Summer

I am sitting here, very HOT!  and I do not care.  Feels so good.  Normally, I like a very climate mild weather, but because the last two springs have been so rainy and cool, our brief summers lately are even more precious. 

This afternoon, I got the chicken coop cleaned out, made stir fry for dinner, and relaxed.  But every one's car seems to not be behaving.  Bailey came home from work with her car over heating.  Rett called and needed to be rescued because he ran out of gas, and while LL was getting a part for Bailey's car, O., Max's staff tried to leave and her car would not start.  (LL thinks her starter went out).  All within an hour.  CRAZY. 

Still I puttered around and took a few pictures in our backyard.  Our ever bearing raspberries are ripening, the bees are working on the flowers, the chickens are lounging in the heat, and all is well at the Miller home:)

Getting Ready for Summer

When you have a pool, getting ready for summer is not a relaxing task.  Last week, the day after my brother was out of the hospital, he wasted no time trying to get his pool ready.  My brother and sister live next door to each other.  Karen's house is on the left, David's is on the right.

Since I am not putting many annual flowers in this year, I am going to need to enjoy their many that are in their yard and border the driveway.

Doug and John helped David empty his pool.

 

He still did far too much.  Kris, Steve, Karen all helped with cleaning and painting.

I have not been back to take a picture of his pool.  But while David was getting his pool ready, we were getting ours emptied, cleaned, painted, and refilled.

My garden is growing much better this year.  Last year, my garden was sad because I decided a little late to go organic.  This year, I treated the soil with manure and compost and it is sure making a difference.

I did have to replace my cucumber plants last week, between the slugs and rain, the first ones never stood a chance.

My strawberry plants are doing well, but we have replaced this one spot twice, but the chickens who don't seem to bother the plants or berries, insist on digging up this one spot and sun bathe in it.  So I am just going to live without the one plant.

And here are my three lovely ladies.  I really do love them.  Well maybe not so much Hannah, but you already know that story.

Rocketing towards Summer!

It is suppose to be 73 degrees here today, 77 degrees tomorrow.  Oh I hope, I hope.  Every morning, before LL goes to work, he asks me "what's your plan for today?"  I usually answer it vaguely, because frankly, I am always at the mercy of my "digestion". the weather, Max, and right now my cold.  But today I answered, "well don't expect anything done inside today because what ever energy I have, I am using on the yard and garden".  So today I want to get some garden plants in.  I haven't figured out what to do to keep free ranging hens from eating my plants.  I think I need chicken wire and fence the area off.  But I always put salad veggies potted on the balcony, and that I can do today.

My rocket rhodies are in full bloom right now.  A couple more weeks they will be withered and gone.  My lilacs won't be around much longer so I am going to cut lots and lots of bouquets and put them around the house.  It is starting to feel like the entry season for summer.  Bye Bye aching joints, winter depression, and fire place lit.  Hello sunscreen, sundresses and salads for dinner.  I love late spring and summer.  Can you tell:)

The Puppet Master

Over the weekend, Max used his creative genius and made a puppet.  After taking this picture, he added a body with pulleys and made a green screen outfit so he could edit himself out of any movie he will create.

I am hoping Mom and I will go pick up some garden plants at my Aunt Leone's farm today.  With this cold in my chest, it does not take much for me to feel wiped out.  But I am loving this weather and just hoping I start feeling better so I can make use of it.

Week 17, 2011

Had a nice Easter.  Not a lot to say about this week.  Again, at the mercy of the weather.  But the plan so far is............

Monday, LL has today off and if the weather is dry (wishing) yard work is in order.  My house should look like a home, but is more of a trash can.  So I will get it back in shape.

Tuesday, if "digestion" allows, I am going to see my sister Kathy.

Wednesday, Max is getting his hair cut.  His choice, and I am trying to just go with it.  A Mohawk. I am sure pictures will be following:)

Friday, my sister-in-law, Debby is on Price Is Right.  So if digestion allows, I am going to her house to watch the show.  Watch it if you can.  Debby has one of those personalities that is made for that show and it should be fun.

The weekend, well it is too soon to say because of the weather.  I think from now to Memorial Day weekend, if the weather looks great, on the weekends, we will go to the camping spot.  If the weather is rainy or showery, we will stay home and either work inside or outside between showers.

