A day to relax?...62º

I hugged Rusty as I pushed him out the door at 6AM, wishing him safe travels, and promptly crawled back into bed with a book, coffee and bonbons...A lazy day for me...Just kidding!

I am going to finish my coffee as I write but will save the bonbons for later and it is doubtful that I will take a nap...Rusty is helping John, pack supplies into the high lakes for a group of Sierra Club members, who will work, clearing trails for the next 6 days...Not sure Rusty will help pack them out, as he has a 40th (not possible) class reunion this coming weekend...Will he stick it out at the reunion or join John for another trip into the Eagle Cap Wilderness?

Our family never got into hiking or horseback riding,  when we were a young family...We had a boat, so spent most weekends either on Wallowa Lake or the Snake River, camping with Grampa Allen...Can only do so many things.

Anyway, Rusty in the 40 years he lived in Bend he has worked and traveled most of the US, (building ski lifts) worked in China retrofitting IKEA warehouses, visited Austria, Thailand and Vietnam...NOW he is back in Wallowa County and finally getting to see the amazing sites at home.

We have a busy week ahead, garlic to pull and hang to dry, more wood hauling, splitting, stacking...(mostly Rusty chores) while I am have balance class, acupuncture, grocery shopping, cooking, and watering lawn and garden...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

A natural bouquet

Summer day's are lovely...60º

Yesterday was a perfect temperature, with an occasion breeze, then cooled down last night...I love these summer days...Rusty unloaded and stacked wood, off and on all day yesterday, while I did my usual cleaning up, putting away, prepping for meals today and for future days.

I mixed pie crust, some for the freezer and used a small portion for two mini pies...Rusty brought black berries home from Jim Creek, so I picked our raspberries, mixed the two together and made a couple of mini pies...Sent one home with John to share with Becky.

Since we knew we had dessert to go with dinner, I made a light dinner of fried Zucchini patties, they are so good with fresh Zucchini and home grown eggs, fresh fruit on the side...The fruit pie topped with ice cream was delicious...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Zucchini Dinner

Berry Dessert 

Cooler weather, nice break...56º

 I went to sleep last night to sounds of the Chief Joseph Days rodeo, just a few blocks from our house...Remembering back, many years ago when a carnival also came to town, set up by the grade school and we could see the ferris wheel, off in the distance, from our front window and hear the screams of the kids as they rode the "tilt a wheel" and the "hammer." CJD's used to be the big event of the summer, now we have events every weekend, as our county caters to the tourist...We are lucky to live close to town but on the edge and out of the craziness.

Rusty has been keeping busy getting wood, before the woods close because of fire danger...While he is gone for the day I try to keep things watered so the garden will keep producing...My latest project is making "Cherry Cordial." Nang King bush cherries from our neighbor, sugar and vodka, mixed together in a mason jar, stored away for about 4 months, then brought out to enjoy during the holidays...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Cherry Cordial

Working in the early morning...56º

 Yesterday morning found Rusty cleaning up and adding to the fire pit in the back pasture, now that the animals have gone home...He also has the trailer filled with assorted garbage and recyclable metal to go to the dump on Saturday...Since we have ditch water the pasture is getting a good soaking and is greening up again.

I spent the morning in the garden, changing drippers on the gravity feed that also comes from the ditch...Raspberries are ripening and filled two hallocks to be enjoyed with our dinner...Two rows of garlic dug and hung too dry for making dill pickles in a couple of weeks.

I attended my afternoon balance class, it is hard work, and hopefully worth it!..Home to fix zucchini (fresh from the garden) patties for dinner, alongside pasta salad, green onions, watermelon, cantaloupe and raspberries.

