Peaches!

Kendall's Bookkeeper makes an annual trek to Colorado to go to a peach festival and brings back peaches for us. This year we got two boxes.

Saturday was Kendall's birthday, but after a breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes he joined me in the kitchen and we tackled the orange orbs.

It was easier for me to place the peaches in the jars.We ended up with 24 quarts of peaches, 15 jars of Peach jam, 1 peach cream pie and some left over for eating.

Back to the Brown

This past week I was back in Denver Tuesday through Friday for business. We were at the Brown Palace Hotel again. It is a beautiful old building built in the late 1890's. I did find an hour for a massage in the Spa.

This was in my room when I checked in. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera to take a picture of the plate with chocolate covered dried pineapple, strawberry and other fruits. Yummy and beautiful presentation!

Illinois Friends

We were happy to have friends visiting this weekend from Illinois. Jenell, Doug, Wayne, Lois, Sue and Tim. They are now on their way to the Grand Canyon for the BIG hike. They will go down the north rim on Tuesday, spend some time at Phantom Ranch and then hike out the south rim on Thursday. Sorry we can't join them!

Bunko

Once a month I get together with friends to play Bunko. It is a dice game, but it's more about conversation and food. As you can see by my score card, it's a rather mundane score. Prizes are given for the most wins, the most loses and the most Bunkos.

If you want to learn more about the game here is a link: http://www.buncorules.com/whatis.html

Gardening

Gardening Arizona style. We needed to replace a few well worn plants today. That tends to happen when the mercury goes over 110 degrees on a consistent basis.

Arizona Broadway Theater

Last night we went to the theater with our friends Kathy & Dan and Dawn & Sammy. It was a fun evening with the exception of a moment in the first half when the manager brought up the house lights and asked for a doctor in the house. There was a woman who needed CPR and they called 911. Luckily there were two doctors in house so Kathy and I didn't need to try to remember our out dated nursing skills! She seemed to be doing well when they left with her.

Happy Birthday, Marge!

A very happy birthday to my friend Marge!

and I say, "Well, duh!"

House Warming Gift

Last evening we were invited to dinner by Kendall's "first cousin once removed", Ben and his wife Deirdre. They bought a new home recently and it was our first meal there so we took a 'house warming' basket. It included homemade honey whole wheat bread, strawberry jam, peanut butter and honey.

Kendall's cousin Maxine was also in town from Denver.

We had an outstanding dinner and conversation.

Guests in Our Own Home

The air conditioning unit went out on Friday evening in the section of our house where our bedroom is located. I felt like Goldie Locks in trying to find the best guest bed for us to sleep in. The first one was too soft, so we moved to another one the next night. Although it was a little firm for delicate me, it was just right for my manly husband. The air conditioner guy was here today and so far so good for cooling the warm room down. We'll be able to sleep in our own "just right" bed.

Dinner with Friends

We have had Waneda and Marv visiting us since Thursday from Indiana, and finally had time to have dinner with them Monday night.
Note the whipped cream topping on Waneda's homemade ice cream!

The Winner

"I want to thank my wife and my pit crew."

Since Blogger won't let me add Kendall's winning photo to yesterday's Blog - he gets his own entry!

The Cinders

This weekend we spent time in the cool high country in The Cinders. This is a picture of why it is appropriately named that. Apparently this marble like texture is from an ancient volcano. Very interesting to try to walk on - more difficult than sand.

This is the reason for the trip - a race! Here is Kendall suiting up getting ready to go.

Kendall coming into the pit area on lap one.

It really was a beautiful place and the temperatures were in the 60's to 80's. We have a few rain drops, but nothing to mar the event.

Kendall getting the checkered flag at the finish line. Of course he won his class again! I'm not able to load his podium picture at this time on Blogger, so check back later to see if I can get it to cooperate.

The trailer had a flat tire on the way home. Thanks to having all the right tools along, it was a breeze for Kendall and Ryan, his pit guy, to change.

Bumpy Ride

I was in Colorado yesterday for business. The flight back to Phoenix was delayed over 2 hours because of weather in Phoenix. Well, when we got back in the Phoenix airspace it was still "weather!". We attempted to land 4 times during the course of holding/circling for an hour. At least I didn't toss my cookies like so many around me! We ran out of air sick bags in our section. It was good to be home!

