MERRY CHRISTMAS

And

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Eclipse - Awesome

The state of Oregon was crazy for the eclipse. My little town was in the totality! Thank goodness folks went to larger venues. I had a camping trip planned for over a year not realizing it was eclipse time. So I came home yesterday, worrying a little bit about traffic. Most folk were at there destination so trip home was a piece of cake!

This morning I got set up on my back patio. Coffee made, snacks prepared and approved glasses out. What a awesome event! Total darkness interrupted by neighbor fireworks! At least you could see them. The one thing that surprised me was how cool and the temp. dropped. Yes, I got a blanket out!

Duncan seemed unimpressed!  I'm still sitting out just enjoying the day!

June

LAZY

I'm being lazy! I'm sitting right there in the chair under the shade of the umbrella! I have all sorts of project to do, yard work and even grocery shopping. But here I sit.

This is the view from my chair. This pictures seems to hide  some of the needed work. So I say I can't see it so it must have gone away.

The little Humming Bird is busy this morning. They sure don't seem to be brother by me! I shall continue my sitting but wishing everyone a great day!      June

DREAY DAYS

Oh Mr. Sunshine please come visit and stay!!  We've been having a wet 2017 - so far! We do get a day here and there but, I'm so ready for a solid week of sun! I've been working in the yard and you know just taking a walk around and looking at all the blooms I can't complain too long. 

 How about I take you on a little picture walk.

 

 

Roses are in bloom along with a little more!

 Peonies!

Clematis

Veggie Garden is planted and protected. I learned my lesson last year with the chickens! Yes, picket fence to protect the veggies! 

I use my windmill as the poles for my pole beans.  They will climb all the way up to the top.

This will end my short tour of the yard for today.  Even the sun popped out for a second !

ALOHA!

Camping season has started!! It is so fun to be with my camping friends, so much laughter!
I'm sharing a few pics from this past weekend Hawaiian camp out!

Waiting for our dinner, luau style!  Our hostess with the mostess fixed everything!!

Getting a hula lesson while we wait.  Oh yes, Hawaiian attire a must!

We are all stuff and the only activity is sitting and visiting, a favorite!

The gang!! Can't wait till the next camp out! Who know what we will be dressed in!

Enjoy!

Happy Memorial Day Week!

Better Late Then Never

I've been off to Texas again but can't seem to get a blog written.  I've been home for two weeks with great intentions but I'm the greatest procrastinator!

I like several have a bucket list of things to do and places to see.  So, I've crossed one item off that list! I've wanted to go to Antique Fair at Round Top, TX. Off the list but added wanting to go back to the list!!

Round Top is huge for a little town on 92 people.  I swear it was 20 miles long and also included the town of Warrenton. Simply put, way too many things to see for our two days there.  I think you need the whole week  plus! It was over whelming so I really didn't buy much but the experience was well worth it. One highlight was a visit to the Junk Gypsies store and grounds.I came home with a couple of T shirts, a bottle of Miranda Lambert wine, and of course the Junk Gypsy Book signed by Jolie plus a picture!

She was so nice and just wondering and visiting in their store.

After two full days looking at Junk we were off to Fredricksburg, TX.  Looking on the map and also using a GPS the quickest way was through Austin. Our decision was to avoid all that traffic. So off we went on the back roads.  I can now say I saw some pretty parts of TX.  And the blue bonnets were blooming!

Fredricksburg has turned into vineyard heaven.  Evey where we looked there was another vineyard and tasting room.  It is sure good business for tour buses. My favorite was Fat Ass Vineyard and Ranch!  Had to buy a shirt and a small tast.

Do you think it could be the name that caught my attention? With leaving town I spot a sign and made my friend turn around.  Have any of you heard of Magnolia Pearl??

A unique designer that caught my attention over 10 years ago.  I could not wear her style but have always found it so fun.  Maybe it is the wild child inside me!


Of course what would be a trip to TX be without stopping in Waco?

I so love the TV show Fixer Upper along with thousands others. We went on a Tuesday and it was a great day, the crowds were minimal.  Only had to wait in line for 5 minutes for a cupcake.  Almost unheard of!! A totally fun day at Magnolia Silo's!

What would TX be without a great steak and my favorite restaurant Mesquite Pit! Plus I found a new drink called Beerita!

 I think I had more booze this trip them I've had in 2 years.

I have to thank my friend Judy for a wonderful 2 weeks!! We did more sight seeing and laughing that needs to last me until my next trip.  I did miss our pool time but sure had fun!

Guess what I came home too?  Back home in Oregon they had an unusual wind store and my tree decided it wanted to come down.

It could have been a lot worse.  It only damaged the roof over the porch! As one friend said, I have more sunlight and less leaves to rake!! Oh so true!

Enjoy June

Where is Blue Sky?

I still have hope for Spring and blue sky!! I know our friends in the Northeast are getting blasted with snow so I shouldn't complain.  But I am! Okay, I did have one full day of sunshine 3 days ago.  It gave me a huge dose of Spring Fever!

So I went out and got a little color for the back patio.

A few pansies help with anybodies mood. They have smiley faces!!

My problem is I'm so over gray skies!

Even though trees are budding out my yard is full of moss this year.  I will be waging a war on moss soon.  Then the problem, once it dies I will have no grass.  GRRRRR!  The joys of maintaining a yard!

But on the bright side, I was able to cut my first daffodil bouquet of this year!

Oh to Spring flower, love!! 

June

New Header, New Hope!

