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.

What's Up~

The giant pumpkins are still growing. You can see how big this one is... placed a playing card on top to give you an idea and see the bottom peaking from under the big leaf. I thought I bought Pie Pumpkin seeds but I am beginning to wonder if they miss marked the seed package... or the horse Manure makes mutant Veggies?
Is big enough the men of the house can't pick it up.
Roma tomatoes are finally starting to turn color.
Cosmos is doing well.
Weather has been really warm here, no rain for a very long time. If I remember correctly the News said we are 14" behind what we need to have.
DS has been hoping for some rain so he doesn't have to water so much.

Not much going on...other than DH came home with a very bad cold.... in which he gave to our DS. Who wasn't all that impressed.
We had planned to go to Octoberfest but with both Men of the House sick.. we stayed home.
Wasn't a bad thing.. DH managed to get a number of the Farm chores done.

I am working on a Christmas painting. Will be of Mia the kitten, with a red ribbon around her necks and gifts all about. You can see the WIP on my Art blog.

Cats and Dogs.. funny

DH and Golf ~

Putting~
DH really likes the Trees.
A hazard... look for the orange ball in flight,on the right of the photo.
Check out the orange blur....

Over all a Grand Day Out!

DS golf day out~2nd post

You can see how nice the course is. Here is Chris getting off a good shot.
Putting~
The Hazards,, and like all good Mothers, had to capture the moment. :O)
The Sand pit- he hit the ball out the first shot. Sadly no sand spraying in all directions photographs for me. However, I do have ones of DH, so not all is lost.

DS Golf day~ 1st post

DS decided he would like to go Golfing for his Birthday. The course we usually go to had a tournament going, so we were unable to golf there.

DH called around and found another Golf course in the area and it ended up being a much nicer course.

The Golf cart was all electric and because of that non smelly, smooth going, just an over all nice cart to drive.

The course as you can see above was very nicely done, well thought out and elegant in its design.

Mia Playing

Finally was able to get a video of Mia playing. You can also see Nari our Maine coon in her harness..and Sadie our orange cat.

A nice ride out on the Farm~

Had a good ride on Dyfra today... took Ella with us... Ella her bright sheet and bell on, as Hubby saw the poachers about at 6am this morning. Rather late for poachers.

Got to prune some branches back while still on Dyfra. First time in a veryyyy long time I did that. Nice to have part of my path...well.. I know where the path was... clear.

Dyfra was a champ.. dropped some 1 to 2" limbs on her head and neck... not on purpose...she could care less.

Had to grab ahold of a very long and very thick blackberry vine... had her back up a good 50' to get it pulled out of the tree limbs. She is such a good work horse.

Ella for the most part stayed in sight of us. Normally running to catch up with us..with her bell jingling away. Both people and other animals would have to be totally deaf not to hear us coming.

Rode in the new military pants I bought... little big but will fit perfect when I start wearing double clothes in winter. Much better than sweat pants for riding in the brush. Normally the thorn bushes snag my legs.. and they didn't get me at all in these pants.Was thinking about getting some English riding pants... but I decided since I don't get to ride out with others.. military work pants make more sense.

The above picture is from a couple of years ago. Should of took the small camera out today with me but didn't think about it until I got back in. Maybe next time I will have DS take some photos of us working.

Video of Mia~

The State Fair and Draft horses

We set out for the State Fair as soon as the Farm animal chores were done and we fed ourselves.
It was a bright and sunny morning, abet a wee bit on the cold side. However, that is much better than being too hot.
The traffic was surprisingly light, so we enjoyed that in full measure.
The main reason we were going, is so I could get some Draft horse photos. Unlike New England with their Draft horse shows and pulls.. just about every weekend in different areas. This area has very few. Just one main show around Feb at HAPPS and the State Fair.
No Oxen and Draft horse pull only shows, sadly.
While waiting for the draft horse pull to start.. DH got me the scooter.. personally hate the things but not much choice. We looked around at the livestock.. was a Longhorn Cow we wanted to buy but sadly couldn't find the owners and they did not have any info out other to say it was for sale. Opportunity lost.
DH & DS has to check out the food of course.
Really nice fair for the NW.
*
Here are just a few of the Draft horse photos I took the last day of the State Fair. Really need a Nikon D300 for the type of photos I want to take but until I can afford it I am stuck with the one I have. Will have to at least get a better flash.
These photos were taken out side where there was better light.
Decided to do close ups and different angles...

Mia~

On the way home yesterday from buying Heidi's Cap stone, I decided to go to the shelter we got Nari from. Wasn't planning too but I thought.. 3 cats were much better than two. And offering a kitten a good home in the process.
*
No cat can ever replace Heidi but we do have room in our hearts for another.
*
This is Mia.... a spayed shelter kitten that DS picked out. She loves people,, never seems to stop purring and as roudy as Sadie. Am hoping the other two will help keep this one busy!


