Rock Creek Adventure Tours ....

Who knew I could have so much fun?

Kevin and I headed up to the High Sierras,

between Bishop and Mammoth, about 10,000 feet

up the mountain,

past Schatz Bakery

(actually past Schatz after stopping for some goodies)

to a favorite little slice of heaven. 

Our campground,

East Fork,

was our destination for a few days of fun with friends. 

We were lucky enough to have 3 other couples join in the adventure and from the sign,

it looks like a little competition too. 

As we all began arriving, and almost before their camp was set up, Kris pulled out her trusty chalkboard .....

We could always count on her to

give us the news of the day and of course

which camp would host the bonfire that evening.

For some, it was the first visit

to the campground.  Of course a little

exploration was in order. 

Kevin on the other hand,

started coming to East Fork as a kid....

so he

headed off to throw his hook in the creek.

Can you see him in the distance?

The water was extremely high and the creek was

running faster that normal. 

Be careful!!!

Marc was always around to

look after Cheryl.  This was

Cheryl's first time camping and fishing so

Marc was extra attentive....we do want

her to love it and want to come back.

Was he saving her or trying to push her in?

Hard to tell in this picture.

Greg said, Kevin looks like he is right

out of an L.L. Bean catalog.

Marc and Cheryl on their way to our first

evening bonfire at the Moore's

(Taco and Margarita Night)

This was just the first peek into a weekend of fun

and some beautiful scenery.

Almost just a tease....

because I haven't even taken you outside

the campground yet.

It's a Jungle out there!!!

My daughter Kristi and I recently

hosted a baby shower for our good friend

Sheryl.  

Sheryl and her husband

Sal are expecting a little brother for their small son Leo.

Taking our inspiration from the jungle bedding

Sheryl has chosen for Aidan's new

room we designed her party.

We loved the bright fresh colors that are

so popular right now and decided to

stay away from the baby pastels...

it was great fun!

Oranges, turquoise, yellow and greens...all

anchored with brown.  Very boy but very bright.

We served luncheon and each dish was named with our jungle theme.

Menu:

Blazing Safari Salad (Lime Cilantro Salad)

Crocodile Smile Sandwiches (Chicken salad on Croissants)

Jungle Vine Surprise (Capresse Salad)

Piranha Bites (Pesto Pasta Salad)

Wild Passion Fruit (Fruit Platter)

Jungle Juice (Sangria)

Tiger Tail Tea (Stone Gable Tea)

Kristi made these darling cards to

identify the food,

using the graphics from the invitations

she designed.

The food was so pretty and good, but after making

everything ourselves we were beginning to think

catering may be the answer for next time.

Kristi made the cake and cookies too.

The cake was absolutely adorable as well as

delicious. 

One tier was lemon cake with citrus cream cheese filling and one tier was cookies and cream cake with chocolate mousse filling.

It was hard to decide which one to choose

so most people had a bit of each.

The cookies were decorated with

animal print icing...too cute!!

We used these as favors and the

colors matched our tables.

We used receiving blankets as toppers on the tables,

tying in all of our colors. 

We had this idea several years ago and

it's nice because the decoration

becomes part of Sheryl's gift.  She got

to take home all of the blankets and animals on the tables.

  I'm a sucker for a paper lantern of any color, shape or size.

They always say party to me.

Aren't these colors happy?

and these little stuffed animals were the perfect colors.

We tied each chair with an cheetah print ribbon to give it

a uniform look.  Love this ribbon.

We even swung a vine by her seat and hung

little outfits on it.  

They also became decoration as well as gift.

After working so hard on this shower...

we realized we ran out of

time to really take some good pictures. 

I can't believe we didn't

get a picture of the guest of honor.

You know you're having a good

time when you forget to take pictures

during the event.

Maybe we can talk Sheryl's mom Donna into sending us a couple of Sheryl.

I think Aidan is due any day....

so we are wishing Sheryl

a happy and healthy delivery

Mr. Pig has a Party ...

