Well it is Wednesday and this is Soup Plantation (Known in Oregon as Sweet Tomatoes) but it's actually more than just the nice lunch today.
The balloons were up and we all made it to the serving line.
There was Jason...
Samantha (with a gift from the grandparents - yes they all got one) ...
... Christian was all smiles...
... as was handsome David...
... Martha ....
... Steven and ...
... Sharyn's cousin Bruce
Even the Soup Plantation manager held still for a shot.
There was indeed "Lots to feel good about."
We had hugs all around but none cuter than Christian hugging Samantha for a picture. The children were wonderful and like most children their age a little squirmy but very sweet and growing up beautifully with Martha and Steven proud and loving parents.
I did get one flower picture at Soup Plantation before we left.
The kids went home and we went with Bruce to see what new thins he had done to his home. One thing we had seen before was his workbench. It's a great workplace and he even has it rigged to go up on wheels easily so it can be moved if necessary.
I liked the waffled aluminum liners and frames he had put in for the skylights in the work room and there were four or five affording great lighting in the work room.
The little opening above and to the right of the door is a feline entrance way with a landing and easy access to the file cabinet top where it's food tray and water sit. If you are curious how the cat gets to the opening here is the answer...
... a cat stairway on the outside and here are the cousins stopping for a posed picture.
The house next to Bruce has some beautiful plants like this orange tree and ...
...a wicked looking cactus.
These cacti are nice one very thorny and one less so.
The flower star of the day was this red hibiscus.
Many species of hibiscus are grown for their showy flowers or used as landscape shrubs. Hibiscus is also a primary ingredient in many herbal teas.
One species of Hibiscus, known as Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), is extensively used in paper making. Another, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is used as a vegetable and to make herbal teas and jams (especially in the Caribbean).
In Mexico, the drink is known as agua de Jamaica and is quite popular for its color, tanginess and mild flavor; once sugar is added, it tastes somewhat like cranberry juice. Dieters or persons with kidney problems often take it without adding sugar for its beneficial properties and as a natural diuretic. It is made by boiling the dehydrated flowers in water; once it is boiled, it is allowed to cool and drunk with ice.
Quote of the Day
"Make war not on terrorism but on ignorance, on sickness and on environmental degradation." (Kurt Vonnegut, Commencement Address, Lehigh University, May 2004)
