New Additions

These cute little children are unfortunately not tax deductible but are new members of our family. Still unnamed.

Blustery

I am glad I didn't go out in the forest lands yesterday. I saw what looked to be motorcycle tracks on the trail. Whoever was packin' a chain saw.

Zangermarsh

There is this fictitious place in the game of World Of Warcraft that has all these mushrooms everywhere. This reminded me of them. This particular one was about 10" tall.

Halloween Rocker

He thought he was cute and bad all at the same time. My honey dressed up like a 80's hair band for his Halloween gig at Herb's.

Tugs

We went out walking the port docks this afternoon and I spotted Mama Tug and Baby Tug.

Puppies

Traci May and Diego with Camo. Puppy Love!

Apples and Pumpkins

I took this photo before, a couple of weeks ago and I'm sure I didn't post it. I took it again today and liked it better the way I shot it this time at this angle. Also I adjusted it on photo express with a few adjustments. Are these the other neighbors apples because they are hanging over the fence? I think they are gorgeous! I don't care who they belong to.

Monday

Another day on campus. In between the rain I caught this photo at lunch time. Skagit Valley Campus.

Gong

Remember the gong show? This is a miniature gong. Probably mor like a door bell. Hmmm!

Pumpkins

This is a house in skyline area near Traci's where I stay. I was impressed that the part of the yard is this red lava rock and yet they are growing pumpkins. It looks pretty cool.

Lonely Tomato

This was a difficult shot for me because I wanted to highlight the tomato but it's so little compared to everything else. The plant looks dead but the tomato is cute.

Fungus on Fungus

Today while I was out with Diego on trail #115, I saw this mushroom. I didn't know fungi could get fungus but it sure looks like it.

Increasing her Cooking Skill

I came home tonight to my roommate Traci cooking away. Chicken enchiladas, green dipping spicy sauce and homemade chips for dipping; the girl was on FIRE.

School

Today I am in class at Skagit Valley Community College. This is a picture of the front of the building where some of us sat an ate lunch. Isn't this the most gorgeous weather?

Election Sign

Can you tell it's getting to be time for an election?  I took four different pics and this one won out.   I think because it included the sidewalk and house in background.  I wonder do these signs help you decide who to vote for? Like does the big inflated gorilla makes you want to buy a car?

What I've Learned

One of my girlfriends had such perseverance. She found this older home that was falling apart but convinced a lot of people she could fix it up and make it worth something. She said "Shannon, I can see my Christmas tree in the living room window".   I never doubted her ability to get what she set out for.   I let our friendship drift because I couldn't tell her what bothered me about her and it bothered me enough to get in the way.   Now she's gone and so is her house. This is a picture of where her house use to be. I miss her. I remember how much she loved life and everything it had to offer. She's left me with part of her. Today I won't let your friendship slip away. I'll make sure I tell you.

Republican

I've been watching this tree outside our back yard slowly turn yellow. It's truly beautiful and i enjoy its vibrance, even though It reminds me summer is gone. My other thought was "Wow! Even Republicans have beautiful trees they don't mind sharing".

Left Behind

Another amazing day!! This morning I woke up, got ready and left without my breakfast and lunch. I left Mount Vernon after all day in class, hungry. And as I am heading home I noticed the Cormorants have left behind their mark on the pilings.

Vendovi island

Louise and John invited us to Vendovi Island today. It was the last day this season to visit. If you want to go you'll have to wait until May next year. This is 2/3 of our group, Jan, Eric, Louise and John. Tim was off shooting another picture when I shot this.

The Vet

We went to Browne Home Center our local hardware store and passed this our local Vet. This place has changed hands 3 or 4 times since we lived here. But today I noticed a kind of "old town" sign.

Chester

I finally got my project all together. This is my vision of keeping my companion close. The marble has ash from Chester's remains sent to Alaska where John from extreme dreams created it. Then a woman, Sophia Trevelan from Friday Harbor created the setting called "lost your marbles.". So here it is finally, viola.

Best Place To Kiss

14 years ago Tim and I spent one night here and it felt like a week. We had such a wonderful time. This photo was shot Friday on our paddle around Turn Point and I thought this could be one of the best places to kiss only I don't want everyone going there turning it into Tahiti. Magical place nevertheless!!

San Juan Holiday

We cheated death once again.  This is Tim and I on our holiday in the San Juans.
We paddled from Friday Harbor to Turn Island, then to Jackson's Beach.  Just in
time for the sun to set.   We walked back to town and picked up our rig and came back
to get the kayaks.

Hansel& Gretel

You know how Hansel dropped breadcrumbs to find his way...........
Well who dropped all the crabs????
FH Seafood that's who. But why I don't know. Their smoked salmon is to die for and that I do know!!!!

Government Rock

Today Tim wanted to paddle the West Side. So we put in at Smallpox Bay SJCounty Park and paddled to South Beach. This is a photo of Tim on the North Side of Government Rock where years ago his family took a canoe trip around the island and stopped here waiting for the waters to mellow around Pile Point. I'm only wishing we took all day instead of 5 hours to make this journey. It was unbelievable glass water sprinkled with Poooooooooohf!! Noises made by orcas nearby.

