Browns' Backyard

SNOWY MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

2012-01-17T12:04:00.000-08:00

We decided to take Shelby for a walk Monday morning. The road was actually more treacherous than Sunday. There was new snow over ice, so we kept to walking on the edge of the road in the fresh snow where it wasn't quite so slippery.

Snow can make anything beautiful!

The neighbors pond is frozen and covered with snow.

Today we can actually see the beautiful view of snow covered Mt. Pisgah in the distance now that the clouds have lifted.

Shelby loves her walk. She doesn't care what the weather is!

DOWN THE HILL TO CHURCH WE GO

2012-01-15T14:53:00.000-08:00

Thank you Lord for this beautiful snow! What a gift. I love it!!

As we get out on our road to go to church we wonder what the hill will be like.

We don't have 4 wheel drive or even snow tires, but going down should be fine. It's coming back up that's the problem!

Now for the fun part!

Here we go over the edge!

A little bit of slipping, but the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) quickly corrects us. Dennis says it takes all the fun out of it!

Wow! We even made it back up the hill after church without having to walk up! That DSC is great! Now for a quick bowl of soup so we can build a snowman!!!

HURRY BEFORE THE SNOW MELTS!

2012-01-15T14:31:00.000-08:00

I couldn't wait to get home from church to build a snowman. The only problem was that Josiah is the one who likes to help me, and he's in Virginia! (He went there to help Jessi out while Drew is gone, like shoveling the snow! So far they've only had a dusting! Ha, ha!)

Anyway, looks like the only help so far is going to be Moses!

"Honey, are you going to help or just take pictures?"

See that tail? (Moses' not Dennis'!) He (Moses) loves the snow!

Well, now I get some help after I already have the hardest part done!

Ta dah!

FIRST SNOWFALL OF THE WINTER!

2012-01-15T14:16:00.000-08:00

It started snowing last night about 9:00. We were expecting maybe 1/2 inch or so by morning, but we woke up to at least 6" in places!!! I love it when the weatherman is wrong!

Somewhere under all that snow are some Nandina berries.

Believe it or not, but Rissa's car is under there, and to the right, the snow even makes the overflowing yard debris cart look pretty!!

BIRDS AND BLOOMS

2011-07-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

Even though July has been mostly cool and cloudy, our rose, Midas Touch, and the crocosmia helped to fire it up. We're hoping we'll finally get some summer as we go into August!

The wetter and cooler weather has blessed us with green grass to go with the day lilies!

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet ...even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field...shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" Matthew 6:28-30

Mama Robin has built her nest in our pear tree. The eggs have since hatched and she has a couple of baby birds with mouths continually open!

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake." Psalms 23:1-3

IN LOVING MEMORY OF SAMSON

2011-07-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday we lost our beloved Samson suddenly to an infection. He was seven years old.

It's been hard on all of us. We lost not only a pet, but our business. He leaves us with many wonderful memories and a legacy of many happy families who bought his beautiful kittens. See our link to Siamese Cats Cradle.

JOSIAH IN A TUX!!!

2011-07-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know the "Camo Kid" know what a miracle this was! We have his friends Jeremy Gigstad and Alicia White, who got married on July 16, to thank for this phenomenon.

The above picture was taken after the wedding in the receiving line with the bridesmaid he was partnered with. Below - we caught him long enough before the wedding for a quick photo, all be it with him hiding behind the shades which all the groomsmen sported when walking down the aisle.

Before the wedding we also had a family reunion in the city park, which we had to leave early in order to get to the wedding on time.

It was good to catch up with Marci's cousins Brenda and Twilla. Brenda, a missionary with Campus Crusade, was here visiting from Florida, and Twilla, her sister, from Idaho.

Since our visit at the park got cut short, we had them over for dinner and of course a German chocolate cake which is Brenda's favorite. After all it was her 60th birthday! We had a great time visiting and playing "Take 2".

CREEPING THYME: A NOBLE EXPERIMENT

2011-06-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

As our beloved iris finish their blooming, the creeping thyme begins its incredible show. Pictures just cannot do it justice.

Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you." -- Max Lucado

HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS

2011-06-30T15:48:00.000-07:00

Last year we dug up more lawn, which we are getting very good at by the way, and put in yet another brick path leading from the backyard out to the pavers with the creeping thyme that also used to be lawn. For those of you who don't know, we have to haul every drop of water we use since our well dried up several years ago. As a gardener that could be devastating, but I've looked at it as a challenge. It's amazing what will grow with no or very little water. So we've experimented with different plants, collect rain water from our roofs, and bricked over a lot of our yard a little at a time!

We're trusting the Lord that someday we will again have water, however He chooses to provide, but in the mean time we trust that "He will direct our paths".

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5 & 6

AS SPRING GIVES WAY TO SUMMER...FINALLY!

2011-06-30T15:10:00.000-07:00

It's always sad as the last of the iris bloom out. But even as we cut and pile all the dead iris stalks on our compost pile, (huge by the way!) summer's roses, scabosia, sweet smelling dianthus, and day lilies begin their show. Even so when life brings sadness, look for God's blessings, because they are there!

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Psalm 94:19

OUR 36TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!

2011-06-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

June 13, 1975

That was 36 years ago! We celebrated our anniversary by going to some flower gardens...of course!

We started with Adelman's Peony Gardens, where we had a picnic lunch before making the viewing rounds.

We fell in love with Mrs. FDR and just had to bring one of her home with us...

...and a "Leslie Peck"!

"Coral Charm" is one we got a couple of years ago, and is still one of our favorites. We are trying to add a few more peonies to our display beds each year. They are such a good backdrop for the iris, and there are so many beautiful ones to choose from!

They now have a display garden that gets more beautiful each year. So if you don't have the time or energy to traipse through the fields, you'll really enjoy the walk through the well laid out display garden.

SCHREINER'S IRIS GARDENS

2011-06-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

We finished up our day with our annual trip to Schreiner's. It just wouldn't be iris time without visiting their beautiful display gardens. It started raining just as we were about done, but to Oregonians, a little rain is nothing! The flowers were gorgeous as usual and the cloudy weather was perfect for taking pictures. It was sad to see that the bad economy must be affecting them, because there were a lot of big weeds everywhere! I know that this wet weather we've been having makes the weeds grow, but this was really bad. And I so badly wanted to get in there and dead head for them. I did for the ones I took close up pictures of.

This is one for our wish list. It's called "First Stitch". Sadly we didn't order any this year and we've been faithful yearly customers since 1993!

The cool wet weather really made the Lupines and Columbine do well!

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it!"

Psalm 24:1

IRIS ARE STILL GOING...AND GOING...

2011-06-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, this cool weather is good for something? The iris are still blooming? So if you want to come visit, you still have some time. It's hard to believe that Jessi and Andrew are having 90+ degrees in Virginia, while we struggle to get to the upper 60's!

"Bewilderbeast" happens to be one of Josiah's picks. We've been babying it for years and it is finally blooming...one stalk worth! But it's "bewildered" beauty is well worth the wait.

The last of the new beds out back are finally maturing and looking good this year. Yes, it is the last new bed. I guess I'm finally coming to grips with my physical limitations.

"Trillion" and Poppa John" are two of my favorites because of their horned beards.

All the Snow in Summer is pretty with the iris, but can be too much of a good thing. I have a lot of thinning out to do to keep the iris rhizomes open to the sun.

VIEWING THE IRIS - A PLEASURE FOR ALL

2011-06-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

We look forward to seeing which of our favorite iris will be blooming for the first time this year as we go around dead heading each day. Moses even gets in on the daily regimen. Our problem is we have too many favorites! It's a good thing we have a whole acre.

And...we love to have visitors come enjoy them with us too!

This is Carissa's favorite, Florentine Silk.

Josiah is in the background behind Kaiser's Heritage and Chief Waukesha helping out with some trimming and pruning on his day off. Jeremiah mowed the back forty with the riding lawn mower, while I mowed the front lawn. Carissa helped with some edging and bark dust, and of course she goes around with me each day to help dead head. Dennis pitches in when he gets home from work. Many hands make light work!

THE WORKS OF HIS HANDS

2011-06-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made...

Romans 1:20

GOD WATERS ABUNDANTLY!

2011-06-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

You water the field's furrows abundantly, You settle the ridges of it; You make the soil soft with showers, blessing the sprouting of its vegetation. Psalms. 65:10

This morning Carissa and I raked the rain softened soil that Dennis had tilled a couple of weeks ago now. We got the stakes out marking the rows in preparation for the guys to put down the weeper hoses. We're hoping to get the corn and beans planted tomorrow now that it is finally going to be warm enough. We're going on faith that God is going to provide the water, either by healing our well, or providing the extra money it will cost to haul it due to the higher gas prices. With so much of our nations corn going for fuel instead of food, we feel it is worth the investment to grow our own, which is so rewarding in many ways, not to mention it tastes better! We save all winter to buy the water to grow the food in summer that we eat all winter. Makes sense to me!

I'M BACK!

2011-05-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been a whole year already since my last post! Well it's iris time again, and there's nothing like their beauty to inspire the photographer in me. I'm happy to report that the 3-4 migraines a week that kept me away from the blog, have been reduced to only 3 a month for the past 2 months. All the praise and thanks be to Jesus! I still have to be careful with how much of certain activities I do, but, wow, what a difference.

Chinese Treasure

Northwest Progress...

and Moses.

And the first to bloom a 2nd year in a row is Jessi's Song!

