Gifts from the Sea

As I began to unpack from my ocean trip, I carefully unwrapped the gifts brought home from the sea. My cobalt blue collection is now richer with a lovely vase, a piece of deep blue handcrafted glass work that will work well as a sun catcher, and a set of polished rocks for a dish on the table. The white bag full of saltwater taffy caused much debate as we gathered around the table at the ocean. Which flavor is really the best? We were trying to decide between huckleberry, creamsicle, black licorice, tropical punch, and hot cinnamon. Of course, Flamingo Jim's gift shop provided both of us with new fleece jackets to remind us of Rockaway Beach. Sand still in our shoes, cheese curds left from the Tillamook Cheese Factory, and lots of photographs and memories remain as we adjust to our daily routine here at home.

I Love My Nieces to Pieces!

Kiki Aru, Z2, and The Princess

After arriving home today I reflected on my fantastic trip and revisited all the photos I had downloaded on the trip. Reviewing these pictures reminded me how much fun I had with my nieces. They are funny, talented, smart, good at texting, and great models when I have my camera ready! They are always up for a game of Apples to Apples, Scattergories, or Jeopardy on television. They can take any simple event and turn it into something that makes me laugh so hard I choke on my Diet Coke.Yes, I love my nieces to pieces.

Food, Glorious Food Always Helps Make a Vacation!

Our vacation has been made even more enjoyable by the glorious food that has surrounded us since we arrived. We will remember Tillamook ice cream in a waffle bowl, good coffee with family in the morning, fresh seafood night that included crab, Italian bread, and fresh clams.We will also remember Mexican mochas at Dragonfly Sisters,
soup night that included zucchini chowder with lots of cheeseand exceptional wine. I will miss these great meals with our extended family as we prepare to leave Rockaway Beach tomorrow.

Postcards from Rockaway Beach: Tour Day, Fresh Seafood, and Ocean Sunset

Today was the day we did some fun touristy stuff. We took Mom browsing to a few shops first in Rockaway. Then we headed south to Tillamook to taste the famous cheese, buy cheese curds, and have some yummy ice cream. Above is The Princess, Kiki Aru, Silver Valley Girl and mother Mary in the back.Nothing like my favorite Tillamook Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream in a waffle cone! About a thousand other tourists must have the same idea today, but we all managed to squeeze into the cheese factory.
Z2 thought it was better to sit outside and enjoy people watching.We then toured the Blue Heron French Cheese Company, which was a bit quieter. We sampled delicious French cheese, sauces, dips, and wines. After making purchases at both places we headed home to prepare a seafood dinner. Fresh crab, steamed clams, and melted butter were passed around as the family gathered around the table after another memorable day on our Oregon coast vacation. A perfect ending to a perfect day was capturing my first Pacific Ocean sunset with Annie and Shelby running along the shoreline at low tide.

Postcards from Rockaway Beach, Oregon

Even in the rain Rockaway Beach, Oregon is a fabulous place to spend time with family. My dogs are becoming quite the ocean hounds!

Eighth Wonder of the World: Konkolville Fountain

As a child when we spent summers visiting relatives in Orofino, Idaho a highlight was to drive up in the evening to Konkolville and view the pretty lights that illuminated from the fountain in front of the Konkol mansion. At this place east of Orofino Mr. Konkol built a lumber mill then later added a steakhouse and motel. The place became Konkolville. I had a nostalgic flashback the other evening at our motel in Astoria, Oregon. Below our room was a fountain that illuminated the night just like the one I remember from my childhood. I enjoyed watching the fountain change throughout the evening as I snapped pictures.