Woodburn Tulip Festival 2014

Woodburn 

I could easily say this is “Happy Spring II” the sequel. The weather is a bit chilly but the lighting is outstanding to take tulips. These colors are screaming to my lens wanting me to click the shutter button. While I like overall pictures, sort of landscape, stacking the various colors to make a good composition, Pokie prefers a more close-ups of the flowers. As a result, we complement each other and make such a good team to take this tulip festival of 2014. The last time we came here was in 2010, some four years ago. Come, I take you for an easy walk; watch the puddles!

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2014/tulip

Happy Spring 2014

Spring 2014

Happy Spring 2014 everyone! I always come back to the same spot year after year to see these flowers blooming. It is like saying, “Spring is here, spring is here!” It makes me so happy to see these plus the sun is out with a full force. It was a beautiful day indeed. On a troubling note, someone is using my social security to file a 2013 tax return; it means just one thing! I have to deal with the IRS. Wish me luck!


http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2014/spring

Snowstorm 2014

Obsidian Street looking west

This must have been the second worst snowstorm since 2008. The office was closed for two days in between weekend, unheard of since I have been in Portland. Four days at home, I became restless, there was so much you can do, and television had been my best friend in the duration of the snow days. It took more than two hours on Thursday, February 6^th to get home, when the snow was covering the street we decide to head back home. I was very careful what I drank in term of quantity, but nonetheless everything was shrinking including my bladder, so I had to melt some snow in the middle of the snow blizzard somewhere in Hillsdale on the side of the road. This snowstorm also cost me two vacation days for nothing.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2014/snow

 

Oregon Pacific Railroad

Oregon Pacific Railroad

This is our first outing in 2014. When our friend showed us an article about this railroad (he knows I am a train nuts), and the weather is relatively dry and sunny, we decided to go and check this out. This is a short line railroad, what amazed me is that this line is still owned by an individual and not a corporation, for five bucks a ride the owner said that he won’t make money and he will earn smiles from people who rides it.

The weather is so dry that we even have forest fire in five places in Oregon; this is unheard of since I moved to Oregon some fifteen plus years ago. Send some rain our way. Anyway, I always love anything that runs on rails. Enjoy the ride with me.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2014/oprr

Happy Birthday and Happy Retirement

Merry Christmas from the Davis family

The Davis family has literally adopted Pokie and me as part of their family, we are very grateful for that. The holiday seasons are always very special for all of us, a sense of belonging and love.

It all started as a humble beginning when I took the train and met Joan and a group of fine folks in the wee hours of the day. That was almost 15 years ago, one day we were invited to their Thanksgiving dinner party and it was indeed the start of a very loving friendship that we all cherish.

Now, Joan is retiring, no more waking up early, this she will have to get use to it. Christmas is also her birthday, so Happy Birthday dear Joan.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2013/joan

Merry Christmas 2013

Bridgeport Village

This evening was not raining, so it’s a good day to take picture outside, the temperature was also mild. I got this idea from a person who took some pictures about a week ago, but he was not using a tripod and used a very high ISO that I am sure make the images a bit grainy (noise). So I decided to use a tripod with a remote switch, but it drew attention to the security guard of the mall who came to me and told me not to take any buildings, just the lights, so I quickly agreed and I made sure to tell him that I have no commercial intent, just a hobby. Here are some of the images outside; otherwise my camera will in the storage, hibernating until spring comes. I wish you a Merry Christmas.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2013/xmas

Holiday Cookies 2013



Moonstruck Chocolate

The highlight of the Beaverton Culinary Institute is the yearly Holiday baking where we make variety of cookies and swap them when done. This year is no difference when it comes to the excitement; but I think we make more cookies than any other years that I can think of. Here are some of the cookies that we make.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/bci/cookie2013