Taking A Break

Yes, that's right! I going for some R & R. I will be spending most of my time here!

This is my girlfriend's pool and I'm going to turn into a floating permanent fixture. Yes, I will do a little eating, can't wait for my favorite restaurant! A little shopping, Canton comes to mind! But mainly kicking back and relaxing.

I "think" I will have Internet connection, so I will be checking in on my favorite blogs. You know I could have withdrawals from my blog addiction otherwise.

Enjoy the end of summer!
June

COMMUTE

What is your commute like for those of you that work outside the home? Do you dread getting in the car for you know the traffic jam that you may have to endure?

This is my slow down, traffic jam! Oh, I would so much like to follow one of these instead of being in this!



Or is your commute like mine, peaceful, beautiful scenery and country roads? Up and over the freeway I go, yeah, no exit or entrance ramps.

I sometimes get lost in my thoughts and almost miss what is going on in the fields on my commute.

Some mornings I get surprises like this as I travel early mornings to work. The sun was in the wrong spot for great picture taking but still had to have one out the window.

How about leaving work or should I say the parking lot. This is my usual traffic I have to wait for.

I swear they get younger and younger that drive these big tractors and this isn't as big as I see around here. Have I told you, I have a love affair with tractors? I especially love old tractors! Now what would a gal do in town with an old tractor? Drive it to get the mail, of course!

Wishing your commute is as lovely as mine and you are having a wonderful week.

Enjoy June

Catching My Behind

I am so far behind that I think I have lapped myself and catching up to behind. Is that possible? I was going to do this wonderful post of the Barn House Boy sale but my pictures stink! No other way to put it, so I'm linking to one of my favorite blogger who has wonderful pictures. So stop on by and check out what you missed.

http://isabellang.blogspot.com


Did I find any treasures you ask? Well of course!

First is, I don't know what, yep you heard me. It could be a planter even though I would have to line it. It could be an metal umbrella if I had a need for one. It does have a eye at the top for hanging so for now it is just out in the yard on a Sheppard's hook. Oh, please don't look at the weeds. I have to get out and get caught up on that also!


Now this old tractor seat just caught my eye. It's another, what am I going to do with it, but it spoke to my heart and childhood memories.


Can't you see this filled with flowers overflowing the tub? It was from a vendor, Faded Prairie all the way from Utah. She had the cutest covered wagon booth. Yes, another idea for a flower bed.

Sorry but no picture of my last purchase, but I do have great plans for it. So everyone including me will have to wait to see what the idea in my head turns out like. Hopefully before winter set in, ha-ha!

This past weekend was spent with granddaughters down at the coast. I volunteered to feed my brothers animals while they were out of town. How could I have forgot to take pictures of them feeding the horses, but I did. We visited the Pioneer Museum and the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Here is the only picture I took- bad Grammie!
They sure enjoyed see all the old stuff, as they called it

Ashely took this picture as we were visiting the cheese factory. Now wouldn't it be fun to travel in this converted old VW van. There are several of these loaf vans that travel around the US. Check it out if they visit your area and taste some yummy cheese.

I'm off before I get father behind!

Enjoy June

THE WEEK MARCHES ON

Does anyone else find that time is flying or marching on and you are trying to play catchup? I love summer but it seem I never get everything done that I've planned. My yard weeds are growing faster then anything so no pictures of flowers this week. I've been busy in the garden with watering, keeping chickens out, and picking veggies.


Strawberry season is over for the most part. I picked the last of my berries and made my last batch of freezer jam.
Isn't it funny how jam for me goes into all size of containers. It seem I get all left over but I really did have to buy a few more since I ran out. Yes, it was a 10 pm run to the store and that is a 16 mile round trip. Do you think I will every get organized, nope - not a chance!


I gather eggs everyday and some days yield more then others. Yes, I have complained about the girls eating part of my garden but then you can't beat fresh eggs.


The raspberries are starting but only giving me a small bowl each day. The blueberries are giving me enough to freeze daily. I freeze these on cookie sheet and then put into freezer bags. They will make wonder treats(bribes) for the grand kids come this winter.


The beans are finally starting to climb. They had a rocky start with all the cold weather and then the break in of the girls(chickens), nibble, nibble.

YEAH - One down, more to go!


No, it's not the raccoons that I am trying to trap but this opossum has moved far, far away. Ugh, yuck and everything else. He wasn't pleased to be trapped, see his smile, hee-hee!

On a more pleasant note, I am off tomorrow to the Barn House sale up in Battleground, WA. It always is so much fun and has some of the best vendors around. Come join me, but if you can't here is there blog to get a sneak preview. http://www.barnhousebh.com They also have a Facebook Page to checkout lots of pictures.

Enjoy your weekend, June

It's Friday!

