County Fair

On Monday, we bundled up and headed to the Humboldt County Fair in the Victorian town of Ferndale, which is usually a bit warmer and sunnier than Arcata, but wasn't on Monday night.

It was one of the "free admission nights," however, so we lucked out there!

We saw some kids holding baby alligator (reminds me of the time at the MN state fair I got in line with a bunch of 5-year-olds to milk a cow); I was tempted here, but declined.

Kelvin enjoyed some wings (by the tsunami room!)

Alyssa and Rob joined us -- here are some shots in the exhibit hall.

Award-winning alcohol

Awesome cakes!

Purse cake (reminds me of Cathleen's awesome luggage cake for our wedding)!

Centennial Cake

 Mini houses

Loved this library one!

Quilts

Old wedding photos

this explains itself...

The FLOWER room!

I so wish I had a green thumb! The basil I bought (and tried to grow) a couple of months ago is long-dead.

Amazing succulents

We had a great explanation from the beekeper about the (not-so-secret) life of bees and why Humboldt Co honey is amazing (I bought some raw honey to try to desensitize myself to the local pollen and improve my horrendous allergies).

(pointing out the queen bee!)

We're sorry we missed the mule- and horse-racing which does go on at the fair, but perhaps another time...

Twin pups

 

This past week (and next), we have been lucky to have our residency friend, Serena, staying with us to rotate with Kelvin at his clinic. She brought with her her adorable shih-tzu, Shabu, who pre-dated Pep and who convinced us that all shih-tzus are adorable.  As there is not much else going on except lots of working and 4 a.m. deliveries/sleep-deprivation, bear with me for another very doggie-heavy post about these two little characters. 

Unsure of eachother at first meeting ...

... but soon playing constantly and inseparable

 

 

Tug-o-war

(Shabu is) tuckered out!  Pep seems to be able to play all day!

A two-fer greeting when we return home from work is quite fun.

The walk

Sharing... Pepper has appropriated Shabu's bed!

Close quarters! 

The Ottoman (Shabu snatched that for a bit)!

  

Love these little two (and Serena). Wish they didn't have to ever leave. More evidence that we may need a second doggie...

Olympic Memories

 

I know many of you were into the Olympics this year. As always, I was a bit of a fanatic. I just adore watching sporting events. I would be up until midnight pretty much every night (even on "worknights," which RARELY happens) to catch the end of the broadcast. This was a wonderful Games. Despite lots of "spoilers" on FB from NBC events not run on the west coast until laaate at night, I thought the broadcasting was pretty good, and I love the "interest" stories.

I remember the games in Barcelona in 1992 pretty well which started my career of Olympics-watching. These London 2012 games were certainly been one of the more memorable Olympics to date.  I have a few friends-- Cathleen, Nicole-- who were in London for the Games. I AM SO JEALOUS! I'm trying to talk Kelvin into going to Rio 2016 :)

This post is more for my own memory than for blog-worthiness (I periodically revisit the idea of using a book program to "print out" my blog to substitute for scrapbooking, a "hobby" for which now, I certainly have not either the time nor patience); in any case, here are some of my favorite shots/memories from London 2012!

Gabby Gold in the all-around (so clutch!)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Seeing the U.S. Women's Gymnastics team take the team Gold was perhaps my favorite moment of these games. It comes close to seeing Kerri Strug and her winning 1996 one-foot-landing vault.

Aly Raisman's expression when she finished her floor routine for the team was one I'll never forget...

 thedailywh.at

 Who could ever top this guy? Michael Phelps' Legacy (22 Olympic medals, 18 gold)

CBS

U.S. Swimming Rocks the Golds (starring Missy Franklin, Michael Phelps, Rebecca Soni)

Matt Slocum/AP Photo

Andy Murray finally beats Federer in a "big match" and becomes UK's national hero

Wales online

Murray's dogs sport the Gold (singles) and Silver (doubles)

 

 eonline

Allyson Felix ("Finally!")

Andy Bull; guardian.co.uk

Usain Bolt (Fastest Man and Largest Ego ever)

 usainbolt.com

 Pistorius debuts at the Olympics

REUTERS/Mark Blinch

David Boudia winning diving gold (surprising all 1 billion Chinese) in one of the closest diving finals I have ever seen

 Wash post

Misty and Kerri: three-peat and forever gold 

It's a very good thing I've been busy this week; otherwise I would have had quite the Olympics "withdrawal." Can't wait for Tennis' U.S. Open (and Rio 2016!)