Food and Fun in South Korea

 So I know I should eat authentic Korean food in Korea... but we were craving Thai food. The above was fresh spring rolls. They put that sauce on them and it was tasty, but had a fishy aftertaste so it was nix for me.But look how lovely even the "side" lettuce looks.

 My veggies were superb and my teddy bear rice was almost too cute to eat. Such good food.

 Jenny took us to a Vegan restaurant that had this poster  of Famous Vegetarians at the entry where you take off your shoes. We got to sit on the floor and of course eat with chopsticks Korean style.

 We were very tired in the afternoon... who knows which day and then we met friends in the subway. Who knew I could use a little music from a sweet piggy? And of course Rick has always had a soft spot for cats. He too loved finding fun along the way.

 Now a little mexican food went a long way. Loved it. I think this was Rick's last meal before going to the airport to go by byes.

 We were trying to imitate Mo's picture of drinking hot chocolate. We were not drinking hot chocolate but it was fun pretending. Puroro is my Korean little penguin hero.

 They always laughed if I looked at the vending machines... But in the red case are gas masks always at the ready for when the enemy may come. Also notable is the availability of recycle bins. Very conscientious.

 Who knew they made chocolate candy in the DMZ? I had a little piece... don't worry Switzerland, nothing to worry about.

On Jenny's big day with her ROK fellow officers. They respect Jenny and honored her with equivalent promotion "bars" and a great photo of all the ROC Army soldiers Jenny teaches.

We had our first Bubble Tea. Strange sensation to suck fruit through your straw and then chew it up. I had coconut in mine.

Where Do I begin? Oh, the many faces of South Korea!

 I am posing in front of the Mother Ginko Tree in the Secret Garden. It was imense and in prime of turning yellow before losing all her leaves.

 On the top of Seoul Tower  Angie gave us a lock to write a message on and attach to the fencing covered with other locks. It is a "couples" thing and it has a sweet key and key ring with picture window to commemorate the moment.

 There's just no telling what we were looking at and why we were so happy. I do feel very protected with Jenny at my side. The palaces were huge and courtyards large scale. Walk walk walk. What a lot of ground we covered.

 But the rewards were great. This reminds me of a puzzle I am sure I have put together sometime in my life...

 Pusan in S.E. Korea was such a  change from Seoul. The beach was gorgeous and I found some really cute shells.

 The vending machines in the subway would cover your cravings. Fun to see all the different labels. I even got separated with Angie from Rick and Jenny. I was only waiting on my Vitamin C drops to come out!

 Typical Korean pose... but who lurks in the foreground?

This was where we were allowed to write down a wish for the new year. My hands were so frozen that I could barely write. It was truly chicken scratch. Then you tie you wish on the lines of string.
So this is just the beginning of sharing photos of Korea. Thank you for being patient. You won't be sorry!

Community ZIP

 We had such a good time 2 years ago when we tried the zipline for the first time that we wanted to go again. We had Angie, Dawn, Keith and Rick and yours truly.

 You can barely see her but Angie just shoved off and is on the far line. I had some wacky filter going on my phone and didn't know it at the time. This is the Start Tower.

 Ricky was really enjoying himself. Too bad it is yellow and blurry!

This is Dawn arriving to the end of the Zip line (which is 1,000 ft long). It was so much fun Rick and I went back for a second ride. The YMCA has two free Community Zips in the summer. You have to be a certain age and under a certain weight... but we were fine. Thanks ORKILA!

More Fall Fun

Well we took the long trip to go see Joe at school. Along the way we stopped by Ginger and Dave's in Yakima for an overnight.  We stayed up chatting into the wee hours like school girls and then started in again in the morning. It was great fun and sorry to see it end. I just know I would have too much fun if I ever lived nearby Ginger and Dave! No pictures there. Silly me. We spent a couple of days with Joe dropping off a couple of things and taking some things back home that he will not need in the dorm room.  On the way home we decided to take the Steven's Pass Route to see new scenery. While in Leavenworth there was a fire in the hills. The helicopter in the first picture is one of 3 or 4 that was taking turns on the "bucket brigade". We stopped and watched for close to a half hour. It is fascinating and scary to see how a fire reacts during the fighting.

