Sunday Dinner at Gramma and Papa Clay's

Today is  Sunday ...The week has ended or it is beginning whatever you believe.

We are starting a "family " tradition with my daughter Pj and her two sons.  "Sunday Dinner at Gramma & Papa's". We are certainly not the "Walton's" nor a Norman Rockwell depiction of the family picture... There will be silliness. and the usual chaos .
Whats for dinner?  This Sunday..  In my plan.. The Walton picture floats back to my mind. I will  make a Turkey Casserole with fresh vegetables and fruit. Pj will bring dessert and the boys part will be to clear the table and play nicely.. Papa Clay will load the dishwasher. .Once we gather at the table, remind the boys of their table manners and to put their napkins in their laps..our dinner conversation will turn to a joke that one of the boys found funny...what we did this week at school, sharing a story or two and plans for Peyton's 12th Birthday  next Saturday (Bowling) with his friends. Sounds nice?  Okay go back and read.. "In my Plan...because things never seem to go as planned do they?  But this is what we try....
Papa Clay and I have missed so many of those celebrations living so far away, until now.We hope to create memories like my children have of Sunday dinners at their grandparents. Perhaps we can gather around the table after its cleared and play a game... watch a family movie or they boys may decide sledding down the hill to be still a possibility. The hopes to have them "unplug" for awhile from TV..their DSI's . A Wii game or the Xbox ( what are those things anyways?)
Do you get the opportunity to make memories with your Grands? We hope you do... and that you enjoy what time you have together..  Now just what are we having for dessert?
Please  make it a good day full of laughter and don't forget to excuse yourself before you leave the table.

Good Morning!

Did you sleep well? Have you got creativity flowing today? I must say I am on a roll. Yesterday my daughter asked me to come look at a futon frame she was going to discard, then thought maybe she could make a bench with the wood.. but what I saw was a shelf unit for her wall. She just told me she needed a shelf to display some of her "Americana" decor ..
 So we eyeballed the placement and configured this..from the sides or arm sections.  Another project also in the planning stage.
We then went to town to check out some other items I needed and I found this picture at Ross.. didn't even think twice about putting it in my shopping cart.

Fits perfectly at my kitchen door entry... and a steal it was only $6.99 pretty good huh? So what are you doing today? My list is growing..Whatever you're planning, Enjoy  your day. .
Thanks for stopping by and come back soon... ya hear?

 Okay my Lovelies..
I am inspired by Kelli Nina Perkins
I just ordered her book  from Amazon "Stitch Alchemy" this morning ( can't wait for it to arrive).. and plan to do some artwork. I think I have some creative juices flowing today..after my first good night sleep in ages....  and want to start a project..  I know,  I can do this.. Headed to the fabric store and Michael's.. just to get more inspired.. It's really cold outside right now only 4 fabulously  sub Freezing degrees... but the sun is shining..
Do you ever feel like  you just gotta get out there and tackle a new project?  Kelli uses mixed media and I really have a bundle of that around here.. I may  even get into my craft room and do some organizing now that the grandsons have moved out and their room needs to be put back into "My Room".. I'm sure I can even come up with a project or two for them to try, next time they come over... So I'm off....  You all have a super day doing whatever inspires you... be creative.. try something you have never tried before...

Im back!

  Where  Have or Haven't I been ?

I have been away from my faithful readers for a Long time.. But I'm back.. I am ready to start 2013. So much has been going on here.. between family and our cold winter weather, taking care of the chickens and life in general...
I don't know where to begin. Let me start with:
"Personal Health Checks" and my Mammogram and now I have completed those I'm feeling good.  Have you had your yearly exam? Thank goodness for Medicare and my supplemental Insurance coverage! Yeah I'm 65 now and feel it in my bones...muscles and joints.. but healthy and that's what counts right?
 I am happy to say my  youngest daughter PJ and her two sons, Peyton and Mason are settled in their new home and are doing well in school.. PJ was living with us for a couple months while she settled here in Klamath Falls.  She is  enrolled in her Education Masters program and doing well.  It was a big move for her and us  we survived..
Having  youngsters  here 24 /7 has given me a clearer  appreciation for our Quiet time... Our routine  and Lifestyle .. Don't get me wrong.. I  love these grandsons to the moon and back.. It has just been an adjustment for all of us.. We are planning weekly dinners on Sundays now when possible and I think everyone will appreciate our family time.
Papa Clay has adjusted better than me really.... and as time passes and the days  open to opportunities for making memories " at grammas & papas we will have many stories to tell...
I am planning to revamp  this blog and share with you more of whats happening here at Blue Sky Farm. I have missed reading the blogs I follow and will get back into the swing of blogging.. It's #1 right now on my to do list..
So Welcome back.. Thanks for stopping by... Until next time.. stay warm and safe...