Quail

In response to Mom's question, we're sure the baby quail are from a new nesting. The other ones would be much larger by now - at least teenagers!

They're Back!

Maybe we're not such a bad place for baby quails. This weekend we've had two babies with Mama and Daddy hanging out. This time in the front yard instead of the back yard. They are little fur balls that can move fast!

Roasted Corn

Thanks to my wonderful Mother-in-Law we have been eating fresh corn on the cob from Kansas. Tonight we roasted it on the grill. Yummy! It reminds me of the wiener roasts we had on Grandpa's farm when we were kids.

120!

No, it wasn't really 120 degrees today, but that is what my car said it was! It sure felt like 120.

It's good to know Mom is home from the hospital and feeling better.

Coopers Rock

While on our way to Maryland from the Pittsburgh airport we stopped at Coopers Rock State Forest in West Virginia. Is it the eastern version of the Grand Canyon?

Mini Golf

In our family there is only one kind of golf. Kendall and I were able to get a round in with Mom, Dad, Walter and Harold before we came home on Monday. Dad didn't get just one hole in one, but 3, giving him the low score of 36. Way to go Dad!

Mom and Kendall

Dad, Walter, Harold

The Big Spring

Saturday Dad, Kendall, Ken, Phebe, Emma and I hiked to the Big Spring in Pennsylvania.

It was a beautiful trail.

We took about 2.5 hours to do the 4 mile hike.

Not bad for three generations!

We were one with wildlife!

Butterfly

Deer

Snake, yuck!

The Big Spring with bubbling sand where the water filters up.

Emma at the Spring in her hiking boots.

The trip out was much quicker with Emma riding on Kendall's shoulder.

While we were hiking Mom and Julie kept an eye on Asa and Rachel.

We had a picnic lunch when we got back to the State Park.

Rachel ready for a nap on the ride home.

Family Reunion

This weekend we were in Maryland for a family reunion. I'll post other pictures of events of the weekend later.

This reunion was Sunday afternoon in a location where we grew up. My cousin Glen has done a great job with the area! This is were Phebe was married 5 years ago.

Front: Lorene and Walter, Alva, Dad, Mom

Back: Eva Jean and Harold, Lucy (married to Alva) and Anna (Willis' widow)

Rachel and Asa took turns pushing each other.

Whitney did a great job helping to keep an eye on her younger cousins

Emma and Rachel love to swing!!

Memorable Day

Thanks to everyone for their birthday wishes! My wonderful husband made sure I had memorable food today - we know how important good food is in our lives! We started the day with French Toast at my favorite breakfast restaurant (Mimi's Cafe), popcorn during an afternoon movie and then Peanut Butter and Chocolate Ice Cream at Cold Stone Creamery. Yummy!

All this is in addition to dinner yesterday at PF Changs with our friends Kathy and Dan.

Pampering

This is starting out like a very different weekend than last weekend. This morning I took time for a facial, manicure and pedicure at one of my favorite salons.

Sleeping in and no hiking!

A card from my friend Marge says it all:

Some people say we're "High Maintenance!"

and I say, "Well, duh!!"

9.2 Miles!

We went to the Grand Canyon for a day hike this weekend.

We went down 4.6 miles to Indian Gardens and then back up again.

If you look closely you can see the Indian Gardens way down there where the trees are.

It's a long way down there!

These people are doing it the easy way

Don't feed the wildlife!

Early in the hike down

You mean we have to hike back up?

At the Indian Gardens

Kendall was the ultimate hiker!

He carried the back pack with all the essentials and kept Deb going.

What a great guy!

We really made it!!

Two hours down, one hour break and then 4.5 hours back out.

Some sore muscles and two blisters for Deb

The best part of the day...

back to our Bed & Breakfast for showers, dinner and a soak in the whirlpool tub!

It's Cat Nap Time

What to do when it's 103 outside and you're a pampered pet? You guessed it!

Rain!

We get excited when we have rain, even if it is a tenth of an inch!

Chicken Pesto Pizza

Our basil grew enough that I was able to make a half batch of Pesto. We had delicious Chicken Pesto Pizza Saturday night as we watched the Suns get beat in the Western Semi-finals.