 The Buckets were refilled down the river and if you look closely you can spot the helicopter as it is refilling. It seems almost lost among the trees. Precision work not for the faint of heart.

 This shot was taken on the return trip home. Such a gorgeous day and Mt. Baker was showing off shamelessly.

 Ahh a rest stop for us and the dog. It was very warm on our entire trip and we were careful to keep hydrated and take extra stops along the way. If we had more time we might have tried out some of the trails...

 I just thought this was cute and probably honest. It makes me want to adopt an ugly duckling.

 Looks a little sleepy?  Not sure where I took this but it's a keeper!

 Angie and I played "beauty shop" doing our nails in the Jamberry wraps. This is the fanciest thing ever to adorn my little chicklet nails!

 And living proof that we are officially in the season of Fall.  We always like to get great produce in the Yakima Valley to make the next year's supply of salsa. It is a fine batch this year. Now we can breathe easy!

Signs of Fall

 To already have Red Fallen Leaves on Sept. 4th seems premature but that is how our weather has been. We seem to be two weeks early. Does this mean a rough winter? I should have asked the caterpillar that was scootin' on the sidewalk a couple of days ago.  Seemed to have on a dark fuzzy coat with spikes of yellow every half inch. It just might be my favorite time of year?

 So we get these beautiful views while we water a friend's flower garden. Sometimes it is just hard to concentrate on the task up there. They live on the tippy top of a Mt. Oh, and by the way, this view is for sale. Yes comes with a house. I can put you in touch with the owners if you'd like to secure this for retirement, weekends or everyday.

 This set up reminds me of the movie "Holes" and Kissin Kate Barlow. But the mug was my best find at a yard sale. The coffee is the real reason I was excited today. Just a day to ease into tasks.

So the tasks for the day besides the usual dishes are Make Milk from soaked almonds, then make granola from leftover almond meal. It's in the dehydrator right now.  Then on to make vegetable broth that I will freeze until I need it. This is the perfect task to clean out the hydrator drawers in the fridge.  I can't believe I am totally out of carrots. The broth is still simmering (90 min.) and soon will be strained and into jars. Then since the drawers are empty... time to clean the fridge.  This remind you of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie?"  Oh yes, and the plums were ripening too fast said the fruit flies, so I cut them in half and they too are in the dehydrator. I  hope to escape to the sewing area for more organizing. It is going to take a year to get it done... and I have a baby quilt to begin.  Any guesses who this one is for?  Margaret!

So thanks for stopping by for a glimpse of my Thursday morning!

Well it has been a very long time since my last post. I think a combo of life and Face Book took over. I hope to write occasional blogs instead of just one sentence responses to people's posts.  I hope I will again find the joy in writing, in being creative and keep family and friends updated about what is happening in our life.

This is the sweet birthday picture sent to me by Barb of Mo Mo saying Happy Birthday Cheese! Love the bright smiley greeting MoMo!
I will try to organize my life so that at least once a week I will post something.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!

 It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since your 160th (combined ) Birthday Party. I was just looking through a few of my favorite photos of you and wanted to pay tribute to the Best Father In Law I could ever EVER have imagined having. And you've been my Father (in law) for 30 years now. To say I am blessed is just the tip of the Iceberg. This picture of you and Kathy at Grace Clinic is a tribute to your caring spirit towards others.

 I am glad we finally had a chance to get out on the water with you to crab and enjoy the beautiful day. I don't recall if we got any keepers that day, but it was just superb weather. Remember the wind in your hair?

 When you come to Orcas Island I think there is a switch on you somewhere that moves to the RELAX position. That is what I love about your visits. You really know how to enjoy the moment. With our flag flying in the background this portrait looks downright patriotic.

And you really surprised and delighted me to take time while in Washington DC on the IJM prayer conference to meet Barb, Robb and your newest Great-Granddaughter Maureen (Mo).  This made me feel so loved and I know it spoke volumes of love to Barb and Robb. Thank You so Much for Who you Are. THE MOST THOUGHTFUL AND WONDERFUL FATHER,
As a Birthday Tribute we have made a contribution to the International Justice Mission on your behalf.  We love  you bunches Dad (and MOM).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!