Ferns

The Falls

Hey Mom... playing with photoshop... again

Family, family, family... leave me a comment once and awhile so I know how you're doing!!! Love you miss you.
"Hangin' out in Nampa"

Adding a little rain...

Sandy's Stuff

This is a collage of some of sister Sandy's stuff.
I had a great train run home from "Hinkle-ville" and actually got to sit in the engineers seat and run the train awhile. I like the conductors side a little better because I get to look around a little more and don't have all the gauges to keep an eye on. I am now back on "my own time" for the next seven days. Apparently my run days will now be Sat & Sun.
The low carbers are doing well and have headed for The Dalles for the weekend. I will put in an update on Monday on their progress.

"Hosta LaVista" Baby...

Here I am hanging out in Hermiston waiting for a train heading home. Looks like first thing in the morning. Was hoping for spring but this morning snow fell hard and heavy. Back into winter mode I guess.

DragonFly

This little guy was flitting around the backyard last year...

Hot Tub

Grandma Lou's picture of the grand kids in the hot tub...

Hmmmm...

I know, I know. I've got way too much time on my hands.

The Oil Version

Okay maybe not quite so cartoony... A little Norman Rockwellesk.

My Sister is a Winemaker

My sister Sandy is a winemaker. There is no fruit that she won't throw in a batch...

George...

One more Clam Digging Picture

I'm on a roll now... Hey sis any clams in the freezer?

Another "Clamdigger"

Here's another clam digger obviously not my sister....

Sister Sandy The Digger

A proud digger and her Tool.

Clamdigging

I saw this picture and thought of razor clams. I love razor clams. Luckily I have a sister who still goes clamdigging. She sometimes shares her bounty. Yummmmm.

Mom's picture of "Dogs" waiting for Jim and Sandy to get home.

I was sure that George had the same forlorned look while I was away until I found out he was on his motorcycle wandering the countryside in the spring-like weather with a very large grin on his face.
I'm home, finally back from Nampa-ville. The Railroad doesn't get me again until next Thursday. A girl could really get used to working "part time" if only the money part was not an issue. I hear that it was really nice in LaGrande yesterday. Hopefully the warmth will be repeated today while I'm home... Maybe we'll see a little less snow on the ground. It's a little chilly out right now but blue sky is slightly visible.

Still in Nampa

I'm sitting in my home away from home when I'm in Nampa motel. Although fairly nice, it is not The Lodge.
I'm still waiting for a train to catch home. My crew has gone on before me and is at this moment heading towards LaGrande. The hotel I stay at is currently inundated with a large high school girl's basketball team, complete with chaparones and family members. The halls are decorated with red and white streamers and name tags labeling the appropriate doors. The lounge area looks like a pajama party has exploded. There are bodies strewn everywhere. I did manage to venture out of my room and very carefully weave my way through the maze of red and white uniform clad teenagers to get to the coffee machine downstairs.

Back on the road again

I am sitting in Nampa after a day of "training". I haven't been going East lately so it's a nice change of pace. As you can see I am still playing with Photo shop.... Granddaughter Alli is a good candidate for a coloring sketch. Hope everyone is doing well.
The "low carbers" are doing well in spite of a living room full of Girl Scout cookies. Speaking of cookies, I was in a hurry when I caught my train this morning so my lunchbox looks a little poorly. Oh don't get me wrong, I have plenty to eat. I just need to pre-plan a little for variety.

One more for Sandy

Pictures for Sandy

Chicken

This little chicken was wandering around in the snow at Lake Quinault. I thought I'd warm her up a bit.

Max & Madee

Okay, I have way too much time on my hands...

Little Miss Madee

Low carbers update

Okay, for the update... Jodi has lost an additional 2.4 lbs. and Will lost another .8 lbs. Whoo hoo! They are doing really well which makes it a guilt free night to watch The Biggest Loser. George is out pruning and I continue to play with Photoshop.

Sandy's Blue Rocker

Got back home last night. The low carbers stayed on program and I will update their success tomorrow. Meanwhile we continue to play with Photoshop.

Little Carson

We got to see Little Carson along the way...

Little Max

I'm moving a little slowly this morning but really wanted to show off the newest of the tribe.

Cher and Jason

Mom's House

Mom's house is one of my favorite places to visit. We had a great time visiting everyone in Lake Quinault. We are now in Bellingham visiting "Annie the Pregnant" and will be heading back to LaGrande later this morning. Have lot's to show and tell and will get busy posting when I get home.

Road trip!!

This would be my usual mode of transportation but today George and I are loading up the jeep and heading up to our old stomping grounds to see the rest of our brood. There will be Barnes & Noble stops along the way. (we are no where near this luxury Here in La Grande. ) I will be leaving the "low-carbers" behind to carry on for the week. Will they be faithful? Of course!!! They are excited with the results so far! by the way check out Linda's recipe for cream cheese clouds.... OMG yum. Life is easy when you have an arsonal of allowable delights. Look over in the side bar and click for her recipes.

Yep still playing

By the way if you move the little cursor over the picture it will get big.....