Recipe for zucchini patties: 3 cups grated zucchini, 2 eggs, mix together throughly in a bowl...Ladle into a HOT frying pan with small amount of bacon grease and butter, in a patty shape...Fry just like pancakes, good for breakfast, lunch or dinner!..Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Garlic ready to hang

Yummy raspberries

Zucchini and onions

Purple cone flowers

Cooler day, yummy dinner...53º

 House cleaning, watering in the morning, lazy afternoon...I've been looking at different breads lately, especially one that I can cook and not heat up the kitchen...Naan keeps coming up, a quick yeast dough, that can either be baked, or cooked on top of the stove in a cast iron pan...We had leftover tri tip from Sunday, sliced thin, it would make a perfect filling for a sandwich or a wrap

The small batch of dough came together quickly, was soon double in size, and very stretchable, fun to work with...Cut into 8 "equal" pieces and rolled into 8 inch circles?..My circles were misshapen, oblong, triangles, sort of butterfly shape anything but round...While I played with the dough and a very hot cast iron frying pan, Rusty sliced the tri tip, and chopped onions, tomatoes and lettuce...Rusty had a naan slathered with blue cheese dressing and covered with meat and "salad" rolled into a wrap, and half eaten before I got my sandwich put together.

I think this recipe is a keeper and today we might have naan breakfast sandwiches, or dinner tacos, or  pizza or we might freeze them for another day, although I doubt it!..We have to do something with the rest of the tri tip...Hugs To All...OWAV:) 

Slathered with blue cheese dressing.

oops forgot the lettuce?

Ready for the first bite!

 

Hot, dry days of July...65º

 Trying to work in the cool of the morning and spend the afternoons inside and fix food that doesn't heat up the kitchen...I really need to make bread but it will just have to wait.

On Saturday afternoon, after our trip to Elgin and the late night music, I took advantage of a cool house and took a 2 hour nap, unheard of for me...Sure felt good.

Not much change in our routine here on Barton Heights, just watering and deadheading and weeding...It is nice to have a few veggies to eat, along with scallions, we have beet/beet greens, chard and new potatoes...Dill and cilantro for seasoning and a few raspberries to go along with the watermelon and cantaloupe from the vendor in Enterprise...Rusty did a tri tip on the grill yesterday that we both really enjoyed...We certainly don't lack for good food.

I've attended two balance classes so far and think it will be a good thing...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Just starting to bloom

A new color is showing up.

Fun Day, very short night...65º

I saw the advertisement a few weeks ago..."Evening outdoor concert on the lawn at the Opera House in Elgin." Brady Goss Band was playing...Pam and I left Enterprise about 2pm, passed through Elgin bound for La Grande...Our first stop as usual was Grocery Outlet, then to Asian Fusion for food...A quick stop at Walmart, and we were on our way back to Elgin...It was a busy day at the Opera House, "Frozen" was just getting over, so people were on the way out and we were on our way in...Pam snagged a parking spot, right in front, making it easier for me to navigate the short walk to the out door stage and the evening concert...We set up chairs and beverages in the second row.

The evening 7PM, was warm with a slight breeze, a good sized crowd was ready for entertainment. Grady is from Wallowa and has been playing piano, since he was about 4 years old, his fingers fly across those keys!..It was an enthusiastic crowd, and the dancers couldn't wait to get up and start moving. Three hours later, we were on our way home an hour+ away...I was in bed after 11pm.

A text from Rusty, mentioned that he would be at my house by 5am and maybe I could scrounge up some breakfast...I thought about putting out a bowl of cheerios, but since he is going after wood, (some of which will go in my basement) I managed to get up at 4:30, opened doors and windows, to cool off the house and started the bacon...I'm sure I can make time for a nap today, unless another adventure comes my way...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Stir Fry

Ready for the concert

On Stage

One more checkmark on my list...64º

 It is going to be warmer today, have fans going, trying to cool off house, and i'm sitting under a blanket to keep warm until I get this written and head outside to start the water sprinklers!

SS call went well yesterday, should have a check in my savings account within 10 to 14 days...Spoke with a very kind man, that sympathized with my frustration, but it is just the way the system works.

I easily made my acupuncture appointment, Terry is great at what she does, plus she is so upbeat and caring as she strategically places every needle in just the right spot and makes sure i'm comfortable for the next 30 minutes or so.

I arrived at the senior meal site a bit late as they have started serving at 11:30 instead of noon...Belinda quickly fixed me a plate, made me welcome and I sat down with a lone couple at a table...As my glasses adjusted to the light I recognized familiar faces...It was a good lunch, friendly couple and will be a nice diversion for me when Rusty is away or busy.

