Uplifting and Lively Messages. No holds barred..
Comments
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Yes the dinner was, and continues to be, delish. I did the 3 Ferries Bicycle Ride (an organized group ride) with friends yesterday which was great fun, not to mention stunning scenery as we rolled along the coast. We just avoided getting soaked to the skin several times, but it was no more than a bit damp as the showers went north and south of us. We could use the rain, but it wasn't where we were.
Afterwards, I caught up over beers and clams at Elliott Bay Brewery with the now ex husband of the friend who has left for Spain and True Love. He is good to be out of this one. Relieved that he and their son are doing well, though his dog and her cat are still ironing things out.
Today will be an easy ride, but also is a work day as I am behind on a couple of items for the handoff plus have a mailing for my own business going out tomorrow. I keep thinking of the cute couple yesterday with recumbent bicycles who are just so delighted with each other. The ride was a bit above their abilities, but they did it. I think this will spur them on to ride more. One of the ferries is a "floating museum" which put me on the set of the African Queen. So fun. Carries just passengers and bicycles. (The others are normal ferries.)
Congrats on getting the parties behind you, Michelle. Well done. Now to enjoy the rest of the summer. It's been a decade since I've had such a wonderful summer. More to come. Think I will try to arrange for Vineyard Camping over Labor Day. That is always fun, and I know for sure that I can cool off in the Naches River. Not sure where, but there has to be somewhere to swim. Or perhaps the Yakima River is a better bet. I will find out.
I also want to cycle Lopez Island and do a ride I discovered a couple of years ago, but need to adapt from about 60 to 25 or so miles. this will be over the next 2-3 weeks. So fun. You do the Lopez Island one as a day trip, which makes for a long day, but it's the most glorious scenery and only requires packing your cycling gear. The other one is much closer and travels back roads in the Cascade Foothills. It goes over the most stunning gorge and past a well-frequented bakery.
But have to say that I am "adventured out" at the moment and that needing to do a spot of work isn't the worst of fates. - Claire
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Sounds so wonderful, Claire. Today it is very hot in Illinois and I took my megadose of Vitamin D last night. It usually knocks me out the day after taking it, so I am slugging around a bit. Trying to organize some sewing items....making some playful scarfs in a stretchy knit fabric. They will be fun with jackets in the fall, and add a pop of color. Can't find my sewing pins, so I have to pull out my couches and look underneath. With hardwood floors, that will require a seasonal wipe down of all woodwork that I don't want to get into today. So, I guess I know what I am doing tomorrow.
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Invited myself over to Naches Heights for a spot of vineyard camping over Labor Day. It's the winery's 30th anniversary so there will be lots of festivities - details to come, but I am sure they will involve music, families picnicking on the lawn, good wine, food trucks, and my own comfy bed in the wee tent. I also need to catch up on the status of the pear and apple brandy they are now making. I will be camping in the apple orchard.
Hope to cycle the great Sunnyside-Prosser-Mabton-Sunnyside loop which takes me along Horse Heaven Hills, and by hops fields, vineyards, and all sorts of agriculture. I usually stop at Bacchus, which is at once a Prosser tasting room and sells interior décor and jewelry. They sell a wine I can't get elsewhere and I transport it something like 19 miles on my bicycle. I have invited my friend and his son to come as all of this will be a family event. Good cheap eats to be had as well, and camping is free not to mention making for a great story.
I think next Saturday will be the Lopez Island ride as it promises be hot-ish here and delightful there. Wine at the wine bar in Seattle evening with friends of one of my great friends and partner in crime on some of my adventures.
I am having a steak dinner using one of the steaks I brought back from my February skiing adventure. I have delish salad and other fresh veggies to have with it. YUM!!!
Today's cycle was a bit of an adventure. They closed part of the trail and the road that parallels it to replace a culvert. BUT....there is a semi-private road on the other side which just requires a bit of finagling across the tumble-down fence and down the short incline. Guess what I did.
