Decomposition of Chlorophyll

Not Summer

Yeeee! Not sure why I don't really like bugs, but like photographing them.

In my old age I have been saying that I only observe two seasons: Summer and Not-Summer.  But I suppose I should remedy that to three seasons: Summer, Not-Summer, and Snow. Anyway, a good time to go wander about, see what's up post-summer.

Pengilly's got a new sign. I dig it.

Addie's needs one, I think. At least some fresh paint.

If you have to buy a book on it at Urban Outfitters, I guarantee you aren't doing it right.

Stopped by the record exchange and ran into our local famous musician, gibber jabbering about his Halloween costume.

Nice to see the capitol is intact.

The flower's back at the Women's and Children's Alliance! Some dirtbag kids stole it recently, but after a large media blast of the video of the incident, it was returned. And is now affixed more tightly.

I do love going on walkabout. 

Pumpkin Carving Grown-up Style

Step aside kiddos, it's mama's turn.

OK, and the dads got into it too. It was a real pumpkin slaughtering.

Such a leisurely and fun afternoon.

The ladies of Tuesday Night Movie Club getting our carving on.

I did two, one for me, one for my husband. This one was his, and my fave.

Ruby likely wasn't feeling so good after all the raw pumpkin she ate off the floor.

Sometimes I have to do my own lighting/exposure tests.

The massacre.

Pumpkin Carving Extravaganza!

The yard is full of big fat quail, waddling around in the yard...it must be fall! And fall means...

Halloween is nigh!

Let us sacrifice the gourds.

And roast their fleshy insides. (OK, Michele would do that, not me. But they were tasty!)

Let the offering begin!

We are training the little ones in this macabre venture as well.

A lesson was learned this day. Consider buying the cheapie gourds at Winco over the fancy stuff from the fruit stand. The cheapies were way more thin-skinned. This wee carver could barely lift her vegetable.

Explaining where to make the incisions.

Girl Party 2013: #photobomb

After our standard Saturday trip to the spa, we cleaned ourselves up and hit the town!

Steak dinner out, then some ladydancing in downtown! Which was kicked off by a young Marine approaching us with a flirty and warm "Hey old babes!" REALLY!?! That's your line? We soon discovered he was VERY intoxicated, and soon regretted this opening line.

We encountered some interesting characters on our evening out, including this odd woman who photobombed this cute pic of our leos.

I might be a little responsible for some photobombing my own self.

Sunday, regretfully, the girls had to pack up and head back to Stumptown. But sister and Kristin were feeling under the weather...and then realized they could get pseudoephedrine in Idaho without the prescription now necessary in Oregon. So they each bought some cold medicine. Nothing like hooking up my peeps with some illegal drugs before they board a plane.

But before we headed to the airport, a fun breakfast at Addie's. It was funny to see Kristin in my Ducks hat...not her normal colors.

And just like that, Girl Party 2013 was over. :(

But we got so much gabbing and laughing and relaxing and gossiping and just flat-out good old times in. Girl Party is welcome at the Chicken Ranch any time! #girlparty #yougottabighousehere #angrywhopper #tiffanyislostagain #bestgirlsever

Girl Party 2013: Boise!

Guess what guess what guess what! My girls came to Boise to visit me! It was so gracious of everyone to make the journey! We do our annual "big trip" every other year, but for the last couple years have done lower-key, local mini-Girl Parties, which has been a nice addition. After a tour of their weekend digs, and our traditional big salads...

We trekked up to Idaho City to the fancified new hot springs spa.

It seems like it was a pretty good first-night activity.

We timed it to be there as the sun was going down, and it was just gorgeous out.

Then to Trudy's for home-spun small town diner-y deliciousness.

...Where we also purchased a cinnamon roll for the next morning. ONE cinnamon roll. Seriously.

And the next morning it was lovely with our coffee and Quiet Magazine Time. Half of us are decaf, have are full-caff, so we had a thermos situation.

Sister gets up early so got more QMT than the rest of us.

Sister forgot a jammies top, so I let her borrow this shirt Jon got me at a GIS conference. Which I think she tried to steal from me.