Busy times in the Summer!

Man...I have been so busy!  Not just work this time...also fun summertime activities!  But, it has definitely taken a toll on my blogging.  Sorry all my wonderful followers!

So just to prove I have not been completely slacking off...let me share some of the fun with you!

First...I have baking a TON of delicious bread in my new, gorgeous dutch oven!  Best investment ever! 

(You have GOT TO TRY out this recipe.  So easy and really, really good bread!  Find it here at Frugal Living NW!)

Then a couple awesome trips to the coast for fun and work....

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is always a good time!  And these sea lions were cracking us up on the bay!

Our friend's graduation!  Masters degree, schmasters degree.

Lots of times with silly animals!

(What is the cat doing?!)

Delicious food from our little garden...

Dirty Dash Eugene!  I am pretty sure we had THE BEST costumes!  Star Wars, baby!

Whew!  Lot's of exciting events!  

Stay tuned, as I also have to share an awesome table redux.  We took some interesting items to recreate a wonderful and sturdy new outdoor table.

More soon!  

Ash

Events and elections time...what can I say?

Just wanted to let you all know I am still around, but have been caught up in work.  First we had our big annual fundraiser with over 1,100 people (whew!)....

So fun! And then I was off to Michigan to do some learning and networking at the national conference.    I got to go to Grand Rapids, drink some local craft beer, and also see Lake Michigan!  

The view of the river from the hotel....

It had recently flooded there, so the river is still very high.

And can you believe this is a lake?  Lake Michigan was gorgeous.  It felt like I was back at the Oregon coast!

Finally, I have been fully engaged in an election on the coast, in Newport, and I am working hard to get good things done there to help protect the ocean and the environment.  But that has taken up evenings and weekends...so come May 21st, I will be all yours again!

It was a wonderful day yesterday to hit the streets in Newport and talk to voters. 

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I am still alive and hoping to get back to the regularly scheduled postings soon!

Ash

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse....a step into the past

This weekend, work called me back over to the coast....oh, darn!  My Lincoln County committee had their retreat at a beautiful house right on the coast, where we could work and watch the waves roll in.  After we feasted on yummy potluck food and did our work, I went out to see what I could see while in town on a splendid day!

First, I was excited that I just barely made it to Yaquina Bay Lighthouse before they closed for the day.  I just love houses that they show off the past.  I like to imagine me living the way they lived in times past.

This cute little lighthouse was only staffed for 3 years, because its location was not ideal for ships to actually see the light.  It was staffed in the late 1800's by one family of 9 people (mom, dad, and 7 kids!) for those three years and then they built a new lighthouse 3 miles away.  The poor little lighthouse fell into disrepair, and when it was threatened to be torn down later, the community pushed for it to become a historic center.

Just look at the way people used to live!  Believe it or not, I learned how to sew on a treadle machine.  And I loved it! 

Then I headed down to the beach to get my feet into the sand and the lapping waves....

I love the Oregon Coast.  Trees, greenery, sand, and salty sea.  

Reminds me why I do the work that I do.  As did the following things I found on the beach.  Kinda snapped me back to reality when I saw the plastics bits that never bio-degrade, the plastic bottles and the single-use plastic bags littering the coast.  These are things that I work everyday to help at least make a dent in.  As I tell folks....the earth will live on, but whether we are here to see it, well that is our choice!

Had to get a little serious there.  But sometimes it is good to remember what it is we are working towards, and that every little thing we do adds up!

(And there are my toes in all the shots! LOL)

Ash