One Misty Day ~~

Tried to take photos of the cool misty day we had last week.  60*, heavy clouds and a light mist all day... LOVE IT! 

Reminded me of Oregon.
Really nice day, could get lots done.

Wish we could have more days like this one here in VA.

Kitchen Garden~

After the steep learning curve last growing season, I think, I "might" have the hang of growing things around here.

Above, one of  my Asparagus beds, they are doing well.

One of the two blueberry blushes we planted last Fall.  Is doing well.

Lettuce is looking very pretty.
Below, the lettuce and broccoli bed.

The Mars grape, came back even after the late hard freeze killed all the new growth.
The red grape,, is very much dead. Will have to replace that one.
But around the Mar's grape, I decided to try some, ground cover, to help with the weeds.
They are tiny now, but hopefully will grow quickly.

Still have more weeded to do. 

The two Peony bushes, did well through winter and are coming on strong. Even have buds starting.
Rather hard to see right now.

Just planting two tomatoes this year, plus some summer squash, a pepper, some onions and flowers in this bed.
Plants are still very small right now. Bed should be full by mid summer.

Fruit Orchard and Amy the Turkey~

Amy the Turkey, wanted to have her photo taken this morning. 

All the photos where taken this morning, except the one above, that was taken in April. One of the Japanese flowering Cherries, with not many flowers due to the late hard freeze we had.

Fruit Orchard looking towards the Kitchen Garden.
Can see the new trees if you look hard. 

Panoramic view of the wee Orchard, looking towards the Hen house. 

One of the new fruit trees, this one is a Pluot called, Flavor supreme.

Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony ~

Speakers at the start of the ceremony.

Finally DS's turn to walk up front

Signing the Induction ledger

Quite proud of him, he is doing very well in College.

Plied the Gotland Yarn

During the Storm yesterday, I finished plying my Gotland yarn. Not sure what I am going to do with it yet.
Has been washed and is now being Set.

Storm ~

River across the Driveway....
First time I have seen this, granted this up and coming summer will only be our third year here.

Lots of strong wind, thunder and lightening. Sadie spent most of the day under her safety table, with the cover on it.

For the first time, Dyfra did not rear and spin, when the Thunder claps happened.

Pond and pond and creek running where there normally isn't one.

Thank goodness... no Tornadoes near us.

Pear tree doing its best to bend in half, during the strong steady winds. 

Blackbirds above and a Grackle below, seeking shelter during the storm.

Miss the more mellow weather of NW Oregon. 

Here the weather is just crazy.
Also makes me wish I could afford and F5 rated storm shelter.

The Garden and Orchard~

Beautiful Apple blossoms.

The late hard freeze, did not destroy all the cherry blossoms.Luckily there are a few left to enjoy.

The Peach tree lost all its blooms in the late frost.  So no peaches for this year. 

One of the Pear trees that survived last years bugs and disease. Is doing pretty good!

The Squash bed, did not make in, even with the row cover. 

The Bed of lettuce and broccoli did ok with a floating row cover over the top of them.
Using DE to keep the bugs at bay.

I had all but one Rose bush, that was coming back after the below freezing temps last winter. But sadly, with all that new growth, mother nature decided to throw a hard frost at us.
Now I only have one Rose bush coming back.  Rather depressing.

Also lost a Cherry tree and one grape vine. The one that did survive the winter... pretty sure, bit the dust with the late freeze, too.
So I will have to replace two grape vines, a cherry tree and 4 rose bushes at some point.
Steep learning curve to be sure.

A unique Pea Trellis, found no where else in the World. LOL  Should do the trick.

Luckily, the two Peony's seemed to have made it through the winter. Can just see them coming up.One is in the foreground the other near the top right of the photo.