My Favorite Month of September Continues on...

In the middle of all this painting stuff, we have a resident baby bear who moved in to the orchard, under the fence!

This used to be black tar paper, the open soffit will be closed in and stained in the same color.

John putting the first coat on the newly cleaned shingles....it looks so darn good now and oh what a difference to the old black and dirty ones! For those of you who didn't know it, this month we are having the house painted. At the same time some exterior repairs and finishing work will be done. Choosing colors was the most stressful time of my life here.


We might be getting there with the color

The green is too dark

Can't say I didn't try!!

These shingles went over tar paper that we lived with for 5 years. Two coats of stain and they are so beautiful!

My Garden was Beautiful this year

I am so happy with my garden this year. It is forever changing and I am finally comfortable with what to do and not to do around here. It has taken a few years. Deer are a problem, dryness is a problem, just to mention a few things that I have had to get used to in order to garden in this area! I will continue to make changes of course. It is a work in progress, but it is a known fact that gardens are meant to be that way. Forever changing!

This year I filled in spaces with annuals and I am happy about that

Constant watering has helped. Timers are the way to go.

This corner bed is new but will change next year

September, One of My Favorite Months to be Home

On September 8th, Rock returned from Arizona in a very "Southwest" mode! He took himself off to Goodwill for some new work shirts!! Oh well, no one sees us around here in the middle of bumble.......The Stetson has lived here for a while though. I am glad to have him back home, especially since we have a resident baby bear, who visits our orchard almost every day. I saw our "Putz" cat in the orchard this morning, with the bear, but the bear took off and Putz came strolling down our driveway. Hope she scared the baby bear off. Oh, and happy birthday for the 9th dear hubby. I can't believe I am married to a 67 year old man!!! Keep up the good work Rock.

On September 4th, I took myself off to the Ferry County Fair since I had to take Tiger in to the vet for her eye problem and to have her "pedicure!" It was a fun time. Of course the whole fair can be seen in one hour! I watched the Keller Culture Club Dancers, who did a great job. My friend Karen and the school secretary, hand sewed all the "Regalia". Great job. I had a wonderful Indian Taco to eat, the highlight of my day. Please be sure to scroll down to enjoy the two videos of the Keller Culture Club dancers. Leon and Brenda, I know you can relate!!! "Aaaayyaaayaaa yai yai!"


Great Regalia, good job Karen and Mrs. B

Mrs. B explaining the meaning of the dances and Regalia

Yum yum. I love Indian Tacos

A beautiful rescue Eagle. I love Raptors

Mostly "Grange this and Grange that" in the exhibit hall!

I had to follow this 19, who knows what year, car for several miles. Was this for real?

I am calling it a "mild" tornado!! I have not experienced wind like this since we have lived here and the way it hit, lifting heavy things off the ground, rather than just small things blowing over and falling over as it usually does in a strong windstorm. I went out in the wind and rain and tried to salvage things but couldn't move the heavy stuff. Rock, where were you when I needed you!!??


The gas grills blew over

A little bird lost his or her home

The gazebo was lifted out of the ground in the big rockery and landed on top of our propane tank, which stopped it from falling down the hill in to our road.

My arbor was lifted and fell on its side

This was on the floor in the greenhouse and fell over, yet nothing fell off shelves.

Where the gazebo was, all that was left is the table which was inside of the gazebo.

August Projects, Harvests and Activities in and around Tessadora Manor

August seems to have been a very busy month. What with our wonderful visit to Mr. Bill in Idaho and our very fun time at the Irvin cabin and Danelle's wedding, and all the projects at home, harvesting, Rock building a pumphouse, and negotiating with John Eggett to paint the exterior of our house, I guess you can say we were very busy. However, Rock still managed to go to Arizona to visit Danielle and Chad from the 28th through the 8th of September. He was supposed to paint their condo but that didn't happen so he just had a good time with Danielle and Chad. They visited Bisbee and also went to Chad's cabin at Pinetop. I guess much fun was had by all in Arizona. We harvested my lavender, which is drying as we speak, the garlic, which is plentiful, and apples on the first tree that ripens late August. We have at least three full trees to go unless the bears get there first! We did hire John and hope to get this job done before I leave for Seattle, then Arizona. I will try to sell some garlic to Shaw's Product at the Dam, this year. I am also going to try to make a new seasoning, with dried lavender, garlic (both of which I have plenty), sea salt and pepper. Perhaps, if it is good I will get to barter it at Barter Faire!!?? Thanks for the recipe Sue.

The roof goes on

The beginning all framed in

Door goes on

Way to go Rock

Good job Rock

Garlic's final resting place in the larder

Drying in the shed first

Well, actually, growing first!!

Lavender drying in the shed

Lavender growing before harvest

First apple tree to be ready "Red Tree Apples!"

Bye Rock, you now have your little bag for your lunch!

(The House) as seen now "Before" picture ! After picture will follow, soon. Stay posted!

Many attempts at choosing color!

Oh the trials and tribulations!

Cleaned up shingles. What a difference