LILACS AND RHODIES LOVING ALL THIS RAIN

2011-05-27T16:39:00.000-07:00

...even if we don't! But when tempted to complain, just remember that weeks of 50* weather, rain, and more rain, is better than a tornado any day! Lord be with the people of Joplin, and all others affected by tornadoes this spring.

This Rhodie blooming around the light in front of our house had not bloomed in over ten years! Year before last I threatened it with annihilation if it didn't bloom...I guess it took me seriously, and this year it's even more beautiful than last year.

JUST FOR YOU JESSI AND AMANDA!

2010-05-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

Everyone has you two to thank for bringing me out of convalescence and back to blogging!This one is "Jessi's Song" and was our first iris to bloom this year! "Elainealope"

"Snow Mound"

"Decadence"

WHERE'S "GIRL BUN" AND "BOY BUN"?

2010-05-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

Will cats and a dog do instead? I can't seem to locate the "Buns". They must be hiding. Probably didn't want to be washed again! I just did throw one in the wash the other day. Shelby, our "deer" dog. We've had her a whole year now.
This is one of the kittens from Sheba's latest litter with Sarah, as in Palin, who is one of Abigail's kittens last August. I'm so glad we decided to keep her after Suki died. I couldn't have made it through all my post op trouble without her. She laid on my lap and purred day in and day out, sensing that I needed her to take my mind off how I felt. Now that I'm finally up and about, she's moved on to taking care Sheba's kittens.

Grandad's iris, "Romantic Evening". It does kind of look like a ball gown.

IS IT SPRING YET?

2010-05-27T16:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a long winter, what with having total knee replacement surgery the beginning of January, and then heart valve and stomach problems from the post op drugs. I'm just now getting my strength back. You know it's been cool and rainy when the lilacs and iris are in bloom at the same time! It still feels like winter, and the rain just keeps coming down by the buckets.
The rhodies are loving this rainy weather. This one by the lamp post, I threatened last year. If it didn't bloom I was going to yank it out! It bloomed for the first time in years!!!

The delphiniums are not quite as upright anymore after the heavy down pours we've had lately.

AULD LANG SYNE

2009-12-31T15:22:00.000-08:00

A belated Merry Christmas! And a very Happy New Year to you all!

THE JOYS OF AUTUMN

2009-09-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

Autumn Joy Sedum and Russian Sage (top right of picture) are 2 of my favorite low or no water plants. In the above picture they receive absolutely no additional summer water!
Actually these under my kitchen window don't get any water either!

Our Crape Myrtle are finally blooming. I was afraid they'd wait so long this year that it would frost first and we'd totally miss them. Jessi says theirs in Virginia are almost done, while ours are just beginning. This particular variety is 'Tuscarora' and I love how it goes so well with the Autumn Joy Sedum.

This is one of our reblooming iris, 'Buckwheat'. These beds with the Crape Myrtle, Delphiniums, and reblooming iris get watered once a week.

I also have fall crocus planted wherever I have the Autumn Joy Sedum because their colors go so well together, I know where they are when dormant, and they bloom at the same time.

OUT WITH THE OLD

2009-09-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Well, one good thing came out of our having to refinish the new finish on our kitchen cabinets that the painter screwed up. We got to replace our 30 year old sofa and chair because they paid us to do it! So since I forgot to take a picture of the old before we hauled it out (we were just so excited to get it out before the new arrived) anyway, I looked back in my pictures and found this picture from Christmas 2006 when Jess was home for Christmas while Drew was?
And this was also December 2006 a Christmas gathering with neighbors. I'm so glad it's just the furniture that went and not the cherished memories of family and friends.

Ahh! Christmas 2005 and Drew is with us! These chairs by the way, I could not bare to part with so we did a major shuffle. We put the wicker love seat that was in our room out on the deck and moved the chairs to our room.Jeremiah saying good by. Think about it. It's the only sofa all four of our children have ever known!

And off to H2O they go. Hope they find a good home. They served us well.

IN WITH THE NEW

2009-09-22T15:41:00.000-07:00

Do you like the color? Why do you think we waited 30 years to replace them? If we couldn't have our same red in the style we wanted, than we'd just hang on to the old cherished ones, thank you very much! But, good news, Lazy Boy still lets you pick your style and fabric! YES!!

Of course they didn't have as big a red check, but we've actually learned to like the smaller check even more! Not to mention all three chairs are recliners!

We are really enjoying our new living room.

This too was a side benefit from having to be all packed up and out of our kitchen and dining room for 4 months. Dennis had time to refinish that old 70's dark pine on our china hutch! I love it, I love it, I love it! Did I tell you I love it?

BEFORE AND AFTER

2009-09-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

Here are the long awaited after pictures of our kitchen post water damage reconstruction.

Before: After: I don't even miss the toile border. I like the sharp clean lines and contrast with the white mouldings. Before: After:

Really the only differences visually are the upper wallpaper which we had to replace when the painter ripped the old down with his masking, and the counter tops. We couldn't find the darker butcher block laminate, so went with an oak wood grain. I wasn't sure about it at first, but now I love it!

The cabinets may look the same, but they ended up being smaller inside. Each pull out shelf is not as deep and are also lacking heighth between shelves, so some things just don't fit any more. I got rid of some and am still trying to figure out what to do with some of the things I really need but don't fit. But, after 4 months with no kitchen at all, this seems very insignificant! Also friends of ours just had water damage (the dishwasher! can you believe it?) but their insurance (Farmers) is refusing to cover! We love State Farm and can't say enough good about how they handled every aspect of our claim. They were polite, compassionate, and there when we needed them.

9/12 TEA PARTY

2009-09-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

You Were Invited to a Tea Party

When: 9/12 to commemorate the day when Americans pulled together after the terrorist attacks on 9/11

Where: All over this nation, including right here at our state capitol in Salem, Oregon. The biggest of course being held in our nations capitol where people gathered from all over this nation. They covered the 1 mile stretch of Mall from the steps of the Capitol to the Washington Monument and even overflowing onto Constitution Ave.
Who: Neighbors, veterans...

Ordinary people who gave up a beautiful Saturday to be here putting their feet where their mouths are...

Grandparents concerned about their medical care being rationed and out of control taxes for their children and grandchildren...

And even husbands who sacrificed one of their last nice Saturdays of the year instead of painting the house! What a choice!!

Why didn't you hear about it? Maybe you're watching the wrong news channel?

OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE

2009-09-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

Ordinary folks, "not angry mobs" as we've been labeled, attend Tea Parties as a way to let government know how much we disagree with their out of control spending and taxing in these hard economic times. As we tighten our belts in order to provide for our families, they spend our hard earned money on frivolous stimulus! A better way to stimulate the economy would be to put that money back in the pockets of the American people!I thought this little guy's shirt summed it up pretty well. You know how cynical I've become when the first thought that crossed my mind when I saw these two dogs was, "Which would you rather feed...A bigger government or a smaller one? But then the animal lover in me resurfaced and I had to talk to the owners and find out all about their Great Dane and Chiwawa. I fell in love!

As we left to walk the several blocks back to our car, I turned and saw this beautiful shot of the capitol.

This statue of the Circuit Riding Preacher is right next to the capitol building. If only we could get back to God as the solution to all of our problems as we once did when we truly were "One Nation Under God"!

THE LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER

2009-08-07T16:52:00.000-07:00

Summer, a time for enjoying the rewards of gardening, hauling water to keep it all alive...

car shows...

and warm summer evenings playing cards on the front porch. Moses loves to keep us company and tries different positions to stay as cool as possible. This one is the most original!

HIKE AROUND CLEAR LAKE

2009-08-07T16:15:00.000-07:00

Since Sundays are the only day we all of have off, we played hooky from our duties at church to get away and do something fun before summer comes to an end. Because of weather conditions around the state, we chose Clear Lake in the Cascades, forcasted to be in the mid 80's with a nice breeze. We headed up through Lebanon and Sweet Home arriving in time for a picnic lunch before starting out on the 5 mile plus hike around the lake.

Our first glimpse of the gorgeous turquoise water.

The colors are absolutely awesome, the turquoise and Sapphire blues sparkling like jewels!

You can see why they call it "Clear Lake"!

No motorized boats are allowed on the lake, so it's very peaceful and quiet as we walk around. You see a lot of row boats and canoes though especially as you get closer to the boat house. Next time that's how I'm going around!

BUENA VISTAS

2009-08-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

There's that gorgeous turquoise water again!

The hottest part of the hike was when we reached the opposite side of the lake and the lava fields, but still gorgeous views.
Josiah showing off again!

Jeremiah trying to hide from the camera again!
Well, we must be about half way around, because there's the boat house on the other side, which is where we're headed.

After our hike through the hot lava rock, cooling off in this little inlet was welcome indeed, even if you could only leave your feet in for a minute before frostbite set in!

ARE WE THERE YET?

2009-08-07T15:16:00.000-07:00

We were very warm and tired by this point, but we didn't think Josiah would take the suggestion to "go soak your head" literally! There's the boat house again. We must be getting close! Right? Wrong!
We finally walked out 3 hours, 5 minutes, and more than 5 miles later. I made it, which is a miracle considering how my knees have been since the cartilage injections that were supposed to make them feel better? Not!! The last one was in March. This is August!! Jesus is still the healer! Then it was on to Sahalie Falls.

Jessi will remember how hard we had to look for our covered bridges in Vermont. Well, as we're driving towards Eugene...walla, there's the Goodpasture covered bridge built in 1938.

