See the World

What to pack in your pretty little basket? I think a beach towel, bathing suit, flip flops and an American Express Card. What more do you need? Dreaming of traveling the world on a bicycle with a basket.

What's in your basket??

Team Insanity Island - 2008

WE DID IT, WE FINISHED and WE HAD FUN and we beat our last year's time!!!!


So this is how it happened.... Our Van #1 with six runners left Friday morning for Blaine Wa. Our first runner jumps out and starts running at 9:00am. The rest of us stay in the Van and follow the runner along the route checking in to make sure all is Ok... does the runner need water? electrolytes? and the like...until the next exchange where runner #2 takes over. This continues until all six runners in Van #1 are done and we hand off the baton to Van #2. Here is where the runners in Van #1 get to rest...but only for a short time. So we eat a little, try to sleep a little and then jump back into the Van to start Leg number two. It's a little crazy but a lot of fun.





Here is one of the exchanges where runner #3 is handing off to #4.





Getting the tunes ready.



These guys were from Texas. The photo was taken purely because of what the rear window said. UH HUH! Hello rear window...






No matter how painful some of the runs were... all teammates had smiles on their faces.

Here are a few quotes from teammates the morning after.

"My quads are so painful i can barely move. Going to the dog park to try to walk it out a little. Ouch! I love how even through all the pain there is still talk of next year"

"Dear Van Driver .... You ran water to us, made sure we ate, ran to support Kelly when she needed it, constantly consulting the race bible to keep us on track. In the middle of the night, you were there on the bicycle on some unrelenting hills lighting my way to Deception Pass (hills that I would have much rather run than rode). Thank you!"


"Thanks for being the 11 other parts to my race! If it weren't for you, I could still be out there waiting my turn! My body is still very confused about what I asked it to do, so if I am even going to think about next year, I will have to do it quietly. Thank you for all you did to pull this off so all I had to do is be where I was told to be. The newfound friendships are a joy and I am glad to know you all. I suppose we are a rare breed of some kinda crazy and I love that about all of us."

"My quads are singing. Another year over and on to the next year ...we all can say we ran from Blaine to Langley!!!! As always it was fun and painful, great weather, made good friendships, couldn't ask for anything more "

Beatrix Potter's Birthday

As you first open the computer after checking email... Googles page pops up and the title is lovely with with soft child like colors and a bunny hagging off the G. What's the special occasion you wonder?

Beatrix Potter's Birthday.

I think of this silly rabbit often this time of year as I walk in my garden each morning and observe the damage done overnight by peters friends and family. Then I get a hold of myself and remember this is a fairy tale. "CHARLIE" Go get em! If he wasn't so slow he would but he gets the job done chasing them out to the right side of the fence. May my beans finally climb the pole.

For more on the world of Peter Rabbit and the wonderful lady Beatrix.
Happy Monday.

Running Ragnar

Ragnar!



2007 Insanity Island Team

UPDATE
** Team Insanity Island crossed the line in Langley Saturday afternoon finishing in 28 hours and 45 minutes . A few sore thighs, calves and feet however overall feeling pretty good. It only took one strawberry margarita and 5 advil last night to decide that I would consider doing this race again next year. However as I write this over coffee this morning and feel the throbbing of my toes... I'm considering the position of driving the Van.

Starting bright and early Friday morning ... myself and 11 other absolutely out of there mind friends will jump in two vans and travel far North to the town of Blaine Washington. This is as close to the Canadian Boarder you can get without having to show your passport.
We are participating in a running relay where from the Seaside town of Blaine you run through the day and night to the Seaside town of Langley on Whidbey Island. A mere 184 miles. Each person will run 3 different legs ranging between 3 - 9 miles each and with little sleep.

Why the heck for you ask?? Don't think we have not asked ourselves many times that very same question.
The answer we always come back with is...were doing this because it's fun! And for the sake that we can. Our team "Insanity Island" (explains alot don't ya think) starts running at 9am Friday. Hopefully if all goes according to plan... we will finish the race Saturday mid afternoon in our hometown.

It is a beautiful route and the folks at Ragnar that put this together do a fantastic job. There is live music at the exchanges (where Van #1 hands off to Van #2), food and good spirited fun. Check out the Ragnar Web site. They have races across the country and most likely somewhere near your hometown. You should try it if you are a runner... and if not they need volunteers along these routes. It's a fun way to participate in your community. The charity this race sponsors is Room To Read




2007 Insanity Island Van #1

So in the Spirit of Ragnar ... this weekend go out for a nice walk, jog, run, bike ride, or something active and fun... just because you can!

