Roll On Columbia

Mav and I just spent two wonderful nights "taking the waters" at Bonneville Hot Springs Resort.  We had our very own mineral fed jacuzzi on the balcony overlooking a forested hillside.  (Hopefully said hillside didn't have any trails or hikers since we never put on our suits.)  We also swam in the mineral spring swimming pool.  We had done this once before when traveling in Germany through the Black Forest but had never tried the ones in our own backyard-so to speak.  It makes your skin so soft and hydrated.  We also had suffered a lot of mosquito bites the first day while running and the water was so soothing.
Yes I am very proud to say we ran while we were there-pictures to prove it, you see me in front of Bonneville Dam.  (Listen to the song Roll on Columbia by Woody Guthrie for a little history)  We ran twice, hiked and swam laps.  Of course we also ate belgian waffles and bacon for breakfast and fish and chips for one of our dinners.  The first night we stopped at Char Burger, a little tourist trap leftover from the '50s.  As you can see from the photos it has some great character-although not exactly politically correct (or clean).  I love the wagon wheel hanging chandeliers. And you all know I love me some knotty pine!
We also hiked Beacon Rock.  It was such a beautiful day you could see forever from up there!  I have snapshot of the markers showing the man who once owned the property.  I love that he is climbing in his tweeds.  Mav and I discussed if he were to wear similar clothing, what then would I wear to climb.  Hm... I think the year was 1912.  I wondered if I would have worn men's pants?  Riding pants?  Once we were down we saw the picture of the woman from this time period at the top.  No pants.  I can't imagine climbing in that long skirt!  I would have had to have tucked it into by pantaloons.

A funny thing happened on our way up Beacon Rock.  I decided to catch the above pictured lizard.  He promptly bit my finger and it took quite a shake to unloose him.  Learned my lesson.

Art & ReCreation

The weekend was the Vancouver Recycled Arts Festival.  I was part of a group from our church who put together an art area for families.  The last two years I led an art camp at our church, but this year we decided we wanted to get out into the community more and this was one of the ways we did. Taking art out to where people are is a great way to build community. A lot of people can't resist all those materials laying out there just waiting to be created.  As you can see the children loved it but as you can see in the picture of my little friend Ian and his papa, the grown ups also have fun-maybe more! 

It was also a way my whole family could contribute and be involved.  As you see Ruth took care of Dotty so we could get set up.  Isn't it precious to see her wearing her sister?  Ruth also was a craft table volunteer.  You see her and my friend Lorraine at their duct tape wallet table.  After two days Ruth may never want to see duct tape again! 

A funny thing happened when I got there I was wearing a pink apron and my pink cowboy boots.  I looked and at the booth right next to us was a woman wearing a very similar apron and boots-although not pink boots.  Dressing how I do it is extremely rare to go somewhere and see someone else dressed the same.  At first I was like "Oh No!  I'll have to go home and change"  (I fancy myself original)  But then Lorraine was like "oh a kindred spirit you'll have to take a photo!"  That put it better perspective for me.  I then went over and was amazed at her art.  I loved it.  She was so sweet.  It was her first time selling anything.  Apparently it is all from her personal collection she creates and has in her home.  Her husband showed me a picture of their living room and it reminded me of a photo I once saw of Picasso's home.   I cannot remember her name and I feel terrible.  She doesn't have a web site but I gave her this address so I hope she finds this.  I bought the cow for myself, the girl head for Solanah (after all it has on a bird hat)  and here you see a picture of Amy with ONE of her purchases.

It was a wonderful weekend and I am leaving now for here.  So as you can see it is only getting better!

Weight Watcher Update

Here we go.  The moment I have dreaded.  Updating my weight loss since this post.  I have been diligently doing the couch to 5K running plan for 9 weeks.  I can now run 30 minutes nonstop, although I need to increase my speed because it comes out more like 4.5K than 5.  This is quite an accomplishment.  On the down side I am not proud of my food choices and I doubt I tracked more than 3 days in these last 9 weeks. I think my results reflect this to a T.  I lost in inches but only a few pounds, 4, in weight.  So here we go....

BEFORE

AFTER

My measurement were 38-32-47.  Now they are 36-31-45.

I also think my legs look less "lumpy".  I am glad I made myself take measurements rather than just using weight as a guide.  I am encouraged but the number on the scale 164, still needs to come down quite a bit.  Now my goals are to continue running-and faster, and to get my eating back on track.  (I guess I 'll need to do less 'Okie Girl Eats' posts.)

I am going to have to be extra self disciplined because I just let me WW pass cancel.  My best friend and I go together and she is moving.  I tell myself I can do it with out attending meetings, after all I have gone for years -after each baby.  I am a little nervous and I am hoping blogging about my progress will provide much needed motivation.  

I will post one month from today and I WILL be below 160!

Wish me luck!!

