Photo of the Day: On the Road Again

Idaho Valley, December 2012

So, I'm on the road again ... out West. Life is a winding road. I'll check in when I can.

Photo of the Day: Winter Gray

Virgil Phillips Park, Moscow, Idaho area, Dec. 31, 2012

Per the "snow" setting on my camera, filtering out the weak winter sunlight - creating shades of winter gray.

Photos of Family Fun: Vacation Vignettes

Vacation 1 was a whirlwind that I'm summarizing for the office as: 

• 15-17 days 
• 5 states 
• 3 time zones 
• 6 nieces and nephews 
• 2 major holidays 
• 5 planes 
• 1 hyper extended elbow (see if you can see when I did it over here)
• Countless muscle strains/bruises from being a human target/jungle gym/wrestling mat, and 
• Lots of snuggles, cuddles, sniffles, books, yarn and food 

Then 12 business days in the office and I turn around and head BACK to Utah and Nevada for Family Vacation 2! [Only 2 planes this time, and only a week .... but more family milestones. Baptisms & Blessings!]

Given the above, and the fact that I currently have 3 weeks of work to catch up on, over 900 pictures and video to process, three bags to unpack, an unusually odd transition at work with no office and a temp desk/desk-hopping and a training situation of a newish replacement for part of my job ...

Regular blogging will resume ... um ...

Eventually!

Here are a few snaps from the first trip, to give you an idea of some of what happened.

And, oh yeah ... Welcome back and Happy 2013! 

Stage I: Utah/Nevada

So glad to see that someone in the family is anxious to see me

View from the parents' backyard in Utah. Big Sky indeed

All hands on deck: tag team feeding the twins (Cannon in foreground, Sarah behind)

Peaceful moment: Grandmary and Cannon

Brotherly Love: (No photos please Auntie) Drew kisses on Cannon

Sarah already has Grandmary wrapped around her fingers

Grumpa Max is not grumpy holding Sarah

Zion National Park

Stage II: Idaho

I don't think I'm in the desert anymore. (Taken through car windshield)

End of the road. Mountain top in Idaho

Goofing around with Nathan, Elle, and Amber

All dressed up for Church

New Year's Eve Sledding with the family at the Virgil Phillips Park

Storey time with Papa

Don't worry kids. I don't know when, exactly, but I will be back in Idaho soon.

Stay tuned. More photos will be posted eventually.

Photo of the Day: Fresh Air Fund

Mountains of Northern Idaho

New Year's Eve, 2012

Pretty as a postcard and Mountain Fresh

Good to clear the head from 2012 

and get a fresh breath before 2013.

Happy Auntie's Day 2012 to Me

I love this recent letter from my niece Amber. Thanks to a lovely post-it from her mother, I know it says:

Dear [Auntie Nettie]

I love you. I was wondering if you can come for a visit here.

Love,
Amber

Please note that Amber is wearing her favorite colors, purple and red. She has also accurately portrayed the original differences in our hair hues. I even know which blouse she's got me wearing. I guess I keep packing the same clothes whenever I visit. (Maybe it's time for a wardrobe makeover?)

Since I haven't seen the little monkeys since Christmas 2010, it's time to make a long-over due visit to their new digs in Idaho. Is it holiday break yet?

Love you too Amber ... and Elle .... and Nathan ... and Drew .... and Phineas and Fern* .... as well as all my honoraries-- E.D., The Blondie Girlz, The Maine Montley Crew, Moosh and Mozzi, and so many many more!

*oh, who are Phineas and Fern (or Ferbina)?
These guys ... or more specifically
this guy and gal
(according to the ultrasound tech**)

Coming soon to a blog near you, in the winter of 2012!
So excited for more nieces and nephews to spoil.

**Subject to change upon delivery. Surprises due without notice - though new 3D ultrasound technology make that a little more difficult to manage.

Photos of the Day: Fly Away Home

Burley, Idaho, River Trip, August 2010

Photos of the Day: What are they serving?

Riggins, Idaho, River Trip, August 2010

Perhaps someone could identify the monster. Perhaps it's a specialty that only Harley riders consume?

Photos of the Day: Public Service Announcement

Occasionally we will use this blog as a means to further the education of the general public.

Today's entry is a tutorial on how to cross the street while on vacation in parts of Idaho. I would like other municipalities to adopt this street crossing practice. It involves mandatory colorful flags and optional silver-haired crossing guards.

~First, have well marked cross-walks.
~Then, have light poles where you can post instructions and have brackets for,
~the brightly colored flags, which you will use to get drivers' attention.
~Finally, take a traveling tourist, willing to hold up a flag and march into the street, and have her stop vehicular traffic.

Just in case this doesn't work, here are the instructions for your review.

Good luck crossing the street. Look both ways and WATCH OUT!

Taken on the River Trip 2010.

Food for Thought: It's Vacation Time!

I'm taking off for a few days, but I thought I'd leave you with some eye candy and some food for thought.

Menu Page from Connor's Cafe, near Burley, Idaho, c. August 2010

Connor's Cafe as seen from the highway at high speeds, c. August 2010

I cannot adequately describe the scene at the Cafe, (farmers, truckers, and locals, oh my!) but the food! The food tasted as good as this looks. My fried chicken was awesome, and the baked Idaho potato - IN IDAHO - was flaky goodness: hot, steamy, dripping with butter and salt and pepper. So good.

The rolls were also delicious. I could have eaten just the rolls -- about a dozen of them. I exerted some self control, however, and saved mine for dessert - with a little jelly.

Grandmary tried to make us feel guilty by ordering a salad - but look at the size of that chef salad! You can't be too health conscious with all of those toppings. Grumpa Max solicited the recommendations of other diners and ordered a special not on the menu. I think it was called the Hangover Buster -- a scramble with potatoes, meat, peppers, onions, and cheese, that even the hardened truckers and farmers couldn't manage to finish.

There was supposed to be pie. Connor's is known for pie. There were signs about pie. I started salivating about pie, and I don't even LIKE pie that much. Sadly, we pulled in too late, and the waitress was pretty much "done" with working andthen forgot to ask us if we wanted any. I was pretty carbed out though, (corn is considered a vegetable, not a grain, in these locales), so it was just as well.

Sadly, on this long weekend getaway, I will not be getting this kind of food, but with three dinner appointments and a brunch scheduled, not to mention a bridal shower, I won't go hungry for company, laughter, and nourishment for body and soul.

Back later. Stay tuned.

Photo of the Day - Riggins Reverie

Nettie's Dream Cottage?

River Trip, Riggins, Idaho, August 2010

isn't it cute? all Victorian and tucked away in a secret garden, peeking through the sunlight.

so what if it's the medical center? i know it has river views.

Seen on the River/Road Trip 2010: Benched

There is so much creativity out there, and so many different ways to be benched:

Warning signs of what will happen when you're benched for good.

Sharlie's Triangle was spotted in McCall, Idaho, and has whimsical frogs in the posts, and is surrounded by a dragon protector.

If you misbehave in McCall, they'll bench you in the ultimate timeout, ye old-fashioned gaol.

When you get further north into Salmon River Country, the benches begin to reflect their aquatic mascots.

If you sit in this final bench too long, they'll load you up and haul you off.