My friend Cindy visited last evening, we sat on my cozy front porch as the day cooled down...We talked about kids and grandkids, and her company that was arriving for Chief Joseph Days...We became friends several years ago through the garden club...She is a very kind and caring lady and we will get together more often...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Golden Rod

Coreopsis 

Barberries

Getting rebalanced...52º

I had an early dental appointment yesterday, with Kathy, our old hygienist, she is a master at cleaning, scraping and talking at the same time...I have missed her so much. 

From there I went to Rusty's house, had some lunch, before going to my new adventure, a balance class...About 15 people and 2 instructors  assembled to help us regain some of the balance that goes away as we age...They had us up and down, moving sideways, bending, stretching and warning, only do what you can do, "anything" is better than nothing...The class is 2 days a week (1 hour sessions) for eight weeks...I reconnected with old friends and am sure I will make new ones...That is a good thing.

This morning, Social Security, is supposed to call me at 9:05 about the $255.00 death benefit...I got two robo calls from them yesterday, asking me if I wanted to or had already canceled this phone appointment...There was no time during the robo calls to press a key that I had or hadn't...Such a stupid way to do business...I will wait for the call this morning, but definitely won't be holding my breath!..Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Recent photo, will take more today.

Busy Days...59º

 I think yesterday was our hottest day so far this summer, 91º registered on our thermometer...Some clouds and cooler today.

On Saturday, Rusty brought home the first load of wood, has it all unloaded, split and stacked, ready to go for more...But this week he will be helping John with trail work and me with more "Honey Do's."

I had fun on Saturday, showing off my garden and gardening methods to both newbies, and seasoned gardeners...I enjoyed it and love exchanging ideas with other gardeners...Always learning new things.

A busy week ahead, dental appointment, phone appointment with Social Security, acupuncture, and a twice a week balance class for the next 6 weeks...That is besides, watering, weeding and cooking...Had our first beet greens for dinner yesterday and eat green onions almost every day and the raspberries are turning pink...I love the garden...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Beet Greens

First bloom on potato

Lovely Dill

Grape vine with baby grapes.

A Beautiful Morning...58º

 Outside early this morning to start the irrigation water on the front flower beds...Not so many blooms right now but still colorful foliage...I've learned to appreciate the foliage on plants and don't cut them to ground level unless they are starting to dry up and "their season" is almost over...I took a few photos in the morning sunlight.

I'm trying to tidy things up a bit, for the small ((I hope) group of ladies coming to view the vegetable garden tomorrow,  and learn about no till, amending soil, drip irrigation etc...Also that gardening is therapeutic and satisfying, in spite of the hard work that comes along with it.

Rusty helped me in the garden yesterday, digging and removing stray raspberry plants, taming the asparagus that grows into the main garden path and giving the potatoes a good soaking of water.

We went to the weekly music program on the court house lawn in enterprise last evening...Fiddle music from the instructors at the Wallowa Fiddle Camp...A big crowd and some bored children, not at all interested in the music, and their parents finally took them to a different part of the lawn, to play!..Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Checking off my todo list...55º

Boxes of records (LP Albums) stored in the upstairs closet for about 30 years found a new home at "Ruby Peak Music" in Enterprise yesterday...I didn't get top dollar for them but it was better than the landfill...I think now one by one they will find a new home, someone will pullout the old turn table, and stroll down memory lane, either smiling or crying!

Next are the boxes of assorted glassware, china, etc, from the 1920's to 1980's...Any ideas are welcome.

It was Cienna's 25th birthday yesterday (where has the time gone?)...She finished her second year of substituting in the Beaverton school district, and is now teaching summer school for the month of July...Future plans are still to teach in foreign countries...Time will tell...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

I love this photo of Cienna, one year ago she was dressed up to go to a wedding.

Yesterday Was Busy...55º

 I joined "the ladies" for breakfast at "The Cricket" yesterday, they had planned on going to  "Slack" (Outlaw, with new owners) but it doesn't open until 9am...The Cricket was not crowded for a change and we were able to visit, without shouting and saying "HUH" "excuse me?" all the time.

