Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Movie Night

My gardens are looking pretty good, here's my beets and in the box are 2 kinds of squash, beans, lettuce, carrots and cucumbers.

I got a subscription from Charles today to NetFlix and got all set up this afternoon and watched my first movie tonight. It's a pretty cool way to get movies! I watched Bicentennial Man, about 200 years in the life of a robot that develops emotions and becomes human. Kind of sad.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Girls Day Out

Every year around my birthday, Carleen, Mom and I have a day out at Greer to celebrate. It's a fun day, we eat out and go shopping in the cute little stores in Greer. Today was the only day our schedules would permit us to go this week, so we headed out. It was a fun day, we checked out a nearby campground, then went to the Amberian Peaks, where we were planning to eat and check out the ghost story I'd seen Ernie Hudson tell on Celebrity Ghost Stories on the Bio channel. Here's the Amberian and it looks nothing like the the haunted hotel they showed on TV!


We found disaster had struck, they had some water damage to the Lodge over the winter and it was closed for repairs. The owner was outside and we had a good visit with him, we asked him about the resident ghost, Zeke. The story the owner told is different from the one Ernie told, Ernie said Zeke killed his bride in the hotel on their wedding night, the hotel owner said Zeke is the son of the former owners and he was killed in a car wreck and is a friendly ghost and now that his parents are gone, they also haunt the place. He said if anyone sits on a counter, a glass will break somewhere in the hotel. The owners wife didn't like anyone sitting on counters and that's her way of showing her displeasure. He also said the son liked to wear plaid shirts and several people have seen a ghost in a plaid shirt wandering around. I like the friendly ghost story better! I don't suppose there could be two haunted hotels in Greer, both with a ghost named Zeke, one good and one bad, could there???

I saw online that you can schedule a Murder Mystery Weekend or dinner for groups at the Amberian. Sounds like fun, the owner said they give everyone a part to play and I guess the group tries to solve the crime. What fun!

We found that Tuesday isn't a good day to visit Greer, most of the restaurants are closed, we usually eat at the Rendezvous, but it was closed too. We'd seen this cute little cafe on wheels called the Frosty Bottom on our way to the Amberian and the name tickled us so we decided to eat there. We got sandwiches and they were so good! I got one called the Treehugger, a veggie one and it was delicious! Mom and Carleen had one called the Barnyard. Carleen got hers on a croissant, she didn't want the rye bread. I usually don't like rye, but this was good! I need to take John to try it out!


At Christmas this past year, Greer had something they called a North Pole Experience. This was the bus used, I think it is kind of based on the movie Polar Express. It sounded like fun, but was expensive, I think it was around $400 a person for the bus and an overnight.



After lunch we checked out our favorite shops, braving a rainstorm to run from the car to the shops, went back to the Frosty Bottom, got milkshakes and headed for home. As we were driving home we all wondered why we don't do this more often. We should!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Tree Trim

John and I gave our mystery bush a trim today. I'm not sure what to call it, the tree we planted that was grafted on unknown rootstock died and what's there now came up from the roots. It was a tangled mess of branches, and full of little dead twigs. I guess we should cut it down and start over, but it's getting pretty big now. We cut off the branches that were growing out sideways and it looks more like a tree now.

Remember when I put out the Sun Chip bag to compost a while back? Today I uncovered it and peeked to see if any composting was taking place. Nope, none, other than a bit of fading, it's still intact.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

Today is our oldest granddaughter's birthday. Hope you have a great one, can't believe 18 years have gone by since you got here!!

We got lots of rumbling thunder and a few sprinkles today. It sounded so summery and smelled so good! Every time I went out to try and do something it would start sprinkling, so I didn't get to spend much time outdoors.


My late batch of corn is starting to pop up now, go corn!

We did get to eat supper out under the Locust tree, nice!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Outside!