Lovely cool evening and my steak dinner beckons. So wonderful to be able to eat a bit earlier. - Claire
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Hey, girls, I did something that I have never done before...... I sewed lace on my Bernina sewing machine and made scarves. I had some very pretty stretchy black lace fabric, that I wanted to wear as scarves. I thought, I will just put the fabric under the needle and go very slow...there was some open weave areas that I had to navigate. Now that I know I can sew lace, I am thinking of sewing some type of maxi or midi sweater/wrap/kimono, etc. Going to check out patterns....
Hope all is going well for everyone!!!
Hugs,
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Scarves sound just fab, Michelle! I suspect that they will look wonderful with your recent jewelry creations.
I loved my swim last night which I did after working most of the day. It gets hot here around 4:30, so off I went after making sure my work computer was ok after the software update. Swam for about half an hour. Since I had also done a run earlier in the day, this made for a lot of exercise. I am starting to see results.
I think I will plan on some time to relax and read towards the end of the month. I still haven't made it outside with my lawn chair. I just inherited a much better rucksack than the one I own, so another one off my list. Will use it hiking which I also need to do more of. Perhaps Labor Day when I am back from my vineyard camping adventure.
I am getting excited about my NYC trip which is a month away. This will be followed by my trip to London in October. I snagged a fun and cheap pair of black Fila sneaks for both. My old pair has "lost its luster", plus nearly worn out (see walking/upping exercise comment above).
The weekend promises to be cooler here which will make it much more fun to be outside. We should be done with hot days for this year. I can't wait to cycle Lopez Island. Promise pix. But a couple of work days first. - Claire
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It is currently 83 degrees with 78 percent humidity. It was stuffy today, at least it is cooling off. I made some crock pot bbq chicken for the next couple of days. I love chicken, my dh will eat it one time and I will have leftovers. Dd and ds won't touch anything I cook.
Today, a huge country music star, no names, but will release a new song next week, used my sil's (from my husband's family) artist facility to do the recording. It was a last minute type deal and we can't talk about it just yet. My niece, my sister's daughter, was on hand because she is an esthetician and had an official capacity. No one else was allowed, and we found out after the fact. I am proud of my sil and my niece, for knowing how to be professional, when most people would be drooling.
I finished up my scarf making today and organized them in my closet and put them with outfits. Gee, I could have worn an outfit plus scarf to see the country music star.....joking.
My feet are pretty picky about the shoes they wear. I have a flatish type arch and high instep. I cannot wear Nikes because the arch is too high. I have been wearing Puma hightops like the one's Rhianna wears. During the summer, I live in my birkenstocks // betulas with a normal arch.
Love hearing about your adventures, Claire!!!
Hugs....
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We had a huge thunderstorm last night, and it flooded out the main event at our State fair. People were literally wading in 3 feet of water to get out of the venue. I was awake on and off with dd and ddog, throughout the night. At one point, our internet went down.
I am starting to use my therapy light for SAD, because I don't think we are getting enough sun and I am not out in the heat. I have used it for years, and it always seems to give me a boost.
Helped my son figure out some things for his upcoming move, which is going to be bittersweet as he has a girlfriend in our town. They will go back and forth, and we have a great train system. Oh, young love.....
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Long day yesterday, but so worth it. Left at the crack of dawn, returning about an hour past sunset (6:30a-9:30p). I just love Lopez Island which truly is a cyclist's paradise. But not "flat" as they like to say. Over 2500' of climbing. My quads were screaming about mile 28. Did about 35 total.
As I had to wait more than an hour for the return ferry, I snuck in a nap at the ferry terminal on the grassiest spot I could find. The funniest is that they have a "library" there where books are one dollar (as long stretches between ferries). I came home with a wine made from grapes that grow in the Puget Sound region, and not Eastern Washington. (yes, I had to stop at the vineyard on the island) and the most amazing bread ever. They are so into the "locally sourced" that someone is growing special wheat for them. The bread is just wonderful.
