Category Archives: Addyson May

Sunday at the Feis

Auntie Lolo captured some great stills…

 

This dance competition was a ‘shuffle’ where the dancers are grouped with dancers from other schools of dance that they’ve never danced with before. Addy’s group earned a third place for their performance together.

This was the final dance of day.

What a enjoyable Feis. It was great toe be together to cheer for our Addy!

Uncle and Auntie flew in on Saturday morning and flew back home Sunday afternoon.

Some of us gathered for lunch at an Irish Pub just down the street from the convention center before we dropped Josh and Laura off at the airport. It was a appropriate finale to our Irish Dance Weekend!

I had just enough time to recuperate from our busy dancing weekend and now I’m on a plane today to Southern California for a Bridal Shower! It will be another weekend where I’m absent in bloggy world. September has been and will end as the busiest month in a long time for me. I’m leaving the PNW in the Summer and returning on the first day of Fall!

Saturday at the Feis

First there were some soft shoe reels and jigs.

A quick shoe change and it was time for the hard shoe dances.

Here are Addy’s people who came out to watch this time around.

The first day of Feis At the Falls was in the books for our crew. Sunday would be another morning filled with dancing.

We all drove to a great Mexican spot, Birriería El Sazón Spokane on Sprague in Spokane Valley for our lunch. Addy was the most famished of all of us after all her nonstop dancing and shoe changes! We highly recommend this spot but beware…the portions are huge!

Back at the hotel there was an afternoon of swimming before the crew landed in our room for Charcuterie that Dan and Jamie hauled to Spokane in their trusty cooler. It was quite a spread that we all enjoyed including home made pickles, sourdough and summer sausage!

The orange watermelon from a friend’s farm was so delicious!

We had a nice large corner room in the hotel so it was comfortable to gather and enjoy each others company before we called it a night. An early night since our little dancer would be on stage bright and early on Sunday.

Since our hotel room only had 3 chairs available both Josh and Dan rolled the office chairs from their rooms to our room for our gathering. Josh and Laura were 9 floors up from us and Dan and Jamie were 5 floors up from us so they made quite a sight rolling their chairs and the cooler down the elevators and down the hall to our room!

The littles decided they would ride on their way back to their rooms.

Uncle is always ready to accommodate these two.

 

A Dancing Hodgepodge

Our granddaughter dancing through this past weekend at the annual Feis (Irish Dance Festival) in Spokane, Washington.

Another September Hodgepodge is here today thanks to Joyce From This Side of the Pond.

1. How do you define beauty? 

My mind went to 1 Peter 3:3-4: Do not let your adorning be external–the braiding of hair and putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear–but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

2. Have you ever taken a trip by train? If so where did you go and what did you think of the experience? If not do you have any desire to do so? Where would you like to go? (You might find inspiration here-The Best Train Trips in The World)
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We experienced parts of some trips by train in Scotland and England. York to Edinburgh in 2004 with our daughter and then Edinburgh to London on the same trip. With Josh and Laura we rode the train from Manchester airport to York and back to Manchester airport from York. On another trip we rode the train from Stirling to Edinburgh. In the Spring of this year Greg and I traveled by train from Cambridge to Ely and back to Cambridge again. All these journeys were good and seamless except for our Manchester to York trip in 2023 when the train suspended it’s journey midway to York and we had to scramble off the train to another platform to get on a different train to York. We made it but it was harrowing.
~

3. Shell shocked, bombshell, bandshell, shellacking, in a nutshell, walking on eggshells…choose one and tell us why you chose it, or how it relates to your life in some way currently.
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I’m going to say in a nutshell since September has afforded a series of short life events that are very different from each other and that I have a short span of time to enjoy. Each nutshell is unique and short and over in 3 days or less.
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4. Tacos, pistachios, oysters, clams, eggs…your favorite food on the list that comes in/with a shell? 
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I’m torn between tacos and eggs benedict! Lunch or dinner favorite, tacos! Breakfast out favorite, eggs benedict!~

5. Are birthdays a big deal in your house? Is your own birthday a big deal in some way? Elaborate. 

~Some birthdays are more of a big deal than others for the adults in the family. All birthdays are acknowledged in some way. Sometimes big and sometimes small but a touch of love goes out on the special day. Our ‘Grands’ birthdays are always a big deal. Landmark birthdays like turning 16, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 have been a bigger deal than others. From here on out making it to another birthday for Greg and Me is a big deal.~

A flashback to my 60th birthday that was very special with a great variety of celebrations. The one above is with the Mennonite Girls Can Cook (some of the gals). Some of the girls who live in British Columbia, Canada drove down to Chuckanut drive in Washington State with their husbands for a dinner in honor of my 60th birthday.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This past weekend we enjoyed watching our granddaughter as she competed with hundreds of Irish dance pupils in Spokane at the annual Feis (festival). I’ll have two full posts coming soon about our time. I’m adding a couple Gifs showing a little of the action. Our granddaughter exudes joy when she dances. I’m unable to post a full video.