I'm loving spending time outside! I pulled weeds in our "piney woods" and trimmed a bunch of dead branches. There are some that are too high up for me to get, so John will have to cut them. Seeing all the dead branches I'm wondering if the trees aren't getting enough water. I put a sprinkler under them and watered for an hour or so. Think I'll put some of my magic compost around them. I did put some of the compost on some bad spots in the lawn. Can't wait to see what it does for it! I also cleaned out the weeds and raked around my swing, the yard is looking better.

These flowers are on some weeds just outside my garden. They look so pretty I just couldn't cut them down!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Welcome, Welcome, Summer Rain

Woke up to cloudy skies this morning and now we're getting rain! Yea, maybe the monsoons are here. I cleaned under the locust tree and set up the table this morning and also around my gardens. Cut down weeds and raked up leaves and it's looking better. I got a big owie from the century plant, I got too close and it made a big scratch on my leg, it hurt! I thought it would be fun to eat outside and just sat down to enjoy my lunch under the locust tree when the wind and rain started. That's okay, I'd rather eat inside and have the rain!

I need to decide where to plant my lavender plant and get it in the ground! I decided to plant a few of the Concho Chili seeds, didn't want to plant them all in case they don't have time to mature this year, but I just couldn't resist trying them out.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Red Rock Lavender Farm

I've been wanting to visit the Lavender Farm ever since I first heard about it. They only have tours one week out of the year and I always find out about it too late to go. This year I remembered in time and we visited today. It's a cool place, the landscaping is beautiful and the lavender was in bloom or just starting to bloom, adding color to the green. Beautiful! They had a cooking demonstration and showed us how to use lavender to flavor food and gave us a plate with samples of several things, 3 different flavored chickens, a dip on a cracker, a lavender brownie and lavender lemonade to wash it all down. I liked everything. You could buy a picnic lunch, but you had to let them know ahead of time and I wasn't sure what day we were going, and it was expensive, so I didn't. I got a lavender plant called Provence, the culinary one, hopefully I can propagate it successfully and make more to plant next summer. I also got several little tins of different flavored herb and lavender mixes to try out. And I got a package of Concho Chili seeds. I'm wondering if I can plant some this year or if it's too late?


If you'd like to visit, tours will be now until the 3rd of July at 9, 11 and 1pm. You can find times and events on their site on the Internet, http://www.redrockfarms.com/. I'd go at a time when there isn't a tour and just go to the store. The tour was $5 and all we did was stand in the hot sun and listen to the owner tell us a bit about the history of the farm and the different kinds of lavender planted there and about all the neat places his insurance company won't let him take the tours anymore. :-(( I wanted to go see those places!

It was even smokier this morning than yesterday and the wind was blowing, not good for putting out forest fires! It wasn't very windy when we got to Concho, I wonder if the fire is making it's own weather? This is what it looked like towards St. Johns.

We got rain today! On the way home it rained on us and we even got a bit here in town. We could see lightning in the distance, which wasn't good. Come on rain, the forest fires need you, but no lightning to start more fires!

Here's the herb tins I got today and the cookbook. I just love the little tins!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

There's Smoke in the Air

The air is smoky smelling and I see a haze all around us. Probably from the forest fire near Alpine. It was started by lightening on June 7th. The online report I read says, "the fire advanced in a northwesterly direction toward US Highway 191, crossing Foote Creek Trail (No. 76) where firefighters had been successfully holding the fire's progress for two days. Firefighters were forced off the trail during the fire's highest activity. Several spot fires were extinguished and firefighters began a burnout operation to contain any undetected spot fires. Wednesday's fire behavior included crowning in the tree tops, spotting, ground fire with flame lengths less than 4 feet, and smoldering in stumps and logs."

Highway 191 was closed late this afternoon. I thought with all the moisture we got this winter we wouldn't have to worry about fires this summer, guess I was wrong!