Last stop, Mazzi's, for some calazone before heading home. We love Mazzi's calazone so much that we drive clear to Eugene for the treat since they're no longer in Salem, or even Portland anymore. So since we were already in Eugene, of course we couldn't pass up the opportunity. Of course Josiah had to have Fettuccine Alfredo and Jeremiah his pizza, but Rissa, Dennis, and I were savoring each bite of sausage, mushrooms, and gooey cheeses folded into that tender crust and smothered in an awesome marinara sauce. I'm salivating just thinking about it!!

MYSTERY DESTINATION REVEALED

2009-07-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

Did you guess? Were you even close? Jessi your guess does not count!

Chimney Rock is located in...(does the picture help?) North Carolina! The Biltmore Estate is located in Ashville, North Carolina. A beautiful state with day lilies growing wild on the sides of the roads...it's all that rain, warmth, and the resulting humidity! It's like one big greenhouse!

But there is just no place like home with our nice dry heat, even if we do have to water to get our day lilies to do well!

I was so happy to see my own yard that morning upon arising after falling into bed at 3:00 am. We'd had a 23 hour day getting home because of delays by you guessed it...thunderstorms!

It may not be the Biltmore, but it's home.
I was so excited to see that the creeping thyme in the pavers was still blooming and my new iris, Purple People Eater, had waited to bloom till I got home!! What a welcome! I'm so thankful to our loving Heavenly Father for providing opportunities for travel and adventure, but also for the pure and simple joy of returning home. A precursor of what it will be like to finally get to go home to our heavenly mansion to live forever with Jesus our wonderful Savior!! What joy that will be for those of us who have asked Him to be Lord of our lives resulting in our names being written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 20:15 warns, "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." But God had a plan to save all who would receive Jesus His son from this horrible eternal fate. "Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Hebrews 2:14&15 Like any gift though, it must be received.

COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS!

MYSTERY DESTINATION DAY 1

2009-06-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

Day 1 of our trip to where ever, we had no clue, except that we were heading south. Let's see if you can guess. You have more clues than we had! You actually have pictures! Dennis watched road signs, but we still had no clue till we got there about 4:00 the first day. It was hot and muggy as we headed through a tunnel in the rock and then up an elevator through solid rock to the top.After a little more climbing of steps...what a view despite the high humidity.
Then as I looked at what needed yet to be climbed, I made the decision to save my knees for ladder painting and look at the pictures Dennis, Jess, and Drew would take once at the top. This is one of the few pictures they got before a deluge of rain started to obsure their view.Before getting very far, a thunderstorm came in quickly and trapped them in a cleft of the rock. I was safe and dry in the gift shop watching as the rain just gushed outside, worrying about them getting soaked. I called them on the cell phone to inform them that they'd shut down the elevator back down to the parking lot as the electricity was going in and out. The gift shop employee said she actually had been trapped in that elevator for 4 hours once! They finally decided to make a dash back down to the gift shop. It was perfect timing because it only got worse, if that is possible! We decided to buy a deck of cards, and Jess & Drew got another one and we settled down to a game of 3-13 to pass the time as the thunder and lightning continued to crash right over us. As the clouds started to lift about 6:30, they said we needed to get down quickly as another thunderstorm was coming right on the heels of the last one. As we rode the elevator back down, we noticed a barrel in the corner. The elevator operator told us it contained food and water for the times when it got stuck in the rock! Nice to know! I have to say looking back on that afternoon, it was actually enjoyable...and very memorable! It's all in the attitude!

MYSTERY DESTINATION DAY 2

2009-06-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

"Boy! Oh boy!! Oh boy!!! Oh boy!!!!"

For those of you who are familiar with the movie, "The Private Eyes" starring Don Knotts and Tim Conway, you'll have no problem guessing where our destination was.
Jess and Drew had been here before for their anniversary soon after they moved to Virginia and they couldn't wait for us to see it.

We decided to view the gardens first as the weather looked pretty iffy and we didn't know what the rest of the day would hold weather wise.

There just aren't words to describe what we were seeing!
Can you imagine living in a house like that?

Oops! Here comes the rain! So it's back up to the mansion for the house tour.

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS

2009-06-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

Well, it's back up the steps from the water gardens to tour the first floor of the mansion while waiting for the rain to abate. The massive front door.
The stairwell. You should see the inside!

Just look at the stone work!
Jessi looked out one of the ground floor windows and saw sun, so we decided to take advantage of the break in the weather, and tour the rest of the gardens. The sunshine lasted until late in the afternoon before the rain returned with a vengeance. I guess you can see why it's so muggy in the south! And...why they don't have to water anything!

BEAUTIFUL GARDENS

2009-06-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

The ConservatoryThe Walled Garden

As we walked through this arbor in the Walled Garden to the Conservatory, we couldn't help but photograph the beautiful vignettes visable through the lattice. What a beautiful place.

HAVE YOU GUESSED YET?

2009-06-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

If you still can't guess where we are or even what state, I'll post it in a few days.There was also a car show with a lot of the classic cars motoring through the gardens. "You missed the lagoon!" One of our favorite quotes from the movie "The Private Eyes" couldn't help but come to mind as we walked through this arch which was used in the movie. But instead of the lagoon, which is quite a ways away, you walk into the old stable area where we had a wonderful lunch...and ice cream for dessert!

After lunch we toured the other 3 floors of the house, which we were not allowed to photograph. Sorry! But besides absolutely gorgeous rooms and awesome architectural details, the basement actually had a bowling alley and swimming pool! Before leaving the estate we drove past the lagoon to the winery, where we participated in a wine tasting. It was interesting and a lot of fun.

Thanks Jess and Drew for a great surprise and wonderful 34th Anniversary gift. As for it being a reward for all our hard work, it was much appreciated, but not expected as we would help just because we love you. We are so proud of you both.

WORKING VACATION IN VIRGINIA

2009-06-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

We had 10 days. Our goal was to finish the porch, make a sidewalk, wallpaper, make curtains, and go on a mystery trip midweek. Well...

Jessi doing the hard work of cutting in next to the mahogany stained decking with the white. And yes, I helped! Jessi and I did most of the inside of the porch railing sitting on the floor after Dennis and Drew stained the decking. It took us all week because of thunderstorms coming in every afternoon about 3:00. We would paint as long as we could, watching the sky and as the sky got dark and that first clap of thunder came, we'd scurry to put away the paint and after a few delays because of wet steps the morning after, we'd also quickly cover the steps.

While the guys were staining the first couple of days, Jessi and I wallpapered their downstairs half bath in a beautiful red Damask above the white bead board wainscoting. Wish I'd taken a picture. Maybe Jessi will if you all beg her enough!
This is the guys starting to work on the retaining wall so the brick sidewalk can be layed. We were hoping to be able to help with that before we had to leave, but because of the thunderstorms, it took longer than we'd hoped to paint the front porch.

However, we weren't idle during those thunderstorms! The guys hung the wrought iron curtain rod in the living room so that we could put up the curtains Jess & I had gotten at Bed Bath and Beyond our first day there. Look closely and you can see the corner of one of the two beautiful red rugs that came while we were there. Moving furniture and laying them in the dining room and living room was another thunderstorm project...as well as a game of Trivial Pursuit! We also got a shopping trip in to get fabric for some window valances for the kitchen, master bath, and utility room. Sadly, no time to make them and the kitchen fabric had to be ordered.

How would you like that view out your living room window? It might be kind of hard to make out, but there's a beautiful weeping willow tree in the middle that Jess & I just love!

Sunday lunch after church was the first meal on their freshly painted front porch! I'd told Jessi before coming out, that I couldn't wait to sit on their front porch...well I finally did! A very nice reward!

"BEAUTIFUL FOR SITUATION"

2009-06-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

Zion of the Shenandoah!

All of our hard work painting the front porch pays big dividends! I should have taken a before picture so you can see the dramatic transformation. Also notice the new rock to each side of the driveway, which had to be put down after a 25 minute downpour during the Tuesday evening thunderstorm which washed part of their bank down across their driveway. We also had to take time out from painting to put mulch down to help keep the soil in place for all those future thunderstorms to come this summer.

Their beautiful view from the front porch looking to the west. This was taken when the humidity wasn't as high and you could actually see the Blue Ridge.

Swinging to the left and facing Southwest.

Across the street facing south are a couple of empty lots and an old house with trees and neatly mown lawn, which of course you don't have to water in Virginia because of summer rain. During the time we were there, there were thunderstorms and heavy rain almost every afternoon and evening, and sometimes all night, but the next day would be in the 80's, very muggy, but with a nice breeze on the porch.
This is the view from the back of their house. It's nicely wooded with honeysuckle growing up several of the trees. I loved waking up each morning to the sound of the birds happily singing outside our guest room window which faces these trees. Just a little plug for those of you who would like to visit Jess and Drew. You'll even have your own bathroom!

QUICK UPDATE

2009-06-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome Shelby, our new hound dog! We adopted her from the Humane Society two weeks ago and she is fitting right in. She is a 2 year old hound mix, very sweet and amiable. She loves children and cats. It's the cat's that aren't too sure yet that they like her. By the way she took over my chaise lounge, but willingly gives it up when it's my turn! The refinished wood floor is beautiful and I finally got to move into my kitchen this last week after 4 long months! Dennis was given permission to fix the rough finish on the cabinets by our State Farm adjuster. They even paid him to do it! So with the long Memorial Day weekend he got it all done, and it feels wonderfully smooth, just like our old ones were!
We managed to get around not having a kitchen and still entertain by having a Quizno's picnic with Grammy & Grandad and Tom and Sherri. We played croquet afterwards.
We celebrated Jeremiah's birthday Friday with some bowling after initiating our new kitchen with a meal of BBQ chicken, baked beans, corn bread, and wilted lettuce, with brownies and ice cream for dessert.