All cats love DH slippers.... ya gott'a wonder what goes through a kittens mind?
As you can see was very hard to get a photo of her cute face. As soon as I snap a good face shot..will post it.

Heidi's Cap stone

This is Heidi's 110lb slate cap stone for her Grave. I know many would think us silly for going these lengths for a family pet.

Yet,, just because of that, being a much loved long time Family member, we pay our respects in this manner.

Next week I will put small blue stones around the Cap stone, so it will looks clean and finished. We also bought a very nice flowering bush to plant near here...will attract the birds. Heidi really enjoyed watching the birds from DS bedroom window..when she was able.

Only thing left to do after that is to get her Grave stone marker done.

The Passing of Heidi ~

We went to our large animal Vet at 3:30 today.. let them see Heidi and told the New Vet, all her history...and she agreed it was Heidi's time. Heidi was calm.. like she knew it was her time.

New Vet took her out of the room for the shot but brought her back in, so we could be with her. Itched her,, talked to her...until she fell asleep. The Vet stayed with us, she was sooo kind and understanding. That helped a lot.

(She also knew who I was talking about with out me saying the name, not all Vets are good or caring Vets as per the other post.)

It was a peaceful passing and the right thing to do.. no matter how hard it was for us.

Let my son make the choice.. to bring her home or let them...

We brought her home, made a comfy box for her to be in and DS burried her.

I managed to hold it together for a bit, did not want to cry in front of my son..but can't seem to stop crying. It never is easy letting an family member go.

DS is doing about the same I am... he had Heidi since he was a wee nipper and has always had her in his life.. He doesn't remember a time when she wasn't there. Will be a hard adjustment.

It will be a long time before we can think of Heidi without crying, she has been with this family for a long, long time.

Our two other cats.. no longer really kittens, help. They can never replace Heidi...but they in time will soften it a bit.

`

My DS wants to be alone and I have to stay busy...so I was folding towels.. and of course they had to help...and let me know I wasn't folding them right. Being right in the middle of everything, they knew...Cats always know. Just had to hug them.

*

To our Beloved Heidi, forever part of our family and within our hearts always. Be at peace and free of pain Dear friend. We shall always miss you.

Heidi is not doing well

Photo is of the first month we moved to the new farm..just before Heidi's down slide.

We have this old cat Heidi and we have had her a longggg time...she is my Son's beloved cat and he has had her most of his life.

We love her dearly but she hasn't been doing well for a couple of years. Done all the testing over and over again through this on Vet..nothing changes. She is skinny, can't keep on weight..she is on special spendy food..on meds.....we have always taken the best care possible of her. Not the money so much, as this Vet thinks we are stupid....

Can't possibly know anything about animals. How very wrong she is.

Last couple of days.. Heidi is still purring but can hardly walk....almost no motor control with the last half of her body. She is my son's cat and he carries her everywhere now..because she can't on her own... this is sooo very hard on him. This family is so torn up to see her like this. I know it is time..there is nothing that can be done. She is old,worn out and in a lot of pain...even though we give her pain meds twice a day.

So I call the Vet this morning and I get.. the Vet doesn't condone putting any animal down. So what... make her suffer longer?

I have a knack for making animals well...but even I can't do anything about old age and worn out body parts... and I know it.

I let Hubby know...at his new job..he doesn't need to deal with this right now..we are both in tears on the phone... he is going to try to come home so we can take her to the Vet. I don't think I could hold it together enough..to handle both an stupid uncaring Vet and Heidi. He is also going to call said Vet and have some words with her.

G** I hate it when they get old. And I hate it when a Vet doesn't listen, doesn't look and doesn't think.

There are other issues with this Vet I will not go into now but I have had good caring Vets... and everyonce in awhile.. Vets like this one..that shouldn't be practicing.

Should of listen when even the local animal shelter will not deal with this Vet.

Cats and the Beans....

I wasn't able to get photos of Nari helping me shell peas but this time I had my son's help in getting a couple of the shots with the cats helping me with wax and green beans. I also took a couple of the photos.
Nari was the first one to see what I was up too,, Looking at me with a question in her eyes... like why are you messing about with those weird looking "toys?".. again? So she had to hop onto the Sofa to get a Cat's eye view.
Sadie couldn't be left out this time, so she jumped onto the sofa to join Nari. As they sat there looking at what I was doing, it seemed like Nari and her were haivng a discussion about what I was doing and how they could help?
Double sets of paws had to bat the beans,, wet noses have to sniff the unusual looking items. Nari takes to licking one of them and Sadie looks at her as if to say... "You can't possibly like that....Yuk!!".

The first look into the colander where the beans we being tossed. Think they are trying to figure out the purpose of this.

Little closer look and a bit of a sniff. Sure doesn't smell like a treat..they seem to be saying.
The questioning look... what could that be and would it make a good toy?
Sure Nari is thinking that it would make a great additon to the collection of odds and ends behind my DS bedroom door. Or could it be the "Bean stare down"?.. You decide.
I have to admit I like their Cat version of help and love their curiosity.