Gettin' outta dodge

I always surprise myself at how good it feels to get out of town and hang out somewhere warm and beautiful. Last night we arrived at our destination, Sun Lakes, for the annual Adoption Family Camp we love. It's hot here...I won't lie. Somehow with the AC, the pool and the lake we are not bothered by it. The cabins are surrounded by amazing rocky cliffs. Picturesque.

Ace

This morning as I was tossing kale into the bunny house I was met with great sadness to see my Ace lying lifeless on the floor.  It happened sometime during the night. My guess is heart attack or something similar.  My heart is heavy for my favorite bun, who had the softest blue-grey fur and curliest whiskers of any pet I ever knew. So glad I had the little time I had with him, as he will not be forgotten.

BBQ bird

What is better than a slow-roasted whole chicken on the grill? Nothing comes to mind.

Harvest

Grateful today that I was able to pick our first blackberries from the plants I started growing last year...and the pear tree is loaded too!

Ribbon-worthy ?

As some of you know Alice loves to bake. When her Foods Group in 4-H decided to make entries for the Pierce County Fair coming up, she jumped on the chance to bake something and she settled on a coffee cake.  Since we will be unable to attend the fair, our friends offered to bring her coffee cake and enter it for her.  Alice also made a rocket which we launched yesterday and she is entering her still intact rocket at the fair as a technology project.  Thankful for 4H to give Alice (and next year Dom as well) the nudge she needs to be involved in extra-curricular activities she enjoys.

Debbie

My sister is who I am thankful for today. Debbie lives in Spokane Valley so we see each other once or twice a year...this last week I was able to visit with her and her two super cool sons while they were on this side of the mountains. Debbie works hard at her job, and at raising her two teens. My sister has had her share of life challenges along the way, but when faced with an impossible situation she always seems to land on both feet. Perhaps it is her positive attitude and sense of humor, or maybe it's the supportive crowd of friends that she surrounds herself with and who adore her.  Maybe it is her strong sense of faith that gets her through.  Whatever it is, she is an inspiration.  Also, I love to read her 365 grateful blog because after reading the stories I always feel like I know her a bit more.  

Night out with my Sweet

So thankful to have a night out with my Alice tonight. One of her favorite films is Fiddler on the Roof, so when I saw that a theater company was doing Fiddler on stage in a town nearby I got a tickets for Alice and I.  We had a fun dinner at a pizza parlor then checked out a really cool tropical fish (another one of Alice 's dreams is to have a tropical  aquarium) store before the show. It had been too long since I had seen live theater, as it was something I enjoyed regularly as a younger person.  I vow to make it a more regular activity for Brent, the kids, and I...such a great experience for the family.