Say Whaaaat?

We woke up to yet another freakish snow storm. Ironically, today is the day we all push our clocks ahead one hour and "spring forward". Ahhhh......spring. When might that be coming?

Sorry little primrose plantings. Hang in there - sun is on the way!

Gorgeous Defined

After the crazy snow and ice of late December, we've had a pretty easy winter here. We've definitely had more sun than grey, and this Arizona girl can deal with the colder weather much better when the sun is shining. This afternoon I stepped out of my office for a quick walk and shot a few photos. Gorgeous, eh?

Happy, Happy New Year

Well, hello there, again. I've been lazy with the blogging and things have just been a little....odd around here. After three weeks of crazy, snowy, icy weather, the kiddos are back to school and "life as usual" can resume. Let's hope. We had a wonderful holiday break at my house - lots of downtime, good food, visiting family, board games, and....snow!

These photos are from my house. I'm pretty sure I was one foot in when I took them! It doesn't snow often in Astoria, usually only once or twice a winter, but this year has most definitely been an exception. At one point we had at least 8" standing with consistantly freezing temperatures, which made for extremely difficult travel. Driving on ice, down hills, isn't something most people can handle, moi included.

The dog loved, loved loved the snow. Can you tell? Heh!

And now.....back to your regularly scheduled programming. More frequent updates coming. Promise!

Million Dollar Views...

...for a mere $585,000. I hosted an Open House yesterday at this fabulous home on top of the hill in Astoria. My visitors were floored by the views - almost complete 360 degrees of the Astoria-Megler Bridge, the Columbia River, the Pacific Ocean, Young's Bay and Saddle Mountain.

I had the advantage of hosting on a rain-free gorgeous fall day, so I brought my camera and shot these photos.

Pretty cool house with loads and loads and loads of potential. And did I mention the views? Oh yeah, you can see that for yourself. Phenomenal. If you're interested in more info, you can visit my vflyer for this house here. Enjoy the sunshine!

Relocating to Astoria

Good grief it's been just forever since I've last posted. Ack!

I've been very busy with kids, life and work. Which leads me to the content for this post.

In the last week I've been contacted by at least half a dozen buyers looking to relocate to Astoria. If the rain doesn't deter you, Astoria is a fantastic place to raise a young family, hustle your artist wares and even retire. In fact, Astoria has been mentioned several times in the last few years as one of the best small towns in America to retire in.

The buzz in Astoria is plentiful and positive (which is just fantastic because I've had just about all the negative media a person can handle lately). Our Riverfront Vision Plan process is well under way and city leaders and public volunteers alike are working together to shape the fabulous future of our waterfront development.

There's been a tremendous recent investment by our local medical community evident in the new Columbia Memorial Hospital Pavillion expansion along with the addition of two new Urgent Care facilities and a top-notch medical imaging center - right here in Astoria.

The Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce has developed a fantastic website - it's really a wealth of information and you can find it here.

The City of Astoria website has everything you need when looking for answers to zoning regulations, building codes, parks and recreation offerings, city jobs and much more.

So things are still hoppin' here in Astoria. You might need a rain slicker and muck boots, but it's easy to see the promise, potential and future - even through the rain.

When You've Hit The Jackpot...

...you just know it. Don't ya?

This is what I get to look at when I take my kids to school and head to work. The last shots were taken outside my office. Sunny perfection.

Rain? What rain?

It's Baaack!

....the rain, that is.

Seriously people, it's rained non stop for the last three days. Straight up. Non. Stop. See the boats out on the river? Yeah, didn't think so.

The weather has definitely turned. You can just feel it. Fall, here we come!

Which is actually great for me. Because I love, love love Fall. Fall is my most favoritest (yes, I know that's not a word, but I like it anyhow) time of year. Halloween and Thanksgiving are my two favorite holidays. And I love just Fall food - homemade soups, roasted vegetables and pumpkin muffins piped with cream cheese frosting....I just adore fall. Mmmmm!!!!

But Fall brings rain. Lots and lots of rain. About seventy (no, not seven, or even seventeen. Yes, sevenTY) inches of the good wet stuff. Which is why, come Spring, we have lots and lots of green. If the hurricanes haven't blown it all away, that is. Heh.

So, here's hoping we don't all drown this winter. Or wash down the hill. Or grow moss (bleach works wonders - just sayin').

Walk With Me - A Little Late

Oh man, da blog is sufferin'. Along with the laundry and the grocery shopping and the personal maintenance (eyebrow wax anyone?).

I did manage to snap a few Victorians whilst driving around yesterday. Here goes.

My oldest daughter's fave. Because it's pink. Victorian Italiante.

If this were my house, I would *SO* be up in that attic, peeking out that window. Wouldn't you?

Scalloped siding, original windows and red pop-outs. Love it!

Folk Victorian perfection.

When we moved here, almost three years ago, we had the opportunity to buy this Queen Anne. We didn't - it needed a lot of work - and I wasn't sure I was up for the responsibility. But it's still one of those things I question. What could have been?
This beauty just got a new owner. And a paint job. Big thumbs up!

The Captain George Flavel House for my friend Carrie. The house is now owned by the Clatsop County Historical Society and is open for tours. A gorgeous place and so full of history. Can you imagine Captain Flavel sitting up in that observatory, watching the ship traffic on the Columbia?