Square Dancing at the Jamboree

Bellingham's annual music festival, the Subdued Stringband Jamboree, is getting bigger and busier every year. Thank goodness some things never change, like the Saturday night square dance.

Square Dancing at the Jamboree

Square dancers do-si-do, promenade, and allemande left 

at the Subdued Stringband Jamboree on Saturday.

Calliope and Dream

Calliope and Dream from the Bellingham Circus Guild give a gravity-defying performance 

at the Subdued Stringband Jamboree.

Everybody's Store

Tucked in a valley along the south fork of the Nooksack River, Everybody's Store is a a throwback to a simpler time. A foodie's destination in what looks like an old gas station on the side of the highway, it's stuffed with unique cheeses, wine and all kinds of funky knick-knacks and crafts. When the proprietor slid our sandwiches across the deli counter they reminded me of the kind of sandwich Dagwood might have made.

Mamacita

On Sunday we went out for a drive in the country and ended up at Everybody's Store, in the township of Van Zandt. Everybody's Store has just about anything you could want... well, anything I could want, anyway, since they have what is probably the best cheese selection in Whatcom County. And I loooove cheese! They've got local nokkelost and goudas, five different cheddars from five different regions, sage derby, marigold goat, italian parrano, and much, much more. They carry fine wines, too, many of them local, including their own red table wine. 

Any store that carries fancy cheeses and fine wine already has my love, but one with a cat, too? Now we're in undying devotion territory. The store cat is fat, black and sleek, and very friendly. We ordered sandwiches (also fat!) and were eating them in the garden behind the store when my five-year-old daughter asked what the cat's name was. I didn't know, so she told me to go ask. I said no, I'd like to finish my lunch. 

"Well, I'll find out myself, then!" She cried. She stomped resolutely all the way back into the store, where she confronted a store employee. My husband sneaked up and peeked in on her through the front window. 

"Do you work here?" She asked the woman. 

"Yes," the lady replied. 

"Do you know you have a cat?" 

"Yes," the woman said, smiling. 

"What's her name?" she asked. 

"Mamacita."

"Thank you."

And she stomped back out to the garden, very proud of herself. As she should be! And now we know. Nice to meet you, Mamacita.

A Very Mediocre Sunset, but a Great Evening

Not magnificent, nor glorious. I will not be remembering the brilliance of this sunset in the years to come. What I will remember from this evening: great friends, champagne, laughter, and more laughter... which is better than even the most beautiful sunset.

For more Skywatch Friday images click HERE.