Guess Who's Getting Married!!

Yep, my little blue-eyed girl! She called this morning and told me Ryan had proposed this morning.....in the shower......how romantic! He really did have a romantic day on the beach planned , but I guess he couldn't hold out! Anyhow Tess is thrilled and we're very happy. I really like Ryan a lot. They plan a Fall wedding, next year...probably at our house. Tess plans to move up to Humbolt County soon and start Grad school up there soon. As a bonus....we gain a new Granddaughter, Madeline Rose [Maddie].....as Ryan has a 3 year old daughter.

Gotta' go now ...just wanted to let everyone know!

Lunch With Grunky!

I had a very nice afternoon yesterday.......having lunch with my Dad! I don't get to see him too often.........it's too complicated to explain here........but yesterday was a day when I did see him!! We had lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, PF Changs............we had spicy eggplant and rare Ahi.......oh, so good ........it didn't disappoint! Visiting with my Dad.......who is called "Grunky" by my kids, thanks to a very young Jill............well, having a chance to talk to him was great. At eighty-five years old , he is awesome. He remains extremely sharp and very involved in the goings on of the world.......his curiosity has not diminished at all! I'm very lucky to have both my parents.

When I got home it was out to the garden to water some very thirsty veggies........when will it rain????? I talked to Josh in Salt Lake City and I am very jealous of the rain they've received. Like I've said before, it's unnatural to go so long without rain.

Today I went down to get some groceries in Auburn........wow....I'm glad we still don't have a household full of kids to feed! Just a couple of "weekend warriors".......this week , Molly and Seth! But I must say I love having the kids around.......call me crazy!...and i think Jim does!!!!

Feels Like Fall!

Yeah.......it's cooled off a lot today, was actually chilly this morning. I don't know how long this weather will last, but I'm hoping until the first rain. I'm really sick of watering the flowers, and veggie garden.....sick of wearing summer clothes, sick of summer food......I can't wait to cook soups, stews and apple pie!

My trip down to Sacramento last weekend was successful. I sold quite a few aprons and kitchen towels to a store down there. I like doing this wholesale thing......much easier than sitting somewhere all day. The profit margin isn't as great as when I sell my things myself, but the ease of having someone else sell for me makes up for a lot. After dropping everything off at the store I met Molly at IKEA, she bought a few things for her new home. As always we had a really nice afternoon together. When I got home Tess and Ryan where still at the river, but got home soon after I did. We had a fun dinner out on the deck........one of the best parts of Summer.

We all just hung out at home on Sunday........it was opening day for the 49er's.......San Francisco's football team. They lost of course, but we all ate barbecued sausage and pretended we were tailgating! Tess and Ryan left later in the afternoon and Jim and I had a few hours to ourselves .

I was grumpy and hot yesterday and then I woke up this morning to a cool breeze............instant mood improvement!

Movin' Molly!

Well, it's certainly been a while since I've visited my blog site! Let me catch you all up a bit. Last Saturday I spent the day.......a very hot day!......helping Molly move out of her old apartment....a second story apartment! We actually had a few laughs in spite of the task.......Molly and I are weird that way! We were done about 5:00 and were rewarded with a delicious dinner at Mom's house.....along with Jim and Denny and Joan. I thought I probably wouldn't be able to move the next morning, but I suffered no ill effects at all. Most of the time I love my body's capabilities, just not so in love with the size!

During the rest of this week I've been gearing up for the Xmas season.....way too hot upstairs in my workroom to imagine Xmas, but sew -on I must! Tomorrow I'm taking a bunch of stuff down to a store in Sacramento ........they want to buy my products. Needless to say, I hope they buy a lot........I'll let you know!

On Tuesday, late afternoon of another very hot day, I went down to help Molly move IN to her new little house. Seth, my Mom and Keith were there to help out this time. We made pretty quick work of it...... although at the time it really didn't seem like it! I can't wait to go back down soon to see what Molls has done......I'm sure it looks very cool!

Oh......yesterday I had my first eye exam ....ever! The doctor pronounced my eyes, "Clear as a bell".......but my over -the- counter reading glasses just aren't doing the job any more......so "real" glasses will be here in about a week. I'm pretty excited......they're green and really cute! I'll take a self-portrait when I get them so you can see me with them on!

OOOOOBAMA!

Wow.....I'm still digesting that awesome speech last night. Senator Obama was amazing! How refreshing it would be to have have someone of this intelligence, this insight to run this country. Imagine!! I fought tears through most of the speech and give in towards the end.......I want to give back to this country.......I want to be proud of our standing in the world.......I want to be able to believe in our President. I plan on heading down to Obama headquarters next week to see if I can be of use.........perhaps they need a few dozen kitchen towels!!........I've felt isolated and out of the mainstream in this country too long, I'm so grateful for this.........fingers crossed.........change. I've donated $25 from my last sale to the campaign and plan on donating a like amount from all upcoming sales until November 4. A drop in the bucket needed to run such a formidable campaign, but I couldn't live with myself if I didn't do all I can to get this man elected.

It most definitely is time for a change............long overdue.

August Garden

The garden this year is out doing itself......Jim discovered a new organic fertilizer and it really seems to be doing it's job! As I've mentioned before the tomatoes just keep coming at an amazing rate....and now the peppers and eggplant are beginning to catch up. The winter squash are growing bigger day by day and are the most beautiful shade of orange. I have a more intimate relation with the garden this year. It's usually Jim's "thing", but he's been working so much this summer I've taken over a bit of the garden chores. I see why he's so smitten with the garden.......besides all the great veggies it produces!........it's so lush out there, so full of life and probably one of the most peaceful places I can think of.

I've had a lousy cold the last few days......I've been eating raspberries, tomatoes, cucumbers........anything to try to help my body fight it! I feel better today.......probably just the cold has run it's course..........but maybe our garden did it's part too.

The Best Part of Summer!!!

Yummmmm....the tomatoes are piling up! They are really lovin' life up here this year....a bumper crop! Tomatoes have always been one of my favorite foods and at last I live in a warm enough climate to be able to have all I want! I eat them in the morning......at noon and always for dinner. A big blue bowl that I use full of tomatoes, homegrown cucumbers and often green peppers if there are any ripe ones. I sprinkle with garlic salt and lemon pepper and then mix with a bit of seasoned rice vinegar.........if you have access to good tomatoes try this summer ambrosia!

I saw my Mom today and brought her a big bag.......she's for sure where my tomato loving genes originated. She actually attributes her good health and longevity to eating so many tomatoes.............I sure hope they have that effect on me!

Yesterday I made 4 jars of Sweet Chili sauce with the tomato overflow......oh, I wish you could all taste some. I think it 's one of all the kids favorite foods, served over egg noodles. It's a common request for birthday dinners. I'll probably get a least 4 more jars canned before the season's over..............we'll have enough to enjoy all winter long.