And finally...2 of the 4 kittens that Sheba adopted and is nursing as her own. But we must find homes for them, so if you know of anyone who wants a free kitten?

IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED OSCAR

2009-05-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

March 6, 1997 - April 27, 2009The past month and a half Oscar has been battling a fast growing tumor on his shoulder. After tesing and a course of antibiotics, it was wait and see. The vet felt that because of his age, the outcome of removal would be iffy, not to mention cost prohibitive for us. So as he went downhill fast, we finally had to make the heart wrenching dicision to euthenize him. We were in the motel at the time and felt it wasn't fair to him that we could only visit him a couple times a day. He needed his family nearby to comfort him in his misery and we couldn't be there, so the time had come.

We gave him his favorite, cat food, for his final meal. Crazy dog always did think he was a cat!

As we waited for time to take him to the vet, Oscar kept Josiah company as he dug.

Carissa and I couldn't stop crying as we remembered what a loving family member he'd been for more than 12 years. Josiah and I held him and soothed him as the vet put the needle in...
We loved you Oscar, so very much.

I still cry, and so badly want to feel his silky ears and look into his beautiful brown eyes again.

Good-by Oscar.

KITCHEN UPDATE - 3 MONTHS AND COUNTING

2009-05-06T10:23:00.001-07:00

For 5 days last week, or maybe more to the point 5 hip aching nights last week this was our home.
And after Friday night which was booked solid, our families 4 vehickles were the only ones there.
But why you ask? This is why! Not to mention the headache causing fumes! We had to pack up and move out of the whole downstairs so that they could refinish the hardwood floors. Most of our furniture, other than what you see here, we crammed into our bedroom, the upstairs, and the garage. Not to mention all breakables had to be packed up in boxes. Again with the packing! With all the packing up I've done in the last 3 months, we might as well have moved! Looks a little empty.

The old finish came off very nicely. Unfortunately, I've been too busy unpacking, clearing our our bedroom so we could find the bed, and putting my living room back in order to get any pictures of the finished floor, but it is beautiful! We are trying to be patient as we wait, and wait some more for them to finish with the last details of the cabinet installation. I think they all forgot about us! I was so hoping to be back in my kitchen for Mother's day, but doesn't look like it now.

TAX DAY TEA PARTY IN SALEM, OREGON

2009-04-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

Carissa and I came with our neighbors, Larry and Jane, to join in the Tea Party being held at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem. Grandad even managed to find us amongst the huge crowd! Of course he was proudly displaying his sign.Rod and Lynn also found us in the crowd, so I got their pictures for their kids, Jon & Stacy, who were hoping to attend the Washington D.C. Tea Party where they live.

THOUSANDS GATHER AT SALEM'S CAPITOL

2009-04-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

Salem's gold man, as we called him growing up, looking down on the thousands gathered to protest no more spending, no more taxes!

Couldn't resist this shot. Love the jacket!

If you look closely in the center of the picture there are even teenagers letting it be known that it's their future that's at stake.

I saw many people I recognized, and actually got to talk to Elsie Ford, wife of Joe Ford, Dallas' former Assistant Postmaster.

I'm afraid that the pioneers in the background would be rolling over in their graves if they could see what is happening in the land they gave up so much for.

IS THERE HOPE FOR US AS A NATION?

2009-04-15T16:45:00.000-07:00

After the rally as we walked through the Capitol grounds back to our car, we came across yet another group of protesters...But is there hope and an answer to all of this?
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14

LEARNING THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT

2009-04-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

When I'm tempted to be discouraged about the one fourth of a year without my kitchen, I look out in my yard at the renewed beauty of spring, after a very hard winter, and know that my life also has seasons.

And...I remember that being content is learned. The apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13, "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

I've learned a lot about being content in the last 3 months... and patience... and trust... and just waiting on the Lord...for He is good and He always knows whats best because His love endures forever!

TWO STEPS FORWARD

2009-04-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

You're probably wondering where I've been the whole month of March. Well, March 5th everything was finally dry enough to reinstall the wood flooring. But for most of the month I was continuing with the knee injections and physical therapy on the carpel tunnel surgery scars on my hands. They still hurt a lot, but are not keeping me from all the weeding, pruning, and shoveling of bark dust that must be caught up on. I have learned that it is wise not to over do it though! We also lost a whole week of Dennis' vacation with everyone sick with a very virulent form of the flu. Everyone but me that is. (It pays to get your flu shot!) It spread like wild fire through the family, knocking out even the strongest among us! We're blaming the lack of a kitchen for so much recurring illness in the family since February. Eating differently and not as healthily as we must eat prepackaged meals, etc. and the lack of a dishwasher, I believe, are key. I've been putting bleach in my dishwater, which is great on the hands! Oh for some homemade mashed potatoes!The 19th of March and clear through the weekend, we were literally zipped out of our kitchen while they sprayed the upper cabinets with a fresh coat of paint so that they will match the brand new lowers. Now we didn't even have the microwave or oven! Everyone was still too sick to want to go and eat out, so we had take out Chinese one night, and I managed to make tomato soup in the electric fry pan! It's very hard to ladle out of and a lot of extra clean up. Everything but the cabinet faces was masked.
...including the fated wallpaper!

THREE STEPS BACK

2009-04-09T13:14:00.000-07:00

Monday the 23rd of March when all the masking was taken down after the upper cabinets were sprayed, the wallpaper came down with it in several places! At first I was hoping I could repair it, but there were just too many rips like these for the amount of wallpaper I had up in the attic. So Tuesday I went down to The Decorated Wall here in town and looked for new wallpaper to replace it and found four possibles, which I brought home to match to the original tile wallpaper on the bottom. That quickly narrowed it down to one. So after getting permission from our head contractor, I went ahead and ordered it 2nd day air. It arrived by that Friday afternoon, and the fun began! Thursday I'd spent the day stripping the old off, so I started right in wallpapering Friday afternoon, and was done by the time the lower cabinets were installed the following Monday the 30th.
The great part is that even though I couldn't replace what I had exactly, I actually like the new better. I didn't even try to replace the border. I don't miss it at all, and neither does Bernard. All he cares is that he finally got a counter to sit on to watch his birds again.
At this point we're waiting on the Formica which had to be reordered. (Another two weeks!!) When the cabinet installer rolled it out to cut it, it was the wrong width! Good news it should be here next week and maybe by next weekend they'll be doing the wood floor, which they'll have to kick us out to a motel while they do that.

"THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD"

2009-02-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

"The skies proclaim the work of his hands...There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." Psalm 19:1&3

We woke up today to a beautiful covering of snow. I thought I'd had enough of it for one winter, but it's just so pretty. I never get tired of how it brings out the beauty of nature......and covers the scars of old wounds.

One of these days we'll finally finish cleaning up all the storm damage, but for now we've got taxes to do, roses to prune, and a hutch to refinish while it's empty and in the garage awaiting it's debut on the newly refinished floor.Meanwhile, 3 weeks later, the monsters are back! After removing the last of the ruined hardwood floor, there was still too much moisture content in the plywood underneath to lay the new hardwood as scheduled. So this morning, much to the cats' chagrin, the monsters moved back in. It really doesn't matter as the cabinets are still 3 weeks out anyway. It's just that they're so noisy!

"Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious." Psalm 66:1&2

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON HERE?!!!

2009-02-17T14:40:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I've been incognito for so long. Since last August I'd had Carpel tunnel surgery scheduled for both hands. We wanted to make sure I would be ready for gardening in the spring. So January 5th Dr. Zirsky did my right hand. Then on January 30th he did the left hand. But I have had little time to recuperate with everything else that's been going on at the same time!You're probably wondering why I'm putting pictures of my kitchen on here. Well, I'm reminiscing. We've had a long month and a half. It all started that week after Christmas when our 18" of snow started to melt and we were busy sawing up all our broken trees into firewood, when we noticed our wood floor start to look like we'd had an earthquake. We knew it had to be water, but from where? A broken pipe under the kitchen floor maybe? Dennis went under the house and checked and then checked again. Everything was dry as a bone. He looked under the sink and dishwasher...nothing. So we put in a call to a plumber, who all, as you can imagine, were too busy to even call back. Good thing because about 5 days later we finally noticed a wet spot on top of the floor in front of the dishwasher. I actually found it when my stocking feet got wet. So again Dennis checked under the dishwasher while it was running this time, and sure enough when it drained, it drained all over the floor flowing under the hardwood, with the vapor barrier keeping it from leaking under the house. So we called the appliance repair guy (much cheaper than a plumber by the way!) and discovered it was a ruptured drain hose! Mystery solved...nightmare begins.
Yes, I do believe God uses insurance companies. State Farm has been great and are paying to put everything back as it was before...only it will be better because it will all be new! This is not the way I would choose to have a makeover...but after all, it is God's kitchen. We are learning so much from this experience. When you stop and really let it sink in that "this earth and everything in it is the Lords", it takes all the worry out of the situation. I know He will make all things beautiful in His time. I trust Him with all my heart...and HIS possessions!
In the meantime we struggle with no kitchen. We've learned some tricks, heating water on the woodstove for tea, cooking pasta in an electric fry pan, and of course we still have the use of our microwave. Praise the Lord for that! We have eaten out some, until we all, except Carissa that is, came down with the flu. Then it was back to making soup in the crock pot and tea...lots of tea! Everyone's back at work as of yesterday, thank the Lord! Things are looking up!

