Help with this new Blogger

HELP!!

All of a sudden, we have this new control page for our blogs.  I can't figure out how to e-mail anyone!  It takes me to a network that requires a password, and none of mine work!  Is there a magic trick to using this new system?  I know you can all help this poor, cyber illiterate.  I want to respond to your comments.

HEY GRANNY!!!!

I received this book from my Son and DIL last Thursday, along with a card that says:  "Hey Granny, you have alot of work to do."  I am so thrilled and delighted.  Hm. my last post said I didn't know what to do with all that stash of fabric.  Guess I know what to do with it now.

The baby is due in March.

This is a vase I picked up at a garage sale.  I love the "smarty-pants" attitude.  It's great for one big bloom.

It's that time of year again, and I have been canning.  This is the applesauce I have done, so far.  In this batch, I included those hot cinnamon candies, along with raisins.  It tastes devine!

And here are my tomatoes.  I am growing an assortment of red, yellow and chocolate tomatoes, so this has become a sort of "calico" mix, especially since I included a few green ones, too.

Terry, formerly known as "T", taught me how to make fruit cordials.  These two bottles are filled with Raspberry.  Yummmmmmmmmmmmmm.  And in front of them is a tray of little shot glasses I got at the thrift store.  Yes, they are asymetrical, you aren't seeing things.

And these are my Blackberry cordials.  Very good, but not rich like the Raspberry.

Pippi Longstockings is here to say goodbye.  The alpacas should be gone by the end of the week.  It is going to be so hard.  I start crying every time I talk about it.  I've survived some really big changes this year, and I know I will survive this.  I've made a good decision, and I can visit my little four legged friends any time I want.  It's just going to take some getting used to.

Fall is in the Air

It looks as if the time for cut flowers in the house is drawing to a close.  We waited so long for summer to arrive, while the rest of the U.S. was suffering from extreme heat.  We had about 5 weeks of warm weather, and now you can feel the crispness of the air.  My apples are all dropping off the trees before they ripen, all shriveled and dry.  And, today it was a bit breezy and I noticed the leaves everywhere.  Trouble is, they aren't turning color, they are just drying up and falling.  Strange year it's been, that's for sure.

Here is my bouquet in the living room, and the first picture is the one in the bathroom.  Since my house is small, the corner of the tub has become my favorite place to have flowers.

Then, this last one is in the bedroom.

Now I am going to pick a WHOLE bunch of Sweet Peas to infuse the house with their lovely odor. We are about the only ones around who still have sweet peas in such profusion.  If you don't cut them, they go to seed.

I was just informed by the Market Site Manager that I will be outside tomorrow and need to bring my canopy.  Sales are better out there, but it's so much more work.  Good thing "T" will be here this weekend to lend me a hand.

You know, I have totally lost my desire to quilt.  I was going through one HUGE box I have full of fabrics, and wondering why I had them?  I guess it has alot to do with how much work I have to do around here now, just maintaining the place.  Maybe when winter arrives, my thoughts will change.  But, I just might be selling off my stash.  Stay tuned!!!.

New Cria and Furniture

It's been over a year since I've been able to share one of these with you!  This is Phabian.  He was born last Friday while I was gone.  The new owners are ecstatic.  Even though I have sold all my alpacas, 16 of them are still here while the owners build fences and everything else involved in having livestock.  They come over every day and care for them, and I've acquired some wonderful new friends.  They are also the amazing MICE that have done such wondrous things for me.

This is my old living room, before new windows or paint.

Last week, I wandered into a furniture store to waste time while I was waiting for an appointment.  I found, much to my delight, the couch that goes with my crazy, asymetrical chair.  It was on sale for half price, so how could I refuse?

But wait!  There's more!  Act now and you can get two for the same great price!  Yes, it's a sectional.

Hard to get the entire room, but you get the idea.  Yesterday, when returning from being at the Market all day, I had totally forgotten about my new furniture.  When I opened the door and walked in, it was such a delight!!!  I feel like Cleopatra.

My friend C has been gardening in my field this summer, and this is what I get to look out on.  It's been a rough year, with flowers not coming on until mid to late July.  Now it is September and they are at their peak, yet starting to droop in the hot weather.

I need to get ready for church, and then this afternoon will have to unpack the car from the Market.  Guess what I forgot to take yesterday?  Fiber to spin!!  You always forget at least one thing, but that takes the cake for me.  So, I had to knit a hat.

Resolved

Summer arrived in the Pacific Northwest in mid August, and it is still here, hot and heavy.  I'm a true Native of Washington, and dislike anything above 75 degrees, unless I'm in a dry climate or a Tropical one.  Fickle, I know.  But when it gets over 80 degrees here, I am miserable.  But hey, the flowers love it.  As usual, I am missing my battery charger for the camera, and cannot get updated pictures of the garden.  It is amazing.  Flowers love heat and humidity.

I have been busy and distracted by a number of things, and have not been posting.  I have resolved to get back on my blog and get this updated.  Here are a few of my distractions:

First of all, I was having some terrible headaches and other symptoms which led to a CT scan and an MRI.  Then you worry and wonder.  Fortunately, they found my brain and it is healthy.  My assessment of it all is withdrawal from some antidepressants I have taken for 20 years, and stress.  Duh.  I lost a dear friend the other day, and my body went into grief mode instantly, and I slept for about 48 hours.  I hope I can function today, since I have to get ready to return to the Market tomorrow.

Secondly, my brother, the dufus on the left, got married last weekend.  Fortunately, he changed clothes about 15 minutes before the ceremoney, which took place in his back yard.  I was in charge of the food for 22 people.  My new "gentleman friend" took on the assignment of cooking the steak and lobster, so my job got alot easier.  It was a lovely day, a beautiful ceremony, and a wonderful blending of families.

Thirdly, I have a major distraction in the form of a man.

There we are at a friend's house, after a delicious Vietnamese meal.

The circumstances leading up to my meeting T are too many and amazing, so I will just leave it at that.

My goal today is to find that darn battery charger, and to get prepared for Market.  I'm so happy to be returning.  I'll be there for the next two months.  However, since it is forcast to be 91 degrees on Saturday, I don't think I will make much money in sales.  I'll just be having a great time.

The Last Day and I am Pooped

Isn't the last day of vacation always bittersweet?  You want to go home, but you have had such a good time, you wish this could just carry on.  As I look at the bikes, I think of all the paths I did not ride this year.  But then, I'm so worn out from riding and swimming and laying around doing nothing, I can't summon up enough energy to hop on for one last ride.

Well, I have plenty of places to ride at home, so I need to stay in the mood and ride every day then weather permits.

Having this new mini spinner of mine allowed me to take my spinning with me on vacation.  I'm working on a custom order.  A woman wants 440 yards in blues, greens, and greys, since her daughter is studying Marine Biology, and these are the colors she wants:  Like the water.

Here are the five of us at the Owls Nest Bar for dessert and drinks one night.

Peggy Sue has a new accessory!  I follow bike path etiquette by announcing "on your left" when passing someone on the trail.  The bell is fun, but I only use it when there are kids who might get a kick out of it, or if I am being silly.

Michael obviously enjoying his breakfast at the Hot Lava Baking Company.

Chad woke up from a nap with his hair looking like this.  I offered to let him use my Got 2 be Glued to enhance the look, but he turned me down.  And I DID rotate this picture!!!

So, we survived another year at Sunriver.  We welcomed a new family member (Harry), and everyone got along splendidly.  Now I'm already looking forward to next year.

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.