Piper Photoshoot

Piper has really been enjoying the sunshine the past few days so while she looked so adorable I snapped a few photos (and when I say a few photos, I mean dozens, my sis calls me the Kitty Paparazzi). It isn't very often she is so sweet and loving, so I take the moments when I get them.

I thought these were especially precious because she is sleeping on Lily's bone

Garden Success

I had the opportunity to work in the garden again this week so I decided to check on the status of my vegetables. After only 45 days I have success! I anticipate it will still be another month before harvesting but if everything grows I will have more food than we can eat. The lettuce and cilantro are also growing well but the cucumbers and tomatoes haven't made an appearance yet.

Broccoli 

Red Bell Pepper

Zucchini 

The Mighty Huntress

There are a million reasons why I think my husband is the best husband in the world. He added another reason to the list yesterday when we discovered that Lily had caught her first squirrel. I don't know the details, nor do I want to know, but what I can tell you is that Hubby took care of everything and saved me from the gruesome task of "the aftermath".

I will be honest and say that I can't look Lily in the eye for the time being and every time I hear a squirrel chitter in the trees I imagine it is calling out for its lost mate.

Garden: Update

All the folks at the museum told me that I would have no problem growing a garden, in fact they were right, the problem is keeping things from growing. I have to weed every week or two and bugs are taking a toll on my broccoli and lettuce but everything is growing quickly!

Before (beginning of May)

Now (middle of June)

A natural way to deter insects from tomato plants is to plant Marigolds around it. Who knew?

Silly Schnauzers (and Cat)

I know all my friends and family in Arizona will tell me shut up when I say that it has been in the 70s here in Oregon but the "kids" are really loving the sunshine and nice weather. :)

Trudy never sunbathed in Tucson but loves it here

Lily has taken a liking to waiting on the deck for the squirrels

There is a skylight in the master bedroom and Piper found the one afternoon beam of light

All stretched out on the couch in front of the living room window

Hudson Vacation: Final Day

The final day of the Hudson vacation ended up being the best! We decided to drive about two hours west towards Tillamook. On the way we stopped by the Tillamook Forest Center:

Honest to goodness, the Tillamook National Forest makes the rest of Oregon look like it is underachieving. I have never seen such beauty in all my life!

We also stopped by the Tillamook Cheese Factory:

Big disappointment, the factory was mostly closed but packed with visitors. We didn't stay long but we plan to go back on a non-holiday.

Finally we decided to eat lunch at the beach:

View from restaurant in Oceanside, Oregon

The Oregon beaches are so different from California

Uncle Matt decided to walk out into the ocean...

and Liam tried to follow.

Mom and Dad joined in too...

but not Auntie Kristi!

We thought for sure those were the rocks from Goonies, but we were wrong. They are further north in Astoria, Oregon. Maybe we can go on the next trip. Thanks Hudsons for a great visit!!

Hudson Vacation: Day 3

Since I have become a fully certified docent at Evergreen, I have the privilege of bringing guests to the museum for a tour and behind-the-scenes activities free of charge. First I took everyone to the space building (where I work) for a couple hours and then it was off to the air building.

A different vantage point of the Spruce Goose

The docents were amazing and found time to fit us in for a Spruce Goose tour!

Hudson Vacation: Day 2

Saturday morning we got an earlier morning start and stopped by Uncle Matt's work:

Engineer-in-training

Then we went to downtown Portland for the Saturday Market:

The market is pretty awesome, lots of handmade items and very unique gifts but very crowded!

Right along the riverfront is the Oregon Maritime Museum

And while we were downtown we indulged in some heavenly donuts:

Finally, on the way home, we stopped by the Portland Aerial Tram and took a scenic ride:

The tram connects two OHSU campuses and is generally used by patients and employees of OHSU but is open to the public as well.

Hudson Vacation: Day 1

The Hudson family (B, C, Liam and baby boy #2 on the way) arrived in Portland very early in the morning on Friday (5/25/12). After a few hours sleep and a delicious breakfast, we ventured out to see what Oregon had to offer.

Our first stop: Crown Point at the Columbia River Gorge

Liam and his Uncle Matt

The Gorge to the east

and to the west

Then it was off to the waterfalls:

542 feet high

Me and my handsome man!

The Hudson Clan

Such a good Uncle!

Walkabout Part II: Durham Park

What I find completely fascinating about Oregon is how you have no idea what is around each corner. Durham Park is that way. I followed a trail out of Cook Park and entered this small opening in the trees to discover just behind it this amazing landscape. It is my greatest hope that I will always view Oregon with the eyes of an Arizonan. This place is magical.

 Bridge over Fanno Creek

 Fanno Creek

Another new trail to explore

Model Building

At any given time I am working on two different models, one at the museum and one at home. At the museum I am currently building a balsa wood airplane called the Pussycat which is powered by rubberbands. The model I was building at home is Gus Grissom's Mercury capsule, Liberty Bell 7. I finished it and despite the face that it is my very first plastic model and quite small, I think it turned out alright! Next up: The Unsinkable Molly Brown Gemini capsule.

Before and...

After!

My model now rests next to the Apollo models that my dad made when he was a little boy.