EMOTIONAL DEMOLITION

2009-02-17T13:38:00.000-08:00

Thursday, February 5th was the day scheduled for the removal of the damaged wood flooring and wet underlayment, but first the cabinets must be removed. It was thought that they could just be unscrewed from the wall and stored in the garage. NOT! They were not only screwed, but glued! They had to "Tim Taylor" the cabinets to get them out!
God knew I couldn't handle this alone. He sent my friend, Linda, up from Grants Pass, for a visit that very day! No coincidence in my mind! She spent from 10:00 in the morning until about 3:00 in the afternoon with me. We shared some leftover stew heated up in the microwave for lunch, and had a great time catching up, talking about everything and nothing as we used to do when she was my neighbor and walking partner. It took my mind off the splintering and cracking going on in the other room. Her godly presence kept my fragile post surgery emotional state from plunging into a sea of tears and despair.
Before we knew it they were tearing up the wood flooring. The same wood flooring that Dennis and I had put our blood, sweat, and tears into laying ourselves 18 years ago! They were so good about hauling all the debis out to their truck to haul away, but I caught them before they got rid of the oak. Dennis sawed it up and it is now helping to heat the house. Waste not. Want not you know. After all, do you know how much a cord of oak goes for these days?

The proverbial "straw that broke the camels back" as they say, happened that evening. The vibration from the sledge hammering took its tole unbeknownst to us. As I opened the upper cabinet to put away one of the cobalt blue glasses that we had just washed by hand of course, two glasses fell out and hit the one in my hand breaking them all into hundreds of pieces at my feet. I stood in shock and horror amongst the sparkling blue fragments decorating the newly exposed subfloor. Then I cried.

BUT my God cares even about the smallest things. He knew how special those glasses were to me. We found the irreplaceable on Ebay of course! The torture was not over yet though. They brought in these horrible "green monsters". At least that's what Bernard and Sheba viewed them as. There were 3 of the fans you see on the left spaced around the room and a dehumidifier to dry out the subfloor and walls. They had to remove the bottom one foot of sheet rock because it had soaked up the water like a sponge. It would have felt like a sauna in there if it hadn't been so cold with all that outside air coming up through the cracks in the subfloor. These noisy things ran for 3 days and nights. When they finally came and turned them off, the silence was deafening!
We went about a week without anything to keep that cold air out. It even snowed 2 inches during that time! (Sorry, no snow pictures. It's not fun anymore!) But I'm happy to say, we now have new vapor barrier and plywood down again keeping the cold out and the heat in. Putting down the new wood flooring is next, but we have to wait for the wood to acclimate stacked behind the sofa. Then there will be more upheaval. I managed to get the hutch packed up yesterday. Still a little weak from the flu, but the hands are much stronger. When they put the finish on the floor, we'll have to go to a hotel for a few days. Not looking forward to that. My home is my castle even without a kitchen! But the Lord will help me through that too.

SHORE ACRES STATE PARK

2009-01-02T18:16:00.000-08:00

Coos Bay, Oregon You know what they say about "all work and no play"! Well this excursion Sunday after church to the Shore Acres Christmas light display was definitely not dull! We'd been planning this trip ever since we heard about it from Grammy and Grandad after they'd been there the weekend after Thanksgiving. We even treated ourselves to dinner out at a local Chinese restaurant after arriving in Coos Bay. We wanted an Italian restaurant we'd found, but it didn't open until 5:00 pm and we didn't want to wait.
Josiah and I had so much fun taking pictures. His camera definitely takes better pictures in the dark. It has a red light instead of a flash. The picture above is the only one I've posted taken with our camera and regular flash.

It takes 70-80 volunteers working 5 weekends and several weekdays in October and November to string the lights.

One of our favorite places was the lights reflecting in the Lily Pond.

SHORE ACRES STATE PARK

2009-01-02T17:32:00.000-08:00

We just couldn't spend Dennis' whole vacation sawing up storm debris, so we started the week out by going down to Coos Bay to Shore Acres State Park to see their light display. Wow! Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve, more than a quarter million LED lights are displayed. It attracts between 40,000 and 60,000 visitors each season.They even serve free hot spiced cider and cookies in the Garden House pictured above.
We had a great time and even made the long 3 1/2 hour drive back home by 11:00 pm.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

WHITE CHRISTMAS!

2009-01-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

Grandad with great granddaughters, Emma and Mandy, are listening with rapt attention to the Christmas story on Grandad's new Go Bible.

Our family Christmas the evening of the 23rd, was definitely a bright spot in our weather ordeal! We were very concerned no one would want to come because we had no electricity, let alone be able to make it up our hill, and it would have to be cancelled. Just the thought of that made me really realize just how much my extended family means to me. My sister, Sherri, and I put our heads together and came up with a worst case scenario plan involving ferrying people up the hill in nephew Jeff's 4 wheel drive pick-up and chains. Also doing our annual cheese fondue on the BBQ side burner. All was unnecessary as the electricity came back on that afternoon and the neighbor had plowed the road and our driveway! Tom and Sherri brought Grammy and Grandad so they wouldn't have to navigate the icy hill in the dark, and we had a wonderful time together!
Christmas Eve brings more snow and the icicles continue to grow!

Those double scoop cones are really boxwood in pots. In the background is the downed Japanese maple tree.

Christmas morning started out with a beautiful sunrise over Mt. Pisgah, and brought yet more snow during the day. It was beautiful...the white Christmas we always dream of!
Zooming in on Mt. Pisgah...this view out my kitchen window makes cooking a pleasure instead of a chore!

HELP! SNOW SAGA CONTINUES!

2008-12-29T18:08:00.000-08:00

Monday, December 22nd, we could not believe what we saw when we woke up and looked outside! Yet another 8 inches of fresh snow on top of the existing snow and ice. That's 18" from the ground to the seat of the bench!
We ended up losing our power and then Christmas came ready or not, so that's why it's taken so long to update the blog, not to mention it was just too depressing at first. Remember the tough little Japanese maple from the last post that supposedly just bends and doesn't break? Well...this is a topside view from the upstairs window at what's left of it. 8 more inches of snow on top of it's ice laden branches was just too much for it. Now that the snow has melted away from the base you can tell it just split in two! Rather than cry over the loss of my favorite tree, I'm excited, hoping this means that we will get our sun room after all, and God knew how hard it would be for us to ruthlessly cut it down so He made the first cut!

Because of low hanging trees and deep snow in the back of our property, we prayed the water in our holding tank would hold out until thaw... But unfortunately it didn't!

That morning with no power, unable to get through to the outside world at first with not even any cell service, not to mention stuck up on a hill, we were feeling very isolated indeed! So the picture below reflects how overwhelmed we were feeling.
Some wise guy wrote this sentiment on our car.

DEVASTATION!

2008-12-29T17:03:00.000-08:00

This is what we woke up to! Before we could even feed the cats in the kennel, Josiah had to blaze a trail through yet more downed Mimosa limbs.Finally, Carissa was able to get food and fresh water through to Samson and Abigail. Our birch trees are now half their original height!
That's our driveway!
Our wonderful neighbor came over with his power saw and helped Josiah clear the branches blocking the driveway, while Jeremiah, Carissa, and I hauled them back to the burn pile through snow over our boots! The same awesome neighbor also loaned us a spare generator when our electricity went out and ran a hose over to our holding tank when we ran out of water with no way to get the tank trailer out of the snow let alone haul it full up our hill! Another neighbor plowed our driveway. So by the end of the day, that helpless feeling was replaced with gratefulness, as God sent the help we so desperately needed. We feel so blessed.

THE 8TH DAY

2008-12-21T11:14:00.000-08:00

ICE STORM OF 2008!

Well it's the 8th day of the white stuff, now with icing on top! We are trapped up here with about 10" of snow topped by ice, and it's still raining and 28 degrees at noon!

I'm crying as we assess the damages to our trees. This is one of our Honey Locusts, which is one of my favorites. It's so beautiful with its yellow spring foliage, and it's open airy branching providing filtered shade. Well, we'll just have to look on the bright side. There will be more sun for my iris!The Mimosa also suffered pretty severe damage. It was finally doing well after the damage it suffered in the 2004 ice storm! A good portion of it is blocking our sidewalk back to the garden and barn. It made it very tricky to get to the cats in the kennel to feed them! But look at the beautiful icicles hanging on its broken branches. Isn't it just like our Lord, who can make beauty out of the destruction in our lives? We just love photographing the Japanese Maple. It's a tough little tree, bending but not breaking with the weight of snow and ice. This may be its last snow and ice storm if we get to go ahead with building our sun room. I'll really miss it, and will definitely plant another one.

Oscar also had a tough time navigating in this crunchy stuff. It was comical to watch him break though the ice layer with each step and sink in almost to his belly!

It looks like we have a new arbor over our arbor! The birch trees' delicate branches always have trouble with the snow and ice. But those same lacy branches add delicate beauty to our "normally" rainy winters.

BEAUTY AMIDST THE CHAOS

2008-12-21T11:03:00.000-08:00

Photagraphs in this post taken by Josiah.

SATURDAY SNOW

2008-12-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". It's looking like it's not going to be just a dream but a reality. Even if it warms up, I doubt all this snow will be gone by Wednesday.Josiah took these pictures. He took the first two just as it was getting dark. It must have been about 4:30 because the curtain lights hadn't come on yet.

As darkness came the snow just kept on coming down...

