The Dragon!

I bought a book at a sale that I wanted to give to one of my nieces for Christmas. The next day, I saw a pattern to knit a dragon online. So I thought the two together would be a great gift! I spent a couple nights last week knitting while I watched tv, and managed to put together this dragon. I think it will be great Christmas gift!

This dragon even has teeth and wings!

The New Colleen!!

I tried a new recipe the other night--beef and sweet potato bake. It was delicious (and looked good too)!

I got my hair cut last night, and finally did something I've been wanting to do for a long time. I don't know why. Maybe this is my "I'm nearing thirty and will have to grow up eventually but don't quite want to yet" act of defiance. Or maybe my "I'm thinking about becoming a punk rocker and am trying out the hairstyle before I make a final decision" look. Anyhow, this is the new me for a while.
I guess with pink in my hair maybe I should start wearing more pastels and girly clothes...

Louisiana, Missouri

Last weekend Sara and I went down to Louisiana, Missouri, to visit our friend Jana, who moved there a few years ago. Here I am standing on the banks of the mighty Mississippi!

Jana ran into some trouble with the local bandits, but we were able to rescue her on time...

Saturday evening we grilled steak and had a nice dinner on Jana's freshly de-weeded patio with a fire going in her new fire bowl. I took on the challenge of making a centerpiece from candles and items gleaned only from her yard. I think I did a pretty good job!

On Sunday, we went boating with Jimmy, who is Jana's pastor. He is young and single. I am telling you this because this is a picture of his brand-spankin' new boat. The Love Nest?!? I wonder if he will change the name...

California or bust!

Last weekend Mom and I went to California to visit my Grandma Huizenga, as well as some other aunts and uncles and cousins that all live there. We flew into San Franciso, and drove the rental car to Visalia, where Grandma and the Bothof family live.I took this picture because i am always thrilled by the windmills all over the pass. I'm putting it on because the traffic is so light! I've decided that one of the top reasons i live in Iowa is because the traffic is so light! The only negative part of the whole trip was the humongous number of cars on the road.
Aunt Judy, Mom, Grandma, and I spent the day driving through King's Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. I got three stamps in my national park passport (it is officially an obsession). We had a nice picnic among the trees, then saw the General Lee and General Grant trees on a short hike. We also visited some of the new visitor centers. Those are some big trees!

This valley holds the world's largest grove of Sequoias. You can tell which they are because they are the tallest trees there, and also because they have rounded tops while the other trees come to a point.

Three generations!

On Monday Mom and I drove up to Napa Valley and visited a vineyard recommended by BJ and Pat--Castello d'Amarosa. The castle was built over about 15 years, and is modeled after a 13th century Italian castle, and uses mostly authentic materials. We toured the castle, then tasted and bought some wine. Unfortunately, you can no longer carry bottles of wine in your carry-on (that's what i've always done in the past!), so we also had to get a box and hope they didn't crack!

On the north tower.

Let us out! Let us out! We don't want to sit in that chair! It's pokey!