 

Spokane

We just returned home from 3 days in Spokane. It is Sunday evening and I have little energy and less creativity to compose a post for Monday. I’ll leave you with this fountain on Spokane Falls Blvd. We walked by this fountain on our way to the restaurant where we enjoyed a meal Friday evening. Our Saturday and Sunday were all about the Annual Deirdre Abeid Memorial Feis hosted by Haran School of Irish Dance. Our granddaughter is part of the Haran School of Irish Dance.

Soon I’ll share what we experienced on Friday in Spokane and then I’ll share about our family time at the Feis on Saturday and Sunday.

We had a nice hotel room with some sunset views that we enjoyed.

I have not been visiting blogs since we left on Friday. I hope to catch up soon.

Have a great new week.

 

Back to School Hodgepodge

From years ago, our sons heading off to the first day of school in Ventura, California and several years later our daughter waiting for the school bus on the first day of school in Bothell, Washington.

Hello to September and another Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce From This Side of the Pond.

1. What’s something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing? 

With fires and smoke filled skies we never got around to our short summer road trips.

2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be? 

When seats weren’t assigned, I’d tend to sit closer to the front than the back. We don’t sit in back at church, either.

If I was going to choose a class to go back to, I would choose English, especially literature.

3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher (this can be applied to anyone who teaches, not just classroom teachers)? 
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Listening to and knowing those whom you are teaching would be good.
I get weary of teachers who talk too much or ramble on.
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The teachers that I remember fondly are those who treated me as if they liked me, understood me, and were kind. Teachers I remember fondly are my 1st and 2nd grade teacher, my 6th grade teacher who was my first male teacher, a high school English teacher, and my social studies teachers in high school. I had 3 older siblings ahead of me who were good students (my sister Vera was Valedictorian and a math whizz). I got tired of hearing, “you aren’t like your sisters”.
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4.  September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as ‘having grit’? 
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Growing up in Southern California and now living in the Northwest, Grits are not a common thing. I might have tried grits when we were in the Carolina’s but I don’t remember. I can’t say that I’m a fan.
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Yes, I think some would agree that I have grit.
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5. What’s something you’re never too old or too young to enjoy? 
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The Zoo! 🙂
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If you are a Born Again follower of Jesus gathering on Sunday to worship Jesus is something you are never to young or old to enjoy!
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6. Insert your own random thought here. 
These two started 2nd and 4th grade last week. Each year they answer the question, What do you want to be when you grow up? At the beginning of this Homeschool year Addy wants to be a Daycare provider and JJ wants to be a Hunter.

Northeast Washington Fair Parade

This is Main Street Colville and in just a few minutes the street will be lined with people for the Northeast Washington Fair Parade. This year it will be different as it will start with a somber walk and ride in honor of a fallen Police officer from the city of Colville.

First the color guard and then the rider less horse and many many first responder vehicles from Colville, the county, State patrol, Border Patrol and surrounding cities to honor Officer Aaron Davis who leaves behind a wife and 5 children. Officer Davis died in a motorcycle v. deer tragic accident on one of our local roads.

After the somber start the parade continued with many of the usual suspects and always lots of candy being thrown out to the kids along the parade path.

Colville High School Crimson Hawks

One last shot of the Grands on our way to our cars when the parade was over.

I don’t want to leave without saying hello to September. I’m so happy to be in the ‘ber’ months!

Northeast Washington Fair 2026

We don’t have to travel far to get to the Northeast Washington Fair because it is in our city of Colville. It’s about 5miles from our home. We decided to attend on Friday morning even though the smoke was thick.

Our first stop was at the Children’s Craft entries since our granddaughter had entered a watercolor painting of a bee. Seems odd to have her entry in the craft section instead of paintings but that is where we found it.

We love it, Addy! Katie says you really did well on the feet.

Our next stop was a barn at the other end of the fair where they have a variety of adult entries including quilts and we were on the lookout for our Grands’ Great Granny’s quilts.

