Start of Fall

Now I have to admit that Pacific NW doesn't have the beautiful Autumn colors that NE has but this isn't to shabby.
This is a local school over on the other side of the Columbia River. Nice old school that has a lot of character, beautiful grounds and trees.
An Old Oak tree..... DH and I really like this tree. Do not see them this large or old now a days.

The Rose garden

When we moved to this farm there were a few old and not so healthy rose bushes of painfully bright colors. Kid you not, so bright I could see them "without" my glasses from across the Farm! Not what I would normally buy but hey,, they came with the Farm, might as well nurse them back to health.

We have moved many of them, to the area where I decided to have a Rose Garden.

Last year I wanted to add some softer color Roses to help tone down the wild colored ones already here. I ordered them last spring and had them arrive the first week of Sept. That way I would not have to worry about watering them or the stress that could weaken them because of the hot summer days.

Those New Roses are above.

Some where bought for color or smell, most will make good cutting flowers for the house.

The new Rose garden area is a work in progress, bit rough around the edges but in time will be able to have it looking like I want it to.

Just posted the photos of the blooms of these flowers. Hopefully next spring things will look good enough, I will post a picture of the new Rose garden.

American Made Measuring cups and Spoons~

As promised, the photo of the "American Family made", Measuring cups, spoons, large mixing spoon and fork.
The first impression over all is ... that these are very high quality products. Made of Cherry wood, each piece is signed by the Artisan and dated. The wording is burned into the wood so there is no chance of the measuring amounts, being rubbed off over time. Leaving you to wonder what size you are using.

Will be using them to make bread tomorrow, so I will also let you know if they measure true or not but I have a feeling there'll be no issues in that department.

Here is their web site again, incase anyone is interested.
http://www.spooners.com/

African Violets

Yesterday I finally had the time to re pot 3 of my African Violets. Have been buying small glazed pots to put them in but they are hard to come by.

You can see in the top photo two smaller non flowering ones... one to the right is "Rob's Combustible Pigeon" and the other is "Rob's Chilly Willy". Decided to buy them on their names alone, however they are very pretty plants in their own right.

The Bottom pink AV.. called the "Super Dooper".

I really do not have the room for any more but here is a good link to some wonderful African Violets if you should be interested.

http://www.lyndonlyon.com/

Making sure DS gets it right

Its a never ending job for the Cats in this house. They are always there to help any way they can. This time, they are there to offer DS moral support and occasional help in spelling, when he was writing Thank you notes.
Just wish they reminded me to send my Niece and Nephew their Birthday cards..so I hang my head in shame.

Nari version of Book learning. ;O)

She is the one I did the portrait of, laying next to some of DS books.

Makes me wonder if she is reading them, when we are not looking? Hummm.. A closet reader perhaps?

Inspection Crew

This is our official inspection team.

There are three members on its board, Sadie, Nari the older and more experienced workers and Mia... the one in training. Any time my DH wants to ride the Motorcycle to work, his safety gear is dually inspection by all three cats. Leg holes are crawled into to make sure everything is in place, Jacket is inspected to make sure the armour is where it should be.

They take a look in the helmet to see if the padding is still all there. Very important work to be sure.

Then in the last photo...one of the three Cats have a discussion about Safety with DH. This time it was Mia's turn. She did very well even though she was a bit shy about this part of the job.

DH told them, he will remember it is very important to stay safe and Thanks the Cats for their help.

American Made products~

**For a long while now, I have been searching for places that sell excellent quality, long lasting products for just about everything a person needs.
Is just about impossible to find goods "not" made in China any more and with the major issue of.. "Are they safe"...you have all seen the news and it does not invoke confidence.
*I personally have been doing my best to find places here in the USA,, where families, make quality goods.

In my search of locating both Measuring cups and spoons,, not made of Chinese plastics. I rather pay a little extra for "Safe" products, than take a chance with our health.
I ran across these folks.. so I ordered some items from them. Will post pictures and info on these items when they come in.
http://www.spooners.com/

If you know of an American company/family making excellent quality everyday products made in the USA with USA materials, please let me know. I plan to make a Blog, so everyone else can find these products too.