Family, friends, fish and fennel

It has truly been a fabulous summer even with the recovery from the June 28th surgery. Below are some of the events and activities I've engaged in just recently:

Sunday 9/8 I co-hosted a baby shower with my sister-in-law Linda, for my daughter Jessica due in October with her first child, a baby girl. Many family members and old friends were in attendance. My mom and dad helped out so much; as usual. I had a blast! I'll post pictures. Jessica is so darling with her tummy.

Last Thursday through Saturday I attended a gathering in Sydney BC of the C-Brats, a group of folks who own the same type of boat Peter and I do; a C-Dory. Ours is named C-Dancer since we met romantically salsa dancing at Century Ballroom in Seattle. We have many friends that we meet up with and boat with in the group dating back 8 years from when we purchased the boat at the Seattle boat show. One of my favorite boat buddies, Sam, is a writer for the Waggoner's Guide for boaters and has a fantastic blog about his travels on his 22 foot C-Dory very similar to ours. We love Sydney BC.  If you haven't been, plan a trip there. The bookstores, restaurants, coffee shops, marina, shopping and people are great! We had good water conditions for our trip and the San Juan's were as usual breath takingly beautiful. The sun was out almost all week end and we missed the thunder and lightening rain part but got to see a little colorful lightening off in the distant mountains.

I've spent some fun time with my son Thaddeus and his family after delivering little Ayana in June. Kimani (3 and a half, he'll tell you when asked) started preschool a week ago at Madrona CDSA and loves it. His teachers Heather and Dora have been with CDSA for 20 years. I hired them in my first year. I get to pick him up once per week and have him over. He is a pure joy and blessing in my life. He has a beautiful disposition and is a happy and well loved child. His parents are doing such a good job. Thank you Lindsey and Thaddeus for sharing both your children with me, Grandma, so lovingly.

My husband Peter's dad (Peter Sr.) turned 83 and was/is here in Seattle for the celebration. Jackie (sister in law) had a very fun party for him at her house at the end of August. We luckily get a turn with him staying at our house for a little while. I've never met a more engaging, exciting, energetic and enthusiastic person in their 80's. Honestly, dad Jamero is so fun to have visit and to get to be around. We just found out he will soon be a great grandpa for the first time. Peter's sisters daughter is pregnant with a baby girl. Congratulations Jamero family!! I love reading the paper with him in the morning over coffee and talking politics. Yesterday he went to a party at the CDSA office with me and chatted up several employees. It was a going away party for our data specialist, David, a truly dedicated and brilliant friend. He's starting his doctoral program at UW. Dad fit right in talking with David and everyone else.

Not only have I started back in swimming laps but in addition to making way back up to 25 laps heading to 50, I started Aqua Zumba.

SCCA offers 2 free yoga classes per week I've been attending and Columbia Cities, Lotus Yoga offers a free class weekly for cancer patients and survivors. I've been enjoying them.

I got to visit my very good old friend Ed Carrier, an elder in the Suquamish tribe for the day at the end of August. He lives in Indianola on the beach and we spent the day eating, beach walking and looking at his baskets (he is a well known weaver) and his carvings. Next time I'll see if we can go out in the canoe he carved like we used to. He also brought me over to his horse farm a mile from his home. He and Lynn Ferguson, who runs the farm, have offered for me to come horse back riding when ever I want. I can't wait. Horse back riding was on my recently produced list of things I most enjoy doing and then it just appeared as an opportunity in my life. Many synchronistic and magical things like that have been happening, all contributing to my happiness.

I've been going to different farmers markets buying fresh local organic produce, duck eggs, meat and flowers; another favorite activity.

I attended the Sunset Supper at the Pike Place Market with my husband, where all the greatest chefs in Seattle, wineries and breweries have tastings of their wares. It is an all you can eat affair, walking around plate in hand, getting everything from salmon to home made ice cream and cupcakes with the view of the sound behind the market. Needless to say I did not diet that night but I did dress up in a great outfit.

I went to a wedding reception at the market as well in a beautiful new loft space that was really fancy (rents for $1500 a night) and went to a Birthday party for one of Peter's band mates in the Peter Jamero Project. I also attended an event on the roof top deck at the Inn at the Market and saw a great sunset.

On August 18th I went to a family reunion at my cousins home on Mason Lake. Ken and Julie are the best hosts and we enjoyed boating and eating with family immensely all day.

Peter and I stayed at the Monico Hotel in Portland the night before seeing Dr. Pommier. I highly recommend this 5 star Kimpton property. We had breakfast with our good friend Kurt an emergency room doctor in Portland who was present at my surgery.

I've been out on the boat fishing with Peter twice. The last we limited with 8 fish; 4 Coho and 4 pinks. Peter used his smoker to smoke the pinks and made the best smoked salmon I have ever tasted and I've tasted a lot. We have been treating others to it where ever we go. Tonight he is making another batch because we're all out and addicted to it. Besides family members are starting to put in orders for it. :-)

Our trip to Westport for Peter to fish gave me an opportunity to walk on the beach another favorite activity.

I have visited my CDSA family and found it to be heartwarming. Rhonda (HR) and Maile, my Executive Assistant and the board liaison have been amazingly supportive and helpful in the transition now underway.

I've discovered fennel tea helps to reduce the number of night sweats and hot flashes produced by the hormone emitting tumors. I love fennel.

And that is just the recent fun stuff I can remember. Have a wonderful day. I'm going to Qigong and then to walk Green Lake with a friend. I get to pick Kimani up from preschool today! :-)