Temporarily home

G'day my followers!
A few of my pictures I have to share: First  a Koala in the wild.. Isn't he adorable? and yes so were the kangaroos. I learned my way around pretty good with a MyKi pass on the tram.

Finally caught up with jet lag, laundry, Moved my daughter Pj and her two sons Peyton an Mason from Yakima Washington to Home Sweet Home here at Blue Sky Farm. We took the boys to their new school today and registered them for first day tomorrow. It will be a wonderful school for them.. Small and their teachers were very welcoming to them.
Just unpacked  my Australia clothing and nearly time to pack for Kauai . Leaving Portland next Wednesday with my sister in law for 10 days.
Australia was beautiful. Melbourne is the perfect city with a tram system to get around town easily.
I visited the Botanical Gardens and took over 500 pictures as well as a week on Hamilton Island on the Eastern side of the continent, snorkeled in the ocean and enjoyed the time with my daughter Nancy.
 Our ocean view was breathtaking  as was the entire Great Barrier Reef.  Now I as I switch back to holiday mode and prepare for Kauai,  I know I am a lucky gal and extremely grateful to be able to see these beautiful places in the midst of the beginning of winter here in Oregon.
I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday and the things you are grateful for.. More when I return  Dec 1st.    Aloha!

Busy Busy Busy

I must apologize to my faithful readers..I have not posted since Sept 15th... I have been so Busy.... The garden is put to rest, now the potaoes are harvested and "the girls " are happy to be back inside the garden gate.
My pantry shelves are full and I just made batch of blackberry Jam.
My sister and her husband came to visit and left yesterday after a week of fun and she helped me make the jam. I had time today to change the guest bed and refresh the room.. Clay's brother and his wife are arriving tomorrow late afternoon.. Monday I have routine labs done at the hostpital and Tuesday is my follow up Dr appointment before leaving for Australia.. October 11th.  (Thats only 11 days from now ).You know how that goes, getting flu shot and rx refills for the time away.. I have a couple things ready to pack but not quie sure what I will need for weather conditions there.. I am thinking  early "Spring" attire: layered shirts and sweaters cropped pants then once there we fly to the Barrier Reef so tropical summer clothes. How am I going to pack all this in one large case? Easy daughter and I wear nearly the same size so I will borrow from her anything I dont need to take..
She has planned a great itenerary for us.. including a couple wine tours, dinners, sightseeing and kick back time and to celebrate My 65th Birthday! I know I will be exhausted after the 15 hour flight say nothing about the four hour drive to catch the first leg of the journey from Reno to Los Angeles.. Lucky my flight leaves at 11:30 PM so I can sleep ( I hope ) on the plane. That is if I am not too excited to get there.. books on my Kindle Fire will be handy and my daughter told me I will have the opportunity to watch 5 movies.. OMG.. Have you ever taken a trip this far? .  I will miss my husband and Buster but this is a trip of a lifetime and "a bucket list"item.... and They will be fine "holding down the fort". My mind is racing and I am trying my best to keep organized..I promise to post  while away... so come back and check in..

No. Not my front porch.. I saw this on FB from a friends site and had to post it here.. Is'nt it inviting?

Enjoy your Fall decorating and I hope you get to make a trip like this sometime too..

I really SCORED

Today I really scored while out with my friend Leslie.  After a nice breakfast we headed on into town to complete some errands. We  stopped to "look" at some new furniture we were both in the market for.  I am looking for a new bedroom set.. and found a perfect one at a great price, but the husband is out of town until Tuesday and we  have an agreement not to make any major purchase without the other being present.. But I got a  deal I couldn't pass up..You know how that works..  Well here is the purchase I scored big time. This recliner rocker chair is a dura -fabric looks like leather  and a floor model has a tiny scratch on the side and a smudge on the back .Retailed at $699.00 My price $50.00  Yes,, 50 and the three drawer chest with a tiny scratch at the bottom... listed at $599..My price $20.  My husband  will be surprised when he gets home Tuesday..I didn't tell him I bought them..
I think I scored well don"t you? It always makes me feel Good to get a bargain and these were brand new off the showroom floor.  

Its feeling and looking like Fall

It is begining to look and feel like  Fall around here.. I started decorating my door and got side tracked ( yes I do that often.)  I noticed that our local "Klamath Falls "midgies or greenie"  Bugs have finally disappeared..Thank Goodness..the swarms were bad this year...

We could actually  walk out to the garden with out face masks.. They do not bite but look like a greenish mosquito and are a real treat for the birds and fish.. so they are of some good I suppose.. The underside of these sunflowers leaves provided shade  during the day.. and were covered...  if disturbed they would swarm.. Yuk!
 I dont know why but  two of the these 5 sunflowers produced multiple  flowers.. pretty huh? ( from the same seed packet... go figure..)

Today we took in the 61st annual Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair..  To me this means Fall...

Loved watching the sheep shearing demo... This sweet animal seemed to like his haircut.. 