And down...
It didn't switch over to freezing rain until about 7:30 pm. I dread what will happen to our trees by morning!

MONDAYS' SNOW

2008-12-19T16:08:00.001-08:00

Before putting on the boots and venturing out to take pictures, I took this one from the living room window.
As the sun started to come up, Josiah captured its reflection in the living room window.Mount Pisgah beautiful as ever with the sunrise barely illuminating its snow covered fields and orderly orchard rows. A cozy corner any time of the year.
If you like similes and metaphors, how about these? The sundial like a giant cake stand sitting on a carpet of quilted Northern, topped with a perfect 8" layer cake...iced of course! I know. I have a big imagination!

MONDAY'S SNOW FEATURES

2008-12-19T15:46:00.000-08:00

Snowy arbors.Flanked by a pair of dipped cones.
The wrought iron bench is transformed into a fine piece of upholstered Victorian furniture!
The Bonica rose still with some pretty pink roses peeking out from under the blanket of snow.

SNOWED IN ALL WEEK!

2008-12-19T14:46:00.000-08:00

Since Dennis has the only vehicle that can be chained up, the rest of us are stuck up on this mountainside. Monday, while the snow was still dry and powdery Josiah and I were able to walk down the hill. We walked to the post office to say "Hi" to Dennis and then continued on through the park to get these two pictures.
The rest of the week was just too icy, with highs only in the 20's to attempt to even walk anywhere. Tuesday morning Dennis slipped into the ditch going down the hill to work...with chains on! Thankfully he was able to drive back out!

Wednesday morning while going out to get the paper, Carissa took these pictures of the icicles forming on the trees by the paper box.

From our kitchen window, Josiah got a picture of the covey of quail that came to eat the sunflower seeds I put out.

FRIDAY SNOW

2008-12-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

An early morning sun break creating shadows on the snow.

All my nicely shoveled walks are filled in again! So what used to be a simple trek can be quite treacherous, but there's no point shoveling again until it stops snowing.I'm not used to having to bundle up and put boots on just to go out and feed the animals and birds every morning. At least Oscar is willing and ready to come along and keep me company!
You know what? I think the gate needs painting. Didn't notice it so much before it snowed. Snow even makes white look dirty! Makes me think of Jesus' blood making our sins whiter than snow! (Isaiah 1:18) That's pretty white! You know that's what Christmas is really all about! Think of it...God humbling himself to come as a helpless baby so we could know Him personally. And the forgiveness of all our sins made possible through His death and resurrection. But just like the Christmas gifts we will receive, we can't receive His gift of salvation unless we accept it for ourselves.

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life." John 3:16 (The Message Bible)

SUNDAY MORNING SNOW

2008-12-14T18:54:00.001-08:00

Josiah took these beautiful pictures this morning before we left for church. "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas"? If it stays as cold as expected, it's a very real possibility. The low is expected to be in the teens tonight with highs only the low 30's all week! However, in Oregon, snow is like manna. It usually doesn't stick around very long. We added new lights this year. Josiah put them on another maple and net lights on the boxwood lining the front walk. Runway lights!
The Walnut tree still had its lights on since last Christmas. We actually plugged it in for the wedding that was held in our yard this summer. We also added a couple strings of C7's to the little Blue Spruce in front of the kitchen window. It was finally big enough! Last year it just had little white lights. I love the multicolored C7's but we're hoping to replace them the day after Christmas with LED's for next year. December's electric bill is a killer! We actually save up for it ahead of time. This year since Josiah wanted to compete with the new neighbor, he actually volunteered to pay half! What a kid! You should see the top of our hill...lights everywhere! Competition can be a good thing.

Well enough fun in the snow. If we were going to get to church we needed to chain up. It's not the going down the hill that's so difficult, it's trying to get back up! In the 18 years we've lived here, we've had to leave the car at the bottom of the hill and walk up many, many times. You'd think after 18 years we'd finally have a 4 wheel drive...just not economically feasible.

PENNSYLVANIA

2008-12-14T17:19:00.000-08:00

PHILADELPHIA

City Hall

I'd like to say this was our first glimpse of Philly, but unfortunately not. We had to drive through block after block after block of filth! There was trash on the sidewalks almost ankle deep! Maybe Lady Garmin took us in a bad way, but our first impression was totally ruined! We headed as quickly as possible (which wasn't very!) for Independence Hall. It was a God thing that we were all in one car instead of our usual two! The evening before our Chrysler 300 broke down outside of Philadelphia and long story short, Avis replaced it with a Crown Vic! We were all pretty bummed at it's ride, but God knew we'd need the bigger car to get through Philly. I can't imagine if we'd have had to try to follow Jess & Drew (& Miss Garmin) through downtown Philly, not to mention pay to park two vehicles! You know God cares about the little details in life! He is our awesome provider...And the next day we were able to get another Chrysler 300!
Anyway, this picture of City Hall was taken through the windshield as we made our way through downtown.

This of course was our goal. We took the tour of Independence Hall and went across to the museum where the Liberty Bell is kept. We all took this same view of the Liberty Bell with Independence Hall in the background, but Andrew's is the best. No, sorry, Jessi took that one. She managed to get it without any people in it, which was an amazing feat when you consider how many were milling about!Of course we had to have Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches for lunch, and on the way we found Benjamin Franklin's Post Office! This passage way was the one he used to get back and forth from his house.
I'm sure there was a lot more we could have seen in Philadelphia, but it was hot and muggy. We had a bad taste in our mouth, and not so much from the sandwiches as from Philly as a whole. We left and didn't look back, heading for Longwood Gardens a day ahead of schedule!

Longwood Gardens ended up being another highlight in our trip. Even though we don't feel the need to ever go back to Philly, we would definitely go back to Longwood Gardens!

LONGWOOD GARDENS THROUGH THE REBERS' LENS

2008-12-14T17:02:00.000-08:00

This is the fountain at the Open Air Theater stage. We took a minute to sit and take it all in.

We keep coming across this same group of people! I love this picture. Andrew used this picture to make my birthday card. Jessi was out of town and the job fell to him. He did a beautiful job!

These last two pictures are taken inside the Conservatory which shelters acres of lush gardens and even lawn!

LONGWOOD GARDENS

2008-12-14T16:38:00.000-08:00

This is the Main Fountain Garden built between 1928 and 1931 by Pierre S. du Pont. It covers 5 acres and features 380 water jets, with the highest jet reaching 130 feet in the air!

There is so much beauty everywhere you look. It's almost a sensory overload!

I took this picture thinking of Daryl, as he features so many different grasses in his nursery here in Dallas. When we got home, Josiah informed me that Daryl's Nursery actually donated a lot of grasses to Longwood Gardens! This is probably some of Daryl's grass!

And look who we found amongst all the giant gourds and pumpkins!
One thing we noticed was how they really go all out decorating for fall back east. Beauty and the Beast? And don't ask which is which! The Topiary Garden is just beyond. You should see pictures of it with snow!

LONGWOOD GARDENS

2008-12-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

Orchids inside the conservatory.

A lily pond in a courtyard outside the conservatory.Captivating reflections.

The gazebo with a backdrop of trees ablaze with color and the pond with it's floating leaves was probably one of my favorite spots.

ERIE CANAL AND DELAWARE GAP

2008-12-14T15:36:00.000-08:00

Grandad's one request of sights he would really like to see was the beginning of the Erie Canal in Albany, New York. It was a quick stop, but so beautiful. My imagination always gets carried away as I try to see in my mind what it would have been like all those years ago as it was in peak use.

Then after driving through some more very beautiful country, we came to the Delaware Gap.
Andrew captured this shot above of the gorgeous fall color.
I had to take a picture of this hollow log, as again my imagination got carried away. I was thinking what a great place to go to ground if you were being hunted and chased. I guess I've read too many Nevada Barr books! She is my favorite author by the way. All her books are set in national parks. A great way to "see" the country while being held captive on the edge of your seat with suspense!
And this is the Delaware Gap!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-12T16:42:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from the Browns. The first step in celebrating Christmas is to pick out the perfect tree. Hopefully one that will fit in our living room! This year it's only 14' instead of the 17' of the last few years. Sure was a lot easier to decorate. The next step is to find time off during daylight hours when both Dennis and Josiah can go cut it down. Josiah, the muscles of the group, actually cut it down without a power saw. He just used a bow saw and within 15 minutes they had it cut and loaded.

The third step is a little more involved. It takes one evening for Josiah to put the lights on, and then it took the rest of the week to get the ornaments on.
Happy Birthday Jesus! We celebrate you and who you are, God Almighty, the Savior of the world.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -- Isaiah 9:6

Be sure to click on the November 2008 archives for more New England pictures.

THANKFUL FOR "HOME SWEET HOME"

2008-11-30T16:38:00.000-08:00

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord!

Psalm 92:1

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia in 18 days! What an adventure! But there's no place like home! So as this Thanksgiving week comes to a close, I just had to pause to give thanks for home and family. As the sun came up the morning after our late night return, I looked out the window and was so overcome with gratitude for the gorgeous view right here in my own yard. The unpacking and laundry could wait because I had to take some more pictures! New England eat your heart out, because I still think Oregon is the most beautiful place on earth!
Mose's burning bush? Actually he (the cat) loves the Blue Spruce. He hides under the bottom boughs just watching (hopefully) the birds visiting the bird feeders.
Every time I called home, I'd ask if my red mum was still blooming and would they please take a picture of it for me. Well, it waited for me, and so did my would be photographers!

SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR

2008-11-30T15:33:00.000-08:00

Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year. There is so much vibrant color everywhere that rivals spring and summer's flowers.

The cornstalks like sentinels were still standing guard over the garden.

It may not be New England but we still have plenty of color, so I looked through the view finder with a tourists eyes and found so much that I think we sometimes take for granted in our own yard.And, yes, there were even some vignettes of summer left!
Even Moses was happy to have us home. I really did miss my cats! I am so thankful for the 3 wonderful children that stayed home and took such good care of everything so we could have a good time. Thanks guys! I love you and am so glad to be back to "home sweet home"!

Yes, yes, I will continue with the trip pictures as I have time. Longwood Gardens is coming up. What a beautiful place that was. We want to go back!

THE BRIDGE OF FLOWERS

2008-11-25T18:43:00.000-08:00

The Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts was originally built in 1908 to carry trolley tracks across the Deerfield River between Shelburne and Buckland. In 1929 the 400 foot long bridge was converted into a pathway of flowers covered with vines, shrubs and over 500 varieties of plants and flowers. A view of the Deerfield River from the bridge.

...and Grammy and Grandad having a memorable time.

The Bridge of Flowers was definitely one of the highlights of our "Trip of a Lifetime"!

MORE MOHAWK TRAIL

2008-11-25T18:07:00.000-08:00

After seeing The Bridge of Flowers, we walked around and saw the rest of the quaint little town of Shelburne Falls.Then it was time for a rest stop and another photo op.

Everywhere you look is another vista of gorgeous color!

The camera just cannot capture the extent of the color and panoramic views that the eye can behold.

NATURAL BRIDGE STATE PARK

2008-11-25T17:37:00.000-08:00

This was a beautiful spot, totally worth the hiking and climbing we had to do to enjoy all of it. Grammy even made all the way to the top! That is actually marble streaked in the cliff!

And here clear at the top is the Natural Bridge. You can almost miss it because of the other beauty all around. But I turned around and there it was.

Andrew took these two pictures . It really was an interesting and beautiful place. What an awesome Creator God we have. He truly is Lord of all!!

NORTH ADAMS

2008-11-25T17:24:00.001-08:00

If we could sum up North Adams in one word, it would be steeples!

They are everywhere you look.
Jessi captured this shot through a beautiful crab apple. Those are little red apples all over that tree!

Are those birds in the belfry?
There was even a steeple reflected in the church window.

BENNINGTON, VERMONT

2008-11-25T17:03:00.000-08:00

What comes to mind when you think of Vermont? Gorgeous fall colors maybe, or how about maple syrup? We actually got some Vermont maple syrup in a cute, spendy, little bottle, but forgot it was in our carry on and lost it in Dullus security!
However, when Dennis thinks of Vermont, he thinks of Hemmings Motor News. As a classic car enthusiast, he's been a loyal subscriber for years to their "Special Interest Autos" magazine now called "Classic Cars". You ask him and he'd tell you this was one of the highlights of his trip. He even got a shirt!
Now Jessi on the other hand just had to find a Vermont covered bridge. She found two for us with "Lady Garmin's" help.
Andrew sought out and found the perfect perspective of the bridge. That's him across the river. The picture below was taken from his spot.
Bennington was the perfect ending to yet another perfect day.

LONGFELLOW'S HOUSE

2008-11-20T17:16:00.000-08:00

"Listen, my children, and you shall hear

Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,

On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;

Hardly a man is now alive

Who remembers that famous day and year."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow We couldn't leave Boston behind without seeing Longfellow's house and garden. After all he wrote my favorite poem! The problem was that they are closed on Mondays so we couldn't get a tour of the house. The upside was we had the gardens all to ourselves!
Just got this picture on a disc in the mail from Jessi today. I was so excited because now I'll be able to post the pictures of all 6 of us together. She took all of the timed shots, mainly, I think, because she can move into position faster after setting the camera up!

LEXINGTON AND CONCORD

2008-11-20T13:59:00.000-08:00

"The shot heard 'round the world". Ralph Waldo Emerson
That quote describes the significance of the brief battle that took place at the North Bridge where we took this photo of the Concord River. To think this is what the minute men would have seen should they have taken their eyes off the battle. It gives you shivers.
In a time warp we managed to get the likeness of one of those minute men! We then crossed the bridge and sat here facing the river while listening to a park ranger tell us all about the battle and history leading up to it. Now that really gives you shivers! It definitely felt like hallowed ground.
For Monday's lunch we found the quaintest little cafe in Concord.
Main Streets Market and Cafe ended up being a very good choice. The whole town was picturesque and overflowing with history.

THE MOHAWK TRAIL

2008-11-20T11:42:00.000-08:00

Down the road a ways on our journey across the Mohawk Trail, we came upon the French King Bridge. From it we had a gorgeous view of the Connecticut River and all the spectacular fall foliage.

The end of the day brought us to Poetry Ridge, the bed and breakfast that Jessi arranged for us. It was the 13th of October and the anniversary of when Grammy and Grandad first met, so we just had to stay some place special. The view out the back was spectacular complete with wild geese flying over!

It was a good thing I took the picture of the view from the B&B the night before because the next morning it was fogged in. The people who own the B&B were wonderful and served us a fantastic breakfast of waffles with every imaginable kind of topping. But we couldn't linger, we had much to see and miles to go. So we loaded up our Chrysler 300 and off we went...again.

SUNDAY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

2008-11-15T18:49:00.000-08:00

Another gorgeous day in New England. Since we'd managed to see pretty much all of Boston in one day, we decided to take one of our days there to see two more states. So we headed up to New Hampshire and Maine. It's hard for us Oregonians to fathom the smallness of these states and that you can actually see several in a day!
Portsmouth, New Hampshire became one of our favorite spots on the trip. We so badly wanted to take a Harbor Cruise, but found out that we'd have to come back at noon just to put our names on a waiting list! So we did and then prayed. At 3:00 when the cruise set sail, all 6 of us were the last to be able to get on it! What a God thing. We were thinking maybe there would be a couple of cancellations, but 6? In the mean time we toured the city. We took a walk which included a lot of historical houses and buildings and Liberty Gardens, above, which was across from Strawberry Banke, a famous historical block in Portsmouth.On the other side of Liberty Gardens is Prescott Park where we ladies waited for the guys to put our names on the cruise waiting list. Above is a view from the dock there looking out across the Piscataqua River. When they got back we found the quaintest little cafe' called Popovers. We probably have the fondest memories there of all the places we ate. You'll have to ask us about Grammy and the line for the bathroom! I can't remember when I've laughed so hard!Maybe I'm getting a little better at summarizing, like my niece, Alysun, who can condense a whole 10 day trip to Canada into only a few pictures. Anyway, I weeded over a hundred beautiful pictures from the harbor cruise down to 2! Of course you're missing the 2 lighthouses we saw and Portsmouth prison, not to mention all the beautiful homes. If you really want to see them, I guess you'll have to come look at my scrapbook when and if I ever get to it!

A trick I learned just recently, the computer challenged person that I am, is to left click on the picture for a larger view! Who'd have thought? It definitely helps with the above picture.

NUBBLE LIGHTHOUSE IN MAINE

2008-11-15T18:13:00.000-08:00

We ended our Sunday with a quick trip up into Maine before dark. Of course it just wouldn't be Maine without a lighthouse, so "Lady Garmin" (Jess and Drew's GPS) led the way.As you can see, we had a great time!! A glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean through Cat Tails and wild roses was just too beautiful for me to pass by.
What else comes to mind when you think of Maine? Well, Drew and Dennis just had to have some Maine lobster, so they shared one. An interesting and very messy experience! They poo pooed the bibs until they realized how necessary they were!

BOSTON IN A DAY!

2008-11-08T11:18:00.000-08:00

Our first glimpse of Boston as we cross the Leonard P. Zakim/Bunker Hill BridgeTrying to follow Drew in their little Audi with our big Chrysler 300 rental car through these narrow streets was no easy task! It's much easier to walk these narrow streets. Above is an example of Bostonians' ingenuity in landscaping even such small spaces!

Our most anticipated first stop: The Old North Church, where the lanterns hung to warn Paul Revere of the British plan to attack.Paul Revere's house.
We're on the move again. There is so much to see!

2008-11-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

The Old State House, built in 1713, was the seat of the colonial government. On the street behind it we all stood on the site of the Boston Massacre. It's hard to describe the feelings you get while standing in such historic spots! As we peeked inside a side door of the Old State House we caught a glimpse of this beautiful staircase.
The Massachusetts State House was built in 1798. The original model for all U.S. state houses, it was designed by Boston native, Charles Bulfinch, who was considered America's first architect.
Old City Hall
Park Street Church was where the U.S. military forces stored gunpowder during the War of 1812. .

2008-11-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

BOSTON PUBLIC GARDENSI love all the history in Boston, but you know me and gardens! I'd have to say this was my favorite place in Boston. It was a place of such beauty and tranquility, while just across Charles St. in Boston Commons an Obama/anti-war rally was being assembled. They were noisy, foul mouthed, and mean spirited. Needless to say we didn't mind waiting for them to get on their way while we sat on a bench in the beautiful gardens. By the way there is a brass sculpture "Make Way for Ducklings" that was inspired by the famous 1941 children's book that was written by Robert McCloskey. I never could get a clear shot of them because there was a continual stream of kids climbing on them, so here's the real version! My first exposure to the book, "Make Way for Ducklings" was when as a kid I heard it read on Captain Kangaroo!

