Bear With Me

Song - The Camping Song by Smith & Smith


I have been home for two whole weeks now from our recent trip to France. But due to a bad cough, lack of sleep due to coughing, jet lag, laundry and a multitude of other things, I had to put my blogging on the back burner for awhile. Now I'm back and ready to rock & roll!

My garden has been in full bloom and I am enjoying the cut flowers as well as doing some much needed work in the yard.....like putting in my vegetable garden.

Several days after returning we had a double header birthday party for my daughter-in-law Ashley and son Tyler. He always wanted to have a Bob Ross paint-along party so we dug up some of my previously used but not-ready-for-prime-time canvas's to be painted over.

Grandma Betty & Tyler

Above are just some of the birthday painters.  

Pretty great beginners here with their Bob Ross wigs on!

We painted along with his show - "Valley View".

 The very next day Mr. B flew to Washington DC for the week for work. 

I can't imagine what that did to his jetlag????

And with this last weekend being Mother's Day, my kiddo's invited me up to Boonville where they lease a little spot of beautiful land for camping and hunting.  This weekend they took me on a shooting spree........a "cameras only" shooting spree!

They have installed a humongous tent with a pot bellied stove and a queen bed. 

Their plans are to build a raised deck to put the tent on.

There is running water, electricity & a real flush toilet on site!

However, Mr. B and I stayed in the nearby Boonville Hotel which was delightful!

They have beautiful grounds with lots going on, like a Saturday morning farmers market, music,  oyster shucking Sundays and in the summer it's paella Sundays!

There is wine tasting nearby, hikes in the redwoods, a little shopping but mostly peace & quiet.

Andy helping Jon & Jacque set up camp

All of my loveys were there to celebrate & relax (except one - Tyler's SO was in Texas.....we missed you Monica!)

Andy showing Mr. B where things are

Chewy, Jon & Jacque hiking

 Even my grand-dog Chewy was there!

and dear Ashley who is always fun to be with!

Everyone worked so happily making delicious meals.  We even had a picnic lunch by the river while several of the guys went swimming.

We spotted some wildlife.....

 Lot's of  wildflowers......

And even some wild horses! (Unfortunately my camera is having focus problems and probably needs a good cleaning. It's nothing to do with the operator!!!)

On Sunday we had breakfast and a leisurely drive home and then cooked dinner for my sweet mama!

Thank you all for making it a memorable Mother's Day!  

I couldn't have dreamed up anything this special.

"Cherish your children...for they are the footprints 

that you will leave behind." 

--Taylor Evan Fulks