OUR VERNONIA FAMILY

Between the rain and meals we were able to get a few photos of the family. This is Tim and Allison (our nephew and niece), and our great-nephew, Cannon! He is a little corker and I could hardly keep my finger off the shutter button our entire visit. That little guy was truly a cute one to photograph!

See what I mean...his little wheels were always turning...yes, dirt did end up on the deck!

Front...Bryan (great nephew), Teresa (our niece and Bryan's mother) Back...Pat (Teresa's husband, our nephew), Norma (Teresa's mom) and Lester (Norma's husband)


Sister-in-law, Sandy and brother Ron in back row with Chris and Heidi (Ron and Sandy's daughter, and son-in-law...our niece and nephew) with their two pups, Jake and Zoe! Zoe couldn't keep her tongue off Ron! It must have been the BBQ ribs!

My brother, Darwin and his wife (our sister-in-law), Linda (they were unable to make the shoot as Linda's son and family came to visit from Japan)

My sis, Darlene, also known as Daffy or Daf (and yours truly)

I must put a disclaimer on the next few photos...some might be disturbing...but I'm totally proud to announce I'm related to these people (my sister and our brother-in-law)!! Daf and Cracker (AKA Darlene and Bryan) make the best of each moment.

"Norka, Norka"...yeah, I have no idea what it means and Bryan doesn't know either I'm sure, but it's a language he speaks!

This is what I get for asking Bryan to keep his eyes open...

I began to get a little uneasy when they decided to add props to their shoot...

...and this is why!!!

Next Day...JULY 5TH

I can't hardly write this without laughing...okay, you all know what a photography nut I am, right? Here is the golden rule with my family when it comes to photography...let them ask you to take a photo of them and not the other way around. Even if I say, "May I..." it's not allowed and I broke the rule. You see it was Cliff's birthday after all, and here is what he said, "I shouldn't have to do this! It's my birthday!" What I was doing was using him for a model for the family portrait sessions coming up. It still makes me laugh looking at his pouty self! Oh yeah, and he turned fifty-hmmmmmmm-something!

FUN WITH FAMILY!!!

After two days of driving, we finally reached our destination and was greeted with a family BBQ hosted by my brother, Ron, and sister-in-law, Sandy. The food was scrumptious and the company even better...but the food as you can see was easy on the eyes and truly delish (dessert made by our niece, Heidi). We enjoyed the fireworks right from the backyard and I must say, the grand finale of small town Vernonia put Atwater's display to shame! I will introduce you to my family later, so be sure to drop by again!

Childhood Friend

Kathi and I are childhood friends, and even though the miles have separated us, we have stayed close. Bill and Kathi live in the burbs of Portland, and they were on our way to Vernonia. We have spent many mini reunions with them on our travels to Oregon. Thanks Bill and Kathi for your unfailing friendship! And...who is that handsome dude I'm standing next to? :0)

REST WITH BEAUTY

Next day, July 4th, we continue to travel north to Vernonia. Now this is a rest area I'm talkin' about (Woodburn, OR)!! It's one that once you stop you never want to leave. The fir trees are ginormous and the flowers enhanced their beauty in the foreground.

Look closely (bottom right corner), and you will see a lady walking her dog between these beauties!

Off the Beaten Path...

Leaving Mt. Shasta Lavender Fields, while traveling off the beaten path north to Yreka, we came upon a "Shoe Fence". We wondered what the tradition for this country roadside art was all about, and it certainly made us stop and look. That is one thing about driving country roads, you can stop dead center of the road without worry of traffic.

I particularly liked this one...makes you wonder who's foot graced this worn out sole. Without a doubt, I'm convinced it was a hard working rancher!

Contrasted with boots and shoes were these lovely ballet shoes...it made us laugh!


Another interesting surprise...I have to say both Cliff and I were impressed with this barn!

Cutting Your Own...

Cliff and I wanted to cut our own lavender, but we were convinced that it would not survive the rest of the trip, even to Vernonia. I did, however, catch these two young women that were very willing to model their baskets of lavender for me. Can you tell that I truly loved this whole experience? Okay, okay...enough lavender already...I hear ya. Please stay tuned, however, for more adventures!

We're Back!!

Yes, we're back! First, let me just tell you that we had the most wonderful time with family and friends, along with seeing and doing new things...below is one of the first new things that we experienced on the very first day of our trip. After turning onto this dirt drive, we wondered if we were on the right road, and just when both Cliff and I voiced it out loud a sign popped up saying "1/2 mile"...assuming that was our destination...

We couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised than to drive over a knoll to find the lovely lavender fields nestled below the north side of Mount Shasta (farm located east of, and between Weed and Yreka, CA). We were greeted with not only the fragrance of lavender, but also with a glass of lavender lemonade, topped off with a lavender sprig! It was just like a painting!!

The Mt. Shasta Lavender Fields Farm has a lovely gift shop housed with the most fragrant of lavender products, and the most congenial people. Baskets and scissors are provided if you choose to cut your own sprigs (100 per bundle...$3.50).


We never got tired of looking at the gorgeous purple flowers and the beauty of Mt. Shasta as the back drop...

Cliff is not one to stay put for long...he explores the field beyond the hill top.

Grant was pretty impressed as well!!

Believe you me, if there is ever another time we pass this way again during lavender season, we will surely make this a destination. The hour was much much too short.

Please stay tuned for future vacation posts!

Grant

Meet our new little traveling buddy, Grant! When I brought him home, Cliff said, "what did you buy a little devil for? You could of gotten a cute little dog or teddy bear!" What? Huh?? Are you talking to me??? Can you see the confusion on my face, everyone? I was trying to find something that wasn't so "cute" to accommodate my husband's testosterone, so he would be "our" little traveling buddy! Anyway, yes, he looks like a devil, but really he is just a little monster instead...a friendly little monster that has a fabulous smile, and that my friend is why I bought him...and...the fact that he is red, because red is my favorite color. Anyway, Grant needed a name, and Grant it is (means great)! We are looking forward to a "great" vacation experience that will include our new little traveling buddy, Grant!

Tune-up!

Waiting...it's not my favorite thing to do in this world...I need more patience perhaps. You'd think after living most of my life in California I'd learn to wait well. Not a chance! I'm here getting my car tuned up with no place to go, so I'm waiting...in the "waiting room!" My wait is estimated to be 2 1/2 to 3 hours! It's been no more than 10 minutes and I'm already dreading...the wait!

Wait...wait...Oh...What a lovely older woman, Helen! God brought her to me just in time! She sat down and we introduced ourselves and it wasn't long before we felt like friends from long ago, and she asked, "Do you want to go have breakfast down the street?" I said, "absolutely!" And, so we went...


The Cinema Cafe has been at this location for years...50 or more at least...right next to the Mainzer Theater once a popular movie house down town Merced. Today it's empty and unused.


Don't you just love seeing a young man at work?! I'm sure he is feeling pretty fortunate to have a job! If not, he should, even if he is picking up after those two ol' geezers walking down the sidewalk!


Here is what the inside of the Cinema Cafe looks like...very small...very quaint...very inviting! And, this is where I learned so much about my new friend, Helen. I learned she came from a family of tomato farmers and it continues today, 3rd generation. I learned that her husband past away 11 years ago; she is 86 years young; she has one son; she's catholic; belongs to a lodge organization; enjoys talking about her family, and very much like me, loathes "waiting!" Okay, so "loathe" is a strong word...we dislike waiting very, very much!


I will cherish my meeting of Helen...when I asked if I could take her photo, she said, "Oh, but my hair isn't done." When I showed her the photo she said, "Oh, I'm not dressed up! Oh well, it's not Sunday. I only dress up on Sundays." I told her, "I love your attitude, Helen!"

Back to the waiting room we went. It's part of the show room of the car dealership. Helen (sitting in the waiting room) looked back at this car and said, "Wouldn't it be fun to own one of those? I've always loved Thunderbirds!" Why Helen, you are a gal after my own heart!


Oh, my visit was way too short with my new friend. Helen's vehicle was finished and it was time for her to leave. We hugged and wished each other good travels (she was going south and I north)...just as if we were friends from long ago...family even! I can honestly say, that God knows my heart and He sent Helen to enrich my time in the loathed "Waiting Room." And, so once again I sit...waiting and recounting my amazing encounter with a lovely older woman, Helen! It didn't appear that I would be so fortunate to have another, and I became antsy and out the door I went for a short walk down the street...








And...back to the "Waiting Room" to wait some more...looking outside, checking my watch and looking outside some more...and then God reminded me to be still. It was a blessing to just sit, relax and be still...wait...yes, wait...the tune up? It wasn't so much for our vehicle, as it was for me!

Princess Peanut (1 Wk Today)

Again, you have heard me say it before...I'm not crazy about getting my picture taken, but for the sake of the grandchildren, I'm very compliant! These two little munchkins are truly a blessing to me!

Ohhhh...

A different look...

Gilbert & Ashlee's Wedding Rings around PP's toe.
(Painting like photo)