Anderson Island Photos

My husband and I like to go to the "island" - Anderson Island - almost every weekend. Here are some photos of our trip this weekend:

The Pierce County Ferry is located in Steilacoom, Washington, a historic area of Puget Sound.

Residents of this quaint village have a great view of the Olympic Mountains:


Our first stop is usually the General Store:


A visit always includes a swing by the local marina - Mount Rainier in the distance:


On the ferry back to the mainland, great view of Mount Rainier:

Another Berry Good Weekend

We returned to the island to pick more berries. We picked about 20 pounds. Here are some photos:

Our favorite blackberry patch:



Vines loaded with juicy, ripe blackberries:



The best berries are just slightly out of my reach:




Time for a manicure:

What a busy weekend!

My husband and I had a great weekend. On Saturday we saw the latest Woody Allen movie Vicky Christina Barcelona at the Grand Cinema Theater here in Tacoma. What a great movie! I will use any excuse to spend two hours admiring Javier Bardeim. He is such a versatile actor.

Today we went to Anderson Island, Washington. We have property on the island at the Rivera Club, and will build there in the next couple of years. There is a very nice golf course, restaurant, marina, a co-op garden pea-patch, and a quaint general store. That's it. Very simple, very laid-back resort type location. Click here to read a nice article about Anderson Island published in Sunset Magazine.

There are lots of blackberry bushes in the unincorporated areas of the island. The bushes were just loaded with fat, sweet blackberries! My handsome husband and I spent an hour or so picking them. We wound up with enough for three pies. Two fat bags of berries are in the freezer, and here is the pie I made for my sweetie tonight. Before and after baking. He loves my pies!


It turned out pretty nice!



FRESH WILD BLACKBERRY PIE
INGREDIENTS
• 4 cups fresh blackberries
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1- 9 inch double crust pie
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar

DIRECTIONS
1. Combine 3 1/2 cups berries with the sugar and flour. Spoon the mixture into an unbaked pie shell. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup berries on top of the sweetened berries, and cover with the top crust. Seal and crimp the edges. Brush the top crust with milk, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar.
2. Bake at 425 degree F for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature of the oven to 375 degrees F, and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes.


Apparently the pie was good, as my sweet husband had his fill of it. He is in his favorite chair, watching tv. He will be asleep soon!

Another pair of sandals!

As if I thought summer would last forever, I purchased yet another pair of Navajo sandals. These are Jack Rogers. They are just so incredibly comfortable. I was getting impatient waiting for my Bonanno monograms, so I bought these lovely handmade leather sandals in bronze and silver:



There is quite a rivalry between Bonanno, Rogers and Solario. I like them all equally.

My Latest Purchase - Stephen Bonanno Sandals

Yes, I did it, I retired my old pair of Stephen Bonanno sandals and ordered a pair of sandals in the Emma style, which will have my monogram. I ordered Black with Winter Camel whip-stitch. I hope I get them before summer disappears here in Washington. This is the Emma style:

It was only about 70 today, too cool to ride the Vespa.

Butch Hancock & Jimmie Dale Gilmore

One thing I really miss about Texas is a great music. Here is a favorite of mine,
Jimmie Dale Gilmore along with Butch Hancock (both of Austin, Texas)

I took a raft trip hosted by Far Flung Adventures a few years back and Butch Hancock was the oarsman on my raft. Here is a photo of me getting soaked - Butch Hancock is the guy with a hand one one of the oars:

Trip to Los Angeles

Took a trip with my husband to visit my youngest step-daughter and her sweet daughter, Sydney. Here are some photos from the trip:

Hooray for Hollywood!

Where else can you see Superman strolling down the street?

Of course I had to shop a bit. Bought a cute Hermès scarf!

After some serious shopping, Sydney took a gelato break with Grandpa.

At the Pier at Santa Monica for some super-fun rides and excellent people-watching.

The best set of shoulders in Santa Monica!

Back in Simi Valley, after a very long day.