Another...

So I am hoping that this will be my last lazy-style update.

I have piles of pictures and so many little stories to tell that deserve real posts.

Until then...

We took that sad, sad walk.

The one through our bitty airport to put Grandpa on a plane.

What a sweet visit we had.

Having our people here is unbelievably special.

Very hard to see them go.

Then, there was more market. 

Lots of interest in Sully's salmon stencil on painted wood blocks.

(Lovely, right?)

Fly tying.

And fly-fishing.

So... Many... Fish.

I don't really help at all with the process either.

Just the cooking and eating parts.

River crossings that Minna can do herself. 

The water is low and lingering.

(So are the bears it seems from some tracks we saw.)

This is the third summer that Minna has worn this dress. 

Hope she can wear it at least 5 more.

Summer color and twirly at it its prettiest.

Critters happy and gearing up for the fair.

Care for a blue ribbon, Hazel?

Or one for Gail, perhaps?

Embroidery is happening. 

Most days its just a few stitches here and there.

These callas are so close to being finished 

that I should be finishing it right this second instead of typing.

So close!

It will happen.

Happy mid-week to you!

Up To Date.

I keep thinking I am posting more here.

 Then I look at the date of my last post and realize I am not at all!

I  like these quick updates though. 

Here is another...

Full day playdates.

More market.

One of us on the road for a LONG trip on two wheels.

Really, we are all on the road.

Walks.

A neighborhood birthday party.

Father's Day, celebrated early.

Our own birthday girl. 

(Celebrating late, when Dad gets back with Grandpa!)

B-day boots.

Embroidery.

Wind, a couple of girls and lupine soup making.

(I'm pretty sure its not a real thing. People keep asking though.)

River when it's nice out.

Sometimes it gets nice at 10:00pm.

We will be there.

Yo.

Ducks are doing great.

As are all the other critters.

Skies clearing.

And we woke up to 60 plus degrees this morning.

River anyone?

A Week Of Thanks.

This Thanksgiving week, I am posting from my Instagram archive. Pretty easy to see what I am thankful for in my daily life by looking back through it.

So very, very thankful for-

This Pooch

And her two little puppy sisters.

And their 9 hen cousins.

And 3 pretty little pullet cousins.

And 4 bunny friends.

Raising animals has taught us so much. 

Fresh eggs have spoiled us. 

And... animals are just awesome.

Thank you furry and feathered ones.

Some Color.

Been pretty grey today.

The past week has been super colorful.

Summer colorful, for sure.

 red

 orange

 yellow

 green

 blue(ish, kinda)

 purple

 pink (and Hazel)

 fawn and sandy flemish

(but named, Banana and Dark)

black and white 

(and buff, not pictured.)

Having colorful days too?

Hope so...

A Tale Of Six Rabbits.

So, Hazel lives with us. 

We adopted her some months back. She is the prettiest and softest bunny I have ever met. She doesn't like to be held though.That is fine and she has a nice big hutch and seems super happy. But I have three kids that really want to hold her.... all the time.

We found something today.

Two somethings, actually.

Teeny wild rabbit babies!

They must have been in a nest in the big brush pile out back.

We (Jeff) were chopping and burning the brush today,

and a baby fell out!

Then Roo-the-dog found a second baby nearby that Sully saved.

(Just like Kodi and the baby jays.)

The kids got to hold them. I couldn't say no. I couldn't resist myself. So soft and sweet. 

Those little ears!

We researched the possibility of raising them.

But with that research, we also became hopeful that the mama will still find them tonight when it gets dark if we leave them near their old nest. The babies have a faint stripe of white on their forehead and that means that the mama isn't done caring for them yet.

There have been lots of tears and worry and falling in love out here today. We know that their best chance of survival is with their mom. Its hard, but its nature. We like to trust nature.

We don't know what we will do if it looks as though the nest and sticks we placed around it weren't distubed. That would mean the mother didn't come in the night. We will have to figure out a Plan B.

So...

I just did what every other normal person would do when their animal loving kids are sad about giving up little wild bunnies, I adopted three Flemish Giants instead.

Seemed totally rational at the time.

(Left to right- "Sauce", "Dark" and "Banana")

A Whirl Around The Yard.

We were outside all day.

Here is some of what's going on out here.

(I do other things besides chicken things.)

I weeded and cleared dry leaves 
and brush from our bed by the front door.

Green poking out!

I was lured into photographing this bush off the deck.

I was asked today what it was.

I don't know.

I do know that I can not capture the red on camera, 

that I see with my eyes in real life.

Next time I see the gal that planted 
and nurtured this pretty thing 

for years before I inherited it, I will ask..

Til then, any ideas?

(It isn't a berry.)

We have wood. 

So. Much. Wood.

And saw dust.

Everywhere.

I do enjoy watching Jeff chop it though.

And we will have plenty of wood come fall for our stove.

We are trying to rid ourselves of the 
fuel oil system we have for heating.

That will be awesome.

We raked and cleared a path to our raised beds. 

Made the kids help line it with river rocks.

I love that look.

The coop is rocked too.

There is a lot of work to do in there 
but I am super motivated.

It's fun to do yard stuff with the family.

Minna had her work gloves on today. 
She dug right in!

And Hazel.

Just plain, ole constant cute.

Starting to shape up out here!

What's your yard doing?