Okay... still playing with photoshop cs4

Update on the low-carb Newbies

Whoo Hoo! Jodi has lost 5.2 lbs. and Will has dropped 6 lbs even in their first week. Both are looking good and holding up well. this way of eating seems to be working well for us. This has nothing to do with a red bicycle, I'm just still playing with photoshop. Well I did get to go to work this week but got bumped off the board which means I'm in limbo. Not unusual for the railroad though. Tommorrow George and I will be heading on a road trip to see new grandbaby and all of the chickadees along the way.

Yep. Still waiting

Still waiting for a call from UP. Meanwhile it's snowing again in LaGrande. So much for spring.

Old Fishing Floats

I grew up on the Olympic Pennisula, in WA State. Years ago old fishing floats could be found along the beaches.

Still waiting...

I'm still waiting for my "train" call so playing with Photoshop. This is an old abandoned blue truck along the tracks heading west.

Waiting to catch a Train

It's Monday so I'm now on Union Pacific time. This is when I hang around the house waiting for a phone call. It may come early or it may come late, but sometime today I will be notified and told that I need to catch a train. I do love my job though... I get to go through places that you can't get to by car. Lots to see along the way. If I'm heading west I see elk, lots of deer, bear, bald eagles, and wild turkeys. If I head east I see lots of deer, sometimes antelope, foxes, pheasants, and occasionally golden eagles. Life's not bad when a grandmother can have a job like this.

Spring fever

Ahhhh Spring fever has hit....

Feels like spring

It feels a little like spring here in La Grande. That is if you're not in the shade. Oh, and unless the wind is blowing, which is pretty constant. The blue sky is inspiring though. Well friends and family I am still working at this point. I have not yet been bumped and am scheduled to work Monday and Tuesday. Whoo hoo. We can eat, we can drive, yes we will have made it through yet another week! God is kind.
On another note the low-carbers here are still doing well. tomorrow will be the end of week one of the "induction phase."
I am keeping myself busy playing with photoshop cs4 and all it's magical powers. It really helps to have a hobby I can take with me on the train. I don't of course use it until I get to the motel at my away from home depot. It sure does help pass the time.

Old windows and pepperoni

Today we went for a ride to Embler to get some pepperoni. Not just any old pepperoni but an Embler local tradition. We needed the pepperoni for our latest food fetish. Jodi found a recipe for pizza low carb style. We tried it and we're hooked. You just take cheese (mozzarella in this case) Grate it and spread it out on the bottom of a small pan. Cook over medium heat until it melts and begins to brown, top with you're favorite toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, olives) sprinkle with italian seasoning, let it brown a little more around the edges. Remove it and cut it into wedges. Amazing!!!!! Get this and other great recipes at Linda's website in the blogs I follow section. Yumm...

Marbles

Several years ago marbles started appearing along my path. I worked in landscaping and I would find them in flowerbeds that I would be re-configuring. I would find them along paths, in parking lots, and laying in the grass. They were all old, used and played with, or just embraced by the elements of nature. Every time I would find one it would make me smile. Sometimes I would spot one while I was in a quandry or a slump. A little reminder that God is in control and I am thought of. I hope that you find a marble or two along your path.

George's Tree

I've been playing with Photoshop this evening. This is an old Japanese maple I saw at the NW Flower and Garden show last year.
Updates on Will and Jodi... Jodi over 6 lbs lost and Will over 5lbs. not bad for less than a week. Hooray. Pictures next Monday!

George's Mocha

Hubby George does not need to go low carb so this whipped cream topped mocha complete with chocolate drizzle is his morning cup of choice. I'm sure I could come up with a low carb version if I wanted but myself I prefer straight up latte' with whole milk and a couple of shots of espresso. Of course let it be noted that I am currently mid "induction" so I will resort to only fantasizing.

Great recipe site

Checkout Linda's site lots of recipes, menus and more. Amaaaaaazing. http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html

Whoo Hoo!!!! Perfect for a sweet snack.

3 egg whites
1/8 cream of tartar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1Tbs. bakers cocoa
1/2 chopped walnuts

Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and vanilla until forms peaks and glossy. Fold in cocoa and nuts drop by spoonfuls on to silpat or parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 300 degrees.
Enjoy!!! We are.....

Memories

Several years ago We opened an Antique store in Aberdeen, WA. It was a dream come true. To own our own business. We loved antiques and collectibles. Since I'm always about presentation we hired a sign guy that I had met in my small business class. He did a great job for us. I wanted something different. This sandwich board was perfect as was the great mural that flanked the side of our old Store front building. It was good to see that after all these years a part of that remains.
PS Thanks friends and family for all the times you helped out at "The Shop"
Rhondi

Day Three

This is day three. So far so good. I'm proud of Will and Jodi I think they'll do well. Low carb has worked well for me it's a lifestyle I can live with. I will upload new pics of them in a couple of weeks. We all really like to eat so we are on the prowl for low-carb freindly feasts.
Rhondi

Day Two... Still standing

It's the end of the second day of our Atkins "induction". So far so good, we are all hanging in there. Looking forward to day 4 or 5. For dinner Will made some lip smackin' cheesy cauliflour and brats. It was amazing. Tonight we will be watching biggest loser with the rest of America, rooting for our favorites.