Bad hair day

I chopped off all my hair the other day...well not quite all of it, but it is a different look for me being as short as it is now. Then there is this guy who could stand some chopping to get this wig under control!! I love how people can lose themselves in a moment and just be crazy funny. :)

Saratoga

This old show poster hangs at the Moscow Bagel Co and is just one of many interesting art pieces on display for the diners to enjoy.

Aboretum entrance

A photo of the entrance to the UI Arboretum just as the first leaves had started to turn.

Traditional dinner

We have just finished our Thanksgiving dinner. We usually have a traditional dinner at about 3pm. Since it is just the 6 of us, it usually isn't too much work and in fact this year I fixed everything myself since my husband has to leave at 7pm for work and needed to sleep during the day. My daughter mashed the potatoes and yesterday she and I baked 12 dozen cookies, 2 pecan pies, 2 pumpkin pies, and 6lbs of fudge. I posted another photo here.

A very Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Cougar logo

This WSU Cougars logo is made from wood and hangs at Columbia Paints on Hwy 8. We went in a few days ago looking for some paint for my friend Angie's living room...didn't find what we needed, but I thought the logo was cool. I think the person that designed it was pretty clever to make the letters look like a cougar.

High bar on wheels

It's one of Moscow's claims to fame, a gymnast on the high bar. What makes this so special? Well, the high bar is mounted to a semi truck which is in motion driving down the road. They have had this feature for a few years now in our parades. It is an entry from Palouse Empire Gymnastics and is a definite crowd pleaser. This young lady did about 3 minutes of spinning and stunts as the truck moved along the parade route before taking a break to go again. It is an awesome sight.

Beer Taps

On tap at Patty's, one can find a nice variety of beers. The Alaskan Smoked Porter was introduced to the US in 1988 and is a big award winner. The Mirror Pond Pale Ale is brewed at the Deschutes Brewery over in Oregon. I am not a big beer fan, so I haven't tried either of these myself, though the pale ale is probably more up my alley since I am not fond of darker beers. I did however love the look of these beer taps!

Extend your reach

The Moscow Volunteer Fire Department decided to extend the ladder at the conclusion of the UI Homecoming Parade a few weeks ago. This is the first time I have seen one of our ladder trucks fully extended...and am happy to note that the tallest buildings in Moscow would be accessible with this truck. I think our tallest building is only 4 stories!

Eclectic bookcase

A collection of titles at one of my favorite sit-down-and-relax-with-the-girls spots, Sister's Brew. One can come in, order a coffee (or chai tea perhaps), select a book and then sit to read for awhile. The majority come here for use of the wireless internet, but this great selection of books could entice anyone to put the computer aside in pursuit of a great read.

No jogging?

Now, I thought that a track was for running, walking, or jogging...but perhaps it is dangerous to jog in lanes 1-4? Who knows why they decided upon such a silly rule, but this sign is posted at the entrance to the track at the Jr High, and I thought it was pretty funny.

Bridge over calm water

Winchester Lake is about 60 miles south of Moscow on Highway 95. It's one of our favorite fishing spots...bass and trout for the most part, though I have seen some monster catfish come out of the lake! This bridge is part of a hiking trail that meanders around the lake and off into the mountains.

Soccer Practice

These UI girls were out practicing their soccer a few weeks ago when I snapped this photo. They looked like they were having a good time and it was one of the last warm fall days.

Fully loaded

This past summer we went out to our friends' orchard in Troy and picked our weight in cherries. About this time of year, I start missing the warm sunny days...especially when we have snow predicted for later this week. These cherries remind me that winter can't last forever!

Winter Skeleton

Everything is put away in preparation for winter snow, including this huge umbrella at the local pool. The canopy has been removed and the bottoms have been tied with twine in an effort to prevent them from blowing open in our frequent gusty winds this time of year.

Autumn trio

The leaves have all nearly fallen now, but last week before our huge wind and rain storms, I took a final photo of the scene outside my sewing room window. I am fortunate to have such beauty around me. Now, I just wait for white to cover the barren branches!

Palouse Sunset

Last night on our way to meet some friends for dinner, we turned west and stumbled upon this stunning sunset. Fortunately I had my camera with me (a habit I need to really get into) and was able to take this photo. Sadly, the scene was gone far to quickly...in fact within 5 minutes, the sun was down far enough that the clouds were just an ugly gray mass. It was beautiful while it lasted though!

Prickly little nuts

During a recent walk I spied this chestnut tree and it's fallen fruit littering the ground underneath. My boys decided it would be a good idea to pick up the spiny orbs and see if they could get them open to fish out the nuts inside. No luck there, but they did have fun looking at them!

Mmmmmm...Mexican food!

My favorite kind of food is Mexican! Having grown up in Arizona, I guess it's pretty natural. Here in northern Idaho, there isn't much in the way of authentic Mexican food...but wait...there's Patty's! Patty's Mexican Kitchen sits right off 6th Street and Deakin and has grown from a tiny shop with no seating into an extended outdoor seating area complete with lawn and bbq pit, as well as the miniature Patty Dome with indoor seating and a bar...very handy this time of year.

The food is the best around. Really. Normally I would have snapped a shot of Trini behind the grill, but I was there to pick her up for Girl's Night Out and take her to dinner elsewhere...she gets tired of Mexican food since she cooks it all day, everyday. Imagine that! Billy is in the photo above and said to say "Hello!" to all my blog readers. :)

Empty track

A photo of the UI track and field venue a few weeks ago. This track sits just outside the Kibbie Dome and the two share a common parking area.

