Write People...01/23/11...5am...51°...Sunshine

Another full morning ahead of us...Raspberry picking at Crook's u-pick then off to write group, for our weekly discussion...

Yesterday Cienna and I took a quick walk then had breakfast of toasted pancakes covered with peanut butter and jam, before we left for the day...Leaving Papa and Ginger home again!

First stop at soroptomists, Ci found felted sweaters for Bobi's stash...Then we drove to Community Connections where my sorority was serving for today's meal...Darlene Turner soon joined us and we washed tables, put out sugar, cream and salt and pepper, just in time to start serving iced tea and water before lunch started, on this warm summer day in Wallowa County...The kitchen staff was busy preparing taco salad for the days lunch... Promptly at noon the dinner bell rang and people made their way to the counter, picking up plates full of a delicious taco salad with brownies for dessert...We joined them for lunch, then cleaned the tables, swept the floor and were on our way.

Picked up ice cream on the way home to go with raspberries, picked by a friend and shared with us...Our usual afternoon was spent inside, where it was cool...Cienna and I started our writing projects, played scrabble and Angry Birds when we needed a diversion...OWAV:)

Lazy Sunday...08/22/11...6am...60°...Sunshine

Can't believe Cienna and I stayed home all day yesterday, except for our morning walk... We all took a hand in fixing breakfast of sausage and hotcakes with huckleberries on top, Cienna's favorite...Then Herb vacuumed while I swept, mopped and cleaned kitchen and bathroom, did a load of laundry, then he hung out the clothes while I started water on the flower beds... Then we  relaxed on the deck and Cienna played with Ginger in the sprinkler, accidentally giving all of us an extra shower or two for the day...Very refreshing!..

Sweet Peas

As I made my rounds deadheading, I picked a bouquet of sweet peas...Neighbor Marsha had given me starts in early spring...Their lovely fragrance filled our house...Even though they are one of my favorites I haven't grown them for several years.

When I first started gardening, (nearly twenty years ago now) they were one of the first flowers that bloomed profusely on a south wall...I always planted them on Good Friday, no matter the weather, usually in a snow storm...They loved it there, grew to the eaves of the garage and produced endless blooms all season...I shared many bouquets with neighbors and friends...Next spring I will try planting them again... Thank you Marsha for the gift that lasts all summer!

By mid afternoon the heat drove us inside to the cool of our house where we played on the computer and read until dinner time...We had, fresh from the garden peas, carrots and potatoes in a light cream sauce along side a BBQ'd steak fresh from Herb's grill...waited until later for the last of the pie and ice cream.

Cienna and I played cards, caught up on scrabble, worked at Angry Birds, trying to get more three stars for Papa...Chatted with Bobi, then called it a day...On today's agenda is Soroptomists and maybe serving at the senior meal site...Must wake Cienna and get on with it, hugs to all~OWAV:)

Ranch Rodeo...08/21/11...6am...58°...Sunshine

Saturday morning yard sales were first on our list...Herb had toast for break fast, Ci and I ate pie...With Papa driving, me riding shotgun and Cienna and Ginger in the backseat hanging on for dear life, we hit the dirt roads of Alder Slope, take in the view of the lower valley and find ourselves at the home of Connie and Jeff, friends from way back...We visit and shop their yard sale, books for Herb, then on to the next one, main highway, "Stoffel Brothers" local well drillers...more visiting, little buying...Back in Joseph last yard sale, day old, prices high...Walmart greeter was there, but didn't have any bargaining power... Cienna found an interesting book on dogs and we soon arrived home...I changed water, watered flower barrels on the deck, caught up on scrabble games and by 11:45 Cienna and I were on our way to the Ranch Rodeo.

The Ranch Rodeo is unlike other rodeo's as it features all the things that local cowboys do on any given day, such as roping, branding, penning and driving cattle, with help from their dogs... Also featured was a "rock jack" building contest...Six contestants, each started with a five foot tamarack log, using splitting malls and wedges, lots of muscle and sweat they soon had the log broken down into posts...The posts were them assembled, nailed together, and rocks were added to keep it in place...Fifteen points was awarded to the cowboy who finished first, when all were finished each rock jack was judged by "vintage" cowboys, grading them on looks and sturdiness for longevity...Little cowboys and cowgirls got into the act, they rode their stick horses, pulled the ribbon from a goats tail and galloped back to the starting line, as fast as little legs would carry them...Horse racing was also featured, as a fast horse with stamina and agility are a must for any cowboy or cowgirl!..Some four hours later, after sitting on hard bleachers Ci and I were ready to go home...It had been a fun day as we met Pat and Brian there, so Pat and I visited while Cienna (with her good ears) listened to the announcer and kept us informed of what was happening.