Learn to Sail

Can we all learn how to sail little Pelican boats....you can build them from a kit , I don't know if you could go around the cape but it works for our little corner of the world, aren't they lucky?




I want to be eleven, sleep till 10 sail till 4 ...remember the days of summer fun....

P-Dubb.. you're in our thoughts

In honor of Pioneer Womans dog Nell...

Sweet Charlie and Tess take a moment





More of Tess & Charlie

Baseball at the Beach

We just love summertime. There is nothing better than warm days and nights spent mostly outdoors. In the Northwest the season is short and days are long. So from sunup to sundown it's all about enjoying the warmth of summer. Living on an Island the best place for this is at the beach... and there is one to be played on any direction you turn.




This night after dinner it's outside to play a little ball. Here is Idaho Anna's youngest up to bat. We call him... Jennifer (don't ask)!




One thing about Photoshop... if you chop a head off in a picture... there is no fixin it although the smile makes up for the missing forehead.





How goes it Jen?? I mean Jo??




After a few balls hit up on the roof.. it's time for the adults to show up the kids. Why is it ... we as parents have to prove something to the kids??? Someone always ends up getting hurt and it's usually the adults feelings!





I feel a Grand Slam coming on.... however there is some background noise that's getting my attention.








There is nothing better than a warm summer night playing baseball on the beach and watching the boats go by....

FREE!!

It had to be too good to be true. Most photos you see here on Life On An Island are .... or should I say "use to be" SOOC (straight out of the camera). One day however as I was reading through Pioneer Woman's photography site this picture posting was ruined forever. She takes her lovely photos and chops, crops, colors, highlights, and many more touch ups... until they look... fabulous.
Since I have not the money to buy the photo chop, crop, highlight Photoshop P-Dubb has nor the hours it would take me to figure it out, I went in search for something much simpler and heck FREE! I will now share a little secret with you. This is what I use. Adobe Photoshop Express.

Here is an example of minor changes made to an already cute boy... Idaho Anna's boy!

BEFORE


AFTER


Nothing drastic however a few little changes to a good picture and voila, the grass is now greener and who doesn't love greener grass. Which reminds me.. I think I left the sprinkler on at home.
Download and try it... practice a bit on your own and we'll go over the details next time.

Strawberry Pickin

This is one of our FAVORITE things to do when the season is right. We are blessed to have one of the best strawberry patches on Whidbey Island. Located near the town of Coupeville facing west looking up the San Juan straights it makes for beautiful views as well.


Bells Strawberries! It makes your mouth water just thinkin about it~




Hi Jacki... she's wearin Red for the occasion.. and red lipstick to match. I guess that way if she gets a little strawberry juice on her... who would know?




Getting those flats full. It makes your mouth water just looking at them... did we say that already??




Idaho Anna and her brood. It goes pretty fast with help... although I sense there is tastin going on while pickin. One in the basket... two in the mouth.




Oh shoot... I shouldn't have said that. Now look what happened.





I'm afraid Joseph has had more than his share... he's getting that strawberry pirates eye




Man... my mouths watering just thinkin about it




Good thing we ate a few off the top. These boxes are heavy but we're dreaming already about Jam, Smoothies, and Strawberry Margaritas!!


That will make a perfect Christmas Card boys.




The car is full and so are we. Stay tuned for Strawberry recipes!

Let your sails fly

Take advantage of summer... it's here for such a short time. Enjoy every moment of free time by doing something you love.

Inspirational Tears

Christian The Lion


Here are two very wonderful clips from you-tube. Just Click the name under the photo. If you are going to cry this is the best way to go about it. Gets us every time.





Dick and Rick Hoyt

Someone pass the Kleenex Please!!

Gasp... the horror

Snakes!! Not a lot a people are big fans of them. However despite this fact you will have to agree the next photos are.. well ... kind of wild kingdom like. Maybe not as dramatic as the ever so fast Cheetah chasing down a gazelle but in this neck of the woods... quite impressive.
You can click on the photo to magnify this worm eating action. Yes that's a worm!



Feel fortunate I have spared your from last weeks vole attack.



Rats... (he wishes) he's been spotted. Off to higher ground



Almost gone


And there you have it folks... the worm eating snake. Applause Applause

Farmers Market

Do not adjust your set. This is the Whidbey Island Saturday Farmers Market


Can you read that?? Wicked Woopie Pies!!! Yes... they are Wicked indeed.










Always beautiful flowers. What colors!


This little twinkie and her lamb!




Chess Anyone??


Tell us where your closest Farmers Market is and what you buy. We're stickin with the Whoopi Pies & fresh seasonal berries.