Sunriver

Is this a beautiful Bloody Mary, or what?

The kids and I are on vacation in Sunriver, Oregon this week.  While waiting for the Farmer's Market to open, we enjoyed drinks and lunch at the Pine Tavern on Mirror Pond in Bend.

Then when the market finally opened, it took us 17 minutes to make our purchases.  We've decided we are Market snobs, they with the Ballard Market, and me with the Bellingham.

We got fresh summer squash for grilling, fresh greens, and some incredible mushrooms.  I also got some sunflowers and zinnias to brighten up the condo.

Yesterday morning I took an early bike ride on Peggy Sue.  It was soooooooo cold.  I was wearing two sweatshirts but was longing for a pair of alpaca gloves.

Peggy Sue and I stopped to soak in the warmth of the rays.  No one else was out that early to take our picture, so only Peggy Sue is in this one.

Three deer browsing for breakfast.

The porch on the left is our main deck where we keep the bikes, and sit in the Sun.

I was amused by this sign on the front deck of the building.

Yes, I had a pedicure, sitting in a massaging chair.  I fell asleep a couple of times.  It was heavenly.

The boys do the cooking.  Last night Michael, on the right, prepared falafel, tahini sauce, tabouleh and kale salad.  Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum.  It was excellent to say the least.

Then Chad and Harry, the two vegans, had their own meal.  Chad was kind enough to share some hummus and peppers with me.

And, Project Runway started it's 9th season last night.  Looks to be a really good one.

So, today my job is to relax some more, while back at the ranch, the mice are busy installing new windows, a new sink and vanity, and caring for my yard and flowers.  God Bless the Mice.

A Religious Celebration

A dear friend of mine was ordained as a Lutheran Minister Monday evening.  Jacquie and I have been friends for over 30 years, having worked together for a good number of those.  We had our babies together, sharing maternity clothes and baby clothes.  I actually knew her husband before I knew her.  He was always asking me to set him up with one of my friends, and it never occured to me to aske Jacquie.  They figured it out themselves.

So in her 50's Jacquie was called to Seminary in Berkley.  It's been a long road for her.  I am so happy for her, I can hardly stop smiling.

At her ordination, she asked everyone to wear red, the color of the day.

Here I am in my red dress with the bouquet of flowers I had made up for her.

Present at the ordination were several people I used to work with and have not seen in many years.  Below on the left is one of my former secretaries.  She and I made a great team.  I am a pollyanna, and she is a pessimist.  I am scattered, she is organized.  I was really angry with her when she left me, but we have remained good friends.

In the middle is another friend that I have known for over 30 years.  She gets to retire on Friday.

Here is Jacquie wearing her collar.  I started crying when I saw her, and pretty much through the entire ceremony.

And here we are.  Can you imagine Jacquie and I sharing clothes?  I have a good 6 inches on her, but somehow it worked!

Jacquie has been called to St. John's Lutheran Church in Lancaster, Kansas.  If anyone out there lives in the area, you should visit her.  She is a hoot.

You just never know. . .

What the mice are up to while the cat's away.  This cat played alot today, having breakfast in
Blaine with my friend who owns Beach Basket Yarns in Birch Bay.  A few stops after, then on to the Wednesday market in Fairhaven and lunch with Jo.
I was amazed to come home to this:

I don't know why I was amazed.  You tell these two you would like something done, and they do it!  Amazing what two 25 yr. olds,  some heavy equipment, and good old Dad (Melissa's) can do in a couple of hours.

This 1940 Pontiac has been housed in a small garage at the front of the property for as long as I have memory of this place.  The last time we drove it was 16 years ago.

Look at those manuevers!  Heavy equipment and lots of patience.  Patience is something I still lack.

So here it sits in it's new home, the clean barn.  Don't ask what I am going to do with it.  I'm just the caretaker.

So, after the car was put to bed, the mice decided to remove some fencing and did some general clean up and hauling away.  WOW!!!  This means more to me than anything.  I cannot even express my gratitude to these guys for helping me in this way.  Melissa, Jacob, Jean and Mike, YOU ROCK.

Walk with Me

Bear with me, this is going to be a long post, since I have so much to share with you.  This first picture is the lane into my farm.  I bought these two standards/plant hangers at an estate sale and I think they add a nice welcoming look, don't you?

You all know I have an addiction to flowers, so I'm showing you just a few.  Actually, the rain has been so heavy, I'm surprised they haven't all drowned.  We expect some sunshine this afternoon, so I will probably see everything blooming before my very eyes.

Good use of an old drawer.

Does anyone want some Hollyhocks?  Come on by and get some, they are everywhere!  Jo, I have a pack ready for you.

This is where I grow my tomatoes.  In the Pacific Northwest we have a terrible time with blight, which is caused by the moisture and rain.  This shelter seems to work really well.  I have alot of salsa to make this year.

Here are the wonderful folks who have purchased my alpacas.  They do so much for me, and I love them like family.  This is Jacob, Melissa, and Jean.  They have been cleaning all the wood out of the barn to burn, and we will be moving the 1940 Pontiac in here so I can do other things with the little old garage up front,.