As soon as we stepped into the barn one of her quilts caught our eyes. Granny and Granny Great love purple!

Her postage stamp quilt is amazing and we can see why she got a stack of awards!

Linda entered her mom’s quilts without her mom knowing. (Linda is our Grands’ Granny)

 

This is the second of three entries made on Granny Great’s behalf, Purple Mountains Majesty.

Here’s Granny Great with her third quilt entry.

I took a couple photos of other quilts we enjoyed, too.

This was a clever Washington state quilt featuring several of our eastern counties with cities.

This entry tugged at the heart as it is a photograph that this young person took of her grandparents home in 2020 for a school project and it was a casualty of the Modrite Fire on July 30, 2026. If you look at the upper right photo that is what the home looks like now.

We saw lots of cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, bunnies, ducks, horses and dogs, too.

We stopped at the Colville National Forest booth and had a nice conversation with the conservationist.

Our fair is not a huge fair and it is easy to navigate. We think it’s great. On one of the days that the fair is in town they also have a rodeo that is well attended.

Tomorrow I’ll share some photos from the Fair Parade down Main Street Colville.

Youth Soccer Season 2026

Tonight will be the final game for our short summer soccer season. There were fewer practices and games this season because of all the wildfires in our area which caused unhealthy air quality. Congratulations to our Grands for a well played season and to our son who coaches well.

This week the air was clear and we had games Monday through Thursday. Two games each for our ‘Grands’.

While at the game on Wednesday night,  the water bucket helicopters were still hard at work helping with the fires that are not contained yet.

The Wednesday game was later than usual so we got the bonus of seeing the sunset on our way home.

After the game tonight, our folding chairs will be back in storage until the next season.

Good Things

I started another thrift store puzzle and it’s a tough one.

I’m making slow but good progress.

Josh and Laura surprised me with this puzzle in the mail. They chose this one because our VBS theme this year was centered around Psalm 23. I’m looking forward to starting it soon. Thank you, Laura and Josh for your thoughtfulness!

On Thursday Addy and JJ were over in the afternoon so we made Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies with walnuts. They are at an age where all I have to do is watch while they mix and load the cookie sheets. They are experienced in the kitchen. We threw caution to the wind and enjoyed a little cookie dough, too.

The big news is that the skies were not smoky on Thursday because of our rain. That meant that soccer games were not cancelled and we could finally watch Addy and JJ play soccer. There games were on adjoining fields. It was a cool evening on the soccer fields.

The skies continue to be glorious and the air is good to breath. We are over the top grateful. It is exhilarating to say the least to have our clear skies again.

Have a great Saturday!

Eye of Tigger Hodgepodge

It’s time for the last Wednesday Hodgepodge of July. Thank you, Joyce!

1. What was the last thing you celebrated? 

The 4th of July and the 250th Birthday of the U.S.A.

2. July 29th is International Day of the Tiger. Besides the wild animal itself, when you hear the word tiger what’s the first  person-place-thing-whatever that comes to mind? 

I think of Tigger the Tiger. If there was a Tiger in my life I wouldn’t want to expose the fact here because they might just come after me! (Seriously) I’m happy to avoid tigers.

Our niece Hope and Grand Nephew Jackson with Tigger at Disneyland in 2009! Hope is headed to college in August and Jack is done with college and getting married in October.

3. The expression ‘eye of the tiger’ describes someone with intense focus, determination, and the drive to succeed. What area of your life are you currently bringing that kind of energy to? 

These are the lazy days of summer and I’m not bringing that kind of energy to anything. I am considering a special quiet project that is going to take all my quiet energy, digging and sorting and putting it together. When it materializes, I’ll share.

4. What was the last meal you cooked? 

I’ve been following Drew Cooks on Facebook lately and he shared a recipe that I made and my company really enjoyed. If you haven’t seen this guy cook a meal yet you might be entertained…or not. Go ahead…click on the link. 🙂

5. Describe your July using exactly five words. 

World Cup Soccer Ole Ole!

Soccer camp started up on the hottest week of the summer and next week soccer season will start. My evenings will be full. Time to put the folding chairs in the back of our vehicle!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

More lazy day achievements at our country bungalow.

I completed this jigsaw puzzle on Monday. Another thrift store puzzle that had all the pieces! Woohoo!

Vacation Bible School starts on this coming Monday. I’ll be selling the t-shirts and other accessories each evening.  We are hoping for cooler days and for more progress on our area fires so our air is not smoky. Praying for that end.

Happy Birthday to my youngest brother and sister, twins! We love you dearly.