Faith's Clam Diggin' Boots

Razor Clam digging is taken very seriously here. So it is very important that little baby Faith have her very own pair of clam diggin' boots for the beach sand. She needs to grow into them...but aren't they too cute?! hehe. By the way... they are pictured here with Great-grandma Vi's world famous clam gun and bag. The good luck bestows all who use them with a limit of luscious razor clams!

Look! Brett made dinner!

Brett and Madison took down a few trees. The chainsaw busted, the axe broke...and the deer were very pleased to have dinner within reach. Calypso was worn out from all the action. They ate for hours, slept nearby in the pouring rain...and ate still more.

Bring your flag when you come to visit.

The weather is stunning! All of our rain is down in California. We hoist a flag for those in residence. Brett's is the Swedish, mine is Finland's white and blue, Madison just returned .... so he will be putting his pirate flag up.

Crab Feed!

The Ilwaco High School Sports Booster Club holds it annual Crab Feed. This important fundraiser is eagerly awaited by the locals and many tourists who make the drive. This year... due to the delayed crab season... it was held a month later than usual. Come early... it is only open as long as the crab holds out. Which can be quite early in the afternoon.

The local crabbers donate their hard earned catch. Local fish mongers boil 'em up and the many volunteers have held their post for generations. A few years ago.. controversy over hungry patrons taking advantage of the "all you can eat". They have since limited the ticket sales to 2 crabs, cole slaw and garlic bread for $12. Find a seat at a community table and the local athletes, cheerleaders and parents will make sure you have cocktail sauce and napkins.

Held at the Elks Lodge, rows of tables are covered in newsprint. Everyone has a wooden stick to crack the crab. It is a messy, wet and sticky job. Wear old clothes or rain slickers... the crab juices are flowing everywhere. Safety goggles help. Did I mention beer too?

Valentine's Day Dinner at The Depot

Sous Chef Cleveland, Chef Michael, David Campiche and Laurie Anderson (owners of The Shelburne Inn). Wine, roses and wonderful cuisine!

Valentine's Day Dinner at The Depot. 

Trip to the Grocery Store

The view as I park my car in front of the grocery store (Safeway) in Astoria on the Columbia River.

"Whitey" the Albino Crab

Life at the beach is always new and interesting! A "rare" albino crab was recently caught by an old time fisherman/crabber. His name is "Whitey" (very original). He is residing in the tanks at Ole Bob's (say Olie Bob) Seafood Market on the Ilwaco Wharf. (A place the size of a closet.) The ladies I was lunching with today...all retired professionals.... starting whipping out marketing suggestions. "Get an aquarium." "Sell t-shirts with Whitey on them, how about key chains?" "Be like Marsh's Museum and instead of Jake the Alligator Man...have Whitey on your sign. Ole Bob's Seafood Market...home of Whitey"

We were actually plotting and scheming taking over the local non-profit and political groups....and what needed to be done. Hence, the lunch excursion. This is what happens when Type A women leave the city.

Smile for the camera Whitey. 

The Birthday Boy (Feb. 10). Brett standing next to the "Lewis and Clark" tree in Long Beach, Wa. 

MR Data Corp in Seaview... a successful transition from Bellevue/Kirkland. 

Brett in front of MR Data Corp office. 

MR Data Corp office in Seaview. 

Progress in Brett's bathroom. We tore out the tub, put in a shower and new sink...notice the new flooring. The mirror is temporary until we find a more suitable one. 

A linen closet type case that matches the sink vanity. 

Behind the white curtain is the new shower. This is the wall where that tub used to be. 

Love them! 

A beautiful bouquet of Sunflowers arrived for my birthday from Paris! (the daughter) 

Another view of birthday Sunflowers. 

The Trumpeter Swans are at Black Lake...just 1-1/2 miles down the road in Ilwaco. So lovely!

Last night I attended a class at the local scrapbook store....Scrapaccino. It was so much fun and I came home with TONS of new ideas. I am making a little 6x6 booklet for Aura. Be very impressed with this cover... I made it completely from scratch!