Moon over barn

Though it was windy and bitter cold, the view of the moon last night was eerily exquisite, and worth going outside to see! This small size photo does not do it justice.

We woke up to sunshine this morning, but it was still windy and cold. However, it got warmer (43 degrees) as the day progressed so Ken spent most of the afternoon outdoors (working on the sunny south side of the barn, out of the wind) building a new roof for the cold frame. The old one, well, it came 'unhinged' to put it mildly. After years out in the elements the screws pulled loose from their mooring and the roof literally fell off! Farm chores are half maintenance and repair, not giving one much chance for starting any new landscape design and building projects. We still have a pile of gravel in the driveway from last spring to be used to make a new patio out front under the living room window and another off the back porch.

When Ken was busy doing all this, I mowed the lawn! I love the smell of fresh cut grass and my sister is coming to visit next weekend, so was just tidying up.

Regardless of the project, it is a great way to spend time in the great outdoors, enjoying the sunshine when it graces us with its presence. Willamette Valley weather is great at sprinkling us with hope for a better day. Just got to love it.

I love Oregon

It is Valentines Day here in Oregon 2011. The crocus are blooming as are the wind flowers, my first daffodils, and camellia. Seed potatoes are in the farm stores. Chick supplies are being put out although it is a bit early to order chicks.

The past three weeks we have been pruning the orchard, cane and blue berries, and finally the roses last weekend. Best time to prune roses is right after Presidents Day, but the weather was inviting, the new puppies needed to be outside to learn how to be good neighbors to their chicken and cat neighbors (with constant supervision at this point) and the the forecast was for rain through Presidents Day - so what better time is there!

Ken got the first of the 3 fungicide sprays we were supposed to put on since Mid-December. Oh well, the most important one is at bud break and some of the peaches and plums are showing color so now it was. We used Kocide as we did not have any Ziram and were out of Fixed Copper, but rotating sprays is a good thing to do so plants don't develop an immunity to any one kind. He hit the roses and berries too as he mixed up 50 gallons. Even got the neighbors fruit trees - with their permission.

I can feel it in the air. Spring is just around the corner! Right after winter has had her say that is. Boy has the wind has been showing its power yesterday and today and here comes the rain. I'm just thankful for the past three good weeks of nice weather! I love living in Oregon!

I had the best day ever!

Today was the best day ever - in puppy training lingo. Skye, the Blue Merle pound puppy, knows how to get let outside - when she rings a bell hanging on the door! Yeah - no accidents since she started doing this. Of course her sister Sassy, the Red Merle, gets let out at the same time so she is benefiting as well. This is a break though with puppy training so far. They've had days when they are let out and "go potty" as instructed, but 15 minutes later when let in they wet on the floor! Has been so frustrating, however, I have decided to change my attitude and have the ability to decide if I had the best day ever. They are just 11 weeks old, so I may be overly optimistic, but pleased at any baby steps. It is good that we got two pups, I cannot keep up with them - they play constantly like it's a visit to a puppy park every moment they are awake. So glad when they take naps so I can get things accomplished.

Their bellies are so soft and they love to be petted there. Both want to be lap dogs. They let me wipe their feet at the door and also like to work for goodies. They can sit, down, and roll over, but are still working on stay, come, and "don't eat that chicken "s@#t". La Sigh! Puppy kindergarten here we come!