October 31, 2013

I have only one left in the house who is interested in carving out a Jack-o-lantern.  So... here he stands, gutting the pumpkin while watching Harry Potter 5 and chatting with mom.  We've decided to try our hand at pumpkin juice with out second-hand juicer.  Maybe that will be my post for tomorrow....
P.s. I'd like to point out Sam's costume....  Hawaiian tourist.  He wore to school his Aloha shirt with the skeletons on it, slippa's and shades to school.  Zach also wore a costume - Ghostbuster.

Fox Island, Washington

October 30, 2013

Driving home over the Fidalgo Island bridge from Anacortes back home to the Harbor area we got a peak of the snow covered mountains.  A beautiful day dawned for the Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing X Change of Command at Whidbey Naval Air Station.  It was great to see some friendly faces from the past and catch up.  

Burlington, Washington

October 29, 2013

Dave and I are in Anacortes for a Navy reception tomorrow. We are sitting at one of our favorite spots, waiting for dinner and reminiscing about old times.
Anacortes, Washington

October 28, 2013

Yep, those are seagulls flying around at the beach.  Nothing new.  So what's the big deal?!?!  Notice the shadows the birds are creating?  That means the sun came out!  Finally, the fog burned off and we had a gorgeous (but cold), sunny day here.  Thank you, Mother Nature.

Fox Island, Washington

October 27, 2013

Here's my first batch of cheddar cheese.  It'll be another week or so before I dip it in wax.  I decided to start small in case it didn't work out very well so it's only a single pound.  The downfall to making cheese is that I have to let it age at least 4 months before I can test it.  Very long process.  I'm making a mild blue cheese later this week.

Fox Island, Washington

October 26, 2013

The first batch up for bottling is an Apple Ginger American Ale.  We now have to wait another 2 weeks for it to carbonate in the bottles before we can drink it.  By then we'll be bottling our second batch!

Fox Island, Washington 

October 25, 2013

If I were a mushroom hunter, I would be in heaven right now.  Everywhere I look I'm seeing a wide and somewhat strange variety of fungi.  Since I'm not up to speed in the mycology field I'll leave them alone and stick to the few I'm familiar with.  Like the ones I buy at the store. 

Gig Harbor, Washington

October 24, 2013

Oh look.... we have fog today.   I'm not complaining, just commenting.  It's foggy.  Again.  At least it's not rain.  Or snow.  

Fox Island, Washington

October 23, 2013

Zach had his last Cross Country meet today at Fort Steilacoom Park.  I did a half marathon trail race here over the summer and just knew I would need to bring my camera.  I loved these old red barns at the back of the park the county has preserved.  This is a great park and a beautiful setting to run races, walk the dogs and enjoy the outdoors. 

Lakewood, Washington

October 22, 2013

The sun came out today!!!!!  The past week has been foggy.  All day, every day.  The weather forecast is more of the same for the rest of this week, so I was pleasantly surprised when the grey skies cleared and the sun was shining bright.  I decided I needed to get out for a walk and some Vitamin D.  And pictures.  I found the single dahlia in my neighbors yard.  

Fox Island, Washington

October 21, 2013

Cold and flu season is here.  I've been whipping up teas, bath salts and chest rubs for the past 2 days.  Just call me the Witch Doctor.  

Fox Island, Washington

October 20, 2013

Because Jordan needed a ride back to school today, we decided to do the pumpkin patch along the way.  We then had to do the Old Navy, Sports Authority, SouthCenter Mall run as well before dropping her at the AOΠ house.  She made it just in time for dinner.  

Puyallup, Washington

October 19, 2013

The day was spent running errands and fixing Maggie the super Honda in between water polo matches.  Gig Harbor had three matches throughout the day against teams from High Schools around the Pierce County area.  Since he's fighting off a chest cold and possible sinus infection, he decided to nap in between games #2 and #3 instead of dining at the local Denny's with some of his teammates.  Some pretty tough competition, but Gig Harbor won all three of their games.  Great job, Tides!

Auburn, Washington

October 18, 2013

An increased degree of difficulty this morning for my group trail run.  Not only were we dealing with colds temps and muddy trails covered with fallen leaves, but the entire forest was shrouded in fog.  It was eerily quiet and beautiful at the same time.  Besides.... we're Dirty Girls. We can handle it.

Gig Harbor, Washington

October 17, 2013

All week long the sunsets have been spectacular and I've been meaning to get out for a few photos.  This evening I finally drove out to the bridge to capture the sunset, but instead turned around and was captivated by the moonrise.  Calm waters and somewhat clear skies make for a gorgeous setting.  

Gig Harbor, Washington

October 16, 2013

Some of the Fall colors along our main road.  I love to see the bright yellows, reds and oranges but I don't particularly care for the colder temperatures.

Fox Island, Washington

October 15, 2013

After spending a couple of hours standing at my kitchen island making up a 10 dozen batch of the boys' favorite meatballs (just to put in the freezer for future use), I decided I needed to whip up a scrumptious, crunchy treat.  And since I went to all the trouble to make that beautiful biscotti, I decided I needed to splurge on a second cup of coffee for the afternoon.  Aaaaahhhh.... no apples today!