Picture of the sunset from the ferry ride back. Sky was a bit smoky from all the fires. This is looking at the island where I cycled.
Today is a bit slower as I am feeling the exertion, but did get the laundry done. I may do a run and not a ride as really not excited about driving anywhere (190 miles yesterday). Had bread with butter and local honey for breakfast. Yum!!!
I am such a foodie that I came home to a tomato, basil, and mozzarella salad with leftover ratatouille plus bread. As I had everything handy, it really was the simplest dinner I could think of. Salad was delish as tomatoes were perfect, basil was fresh, and the mozzarella. (Markdown from supermarket next door which I snagged earlier in the week.)
I realized this morning that no fast food places at all on Lopez Island, but they do have an amazing Saturday market. I decided to give that a miss, as I wanted to go to the far end of the island to Agate Beach, and that is less likely to happen once you have a nice lunch. I am glad I made that choice as had oysters, fries, and a beer right on the water towards the end of the ride. Then a stop for bread, a couple of miles to the vineyard, and a slow cycle back to the ferry where I took a nap.
Just the most glorious day. - Claire
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Yes, Claire, you are a certified "foodie." There are names of foods that you actually make, that I have never heard of until you mention it. Last year, I had to look up the word, "larder" because you used it in a sentence.
The pictures and the visualization of your trip is amazing, as we live vicariously through your adventures.
DD and DS will be off to their respective colleges this week and next week. I am steeling myself, because I know that I will miss them. But, then again, it is time for me to get out of the nest too and do some fun things. In the line of not so fun, I sprayed creeping charlie in my backyard with a borax solution. Once, I get that killed off, I will start seeding grass before it gets cold. I have been looking at some little things that were my moms. Plan is to put them into some type of jewelry for my sisters and myself.
I always appreciate posts and pictures, because they help lift me up too!!!
Thanks always for sharing and keeping the positive vibes going.....
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This Foodie is ready to make a day of it and hit her bed. Lovely dinner tonight of leftover cod and flat Italian beans, along with a potato and tomato-basil salad. Food for the gods.
Oncology visit went just fine. My one question was whether I need to worry anymore about the late effects of treatment and she said no. She was intrigued that my bigger concern now is doing all that I can while still fit enough to do such things as cycling tours through Europe. She also mentioned that I certainly don't have "muscle wastage".
It's smoky here but this should clear within 48 hours. Can't wait.
My oncologist also mentioned that cycling for hours in 100 degree heat is much more taxing and a better indicator of overall health than a cardiac stress test. Another one to cross off the list.
For anyone in the Seattle area, I sampled the croissants at Bakery Nouveau across the street from my oncologist's office, and I rate their croissants as among the best to be had.....ANYWHERE!!!! Was disappointed to learn that Insomniax Café was bought out along with their name. Thought the perfect name for coffee served at a hospital where employees are working all sorts of hours. Got to talk to the person who bought out the name. He assured me that the coffee is the same....not convinced.
Time for my annual Tomato Pie, especially since I have the pesto, and tomatoes are just about perfect. I also need to make a spot of blueberry clafoutis. Not to mention that the peaches are getting ripe here. Blackberries everywhere for the picking. And if I run out of ideas, there is always plum cake, recipe from a VT neighbor.
Quiet weekend ahead before I venture off to Yakima for vineyard camping and a spot of revelry. Or at least that is the plan. It's their 30th year celebration. 4 days until Friday....work days, and I need to buckle down. But suspect I have it all in hand.