Back home I fixed zucchini patties for our dinner, then Ci and I delivered zucchini to Pat, visited, had a glass of bubbly, then back home where Papa fixed us pie ala mode to finish off the day...Forgot to mention, Ci and I split strawberry shortcake at the rodeo (it was so-so)... Guess we will have to call this the day of "just desserts"...Sorry no photo's, took the camera, just forgot to use it...~OWAV:)

Imnaha Adventure...08/19/11...5am...51°...Sunshine

Janie's Big Sheep Retreat

I was in such a hurry to get ready and out the door yesterday that I forgot to tell you where I was going...So here goes...Last fall, friend Janie Tippett purchased property near Imnaha on "Big Sheep Creek", fulfilling a life long dream...She has a rustic cabin sitting next to the creek on 14 acres...A view up the canyon, a small orchard, room for a huge garden and a place to pasture a couple of horses...While having lunch yesterday she mentioned that the blackberries were getting ripe at the cabin and would anyone like to go picking?..Didn't take long for Ruth, Phyllis and I to accept that invitation.

Friendship Garden

We left Janie's Prairie Creek home at 9am armed with berry picking buckets...We were wearing boots, jeans, long sleeved shirts, and floppy hats...The Imnaha is much lower in elevation than Joseph and fruit and vegetables grow in abundance...It is famous for its black berries but also for its rattlesnakes...First stop was to view the "Friendship Garden" on Janie's property, planted and tended by local people, as a way to give to local schools and people who can't afford fresh produce...Nearly an acre is planted in tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and corn...A green lush spot amid the rimrock country of the Imnaha.

Taking a quick tour of the two bedroom cabin, we oohed and awed over the screened in porch that sits next to the creek and the front porch covered by a grape arbor for shade... Janie is repairing and cleaning a little at a time with help of family and friends as the property and cabin have been neglected for several years...Her face glowing with pride as she showed us each room and the furnishings that she has found at local yard sales.

Now it was time to tackle the berry bushes and be on the lookout for snakes...Black berry vines are wicked, they grab onto your shirt sleeves, tangle around your legs until it feels like they will swallow you up...They are very reluctant to give up their berries...We persevered and by noon had enough berries for desserts and some to freeze...We relaxed under the grape arbor, ate our lunch and had a hard time dragging ourselves away from this beautiful oasis...We picked a few apples to add to our bounty helped Janie clear a spot to stack a supply of winter wood and arrived back on Prairie Creek at 2pm...What a day!

As I arrived home Herb and Cienna were finishing up their lunch after a leisurely morning of reading, laundry and walking the dogs...I had promised Cienna a trip to the lake with Ginger...Gathered up towels and away we went...She spent her time getting Ginger used to being comfortable in the water and retrieving a ball...I sat in the sun, with a nice breeze and did some people watching.

Before

After

Home again, I just wanted to sit down, but instead, with Cienna's help we made a huge pie with apples on one side and blackberries on the other...Later in the evening Pam arrived just in time for warm pie ala mode...at 10pm I fell into bed exhausted but happy...OWAV:)

Busy Friday...08/18/11...6am...50°...Sunshine

Joseph Canyon Overlook

Got our walk in yesterday, then did some watering before Ci and I left to meet Ruth, Janie, Phyllis and Annette at Fishtrap...Soon we were all piled in Ruth's van for the 30 mile trip out north to meet Cathy for lunch at the Rimrock Cafe, where we celebrated birthdays...

Lunch was served on the deck overlooking "Joseph Canyon"...Another beautiful view in Wallowa County...We orderd a large platter of "real" french fries to share, then each made our choice from the menu of panini sandwiches and burgers...Janie threw in an order for "bottle cap" japaleno's and we topped it off with home made pie ala mode...Choices were apple, cherry and marion berry...A few of us took a stroll around the grounds, checking out the three teepees that are for rent...they are furnished with mattress's (bring your own sleeping bag) and a port-a-potty sits nearby (just out of site)...Ci and I think it might be fun to spend the night sometime, especially on a starry night...Soon we were back in Joseph, spent an hour on the deck with Papa then packed up the car and off to Enterprise and the gazebo to visit the Farmers Market and listen to the weekly music while visiting with friends...Music was mellow and easy listening...perfect end to our busy day.

