Snow at the beach in March!

Snow is a rare thing here at the beach... at any time of the year. Today we have SNOW! It is SPRING!

I have mentioned before that I need to figure out the pixels on the video part of my camera... still haven't done that. I am going to attempt to upload some videos of this unique weather event.

Quiet Easter Dinner

We had lamb, rice pilaf, aspargus and a greek salad. The old vine zin was excellent and the rosemary bread a nice compliment.

A quiet day at home. The weather outside is blustery.

Visit from the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny brought a special "Marine Officer Candidate" basket for Aura.

The weather is stormy, windy and cold today. It doesn't quite seem like spring. But the daffodils are in bloom...so I better hurry and pick them before the weather destroys the bit of sunshine we have.

Good Friday

Easter is here upon us! It came up quickly and I haven't had a chance to get out my boxes of decorations, clean the house, go to church, get new clothes, bake Finnish easter bread, set out vases of flowers or anything that I consider tradition! We did purchase a nice lamb roast last week.

This photo is of Aura in 1986. She is 11 months old. Her hair did not grow quickly then...and was very light. She only liked to wear dresses. This was the week before Easter and we were at the local grocery store running errands. She was not happy with a big white bunny holding her. That pouty mouth and look in her eyes is still the same.

Time flies. In only 68 days Aura leaves for Quantico.

Sunset and take-out on the beach

Terriyaki in Ocean Park. The nearest terriyaki place.
Sometimes Brett and I crave some terriyaki. (well, Brett craves it all the time)
We drive up to Ocean Park. Across from Jacks Country Store is Aileen's Fried Chicken. You either call before you make the drive- or order and go kill about 30 minutes (they make it fresh).... usually over at Jacks.

Then we take our yummy terriyaki and drive out on the beach. We like to park in front of Dad's old house off the Oysterville beach approach. We watch the sun set on the waves, laugh at the dogs and kids playing on the beach... how come dogs like to carry 8 ft sticks? the smaller the dog- the longer the stick they drag down the beach!?

There are still large tree stumps washed up on shore from the storm. I usually tell Brett another story about when Dad and Vi lived here. He has heard them all before...but listens like it is the first time he has heard.

Since it is winter. We stay in the car. Everyone here loves that we can drive the entire length on the beach sand. A 4 wheel drive is a must have vehicle. Next month they will close the area around Long Beach off to driving. Too many tourists walking along the beach.

Tokugawa in Astoria

Last year, a new antiques shop opened in Astoria. (It is located right across from Burger King.) It isn't on Commercial Street-the main drag- and actually the parking on the hill is a little bit challenging....(except they do have a nice parking lot on the east side.) Although not located in an area where you usually get out of your car... the window display is inviting and I have always been a bit curious. Last year- the upholstery shop moved upstairs and a very nice looking Japanese Antique place moved in. I always wanted to stop in- and today while on errands with Brett- we popped in for a peek around. WOW! How cool is this place!

I immediately called E- cause Madison would like it too. They have a web site- Tokugawa Antiques and also sell on eBay. If I am not mistaken- it seems the prices in the retail store were less than on the web.

The first thing I noticed when I walked in- was a little cast iron Akita statute. She reminded me of our beloved Kyoko. Then the crate of laquerware, then the Buddas, the stone work, the metal work, the Tansu cabinets, the textiles, the Taiko drums.... the list goes on. This is the new Christmas present store.

I have no idea what I would do with a crate full of old pretty porcelain sake bottles...but couldn't you imagine them with a flower in each bottle...sitting in the crate on a big table? for around $150? Love it! There is Japanese lettering on the crate too!

Sorry about photo quality. My blackberry was the method.

One of our errands today was searching for a thin leather cord- because Brett has purchased a 300 year old Samurai Sword... (finally-victory on eBay!) But that is another story.

Heritage Area Reception

Last Saturday night- the week of workshops (17 total) culminated with a community reception at the Red Building Loft.

Local gourmet restaurants donated all kinds of yummy appetizers. We had 'crabgrass music' from The Brownsmead Flats. Not to be missed was the song leader with Sea Shanties. (watch quick video)


Remember the blog entries about the planting we did? Team Seaview/Long Beach received a nice award- as did all of the teams from the Balancing Community Workshops one year ago.

Whew, I count 5 links and a video. (Aura can't believe we were making her sing!) {I can't believe she came along- we ALWAYS sing!!}

Check out this view!

Another reason that going to meetings in the area is a good thing. We watched the Columbia Lightship and Coast Guard ship.

Comfort Food

Aura is really sick with a flu. I made her favorite comfort food. Madison & Aura grew up having this for breakfast. Rice, miso and nori.

Doctor's orders- Spa Day

I am soooo excited! Wednesday- I am out- ALL DAY!
Brett gave me a wonderful gift of a full treatment day at the spa!

Here is the plan. I leave early enough to do a few errands in Astoria. Next I arrive at the Columbia River Day Spa.

