Historical Tour for 3

Twas just a Tuesday like any other Tuesday, except three gals decided to do something they had been meaning to do--forever! Tour the East Benton County Historical Museum. After all, they had visited the Franklin County museum last year; it seemed only fair to wander about the other.

"Vine Hoe" said the sign next to a vintage farm implement in the outside display. Seemed totally appropriate for BECKY, the Pasco native, to demonstrate as she was raised on a grape vineyard. Especially fun to have her mom RUTH along to explain the reason for the vintage "Church's" label on the glass jar of grape juice marketed by Welch's "back in the day" when the Kennewick plant was operating. (Why? For a time, local consumers apparently thought the original Church producer's juice to be better than the new owner's.)

No particular reason for posing next to the Finley school bell. Sometimes, if something is there,

it's just a photo opp.

Inside, we had to limit

our photos to one only--at the entry.

Three generations of women who like to revisit the past....to fully appreciate the present. If you need that particular lesson, visit the museum's dentist's office display, or the laundry room, or the telephone switchboard!

P.S. Lest you think we went only to the museum, never fear, we *had* to do lunch, of course, first--at Zinful, in downtown Kennewick, where Becky and Doris split a crab panini, Judith slurped a cuppa potato soup. In keeping with our Touring 3, we all smacked our lips over raspberry sorbet.

On the way to our parked cars, who can resist a quick walkabout the Roxy Antiques mall? In the bookseller's vendor corner, there, on full display were.....drum roll....antique books that Ruth and Becky had decided it was time to pass along to others. The top one inscribed by Becky's namesake relative, Rebecca Ellen Conner--oh, so, poignant a moment!

Farewell to Hood River Weekend

Sunday, April 18th

Time, gals, to wash up the last of the dishes (see Wanda there, helping? So like her....even in absentia!)

First to depart were Gail and ever-dramatic Judith. Wanda waved too, but rode back to Pasco with Becky in the pickup.

Where will Wanda wind up next? :-)

To those who've been riding along with us Gals in the Hood to this year's scrapbooking retreat (emphasis on retreating this year), it's been fun having you with us in spirit.

What do Scrapbookers do on Saturday?

They go touring on the Fruit Loop. It's Blossom Festival weekend.

They *try* to photograph Mt. Hood, which unfortuntely was practically obscured by storm clouds.

First stop was the History Museum, down by the marina. Outside was a John Deere tractor show. Here began our "Where's Wanda?" routine.

Inside, they were featuring "Farm Life, Past and Present." Our gals, not totally unexpectedly, were highly participative in the manekin exhibits. Gail....in the kitchen.

Judith *had* to inspect the apple washing/polishing machine.

Sally caught the eye of a roving photographer.

Carla was willing to "belly up to the bar" although it was a cash register from Frank's Hardware.


OK. OK. I admit: I insisted that they pose!

Next stop "The Pansy Farm" with the most gorgeous, huge pansies! Also, an interest row of metal lawn chairs. Where's Wanda?" we had to ask continually. "Oh, sitting on the wagon where the sign says Do Not Sit." Then...sitting somewhere else. Ooops, now she's got Gail, Judith and Carla sittin' in the sun too.

Time to head on over to the Lavender Farm. "Hey, who's got Wanda? Did she make it back into the pickup?"

Whew. Yup. In fact, she was the first to shop.

Last stop, Apple Valley Country Store. Wanda hopped out to sit in an old dentist chair on the front porch (I think she thought it was a porch swing, but oh well, we didn't have the heart to correct her).
Inside fruit jams and jellies--they advertise more than 50 combinates. Visitors invited to taste all of them. Buy a slice of their homemade berry pies and add some of their homemade ice cream if you want.

"Homeward-bound" back to our House in the Hood for the last night, gals!

What do croppers do on Friday?

Definitely, look out at the river at any passing boats!

If you're the Planning Director of Morrow Co., as Carla is, drive back to The Dalles and attend a day-long meeting of the Association of Oregon Counties Planning people. Guess the president pretty much has be there, although scrapbookers attending The Retreat question her sanity. What does she not "get" about weekend retreats? Ah, yes....she gets paid. Duhhhhh.

The rest of us, however, ate The Breakfast that she prepared for us before she departed, and we puttered about all day until she came home and fixed us dinner. What do we not "get?"

What DID the others of us do, you ask? Sally did charcoal portraits of several of us; Gail crocheted and ripped out what she had crocheted (????), Judith posed for Sally, Joy Lee and Becky went for a walk (which your blogger would call a hike). Becky and Sally--to give credit where its due) worked on their scrapbook projects.

To dine on, we feasted on a Pampered Chef chicken & spinach & bacon, pastry-wrapped baked pie. Unfortunately, we ate before we photographed.

However, I did manage to snap a picture of the decadent Pampered Chef chocolate, macaroon pizza dessert.

Of course, Wanda there, at the dining counter in the kitchen, eating with us!

House in the Hood 2010

Hood River, Oregon New construction/remo of older home. All new furniture and white (!) carpeting or hardwood floors.

Weather was gloriously sunny for our arrival, with today, day one being mostly grey. But, for a place famous for its river wind surfing, no wind or rain.


Ah, we're on the green side of the state, for sure! And spring has sprung--evidenced by the blossoming foliage.




Where do a group of gals start their weekend? In the kitchen?! Yup, go figure.

Every bedroom has a view of the Columbia River. This room assigned to Gail, visiting from CA


"Master" suite occupied by Judith and Sally.

Living room couch was ....huge!
Watched "Ladyhawk" from 1985 and truly relaxed. Can you tell?

View outside, towards river, from living room, a huge room too!

Dining room. Dinner = gourmet pizza from Pizzacota (a Portland chain?) and green salads (Caesar and Chinese) Delish...ah, this promises only the best things for the rest of the weekend.

Stay tuned and keep your taste buds at the ready!

Gals in the Hood 2010

Scrapbooking to the Max...for an entire weekend...girls only...in scenic location. First, we're delighted to have Wanda, our Creative Memories here--in spirit--our own "Flat Wanda."From the "been here before crew" are Carla (our Organizer), Judith (your humble blogger), Becky Mulbeier, and Sally. New to the crew are Joy (Becky's sis-in-law) and Gail (from CA/Judith's dearest friend). How was our first night's dinner? Sally's expression (the ecstacy face) tells it all--pizza from Pizzicatto, with green salads (caesar and Chinese).