Wine on the Juans

So just in case you all thought that perhaps I had fallen off the planet again- I assure you- I am still here and having a ball! I have so much to share- it has been another whirlwind couple of weeks and I'm working backwards here.... But Ron and I are still floating on cloud 9 after our time on the Schooner *Zodiac.*

Our good friend Dr. David Morris- also known as the winemaker for Napeequa sailed this voyage through the Juans last summer and raved about how much fun it was. So when he shared with us that he was invited back again as the wine expert for the wine and seafood cruise... we immediately started planning.....

I can't even begin to describe what an amazing experience this was.... it wasn't just a trip.... just a vacation.... or just a gift to ourselves for our 15th wedding anniversary......it was an experience. It was the chance of a lifetime to explore parts of the San Juan Islands- that are right in our back yard- but that I would never be able to see like I saw it this week if I weren't on the water. And I wasn't just *on the water*..... we aboard a most magnificent vessle!

The Schooner Zodiac is a fully restored racing yacht from 1924... and one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I went crazy on all the amazingly well preserved and lovingly cared for features. We only got to sail one afternoon and the weather dictated that we truly work the sails ... so sadly I didn't really get anything with her sails all out..... but you can see more images of her with the sails up and read more about her specs here:

http://www.schoonerzodiac.com/

In addition to taking a crash course in sailing, meeting some truly awesome people- hopefully friends for life- we had food prepared by some of the best in the NW, and visited some great up and coming vineyards and tasting rooms. The wine was plentiful and good, the weather was glorious and views were breathtaking...... so take a quick gander at the blissfully good time we had. And then run to a phone near you and book a trip with them- you'll be so glad you did!

Tim, Chris, Al and Zodiac crew- thank you, thank you, thank you- you all made our voyage so much fun!!!! We can't wait to do it again!

Alex and Ian..... seriously righteous food dudes!!!!!

Thank you Napeequa, Legoe Bay and San Juan Wineries for being such amazing hosts!

With MUCH LOVE and gratitude-

xoxo Didi

*the Legoe Bay Pino Gris was a fave all week*

*Zodiac intern Jahn from Germany had all the girls' attention....*



*everyone relaxing up top in the sun with some of our faves....the Mona from SJWineries, Legoe Bay Pino, and all of the Napeequa's were a hit*

*1st Mate Chris' shirt..... I so want one!!!*

* one of those happy accidents on the stern of the ship*

*I just love the texture of this shot- this is leaning up against the main sail mast- 11 stories tall and shooting straight up. The beads are made of wood and is attached to the main sail like ball bearings*

*this shot got cold and wet in a hurry-I was on bow watch and the wind kicked up and it started raining buckets- but what a great seat!*

*this was peeking through the boom and sail at another boat*

*Ron and Dr. David shooting some video footage about the importance of PBR in wine making....*

*see-look ma- really- I went on a vacation- AND I'm in the photos!!!!*

*T was just so stinking cute I couldn't resist!

Her dad was Chef 'A' and knocked out a great seafood bonanza!*

*this lighthouse was so sweet and the colors made me happy*

*1st mate Chris through the porthole from the chart room*

*Dr. David doing his thing *

*the crew getting some R&R at the end of the day*

*Rock.... talk about salt of the Earth- he is- and I loved him. He's like pirate hospitality...gruff and opinionated- and a giant teddy bear all at the same time. I caught him relaxing for a second- and love that you can see the sail in his glasses*

*isn't she a beauty???*

*what an incredible way to spend an evening- or three of them in this case*

http://www.napeequa.com/home.htm

http://www.legoebaywinery.com/

http://www.sanjuanvineyards.com/about.html

Adorable Adi

Just a really quick taste of today's sweetness.... I got to play with baby Adi again today- She's a big girl now- just turned 1!!!! And just as beautiful and sweet as she can be! More to come from this one- but it's 2am... and I need some sleep. :) ZZZZZZZZZ xoxo Didi

Hoopfest '10

Man- where has the summer gone? I mean really- it's AUGUST!!!! How did that happen? I've been running around like a woman on fire for months- trips, shoots, work, appointments..... and summer has just about vaporized on me!