Fabulousness awaits. - Claire
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Hey, girls,
I have been thinking about something for a while, and Claire brought up the topic in a discussion with me the other day. When our lives change, our wardrobe changes. How do we know what those changes should be? A clear line is if you wore primarily suits in your job, and a suit was no longer required, maybe keep one or two suits. I don't have "suits" anymore, mostly separates that can be combined for a business event or night on the town. Unless you are in a court room or boardroom, do women even wear suits today? I do see women going to work and coming from work, even doctors, in more relaxed separates. In my mind, I am still in the boardroom, but in reality I am wearing activewear/leggings/tunics/casual dresses. When did we, or is it just me, become a more casual society? I used to love wearing my Ann Taylor and Henri Bendel suits, but that was many years ago. Careers in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, still required serious suits. Here is an excerpt from a British magazine that puts this shift into perspective:
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"There was a time when women would have worn shoulder-pad power suits not for power but in order to fit into the boy's club and be 'taken seriously.' The work wardrobe would have consisted of a slightly below-the-knee skirt suit, preferably in grey or dark blue, with a white blouse, a scarf tie and high heels. But women are now more likely to wear skinny jeans, a smart jacket, a t-shirt or top and sneakers or flat shoes.Professor Pine added: Interestingly, women have probably benefited from this movement more than men. In the past, women had to dress like men to reach senior positions."
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For 20 years, I wore suits to fit in with all of the guys in the boardroom. I was usually the only woman. I wore a suit to work most days, except some days I would wear a dress or pants with a silk blouse that tied at the neck. When I was pregnant, I had suits made to camouflage my belly. I worked until my 9th month, and was as big as a horse. It is hard to not think of myself, and have my identity, associated with those suits. In reality, I have not needed a suit in 18 years. Separates yes, suits no.
Do we tie our identity to what we wear and when our identity changes, how do we accept the clothing change? Going through my closet this year was an eye opener. I freely gave so much "stuff" away, because it was not who I was anymore. I am trying to make deliberate decisions on what my look should be, and it is hard. I feel that I am a cross between black Lori Goldstein pieces, Talbots Chanel inspired pieces, some updated Chico's, boho chic/festival wear/florals, leggings and athleisure wear. I am all over the place, and I don't think that I have a good direction. How do other people change their wardrobe, when their lives change i.e. breast cancer, job loss, career change, etc.?
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I am going to do two posts. I think what's fascinating about this August is that it's one of chiaroscuro as in the pre-Impressionist painting exhibition I saw at the Frye Museum on my way to the Olympic Peninsula. This featured a lot of landscape painting from the third quarter of the 19th Century with muted lighting and was just gorgeous.
The second is from my swim last night prior to the smoke clearing from the air. I think the lighting was super special and the picture very atmospheric. Thankfully, much cooler today with much better air. It even rained a bit overnight.
Wonderful to see the mountains again.I left early from the office and went to the very local farmers market, coming back with amazing vegetables, wild mushrooms, and chicken for the freezer which I will roast for company. I also got tomatoes in many colors for Sunday's tomato pie. But no eggs....not sure what happened.Roasted summer veggies with lamb for dinner tonight. Should be just amazing. Plus dead ripe raspberries for dessert.Life is bountiful and amazing. - Claire0 -
I think that this process starts with visualization, and by this I mean an image of yourself at your best. I have the hair and makeup nailed, but mine is a question of shifting from an office to a more casual form of dress. I have a lot to clean out, as no longer either current nor relevant to my life. This has been going on for a bit, and now it's time to let go.
But not of things such as my black cashmere cape with a fur collar, nor my fabulous Clergerie boot collection. I haven't done real suits for quite some time, but have done suit-looking separates. A friend of mine noted the shift from suits to business casual by remarking that she didn't spend any less on clothing, she just bought different things. I do want to do some more upgrading of my active wear, as that is what wears out the soonest for me.
My shape has a lot to do with it as well. Emphasize my sculpted shoulders and not so much my hips.... Lots of black brightened by scarves and jewelry, and sometimes a contrasting T peaking through. Focus on comfort and luxurious fabrics.
Not up for discussion is either my Chanel blazer nor my grey mink coat. Nor my Chloe belt....nor my Stella McCartney belt.
Another remark I will make is that I am surrounded by those who have "overdone the casual and comfortable". I want a bit of style. Suspect I will figure out a few things during my upcoming trips to NYC and London.
