Trouble keeping up

It's hard to find the time to blog. I meant to blog during our vacation in June and found the time once to start a post, but then had computer difficulties and was unable to finish it. We had a great trip to Minnesota to visit with Daniel's family. We got to celebrate Leslie's high school graduation and say good-bye to the Aaker Family Farm.

Lucy and Beckett (with his summer haircut)

And then we drove back home through Canada and visited Banf and Jasper National Parks, which are gorgeous.

Calgary

Calgary Tower

Two Jacks Lake in Banf


Beckett got cold in the mountains.

Since we returned home, we have been busy. Busy with visitors and entertaining friends. Both of which we love. An old friend of Daniels from his childhood years came out to stay with us the day after our return from vacation. It was great to meet Jody and his girlfriend, and listen to stories from the past. Then my mom stayed with us for a few days and made the cutest curtains for our front door, downstairs bathroom, and my office upstairs. I love them. At that time we also had friend's from the East coast visit and stay with us for a few days. It was good to catch up with them, but I wish I hadn't had to work so I could have gone out to play with them around Portland. Mike came back a few weeks later and stayed with us another week. He helped Daniel finish the fence on the side of the house, with a trellis or arbor above. It looks awesome!!

Daniel and Jody

Mom sewing

Daniel has made some beautiful and delicious meals for dinner parties lately. He made the most beautiful and tasty enchiladas, perfectly presented and garnished with zucchini blossoms. Then for another meal recently did his first try at Indian food. It was very good, but really, really, really spicy in true Daniel style. Plus we have had friends over several times for BBQ's.

I told him this was dangerous, but he doesn't believe me.

I have been busy learning how to pickle the cucumbers from the garden and making tons of baked zucchini goods (lots of zucchini in the garden). Daniel continues to work like crazy around here doing project after project. I keep waiting for him to get tired of it, but he hasn't yet.

I love this patio....and fire barrel!!!

Great Grandma's Roses

I took these pictures in mid-May of the rose bushes in our backyard. When my mom came by for Mother's Day she had to tell me how to take care of them. They weren't cared for very well by the tenants who lived in the house for a few decades, and I have never had roses before. I never understood gardeners fascination with roses before, but taking my walks around the 'Rose City', there are so many beautiful and sweet smelling roses. My mom looked grimly at my rose bushes and said she would start over, but I am told these rose bushes are the same ones that used to be here when my great grandma lived in the house. I was very excited when they started blooming. The bushes are by no means as healthy and beautiful and bushy as those around the neighborhood, but maybe they will be in another year or two.

Gotta Love Weekends

May was a very nice month, with lots of warm and beautiful weekends, and tons of yard work. Daniel's birthday was this month. He took the day off of work. If it was my birthday and I took the day off of work, I would go to the spa or something of the like. But Daniel, excitedly, roto-tilled the side yard with a very scary machine and then laid grass seed. (I must say, it looks very nice to have some green grass popping up over there instead of dirt.) In mid-May, I went up to Seattle to visit a dear friend who was in town on business. It was great not only to spend time with her and her husband, but to also see a few other great friends in Seattle. I was surprised to find that I missed Seattle, it is such a beautiful city. When I told Daniel this he reminded me, I couldn't afford to live in the beautiful part...oh yeah, that's one reason why we left.

The next weekend was Memorial Day weekend. Daniel and our friend Paul (and Talib) worked very hard on Saturday starting the work on our circle flagstone patio that will be my fire pit patio. Sunday, Daniel and I went on a little day trip to Hood River to visit with some friends and had a lovely time taking a little hike, relaxing at a winery, and eating pizza and ice cream. Memorial Day, Daniel continued the strenuous work of laying the flagstones for the patio. While he does all the back breaking work (and my back is already broken), I supply the cold water, snacks, and lunches...oh and the unwelcome advice.

This past weekend, we continued 'our' work on the patio and in the garden beds. I noticed real live snap peas growing on my plants and that made me very happy. I can't wait for the rest of the yummy veggies and fruits to start to appear. Saturday afternoon, we headed South to Eugene for a little adventure and a birthday party. It was the first time I had spent time in Eugene. They have a big Saturday market that we explored and a cold river that we jumped and soaked in to cool off. Plus there was more ice cream eating (that seems a theme in our lives) at the renowned Prince Pucklers. Now we are thinking about our road trip to Minnesota and back. Where does the time go...we have a lot to do to get ready and a week to do it in. Below are some pictures from our May activities.

Taking a break from yard work


Sarah and Afsoon in West Seattle


Happy 37th Birthday!!! Good work.


Daniel and Paul Working Hard


Our very expensive rocks get delivered...


In the shade at the winery enjoying snacks and delicious wine.
Becks looks sad, I think because he didn't get any wine.


Rolling the dirt...


The gravel has been laid and compacted, the sand laid,
and now it's time for the flagstone...


A big puzzle


Where we eat most of our meals these days, on the back porch.
Why does Beckett always come pester me when we eat.


Hmmm...


...I guess he knows it always pays off.

I Love Grandma...

Easter Pics of the Girls

I am behind, but finally here are some pictures of Katie and Ellie engaging in Easter activities during their visit with us last month.

On Saturday Katie and Aunt Sarah decorated Easter eggs and then made Easter cookies.

Aunt Sarah looks tired, perhaps she shouldn't have been out until 2:30am dancing with Daniel.

I am not sure what's up with the Scottie dog barrette.

A mouth full of candy.

After church we went to Wayne and Gail's for lunch. Grandma gave the girls Easter bags with books and puzzles.

Daniel capturing it all on film.

Daniel told Dad to contemplate life.

It a miracle that I got dressed and out of the house with those two girls distracting me.