Back to School

Susan and I made this cake last night in honor of all the parents at North Star who have kids going back to school this week. This cake is featured in the September 2011 Food Network Magazine.

Preying Mantis

I do not remember seeing them last year, but this year we have a number of Preying Mantis that arrive on the porch at sunset. This one decided to stick around for awhile and Tillie was just fascinated. Usually the little critters are stuck to the screen door, but this one decided to rest on the table, which is just at the perfect height for Tillie to get a good look. She was so funny. She kept turning her head and looking at me and then back to the mantis and then back to me. I guess she was waiting for some explanation for the creature.

60th Anniversary Party

Susan and I hosted a party for Mom and Dad this weekend to celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary. The celebration was held at our home on a picture perfect Saturday afternoon.
Mom and Dad were married on September 7, 1951 in Spokane.

This was the first time Bruce and Marie had been to our new home and the first family photo taken since 2001.

For lunch we served salmon deviled eggs, shredded chicken, meatballs, a seafood pasta salad made by Marie, pea salad, a variety of cheeses, veggies, chips and dip, rolls, and droid mix.

Sally and Randy drove over from eastern Washington (as did Claudette & Carol, Marge & Larry and Bill & Beverly to celebrate the day with Mom and Dad.


Bruce clowning around with Mom's tiara and Dad's chain.

Dessert consisted of six flavors of cupcakes made by the Truly Scrumptious Cupcakery in Yakima. We also served mints, and personallized M&M's. The M&M's read either Ken, Dolores, Happy 60th or Party!

Each cupcake held an image representing something that Mom and Dad have enjoyed doing during their years together.

Marge, Claudette and Carol are looking at the photo book we gave to Mom and Dad during the party. We also surprised them with ads from both the Yakima Herald and Spokesman Review that ran on Sunday announcing the celebration.

Left to right: Eillen, Bill, Jim, Betty and Bruce

Eileen and Teddy

Mom and Dad went to high school in Deer Park, WA with Bill and Beverly.

Mom and Dad enjoyed the party as did everyone who came - at least that is what they told us.

Flowers and Plants

We did get a late start on planting this year, but that has not stopped things from growing. I took these pictures this morning out in the front yard. You cannot see these Calibrachoa very well but they are bright orange and purple, just a beautiful combination.

These Aloha flowers look like miniature petunias.

We have honeysuckle plants on each side of the arbor closest to the driveway and they are doing very well. They have already started climbing up the arbor.

The sweet Million tomatoes are ready to eat!

Susan has also planted lettuce, zucchini, eggplant, strawberries, and a large selection of herbs.