YEAH, I'm so looking forward to the weekend and working in the garden. The work will be pulling weeds. How do they seem to grow so much faster than anything! Today is a few pictures of flowers booming and then my problem!


I so enjoy touches of color though out the garden. These just keep blooming all summer long and have a tendency to spread. I've dug up little starts and planted though out in hope of lot of color everywhere.


My peonies are about done blooming. I so love them and I have a few drying in the house.


I don't know the name of this little flower. It can be a little invasive but it sure does add a touch of color. This recycled birdhouse was made by my cousin in N. Dakota and delivered by my Aunt. I love it with the Skippy Peanut Butter lid on the side.

Here is the PROBLEM herself, Beverly!


My escape artist! Yes, her wings are clipped but she is a great jumper! She really thinks the grass is greener on the other side. Please excuse the back ground of all the wheel barrow. Yes, I do work in the yard! Non of my other girls even think about getting out. One clever girl I have!


Here is the guard dog, not a chance! She is hoping for an escape so she can play. The old gate I put in my arbor really need to be a little taller. So I guess that is another thing to put on my list as I am out junking!

I'm linking up with Toostie, http://www.tootsietime.com for her Fertilize Friday. Oh, I can get so lost in blog hoping looking at all the beautiful gardens of other.

Enjoy your weekend! June

Thought I was bored

That right, I thought I was boring so I haven't posted for a while. I didn't think I had anything going on but what I found out is; I have been extremely busy. I'll share a few pic's of what I've been up too. But I also found I am slipping on my photography duties. I best get that camera out when I'm off enjoying myself.

The flowers are blooming and the garden was looking good until my girls(chickens) broke in. They sure did like corn starts, green peas and of all things Walla Walla onions. I only have two left.

You can't see the bottoms of the pea plants for they have no leaves, darn chicken. My other row that I planted 3 weeks later were great treats for the girls. Gone, all gone!


I love roses and they are doing very well this year. It was a shaky start with all the rain and they were a little late blooming but now the fragrance is delightful.

I just love this coral color! Yep, if I ever decided to get married again(NOT) notice the capitals, I would have this color.

Besides gardening, summer time is a great time to take a ride on the river. Yes, Oregon does have pretty rivers. I'm thankful to friends who live on the water and have a boat.

It is amazing to watch the young ones ski. I never could master the single ski. I was lucky to stay up on two which was a long, long time ago.

My summer always starts out with dance recitals. Ashley did a great job and got lots of flowers for her accomplishment. It was a great time to take a quick family photo.

I also squeezed in a son birthday. Of course don't the kids always have to help Dad blow out the candles.



Here is my most exciting part!!! I started this arbor about 3 years ago. You see I had this idea to make an arbor out of old doors instead of lattice. This old door came off the back porch of my families 100 year old home. I was really excited to receive this! Then the hunt was on for another.

I tried an old window since I couldn't find another door. It has been like this for months. I really didn't like it so I put a halt to this and started the search again.


Yeah, yippee I found one last weekend while spending the day with my sister on her birthday. We were looking in junk stores in Astoria and there it was. So with a help of a son it went in on Monday evening. I built or should I say dung out and then installed the pavers over four years ago with this arbor idea was just a dream. The little gate was a purchase at the Barn House boys sale up in Battleground, WA. Old and chippy, just like I like it!

Now it is on to finishing the top. Oh, I have ideas, wonder how long this will take to complete. It will be complete with a crystal chandelier hanging in the middle. I have had tucked away and waiting for the final complete day.

I'm so happy that this is finally starting to take shape so with that I can finally say "Never give Up" I may make a sign to hang in the arbor with that wording. Oh my, another idea to complete. A Grandmother always said, "Your never to old to stop dreaming". And my dreams continue.

Enjoy, June

Magic City

It was called the Flood Fight 2011. Some say they lost some say they won. There is so much loss of property in Minot, ND and surrounding areas but, there is also so much to be thankful for. They estimate about 4,000 homes were destroyed by the flood waters plus numerous businesses. There were approximately 12,000 people evacuated. But get this, only 200 people in shelters. What does this say for family and friends. That is one thing I've notice about the mid west - family.

My cousin's house was one of the ones lost in this flood. But the story is about family, brothers, sisters and friends. They came with trucks, trailer and moved everything out. Included carpet, pad, water heater, furnace and etc. Yes, less that 24 hours and it was empty. They are staying with my Aunt up on the hill. It is going to be a trying time with moving in 4 extras, two dogs and a cat.

The water is unlike here on the West Coast. We have floods but give us a couple of days and the water has all drained out to the ocean. They expect it will take weeks for the water to recede before they can even see what is left of their homes.

This picture was take from a black hawk helicopter and the brown roof on the left is my cousin's house.

I ask my blog friends to lift up Minot, the magic city, that will survive, in thought and prayer. Also to take a moment and be thankful for your family.

June