Now it is time to wake Cienna and get ready for another busy day...Must takes stuff to snack on, lots of water, berry buckets, hats and long sleeved shirts...AND my camera!  Hugs to all OWAV:)

Fall Harvest...08/18/11...5am...50°...Sunny

Up early this morning to find Cienna asleep on the sofa, she must have wandered downstairs last night and stayed...The dogs were antsy to go outside and explore all of last nights deer tracks... Soon Ci will be awake and dragging me out the door for our morning walk...On today's agenda is lunch at the Rimrock (cafe north of Enterprise) with the write group...It is a birthday celebration so should be a fun outing.

Yesterday we made 18-1/2 pints of our special rhubarb/maraschino cherry jam...I first tasted this jam at age 14...It was made by Aunt Carrie and she left the cherries whole and I loved maraschino cherries...She always had it along with toast whenever we visited her and Uncle Harold...I never got her recipe so just made up my own, and it has become a family favorite...The second batch stayed soft so we had it over our ice cream last night... YUMMY!!!

For dinner yesterday we had homemade noodles and turkey...Ci mixed and rolled all of the noodles (with just a little help) and left them to dry on the cutting board, while I boned the turkey and heated broth and made coleslaw from our garden cabbage...After dinner I cleaned more garlic, then Ci helped me make garlic braids (using plastic zip ties)... She gathered lavender and oregano flowers for decorations...She is good at helping me arrange everything...We added some raffia bows and now have gifts for everyones birthday today... These braids are fun to make and more fun to give away.  

We chatted with both Rusty and Bobi during the day, played Angry Birds and Scrabble...Ci is reading, but seems her book is very slow and she is struggling to stay with it...Also she has been wearing her birthday present from Uncle Rusty and wondering if she is learning how to walk all over again...For several years now she has envied his wooden clogs that he buys in Austria...Now she has a pair of her own and we have renamed her "Clod Hopper Sue".

It has only taken me an hour and a half to get photos in and blog written...Whew!..Now we must walk, have breakfast and get moving....Hugs to all~OWAV:)

More Jam...08/17/11...5am...50°...Sunny

Yesterday started out kind of slow...Our raspberry picking was canceled due to lack of raspberries at the Joseph u-pick, so Ci and I took Ginger on our walk, we meandered near the rodeo grounds reminiscing about other walks, rodeo's and carnivals...then back up the hill to Barton Heights... Back home Papa fixed his special cold cereal and banana for us, and as we started eating, Debbie drove into the driveway with truck, horse trailer and five dogs, to pick up the two rams that have been in our pasture for about two months...After a "ram and dog rodeo" with all of us herding, or watching gates, Cienna slammed the trailer door as the two rams jumped inside the trailer, to get away from the sheep dogs.

"Huckle Raz Jam"

As Debbie was driving out the drive she said, "Do you want to pick my raspberries, I haven't had time?"..."Sure, we said in unison!"...Back inside we finished eating our now soggy cereal and tough toast, put on long sleeve shirts, Papa got our berry picking buckets in the car and Ci and I were on our way, leaving Papa and Ginger home...Several years ago we had given Debbie raspberry starts so we knew the berries would be big and plentiful... We soon had almost two gallons of beautiful berries and home again the work began...Jars, lids, and pectin were brought up from the cellar...I have done this so many times, don't really have to think, just start with a large pot, sterilized jars, rinsed berries, Cienna measured sugar, we added the pectin and boiled away...Soon I'm ladling hot jam into the jars as Cienna moves the funnel from jar to jar, hands me the rings, which I screw on tight and the jars full of raspberry jam are left to cool on the kitchen table...We continue making three batches all together, I find a bag of mixed berries in the freezer, so we add those and make a  berry medley jam then add a quart of last years huckleberries to raspberries and have a new jam called "huckle-raz"...It turns out a bit soft but will make a wonderful spread for waffles or pancakes...Several hours later and thirty 1/2 pints of jam we are done for the day...Always a satisfied feeling when the cellar shelves start to fill up.

With all that fresh garlic hanging to dry Cienna and I start another project...Since Becky is leaving and will be living in a new apartment we decide to make her a garlic braid to hang in her kitchen...We gather nine nice heads of garlic, a few small flowers, lavender and oregano put them all together, and bind them together with plastic zip ties...Add a raffia bow and VOILA we have a lovely gift...and can you believe NO PHOTO!!

So today we are headed for a walk, then make rhubarb jam, more garlic braids and Tate is coming to stay for three days...Never a dull moment...I promise more photos ~OWAV:)