I'm thinking positive!! I am hoping with fingers and toes crossed that with my new header picture that Spring is on the way. We woke up to snow "again" this morning.  I am so over winter this year! You see we don't get snow on a average winter.  Our kids as I type have to make up seven snow days.  That means that school was closed for 10 days for snow.  Our district allows 3 days of weather related before they have to start making up time.  Needless to say the kids are wondering if they are going to even get out in June and have a summer.

Here is the crazy thing. I really do have daffodils blooming in the snow.  Not enough for a bouquet on the table, but soon!

These are from last year, but I'm thinking positive!!

In a little over two weeks our Wooden Shoe Tulip Festivals begins.  Last year it was a warm winter and the tulips were early.  I'm thinking they are saying "no way am I poking my head out"! It will be interesting to see how the next couple of weeks play out.

So here is to positive thinking and NO MORE SNOW!!!!

Spring Please,
June

Granddaughter and Dog

My new dog Duncan has settled in quit nicely!  He wove his way into our hearts immediately and of course has become spoil led!

My Granddaughter is a dog lover and just loves Duncan and he loves her.  She was with me this weekend and the two were inseparable.

This is Saturday cartoon watching.  Duncan must think he is human with head on pillow. Ahh, so comfy.

Then Paige got a hold of the camera and I must have a couple dozen pics of Duncan.  I'll just share a few.

Feel lucky I'm only sharing three of her many pics. I think you can tell this new rescue dog has fit in perfectly. Yep, he is part of the family now!!

Enjoy,

June

Quick Trip

I finally made it! My trip that was cancelled last month due to snow took off on time, Yippee!!  I kept my fingers crossed for old man weather was predicting snow again for the day of take off. Luckily the snow stayed just north of the airport.

It was a wonderful visit with my cousin who I haven't seen for about 25 years.  Have you ever had this gnawing feeling that you just need to make the time! I am soooooooo happy I did. Yes, we picked up like there has been no time passed. Did I tell you I went to Colorado?

We made a trip to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. I can now cross this off my bucket list.

It's a long ways down there!

And a long ways back up. To think people were running it for exercise, Oh My!

The rocks were beautiful! I'm sorry my camera and my photo ability don't do it justice!  I guess you will just have to go take a look for yourself.  Now to attend a concert there.  No it won't be running the steps.

My cousin and I decided we have a few of the same things on our bucket list so this fall we are taking a trip together to mark off Savannah, GA and SC on our list, another Yippee!!

Life is short, make the effort!!! I'm so glad I did!

June

SNOW IS GONE!

Our snow is all gone and you would think we are starting into Spring. Our temps have been in the fifties these past few days. I know our winter isn't over but it is sure nice to have a break. The one problem with snow melt is mud!  My poor chicken yard is pretty muddy since they like to peck anything that comes up green.  I had to fence off my garden area and even that didn't work well last year.  I will finish the permanent fence this year which is higher and hopefully chicken proof.

I decided to let the girls (chickens) in the backyard for a treat.  They are pretty destructive so this is a big treat for them. They did peck around the yard but they wanted to hang out on the back patio!  Crazy girls, I guess they wanted to see what I was up to in the house.

I opened the slider and they wanted to come in.  I do draw the line, no chickens in the house!  I will have to get the power washer out and wash the entire patio down come Spring because of Chickens poop! And they don't care where they poop! I'll admit they do provide entertainment and fresh eggs.

It's off to take advantage of the weather and work in the yard a bit.  You would think I'm getting a jump on Spring - Nope!  I'm doing my Fall work that I was too lazy to get done then.

I'm off before it starts raining, our usual!
June

CABIN WEEKEND

We have had crazy snow here in the state.  It shut Portland Metro down.  I know you that live in snow country are laughing. I think driver common sense leaves their brain!  One thing is we don't have the snow removal equipment, or should I say ice removal here. But then there is me! I love it and have a vehicle that does well in snow. So why cancel a girls weekend to the mountain, right?? Yes, a mountain pass, 4,800 elevation with about 4 to 6 feet of new snow. Our State Hwy Dept. keeps the pass roads maintain, but chains or snow tires were required.  So off I go!!

I'm sharing a few pics from the weekend!

Our cabin we stayed in.  It had everything we needed. It was a weekend of no TV, Internet or cell service - wonderful!!

I thought the icicles on the lodge was beautiful!

It was beautiful there!

We went for several walks. The snow was pure powder so we stay to the groomed trails! Since I'm short I think I would disappear.

Did I tell you the temperature stayed mainly in the teens. . It was 6 degrees when we departed Monday morning, but the sun was shinning and beautiful blue sky! Simply put, gorgeous!

June

OFF WE GO, NOPE!

Well, I thought I was flying off to the wild blue yonder! My hopes diminished with watching our airport arrivals & departures website!  Yes, Southwest cancelled all their flights!

I was headed to Denver this evening.  My son had a business trip planned so I was tagging along.  Yep, taking advantage of free lodging.  I had plans to visit my cousin that I haven't seen for over 20 years.  We've talked, texted, emailed and old fashion written letters over the years.  But somehow our paths have never crossed.  We have a family reunion every 2 years in Iowa but the years I make it she hasn't, you get the picture.  I have an airline credit now, so I will try this again when my son has his next trip to Denver.  I have almost a year to use my airline credit.

We've started off 2017 with good old fashion winter weather! The cause of these delays is a little snow but freezing rain on top of it causing a skating rink.  I didn't get a lot of snow and the rain has already starting to melt, that is my house!

My son's house in Bend is another story.  They have about 4 feet of snow and it is snowing again.  One of my friend that lives in Central Oregon say she has no where to shovel anymore snow.  She can't throw it high enough. 

As for me, nope, I'm not complaining! Just a cancelled flight, but I warm and snuggle in my house! Everyone stay safe out there whatever part of our country you live in.

June