But, if you want to know what I really will be doing during my days if it is not raining..........
I will be sitting here,

Watching my boys,

And my girls,

My boys watching my girls.........Rufus is eyeing Harriet..........

And Harriet not caring......

Watching the lilacs starting to bloom,

Watching my strawberries growing,

Going into my green house to...........

Watch my snow peas.

My lettuce,

And praying for my spinach

How could anyone be as busy as that:)  Sitting and watching nature happen:) :) :)

Happy Together?

LL and I absolutely love and adore each other.  That is never in question.  But when it comes to some day to day issues, well, we have our disagreements.

He worked a lot of hours this week and was able to get home early today and take advantage of the beautiful afternoon.  He wanted to get the back yard mowed.  But before he got back home, I got home from taking David to the doctor.  Things going good for him by the way.  I got home, didn't want to waste a minute of good weather so I got my boots on.

Yes they are polka dot.

Used my swifty solar clothes dryer, and cleaned the chicken coop.  Called Aunt Leone to find out how far apart to plant the strawberry plants and planted them.

LL got the back yard mowed.

Put another load of laundry out to dry................

Then the fight was on. 

Where to put the TWO new raised beds.  He said "One", I said "two", he said "there", I said "not there, over there".  He said "OK I will put ONE there"  I said "No you will put TWO there".

I have no idea who will win on this one......OK, I will win, unless he reads this and digs in his heals.  But don't you love a couple who completely feels secure enough to DRIVE EACH OTHER CRAZY!!!

Seed, Starters, Chooks, Oh My

Yesterday, I ended up taking my brother to the doctor because of pain and sickness.  Afterwards, he improved throughout the afternoon and evening so I slept at home last night.  Feeling rested and ready for what ever the days holds.  I do need to get moving.  I need to do Max's banking, get over to Mom's house and help David get ready for doctor appointment.  Take him to appointment and hope today is a turning point for David and that he will be feeling much better.

When I was home yesterday, I put in a couple types of lettuce and spinach.  Normally use nice little starter trays, but I didn't have a lot of time and remembered last year, Aunt Leone spilled lettuce seeds, scooped them up, threw them in a tray, covered with soil and forgot about them.  She gave me that tray of lettuce and they did much better than the lettuce starters I bought from the store.  So I basically did the same.  Did a tray of Butter crunch, a tray of mixed bowl, and a tray of spinach

My strawberry plants are doing really well and want to get them in the ground this weekend if I can.

My girls coop is sure muddy and they want out, but I haven't let them free range all week because I like to be home.  So after David's appointment, if he is doing well, I will be home for the afternoon and let the girls out.  Hope to blog again later today.

So Honey, Who Am I Really Like?

My husband and brother-in-law adore my Aunt Leone.  You remember her, she is my enabler.  In fact, LL and Steve call her the perfect woman.  Why do they think this about her?  Because while driving her to Reno, she can go forever without shopping, food and going to the bathroom.  Put her in the back seat on the way to a casino, and she will fall asleep and wake up only when she senses a casino in the vicinity.  LL and Steve's wives, Kris and I will want to stop at any shiny place with food, baubles and bathroom. 

LL from time to time will say, "you are just like your Aunt Leone."  It is not because of the traits up above that he says this.  It is because I have no qualms putting my fingers up a chicken's behind.  Still don't understand why that is weird:) I choose to think I am like my Aunt Leone because she is who she is.  She is one of the most comfortable person in her own skin.  Frankly, I think she is delightful.  Yes, I choose to think that.

LL from time to time will say "you are just like your dad".  I think it is when I am at my quirkiest and saying things that make total since to me, but will be botching the English language terribly.  I choose to think I am like my dad because I will choose to have empathy for the less fortunate and am quick to give hugs.  Yes, I choose to think that.


LL from time to time will say "you are just like your mom".   It usually is when I am seen in his eyes as stubborn. (Mom, you know Allen loves you more than his luggage).  Steel Magnolia quote.   I choose to think it is when I am showing strength.  After all, she is the strongest woman I know.  Yes, I choose to think that. 

But I know I am not as strong as my mom, as loving as my dad, and not as comfortable in my uniqueness as my Aunt Leone. 

But this evening, while feeling a little down, I am just like my Mom.  What has my Mom done ever since I can remember to get through things?...........She goes outside and is useful.

