UFO's In McMinnville, OR

It was one of those forecasted rainy Oregon weekends where we had tons of household chores to do. There's always the list of boring 'to-do's' around the house, or wait...Maybe it was Aliens that were summoning us to the charming town of McMinnville to enjoy the UFO parade, part of a 15 year annual tradition ufofest.co.  Well, it's not hard to see what won out!

Our first stop was lunch, where we came across this Alien enjoying a bite, while waiting for the planned invasion that was sure to be just around the corner! Foil headgear was very popular, perhaps sending out a frequency to the "Grays?
We grabbed sandwiches at The Red Fox Bakery, and had them boxed up so we could find a place on the parade route. I had a roasted turkey, Gouda, Apple sandwich on crunchy golden raisin bread, that seriously had to be one of the best sandwiches that I've ever had!  As a bonus, they included the most amazing chewy, melt in your mouth macaroon.  I always thought macaroons were boring, dried up poor excuses for a cookie, but these, were amazing!  I read on their website where they are baked daily and can be mailed!  Must check that out!

This was Ground Zero, The McMenamin's Hotel Oregon, where food and live entertainment, vendor booths, and the Pet Costume Contest made this THE Happening Place! The McMenanin Brothers are famous for buying up old public buildings, which have fallen into disrepair around the state, fixing them up, making them a cornerstone in their communities- Hotel Oregon is no exception.  I heard that they even have a rooftop bar that rocks!

Runners in the Abduction Dash were pelted with water balloons from the balcony of the hotel as they finished the race.

If that didn't get them wet, the Ghostbusters crew was on hand to finish the job!

Wait... a sighting!

I don't know how many people attended the UFO Parade, but they were six deep on the streets, and many wore costumes.

These guys had the best headgear, especially the guy on the left with a saucer that lit up! 

The parade was lots of fun, but there were many other events, including the purpose of the weekend-the Speakers, who are experts in extraterrestrial phenomena, like George Noory, host of the nationally syndicated radio program "Coast to Coast AM," and Stanton T. Friedman, Nuclear physicist, and UFO expert since the 60's. The whole event is based on the Trent UFO Photos, from May 11, 1950 which remain one of the best UFO sightings to this day! http://www.rense.com/general/mcmin50.htm

This was good- a recovery truck with satellite, lights and Alien storage 

The Grays!

There was a marching band from the local Jr High School

creatures from Star Wars

Space capsules

Not sure about the fish, but it was a big crowd pleaser!

Lots of Alien beings...

Even the local Square Dancers were out of this planet!

Little Terrestrials

                    This guy was amazing-the photo doesn't do him justice. 

         This band was really extra terrestrial-The Love Bomb Go-Go Marching Band, from Portland

This spaceship floated down the street to the delight of all the kids, big and old!

This entry featured the McMenamin's Hammerhead Beer.  It took me awhile to figure out the hammer heads

 You gotta love this little guy!

 Kip and his wonderful sons, Skyler, and Ben

 Everyone got into the spirit

 Have we had enough 'Keep Calm...yet?  

 More foil headgear!

Friends, Pam, Barb, and Karen...

 Sweet Murphy was so freaked out by the firetrucks, he didn't make the Pet Parade, even though he had a great costume!

  These guys were great!  

Even NASA was on hand...I guess they don't have much to do these days!

 A good time was had by all!

Rio Grande Botanical Gardens, Albuquerque, NM

We recently escaped the oppressive rain in Portland and headed to Albuquerque and Santa Fe for a new days of sun.  On Saturday, Rick went to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, and I headed to The Rio Grande Botanic garden.  I think I got the better deal!

At the entrance of the garden, there's an eye-catching display of metal bird and insect sculptures. One of the most amazing things in the garden is this incredible mosaic; many hands went into it's design and completion.  It's truly stunning with the pond, dragonflies and and flowers.

My absolute favorite section of the gardens was the model train display!  Model trains are a secret passion of mine, and I've longed to have my own garden display.  I already have some track and a few cars that we used to put out every Christmas to entertain the cats!

