Life is a Rollercoaster....

Aftershock was AWESOME!

Yes, I LOVE rollercoasters! After our raft trip, the boys and I drove to Silverwood Theme Park in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They have some great coasters and we rode them all (several times)! Not to mention the Water Park.....

You know how they say alcohol kills your brain cells and they never grow back? Well, I think rollercoasters do the same thing. I'm certain I suffered some permanent brain damage or maybe I'm just getting old????

The boys had a great time though and that made me happy :-)

Do you love rollercoasters????

Rafting on The Snake River in Hells Canyon!

Alex, Brandon (Alex's buddy) and I had an incredible time rafting for 3 days on The Snake River! We went with an amazing raft company called Hells Canyon Rafting. It was a first class operation with wonderful guides who took care of everything, waiting on us hand and foot. They spoiled us so much I'll never be able to go camping on my own again! They prepared us the most delicious meals in camp, with wine, guitar serenading and lots of laughs. There were also lots of fun people on the rafts with us and we all had a great time chatting, paddling and playing Catch Phrase (I HAVE to get that game now!). The canyon was absolutely breathtaking. The air was hot, hot, hot and the water refreshingly cool but not cold. We loved paddling through the rapids, "riding the bull", kicking back in the oar boat and kayaking. The boys had great fun trying to splash me. I will have a video later of me getting my revenge!

We went on some cool hikes too. One of them was was up a hill to "Suicide Point". I had a bit of vertigo but the boys loved it. We got to see many petroglyphs from the Nez Perce Indians too. Also, old cabins from homesteaders dating back to the early 1900's. It's amazing to think how they thrived down there in that canyon.

That is our gear boat way down there! What a view it was at the top!

We had awesome campsites both nights and check out the our "bathroom"! Privacy and a view!

We had so much fun and I think I will want to go back next summer! Check out my web album for more pictures....

I've been tagged!

This is the first time I have played a Blog Game. I was tagged by Laura, Cindy & Richard. I guess I tag Kelli since these are all the people that I know that blog!

1. My hometown - I would have to say Encinitas, California, where I grew up.
2. Favorite hobby - Is drinking wine considered a hobby??? Let's call it wine TASTING!

3. Favorite vehicle - I think that would have to be the car I have now, Mercedes CLS 550! I LOVE to drive it!

4. Dream career - Hmmmmm....work? Not too sure I really want to do that but if I HAD too I guess it would be something in the travel industry? Tour Operator? Adventure Travel?
I might be able to do a job like that. Now if we are talking FANTASY career...that would have to be A Dancer (NEVER can happen!) Yeah! Maybe I could be on Dancing With The Stars! I wouldn't mind that job!

5. Favorite restaurant - DaVincis is my favorite as we have been going there for 16 years now and have celebrated so many special occasions in their cozy atmosphere.

6. Favorite guilty pleasure - The Showtime show "Weeds" - it's SO WRONG sometimes but it makes me laugh! Oh, wait, "The Tudors" may have to be on that list too!

Yummy!
7. Favorite flower - OK, well, it's clear why Cindy and I are such good friends - we're both Virgo's, we both love Stargazers and purple is both of our favorite color!

8. Favorite color - While I happen to be on a lime green kick these days, purple will be my all time favorite color.
9. Favorite vacation spot - MAUI!!!!It's the perfect place for all that I love: beaches, sun, ocean, mountains, food and fun!

Cruising...

Ok, I have to admit I do wish I was there right now....this is a picture of Cook's Bay on Moorea taken by our new friends on S/V Destiny. The days on the boat that are like this are absolutely wonderful. However, it's the days when the generator is broken, or the watermaker won't work or the anchor won't hold that I just can't seem to handle. I

know, I admit it, I'm a fair-weathered sailor. Period.
Joe has been having all these mechanical problems of late and is frustrated. He has some new crew coming on board today and hopefully the boat will take a break from breaking and they can get some cruising in!

Yummy recipe for those summer potlucks....

I thought I'd share an easy, tasty recipe. It's always a hit when I bring it to a get-together.

Confetti Rice Salad

Boil 4 cups chicken broth and 2 cups rice to a boil. Cover, simmer for 20 minutes. Cool rice in a bowl. Drain and save marinade from a 14.5 oz jar of artichoke hearts, chop. Add to rice: artichokes, 3 - 5 sliced green onions, 4 oz. chopped black olives, 1 chopped red bell pepper. Set aside. in a separate bowl combine 1/2 cup mayo, 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, salt and pepper, artichoke marinade, 2 Tb. rice vinegar, wisk, pour over rice and stir. I think it tastes better made the day before you serve it.

A Beautiful Weekend!

It was a very nice relaxing weekend around the farm. I am dog-sitting Kira and Buster so it's been a full house around here! Alex and I took the little dogs to the parade in town (which I haven't been to since Alex was 3). It was so nice outside we spent a lot of time out doors, playing in the pond (Zoey's favorite), visiting the horses, oh, I saved 2 baby barn swallows from certain death (they make tasty dog snacks) and just enjoying the sun.

Titan - we've had him for about 18 years

and Bunny we've had for 17 years

Zoey cooling off


The pond looks so pretty in summer.....

Olivia & Mia's Visit

Our granddaughters came over to spend the night with their Nana this past weekend. We had a great time at the carousel and the park. Olivia loved the ride but Mia was not too happy with the whole up and down thing. Once we got her on the baby horse she was much happier!