Vancouver BC Aquarium Day

Uncle Gary and Aunt Gail picked us up at the airport and then headed to the running expo
where we picked up our race bibs and checked out the goods.

Jon, Gaile, Mathew, David and Julia arrived from car shopping in Seattle and here we are the next morning out to breakfast at Joe's Grill filling up on strawberry crepes, eggs, potatoes and other good things.
Then off to Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley park
Mathew and David check out the aquarium from the inside out.
One highlight was the bird show with vultures, hawks and this bald eagle.
We enjoyed just hanging out with family...
and the dolphins, whales, frogs and jelly fish.
The tulips were in full bloom through out Vancouver and here at Prospect Point in Stanley Park.
Following the park we found The Old Spaghetti Factory in the gas lamp district and filled up on spaghetti...along with a lot of other runners.

Hygiene Temp Services

Tonight I am making post cards offering dental hygiene temp services to either hand deliver or mail to hygienists and dental offices in our area. I am hoping to drum up more work and meet more dental professionals in the community.

Case snapped this picture to make the post card more personal and hopefully more memorable!

Strawberry Farm

Today while driving near home I came across a local strawberry farm. An open everyday sign caught my eye and hungry for farm fresh strawberries I turned in. Just off the road was an unmanned fruit stand with fresh picked strawberries neatly sitting in little green strawberry baskets and bright white boxes. A cash box with a slit in the top and price list sat next to the berries and a hand scrawled sign above the berries read, if the correct change did not exist to take the berries and return with the correct amount. I selected my berries and not having the exact change left to make change. Returning later with the correct change, I went to slip the money through the slot and noticed the box was unlocked and one was to make their own change directly from the cash box.

After quite a number of years in the greater Los Angeles area where it is said that one has not really lived until they have had something stolen, for me that was a car and a bicycle, to find an unmanned fruit stand with a slot for cash would be considered crazy and then to actually discover cash in an unlocked box, well, there would not be any cash. This trust, kindness and generosity toward the community from this strawberry farm softened my southern California hardened heart and I will become a loyal customer.

Both the experience and the strawberries have been refreshing and brightened my day. I am so happy to live here.

Small spring time find!

Case found a bird egg sitting on the ground in our front yard. The egg was cold and we haven't discovered a nest. I've made an incubator box with a light bulb.

Running Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach is a place we love to run, miles of flat packed sand.
One stream crosses our path of sand. We've attempted jumping across this stream, always ending in wet soggy running shoes. We've taken our shoes off and waded across. And, more recently, we've discovered the friendly people on Pismo beach are happy to ferry us across in the back of the many pick-up trucks, crossing the stream carrying ATVs to the near by dunes.

Some days the kite boarders are out and entertain us along our run.

Perseverance

Patience is drawing on underlying forces; it is powerfully positive,
though to a natural view it looks like just sitting it out.
How would I persist against positive eroding forces
if I were not drawing on invisible forces?
And patience has a positive tonic effect on others;
because of the presence of the patient person,
they revive and go on, as if he were the gyroscope of the ship providing a stable ground.
But the patient person himself does not enjoy it.

PAUL GOODMAN

Celebrating March 24, 2006

Today, our 3rd anniversary, Case took the day off from work. We got up early and poured ourselves hot drinks to wake up!
Near home, in Grover Beach, we board the 7 AM Amtrak train and
slowly ease into the day while watching train stations,
and natural beauty roll past.

We reach our destination and enjoy the day together,

before boarding the evening train home.
Lazily we watch...

the coast pass by,
before we both eventually drift off,
as the day comes to a close.

Julia's 1st Birthday

Julia celebrates her first year with a baby dedication in front of her home church,
and shows off her steps with Nana's guidance.
Auntie Lynn and Julia watch the kids...
jump, bounce and slide into each other.
Mathew shows his stuff on the slide
and David practices his crash landings.
Hanging out with the fam.

Grandma's 90th Birthday

Family and friends gather in Walla Walla, WA to Celebrate Grandma Rittenbach's 90th Birthday.

Cheryl, Grandma, Bryce and Gregg
Four Generations

Uncle Gary, Grandma and I

Hopefully we've inherited her genes for longevity!

Mathew, Jon, David and Bryce
Hanging out

Nephew Bryce takes a trip!

What a great little traveler, napping on the airplane,
and then burning off some energy in the Seattle airport kids area.
One moment of sitting still and I managed to catch it!
Lunch in the airport with Grandma, airplanes and Dad.
Nothing is cooler than listening to Dad's i phone.

Count Down to April 15th

Jack takes a snooze, tired out from calculating taxes.

The Village of Arroyo Grande

Yesterday I took a few minutes to walk through the village of Arroyo Grande. It has some quaint charm as I've frequently driven past and looked down the street. and I've been curious to explore this street.
I found three blocks of small touristy stores of antiques, cute things and restaurants. There is a hint of old charm with the local bakery, butch, barber and other old memories in and among the shops.
Thursday nights, not far away, the San Luis Obispo Farmers Market is a big draw for both the community and college students. It seems Arroyo Grande is hoping to continue the spirit of shopping for fresh fruits, veggies and rambling through personal art displays.

Just off the street a quiet lawn area with a swinging footbridge crosses leading to more of Arroyo Grande.
Hey! Here is something that will bring me back again!

Home Cooking

Grilled cheese with fresh cilantro and sliced Roma tomatoes; Black-bean and pineapple salad, with a few baby carrots.

I am getting acquainted with the markets here in Arroyo Grande. Case finds it interesting, when I travel to new places, I like to visit the grocery store. I discover a lot by visiting the market, I like seeing the locals in their native environments and nothing, to me, is more native than shopping for groceries... at least one person in every family does it! I like seeing the people in their daily routines, what is available, how they package, don't package or display food, and the price.

The last couple years we've eaten mainly from the three food groups; Trader Joes, Taco Bell and restaurants, as we lived a transition life style. We'd purchase just what we needed for the week, frozen or quick eats that wouldn't spoil and would travel, as we were frequently on the road on weekends, or packing up for a new location. During international travel, we ate where ever was near when we were hungry, at train stations, grocery stores and hole-in-the wall restaurants. Once we ate restaurant style in a private home in Chile. We arrived hungry in a remote small (500 person) town, and our hostess pointed us to the house down the road.
When we arrived the lady of the house seated us in a dining area, explained what she had on hand and would make for us, we agreed, and she took about 30-45 minutes to serve us dinner. We made up for some of these experiences by feasting on the cruise ships interspersed through our travels.

Here in Arroyo Grande I've found I frequent Albertsons, Trader Joes and J J's Market just down the street. J J's has fresh, locally grown, beautiful fruits and veggies and is just a short scooter ride from home. I've renewed my subscription to Cooking Light magazine, have all my spices and I am in the mood to create.

Signs of Spring

The sun is warm this morning as I wander through the house and garden noticing spring arriving on the gentle sea breeze.
The bushes and trees are budding,
bulbs are popping up through the pebbles in the backyard,
and I found a bright cheery wreath our door.
The bees and humming birds buzzed around these flowers this morning as I stood in the bathroom preparing for the day.
We've had a few warm runs down on the beach and I was excited to find whole sand dollars!
A few calla lilies bloom in the front yard,
and bursts of color brighten the landscape,
and the finishing touches of home are being hung.
I love these first signs of a new season arriving.
His Royal Highness, Jack, assumes his regal position on his new throne. Looking too cute for me to pass up a picture.