On the way home from the dump this morning I noticed the Coulter barn and the green fields around it looking pretty, so we rode back out this afternoon and I shot some photos of it. You need the wide angle view the eye sees to really appreciate it!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Setting an Example

I was brought up believing that our police officers were honorable men and women, there to set a good example and protect us. As time goes by I am often disappointed in the examples set by these people! Today was one of those days, a patrol car parked along the road pulled in behind us and another vehicle. We were doing the speed limit and I guess he decided he wasn't going to get a ticket out of either of us so he passed us by like a flash of light! He was soon just a speck on the road in front of us, then we lost him, he was so far ahead of us. I'm sad that this person, who is right there to give motorists a ticket for going too fast, didn't feel himself answerable to those same laws!

John finished making the replacement sign for the Floy Plenty Cemetery and we installed it today. The ground in the area was covered with beautiful flowers, I saw yellow, white and purple.

That's part of the cemetery above, I couldn't get a shot of all of it, it's covered in cedar trees. Here's the headstone of Richard Reeder. I'm not sure of the exact true story of what happened to him, but apparently he was shot and killed because of a disagreement with another Floy resident. The story is that the shooter hung himself while in jail waiting trial. Such a loss! We think the grave of the person that shot him is in this same cemetery. There is one with the same name anyway. They have been peacefully residing here for a long time now. Too bad they couldn't get along this well when they were alive!

Here we are standing by the sign John made.

Monday, June 21, 2010

It's Officially Summer!

Today is the summer solstice and officially the first day of summer for 2010! A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice each year, when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is most inclined toward or away from the Sun, causing the Sun’s apparent position in the sky to reach its northernmost or southernmost extreme. In this case, when we speak of Summer, the sun is farthest North or Northernmost. The term solstice can also be used in a broader sense, as the date (day) when this occurs. in this case, that is why it is called Summer Solstice. So get up and go outside, get your sunscreen and find your spot at the beach for summer is here! That's where I wish I was right now! Here's our summer yard, love it!

There is an auction coming up this week and we stopped and checked it out today. Some cool things but nothing I want bad enough to sit and bid on it! This little car tickles my fancy, it's just so cute! I can see myself running around town in it! But, then again, I don't want it that bad!

These wagons are so cute!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Father's Day

It still feels funny not to have my Dad here on Father's Day. This is the 7th Father's Day since he passed away, how time has flown and yet it seems like just yesterday that I saw him last. Miss you Dad! Here we are way back when. I came along shortly after Father's Day, so he had to wait almost a year before his first official one.

John is working nights so I made him a pot of green chili beans when he woke up. I was going to cook him a Razzleberry pie to go with it, but the store was out! Can you believe they wouldn't have one just before Father's Day! Here's the seasoned meat cooking, doesn't it look yummy!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Knit 1 Crochet 1

Seeing some knitted washcloths at the Art Barn got me enthused about making some and I pulled out my cotton yarn and patterns and knitted a washcloth while we were at the barn last weekend. Today I decided to made a crocheted one to see which I like the best. The knitted one is softer, the crochet pattern I used is tighter and kind of nubby, it should make a good scrubbing washcloth, or dishcloth. I used to knit and crochet a lot, gradually I stopped making things as I got more into computers. It's kind of fun to use my fingers for something other than typing again!

There was a bite in the air this morning. The thermometer said 50, but it feels colder! I hope my poor tomatoes and peppers can stand the cold and wind! It's another windy day, I chuckle as I am reminded of Dad and what he would say when the wind didn't want to give it up for the summer. He'd say, "I remember back in the summer of '37 the wind blew all summer long and they had to cut the hay by lantern light at night. That was the only time the wind died down enough not to blow the hay away and this summer is looking just like the summer of '37!" Hey Dad, maybe we are going to have another "Summer of '37"!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Wind, Wind Go Away!

Breezy day. I had to tie up my tomatoes that I planted in pots yesterday, the wind was making them bend and I was afraid they were going to break at the bend. John helped me take off all the walls-o-water this evening, hope I'm not doing it too soon! The tomatoes were all growing up past them and the peppers were looking kind of wilty and burned where they touched the walls. I had to tie most of them up too, to keep the wind from damaging them. I'm so ready for the wind to stop!

