Catching Up - Part 2

Hi Friends and Family!

I'll try to finish up here what I've been up to since Thanksgiving and Christmas. Trying to make much shorter posts if I possibly can (I'm too wordy so not easy for me!).

THANKSGIVING AT MY SON'S HOUSE:

His property is so pretty! Sun was shining through the trees.

Firepit awaits!

Table all set and ready for the big feast.

DECEMBER SUNRISES:

Had to get up early one morning - this greeted me out my bedroom window! I hardly ever get up early enough to see the sun rise.

NEW VIGNETTE:

I had my ceramic Nativity Scene on a shelf in my living room for Christmas, with little colored lights. I hated to take the lights away... so I decided to make a little "woodsy" vignette and leave the lights up! I really love it in the evening. Since I took these photos, I've added a little rustic cabin.

FOGGY DAY:

Though I live close to the coast, it's unusual to have fog where I live, which is 10 miles east of the ocean. On this day (February 27th), I drove to town and the fog was hanging low! I loved how it made the cargo ships look like ghost ships!

BOXES AND CAKE:

I'm currently working some for my daughter-in-law, who has a shop in Astoria. I upload jewelry to her Etsy store, and also have been making some origami gift boxes. I really like doing both!

Tiny 1" x 1" boxes up to 4.5" x 4.5" boxes. The origami boxes are fun to make.. no gluing!

I've been trying to cut down on the sugar I consume, so haven't baked very much.. but the other day, I just NEEDED something sweet! So made a gluten free vanilla-orange cake with cream cheese frosting. Oh my... was that ever good! I ate it up in 3 days.

As you can see, I had to sneak a piece (or two) before I even got it frosted!

LUNCH AT  YOUNG'S RIVER IN ASTORIA:

The day was fairly sunny last week, so I took advantage and drove to get groceries, and of course, had to stop at fast food for lunch! I like to try to find a spot to eat by one of the rivers... this Young's River flows into the Columbia River (or flows from the Columbia? not sure)... and there is a view of Saddle Mountain to the south, which you can just see in the distance. I so enjoy all the water around here!

Saddle Mountain in the distance.

I park along side the road.. clouds were obscuring the mountains for a few moments, but still beautiful.

TRIP TO MY CHIROPRACTOR:

Somehow, I hurt my right knee again (it happens now and then).... I think from walking too much in shoes with NO supports. I was a naughty girl to do that! I paid the price with a bad knee for two weeks.. could hardly walk on it. After 2 weeks, it was mostly better, but I decided to go see my wonderful chiropractor in Morton, WA (2 hours from me) as he usually adjusts it back into behaving. I stopped to photograph some of the river views (of course).

Rife Lake - dammed up Cowlitz River in Washington... the lake is long and deep and gorgeous.. was a pretty rainy day.

The dam that forms Rife Lake. This lake was on my way to Morton, WA, east of I-5 Freeway about 20 miles. I used to live up in this area in 2000 and 2001. 

ANOTHER STUNNING VIEW:

And about 20 miles east of where I live, there is a viewpoint way up on a cliff, that overlooks the Columbia River and a small town on the other side, called Cathlamet, WA. It's a small picnic area too. I love the views there!

Usually pretty windy in this area, but was a crystal-still day. 

This is a small island in the middle of the majestic Columbia River.... you can ride a ferry to it from the little town of Westport, WA, about 20 miles from me, and then drive across a little bridge over to Washington to the little town of Cathlamet. I stil haven't taken the ferry yet! It's on my "to do" list.

I think I'm caught up for now! March is almost over, but a few of my plant pots have some green peeking up... I'm so ready for warmer weather!

Pansies coming up by my rose bush.

My daphne bush that I planted last summer had two blooms on it! I'm so happy. It is one of the most fragrant flowers ever.

Irises peeking up... I brought them with me from Madras. Glad to see they survived in the planter box.

Take care all..... if you have any sunshine, enjoy it!

Marilyn

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