big rock has a crayfish under it if you turn the rock over." Several of us were standing … [Read more...] about Return to the River
Family
Teacups and Hatchets
Sometimes the invitation reads "bring your favorite teacup", sometimes it says "bring your own hachet". Here's a few photos from two very different parties I attended this month. For her fifteenth birthday, my niece Mikayla wanted to host a tea party for her girl cousins closest in age, her grandma, and her mom's sisters (including me). Normally, we don't do too many birthday parties— we'd be going to several each month— but Mikayla is an only girl with seven brothers, so she got a … [Read more...] about Teacups and Hatchets
A Mouse Eating a Potato Chip and Other Photos from Hiking at Ricketts Glen
Sometimes you take a long hike to see one waterfall, but at Ricketts Glen, you can take one hike and see eighteen waterfalls in one afternoon. Last Saturday, several of my siblings and I took nine of my oldest nieces and nephews hiking at the state park located about two-and-half hours north of here. We hiked 3.2 miles (the main Falls trail at Ricketts Glen). Several of us enjoy photography and took our time taking photos. Here are some of my shots. After about a mile downhill, you … [Read more...] about A Mouse Eating a Potato Chip and Other Photos from Hiking at Ricketts Glen
Tea Party for Six
Enjoy a few pictures from a special tea party I attended last week. I'm leaving on a trip soon, and don't have time to write much, but I thought you all might enjoy these photos. The tea party came about when we had a "bean auction" at church. Everyone attending the auction offered some kind of gift, and then all the participants were given beans to bid on the gifts we wanted. My friend Bettina offered a "tea party for six", and so I was able to take my mother and four oldest nieces to … [Read more...] about Tea Party for Six
Sights to See— Obie’s, Ricketts Glen, and a Hundred-Dollar Bill Purse
Obie's General Store in Goodville is a pilgrimage every seamstress should make at least once in a lifetime. So when I heard my friend Melissa had never been to Obie's, I told her, "You've got to see this fabric shop!" Melissa is one of the best seamstresses I know (or best sewist— if you prefer the newer term). She even has her own fabric store. Since I'm planning to take over the retail fabric buying for Good's Store in a few months, Melissa and I can always talk fabric shop. Yes, we are … [Read more...] about Sights to See— Obie’s, Ricketts Glen, and a Hundred-Dollar Bill Purse