Today was an office day with a meeting, so I wore cropped tailored trousers with a black top. A red silk casual jacket over, and Mary Jane flats along with my Muse bag and jewelry. Looked professional and fabulous.
I know I plan on a foundation of black as always, plus fab jewelry, and scarves. I think I need some skirts and fabulous hose. Another pair of slim trousers as seem to have too many wide pairs. Out with the items that don't make me feel and look fab. Layer in some leggings and more casual sweaters. Some red for color. Scarves galore, and really cool vintage ones are out there for a song.
Not about to "dress my age".....am I not really in my mid 30s??? Breast cancer has very little to do with this picture other than I need to be a bit more selective about the La Perla bras I buy
Still looking for some with silk. Because "underpinnings" do make a difference in this discussion.That's my current story, subject to change, and I'm sticking to it. - Claire
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Snagged one of the wardrobe essentials that I have been looking for at the resale shop last night - a fabulous pair of black AG jeans with a high rise, so they fit comfortably on my waist and do major things for my legs. Score!
They look fabulous with a V neck black cashmere sweater (it's in the low 50s here right now) and my new YSL lipstick in one of the deep wine colors. That, and a few accessories, and I am good to go for the plane journey to London.
CAUTION AND WORD TO THE WISE: I have learned that not all AG jeans are made the same. You want the ones that are mostly cotton, and not rayon. They have different price points and a similar cut. But the rayon ones don't hold up and the dye runs. The cotton ones are fabulous.
I am mentioning this because this is true of a lot of the designer clothing made for outlet and online sales. It's not the same, as I learned some time ago from a friend whose sister worked in the clothing industry for one of the top designers. In this case, I went online to look for a second pair. It's worth reading the reviews on Amazon as well as look at the fiber content of clothing.
Need to work on the rest of this "look" but at least I have snagged the right jeans. Retirement party for the other ones that are overly snug in a tender spot.... I think I have a couple of others to ditch while I am at it. Because anything else just won't do after having found perfection. - Claire
EDITED TO ADD: I went back on eBay, and while I didn't find these AGs, I did find a pair in velvet that I will also take to London as think they will look fab for things like visiting art collections.
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Claire, I have never owned any Adrianna Goldsmeid's, but have seen some of their denim skirts. You have to have a flat stomach and narrow hips to fit into those, and I don't qualify right now.
DH, DS and his gf and I went to dinner at Chilli's. DS leaves to grad school next week, dd moved out yesterday to her dorm. Wanted to go to a fundraiser in an airplane hanger, but with the heat index it was 105 degrees and no air conditioning. It was stifling today and we are getting after effects in our air from the California fires. Wisconsin and Illinois are both effected. It is creating an environment for pollen to exist well beyond its life cycle. Our grass is not brown, it is lush // green // weedy. Currently, I am trying to kill off creeping charlie in my backyard and plan to landscape an area around a tree and in front of our deck. That is going to be my fall project.
Got a watch cover and a new band for my apple watch. My watch band was a pink color, now it is black/white floral, with a black watch cover. So excited to have a new look with the same watch.
Claire, your wardrobe sounds so luxurious. I also like Freebird boots, Marc Jacobs 12 year old quilted handbags that I get for a steal. They are made very similar in quality and style to Chanel, at a fraction of the price. I get lightly used ones from the online resale sites. I don't care about carrying a Chanel bag. I want to carry quilted black bags that I love and got a great deal on by Marc Jacobs. I also like Old Navy Luxe T shirts that are half price and are made from rayon/spandex and feel very luxe for 10 bucks.
So sad about Senator John McCain. May he rest in peace. What a true leader and man who gave everything for his country.
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I don't think I would fit into all AG styles, but Farrah comes to my natural waist and has room for my butt/hips. Also enough Lycra so it stretches over everything comfortably with a slim fit (for me). The ones I got say something about "curvy fit". Anyway, they are fabulous. I do want one more pair before they discontinue something this great. Prices in the $50-60 range as opposed to the ~$200 they go for retail.