I scanned in two of John's scratchboards and cleaned them up today. Takes me forever to get them ready, especially the ones with color, for some reason it's hard to get the colors right and the black sometimes looks colored, too. I think it's all the black makes the scanner go wonky. I used some Photoshop techniques I learned in Jessica Sprague's classes today, they helped make the editing easier!

Since the plane crashed into our high school last week I kind of cringe when I hear an airplane go by overhead. I'm coming to agree with Z. George who hated airplanes flying over his ranch. Roy said when an airplane would fly over the ranch, Z. George would step outside and shake his fist at the plane and say "The killingly mutts, they're going to drop a monkey wrench out of the plane and hit a man on the cranium." One of the boys would reply, "Well Pa, they have a right to fly over this ranch." His reply to that was always "I own this ranch from the center of the earth to the outer reaches of the atmosphere." The boys would come back with "Doesn't that make your ranch shaped something like a toothpick?"

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Planting on a Windy Day

I planted the flowers I got yesterday and also the last of the tomatoes and the carrots I started inside. It was nice this morning, but by noon it was pretty windy and it felt good to come inside!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Making the Circle

We took Jessie home the long way this morning. John forgot his scratchboard tools, so we went to the barn and got them and while we were there he fastened the painting Jessie made for her Dad for Father's Day into a frame.

Then we stopped at Iguana's Imports, we love that store and just found out they are closing! So sad! Not much was left, but we did find a bedside table to go in the attic.

Then we stopped at Lowe's and got flowers. Jessie and I had a good time browsing the isles, looking at all the beautiful flowers and picking the ones we wanted to take home to plant.

Then over to Wal Mart to pick up a few things, then Little Caesars for pizza, then on to Jessie's. After lunch, Susan showed us the road that goes to the Floy Cemetery and John pulled up the sign and we loaded it. He's remaking it with the correct name. I snapped a photo of the remains of an old house in the town.

Stopped at Mom's on the way home to leave off the headgates John made her and pick up the grass clippings she saved for my compost. We were both tired by the time we got home, whew it was a busy day!

We picked the right day to go boating, it was pretty windy out today! I'm ready for some summer weather, no wind, just nice summer days! Hasn't felt like summer to me yet this year.

Today is my sister's birthday, hope you've having a good day, Sis!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Play Day at the Lake

John decided today that all work and no play makes John a dull boy, and asked us if we wanted to take the boat and picnic at the lake. We did! It was a great day to be outside, only a slight breeze and not too hot. We boated to an island that is usually a peninsula, ate lunch there, then explored the tiny island. There is usually land between the island and the shore in the background! We saw a lizard on the island, I wonder if he can swim if the water gets higher and his shrinking piece of real estate is all under water?

Then we continued on to the beginning of the lake. The lake is so full that we could go places that are usually land.

In the photo below you can see the roof over the excavated ruins at Rattlesnake Point. It's usually quite a distance from the water.

Jessie spent a lot of time watching the water go by under the boat. She's hanging on to the railing so she's not in danger of falling off.

John converted the boat motor to electric power and after sitting unused for a couple years the batteries weren't holding up well, so we headed back to the dock just in case they died. We got my kick boat out and played on it for a bit. It was a fun day! I had the first turn and as you can see, it needed more air in the pontoons! That's Jessie in the second photo, we didn't want her to get out too far and not be able to get back, so John tied a rope to the boat and he would pull her back when she got to the end of the rope. She thought that was great fun!

John tried rowing with his feet up to keep his pants dry, it didn't work and he ended up getting wet.
Jessie asked me today why I take pictures every day. I told her about doing the 365 challenge and then she asked me if I would still take a picture every day if I wasn't doing the challenge. I never have in the past, so I'm certain I wouldn't have this year either. I'm glad I'm doing the challenge, the photos have already been a great reminder of what was going on this year and will be fun to look at years from now!