More About Walla Walla

I'm quite excited to share with you that the Home Loan Center in Walla Walla has added a page of my blog posts to their website. It allows people interested in moving into the Walla Walla Valley to have an insider's glimpse into the area through my photo blog. If you're interested in learning more about what this valley has to offer (and perhaps moving here to enjoy it every day?), take a look at the Home Loan Center's website.

Sky Over the Sweets

On Tuesday evening I went to my first ever Walla Walla Sweets baseball game. The team came to town two years ago I believe, but I haven't gotten to a game until this week. It was fun - a small stadium means great seats just about anywhere you sit, and short lines at the concession stands. Strangely, the weather turned chilly on Tuesday and that afternoon we had a downpour that made us all wonder if we would even get to GO to the game. It didn't rain on us during the game, thankfully, but the clouds sure put on a show.

Athena Caledonia Games

Another annual event (which is actually a TON of fun) is the Caledonia Games in Athena, a 20-minute drive from Walla Walla. This little town (population approx. 1,300) hosts thousands of people every year for an event that celebrates Scottish heritage, people, and culture. My husband's paternal grandmother had a Scottish name and is red-headed; we've traced his lineage back to a small castle on the coast of Scotland, too! Last time I went to the Caledonia Games in Athena we went to the sheepdog trials and then wandered around the displays and booths. This year we went to the tattoo - a "concert" of sorts of pipe and drum bands. As a percussionist I absolutely loved this event. I highly recommend stopping by this 2-day event that takes place on the second weekend of July every year. Next time I will go and hopefully purchase a bodhran, an instrument I've been longing to learn to play.

Sweet Onion Festival 2011

On accident, Husband and I ended up at the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival on Sunday. It happens every year, and I've never been to one, but Husband has, and he says it's really nothing to write home about. It's basically just another excuse for people to come and sell things, and it's an easy way to get some WW sweets without having to drive out to the highway and find a roadside farm stand. At the festival you can get anything onion - raw in 20-pound bags, breaded and deep-fried (still better than deep-fried Kool-Aid, I say), caramelized and on top of hot dogs - you name it, you can probably get it at the Sweet Onion Festival.

Grow Your Own

I am envious of anyone who has worked out space for a home garden. I have wanted one for years but haven't managed to convince my husband that we have a place for one - and we really don't, aside from building raised beds, which I'd like to do anyway. Maybe we'll build them this year and get our garden going in 2012...? The above photo was taken by a multi-talented family man who lives in College Place. I loved it so much I asked him if I could post it on my blog and he kindly obliged. Brenden Koch took this photo over the weekend and it features a bean vine taking full advantage of the twine placed there for its pleasure in his family garden. The garden is quite lovely, and I've enjoyed watching it grow via photos on Facebook this season. Everyone's gardens here in the valley are finally able to grow now that we're getting real summer weather, though it took a while getting here this year!