When in Rome…

…or in Seattle, out of towners do as the Seattle-ites do.

 

They go to a Seattle Sounders game with a pre-game stop at the Taco Truck!

 

We make sure everyone is wearing the right colors and we are ready to cheer on our home team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was the perfect night for shirt sleeves in Seattle. And it was even more perfect because we won!

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Like a Whirlwind…

they come and then they are gone…

 

Our company flew home last night. My brother Steve, my SIL Kelly and nephew Joe were with us from California for a couple weeks. We hit some hot spots in Seattle. This is at Kerry Park looking south to Seattle.

 

The Original Starbucks at the market.

 

You’ll find street musicians around the market every day. This group was really exceptional!

 

Waiting inside for their drinks.

We headed back down the street to see about catching some flying fish.

 

A shot with the golden pig right across from the flying fish!

 

Down the stairs to the disgustingly interesting and famous gum wall below the market.

That didn’t spoil our appetites and we headed to Piroshky, Piroshky for a favorite Russian treat.

 

And then a little confession is always a good way to begin and end the day!

We had a lot more adventures with our company that I’ll show in the coming days. We still have my sister Kathy’s family here. They are staying at my sister Lana’s house a short walk from me. They are here till Tuesday so the fun continues…

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Lavender Farms Yard Art!

I’m way behind on showing you some of God’s wonders I’ve seen around the Pacific Northwest. I’ll be catching up soon but today I’m joining Mary again at The Work of the Poet for Yard Art on Thursday. All of these were taken at the Lavender Festival in Sequim at the various lavender farms that were open to the public. I guess technically I’d have to call this “Farm Art”.

 

 

 

 

Old farm equipment was used a lot for added visual interest on the farms.

Tonight the last of our Southern California visitors fly in for an extended weekend. Tomorrow the ladies are going to a lavender farm north of us. The guys might take in some canoeing on Lake Washington. Tomorrow night we have reservations for 16 at Olive You to celebrate my sister’s birthday. The fun times just keep rolling along here. Hope all is well with all of you.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Still on the Go…

…with our Southern California company.

We’ve watched some soccer and fought off mosquitoes.

We’ve picked wild Sweet Peas along the trail.

We’ve played with Jackson and Avery.

Had a train ride at Country Village in Bothell.

Dear and Katie have even had time to sit together…

Hope you all are doing well. I’ll be back in the saddle soon…

Heroes in Heaven…

…”Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 15:54-57

Ray Allen Keesling (September 11, 1931-July 16, 2010)

Uncle Ray was laid to rest on July 23, 2010. We were blessed to be able to travel to California to honor his memory. We had a wonderful time visiting with Aunt Carol and with the extended families.

A Military Honors burial is a moving ceremony. We learned that it depends on your rank how many Honor Guards participate. Since Uncle Ray was a Chief Master Sergeant he was honored with 10 Honor Guards from Beale Air Force Base at his burial.

Heroes in Heaven

by Janet A. Norwood

Heaven’s full of heroes
who sacrificed their lives
in service to our Country
so that Liberty survives.

Uniforms of blue or gray,
khaki or olive green;
skin of every color;
young and old and in between.

They fought in many places-
spanning history and time.
Flags wave in their honor still;
in tribute, church bells chime.

In cornfields of America
or on Europe’s distant shore;
Pacific Island paradise
or Chosin Reservoir.

In blowing desert sands,
or in jungles’ stifling heat,
on Navy ships or in the air,
or Fallujah’s dusty streets.

It doesn’t matter where they fell
or if we know each name.
What matters is to know that
when their Nation called, they came.

Grateful for their service,
for the precious blood they spilled;
for their sacrifice and courage,
and the duty they fulfilled.

Yes, heaven’s full of heroes-
now part of history.
We treasure what they gave to us-
The Gift of Liberty.

I’m adding this post to Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally!

Still on the Move…

 

We’ve filled our days and nights with activity and relaxation, both. This is actually the calm before the storm before we add 8 more participants into our fun activities. We’ve headed downtown to see golden pigs and flying fish. Easy trek with adults in tow. We’ve been to soccer games and the guys went to a Mariner’s game. The girls stayed home and watched Cranford. Lots of eating and some exercise thrown in the mix.

Today Dear and I board a plane for Sacramento to attend his uncle’s funeral. He will be buried with Military Honors having served and retired from the Air Force.

We will leave our company in charge at home. You have to love company you can leave behind to fend for themselves.

While They Are Sleeping…

It’s early and my company is still asleep and since I don’t want to make a lot of noise washing the pots and pans I decided to show you who is and will be visiting us from California.

My brother Steve, his wife Kelly, and youngest son Joe arrived on Monday. Joe just graduated from high school. Joe and his 3 brothers were all home schooled and Joe is the 4th son that will attend Westmont College in Montecito (Santa Barbara) Ca. Joe just finished a week of directing their churches VBS program and he showed us some videos he and a couple of his co-workers put together on the Armor of God for VBS. We were all very impressed! (VBS is Vacation Bible School)

On Saturday my niece Michelle, her husband Ryan, Jackson and Avery arrive. It’s been a few months since we’ve seen Jack and Avery and it will be fun to see how they’ve grown.

On Thursday the 29th my sister Kathy and my niece Melissa arrive. Melissa and Michelle are sisters. I’m sure Avery and Jack will be happy to see their aunt and nana by then!

I haven’t taken one photo yet but I’m sure I’ll get my act together soon. Enjoy!

So Long, Farewell…

I’ll be stepping away from my computer room which will be occupied with guests for the next two weeks. Can’t promise any posts or visits but I’ve been known to change my plans. If you don’t see anything new around here don’t worry, I’ll be back full swing in August!

 

This shot was taken at the Lavender Festival in Sequim on Friday. When I get back to posting I’ll share some photos from the lavender farms that I visited. Here’s a sneak peek.

 

So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, good night,
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight.
So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, adieu,
Adieu, adieu, to yieu and yieu and yieu.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

FFF ~ Psalms

It’s time to think back over the week and consider your favorites for Friday’s Fave Five.

Please visit Susanne at Living to Tell the Story to join in.

I’ve been motivated to get out and walk more this week and here are 5 passages from Psalms I have on 3 x 5 cards to enjoy while I walk.

 

Psalm 36: 5-6

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

 

Psalm 66: 1-4

Shout with joy to God, all the earth!

Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious!

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.

All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name.”
Selah

 

Psalm 103: 1-5

Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 105: 1-4

Praise the LORD, O my soul.
O LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

He wraps himself in light as with a garment;
he stretches out the heavens like a tent

and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind.

He makes winds his messengers,
flames of fire his servants.

 

Psalm 89: 1-2

I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

Hope you are all having time to relax and enjoy your summer. I’m contemplating taking a break for a couple of weeks from blogging while I enjoy some summer company and anticipate a short trip to Sacramento for a funeral. Thanks for stopping by!

***I’m headed out on a little adventure so I won’t be around to visit till later this evening or tomorrow!

Something New…

…around every corner. Yard Art is just a walk away.

 

The large fountain with a couple frogs perched and ready.

 

 

The wonderful color from these flowers almost made me miss the yard art in these planters.

 

But this next yard was overtaken with their art. :0)

 

These were all from my walk on Tuesday morning. Wednesday morning I walked around some different corners and I’ll share the art I found in future weeks. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to participate the next two weeks as I’ll be getting some out of state company soon.

Please visit Mary at Work of the Poet to see more Yard Art on Thursday.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.