3rd sister visit

thanks to C family for starting laundry and changing bed sheets, sweeping floors, cleaning stairs, etc.  it was really helpful to prepare for the next visitors.

not top notch photography evident here.  however, including my pics for my memories!

 cleaned out my desk at Oxbow.  now working exclusively from my quiet office at medical center. i'm lucky to have that set up.  visited with a couple of friends.  here is a sweet artist friend L.  i love these pieces of the Duwamish!  of course she would do these.  maybe i'll commission a work for myself.

A B family came by on their way to go camping in Canada.  this visit stoked the fire for my need to get outside NOW.  it's summer folks!  apparently he had ice cream cones both on this 1st stop and the return stop.

I parked my car in the street. R's was at the airport while he was in CA.  so we had the Pella window guy's trailer, plus 4 or 5 friends' vehicles.  We slept 18 plus e and me. wish i had been a better hostess... made them a pancake breakfast or something.  all these nice bikes and folks... their enthusiasm was contagious.

but i left to work instead of camping/riding/climbing/hiking/fun.

a Russian treat

They took ferry to see Bremerton naval museum while E and I were at school (last day of 1st grade) and work.  but then we got to join them at the Market.  J stood in a long line to get Piroshky Piroshky!  the line is so long nowadays that they've moved it out from the building to keep the sidewalk clear.  yumm!  everyone tried savory and sweet.

 musician selling his little flutes.

 

I got re-energized to try some delicious new recipes.  C made a white bean chili that was perfect.  we mixed in fresh corn on the cob (which is amazing) and avocado, cilantro, sour cream, ETC, plus R grilled cornbread (this was a hot day, we were avoiding the oven). it was delicious.  i will make this again soon.  i loved that she kept it vegetarian by serving roasted chicken on the side.

 the C's were super nice to take e with them on their trip to Seattle Center.  They went on the bus and got there despite my misdirections.  They enjoyed a good long visit to the Pacific Science Center, and the new playground there.

 M is a talented pianist.  He played hymns, and old time favorites.  it was so nice to hear.

While C made dinner (a delicious tomato soup!), i actually went to the beach with the kids.  it was a weekday afternoon, so the crowds were absent.  it was lovely to sit and relax and we were happy.

 children find treasures. 

 this slaw helped me remember how much i love cabbage and how we can put it on anything!  here on toasted sour dough bread with some cheese... just add  mango, lime, cilantro, a little mayo, salt, onion!   a week later at this writing, and i've already made a big batch that we've just about finished.

 and then this good visit ended.   everyone ready for a long road trip.  so they did it in one day also.  just like the sister before and the sister after...

day of rest

 the kids were drawing before pancake breakfast.

 this is my good number!  we still love green smoothies every morning.  and the blendtec is certainly used for other things as well. 

 their creation reached all the way to the floor, though it required uncle R holding the base for stability.

 e played a little jam with michael and showed the others a few violin techniques.

 i made spaghetti squash in the instant pot and it came out perfect!  just 7 min on manual.  J enjoyed my cauliflower, spinach, spaghetti squash (with orzo and cheese) meal. :)

this kid has a good life :) 

around town with the C family

 C was very organized, which was great to plan out some shared meals.  We started Sat morning with a trip to the grocery store.  Then everyone packed a lunch and came to cheer for E at his last baseball game.  really nice.

Here, E is running towards 2nd base. 
After the baseball game, we went to the Ballard Locks.  it was the perfect afternoon!  we watched the boats leaving Lake Union, including this famous "Sea Venture" from TV's Deadliest Catch.  it was really hot this weekend.  different from R's visit the weekend prior.  hope the C's remember pleasant times besides the heat. 

 even kayakers go through the locks.

 i had forgotten about the beautiful garden at the Locks.

 we sat in the shade for awhile enjoying the jazz band performance.  that was really neat.

 Salmon were swimming upstream in the fish ladder!

 this little J had a fascination with the dog.  telling everyone, and pointing to the "puppy!".  when leaving, it was "bye bye puppy!"