Isn't this awesome?

Now, thanks to my friend Candace, I am going to paint a quilt square on this.  It is the door to the hayloft.  If anyone can suggest a square with three or four colors, geometric, no curves, and the colors to use, I'd love to hear your opinion.

Looks like I have raspberries to pick today.  And blueberries.  I am planning to make raspberry cordial this year. 

Zinnias and corn,

Now we are inside.  I used to play the guitar as a teen, leading the singing at all the youth gatherings and around the campfire.  I can't read a note of music, nor can I sing worth beans, but I can play chords and know when to change them.  I just need to re-train myself.  For some reason, taking this up again seemed the right thing at the time.

And this is my re-decorated boudoir.  Everything was obtained from thrift stores, except for the lamp.  I'm going to hang one of my alpaca quilts above the bed.

So the lawnmower man is here today and is doing a fantastic job.  Now I can get my house cleaned and tidied for a change.

More tomorrow.

Catch Up

Let's see, I had a meltdown last week and took off to spend a few days with my brother.  I relaxed, went to garage sales, and took alot of naps.  That, and a couple of delightful dinners with a new "friend" and I am back.

I've hired someone to do the yard work, so that is a major load off of me, and I'm really excited for him to get started tomorrow.

Last weekend was my family reunion held here at the farm.  The weather was lovely, and everyone had a great time.  I counted 35 people at one time, but I know I was way short.  Then you need to add in the dogs.

Above is the floral arrangement I had in the bathtub.  That is my new favorite place to put flowers.  If I can ever access my pictures, I will share my remodel of my rooms with you, but my desktop got infected and crashed.  I think my pictures are the only thing I care about retrieving from that computer. 

A small arrangement on my kitchen sill. 

Officer Burke came down the drive with his lights on, but he was just here to say hi to his wife, my cousin, until he could join us later in the day.

Here is the Motley "Moehring" Crew.  I can actually count myself as shorty in this group.  I'm kneeling on the far right.

Here are the Patriarchs.  My Uncle on the left is:  ???  Well, late 80's.  He is younger than my mom and she would have been 90 this year,.  Then her cousin is on the right and is almost 93.  He is an inspiration to us all.  He had made an 8 foot long family tree that we hung on the fence so everyone could view it.  I'm not really into ancestry, but I have to admit I was impressed.  I prefer to center my love and attention on those who are here with me now.

The next morning, my Mom's cousin (I can never get straight if she is a second cousin, or removed or added or divided) and I enjoyed brunch at my favorite little Italian restaurant in

Deming:  Il Cafe Refugio.

Meanwhile, I am trying to catch up on laundry and put away all the stuff I brought home with me.  It is extensive.

LAWNMOWER WARS

I know, it's been a long time, but I'm ready to come back.  Actually, my main problem was losing the chord that hooks the camera to the computer to download pictures.  I finally broke down and bought an adapter.

So, life on the farm goes on, but it is rough by myself.  I am really proud of what I have accomplished so far, but I have a long way to go.  In the meantime, I lead the typical farmer's life, which means when you have a project to get done, the equipment usually fails and you have to spend a day working on it before you can even start.

Why is it that when you have three lawnmowers, not one of them is working?

Here is Ladybug with two flat tires.  I just need a jack to lift it and get the tires off so I can take them in to have tubes put in.  Just.  Around here, I have at least three of everything, but can I find a jack?  I'm usually tripping over them.  Then it occurred to me I had one in the car!!!

And here is the Jane Dear.  I won't tell you all of the problems I've had with her.  Today, I had baling twine wrapped around the blades.  My dear friend who has planted flowers in one of my fields just doesn't understand the importance of picking up every little piece of twine.

So, there I was, lying on my side with my arms under the mower; I felt like I was delivering a baby alpaca.  My arms in up to the pits, feeling around for the legs, er, twine.  I finally cut the twine loose and this is what was born:

And here is the oldest model who moved here with me from Lynnwood over 10 years ago.  The racoons have chewed on the gas cap, which allows water into the gas.  I will buy a new cap today.  The big problem is that the starter chord broke.  Now, I could call on one of my neighbor men to help me with this, but I am stubborn, and I am determined to fix this myself.

I have a family reunion here on Saturday, so getting my lawn mowed is sort of a priority right now, along with preparing the picnic chicken.  Yum.

You know me and scarecrows.  This one was left over from last Fall.  I just added a new shirt, some baling twine braids, and a hat.

Found this wedding gown at a thrift shop for next to nothing, so we have a demure little bride now.

This little character has been moved to the fence.  She looked like she was hanging there, so now I have her climbing the fence like all good children are not supposed to do.

Summer finally arrived last weekend, and the flowers are blooming and the weeds are growing.

I have leased 7 acres of land to an Organic farming  group called Growing Washington.  It's great to see them out here working, and they have already planted the back 5 acres.  Now I'm working on finding someone to hay the rest of the land.

Each day is a new challenge and a new victory.  I am thrilled to be doing what I am doing, but I'm getting a little tired.

Sounds like time for another vacation!!!!