I had a major cleanout yesterday of jeans and mistakes/items I will never wear again, saving one item that I have worn recently, and may wear for my pre-lunch walk today. Delightfully cool here with temps in the mid 50s.
My watches are less exciting. My good watch is an Ebel Sportwave that my ex bought me at the resale shop a number of years ago for a small fraction of its original cost. Gorgeous and classy. I also have a Swatch in a similar style for sports activities. I can swim in it for example. I have a third watch in Sterling silver, but it's more a bracelet and needs a battery. I should get that fixed and wear the watch as it's fabulous.
Also sad about John McCain. Glioblastoma is a dreadful way to go, and I can only imagine how he and his whole family suffered.
Good luck with the Creeping Charlie. My mother was quite the gardener and an early horticulturalist. One of her cautions was to avoid anything described as "vigorous". It's you against millions of small roots. But I don't think quite as bad as having English ivy to get rid of.
Excited about lunch with my friend today. Custard is made and delish. Had to restrain myself from eating half last night. Funny story is that I compared English and American recipes for the custard. The English one used cream, and not milk, and was less sweet (though meant to be poured over a sweeter dessert). I used 36% cream which is lighter than double cream, and added a bit more sugar, using raw sugar and not refined sugar as I think tastier with berries. I also used cornstarch to thicken and stabilize (as well as the egg yolks), a tip from the English recipe. It worked and the custard is perfect!!!!
I forgot to buy Dutch butter cookies to serve with, but think the dessert needs a little something else, and these will work admirably. I will get out my French Press and fine bone china coffee cups. Great fun and delicious as seldom have a decadent seasonal lunch. - Claire
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Claire,
How do you use your French press? I have read about them, but am not sure if you use expresso beans, etc. I am a decaf coffee person, so no caffeine. I wore my watch today, and it felt great to have some accountability. The amazon watch protector was black and covered the rose gold, which is out for the season. I added a black and white floral silicone strap. Still hot here today, so I hunkered down with the doggie. Starting to feel a little more focused, now that the kiddos are moving on to their lives. Empty nest, full nest, empty nest, etc. is hard to emotionally and mentally embrace, it is almost too much, and I have great kids. I think I might reclaim my upstairs bathroom that my daughter takes over when she is home. I have not used it in 5 years. I share a bathroom with dh, and ds and it is tiny.
Well, toodles, girls....
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French presses use regular drip coffee, or whatever the premium grind is for better coffees. You can use regular or decaf. The design is basically a beaker with a lid/plunger. You measure out the coffee, place in the bottom of the beaker, add boiling water, and then put the lid on. After it brews for about 4 minutes, you push the plunger to the bottom which separates out the grounds from the coffee, and serve. Very simple.
Reclaiming the bathroom sounds like a splendid idea.
Lunch was great fun, and all the food worked perfectly. Not to mention that preceded with an 8 mile walk so we earned it. I had everything ready to go, so no last-minute prep other than putting the tomato pie in the oven, and assembling the salad and dessert. Did I mention that I have leftovers?
Have a business call in a couple followed by work, as it's a work day for me. Dressed in leggings and a turtleneck as it's cool here. Think I will adopt some version of this as my at home work outfit. Comfortable, but NOT lounge wear, nor quite suitable for a run.
A work in process. - Claire
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Unofficially a grandmother now! My BFF son (who I have been helping to raise for more than half his life) and wife FINALLY had their baby boy. 41 weeks! He is amazingly adorable and I love him already! He was born on Saturday. (If he had waited until today we would have shared a birthday). So it was a great weekend
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congrats TaRenee!
