Monday, August 1, 2016

Picnic and a Sudden Loss

Hello there!  Yesterday was the annual picnic for the volunteers that work in the visitors center at Multnomah Falls.  It was a perfect day, sunny but a nice cool breeze.  We have the picnic in at John B. Yeon State Park in the little village of Latourell by the waterfall of the same name.  If you're new to this blog - I live in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon, USA.  


It's a potluck dinner - we all bring something good to go with the BBQ hamburgers and hotdogs that the Friends of Multnomah Falls provides, with all the fixin's.  Dayle and I brought a big pot of Orange Baked Beans that everyone seemed to love.  There was potato salad, pasta salad, green salad, deviled eggs and desserts brought by the volunteers to share.



People brought flowers for the tables, it was very festive.


I oiled up my myrtlewood picnic basket and loaded it with a tablecloth, fabric napkins, my vintage camp enamel cowboy plates and mugs and our own flatware.  I suggested years ago that instead of disposable plastic tablecloths, paper plates and plastic flatware and cups that we all bring our own reusable dinner ware and now we do it each year.  I am proud that we're "GREEN" and don't use things that end up in the landfill.  



The annual group photo that I organize each year.  


I didn't get a photo of the rest of the potluck, but here are the two cakes from "Petite Provence" - one of our volunteers bring these every year.  I always have a little slice of the chocolate one!



After we took down our shade canopy that we brought to put over the food tables, folded up our table and loaded up all our things in the car, we headed towards home.  I took my annual photo of the poor old Latourell house - the founding family still owns this house but has let it rot and get overrun with blackberries.  I record it's progress each year.



This is the front of the house, I'm not sure if I've photographed this side of it before.  It breaks my heart that the family has let it deteriorate instead of taking care of this house - it could be so pretty. 



We drove up the Historic Columbia River Highway and around Vista House.. I pulled over briefly to get this snapshot.


Then drove on to Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint (I am a member of that organization) and I walked out to get a few photos.  Vista House at Crown Point State Park with the Columbia River, Beacon Rock in the distance and you can even see Bonneville Dam.  Quite a view from here.


This is the zoom from my Lumix DMC-FZ1000 - pretty good detail from where I was standing!


To give you perspective of how good the detail from that zoom.. this is where I was standing.  :-)  


Now my friends, I have sad news.  Late last week Kristi got a call from her mother and her father had passed away in the night.  It was very sudden, he was only 59 years old.  Below is a photo Kristi gave me to share with you of her parents at her sisters wedding at Multnomah Falls sometime back.  Please keep Kristi in your thoughts and prayers.  



((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

31 comments:

  1. Will be thinking of Kristi. I'm sorry for her loss.

    Your picnic basket is so pretty. Love the colors in the grain.

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  2. So sorry to hear your sad news. Keeping Kristi and family in my thoughts and prayers.
    The picnic looked delicious. I love your picnic basket. Hugs Anne x

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  3. Sending love and asking the Lord to comfort Kristi and family...the picture of Kristi's folks is dear.

    The green picnic is a wonderful tradition and your photos of it, the myrtlewood basket, and the surrounding area are beautiful, Teresa. Thanks for posting. xx

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  4. So very sorry to hear of Kristi's loss, she is in my thoughts.

    The views you've photographed are stunning, and what an amazing camera you have. I love that you've got everyone taking reusable things to the potluck dinner, that's a really great move and must have saved lots of things ending up in landfill. CJ xx

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  5. Oh Teresa...I have come today to catch up with you, and was so very saddened to hear of Kristi's loss. SO young! Younger than my husband! Way too young. Oh my gosh, I am so very sorry. Please convey my condolences to Kristi. She must be so heartbroken.
    Your photos are always stellar. But today, my heart is simply with Kristi.
    XO Kris

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  6. Looks like the picnic was a lot of fun. So sorry for Kristi's loss of her father. Give her my condolences. Prayers for her and family. A sudden loss like that is so hard.

    Have a good week.

    Judy

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  7. Sending love and deepest condolences to Kristi...such sad news.
    Your picnic looked really lovely, such tasty treats, and a beautiful place.
    Helen xox

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  8. What a happy and sad post. So sorry for Kristi...that's way too young xx

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  9. Oh poor Kristi. I will keep her in my prayers. IM sure you are a great comfort to her. Hug her for me.
    and not to be trite, but can i have the Orange bean recipe?