Standing in awe of a great general and our first commander in chief, George Washington! This was our first stop on our walking tour of the Public Gardens.

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

2008-11-07T17:11:00.000-08:00

After a wonderful lunch catching up with Jess & Drew we headed for the "Cliff Walk" and some of the very famous mansions located there. The Vanderbilt Mansion was first on the list. It's gates dwarf all else, including Grammy, Grandad, Jess, & Drew! You can get a peek at the mansion through the gate below. Everything is done on such a grand scale at these mansions, from gates to benches!
The Cliff Walk takes you down a nice path behind the mansions and expensive summer houses next to the water.We had a great first day together and really enjoyed our afternoon in Newport, Rhode Island. Now back to our hotel outside of Boston. Jessi got us reservations at Marriott's Residence Inns, where we had 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, living room with a sofabed, and a kitchen. We also took advantage of the swimming pool and hot tub in the evenings. What a treat!

NEW ENGLAND IN THE FALL PART 1

2008-11-05T15:02:00.000-08:00

It feels so good to be home after almost 3 weeks on the east coast! However, a week and a half later I'm still struggling with waking up at 4:00 am which of course is 7:00 am eastern time! We had such a great time with my folks and meeting up with Jess and Drew in Boston, which these are pictures of by the way. Above is our first glimpse of New England fall color from the plane. And then there was Boston Harbor, sparkling like a jewel! I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning!

As our plane descended lower and came around for landing at Logan International Airport, I just couldn't resist taking more pictures from the plane window. Sorry, Jessi, I know it's a touristy thing to do, but I just couldn't help myself!
And so ended Thursday, October 9th. Friday we would drive to Newport, Rhode Island where we would meet Jess and Drew around noon. They had left Virginia after work on Thursday and drove up as far as New Jersey. Then Friday morning they headed on up to meet us in Newport. "To be continued."

THE LONG AWAITED BLOOMING OF THE CREPE MYRTLE

2008-09-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that just a year ago this part of our yard was all torn up. When we started planting last fall, the Crepe Myrtles were what we were really excited about. Now, Tuscarora, one of the three we planted, is finally blooming!
The Mimosa tree is blooming in the background. Every year I threaten to get rid of it because of its messy nature...but it's just so pretty and smells good too!
This summer I added some ice plants from Daryl's Nursery to fill in with some color before the wedding. Here is one of them in the foreground of the Crepe Myrtle with some close ups of a couple of the others below. One of the great things about them, other than their beautiful flowers, is that they are drought tolerant!

SOME THINGS DO STRIKE TWICE

2008-09-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

Lightning would be easier to photograph if it would predictably strike twice in the same place. Josiah took these during that lightning storm we had the night of August 17th. He had to take an awful lot to get these two good ones.
However, there are things that strike twice a little more predictably. This year we have a new reblooming iris named Buckwheat, and it is putting on a good show the second time around.

Of course Cantina is at it again too. For more of it's extra ordinary reblooming habits, check the August, October, and yes, even the November 2006 archives.

DAY TRIP!

2008-09-17T15:56:00.002-07:00

We left after church on Sunday and decided we'd have our picnic lunch at this falls, that Dennis read about. It is actually a state park on the way to Pacific City. Can't remember the name and had never heard of it before and definitely never been there before. A falls in Oregon that we haven't seen?!!

Well, after hiking and nabbing one of the two picnic tables, we knew why we'd never been there before! No bathroom!!! And...we got our car all dusty on the gravel road back in there to boot! We enjoyed our lunch, quickly, and drove with due haste to find the necessary amenities.

After talking with my neighbor, who grew up in Tillamook, I've come up with the name of the falls: Munson Creek Falls. She said it was a favorite hangout of hers as a teenager. It was beautiful. Just go before you go!

PACIFIC CITY

2008-09-17T15:56:00.001-07:00

Our next stop, after the bathrooms of course, was the dunes at Pacific City. Those who made it clear to the top of the dunes, had a terrific view. Well, I debated...keep going or stay with Jeremiah. He'd already plopped down in the sand declaring defeat. I remembered my youth and my determined spirit and just knew I could make it. But...my joints were screaming "you made it half way. Don't be an idiot!" So I plopped down and joined him. Besides, it would only be the motherly thing to do to stay with him...right? Dennis, Carissa, and Josiah made it all the way to the top and took these beautiful pictures for us so we could see what we missed!

TIME TO GO

2008-09-17T15:56:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day! Did I mention it was 80* with a nice off shore breeze? The day went by way too quickly! I looked at my watch and it was already past 5:00! If we were going to get to Mo's for some Clam Chowder before the sun set, we'd have to hurry.
We look like refuges as we make our trek back to the car, some of us hobbling after our climb up the dune! Some of us (who will remain nameless) are still hobbling 3 days later!
We made it to D River, after a wonderful time at Mo's, just in time to watch the sun go down. These photos are courtesy of Josiah, who you all know loves to photograph sunrises and sunsets.
Wow! What a perfect ending to a perfect day. As we headed back inland there in front of us was the moon rising. We were able to watch it's progress all the way home. What an awesome Creator God we have!

CARISSA'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE!

2008-09-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

Here comes her train! She is excited. Her parents are a little nervous! I mean it's Seattle for pity sake! I don't care how old she is! Last Saturday morning she set off on her excellent adventure to the Yankee/Mariner game. I admire her for her brave and adventurous spirit. I wouldn't have done it all by myself, but she knew what she wanted and went after it. I'm proud of her. And there she goes.
She had spectacular views from the train, but didn't take too many pictures to make sure she still had batteries left for the game. Priorities you know!
The mighty Columbia rolls on!

CARISSA AND HER YANKEES IN SEATTLE

2008-09-11T16:36:00.000-07:00

Rissa's train arrived in Seattle 3 hours before game time, so she was able to watch the warm ups. This was as up close and personal as she could get. She was hoping for a few autographs. It didn't happen, but not for lack of trying.
Our national anthem.
The Yankees played before a packed crowd. Carissa had a seat behind 3rd base 35 rows up.
Well, Carissa picked the best game of the 3 to go to. The Yankees scored 5 runs in an awesome 7th inning, and end up beating the Mariners 7-3!

ANOTHER WEDDING!

2008-09-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

We ended August with yet another wedding. This time it was Dennis' field of expertise. I think this is the prettiest white on white cake he's done yet. It reminds me of an embellished Victorian ceiling. The wedding was held in the yard of a couple from our church family on Saturday evening. What a difference a couple weeks made in the weather. The wedding in our yard on the 16th was in the triple digits. This one was in the 60's and breezy, so they set the reception up inside putting the cake in front of the window.

With the weddings behind us, it's back to dividing iris, and canning the beans and tomatoes out of the garden, keeping up with the raspberries, and now the corn is ready! Before we can go to Boston, which is coming up quickly, we have to paint the south side of the house, finish up the plan for the sun room addition and get it submitted for estimates (if we're going to start it this fall), and 6 bushels of Gravenstines have to be made into applesauce! With that said, you might not hear from me for a while.

IT'S GOING TO BE A SCORCHER!

2008-08-17T18:13:00.000-07:00

It's only 6:30 am and already warm! A good start toward the 99* it will reach before days end. Josiah took these pictures Saturday morning before work at Daryl's Nursery.
I love the flag hanging to the side with not even a breath of a breeze to stir it. You'd think this was the tropics!
This one is looking up through a Smoke tree.
Awesome pictures, Josiah!

FIRST WEDDING IN BROWNS BACKYARD A BIG SUCCESS!

2008-08-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

Just double checking to make sure everything is perfect. Preparing the way for the bride with rose petals.
It was a good turnout for 1:00 on such a hot day! In the future I would advise waiting till at least 4:00 pm though, as the yard is in the shade by then.
Pastor Chris giving Donald and Lori encouraging words from God's word.
Pastor Chris introduced them for the first time as Mr. and Mrs.! Then everyone helped get the chairs next door for the reception, and just like that it was over. It was a very rewarding experience for us to be able to help our neighbor's son's wedding day to be as special as possible. We formed a special bond with Donald and Lori and of course this whole experience has brought us closer to our neighbors, Larry and Jane, whom we love dearly. It's hard to believe that they only moved in in April!

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE

2008-08-12T15:56:00.000-07:00

We had an appointment in Portland Sunday afternoon to get Carissa's new Speech Easy devise fitted. Afterwards we debated about whether to go to the Rose Test Gardens or Swan Island Dahlia Farm. The dahlias won. On the way we stopped at Willamette Falls for a quick look.
Now how would you like to look out your front window at that?!!
"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the soul." Luther Burbank
Wondering who Luther Burbank was? He was an American plant breeder and horticulturist. The World Book Encyclopedia says he developed many new trees, fruits, flowers, vegetables, grains, and grasses. You have heard of the Burbank potato haven't you?

Today is our oldest daughter's birthday. It seems like only yesterday. It was 104* that day and as far as we know still holds the record. Happy Birthday, Jessi! We love you!!

SWAN ISLAND DAHLIA FARM

2008-08-12T15:38:00.000-07:00

We had great fun picking out and photographing our favorites and enjoying the beautiful day. By the way "Happy Birthday, Dennis, who as of Thursday, will be able to get that senior discount and a Golden Age Pass!!!

Carissa and I enjoyed relaxing by the Koi pond. It was a beautiful place to spend a Sunday afternoon. It was a quiet interlude before our hectic week. Saturday is the wedding in our yard for the neighbors. So be praying for us as we do last minute dead heading and sprucing up, as well as squeeze a birthday celebration in!