Jack's most favorite book

Thank you, Aunt Gwen! You gave Jack this book, along with the mobile, via Bettie Jo. The pages have been nibbled a bit, but it's still in pretty great shape after about 50 readings! Gotta love a little bookworm!

Technology Rocks!

We're many miles apart, and yet...Jack smiles in delight and recognition when he sees his Grandma. It's just not the same as a warm hug, a cuddle and a kiss, but it tides us over until we can get them!

Making Jack's lunch

Once a week I make Jack a protein meal to eat during lunch while I'm at work. Tonight: in-bone pork chops--antibiotic and hormone free--and minced carrots, broccoli, red onion, garlic and rosemary with a teeny tiny, itsy bitsy, eensy weensy bit of olive oil, kosher salt and cracked pepper. All sauteed and then chopped into Jack-size pieces. Off to the freezer they go for 7 days of yummy lunches!

The Tulip Festival

On a beautiful, puffy-white-cloud-kind-of-day, Don and I packed up Jack, some sunblock, a few toys and bottles, and ventured 45 minutes out of town to Woodburn to visit the Wooden Shoe farm for its 25th annual Tulip Festival.

Hazelnut shells made a perfect pathway to the lines for the tram out to the fields.

In the distance you can just make out the vivid colors of the tulips.

Jack relaxing against Mommy for his first tram ride.

Passing a wheat field along the way.

And a few little cow wranglers. Then...

Tulips!

Lots and LOTS of tulips!

Mommy and Daddy (not quite ready for our close-ups) and a sleepy boy.

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful annual friendship.

Cottage Cheese!!

(My personal favorite. Blahhhhh!)

He was a little on the fence at first, but cottage cheese is a decided hit!

Happy International Women's Day!

Six women, one baby boy, and two very sweet Golden Retrievers celebrated the day by watching Ken Burn's documentary
Not for Ourselves Alone,
The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.
Due in very large part to the tireless will and determination of these women, we women today can  vote, leave an abusive marriage, have custody of our children, ownership of our bodies, own property, have gainful employment, and serve in office. 

Thank you.

First day of Spring and the Saturday Market is hopping!

As you can see from the crosswalk that connects both sides of the Market, just about everyone in Portland decided this was the perfect place to spend a balmy, gorgeous Spring day.

And despite the warnings of sinning and drunkeness, the beer tents had no lack of thirsty customers.

 A view of Waterfront Park.
Thank you, Portland for a perfect day.