Fox Island, Washington 

October 14, 2013

The fruits of my labor for lunch.  I did a quick pick from the garden when I returned from a walk with the pups this morning and got a few patty pan and tomatoes.  The mozza was made yesterday with assistance from Sam... it was our first attempt.  And, of course, I did up some more cider for the family... I also brewed another 5 gallon batch of the hard stuff too!

Fox Island, Washington

October 13, 2013

When the mornings are heavy with fog it usually means we're going to have a beautiful afternoon.  Mother Nature stuck with her pattern and delivered.  Since the base commissaries finally reopened, I spent my morning there replenishing my pantry.  My afternoon was spent working with my first batch of hard apple cider (so far it tastes fabulous!!), prepping the dinner soup (thanks KK!) and making cheeses.  Of course, I stepped out for a few minutes to enjoy the fresh air and changing scenery.  

Fox Island, Washington

October 12, 2013

This afternoon all three boys participated in an Eagle Court of Honor for their friend Colin.  The rainy morning gave way to a beautiful sunny Autumn afternoon ceremony at the Sehmel Park Pavilion.  Here are my three Boy Scouts decked out in full dress uniform. 

Gig Harbor, Washington

October 11, 2013

I had company while picking apples today.  Both Louise and Kelly join in the adventure during this beautiful day.  It certainly made the task so much more fun!  We then hauled everything up to the house and did some juicing.  Since time was getting the best of us and we all had others obligations we had to attend to, the ladies left with only one gallon of cider each.  I'm going to get a few more out to them as payment for the extra harvesting hands and for joining me.  

Fox Island, Washington

October 10, 2013

Crisp and dry in the morning.  Foggy, drizzly and wet in the afternoon.  Roll reversal for the day makes for a nice change.  

Gig Harbor, Washington

October 9, 2013

Apparently, apples did well this year.  Another neighbor decided they didn't want to deal anymore with harvesting the fruit from their 9 trees.  They got enough to make about 10 gallons of apple cider and they're finished for the year.  Well, this is what it takes to make about 2 1/2 gallons of juice -- about 1 bushel of apples.  I have bins and bins full of these apples!   I'm planning to brew up another 5 gallon batch of hard cider and my friend, Louise will come over later this week to do up a batch of the regular stuff for her family. If anyone needs a few apples just let me know!

Fox Island, Washington

October 8, 2013

An unusually quiet day around our house.  We did have a few short lived storms roll in, but for the most part the day was nice.  I did get outside this afternoon to enjoy the Fall temperatures and to take some pictures in the low light. 

Fox Island, Washington  

October 7, 2013

This morning started out with the usual.... fog, cloudy skies and drizzly.  By late afternoon things cleared up and the sunset was beautiful.  This low bridge is the only roadway over to our little island.

Fox Island, Washington

October 6, 2013

Zach and I decided to brave the crowds and go to the Grand Opening for the new REI store near Bremerton, WA.  The weather was sunny and warm, a hot breakfast was served, decent music was played and the crowd was relatively small.  After waiting just over an hour, the doors opened and the employees handed out water bottles with REI gift card while cheering us in to the new store.  Zach purchased his much needed hiking boots and I enjoyed browsing around.  It's a smaller store, but still loaded with all kinds of cool outdoor gadgets.

Silverdale, Washington

October 5, 2013

If the boys didn't have water polo, weight training and running this morning I would opt to stay in this spot.  From the looks of that heavy fog out my door and the fact that the furnace has been running since I woke up, it's going to be a cold morning.

Fox Island, Washington

October 4, 2013

Late afternoon turned pleasant and beautiful.  While driving home after Cross Country practice, Zach and I ventured over to the far side of our island to check out the view.  We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this ship coming into the channel.  The days are getting shorter and the sun was going down beyond the mountains, giving the sky and water a warm orange glow.

Fox Island, Washington

October 3, 2013

I have been trying to come up with meals I can make to appease the entire family.  This has been difficult as of late.  Usually, we all eat the same thing and if you don't like it, there's always peanut butter and jelly available.  This sandwich doesn't appeal to the vegetarians or calorie conscious, but the always ravenous, physically active (thin and growing) teenage boys though it was perfect. Except for that green leafy stuff.

Fox Island, Washington

October 2, 2013

This little guy was taking a break from all the rain.  Our feeder has a huge topper, giving the hungry fellows some shelter while getting their fill.  It looks like I'll need to refill the cylinder soon!

Fox Island, Washington

October 1, 2013

In between rainstorms, cleaning the house, doing laundry and prepping dinner I ran outside to get a shot of this gorgeous tree in my neighbor's yard.  The bright, vibrant Fall colors remind of our tour in Maine.  Except, it wasn't just one tree with turning leaves, but the whole, sweeping landscape ablaze with change.  It was such an amazing sight to behold!

Fox Island, Washington

September 30, 2013

Hair cut day!  The pups went most of the summer without getting cuts and were in desperate need of cleaning up.   The groomer went a shorter than usual because of the matted hair, but they got plenty of treats and cute Halloween neck scarves afterward.

Gig Harbor, Washington