A Happy St. Patrick's Day

Gloria, Julie, Peg & Mike

Michael has been away in Las Vegas at a Foosball Tournament so I had to celebrate the wearing of the green without him.  But I did have fun!  I joined friends Gloria, Julie and Mike on a walk (it stopped raining for a couple of hours!) to the world famous Horse Brass Pub for some brews and fish and chips.  An additional treat: Bagpipes!  Not exactly Irish, but it sure adds to the fun!

A tribute to Don Younger (RIP 1941 to 2011), Horse Brass owner and  champion of  Oregon's  craft beer industry.  

Our living/dining room finally getting a redo

Michael's working his "handy man" magic, giving our LR/DR a fresh coat of paint.  Last time he painted it was in 1989!  Of course, we weren't here long enough to get bored with beige, but I'm so glad (and thankful to him) that it's looking "leaf green" now!  There's more to be done but here's how far he's come so far.

I have realized that I didn't post the photos of the new paint in the kitchen and sunroom done in June 2011.  Another great re-do by the Gnat-ster

I'm still at it....

For those who have asked about my cello study, I know I haven't posted on that for a while.  However, I'm still pursuing the study of this wonderful instrument, although I'm still a few years away from making it sound wonderful.  Soon after we arrived in Portland last February, I found a new teacher to take the place of my beautiful Rebecca Caulk in Fredericksburg.

Anna Fritz, a member of the Portland Cello Project, took me on in April and has been a great guide for me in the cello world.  I've also joined a beginner adult string quarter (there's actually seven of us) to improve our sight reading and ensemble skills.  No performing.

OK, so it might be a while before my cello playing will be something someone might want to listen to, but I just want to let you know:  I'm still at it!

Peg, Angela, Mona, Dennis, Roderick, Tom and Rachel

A quiet Christmas....

It's true that the magic and mystery of the season is strongest in the hearts of children. The excitement and anticipation are less tangible without the children in the house, dancing around a Christmas tree soon to be surrounded by gifts.

So we're thinking about the years we were embraced by the warmth of family and traditions and are now sharing our holidays with friends, old and new.  There are many gifts to be found in change: the gift for us here is a deeper appreciation for beauty of Christmas and how it opens us to gratitude.

We send along our wishes for a beautiful holiday filled with God's Peace and Joy, and a Happy and Hopeful New Year.

We've just returned to Portland after two and a half weeks in Maryland and Virginia to celebrate Thanksgiving, birthdays, family and friendship.  Thank you to all who's hospitality made this such a lovely visit: quiet relaxing days at my mom's house (Molly Baker also known as Gigi to her greatgranddaughters) in Southern Maryland, my sister Marilyn Baker in Laurel, Maryland, my daughter Blaire (also called Liz) and her husband James in Richmond, Virginia, with their daughters Eva and Mimi, and our friends in Fredericksburg, the Hansons, the Craigs, the Semieas, and Matareses.

Looking back on our Summer

Celebrating our 20th Anniversary on July 6, 2011.

Enjoying micro-brews at the Pelican Pub in Lincoln City, OR

The day I returned from my visit to Virginia and Maryland, Michael's sister Sandra and her family arrived in Portland.  They (Sandra, Chris and 3 year old Lucinda) had been driving west from Chicago for several days for a three-month long sojourn in Portland.  They were able to rent a house just two blocks away making it easy to get together for meals, planning area sight-seeing trips, and just having fun!

Michael, Lulu and Chris at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

In July, our Virginia friends, Jim & Margaret Matarese and their daughter Amelia arrived for a four-day visit. We posed for our group picture at Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.

Lucinda 3, Mimi 5, Siena 4 and Eva 7 1/2

In Mid- August, Blaire (Liz) and her girls, Eva and Mimi arrived for their five-week visit (James was able to fly out for five days in late August).  Having them here in Oregon was a delightful experience!  We had four great days at the beach and followed that up with Eva and Mimi's first camping trip!  Many of our plans included their cousin Siena (4) who lives in Tigard, Oregon, with her folks Mike and Cheryl.

Weenie Roasting on the Beach!

Peg, Blaire & Cheryl with Sienna, Mimi & Eva at our campsite river in the Mt. Hood Nat'l Forest.

Mimi and Grandpa

Eva & Grandma at Oaks Park

Our perfect Oregon Summer is over.  Now we've we're back to the projects around our old house, working on the yard, canning local produce and keeping our neighborhood restaurants and brew pubs in business.  We're seeing a lot more rain now but the rain is a big part of living here, and after our spectacular summer, we welcome the wet stuff!

Where have I been?? The "May Report"

I've been asked this by more than a few folks so I'm getting my act together to bring you up to date...at least for one month!

It sometimes feels like all we do is work on the house, but we have been having fun in the meantime, too.
In May, I made a trip back to Virginia and Maryland to get my "Eva & Mimi" fix!  We hadn't been gone that long but it felt like it.  Catching up with my mom Molly, sister Marilyn, daughter and son-in-law Blaire & James, and a few friends was downright therapeutic!

Lunch with long-time friend Fr. Peter at Five-Guys.

Mimi, Auntie Marilyn and Eva in Richmond.

James & Blaire on the girls' recital day.

Friends Jim & Margaret and Ed & Vickie with Eva and Mimi at the river near my mom's home in Maryland.