And I'm feeling some guilt- I've been so focused on everyone else's photos... that I haven't focused on some shots of my own kids.... and I'm way behind on posting some really well deserved press for my oldest. who was invited to play on a pick up team at Hoopfest in Spokane.
And I'm sure that some will say- 'Hoopfest for a 10 year old? How hard can that be?' Well let me tell you- anyone who has ever said that girls sports are not full contact or physical- clearly has never been to a ladies hoops game- or street ball! Oni and her team- were pickin 'em up and puttin' 'em down all weekend. These girls pulled off a 3rd place overall for their age bracket out of 15 teams- as a pick up team! Oni had played with one girl- and the other two were girls her teammate had played soccer with.... but talk about girls that gelled..... wow! To say that they and so many of the girls they played in Spokane have talent- and a future is a radical understatement. It was a joy to watch them play- and we who were spectators were exhausted from the angst and excitement!

Oni really enjoyed playing with these girls and responded well to the coaching she recieved- and she blossomed on the court- she played like we've never seen her play before- it was intense and it was GOOD!

We had a unique situation where I had a first cousin and a 2nd cousin- who are the same ages as my girls also playing- so our entire family was running from court to court all over downtown Spokane trying to watch all three kids' games! It was crazy and exciting and fun... we were sunburned and dehydrated- but content. Life was good. *Here was my little fashionista/cheerleader Gabbi*
*A tired but empowered Onika-

...I'm seeing glimpses of what she'll look like as a teen.... *


What a great group of sweet and talented girls!

*do not attempt to guard me- it will lead to buckled knees and twisted ankles..*

*many a girl realized that running into Oni was like hitting a train*

Just wanted to say how very proud I am of my baby and her friends- because they rocked it- and to the rest of my family- thanks for the support and hospitality- it and you are so loved! xoxo Didi

Country kids

What a sweet surprise in the foggy funky weather yesterday... these four sweet faces are just as beautiful as could be....and what a pretty location for a home on a little lake out in the country! The water lilies were blooming, and everything was lush and green- and these four very busy sibs were crazy silly fun to chase around!

Charlie has to be the sweetest- most patient big brother EVER- seriously- he has such a way with his baby sisters- I made him my assistant early on- and he got a huge gold star- he rocked- He's like 8 going on 18- smart and super mature and wow is he going to be handsome- he has a look like the vintage Italian silver screen stars of the 40's.... look out ladies!
There was time for some quality horsing around and the giggles should be bottled- it was really good stuff!

You all know how I feel about eyes and freckles.... will this family has got 'em... and each child has the most unique eye color- and they all rocked! They all have this deep, pensive, mature beyond their years look.... all of them just beautiful. Enjoy!

I loved getting to know all of you yesterday- thanks for inviting me to come and play with you! xoxo Didi

*Olivia the socialite of the twins- oh those eyes.....*
*Charlie- look out ladies*

*Chastine and that porcelin skin and perfect shade of pink lips-

can someone find me that color of lipstick please????*

*and the elusive Jillian... so shy- but so worth the wait.....*

*the twins cracked me up- couldn't be more different if you tried!

And they NEVER stopped moving..... very busy girls!

I felt fortunate that I caught a few frames where they occupied the same space!*

Alex at the Arboretum

Ahhhhh...... summer.....

Bare feet on the soft grass, warm sunshine, gentle breeze in the trees... really- does it get any better? Only if you add a heaping spoonful of cuteness and a pinch of family fun!

I had the pleasure of working with baby Alex again yesterday at the Evergreen Arboretum in Everett's Marina/waterfront district. He's a big boy now- he's turned 1 and is crawling and cruising up a storm! He's a busy boy for sure! This time, I got to meet his handsome daddy and pretty Aunti who's visiting from back east- and it's easy to see where his mommy gets that amazing smile- because both mommy and Anti have these amazing million mega watt smiles- pretty family for sure!!!!