My Aunt Leone is not just my enabler and supplier of chickens.  She also supplies me with garden plants.  A couple weeks ago, she gave my mom a whole bunch of strawberry plant starters for me.  My mom has kept them alive but I need to do something with them.  I did turn my raised garden beds, added compost and aged manure, but it is too wet to till it and plant the strawberry plants. 

But I decided to take the starters off my mom's hands and put them in small pots until I have a few consecutive dry days to till up my garden.  I am not sure where I am putting them yet.  Hate to take up space in the raised beds, but LL has promised to build 2 more beds this year for me.  OK, he actually said one, but I think he meant two.  (See why he prefers Aunt Leone over me). :)
So, like my mom, I went out in this rare beautiful weather this evening, spend time with my chickens,(my sweet Henrietta actually came in the greenhouse and stood next to me while I planted)  I transferred my plants, and hope they will hold off long enough for the weather to cooperate and for me to figure out where I will put them.

I feel so much better now:)

Flinging with Spring

The yearning for spring is a yearly ailment of mine.  I have not been quiet on this blog about my winter woes.  I must say, February, although still winter, holds so much hope for what is to come.  I love spring and summer and watch for signs like a mother watches out the window for a long lost child.  I must say the day held much hope for the days to come.

My girls have their new feathers on and Harriet here is already providing her daily egg for me.  She is always so considerate.

My daffodils are pushing up, despite being covered with old dead leaves that we forgot to pick up.

My tulips look to be right on time also.

A couple weeks ago, I scoped out a shot I wanted to capture on the next clear day.  So on my way to mom's house, I pulled the car over, got out and did my best to get Mt. Hood and the farm in one shot. 

I noticed a break in the fence.  Lucky me, so I schlepped through the ditch and mud.

The hill behind the farm is the Abbey hill, the Monastery where I like to go and take pictures.

I did a bit a grocery shopping before going to Mom's.  Kris was there and we had lunch with mom.  That pretty much ended my day.:(  "Issues" you know.  But later I did get my cookies baked.

Bailey wants to help frost them.  Then I hope to wrap them up and give them to neighbors.  That is if we don't eat them first.

Walking Through Life

LL and I took a lovely walk yesterday morning.  We walked around town but also took the path along side the creek so I could take some pictures.

Been thinking a bit about the upcoming year and the goals I have for myself.  Resolution is the wrong word, but I think goal is not quite right either.  When I make goals and resolutions, never do they pan out. 

I guess I want to figure out my priorities for the year.  Like last year's priority of being greener.

Living with intention, I guess requires having somewhat of an idea of where your headed but being present in the moment.

So with living with intention and wanting to be fulling engaged in my life.  5 priorities come to mind.

1. My first and most important priority is growing further in my relationship with God. 

My life in every aspect goes better when I am walking close with God and appreciating his gifts and creation.  I really would like to attend church more regularly because I think fellowship for me is a cornerstone for spiritual growth.  But I am at the mercy of my body.  So I need to make sure I am feeding my spiritual life here at home first and attending church will be a bonus.  Which brings me to the next priority.

2.  Creating a fuller, more well rounded life here at home. 

I pray that I have further improvement in healing my digestive system, but I think I need to try to meet most of my needs with my worst days in mind, not my best.  Which means figuring out how to be more social on my bad days.  How to get things done like cooking, cleaning, gardening on days where I have a hard time getting 20 feet from the bathroom.  And I need to figure out how to enjoy my hobbies and interests like photography, new books, etc. while being stuck at home.  I have many ideas on how to make this all happen, but some will take time and other ideas will take a little money.  Also within this priority is how, when I am living the hermit lifestyle, can I bless someone in need.  Being of service to someone is a necessity on living a fuller and more spiritual life. 

3.  I want to learn and improve in my photography hobby.  I love it!  I am a person who feels I am never any good at anything, but I really do think I could be good at photography and I enjoy it so much.  So this is definitely a priority.

4. Of course these priorities are not in order because this one would be close to the top if they were.  My health.  Between my diet and activity, I could be doing much better and after my last two years, well the importance of living a healthy lifestyle is all the more critical.

5. Iproving on living more green, sustainable and earth friendly.  I made so much progress last year but I and we as a family could do much better.  So this is just going to continue to get my attention.  I can't imaging ever going back to not paying attention to how my choices impact the world so I am not going to let this go.  We will keep getting better at living responsible.

Well those are my priorities for the year.  And just like last year, my goal is improvement, not perfection:)