Dinner with the cousins

First of all, let me apologize for forgetting to take the camera to Kathy M's. We went down to Philomath last Tues. evening to have dinner at Kathy's with Ralph and Betty. They were visiting from Minnesota for a week. They saw all the sights PLUS us! Ralph and Betty look exactly as we'd remembered them at the family reunion in Montana in about 1988. Okay, he's a teeny bit gray but other than that, they have NOT aged (so unfair!). It was a nice evening albeit short because it was a work night for John and I and it's a 90 min. drive each way. We got caught up with what our kids are all doing. Ralph and Betty are actually grandparents! Katie is married and has a 5 yr. old little girl. Their son, who is the same age as Hillary, is in college in Maryland or DC (I've forgotten which and they didn't name drop). As I said, it was a nice evening but pretty much just surface conversation about kids and pets. Kathy seems to be doing great. Classes just started at OSU today so she was savoring her last week of summer.

Introducing: Baby Porter

Baby Porter due on 4/29/09

Mount Hermon Revisited

I went to a woman's retreat with my church this past weekend. I drove over with a friend from work and a friend in my dinner club who attends my same church. We took Friday off and visited quilt stores (quite easily thanks to my GPS) as we made our way to Mount Hermon. I told these ladies about how I went to my first week of camp just after finishing my 2nd grade of school. I loved camp! I returned the following year and every year I think going to Redwood Camp then later to Ponderosa for high school camp in the summer and at Thanksgiving. I even trusted Jesus as my saviour at Mount Hermon when I was a camper at Redwood. I wonder now how mom and dad afforded it but I'm so glad they did. We also went up during Evangelical Free Church week, getting a cabin or driving up for the day. Later I worked there for a year as a cook, living in a couple of different places with different friends I met there. In fact Corrie Ten Boom even visited in the house I lived in there. Paul and I were given Stagners cabin for a week for our honeymoon. Paul and I went to a couples retreat and later family camp with the Keens. I kept having flash backs of different times and places there. I remember going to John Fisher concerts there with the EFC youth group, going to visit Jeanie when she worked in the Child care house, I remember she traced animals like a lion that was made of burlap and felt I think, I remember the fountain right as you came up the trail from Redwood Camp (boy you should see the fountain now!). The book store was exactly the same. I still use the Bible I bought there in 1976 when I got the discount for being an employee of Mount Hermon. Of course I have memories of the kitchen, Ivy Dining Room, Ron Demolar (still there) and so much more, much more. As you can see I am passionate about Mount Hermon. The meadow has a large gym with a workout room, game room and so on. There is a small swamp area that is fenced off and a trail with benches going around it. The playground is gone and 3 large hotel like buildings stand over looking the meadow. So many new things, but the core of it is the same. Remember the small house that was the real estate office at the base of the overpass footbridge. Well, remember when semi-trucks still drove past the post office? I could go on and on. I hope I have reminded you of some of your best memories of Mount Hermon. Here is a picture of the sign that signifies you are about the enter a very special place.

You never really leave a place you love. You take part of it with
you and leave a part of you there.

Last Semester of College

*Peaks head out of textbook*

Well, I have been a busy bee, but I am happy to report my last semester is going well. In addition, Chris and I will be visiting his parents in San Ramon this weekend and will be making special trip to Aunt Franny and Uncle Rick's (and Grandma's) on Saturday, September 27th. I look forward to visiting with all the family who will be in town.

See some of you soon,
Amelia

This One's For the Girls

Hillary couldn't resist snapping this pic of Phoebe this morning. She had her nose resting on the lip of the sliding door. Too cute. I chose it to accompany this post because it kind of looks the way I've felt this week. After celebrating Joanna's 19th (howtheheckdidthathappen??) birthday,
I confess I've been a little bluesy. Our family is changing, yet again, and it's all good stuff but it's official: with the baby turning 19 and moving out and doing extremely well living on her own, darn it (just kidding) our kids are grown. Anyway, it's been a week of reflection for me. It's been bittersweet with memories. It is rewarding to see the four of them happy, responsible and able to take care of themselves. It's also a blast to sit around the table with them talking and realize that they are our favorite people to be with.
Today I've spent most of the day in kitchen. That has been just what I needed. I miss being a stay-at-home mom very much and am so thankful for the years I got to be at home with my kids. Who wants to be in the kitchen when you get home from work? Not me, I'm usually too pooped. Wednesday night a friend dropped off a box of gravenstein apples from their farm. They are sweet and juicy. Last night I made a pie. I would've taken a picture but frankly, my crusts are long on taste but short on looks. I hope to improve upon that. Today I loaded the food dehydrator with apples and a batch of applesauce is simmering to make our home smell like fall. I love it! If you're itching to visit someplace beautiful in the fall, come on up. The northwest is gorgeous. Just ask Ben and Alli. Oh, the debris in the background by Phoebe? John thinks our neighbors trimmed the parts of our tree that go over their fence and then threw the debris back into our yard. Oh brother! Pretty nice neighbors, huh? Well, no worries. Phoebe enjoys it immensely!

Soup's On!!

Fall has come to the Northwest. After a few wks. of temps in the 80's and 90's, things are cooling off. Our mornings are getting chilly and when the sun sets, the crispness of fall greets us. I love it!! Last night I made a scrumptious Edamame soup. The recipe is in the latest Better Homes and Gardens. I'll email the recipe if you want it. I bet you can find it online too at BHG. The edamame gives a slightly sweet taste. Guess what's floating on the top? Those are Feta croutons. You cube the feta, dip in egg white, bread in panko (Japanese bread crumbs) and fry for a couple of min. I used garlic and herb flavored feta which turned out to be a great choice! I'm big on garlic. Just ask John (who likes it but is not big on it) :>D I think this will become one of our favorite fall soups.

Sideways Sunflower Quilt

Here is my newest quilt. Sorry it is sideways, I have it rotated in Picasa but I'm sure you can get the idea anyway. I want all of my quilts to have labels with the date and information about the quilt. I'm going to label this one soon. I'm going to design the label on the computer and print it on fabric through my printer. Don't hold your breath....

I am including a picture close up of this one because it is different from most quilts and I knew you would want to know that and see it. :)

Just makes you want to quilt doesn't it?