This is Why I Haven’t Been Blogging Much!!

Really no words needed!!

Bekah and Anna show off some of their decorating skills.  Bekah especially liked this nutcracker she found in the attic.  She wanted to know just what goes on in this house.  I told her that nutcracker sang "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" one too many times.

Had our youngest son, his two boys,  his girlfriend and her two girls over today for a Christmas visit and a few snacks.  The girls helped!

When the other two granddaughters heard there was a "party" they wanted to be included too.  How can I say no??  So we had 8 Kids from 7-14 doing crafts in the craft room today.  Punkin the cat supervises from a safe perch!

Now we are going out to look at lights and visit a live Nativity scene.  Wish me luck!!  It's only the four girls and us for the time being...tomorrow will be another story.

Scandinavian Festival 2011

In 1955, a young doctor, Gale Fletchall, and his wife moved to Junction City, OR.   In the past, Hwy. 99 was the main north/south thoroughfare and it ran right through the small town of Junction City.  With the coming of the I-5 corridor, Junction City was bypassed and the town was slowly dying.

Dr. Fletchall was instrumental in convincing the townspeople that they needed something to draw people to Junction City.  Drawing on the large Scandinavian population already living in the area, the Scandinavian Festival was born in 1956.  It has been going strong ever since.

We attended today and had a great time.  The weather was perfect (low 80s) and there was not a cloud in the sky.  What more could we ask? 

The city closes several blocks in the core downtown area and the information booth is at the center.

















In 1976-77, Russ worked in Junction City at the US National Bank.  He looked a little different in those days.




This festival does not have a carnival and I kinda like that.  But there is plenty to see and do…and EAT.  We restrained ourselves (or at least Russ did) but I HAD to have a Fri-jo.  After I ate it I wished I had eaten the meat pie instead…too much sugar, but delicious just the same.



Lots and lots of food booths are located throughout the festival.  Everything from soul food (don’t know how that is Scandinavian but it sure smelled good) to Abelskivers and Meat pies.



As usual, the line for the meat pies was the longest, stretching across the street and for a block or more down the alley.  They are sooo yummy!

There are many local crafters who come to the festival each year.  There are Scandinavian Vests, weaving, lace making, colorful floral head leis, and hand crafted signs and bird houses…and that’s just for starters.  And of course we all know Barbie is a Scandinavian so there must be Barbie dresses for sale : ))

We found a wood-worker who brought his saw along and had a lot of beautiful pieces for sale.  We bought a new sign for Therapy so that ya’ll can find us when we park in your neighborhood.  I need to finish it but I think it will be great.  Look for it in the front window when you see a silver Lazy Daze parked somewhere.



But it seems no matter how artsy/crafty the activity, you can’t get away from technology, even if you’re a Viking.



But I think one of the biggest draws is the music.  There are several stages for exhibition dancing and later in the evening, there is community dancing.

Almost everyone in the community participates in one way or another and the kids start dancing from a very young age.










This older couple sure seemed to be enjoying the music.



She just could not sit still


All in all a very enjoyable day, even if we did get tired.  Even this nice fella had to take a break.



If you are ever in Junction City, OR during the second week of August, I highly recommend a trip to the Scandinavian Festival.

No Fish Were Harmed…

 

…in the making of this dinner.  However, I can’t say the same for some poor steer!

From the time Bekah was tiny, she would ask me for “brown meat with ketchup" when she came to visit.  That was her way of asking for tacos.  She didn’t eat the tortilla back them, just meat and cheese and ketchup and she loved it.  Now, of course, she eats the whole thing. 

 

 

 

So I always make tacos at least once when the girls are here and tonight was the night.

 

  

I make ‘em just like my mama did – no fish tacos here!!  Good ole ground beef, cheddar cheese, green onions, tomatoes, and lettuce.  And none of those hard Taco Bell shells either.  Real corn tortillas, fried in oil and drained on paper towels…just a little crisp around the edges.  If I’m really going all out, I’ll go to the Mexican store and get REAL hand made tortillas.  And of course we have to have refried beans and Mexican rice.  I kinda got carried away with the lettuce on this one, but it’s all good!

Earlier in the day the girls decided to make jewelry.  Bekah made one bracelet and Anna made two.

I think they did fine work and they had fun doing it.  I have an entire room filled with crafty stuff for the grandkids to do when they come over.  They have almost outgrown that stage so I make the most of it while I still can.  From the time they could scribble on a piece of paper, we have made crafts.  Last year I taught one of the other granddaughters to crochet and she has made some really nice items already.  I hope I have instilled at least a small love of crafting in my granddaughters.  That is one legacy I would love to leave them.  It doesn’t have to be fancy to be fun.

That’s all for now.  Grammy is tired and going to turn in early I think!