Sacrifice, but not in vain - Veterans Day 2008

The Armistice treaty between the Germans and the Allied Forces went into effect at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month to effectively end fighting on the Western Front during World War I. While fighting still continued in other areas, this date was commonly referred to as the end of the war. After World War II the name here in America was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all military veterans.

I believe the best way to honor those who have served the cause of freedom and justice is to show them that their sacrifices have not been made in vain. We need to remember all that they have fought and bled for so that we could know freedom. To my grandfathers who served in the military during World War II...my grandpa Pete US Arny) who died when I was a young girl, and my grandpa Charlie (US Navy) who is about to celebrate his 94th birthday, thank you for all you have done to defend our country and give us the liberties we enjoy today. I love you.

The photo above is the United States Marine Corps uniform of a friend of ours who has served several tours of duty overseas. The Marine Corps just celebrated their 233rd birthday yesterday and he and his wife were on their way to the Birthday Ball when I took this photo. Thank you for your committment to our country, the sacrifices you have made, and your friendship which we treasure.

Come Play!

I was out walking last week and passed by Pioneer Square which sits right in the middle of downtown and has this great wooden play structure for the kids. The flooring is a recycled rubber material and very cushioned which is nice because my youngest son has landed on his hands and knees a few times jumping off! Pioneer Square is the spot for our Farmers Market and various outdoor concerts and other events during the year. They often close main street here at the Square for the events.

Centennial Oaks

At the UI Arboretum there is a grove of 13 different species of oak trees, 100 in total, that were planted in 1989 to commemorate UI's first one hundred years and the thirteen presidents that served the university during that time.

The Clearwater

On Hwy 95 just to the east of Lewiston, you will pass over the Clearwater River. This area is about 2500 feet lower than Moscow and 40 miles south, so the temperature differences can be dramatic. When Moscow is a chilly 40º it can be a balmy 60º here at the river. They rarely get snow...last year we got 4 feet! The fishing is what this river is known for however, Steelhead especially!

Mom and cub

Washington State University over in Pullman has a center specifically for studying these beautiful grizzly bears. My hubby is friends with some of the people at this facility and we were invited to go 'behind the scenes' and within the outer enclosures to take a closer peek at them. This momma grizzly has two cubs and it was just adorable to watch them tumbling over each other and pouncing on their momma.

Winding asphalt

This is the view from the top of Steptoe Butte. The road winds through a park-like setting at the base and then spirals up to the 3600 ft summit. What makes this unique in the area is that it is a geographic anomaly...a quartzite mountain that towers over the rolling wheat fields below. The native American Indians call this mountain, Eomoshtoss. In the past, the young men would go on their spirit quests to the mountain to receive a guardian power from the Great Spirit to protect them during their life. They would often choose their new name from this spirit quest to signify their passage into adulthood.

Having been to the top of Steptoe numerous times, I can tell you that the 360º view is amazing and well worth the drive...it is especially fun on a motorcycle!

Handicapped access

Access for the handicapped is not something I see very often here in Moscow...not that it isn't available, it's just that normally I don't notice! This lovely walkway is a recently new addition to the Moscow Food Bank I posted about here. I love that they used decking and gave it interesting angles considering that space for it was at a premium.

Cast your ballot 2008!

Election day here in the USA! Voters were flocking to the polls for what is sure to be the largest voter turnout in our history. No matter how it ends, it will be a historic day for our country. This morning bright and early my husband and oldest son went to the polls...they waited a little over an hour to cast their votes. Two hours later, I was able to go right in with no waiting which was nice since it was rainowing outside...that's my new word for rain/snow!

Spoke shadows

This bicycle was parked outside on 5th and Main...I thought the wheel looked rather new and interesting considering the rest of the bike looked pretty beat up well loved.

From Beach to Lodge Grill?

This is the topmost section of a building in downtown Moscow called 'The Beach', a nightclub. I thought it was interesting that when I planned this post, an article came out in the local Argonaut about some things happening with The Beach. I have to agree with the comment made by city council member Wayne Krauss, “The Beach is an eyesore. It’s a wart in downtown Moscow...”

I truly do hope that Barry Tassler, owner of The Beach, follows through with his plan to turn this spot into something of a more family friendly place. It could really become a nice focal point in town and I am sure would bring in more business than it's current incarnation.

Theme Day: Books

One of my favorite haunts for 'Girls Night Out' with my friends is this cozy little cafe at the corner of 3rd and Main called Sisters Brew. Great chai tea, mocha, and pastries, but the ambiance of the place is what it really has going for it. With the eclectic collection of knick knacks and the comfy furniture, not to mention a bookcase full of all the latest titles and wireless internet, it is a haven for the business set during the day and the college kids at night.

On my latest visit, where I counted no less than 23 people with laptops doing their homework or surfing the net, I spied this book on a nearby table and the title captured my attention. Far more interesting to me than the internet at that moment, and a great add for the City Daily Theme Day photo which I was starting to worry about! The young lady to whom the book belonged was happy to have me take the photo. The next Sunday I was pleased to find it as one of the titles in our church library and my husband is currently reading it during his lunch hour at work.

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