Bed & Breakfast

I got out of bed and made this. Fage Greek yogurt topped with homemade granola and peaches that my mother in law gave us. Every bite was a taste from heaven.

Leaving the Islander

Once upon the year 2000 Tim and I made this same boat trek to Lopez in his skiff. I felt a kinship with the water tonight and decided it was a great idea moving to San Juan Island.

Big Surprise!!

My surprise backfired. But have you ever said to yourself after the fact "That was pretty stupid and I never should have done that? What was I thinking"? It seemed like a great idea at the time but ya know what? It was great because he's a great guy. And we gotta good thing going on!! Here he is doing something he loves and looking good at it!!

Water Main

Just before we went to Roche Harbor for the night we were diverted so we couldn't go through town. Tim read today those pipes were put in in 1940's.

New Growth

The contrast on this tree is amazing. Look at what seems to be all new growth.

Surprise

It's just the beginning. And that's all I can say for now.

Sunrise

Have you ever taken a picture of something and it just doesn't quite capture the intensity of what you were photographing? So I tried it's reflection off the MAP building that sits east of the ER's ambulance door.
Still didn't capture it. But it was gorgeous!!

Oohhh..... Shiny!

It's varnished. 4 coats total. After this laborious process of fixing my kayak I will be better at taking care of it from now on. But it looks good and I will get it out on the water this year for sure.

Bubble Machine

Someone was a genius at the fair this year. Coming up with this bubble making contraption. I wished I was able to capture more kids wearing bubbles but they were running around so fast and all their bubbles were flying.

Waterfront Property

I'm not sure why exactly but I love this photo. Took it while at cattle point lighthouse beach. Oh Look!! No one home.

Picnic at Whale Watch

We had such a fantastic time with our friends Anne-Marie and Bernhard!! Louise and John fixed us lunch and we toured the island.

Mt St Helen's

I picked up my friend Jennifer in Anacortes and then our friends from Switzerland , Anne Marie and Bernhard. We took them to Mt. St. Helen's. Gorgeous view, huh?

If U Can't Beat Em Join Em

What a bizarre day with the ferries. We spent the day being together with everyone but TJ and Cody. Then as Plan B would happen 5 of us went home on Favorite this afternoon. What a great day. This picture is of Favorite leaving with Jan, Eric, Alyssa, Courtney and Zach. With Louise, John, Tim and I looking on.

Dirt Compactor

I've seen this dirt compactor and even though this isn't the best picture, (I didn't want these people thinking I was going to steal their stuff) it makes a great story. Once upon a time I found myself in the middle of mediation, divvying up our collective crap now that my ex and were finalizing our divorce. The mediator came in the room and said "what do you want next on the list"? "the dirt compactor". He said "What's a little girl like you going to do with a dirt compactor"? My reply, "Compact Dirt, of course". SAH!
Needless to say it didn't win me the dirt compactor. It's the thingy with a handle on the right of the picture.

Our Town

My husband is doing this project called "This is Our Town" and as I was leaving today for my alternate town to go to work I turned from the ferry and saw this. We live in such a unique place. Washington State and the Pacific NW, Mmmmmmmm!! Home.

Awtto

Or is it Otto? Or Auto? Who knows except he is one cute puppy. If only my husband would agree we could have one. Oh yeah I've already played that card. He sure was a cutie. I heard he has brothers and sisters, imagine?

Edie's Garden

Every year we are fortunate to share Edie's garden. Only because she lives on our street and she doesn't charge you to look at her place. In 2009 she let us pick some for our wedding on turn. Gorgeous!!

Last Stop

I drove around with Tim today on his route and this was the view from our last delivery. A place called Teddy Lane. I love this island!

Zenn

Tim and I saw a car like this a couple years ago. It's all electric. I happen to notice this car is a 2008 and a 1989 Buick cost more. Weird huh?

It's a Convoy

Getting on the ferry the other morning all these motor coaches were going to Sidney, BC. I bet they all knew each other.

My Babies

Just look at these go gonzo!!! It's my honey's idea, tires up against the house!! Tomatoes by September.

Skipper

Just one more because it only seems right that Scott be known and get credit for this adventure.

Friday Harbor

Same night but this is Scott's view off the aft deck. Tim's dad would say "too bad about the view". It's home.

Chillaxing

We were invited to my husband's friend, Scott's boat for dinner Wednesday evening and had a great time. Here is Tim on the aft deck chillaxing.

Porterhouse

Back in January or somewhere around there we got a few restaurant recommendations from the locals at Skagit Hospital. One was the Trumpeter Public House which we tried then but today I met my sister in law only one block north at Porterhouse. I had the Buffalo Salmon Sandwich. Yum!! I think I like this place better. It's more casual and you can have your meal with salad or fries. I had the salad and it was perfectly fresh and delicious!! Oh the beer was yum too!

Crabs Sigh With Relief

Well look at all those crab pots!! Crabs are safe today. This photo was taken today down at Jensen's shipyard. Dropping off a famous movie star to go finish his shoot. He's cute enough to marry. I think I will marry him. Mmmmm!!