**(update. I wrote that Tuesday night- today is Thursday morning. The experience mediocre. The first treatment- an Algea Body Wrap- was truly awesome. The day went downhill from there. Not to complain- and it may just be that my standards are a tad high... I sincerely love it that my dear husband gave me the gift of 'me time' at a spa in a Historical Building. But- and this is a big BUTT- it could have been so much more. The body treatment/massage gal was sweet. I liked her. My advice- go elsewhere. and for heavens sake- find an esthetician who will NOT spend the entire time trying to sell you product during your facial- with no neck, shoulder massage. I recommend you find Freda over at the Poshe Salon- SHE does a great facial!) I forgot to mention (vent) that don't believe their web site, photos, descriptions, prices. They even argued with me about that! As Brett said- "you went there to relax- and now you are all worked up!"

I did restrain from Blackberry checking all day. That was peaceful!
(ps. I copied that cute photo from the Daily Candy blog site)

Sad memories

Remember the house that burned during the big December storm? Here is the link to that post. They took down the structure this past weekend. Very sad. After the fire- her cat would sit outside the burnt home- so lonely. Finally- just as I was about to adopt him- someone must have given him refuge.

Thank you

Pretty tulips are blooming. A get-well gift from Andrea and Laura - from Ocean Park. Thank you!

Heron vs Koi update

Brett and Aura strung some deer netting over the pond. I bought a sling shot.
Maybe Calypso scared him away. We have not seen him for a few days. But I have a feeling ..."He will be back!"

Lincoln Dinner in Clark Co

A week ago- we had another dinner event in Vancouver. It was a fantastic turnout- over 460 people. The entire night was delightful. Brett, Aura and I were honored to sit with the dignitaries and be given such wonderful treatment.

I am sad to report that their County GOP Chair - Anna Miller- (photo on left with her family) has since 'retired' from her position... but she left on a high note. The entire event raised lots of money and was very successful.

Pretty soaps

Elizabeth gave me a sweet gift. Some yummy soap! They were packaged perfectly in a chinese takeout box- and wrapped up so pretty.

The pink soap is- Sex on the Beach. It smells just like the adult beverage.
The second one- has seaweed...and called- "Immune Boost". Here it is pictured in the tub tray. The soaps are hand made and from one of her favorite little stores in The Pearl. They are perfect! Thanks E!

{update from E: The Immune Boost soap has Basil, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Lavender, Lemon, Sweet Orange, Teatree, Thyme, Rosemary, Peppermint, Ravensara. WOW!
You can see all their hand made soaps, scrubs and bath fizzies on their web site. HERE}

Ocean Park back yard

I was at a meeting up in Ocean Park earlier this week. Peering over a fence- you get a look at beach outside yard decor. Chinook Native carvings and buoys hanging. It is a cute little yard.

Still on Heron watch

Wednesday, I am off to CMH (Columbia Memorial Hospital) in Astoria for more tests. Calypso is on guard duty today.

The Heron is standing on the netting now- trying to pull it apart! Persistent critters.

It is a Great Blue Heron.... did you know they can have a 6 ft wingspan? I have to admit that I love watching Herons out in the tide flats. I hate seeing them gobble up Brett's Koi fish!

They are back!!!!! oh no! Crisis at the Koi Pond!

It has been about 5 years since we had Herons feeding from the pond. After the massive cedar tree died and we removed all but the stump. (Brett wants to carve some art in it.)

I wasn't blogging 5 years ago, but was into web cams. I should set up the cam again...so you can watch the comedy as we try to scare away this Heron!

He is different from the Blue Heron (photo on right) years ago. That blue guy was MEAN, nasty and aggressive! He lunged at us and yelled at us when we came near.

This Heron is huge. He is not afraid of the normal Heron scaring tricks. See the alligator? He sits right beside it- like it is his new best friend forever! (BFF)

We are running around- looking for a sling shot, trying to fix Madison's pellet gun or find a paint ball gun...(wouldn't that make a mess?) We can't technically hurt him...and from my past experience with the Blue one- they can take a direct hit of 10 pounds of cement and not flinch! (sshh is that a felony?) (he was not harmed- darn!) I think the local law enforcement will have empathy.

Brett is currently back home from the office- stretching the deer netting out over the pond. It is time to get a BIG DOG! I have been agonizing over that decision- and the time has come. More on this adventure when I return from the day's meetings!

(nothing makes a girl feel better than a Heron mission- you can tell by my tone that I am getting my energy back!) We are taking up guard shifts!

(**note I have been corrected. This is indeed a Blue Heron. They look different...probably male/female.)

Found a front door

Brett has been searching Craigs list for the last year... and we often go to the recycle places- looking for an cool old door.

The road used to go east/west and was in front of the now side door location. Since we built the porch- we want to move the front door just up the steps- into the sunroom/mudroom. Eventually we will cover the porch area too.

Brett's constant cruising for old doors- found us a 42 inch beauty and we picked it up in NE Portland on Saturday. Notice the beveled glass. nice!