Patisserie...Again!

A lunchtime treat on a summer afternoon: Chocolate gelato and a lemon tart from the Colville Street Patisserie in downtown Walla Walla. Can you tell I love this place?

Tollgate: E.J. Haney Viewpoint

A 30-minute drive up the mountains from the WW Valley and you get to see this breathtaking view. This is actually where my husband proposed to me, all the way back in April 2004.

Popular Donuts

Want a tasty morning treat at a good price in a convenient location? Popular Donuts is the way to go! (I recommend a maple bar...but I would probably say that about almost every shop that sells donuts. They're my favourite.) Just two blocks from downtown Walla Walla on Hwy 11, this is an easy, nearly necessary stop when in the Walla Walla Valley. Let me know you're in town and I'll even buy you a donut.

Skywatch Friday

Sunset from my living room last week. See how others view the sky above them this week at the Skywatch Friday website!

Heartbreak

Please excuse my hiatus as of late; this week has been a hard one for many people, including myself. Early Sunday morning I was awakened by a phone call telling me one of my best friends had lost her 18-month-old daughter, Ryann. It was sudden and very unexpected; she had been happy and healthy her entire life. Apparently she had a very rare disorder so uncommon it doesn't even have an official name, and no one knew she had it. Now, on top of grieving the loss of their first and only child, my friends are faced with extensive medical and funeral expenses. They had just relocated to Nebraska from the Walla Walla Valley, and aren't sure whether or not insurance on the new job had kicked in yet.

In addition to continual emotional support, some friends and I are attempting to help in the only other way we can: Fundraising for their expenses. If you can, please consider donating to this cause. All of the donations will go directly toward medical and funeral expenses for this beautiful 18-month-old girl who was taken from her parents way too soon. No parent should have to plan their child's funeral.

To the right of this post you will see a "Remembering Ryann" box. Click on "ChipIn" to contribute what you can in a secure way through PayPal. Thank you for your support...and thank you for remembering Ryann.

If you would like to read my version of the story of losing Ryann, visit my mom blog.