Okie Girl Eats: Pie Crusts

Ruth wanted to make a chocolate meringue pie for Mav for Father's Day.  We were all out of crust and needed to make another batch-we usually make about 20 at a time and freeze them.  Ruth is a great pie baker.  She began making crusts at about age 8.  Her best friend would come over and they would bake once a week for "school".  I dream of one day having a little pie shop in an old airstream called Sweetie Pies.  Of course we have a family pie crust recipe that we always use.  Here is the recipe:

• 3lbs crisco
• 15 cups flour
• 3 eggs
• 3 TBSP vinegar
• 3 tsp salt

combine-shortening, flour and salt

combine eggs, vinegar with water to make three cups

mix all together-well require your hands

Like I said it will make a lot of pies!

Solanah came over and joined us and to add a few crusts to her freezer.  I found this picture of me and her when she was little rolling out pie crusts.  I am in my PJ's so I think it was probably early Thanksgiving morning.

Papa's Day

Today was Father's Day.  The first one since my dad died in October.  Father's Day wasn't a big to do with my dad.  But we did always stop by the house with a gift and homemade cards from the girls for him.  So I was surprised at how much he came to mind through out the weekend.  (Although he is never far from my thoughts.)  Anyway giving up on Father's Day because my dad is no longer here isn't an option.  I have a husband and he deserves to be celebrated.  And that is what we did.  

It began the day before with baking (naturally!)  although that is a post in itself soon to come.  Then Sunday we had a picnic.  The weather wasn't very pinicky so we chose one of our favorite places-the gazebo at a historic reserve.  There was also a living history encampment happening and we are suckers for those things!  Ruth and I fantasized about becoming traveling living history actors.  Our family could travel the country reenacting family life during the Revolutionary War, Civil War, pioneers, and of  course, homefront WWII 

I don't really eat like an Okie

Because you all know I am a weight watcher, I thought I should do a food post other than fried pies or chocolate and biscuits.   Those foods are yummy and I do eat them, but very rarely.  Most days look similar to this,

• breakfast: oatmeal with lite coconut milk and a sprinkle of coconut, coffee with nonfat half and half, and fresh fruit
• snack: bowl of cereal with lite soy milk
• lunch: bed of lettuce topped with turkey chili, salsa, olives, nonfat cheese, nonfat sour cream and a few tortilla chips crumbled on top
• snack: fiber plus peanut butter bar and fresh fruit or carrots
• dinner: a big pile of roasted veggies sprinkled with feta, small serving of mashed potatoes and a turkey loaf muffin

That would be the ideal.  As long as I have planned ahead it isn't a very hard plan to follow.  I do make poor choices more often than I'd like and then have to trade in dinner for something like a watermelon.  (I am so glad they are in season they save me!)  I do not count points for fresh fruits and veggies.  The exceptions are bananas, potatoes, and corn which I do count.  I drink a lot of water and coffee.  I might have a diet Coke occasionally even though I know they are horrible for me.  Sometimes when I am out or at some ones house a diet soda keeps me from eating things I shouldn't- you know that social feeling having something in your hand.  A couple great foods I am loving snacking on at the moment are Fruit Loops with fiber, reduced fat Cheezits and Kozy Shack lite puddings.

Next week I plan to do an update to my WW post.  I am nervous because I know the scale isn't showing very much loss.  I am putting my hope in the measurements reflecting change.  Mav and I have been running and just finished week 8 of couch to 5K.  It is s great program!  Here you can see how dedicated I am because I ran in the pouring down rain. (more than once)

Dedicating Dorothy

This Sunday we had Dotty dedicated.  Dedicating your child is similar to baptism or christening.  We are  declaring our intent to raise her knowing Jesus. This was made even more special because our pastor, who is also one of our nearest and dearest friends, dedicated her.  It was his families last Sunday at our church as they are moving this summer.  Bittersweet.  

I had a hard time choosing what she should wear.  Our church is very casual -plus we had a BBQ to attend that afternoon.  In the end I couldn't resist traditional.  Anyone who knows me would wonder why I even bothered considering something else.  I have a handful or two of christening gowns so I had to sort through those.  I am pretty sure the one she wore was the one I wore as a baby being dedicated.  She is 8 mos. and the bonnets were all too small, finally I found one to fit.

I love the photo of me holding her in her slip.  I'll leave you with a picture from the BBQ where we changed her into a white sun suit.  I also love this picture of Mav.

Also one of top runner up outfits.

Life in the Pink Tower: Another Year, Another Rotation

Our little Pearl turned 7 years old this week.  Even though I look, well..like I just gave birth, I shared the first picture because I love pictures of Mamas meeting their Babes.  Then you see her at her Hawaiian themed bday party.  We love tiki parties and I had to resist going overboard.  We did do a smokin' volcano cake and sushi candy.

At the girls' Montessori school they had a fabulous way of celebrating each year.  The children sat in a circle around a candle lit to represent the sun.  Then the birthday child held a globe and walked around the circle while this song was sung:

the earth goes round the sun
the earth goes round the sun
it takes 12 months for the earth to go around the sun
and then Pearl was 1

the earth goes round the sun....(continue next 2 lines)
and then Pearl was 2...
repeat
and now Pearl is 7!!!!

At the end Pearl would have circled the "sun" 7 times.  Isn't this a great lesson?  I can honestly say I hadn't thought of a year in this way before.  The girls I am sure forever will.