Summer Retreat

Our summer farm work schedule is in high gear.  It's still important to take a few moments each day to relax and enjoy the beauty of the season.  Sometimes we are good at doing this, and sometimes not so good!  We have developed this area in the pasture that we love.  It's quiet and peaceful and the tremor of the quacking aspen leaves in the breeze so soothing.  But sometimes a nice shower, a quick dinner and an early bedtime is the more important.  

Our haven in the pasture.

I moved one tiny start of the Yellow Rose of Texas to this corner of the pasture two seasons ago.  It's thriving here by the Mielke Funk road sign.   

An early morning sunrise.  

 

Chicken Coup Tour

 The Harrington school kindergarten class came our to the farm a couple weeks ago for their annual chicken coup tour.  Every spring the class does a chicken unit.  They incubate and hatch chicks and study all things chicken!  The culmination of the unit is a tour of area chicken houses.  I love that our house is included in the tour.

Father's Day

 For a number of years, we have taken a Father's Day Wheat tour.  In the past, this involved several family members but this year it was just me and Reynald.  But the tradition continued and it was a fun drive near the end of a beautiful day.

Spring wheat looking good, thanks to a cool and fairly damp spring.  This is a field that we took out winter wheat and replanted to spring wheat.  

Old farmer selfie!

 The day after Father's Day, the Funk family stopped by for dinner on their way home from the Oregon coast.  The winter wheat right by the house, which gets residual water from the yard, is very happy.  The rest of the field has some issues, but right here, it looks terrific!

Granted, Roni Jo is not the tallest person in the world, but still.....

Happy Summer Solstice

 A glass of wine on the porch, a dog on my lap and a beautiful sunset.  A superb way to kick off summer.....

Beach Days

 We did something completely out of character for us!  This past Monday it rained a significant amount (over a half inch!).  Since we would not be able to farm for a few days we joined Roni Jo, David and Ryan James on the Oregon coast where they were vacationing!  It was a spur of the moment decision and it was a good one.  So much fun watching Ryan experience the beach and a few other special attractions.  

Beach Baby

Talking about the ocean....

and finding a dead crab.

We took a ride on the historic Oregon Scenic train pulled by a steam engine.  

Funk family photo

Ryan loved the train ride!

Roni Jo and Ryan dug a hole in the sand bank, big enough for Ryan to squeeze in to!

When our kids were little, they visited the Oregon coast several times and stayed with our Portland family, Dave and Therese and Margaret and Rob, at their cabin at Rockaway Beach.  A trip to Flamingo Jim's was a must stop event!  Naturally the tradition continued!!

We took a short hike to see the oldest tree in the Tillamook forest and on the way saw this cool tree covered in mushrooms.  

And Ryan spied a huge slug that was really fun to watch, move ever so slowly to a leaf.  

This is the old and very tall tree.  

Drama in the Sky

 At sunset last night a thunder storm rolled through.  We were right on the edge and only a few drops of rain fell, but the thunder and lightening and the clouds provided the most amazing sky show.  It was hard to choose which photos to include so I did quite a few!!!

Backing Up A Couple Weeks!

 I've been working in the yard these past few weeks, between wind storms and cold weather.  I've never been this late and most of it is due to very cold temperatures.  I still have five roses to prune and have not planted a single garden seed.  Every new year is an adventure!!

Clouds, a windmill, a barn and a chicken house.  Alicia rototilled the garden for me, and it looks great.  Awaiting planting......

This rugosa rose called Flamingo was in need of repair.  I spent one hour working on her.  I hope she appreciates the time spent!

Under construction!

My view as I prune and clean up the east foundation flower bed.  

Grape hyacinth in the bee garden.  The red currant is in full bloom but frost may prevent the plant from producing.