When I got back home, Connie was busy dead heading in the flowerbeds and digging weeds...The morning sped by as I reset water lines, cleaned up kitchen and sat down for a break... Leita and Steve arrived to get dill and grape leaves and Rusty came from his house, after installing his new toilet...We enjoyed a glass of wine and visited a couple of hours while sitting on the deck...Rusty and I ate a late dinner, all in all it was a good day...Hugs To All...OWAV:)  

PS...More poppies open in the garden everyday, I love them so much...They make me smile.

Shirley and bread seed poppies.

Cool Nights are made for Sleeping...52º

 Whoa, it really cooled off last night, and I slept so good...Awake early, now wasting time doing "wordle and waffle", (two new to me games), scrabble and lexulous...When I should be writing my blog.

I did more garden cleanup and watering yesterday, as well as prepped food for a real meal, because Rusty was on his way home...Meat loaf, baked potatoes and the last of the fresh asparagus was ready to come out of the oven when he drove in the driveway...We ate, and visited about his "Get Away," to the "Oregon Country Fair," in Eugene with Bobi and Cienna...He said he had a good time but figured one time was enough, with all the crazy people, dressed or not, in every conceivable manner possible...He was very happy to be back in our own little quiet corner of the world.

Can't remember if I have posted the latest on the  "death benefit" from Social Security...As of now I have a telephone appointment with someone in the Lagrande office next Wed. at 9:05 AM, and all they asked for me to have "within reach" is my bank information and account numbers of either checking or saving, where I want them to deposit the money...They stressed that I should be sure that I am near the phone, they may be a bit late, but will get to me as soon as possible...It doesn't matter that I was on hold for 1 hour on my first phone call to them, they can't waste their time waiting for me!!! 

I'm looking forward to a beautiful day...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

PS...This photo is of the dill and poppy blooms that the honey bees love...So I have left these volunteers blooming in many places in the vegetable garden.

Semi restful Sunday...59º

 I've taken a vacation from cooking since Rusty is on a "Get Away."..Peanut butter and jelly sandwich the first night, a banana and leftover chicken for breakfast, leftover pork chop for dinner and "the girls," (Cindy) took me out for lunch on Saturday....Yesterday I made the BLT, that I had planned for Sat...Bacon was the only thing I actually cooked.

Hmmm, Rusty will be home today and I don't feel the "cooking gene" kicking in, probably something with ground beef, as I have a pound thawed in the fridge!

Yesterday was somewhat relaxing, watering, deadheading in the cool of the morning, paper work for insurance and social security, because it was too warm to be outside, and catching up with word games on the computer.

Thunder and lightning, pounding rain, woke me up this morning but no wind, so I didn't have to get up and close windows...Just stayed snuggled under the covers, listening to the rain and thinking, Ahhh I won't have to water today...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

A gift from 3 years ago

in full bloom.

Replenished My Heart...e

 Yesterday was full of sunshine, laughter, love, caring and hugs...I knew that Sue and Cindy were coming for a visit and was surprised when they arrived, bringing Diane as well.

Sue and Diane are two of my brother's, six girls...I baby sat them for all of my teenage years and have loved them forever...They bring sunshine into my life whenever we meet, and I remember how Herbs' eyes would light up when I said their names, after a phone call saying, "I/We are coming for a visit." 

Yesterday we wandered the garden, gathered seeds, cut dill and grape leaves, ate strawberries right off the vine and talked about growing things, sharing ideas about what works best in a garden/in life...We all share a love of nurturing, whether it be plants, animals or children.

We drove, Cindy at the wheel,  to the lake for lunch and on the way, the three girls reminisced about the times, growing up in La Grande, when they had come to Wallowa Lake, to swim, water ski, ride the gondola, go carts, paddle boats, sometime on school excursions, and other times as teenagers, getting out of La Grande for the day!

Home from the lake we relaxed on the deck, me not wanting it to end...The seven hours that they were here flew by...I climbed into bed after 9pm (late for me) exhausted, not from work, but from laughter that made my belly hurt!..Thanks ladies for a beautiful day...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Sue, Diane, Aunt Della

Cilantro flourishes

Weeding, watering, baking...60º

 Outside early to set the sprinklers and clean out the asparagus patch...Some how the weeds got away from me in that part of the garden...This morning I have to cover the ground with straw to keep the weeds at bay for now and also cut down some of the volunteer dill so other plants can grow!..

