Backyard mulch project.

 We started something.  Hope to finish. 

South steps of deck. 

The old patio are concrete does need to be replaced, but it needs to look a little better in the meantime. So we moved dirt, moved blocks, moved gravel buckets. And that's all the energy we had for one day! 

I've just been so tired of the very UNfinishrd look and having to jump over dirt.

All the white powder is diatomaceous earth because we dug up an ant bed.

So, mulch Is going down with some diamond block to hold it in place and "define" the garden spot. 

Same on the north steps, but so far just so I don't have to walk in dirt to get to the spigot. There's still plenty of exposed dirt out there for cats to use as their bathroom. Ugh.

We do have bigger and better plans for this area, but this will do for now. I just don't want to move THAT much dirt!

So instead, we moved 20bags of mulch.

My happy place❤️💕

June 17 Mini Yoga Retreat

Photos are credited to Sara Greene of  Raindrop Visions photography. (She's Jessica's sister)

 

I attended a mini retreat with my friend Jan Thorley. Jessica Henshaw is the lady who hosted it. We had creative and thoughtful introductions including thoughts on what we love and are grateful for, enjoyed a lovely, healthy meal, we made some macrame (a bookmark), and we did some breath work exercises and a little yoga, some journaling.  It was very nice, relaxing. Beautiful setting. This is the second time I've attended one of Jessica's mini-retreats and probably won't be the last.

Jessica Henshaw, our host and instructor.

 

 Kolob in the background. Don't miss that!

Enjoying our meal together. She had a morning session (with only three attendees) and an evening one from 5 to 9 pm. Ours went a little longer than 9 since we all wanted to finish off our bookmarks.

OH! that Belly!! I need pictures like this on occasion to remind me what I need to work on. OUCH. It always surprises me to see that.

Side note: I wore this same shirt the last time I attended her mini-retreat. ha.

 

Cruise Portraits

 

Hiking Red Hollow Trail, June 10

 But First--lookie who spent the night at our house on their way to Vegas?

We had such a fun visit last night.

Saturday morning, after watering in the garden. Women's hiking group, take three. 

Pretty views. This is just off Highway 14 going up the canyon.

Notice the doggie paws hug mark?

Doggos

This is at the tip of the trail. Thor's Throne. 

The wildflowers were in bloom.

Heading home, at Sea

 

We Did catch a broadway review that night after Kechikan. Front row seats. Foggy evening!! Talented folks. Jon Marriott was in that one, with two ladies, Angelica and Brae.  My favorite line of his, "Thank you all for coming. I know it's hard to go for 45 minutes without eating.". So very true. Ha.

And the next day was sunny, warmer and we had and day at sea to just relax (and eat). Mike and I enjoyed the hot tub.

That's our reflection in the sliding glass door.

Bright blue skies. Smooth sailing. And WHALES! We were summoned to the Ashwood balcony to share in the fun. There were many spouts and some even breeched! 

The final show was that evening,"Elements." It was nice, but I was tired and had a lot of packing to do.  They brought out a parade of staff at the end. It made me wonder, "Who's minding the helm?"

A parade of cooks. Yes, they got a standing ovation.

The following morning, we got off the ship, onto yet another bus, motored over to the Vancouver Airport (about a 30 minute drive,) ate lunch, met up with Butch and Donna for a bit. 

And we were off! The plane to SFO was not packed, so we were able to be together for the flight. San Fran to Salt Lake. Nick picked us up, we slept there and headed home in the morning.

Arrived in Cedar around 11:30 a.m., two weeks and one day after we left!

Long trip. Great vacation. Loved every minute.