County Courthouse in South Bend

Yesterday I had a meeting up in South Bend. The Voter Disability Advisory Board met to look at some new technology. We meet at the Auditor's Office which is at the Courthouse.

This building is on the National Historic Register and is known for it's domed stained glass top. (the top photo is from the EDC web site here)

"Once described as a "gilded palace of extravagance," the 1910 courthouse is an excellent example of Second Renaissance Revival architechture.

The rotunda is lit by a stained glass dome 35 feet in diameter." (quote from here)

The very last historical photo is of the courthouse prior to 1910- however, those of us who live in the south end of the county know the rest of the story....

Oysterville was the county seat from 1854 until 1893- when in the dark of night- the county files were STOLEN and rowed across the Willapa Bay to South Bend.

To this day- we are known to say -"I am getting my boat- who is joining me to take back the county seat?"

We just get cranky that way.

Yummy in Seaside

We have awesome restaurants on the Long Beach Peninsula.... but sometimes- you just gotta get out of Dodge!

For a festive anniversary dinner- we headed 30 minutes south to Seaside, OR and the Yummy Wine Bar & Bistro.

This top photo is from their very descriptive web site here. Just imagine the flowers are gone now- and you see the pretty wonderful Starfish lights that line the streets.

















Forgive the dark blurry photos...


We started with a complimentary sparkling champagne (our anniversary gift from the owner)- and I continued with a flight of red from Italy. We ordered the hors d'oeuvre platter and enjoyed the lovely art exhibit.






For entrees- Brett had the 'yummy' Venison Stew with pesto potato gnocchi, roasted root vegetables in a cabernet sauvignon rosemary demi glace- I had the Northwest Paella (because I am a Paella Snob)- manila clams, tiger shrimp, chicken, chorizo sausage and peas tossed in saffron rice.









I should mention that when I asked which wine our server would recommend for me- she picked the EXACT wine I was thinking of- (is this a party trick?!) Hullaballoo Zin. Double 'Yummy'.

10 years and counting.

10 years ago- Brett and I said 'I do' -we joined together in the Sacrament of Marriage AND merged our families. (the kids still refer to it as OUR wedding)

We were both single parents- with full time custody. One boy each- one girl each. Same ages.

The short version of this story is that our daughters- played parent trap. While we were mad for other each immediately- after 3 weeks- we both realized that we were not ready to remarry. Doesn't every divorced person have a failure/horror story? We made the decision to date others and not be serious.


With our children the same ages- (boys the same) (girls the same).... we remained friends for the next 4 years. One fine day in August of 1998- Brett showed up at my door- and asked, "how come we aren't dating?" I couldn't remember... and so he promptly asked me to "go steady'...and then a few months later proposed.




Our courtship went on the fast track- his kids immediately jumped for joy and moved into my house the very next day! (Brett wasn't allowed to- you know you have to set a good example for young teens!) A few months later- we had a wonderful romantic Christmas wedding.


Two years ago, 2006- I was lucky enough to formally adopt our youngest-Paris. Though she was 21 at the time- it was something we were finally able to do- and we picked our anniversary as the most perfect date to celebrate.

Bank on wheels

Remember the fire in downtown Astoria? Bank of America brought in a temporary banking center. It is housed in the downtown square area. I thought it was a holiday van or something... bright red and next to the Christmas Tree.

Hurry up - Santa was here!

We don't have small children rushing around with excitement on Christmas morning.... we have a cat- who dashes about waking everyone up! She just didn't know what to do with all these boxes, ribbons and presents! Santa left her catnip- so that gave her an extra energy boost!

Astoria by the Holiday Lights and Snow

We shop just over the bridge-20 miles from here- in the big city of Astoria, OR. It is always so picturesque.

(photo by Daily Astorian photo guy- Alex)

Berber Creche

A few years back- when I visited Aura in Morocco for her birthday... she was gifted with this hand made Bedouin doll house. It makes a nice creche scene.

The kids played with the plastic figures...over and over- every Christmas.

The Stockings are hung by the Chimney with care...

St Marys in McGowan

Local Seaview resident and Wa State Historical Society guru-Jim Sayce- took this photo that is in the paper today. He commented that it is no wonder Lewis & Clark decided to move over to Oregon for the winter.

"St. Mary’s Catholic Church in McGowan was picture-postcard pretty in this blizzardy photo taken Sunday at about 1:30 in the afternoon. Jim Sayce of the Washington State Historical Society notes that it’s no wonder the Chinook Tribe traditionally decamped from their Middle Village site (at what would become McGowan) in order to spend winters elsewhere in the area."
(yes, this is where the Ring 2 was filmed)

Snow at Dads

This isn't the beach- but 2 hours east- in Portland near Rock Creek. Portland has been hard hit- ice and snow.

Hey Dad- Palm Trees? I guess I didn't really think about it. They must be unhappy. How are the topiaries?

Highway 26 just opend up the past hour. But another weather front with snow is heading our way- arriving tomorrow thru Christmas Day.

Snow covered hills at the mouth of the Columbia.

Here is a rather pretty photo taken by Daily Astorian photographer Alex Pajunas. I haven't been able to get over the bridge to Astoria for a few days now... but we are planning to go this afternoon. I'll bring the camera.

Looking at this photo- turn left at the end of the bridge- and head thru Chinook- to Seaview.

Highways to Portland closed.

No photos. It is just after midnight Sunday. Just a quick note to say that Highway 30 AND Highway 26 are closed to travel tonight. The fallen trees and ice make travel to Portland impossible. I wouldn't want to travel north to Seattle either.

The snow is still falling.

This is our house and driveway. Be careful coming down the drive- a huge tree has snapped off and is hanging precariously above. Thankfully, it isn't over the neighbors property.

Perhaps the wind- which is picking up- will knock it loose tonight.

Snow in Seaview

Topiary Angel

Evidence of my past life. 1989
Found in the boxes of Christmas decorations. (complete with water spots) I made this Angel for a Holiday Decorator Home Tour in Beverly Hills.