Fall

Well, it's been quite the absence from the blog. Partly because August consisted of not much happening beyond gardening, chores and just normal life stuff. September, I was busy studying for a certification exam, which I passed! and Steve was busy going to CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) training.

I did manage to get a bit of Fall decorating accomplished.

Re-vamped the chalkboard art. And the mantel above is pretty much the extent of Fall decor this year.

I try to keep candy corn around, but Stephen likes to munch. Time to restock.

 We discovered our winter project this past weekend when we had a downpour. Steve checked the crawlspace and it was anything but dry.  Thus began our (really his) digging quest. 

This is some of what we found inside the downspout drainage system.

This root was a little more substantial. 

I wonder why the water wasn't draining to the street?

Some of the progress. 

Steve's helper. 

She attracted quite a bit of attention from passers by, neighbors and neighbor's visitors. Everyone wanted to come pet her, and she was more than happy to oblige and get some love and attention. 

 Confession time. While Steve was hard at work, I abandoned him to go on an adventure. 

I drove up to Hood River with a friend and we drove the fruit loop. 

As you can see, it was a GORGEOUS day. 

We stopped at many many fruit stands with so much beautiful fruit. 

 More bountiful fruit.

*yummy*

I got to play with the fancy camera while we were out and about. 

Mt. Hood with corn

Mt. Hood with apple trees

So so many different kids of apples and pears to chose from. 

The loot I made it home with. Bartlett pears. Gravenstein apples. Macintosh apples. Honey crisp apples. Apple cider. Brussel sprouts.

I have big plans to make apple crisp and applesauce. I also have big plans to ask Steve to bake an apple pie. Brussel sprouts will be consumed this week and pears with lunch all week.

This last picture kind of explains a lot of August and September away. 

I was napping. 

All afternoon and then begging for more sleep at bedtime. 

The minimal Fall decor is because I'm trying to play catch up with household chores and didn't have much brain power to be creative.

I left Steve alone to do his drain project, because I couldn't help dig.

 

 Changes are coming.

March 25, 2014

Panther Creek Camping

Another Meliza Family Camp is in the books. 

This time we were north of Carson, WA.

More importantly, this time, there was NO RAIN!

Camping is SO much easier when it's not raining, so thank you Washington for the beautiful weather!

Here's the camp site.

 Another view.

Of course much time was spent sitting around the fire, watching the logs burn.

Summer's version of the yule log.

 We look a little drive up to see the actual falls and had an opportunity to practice some photography. 

Not perfect, but I think some shots came out ok. 

 Bea-uti-ful.

 Some of the group taking it all in.

 The bottom of the falls. 

 So much to look at!

 Making the walk back up the hill. 

Something was interesting off to the side.

Ok, now I need to ask for forgiveness as I subject you to pictures of the pup.

 But really, what's not to love?

 Love her.

 The beautiful forest surrounding us.

 I spotted a camper through the trees. 

Regret #1: I have NO, ZERO, ZILCH photos of myself enjoying camp. 

Lesson #1: Hand the camera off to someone else to snap a few. If nothing else but to provide evidence I was actually there.

 I think her expression sums up how tired she was after all the excitement over the weekend.

Until next year MFC!

On the way home we stopped by my Aunt and Uncle's for a visit. 

Regret #2: Not taking pictures of the gorgeous view/yard/flowers

Lesson #2: When you see something pretty, take a picture!

Guess we'll have to trek up there again this summer for a hike and some photos. I did get to bring a BUNCH of flowers home with me though and now my house smells fabulous and looks more cheery than it has all summer :) 

Thanks Aunt Mary and Uncle Ken! We'll try to make it up there for a short hike with our pup.

Here is the bounty we made it home with after our visit.

Happy summer to you all!

June News

There has been lots happening around here lately.... Here's the recap!

Blueberry transplants! We dug up these HUGE blueberry plants from my Grandparent's yard. 

Here are Steve and Dad getting ready to unload one of these 2 bushes for my parents. 

We are hoping that the one bush will be happy making it's new home here. 

Maybe I should call it a blueberry tree instead.

There she is! She is doing well so far. I've trimmed her up a bit and kept her watered well. 

This is THE WORST time to transplant, I know. 

Circumstances as they were, we had to harvest now or never. 

Don't know if any of the berries will be worth anything this year, but I hope that the plant will thrive in the future and want to produce the yummy berries for us that it has in the past :)

It's 4th of July around here already. 

In the past it is always a one day or maximum 1 week event. I just never decorate until the day of, and then it's done. 

This year I have determined to change that. 

So the flags are out people!

Stay tune for more Independence Day later in the post. 

A spot of color on the back patio. 

The herb garden. 

We've got lavendar, basil, chives, rosemary, thyme, parsley, cilantro, green onions and carrots

all growing in this cute little garden. 

Another spot of color in the back yard. 

Aren't these cute containers?

I love them. 

They (the other one is in the herb garden picture and is growing nasturtiums) are Happy Birthday to me presents from my parents. 

I adore them. 

My parents and the containers :)

The garden this year. Peas, romaine, brussel sprouts, beans.

The other garden bed with zucchini, broccoli, tomatoes and corn. 

And there is Bailey, grazing. 

She loves to graze. 

The roses. 

I'd love a 3rd plant in this grouping. 

Two just isn't right, it needs three. 

I think pink.

Here's the mantle all gussied up. 

The little birdie with her star spangled arch.

And the twigs got some sparkle too. 

I used a bunch of my scrap fabric to make some bunting (I think that is what the crafty people on Pinterest call it). 

I love making something festive from scraps. 

And FREE is my FAVORITE price.

Steve was pleased to be reminded of where he lived when he discovered this sign after work. 

Just in case he forgets his house number or what country he lives in. 

I like to help him out with little reminders. 

Well that is what is happening on the home front. 

And on the work front...

 

Christine is saying goodbye to heart surgery

 

and hello to pediatric surgery

It was time for a change! 

I'll be starting July 29th :)

Happy beginning of summer to you all!

Metolius Magic

Our first day was Sunday. It was busy when we arrived at Camp Sherman. We shared a sandwich down by the river. Since we were too early to check in, we drove down the road to see the fish.

 Here we are watching the fish swim. 

Lots of fish. We stayed quite a while being mesmerized by all different sizes of fish. 

Brought back memories of visiting when I was a child.

 Blissful peace and quiet. Down by the river on the grounds of the resort we stayed at.

 This pup was wore out. A fun car ride, new places, evening walks. 

Sweet pea needed a rest.

 Tried to salvage this out of focus picture. Didn't work so well. 

 This portrait turned out better.

Bailey girl was ready for bed.

She was over this family walk and picture session.

 The next morning we took off in search of the head of the Metolius River.

 There she is. The beginnings of the purty river. 

 Of course another photo op.

That tripod turned out to be a great purchase. 

Being here on Sunday- Tuesday turned out to be a great decision. 

Pretty much every where we went we were the only people there. 

 The battery died (both of them) on the camera the day before at the fish hatchery. 

So we went back to get these pics of my favorite part of the river. 

SOOOOOO beautiful. 

 We watched for quite a while as this little one struggled to swim up stream where mom and dad were. 

Little goose finally made it to the calm spot. 

Hey goose, hey goose!

Does anyone recognize that movie line?

Still one of my favorites.

These two nights away were SO refreshing and rejuvenating. 

Hello 30. 

This was a great way to start this next decade.