when we surprise ourselves

those are really good moments. today I had that day. when from moment to moment I really wondered if I knew myself at all? huffing the damp air, I sloppily pushed foot in front of foot across the seagull stained rocks. I watched happily as two dogs co-existed while not co-exisitng together in an environment much more suitable than I provide...otters, eagles, fowl, dead things, alive things, waves, mountains. I was easily able to fade in the distance while better things captivated them. I think I recall not thinking, over and over again, and liking it. Liking the eraser feel on my brain. Liking feeling my feet moving the ground beneath them, crunch, slide, sink. It wasn't until later when I realized what happened to my day. I looked down into my lap and found a small cat. Curling herself as small as could be, she purred and burrowed into what must have felt safe. Throughout the remainder of the afternoon, every step I took was followed by Gina the cat. Every time I sat down...Gina the cat. Every time I moved...Gina the cat. I did not knit, I did not mend, I did not read...I spent my day with Gina, a cat. My love for this cat has been surprise # 1. Listening to Fleetwood Mac, while adoring a cat was surprise # 2. Listening to Fleetwood Mac, while adoring a cat and drawing a bath was surprise # 3. Who was I becoming? A 60 year old has been in crushed velvet, with 17 cats, pink wine and tv dinners? "Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Sweet Little Lies....Tell Me Lies."

i can't believe i spent $ 45 at Applebee's

that's right, I'm admitting it.

saturday night our friends Erin and Mike came out to visit from Seattle. we had a fabulous night at the Valley Tavern, then sitting around the fire at the property, laughing, eating lasagna and drinking beer. Sunday morning we watched Daphne eat their dog Baker over coffee and as Mike and Erin drove away, I felt inspired for a day's adventure. Bob and I decided to head out to the most northwestern tip of the lower 48 - Cape Flattery. A very twisty, 2 + hours later we arrived. How we ended up at Applebee's at the end of the day will remain a secret...all I can say is 22 ounce glasses of Manny's for $ 4 eventually turns into $ 45.

daphne finds the perfect observation point

looking out at Vancouver Island, Canada

famous lighthouse on Tatoosh Island

6 and one half years and still no whales

after we left Cape Flattery we headed south just a bit to gain some beach access, as it turned out the waves were pretty good and we were able to view a handful of brave surfers enjoying the ride by sunset.

sea stacks in the distance

doing what she does

this moment was worth it all

new bagel makin' place

BOB'S BAGELS is moving! Here are some photos of our new kitchen space that we will be sharing with some of our favorite friends and chefs. This is the back room with dish area, storage and reach in coolers and big walk in cooler.

dish pit - and no, the espresso machine will not be staying there.

front of kitchen

gigantic hood system, vulcans and double convection oven for bagel baking.

the mother load - bagel mix master Hobart

bagel baking at it's best - accommodates 10 sheet pans at a time, I think that's roughly 170 bagels at a time.

like Hobart & Bob, good things come from Ohio

next step, enamel him red

kid friendly kitchen

the espresso stand that Bob and I bought this off of last year was actually located right next to our new space. guess it was meant to be, tasty little Astoria.