Summer work

We've busy outside while we have ad sunny days.  34 days with no rain.  we are dry so it seems odd to be thinking of wood for the stove this winter.  Bob felled se eral trees that needed to come down and they will furnish our need for cut wood.

 The rest of the tree will come down too

 Part of the property is in pasture and that goes up to the hills and the Tree Farm (private).  Where I am standing and taking this picture is a clearing when Bob hauled the downed trees so he can cut them up. 

 Working away.

 He sees me heading his way bringing lunch

 The way out.  I don't know why it is blurry maybe I was in a hurry.

My gator and cart and Bob's tractor and trailer parked up by the house after work is done.  Now we have to make dinner???  Next step is hauling up the rest of the wood and then Bob gets (lucky him) to split it all in usuable pieces.  Whew I am worn out.

Bird rescue~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Wild bird Wednesday

This little guy, Cedar Waxwing (bombycilla cedrorum) was in the Blueberries.  we have a netting over the berries to keep the deer from eating the leaves and the birds, mainly Robins, from eating the berries.  This guy was under the netting.  We got him out--he was happy.

 Here he is looking a bit unhappy.  See the Blueberries and netting in the background.

 Here is a picture I took in the woods in the Spring. One of my favorite birds.  They love berries or any soft fruit.  A flock will start at the top of a, say Mountain Ash, with all its red berries and devour the tree berries in a day.  Interesting to watch.  A beautiful bird.

Here is a pic I got off the internet.  Thank you no name.  See the red tips on his wings--that is where the name wax wing comes from.

To view more birds go to http://www.paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/ and enjoy.

Stanwood Valley Barn~~~~~~~~~~~~Barn Charm

A speedy drive by shot through the Stilly Valley of Stanwood.

Giddy-up on over to Tricia's www'bluffareadaily.blogspot.com and enjoy more charming barns.  MB

Stanwood Mural for Monday Murals

One small wall in downtown Stanwood.

To see more murals in other places go to http://oaklanddailyphoto.blogspot.fr/

Barn Shadows~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Shadow Shot Sunday2

On the ranch where my daughter lives and works they are going to tear down an old barn.  The barn is over 75 years old and has been used for many things.  Most everything will be re-used so the barn will continue even after it is gone.

                                                   Everything that is
                                                      casts a shadow.                  Neil G

You could visit my daughter's blog at ritzvilleranchlife.blogspot.com and to see more Sunday Shadows go to: http://shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.com/ and enjoy!

Sunset & Moonrise~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sky Watch

 Sunset.  The hill to the left of the sun is Mt. Erie a fun place to hike and rock climb.  Just a low hill.

 Tuesday,s  moon.  Sunset and moonrise about the same time.

Tonight's Moon just clearing the trees  at 11PM

To see a plethora of sky shots go to www.skyley.blogspot.com and enjoy!

Sunflowers

I planted some Sunflowers this year and they all came up. I planted them in 5 different places.  They are huge.  Some 8--10 ft. tall

 All different colors.

 Some of my favorites

 Bullseye

 Old faithful

Squash Blossoms for Gaelyn

I'm Waiting..............Wild Bird wednesday

.......feed me
Goldfinch babies are here..

 I'm waiting...

 Over here

Stretch a little--I'm down here

Wing your way over to Stewart's http://www.paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/ to catch a glimpse of more birds

Just an old barn~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~for Barn Charm

Just waiting......................................

Leap Frog on over to Tricia's www.bluffareadaily.blogspot.com to see more charming barns and enjoy

On my Kitchen Wall~~~~~~~~~~~~Monday Murals

 My Faerie and Butterflies Mural is on a small wall between cupboards and a doorway in my kitchen.

To see more interesting Murals go to :  http://oaklanddailyphoto.blogspot.fr/ and enjoy!

inSPIRED Sunday

 Church of Christ--Scientist   Mount Vernon, Washington

 To see more inspired Spires go to http://inspiredsundaymeme.blogspot.com

Enjoy

Ratatouille

Last night Bob and I---together---gathered from the garden--Eggplant, zucchini,Onion,Garlic,Red and green Peppers, Tomatoes, Italian Parsley, Thyme and Basil.  The we chopped and diced and sauteed these ingredients together and made a dinner of Ratatouille and rice with Cottage Cheese and Peaches on the side. All the veggies and Herbs from the garden.

I almost forgot to take pictures until we had eaten so you get what you get.  Sorry!!

For breakfast in the morning we made an omelet--with fresh eggs from our chickens--with the veggies.  Wonderful!!

Changing Skies~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sky Watch

We have been having unbelievable weather for here.  Sometimes we get a little marine air pushing through and clouds form but no rain and still sunny skies.  
See Fir Island/Conway Church at the bottom right.  Behind those clouds is Mt. Baker.

To see more amazing skies go to www.skyley.blogspot.com and enjoy!!

Looking for Lunch~~~~~~~~~~~~~Wild Bird Wednesday

 Look this way

 Over this way

 Back this way

 Stretch for it

 Plunge ahead into the nectar

 So euphoric

 Another taste

Ahhhhhh----I think she is smiling.

To se more wild birds go to  http://www.paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/ and enjoy

Old Barn for barn Charm

 Not used for much anymore--usually has equipment stored around it but not right now. 

Skip on over to Tricia's at www.bluffareadaily.blogspot.com to see more charming barns

Delivering the goods for Monday Mural

This is mural of the first Mail and passenger boat to deliver the mail  and people and goods to the San Juan Islands.  The Islands are North and west of Anacortes in the Salish Sea. Circa 1900

To see more exciting murals go to  http://oaklanddailyphoto.blogspot.fr/ and enjoy

Happy Flowers in my Garden

 Today is a bright and sunny day. So here are some happy smiling flowers.  The yellow Lily is extra beautiful this year.  I don't know its name.  And you all recognize a happy Sunflower.

 My glowing Convovulus or annual Morning Glory.  Not the grow in the ditch Bind Weed variety

July Morning Sky for Sky Watch

Morning sky taken from the patio this morning July 12th  at  6AM PDT

To see more wonderful skies go to www.skyley.blogs[pt.com and enjoy!!

Garden Hose Finial

I told Bob I wanted to get a garden hose finial to put at the edge of the flower bed at the front of the house so I could pull the hose around the edge when I was watering.  He said show me what you need and i told him and he went out to the shop and made this cute guy.  See you pull the hose around it and the hose doesn't knock over the pot and mash the flowers.  Looks like I have a few weeds to pull too.