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Hey, girls, I think I feel fall coming....what about you? Or is just wishful thinking? Our grass is green, but I am trying to kill creeping charlie in my backyard, which may obviate the need for having it mowed any further this year. I plan to plant a low mow grass for next year, probably in September/October. I am becoming more calm by the day and my life is less stressful. Last night, I was able to go to some volleyball games, and my sister asked to go with me. When I played in high school and college, she helped with my team when she could. She had taken care of my mother for 13 years and worked, so she is trying to re-establish a social life. We gave her my mom's house, which came with alot of my mom's personal effects. My mom and dad grew up during and right after the depression, so they saved everything. I am carefully curating any vintage jewelry items into a collection for my family to see. Some of her best pieces were lost in our family home fire in 2008. I think about my mom everyday and work hard to support my sister in getting the house in order. Last week, I purchased a tablet for her, so we could facetime at bedtime. I just need to get it set up and we will be good to go.
I found Almond creamer with pumpkins spice flavor yesterday and it is yummy in my coffee. I have such starbucks pumpkin spice latte envy....
My son moves on Saturday, so I am helping him get the last of what he needs for his apartment/dorm....500 square feet, with a bath, kitchen, living/bedroom in a great part of Chicago, near Lake Michigan and downtown. His cousin, a couple of years younger, has switched schools and will be in Chicago, 3 blocks from my son. They are going to have so much fun.
Today is very overcast, so I might have to turn on my light for light therapy.
Have a great day everyone!!!
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Definitely a bit autumnal here today as I head out for a run. Nearly done with this week's work project so I will be free for my weekend adventure. My wine-drinking friends are jealous of the tasting I will be doing on Friday evening, but hey, someone has to do the "heavy lifting"! Not sure if winemaker/cyclist dude will be joining me for the ride over. A favor for the vineyard owner who lets me camp there. I love the fact that their website talks about DYI Adventures in the vineyard and the Cowiche Canyon next door (prior to sipping a glass of wine on their porch).
Good for supporting your sister, Michelle. I am sure that she needs extra care and attention about now. I can't imagine.
I have leftover spaghetti vongole for dinner tonight. Made a batch as a friend posted a picture of a French restaurant meal of the dish. Think mine is better!!! Also have salad ready to go. All I need to do is cook the remaining beans in my fridge.
Now to slide into my running gear and head out the door
- Claire EDITED TO ADD: More weekend details.
I managed to walk into
the most marvelous weekend ever. Lots of campers at the vineyard, food trucks,
a BBQ on Saturday night, swing dancing, river rafting (which will mean I
finally get to do it) on the Yakima River in the Canyon, wine tasting, hiking,
cycling, and a bonfire. Minimal cost for all this fun. I will be going tomorrow
early and returning on Sunday. I may need to do a swim in the river to make sure I am fresh enough for the BBQ that evening.0 -
Hi, All,
My son moved to Chicago today for graduate school. I am sad, a bit, and been teary all day. My husband went with him to move him into his spacious studio apartment dorm with a view of Chicago. His cousin is going to a college 3 blocks away, and they are like brothers. DS will have so much fun. I packed some of his items up this week and ran around getting items that he needed. DD moved last week, leaving Ddog the only teenager (14) at home.
I gave myself the summer to collect my thoughts, and now have to finish order my family monument. I have a pretty full schedule for September, which should be alot of fun. I have a family reunion, baby shower, trivia night, volleyball, salsa dancing and maybe bocce ball (not sure of yet.) Getting back into my walking routine. I have a physical this month and an regularly scheduled onc appt. I am going with the idea that ...."I am going to love this fall."
Hugs to all my girlz....
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oh Michelle sorry about your son leaving. Doing some fun things will help. Hope every one is doing well.
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Hi all.... Have been blissfully unaware of what is going on in life for 2 days. Promise pictures, but was at an event celebrating the winery's 30 years of fabulous wines. I know, because I signed up for the tasting, with Year 1 being over the hill, but years and years of fabulous wines, some as much as 25 years old. Someone has to do this hard work!!!
