Holly Blues by Susan Wittig Albert

This is the newest book in the China Bayles mystery series. It was just as solid as the former books. I like Albert's writing. I feel like her books are a little "higher class" mysteries, not just your run of the mill, milk a series for all it is worth type of mystery.

I love consistency in an author. That doesn't mean they can't try something new--I just like to know that I'll enjoy whatever they put out. In fact, variety is the spice of life. Freshness in an author is what keeps me reading him/her.

State Fair by Earlene Fowler

I must say this book was a disappointment. I have really enjoyed reading this entire series (Benni Harper). I don't know what happened, but this one was blah, topped by too many pages on a soapbox.

The final third of the book was more up to par, but it was too little too late.

The last book of hers I read, Love Mercy, didn't really measure up either. I thought it was just because it was a different story. Who knows?

Needless to say, I will not purchase another of her books. There will only be a library trial from now on. If the next one doesn't work, I'm done.

Joy

Elizabeth, eating Austin's birthday cupcake:

Photos for this post and Austin's birthday courtesy of Audrey.

Happy Birthday Austin

In celebration of this day:

May 27, 2005

Ray and I and Trish drove west to Wendover to visit Austin on his fifth birthday. We all went to lunch at a local small but terrific Mexican restaurant. I've never had better chips in the state of Utah (and we were barely still inside the state here). We had so much fun! Joseph came over during his lunch hour so we were all together.

Matthew and Diane

Trish, Ray, Diane, Matthew

Audrey even brought a birthday cupcake. We all sang Happy Birthday,

Austin

Then Austin blew out his candles. (Five!!)

Just as he began to enjoy his cupcake, Elizabeth decided it should be hers. She left no doubt in anyone's mind about how she felt. Another post on that to come.

Here's the big five (when did that happen?) year old modeling a few of his gifts (shorts, shirt, belt).

I love this boy. He makes being a g'ma great!

Why not?

1. Why can't we choose the landscaping "settings" we have in life? Then we can click on the plants we want to have grow, and click off the weeds we don't want to have.

2. Why won't garden pests (i.e. deer and snails) eat the stuff I don't want instead of the stuff I do want? (I know you've heard this before).

3. Why do my neighbors' dandelions take to heart "be fruitful and multiply" in my yard and garden?

4. Why is there a jungle of weeds growing in my otherwise desert yard?

Yes, it's that time of year again. I must take machete in hand and get to work. It puts a damper on my spring (in more ways than one) and summer.

But it does feel good to be outside. Especially before it gets hot.

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Delightful book. Jeannette Walls has a wonderful talent of taking on the voice of her characters.

The story is based on the real life of Jeannette's maternal grandmother. I would have loved to have known her grandmother!

Vashon Island Getaway

When I lived in Washington, my book group Crazy Ladies had little getaways once or twice a year. Now that I've moved, they try to plan a getaway about once a year when I come back, or other "move aways" come back. We've been to Victoria, BC three or four times, Leavenworth, WA three times, Lake Cavanaugh, WA a few times. This time we wanted something different. Tamara found us a place on Vashon Island, WA. Vashon is a great location - just a ten minutes ferry ride from West Seattle, and the ferry runs about every twenty minutes. Easy on, easy off, and plenty of fun in between.

We met Thursday morning and our first stop was Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle. One of the best things they have there are twice-baked almond croissants. Because I traveled so far to get there (from SLC), they gave me one of the lemoncello Parisian macaroons. Delicious!

From Bakery Nouveau it was just a two minute drive to the ferry, and we almost drove straight on to the ferry.

Once on Vashon we hunted for the bike in the tree - something Vashon is known for. Berkeley Breathed wrote a very fun children's book, Red Ranger Came Calling, that features this bike.

Legend has it that a young man leaned his bike against the tree, then was drafted into WWI. While he was gone, the tree grew around the bike, and the bike continued to grow higher as the tree grew. I have no idea how true that is.

Here we are: Tamara, Karen, Shelley, me, Marsha, Wendy

After the tree, we went to a quilt store on the island. It was one of the best quilt stores I've been in. We had too much fun, and spent too much money, but it was worth it.

Our getaways are about three things: friends, fun, and food. Mostly in that order, but not always. The first thing we did was establish a snack counter:

Marsha, Tamara, Karen, Shelley, Valerie

Then of course we had to partake:

Wendy, Marsha, Tamara, Karen, Shelley, Valerie

Our house was right on the beach. We went for a few walks. It was so beautiful. I got my water/ocean fix. It should last me a few months.

Wendy, Tamara, Karen, Valerie

The drain in the kitchen sink was backed up from the moment we got there. Shelley took it upon herself to take it apart and clean it out. It was quite a process, but the drain was completely blocked and she cleared it out.

Shelley and her plumber's helper, Marsha:

Games (Hand and Foot, Up the River Down the River, Hearts, Dice Town, Dominion, Rummikub, Dime Line dominoes) took up our time when we weren't eating or talking. Oh wait. We ate and talked while we played!

Melanie, Karen, Valerie, Shelley

Here's the view from our balcony:

Melanie, Diane, Karen

On the beach, looking back up toward the house:

Wendy, Tamara, Marsha, Shelley, Diane, Valerie, Karen

It was a sweet time together. Thanks girls!

Long May It Wave

I grew up in Port Hueneme, California. There is a Seabee base there (branch of the Navy), so I grew up with the military everywhere. I love and respect the sight of a soldier or sailor in uniform, and the American flag always gives me a little thrill.

This flag hangs over my parents' fireplace. Notice how it is faded, and worn at the edges?

My parents flew this flag outside every day that my nephew (their grandson) Josh was serving in Iraq. After he returned, they gave him the flag.

Josh is now serving a tour in Afghanistan. Last week he was home on his mid-tour leave. He had taken the flag with him to Afghanistan, then asked one of the pilots to take the flag with him on one of his missions. Josh returned the flag to my parents and told them it has flown on a mission in Afghanistan. The flag now hangs over the fireplace.

My parents are proud that their grandson serves our country. So am I.