Mr. Pig had decided that the Porkadillo

was ready enough to

accept visitors...

so he planned a small dinner party.

My friend Kris'  birthday is in March

and since

March is the craziest part of tax season

I can never seem to get my act together

enough to have her

and her husband for birthday dinner.

Mr. Pig has come up with a solution...

celebrate

Mrs. Grover's birthday in June....

lovely idea I thought.

So our first official party in the "Pork"

was to celebrate Kris' 29th birthday.

Mr. Pig insisted I do it up right and decorate the space.

You don't have to ask me to decorate for a

party twice...

so in keeping with the colors of my seating area,

I used brown, tan, aqua and a bit of

goldish yellow.

(what is that color called?)

Maybe I should call it sunflower!

which I love

Mr and Mrs Grover came bearing gifts for the Porkadillo.

Their gift couldn't have been more perfect.

I love, love, love it and

he now has a place of honor on the hearth.

Kris loves sunflowers so I chose

a sunflower theme for the table.

The wood look of this table is so pretty 

 I hated to cover it up

so I used a scarf as a runner

and went with place mats instead of a

tablecloth

I had also picked up these candle holders and in keeping

with a more earthy look, filled them full of rocks.

 I used an old pitcher with a great patina as my vase.

Mr. Pig was in agreement that it

made a great pitcher...that is until it started leaking

all over everything.

We fixed that by putting a pitcher inside a pitcher.

He thought I was very clever to do that.

I also pulled out my aqua water goblets.

  I love these place mats,

they called to me when I was in our new

TJ Maxx

So there I was already for guests and only

the food to prepare.

The menu:

(Appetizer)

Roasted Shrimp and Cocktail Sauce

(Dinner)

Carne Asada

Guacamole and Salsa

Mexican Capresse Salad

Spanish Rice

Lime and Chipotle Salad

Grilled Corn with Roasted Peppers

Fresh Strawberries and Blueberries

I needed something for the (unfinished) mantel

so Senor Pig

(since the dinner had a Mexican flair

he wanted to be called senor)

came up with a great idea.

These are citronella candles that he put in glass vases.  I

helped him fill them with some left over rocks

and aqua stones.

I loved the look, and Senor Pig was tickled that

I was pleased

So I would have to say our first event was a success.

I hope the birthday girl agrees. 

We had

a splendid evening of relaxation with friends,

food and drinks

all in front of a cozy fire.

I know Senor Pig enjoyed himself...

and now he has

a new friend to keep him company.

until next time...Senor Pig says

Adios!!

Update on the Pork

Every weekend we work like crazies and every

Monday morning

Kevin and I take our coffee

and walk the yard to view our progress. 

Funny thing... Sunday night as we both sit in our chairs and feel

the aches and pains of the weekend work,

talking about all we have gotten done....

Monday morning shows us all we still have left to do.  

We are definitely crazies.

We have made a bit of progress on

the Porkadillo however.

1.  The fireplace is bricked and fire ready. 

The mantel still has to be distressed and stained,

but we enjoyed our first fire Monday night.

Mr. Kelley toasted the fire with a glass of 21 year old

Glen Levitt...courtesy of the Rush's

Tim and Kristi...he loves it!!!!

2.  We have installed the new weather vane,

which my mother in law

fondly refers to as "Mr. Pig" 

We are

still trying to come up with a clever name. 

Can you tell which picture is the weather vane?

This guy just makes me laugh every time I look up

as does this guy



3.  We have hung the lanterns on the

front posts and actually

lit candles in them

Very precisely

and some of us just think they look like

a nice pair of earrings

4.  We have...and when I say

"WE"

I mean everyone  ...Sean

and Kevin in this case, have installed the TV

5.  We swept up a little and actually

brought in the seating area and table. 

We even went as far to have a meal at it....

our first of many

WE had our first tidbit from the garden.....

Everyone helped in one way or another

every chance they got...

and of course dusted....

We have several more things

to do before the official unveiling

But for now we are enjoying the Pork

in all his glory...