Camp Cleawox

The girls and I headed out to the beautiful Oregon Coast for Girl Scout Camp this past weekend.  We spent 2 nights out in the out-of-doors, sleeping in open-air cabins, canooing, and camp-firing.  This was Little Girl's first time and she had a blast.  Big Girl had a great time catching up with camp friends.



We were up at dawn for sunrise painting.

I was actually convinced to go canooing,after the fiasco 2 years ago when Big Girl and I were unceremoniously dumped into the lake 5 seconds after leaving the dock...earning me my camp nickname "Splash".

It rained on night 2 leading to an indoor campfire by the fireplace...I wasn't too broken up about that...No bugs, nice warm lodge...hot coffeepot...my kind of campfire!

I have to admit...I kind of had a great time, too.  But the best part of all.  Getting home for a long, hot shower!

Fruits of My Labor

Last year when we did our landscaping we planted an orchard ( 2 cherry trees, 2 pear trees and 2 apple trees constitute an orchard, don't they?).  Well, after many months of watering, feeding and bug-fighting....

A Bumper Crop!

They were delicious, too...All 12 of them.  Don't worry, I shared.

We have teeny-tiny apples, too.  They are not ready yet and I'm not sure they are going to be any good this year but they have potential.

I'm feeling like a regular farm-girl! Bring on the cows for milkin' and the pigs for sloppin' !

Dance Night

The big recital was Saturday.  Emily was adorable in her jazz/ballet routine.  Without prejudice she was the star of the show dancing to "Let Your Heart Sing" by Katherine McPhee.

Sarah was later on in the evening performance.  She did a sassy version of "He Could be the One" by Hannah Montana.

Next Sarah did her coolest moves dancing hip-hop style to "Ima Bee" by the Black-eyed Peas.

Both girls were without a doubt the prettiest girls and the best in the shows. As you can see I am completely unbiased.There is some debate in the house as to from whom they got their dance talent.  Daddy thinks he passed down his dance skills.  He bases this on a two-minute waltz at our wedding. I think it must come from farther up the family tree. Their cuteness, though...that one is obvious!

My Mother's Day Sweets

 My honey was working on Mother's Day so I wasn't really expecting a whole lot on Sunday.  I expected business as usual but my little sweeties surprised me. 

I was trying to sleep in but around seven a.m. I started hearing my door opening and closing every few minutes with accompanying whispers in the hall.  "Is she awake?"  "No, I think she's still asleep."

I finally gave up and hollered to the girls that I was up.  In they bounced wearing aprons.  One held a breakfast menu (with 5 types of cereal) and the other held an order pad and pencil. For some reason, coffee was not on the menu so I had to request a special order from the chef.

I propped myself up with some pillows, turned on the news and awaited my gourmet breakfast in bed.

Much, much later, room service arrived and served my delicious frozen pancakes (no syrup), banana and coffee.  It was wonderful.  My lovely waitresses asked if there would be anything else and left me alone to enjoy my meal.

Soon after, room service arrived to remove the tray and bring my morning paper (I could really get used to this).

After reading the paper and having a second cup of coffee (and still having not put a foot down on the floor) I discovered a chick-flick marathon on ABC Family.  I snuggled back down into my covers and relived one or two old favorites.

I decided around eleven to check on the kitchen staff. They seemed happily busy with their own pursuits so I decided to exercise a bit.  While exercising I started watching chick-flick number three and didn't make it into the shower until after it was over.

My waitresses arrived with the lunch "manue".  The choices were peanut and butter and jelly sandwich or bagel with cream cheese with water or milk to drink.

I enjoyed a solitary lunch in my room and then decided it was time to rejoin the rest of the world.

The house was actually in pretty good order with minimal mess in the kitchen.  I was really impressed with the help.  They work cheap, too.

Later, we met Daddy for dinner in town.  The pampering continued at home as Daddy got the girls ready for bed and tucked them in as I watched recorded episodes of Dancing With The Stars. 

This was my very, very, best Mother's Day ever! I hope all of you were as lucky as me yesterday.

Happy belated Mother's Day!

My Pioneer Woman Adventure

Shelly and I set out on our Pioneer road trip much as the original pioneers did:  with a quick trip to the Love's on I-5 for gas, snacks and diet Pepsi.

After 3 hours we arrived at our destination. There was no line out the door so we figured we were early enough to get a good spot to meet Ree.

Then we saw this!

We did manage to find a good spot to stand for the next 2 hours.  Ree got lost in traffic and was a bit late.  She arrived a bit flustered and came in the wrong entrance. The person who was to meet her at the entrance couldn't get to her and she ended up trying to talk into the mike stand.  She handled it in her usual self-depreciating way and got a good laugh from the crowd.

She took questions from the audience and even sang a bit of Ethel Merman.  The exciting news was that she is in talks with Hollywood-types to make a movie of "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" and that Reese Witherspoon has expressed interest in playing Ree!

A  few hours later.....Our numbers were finally called and we got to meet Ree.  "I'm from Oklahoma, too!"  I babbled excitedly.  I'm sure she was thrilled.

Actually, she was quite kind.  She had a short conversation with everyone who came up to her and smiled and laughed the entire time.  I'm sure we are best friends now and I'll be invited to the lodge very soon. I mean...look what she wrote in my book!

A Pioneer Road Trip

Today my friend Shelley and I are headed on a road trip to Portland to meet The Pioneer Woman at a book signing.  I can't wait!  I hope to get some good pictures and maybe even see Marlboro Man!

I'll keep you posted!

If you don't know The Pioneer Woman here is her web address:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

Puerto Vallerta Zip Lining

Well, we are back from our Mexico trip.  The first port we docked in was Puerto Vallerta where my honey and my big girl went  zip-lining in the jungle canopy. 

They had a blast.  They zip lined from platform to platform, rapelled down, crossed narrow rope bridges and climbed gigantic ladders.

Not exactly my cup of tea. 

I'll stick with shopping.