Yesterday afternoon I started a batch of bread, made it mostly into buns (now in the freezer), for future burgers or sandwiches of any kind.

Sue and Cindy are coming from Lagrande today for a visit...Love having the company and i'm sure we will talk nonstop, reliving old memories and making new ones...I have lots to do before they get here, bye for now...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Ready for the oven

Baked, ready to slice, and freeze.

Working in the cool of the morning...65º

 The peonies are fading fast, irises are totally done blooming, forget me knots are dropping seeds like crazy...I spent two hours dead heading flowers and digging weeds, while Rusty sprayed weeds in our gravel driveway...By 11:00 we were on the deck taking a break and it was just in time for our friend Joyce to stop by for a visit...We spent a couple of hours catching up on present day news and days of old, talking about the hard work back then, but also of the fun boating and camping that we managed to squeeze into our busy schedules.

Later in the day I joined Pam at the Josephy center to view their latest art exhibit, featuring the Wishart brothers (art teachers at Enterprise Schools) students'...It was a great exhibit and included two of Becky's paintings...Back home we enjoyed a glass of wine and the view of the mountains from Barton Heights. 

Our veggie garden is flourishing, potatoes, onions, arugula and volunteer dill grows by leaps and bounds, while asparagus and strawberries taper off for the season...Gardening is a lot of work, but so worth it, when we harvest the bounty...Hugs to All...OWAV:)

PS. Dill is free.

Ready to harvest.

Garden is producing....58º

Our day on the Imnaha river with friends was a great getaway, for Rusty and I...We rested up on Sunday and left early Monday morning on the 90 mile trip to Lewiston/Clarkston and shopping at Winco, Home Depot and Costco...We both enjoy the ride over the winding road, first down Bufford grade to the Grande Ronde river then up Rattlesnake grade, with many corners before topping out at Anatone and down another grade into Asotin...Some people we know hate this road and especially the ones that get car sick.

Shopping and Buying went well, dinner at the Mystic Cafe was a bit disappointing, (cold french fries) but otherwise okay.

Yesterday we celebrated the 4th doing cleaning, laundry, yard work, and enjoying the freedom of living in this Country, even though I think our government is in a helluva mess!

Our garden is producing, we have so enjoyed the fresh strawberries, and now we have scallions, radishes, arugula and coming up next will be creamed peas and potatoes...I have a hard time finding people who like garlic scapes, so I chopped them up in the cuisinart and froze them to use on roasted tomatoes later this summer...Hugs To All...OVAV:) 

scallions and radishes

A day on the Imnaha...Peaceful...50º/75º

Saturday morning started out early, watering the lawn, breakfast of leftovers, sheets washed and hung outside to dry before Rusty and I checked out a few yard sales.

No luck at the yard sales, so we returned home to prepare a plate of summer sausage, cheese, olives, crackers and fresh garden veggies (radishes, scallions and arugula) and drinks, to take to John and Becky's camp spot on the Imnaha...Pam joined us and we were soon on the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road, headed for the yellow pine forest, that I love so much!..It was a wonderful afternoon, spent with friends...We arrived back home just at dark, tired but happy after a day of good food, drinks and laughter...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

A lovely spot.

The Days Flew By!...Sunny warm weather ahead...62º

 Thursday was forecast to be the warmest day, so we planned our sort of "annual wiener roast" at Wallowa Lake, for that afternoon...Herb had always taken care of chopping firewood, and loading everything in the truck for our bonfire and picnic...Now Rusty took care of that while Bobi and Ci packed the picnic basket, making sure we had all the necessities for hot dogs, s'mores and drinks...It was a GOOD day and ended a very good week.

Bobi and Cienna left on their  300+ miles to Portland Friday morning, and Rusty and I did laundry, mowed lawn, and watered...Back to our normal routine on Barton Heights.

I made progress on filing papers, "death certificates" with the correct town listed on them to Fed & state government, plus got a real phone number to call and talk to an agent in LaGrande...We don't have to go to LG but can do a phone conference for Social security...Paper work seems to be moving along at the present time...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Strawberries from our garden,

 served with whipped cream on top of pancakes.

Picnic

Picnic

Picnic

Parting shot