All the ten year year old's and I were having a blast, inspecting the little towns and miniature gardens, with Pygmy Bamboo, miniature sedums, trestle bridges.  Best part was the fact that the display is interactive.

Lots of  'Conductors' were on hand to keep these engineering marvels on track!

There were also a Butterfly Pavilion, Japanese Garden, and Spanish-Moorish Courtyard, but it was all about the trains for me!

It was a beautiful April day and who wouldn't want to bask in the sun!

Trending Sea Glass Jewelry for Summer 2014

It's always fun to try and spot new jewelry trends.  For so long brass birds, Cabachon Flowers and owls  were popular, however, now I'm noticing lots of new styles coming into the forefront like reclaimed sea glass and recycled coke bottled glass. True Sea Glass, I've read is becoming harder to find in the States.   With a growing environmental awareness, glass no longer routinely ends up in the ocean, so sea glass seekers are increasingly heading to Europe and Asia to find their treasures. I've been enamored with these natural and man made stones, and for all the possibilities they offer in jewelry design.

To meet the the demand, I'm seeing some beautiful man made tumbled glass, in a variety of colors and shapes that wouldn't be available otherwise.  Here's some of the things, that I've come up with, using this faux glass-

I think this medium is perfect to mix with silver and pearls

and sea life charms like this Sterling Silver Starfish

Also, there's some interesting ceramic beads from Greece that compliment the sea glass

like this cool pallet of blues and purples

So many possibilities, like this Spike Style necklace 

And these colorful squares, which remind me of the Juicy Fruit candy sold in movie theaters!

How about this simple aqua and pearl dangle for a sweet Beach Wedding Necklace?

patriotic Jello Squares?

I love the combination of sea glass with Sterling Silver or Rhinestone charms

All this talk of Sea Glass makes me want to head to my favorite beach to search for treasures!

Barrington Heights Book Club celebrates Lady Almina and The Real Downton Abbey with a Tea Party

 What better thing to do on a dreary January day than have a Tea Party?  Our Book Group read Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, the book which the popular PBS Series is based on.  It was written by Lady Fiona Carnarvon, who  is married to the current Earl, and who took over Highclere Castle nine years ago.

I love the beautiful costumes, and decor from the series, so I asked everyone to wear a hat or fascinator and everyone rose to the occasion!   Some even wore vintage dresses!

We enjoyed Tea Sandwiches, Macaroons, Biscuits ( the British word for cookies!), and a Cranberry, feta, and Pecan Fruit Salad, Tea, and Champagne!~ Of course!  

 I cheated and made some of the sandwiches on wheat bread, but stuck to the traditional egg salad, turkey and the most popular, Curried Chicken!  Recipe follows.

 It's so much fun to have a neighborhood again, although we missed lovely Minny, who brought us all together and then had to move back to Ohio! 

My daughter says that our book club is just an excuse to drink wine and eat lovely snacks in the afternoon

 The Ladies really got into the spirit of things, mostly everyone wore hats or fascinators. ( L) Veronica, our playwright in residence and Nadia, a decorator extraordinaire ! 

Some wore very cool Vintage dresses.  Who knew MaryAnn (L), was an actress in a prior life?

 Here we are in all of our glory!  I'm in the back with a purple and black hat that was purchased in Minneapolis for another fun party!

 I like mixing things up on the platters, so it's easier for people to serve themselves

 Nadia looking very sporty! 

 Connie wore her Mom's hat from the 60's!

 Elaine styled it with a cute felted hat with hand beading!

 Yes, we really do discuss the books!

 Carla, borrowed something blue and looked very chic and Lady Maryish!

 MaryAnn said that her hat was over 100 years old!  It was still stylish and beautiful today!

A belle of the ball, right out of Downton!

 Everyone's Favorite sandwich filling. This would be perfect for an appetizer with crackers, as shown, or as a

  Tea Sandwich filling: 

2 cups, cooked, chopped chicken

4 green onions,  finely chopped

1/4 c Orange Marmalade

1 tsp curry powder*

salt /pepper

1/2 c chopped almonds

8 oz. softened cream cheese

1/2 c flaked coconut

* Just a touch of curry really gives this spread a great flavor!