It was a pleasure to hang out with this super cool and relaxed bunch- roll around in the soft grass, play with their dogs and laugh and drink in the cuteness that is Alex!

Thanks for coming to play with me guys! xoxo Didi

*need I say more about daddies and sweet moments with their babies???*

*'the girls'..... Pretty & Ansel*

*there was much to explore yesterday*

*and appearantly we'd worn him out.. because when mommy and Aunti brought out his favorite book and softee baby.... he was all done... so it was "a wrap" as they say!*

*daddy had alread taken Alex's lead while waiting patiently with the girls*

*this gorgeous entry was the perfect spot of some snaps of the pretty sisters and sweet boy Alex*

God's Country

It's what my mom always called the Camas Prairie, where we were both born and raised- and so were her parents and grand parents.....it's home. It always has been. It always will be. And it doesn't matter how many years I've been gone- it's still home. Time marches on- and the faces are bit rounder and have a few more wrinkles- but they are still the same friendly and familiar faces I've known my whole life. There is such comfort in knowing that you can always go home.... even if it's not your home anymore.

I didn't waste much time trying to get away from my little country town once I had graduated high school. I had a job that took me away from farming and ranching the day after graduation. and when the summer closed- I moved four hours away to the big city of Boise to enter the great big world of university. There's a lot of miles and water under the bridge that have brought me to where I sit today.... I'm a long way from where I started, that's for sure.... but it's not so far that I can't go back.

I had the opportunity to go back to Grangeville over the 4th of July this year. (and for once this year- it wasn't for a funeral....)

It's been a forever standing rule that you just know- that every decade- your class reunion is on the 4th of July- right in the middle of Border Days- which is Idaho's oldest (and one of the oldest in the NW) rodeo. Our tiny little town swells from about 3,500 to about 12,000. It's crazy and silly and a righteously good time. There are parades and street games, great street/fair food vendors- some have been there every year since the dawn of man I think, rodeos, art in the park, class reunions, family reunions...... it's crazy- and it's weirdly comfortable all at the same time. Time sort of stands still over the 4th- I had several moments where I could flash back and be 8,12,16..... it was a great walk down memory lane, so to speak. It was also crazy fun to be reunited with the majority of the folks I spent at least 12 years of my life with in school . Our reunion was great fun- tons of laughs- and I'm so glad I went!

I also had the chance to show with my dad at his art show- this was really the first time I got to be his peer- not just his kid... another sort of gold-star moment. But it was also the first time this show had happened without my mom..... and it was definitely felt- by everyone who knew us and came in to see us- there were lots of tears and kisses and memories. I was widely reminded again at how loved and appreciated she was- and that is always a good thing.

I was walking around the house one evening- and walked out behind the woodshed. I don't remember this cross being there before.... but with great irony.... at the foot of it- were pure white Shasta Daisies.... which have always been her favorite- and exactly where I used to park my old '52 Chev that we had named 'Shasta.... (cause she hasta have a lot of fixin up.....). I knew my mom's spirit was all around me that week- and it was good.

So I leave you with a few shots of the classic small town parade and symbols that says Grangeville to those who've lived it- and 'Americana' all over it.... and I wouldn't change if I could. Enjoy- and remember to live simply today- and do small things with love. mwah! xoox Didi

mmmmm margarita cupcakes...

Many of you know that I've been trying to live a better and healthier lifestyle the last 6 month- and through diet and a lot of exercise- I have managed to lose 30 pounds... which I'm very proud of!

In fact- yesterday- my youngest daughter wrapped her arms around my waist for a hug yesterday and she pulled back in surprise and exclaimed, "MOMMY!!!! my hands touch when I hug you now!!!!" I think that was probably one of the best compliment yet.

Of course- we can't be good ALLLLLLL the time- so I give you my pastry creation from this weekend..... 'ritacakes..... I made margarita flavored cupcakes- and they were/still are amazing!

I hope you are all out enjoying the sun this week- Cheers! xoxo D