I camped at the vineyard, and bought eats at the barbecue/smoker that had been brought in for the occasion. Friday night was prime rib, and last night was roast pig. We had more pork and eggs for breakfast this morning with all the other revelers. There was a swing duo, and a ceramic totem pole unveiling. Since the musicians stayed over, they were joined later by a violinist for a second concert on the porch.
I did a bicycle ride on Friday, and all of us went rafting yesterday on the Yakima River. My first time doing this, and it was a blast. Short hike of the Cowiche Canyon this morning prior to heading back to work on a research report. (Boo-hoo!!)
I have to get used to vin ordinaire now after all the fabulous imbibing, and quite a bit less of it. Tonight's dinner was quite the revelation, but so nice to have fish (steelhead trout) and not meat. Plus veggies I had brought back. What a feast.
The scenery was spectacular. What an absolutely glorious time. More to come, and great to hang out with a crowd that loves good wine as much as I do. And yes, I will do river rafting again. Gorgeous and an absolute hoot. - Claire
p.s. Came home to a hot bath to fumigate my sorry hide with clothes in the washing machine as learned that dip in the Yakima river doesn't quite do it.
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Claire, just a thought. Ya might need to take a dip, with a bar of soap, for sorry hide purposes. (teeheee teeeheee) You could also set up one of those solar showers where you are camping. There are 5 gallon bags that you fill up with water for the sun to heat up, while you are doing other activities. Just shower in your bathing suit. What do others do regarding personal hygiene" Baby wipes? I am such a planner, that I would have to have a towel, soap, shampoo, along with an outdoor shower, to feel clean. You are lucky that you are in Washington State doing this, and not Florida. There is blue green algal blooms in the lakes that causes breathing and skin issues. Can't wait for pics.... Glad that you are back in one piece.
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been so wet here these last 4 days! Pray for me ladies please. I have an oncology appointment on Wednesday. I'm going to discuss trialling off the zoladex been off the femara for 12 weeks with very little Improvement.. I just don't know what else to do. These joint aches and pains are making my quality of life in the toilet.
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GK, can you take Tamoxifen? If so, you will need to monitor your uterus. I have very little complaints about being on Tamoxifen. There are some initial side effects, but those wear off over time. With the joint aches, try taking Magnesium, soak in Epsom salts, buy magnesium infused soaps, etc. There was a period that I had to take Magnesium. Maybe instead of Zoladex, you can volunteer your ovaries? That is what I did, and it was the best thing that I ever did. I was not near menopause, and cycled every 24 days, which caused my iron levels to be low. I have heard, and not sure where, that Claritin (not Claritin D) can help joint pain. I will say a prayer for you, but you will not need it. Your doctor will know what to do to help you.
Send hugz to all my girls.....
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Michelle, thanks. Will discuss.
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Today was a work day, so reliving the past weekend as I share pictures. Note that this is Eastern Washington which is high desert and a very different climate from west of the Cascades. Pictures of of Naches Heights and the Yakima Canyon. - Claire
View from the vineyard towards Cowiche Canyon and Mount Adams.
Another view more towards the north.
Grapes ripening. The exciting part was that I got to taste so many different grape varietals.
View towards the northeast and the Untanum Range.
30 years of Wilridge wines. We tasted everything!!!!
Home sweet home in the apple orchard. They have a fancy still from Portugal for apple and pear brandy. That is for a future tasting, though I just loved the grape brandy I tasted.
Yakima Canyon and where we launched the floats. I didn't feel comfortable taking my smartphone - a good move.
In front of the farmhouse and tasting room.
The most chill place for tasting and a bite.
After-concert with the swing duo plus violinist.
Morning sunrise. I went back to bed.
Winemaker pottery. These are wine vessels, fashioned after the ancient Greek ones.
Cowiche Canyon. I didn't hike all the way down as had to get back. But I have skied the bottom and also done a run there.
Winemaker with his new totem pole. Won't mention the rude comments here, and wondering if the birds will like it.
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