Hello from Whidbey Island! As you can see, we are at the height of our blooms in the garden. We are also at the end of the company this summer. We started with a great 4th picnic with 20 people here at the house, with 10 staying over. Of course, Missy and Scott were here, but this year we also got Meghan. Libby was over and her friends, Martha and Tom, and Shay and Jason, also came from Pt Angeles and Seattle, respectively. Pam and Rich came from Longview, (Pam is so cute!)and we also hosted the Liebmans, Bruce and Jill, with Kendra and Scott and kids, Kristen, Jake and Connor. It was fun, tiring, and at the end, it seemed like a boarding house. We ate, had amazing fireworks, both at the house and in Oak Harbor; from our patio, we had the perfect view. Scott was in charge and did a bang up(!) job. We have our favorites, the Toot and Twirl still ranks highest.
The next weekend we hosted Libby's friend Eva and her two girls from Knoxville, Tenn. for three days. They went all over the island, Fort Casey and the Lighthouse, to Friday Harbor to the Whale Museum, and to the Chochookum Festival in Langley. It was a great visit for them. Libby was tour guide, so Jim and I had a few minutes to make arrangements for the next meal. He bought live crabs and at my insistance cooked them outside; that really worked well, and we'll do that again when we have live crabs.
This past week end, Debbie Miller and boys, Nick and Joe arrived for five days. (See photos above!) We went to see the Beauty and the Beast play in Mt Vernon, visited with the Liebmans for a short swim and playtime with their grandkids, and went to our great Deception Pass Beach. What fun! They also got a day in at the Whale Museum where they bought those huge animals you see above! The biggest hit for everyone was the bad minton net and the croquet, although we have been told we need to upgrade the croquet set. We'll ask for that for Christmas! The back yard is the best place for everyone and if you are younger than 50, everyone enjoys it. I mentioned we might sell the house in 10 years and there was a general uproar that we could never sell as it is the place everyone wants to visit. Oh, well. Debbie's boys eat my food like I am the gourmet chef of all times. This year it was the lasagna that did it. Debbie keeps saying we need to open a B & B because we have great breakfasts, but that is a NO! We'll do it for friends but not forever. Her boys now have requests ready when they get here!
Scott and Missy were really thrilled with their new house. If you didn't know it, they bought a house in April about 3 miles from us in north Oak Harbor. They hadn't seen it, and relied on us to recommend it or not. They loved it, and yesterday, hallelujah, it was rented. (It was used over the 4th for an overflow overnight spot. Next year if we have that overflow problem, we'll have to move somebody to the boat. ) We think they got great renters; the lady was already worried about the lawn being too dry. While Scott was here, he got in two rounds of golf at the country club and loved it. He is ready to retire and has the golf course to fit the summer months. He met some great guys who encouraged him to join the club and explained the social membership. We are making plans to join in the near future.
Before the guests arrived for the 4th, Jim had finished refacing the top cupboards in the kitchen, including cherry cabinet doors. Very beautiful, too! (Photos later.)After Eva and before Debbie, he finished the bottom set. I helped a little with sanding, etc., but he did most of the work. It is amazing how good they look. We are now eager to get to the next project, but that'll have to wait until October, since summer is slipping away and we have plans to get out and about.
We are off to go cruising next week, hitting our favorite spots and marinas, starting with Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. It's a good trip for us since we don't have to pay to anchor out! We will not be available most of August we hope, especially since we are going to be gone Sept 9-23 to go on our tour of the Holy Land. We are getting excited about that.
After all the guests, we are finally getting back on our diets to try to lose another 10 lbs before we take off to the Holy Land. Debbie and I had a great talk about clothes to wear on our trip and then I ordered some things from an online source. It could be hot and Jim can only wear long pants and not jeans.
The weather here is absolutely perfect, 75 degrees, bright and sunny and cool in the evenings. We are so happy we live here. Blessings on you all and have a great summer. I'll probably post right before we leave for Jerusalem, and then after we are home. Good Day! The Whidbey Wagners
