WASHINGTON STATE?!? REALLY?

 Heidy-Ho, my Blogging Buddies!!!

My, oh my.  Things in this country were crazy in 2020... and it seems to be continuing in 2021!  Hang in there, my friends!!

So... won't tell the whole (long) story of why Washington State was where we went.  My TX Bestie, JMA, and I typically do our semi-annual Fredericksburg, TX winery run...and have for years.  After the inability to travel in 2020 and the long story, we ended up making a trip to Sea-Tac airport then a 2.5 hour drive through the Cascades to Leavenworth, WA.  JMA has a co-worker in the Sea-Tac area who advised her we would probably enjoy it there... so we went.  This may take two posts to cover... but for starters...

Airports.  Nightmare.  We stood in line for nearly an hour (on a Monday) to make it through the TSA in Austin, TX.  And we were plum early as our flight departed at 8:00 a.m. and we were there by 6:00 a.m.!!  Insane.  We just laughed our way through it as there was nothing else to do.  Sigh.  For good measure, will mention our return from Sea-Tac where we arrived plenty early for a 12:30 p.m. flight out (on Friday).  It was actually a much easier run to get through... and they are trying out a new method for folks to work through the TSA by scheduling a time & TSA line location.  But... the airport was still rampantly full and it was still a bit challenging.  Enough.  Not flying commercially again for quite some time!

So... the three days in between travel days were just great!  I had booked us at a B&B in Leavenworth.  The owner, who was very kind, had suggested we drive a route from Sea-Tac to there that was much more beautiful than the standard highway route.  It was!  We drove through mountains and small towns all along the way.  Really incredible.

Our B&B: Fox Den B&B.  Too much to tell you but some pics below.  Oh... and breakfast was stellar all three days!  Thank you, Lori and Dan!!!

This is the side of the B&B that faces the view.  Note the lower left corner beneath the lower deck.  That's where guests have a patio to enjoy coffee, wine, snacks, views... whatever.

This is from the side of the B&B where the decks/patio are set.  This is the view.

From the yard area just below the house/decks, one can see the driveway leading up the hillside to the property.

Passing this on the driveway heading to the B&B lets you know how lovely it will be!!

Here is the lower back patio where we spent some quality time with coffee, wine, snacks... and peace.

Looking from the lower patio, you can see the level of slope the property has!!  Lovely (and glad I don't have to mow it!)

Another view from the back patio looking to the other side.

We noticed a few Staghorn Ferns hanging on the posts of the patio.  Had not seen any for many years.  Enjoyed seeing them again!

First morning walk got us down to the main road.  This was the view.  Beautiful!

Finally (this trip may take 3 posts!), one of the things we enjoyed was sitting on the back patio watching nature.  We "met" a Robin that appeared to have claimed the barrel fountain for its bath!!  We saw it using it for that more than once!  So cute.  Had to video it as it was quite a busy bath!  (There are sprinklers going off in the background behind the Robin... not rain.)

So... this was Round One of the trip.  More to come about the downtown Leavenworth area as well as some funny things.

Until next post...

TESTING 1, 2, 3....

 Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!

Well now... this is technically a test to make certain you all receive the email with the link to this post!  I know I sent out a notice about two weeks ago letting you know you won't get the actual post in the email anymore.  Sorry 'bout that.  That's on "Blogger" where I have my blog account.  (Shame on them!)

I know it has been a while since my last post.  Most of the times that happens, I just haven't had anything to post about!  😀😀😀  This time, however, I am going to fill you in on a few things that have kept me away from my computer for a bit!

So... let's look back.

April 28th.  This was supposed to be a standard day.  A quick run to Sam's Club for some goods.  Normal stuff the rest of the day.  While out moving my heirloom tomato plants on their little dollies, I somehow (have NO clue what actually occurred!) found myself seeing the concrete of the patio coming at my face awfully fast!  WHAT?!?  Uh... now I am lying on the patio concrete wondering what the H*** just happened?  Hmmmm.  Body part check.  Nothing seems broken or fractured.  There is some pain in the right (ahem) "cheek" which is apparently where I landed... but am totally surprised to discover I was able to get myself up, walk slowly back into the house, and decide that movement was the best thing to do.  So... off to Sam's Club.  Took about 4 days for the mega-bruise of the "cheek" to appear... and it was sore for quite a bit... but that appeared to be the only actual "damage" done!  So... while I was not happy to take my first "old broad" fall, I was definitely blessed by the result!!  Watching where my feet are going much more closely these days!  (In considering, I think I may have caught my right heel on the leg of the bench while moving one of the plants.)  DOH!

May.  Finally closed on one of my listings that had been pushed back due to the inability to obtain an appraisal in a timely manner.  Sigh.  The listing hit our MLS on April 1st.  By the end of the day, there had been 17 showings and 7 offers were in my email (4 above list price)!!  WHAT?!?  Welcome to the insane world of real estate these days.  But it did close and my (now ex) neighbors have relocated to Pflugerville, TX (connects to Austin) and the buyers have moved in.

June.  Was able to meet up with a childhood pal during this month, which was wonderful!  Always so good to be able to do something like that!  Spent lots of time mowing the yard (which I LOVE to do!) and putzing around outside.  Wetter than usual June here in Central Texas.  Great for the plants and grass as they try to recover from "Snowmageddon" in February!  I did lose a few plants which have been replaced.  The only sad thing right now is our Red Oak in the back yard which has no leaves on any of the branches!!  There are only clumps of leaves around the trunk.  Hopefully, it will recover and leaf out next year.  It is still alive... and there are lots just like it all around the neighborhood.  Fingers crossed!

July.  Had another meet up with another childhood pal this month already!!  WOW!!  Has felt really good being able to get caught up and finding out about the world of others with whom I spent many hours as a young'un!  Have a trip planned with my friend in Austin.  Spending a week out-of-state somewhere we have never been.  Looking forward to it!!  Hope I get some good pics to share upon my return.  Oh... and did I mention The Man and I are hitting the 30-year mark?  Who would have ever thought anyone would put up with me for that long!!!  LOL!!  Bless his heart.  He has been incredibly fabulous.

Alrighty!  There you have it.  I truly hope things are going well for each and every one of you!!  Have a great rest-of-your-summer!!

Until next post...