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    Replies
    1. Orange Baked Beans

      1 - 3lb. Can good beans, Bush or other
      1/2 C ketchup
      1 - 6 oz. can frozen orange juice
      1 C brown sugar
      2 TBS minced onion
      1 tsp Worcestershire

      Mix all together, bake uncovered at 375 deg. oven for 1 hour or until thick. You can lay sliced oranges on top of the beans while they bake for extra flavor and nice presentation.

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  10. Your picnic looks like it was very nice. I'm so sorry to hear about Kristi's dad. You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

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  11. I love the beautiful photos you shared of your picnic. I'm so sorry to hear of Kristi' s loss; my thoughts and prayers are with her. Take care dear friend. Pat

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  12. As someone who is biking to work this summer, I applaud your utilizing reusable dishes and silverware. I like my set of Corelle for camping. I enjoy using a real fork and a real plate.
    59 seems so young to pass on. Please tell Kristi she is with our prayers and thoughts.

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  13. Oh no! Poor Kristi. Please give her condolences for Dennis and I. So young to be gone. I will keep the family in my prayers for comfort.

    Your picnic did look like fun though. The zoom on the camera is amazing.
    Blessings my friend,
    Betsy

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  14. Oh dear, I consider 59 to be quite young. I pray for comfort for Kristi and her family. I must tell you that the light is wonderful in your photos of the picnic, especially the first one. It seems like a magic moment for the light.

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  15. I will keep Kristi and everyone in my prayers. Losing a parent is so hard. (Mom passed away in Jan.). Please let her know that she will be in my prayers.

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  16. Oh Kristi - I am so sorry to hear your very sad news. My thoughts are with you and the family at this very difficult time. xoxoxox
    Teresa - everyone at the picnic looks like they're enjoying themselves and the food sounds yummy. I'm impressed with the zoom on your camera - do you use a tripod? I agree with you about that old house - would look awesome if somebody fixed it up. xox

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  17. So very sorry for Kristi, sending prayers.

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  18. Please give Kristi my condolences. I will keep her, all of her family and all of you in my thoughts.

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  19. Such a beautiful post -- I love that area and am so saddened by that house too. Please give Kristi our love and prayers -- father's are such an important part of their daughters' life and I know she will miss him greatly. Glad she has a lot of loved ones around to help her through this difficult time.

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  20. Sending a hug to Kristi and indeed you all for the sad loss, you will certainly be in my prayers. Loved the picnic basket, a real delight to see along with beautiful tableware and flowers. I wouldn't be able to resist the chocolate cake either.

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  21. Tell Kristi I am so sorry to hear of her father's passing. How sad and difficult. He was too young to go... way too soon. Our parents are our rocks. I love the picture of her parents. Photos are so wonderful to have of our loved ones who have left this Earth. Again... so sorry.

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  22. Oh give Kristi a great big hug from us in Oz....such a sad time and with the suddeness very hard...may she be able to remember all the fun happy times to help her along and also thoughts sent to her Mum too xoxoxo

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  23. Nice picnic and photos...where would they be without someone to organize? I like your picnic basket. Sorry to hear of Kristi's dad's death. Sad but will be remembering her and all family in prayers. Thanks for sharing the photo of her parents. Hugs and blessings to all of you in this sad time but time of memories that linger to remember the loved one. xx Love you all!

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  24. So very sorry to hear about Kristi's father, that is far too young to go. Please pass on my sincere condolences to her and tell her and her family that I will be thinking of them and sending hugs and good thoughts to them. Hugs to you too. xx

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  25. You just have the best life, Theresa! Can we trade?
    Multnomah is on my bucket list. And I love abandoned buildings.

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  26. Looks like a wonderful picnic and I love that basket. My heart goes out to Kristi ♥
    Blessings ♥

    summerdaisy.net

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  27. My thoughts are its Kristi and you all xxx

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  28. I'm so very sorry to hear that Kristi's father passed away so suddenly. She and her family are in my thoughts and prayers. Please give her my most sincere condolences.

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