Do you Catan?

Have you heard of this GREAT game?

Some friends introduced it to us a year ago. We play it with them often. Then a few weeks ago, Ryan and I bought our own box.


The more people we invite to play "this cool new game we learned", the more we hear "I've played that before." It's gaining popularity - and I guess I'm helping.

Here's what I like about it:

• It's interactive
• It's different every time
• Something happens to every player on everyone's turn (no sitting and waiting.)
• There's strategy and there's luck
  
• Once you get the hang of one version, it can change

If you ever come visit for a weekend, it's likely you'll get to play this game .... that is, if you haven't already.

Camping again

This time it was a bit colder. Note the frost on the grill and all the people staying around the fire.

So, I really haven't been caming all that much, but this is the first time I remember being kept awake by an animal. A pesky racoon. A pesky and persistent racoon! After Ryan had already been out of the tent a few different times to move trash and other easy-to-get items, the darn racoon came back and tried to steal our bread - which was in a small plastic tote. He almost succeeded in dragging it into the woods. This time I got up, but was so scared the racoon was going to bite me for taking it's food/toy/loot.

Well, I successfully secured the bread box without a bite and tucked back in, when, a few minutes later the 'coon came back and OPENED one of our big totes and took the ... picinic tablecloth? What a pest. That isn't even food and he still tried to get it. I estimate it was about 4am; Ryan and another of our friends took all the large totes and coolers and secured them in the truck.

Maybe 15 mintues later I heard loud clanging and rummaging noises at our 'neighbors' camp site. So much for sleeping in peace.

My pups and Me

Capitol Dome Tour

Starting on the ground floor looking straight up...














...ending on top with a great view.

Fall Fun

A few of the things you can find at a small-town Fall Festival. :-)

Camping

Morning at the beach.

Friday Five

This weeks Friday5 topic - What's it take.

What does it take to get you to grab the mic and sing in a karaoke room?
Depends on who's in the room.

What does it take to get you to give up a whole Saturday to hang out with people you don’t like?
Strange question but the answer: Probably as simple as someone I do like being there.

What does it take to get you out of bed without your hitting the snooze button?
Daylight! Love to wake up when the sun comes up! I'm not a fan of winter's morning darkness.

What does it take to get you to take someone else’s turn at a really unpleasant task at work or home?
Not much, I like to help out. As long as I don't have to do it all the time. :)

What does it take to get you to eat something you really dislike?
I have to try it every 3-5 years to make sure I still don't like it. So as long as I haven't tried it recently, I'd eat it ...just a bite ... okay, a really tiny bite. (PS. I still don't like corn. Tried it.)