And  of course there was  a huge array of Fair food choices.. and being a gorgeous day certainly added to the pouring of fair goers.. old an d young alike.. 

I didn't have my camera with me only the cell phone one so I missed taking shots of the gorgeous handmade quilts and food judged displays.. These  are some of my favorite things to see along with the animals.. So that's what I did today... how about you? Is it feeling like Fall where you live?

Travel,Travel and More Travel..

I suppose, one might say  that I am being spoiled.. I love being retired and travel is one of my favorite things to do.  (and it is true.)   I am getting excited about the upcoming travel opportunities! First to Australia to visit with my daughter Nancy and her husband Simon. They have been working and living  in Melbourne for over a year and have paid for my trip for my 65th birthday.. How sweet is that?

I have never been there and with all the things m daughter has planned I will not forget this adventure. we will be also flying to Hamilton Island for a week while there, just the two of us.. exploring the Barrier Reef..

Back, When I turned 60  my two daughters Nancy, Pj and daughter in law Michelle went to San Francisco and spent three days. I thought that was a fabulous adventure..just the "girls".  Wow!  I am so blessed.

When I return after this adventure the first week of November, I rest up for a couple weeks and  will be back in the air the day before Thanksgiving... This time to Hawaii..with my sister in law Jackie... for 10 lovely warm days in November. Her air miles paid for both our flights..how sweet is that?  I am really going to enjoy the time with her too.. Our husbands are going to remain at home keeping those warm fires burning.. while we are warmed by the sun... Its quite a job I am finding  figuring  out what clothes I will need to pack.. Spring in Australia .. tropical weather in Hawaii...  I am truly a lucky lady to have the time and a husband so supportive of my adventures.. I will  be posting many pictures when I return.. Can you think of a better way to end the year? Just think of all the Christmas shopping I can do..
Have you got travel plans coming up?  Need to get out the packing list...
Good day my mates and Aloha too..

Ocean waves..

Can you hear the waves crashing onto the beach? Smell the salty air? Or feel the warm sunshine? 

After driving north up the Pacific coast a view of the fishing  going on at the mouth of the Rogue River as it pours into the sea... and then on up the coast to another small quaint town of  Bandon   where we purchased two beautiful crab.. (dinner tonight.) ..a cute light house don't you think?
We really enjoyed our mini getaway and will look forward to another this fall.

Rogue River at Gold Beach

 The view from our room..  next the sea port where the Rogue River and Pacific Ocean meet. A great fishing place and soon to be tried by my husband in a few weeks. We took a drive and came across this pretty spot where the road winds  around into a private property. The tug boat ( The Mary Hume) was a tug boat that was in service for 91 years before "docking" on her own power where she sits at the mouth of the Rogue River at Gold Beach  She came ashore in 1978 and although battered, weathered, left abandoned she has a very artful appeal don't you think?

I don't think we could have asked for a better two days than this. Sunny and glad to be here. Headed homeward tomorrow, driving north up the coastline...

Family reunion Campout

 A bit of planning and we put together a great family reunion. A spot was chosen, secured and as we arrived from Klamath Falls, Woodburn, Portland and our surprise appearance from Santa Barbara California. Clay's family gathered, it had been 40 plus years since the four siblings had been together for a camp out.  Oh My ! After 5 days of laughter, sharing of stories, food, and "spirits" were high and the fun camp songs and games will be a memory long not forgotten. Our campsite was huge.. we also had 5 dogs with us , a trailer, camper and two tents... We took a long 2 mile walk through the forest together. We were lucky to be able to have a campfire * with it being so hot and there had been many forest fires around, It was contained nicely in a huge fire pit. 

There was a pretty creek..running close by .... a very cold icy cold creek to cool our feet and take these pictures by... (Clay and I sat here as long as we could with our feet in the water.)   yea, it was truly refreshing on the hot afternoon...

We left to our own homes and will try to get together again at Christmas time.. So as you see this picture of the four siblings was taken at the end... of the time together...

Garden harvest day one

Home after a great time with my sister in Wenatchee and a short visit with my mom and daughter.
I went out to the garden  to peek at what might be growing while I was away... Was I surprised to find my peas and beets ready to taste. Yummy... along with the Walla Walla Sweet onion and a few Yukon gold potatoes and a couple sweet banana peppers.
On my way home I stopped and bought a box of peaches and a box of apricots to prepare for the dehydrator... I love this time of the year... don't you? Nothing nicer than being able to bring in fresh produce and fruit to our table.
We are planning  to take another camping trip next week so I know I am going to be busy in my kitchen this weekend. I have a recipe for a basil margarita I am going to make for sure too...
Summer has finally come and I am really enjoying it. Are you picking fruit and vegetables from your garden?

"preserving " the bounty with my sister

First the "dilly beans". Then pears and cherries in the dehydrater, then a few jars of pickled beets, and finally finish today with 10 half pints of apricot pineapple jam.. Yummy!