A Productive Weekend Staycation

Whew what a weekend y'all, but although it was busy it was also relaxing and fulfilling. Much got crossed off the "need to do" list this weekend for sure! But before I get too far let me broach a few things first:

1) Last Saturdays event went pretty well. Lower turn-out than expected but everyone behaved, the food was decent, the decor and venue looked great, and everyone reported it was a good time. Even Tall D said it was much better than he ever would have expected and for someone who rarely gives compliment that should mean something! (His words, not mine.) The other plus side was that I was left with at least a dozen bouquets of flowers, which I got to bring home and re-vase for the house:

2) Tall D and a coworker of mine both also have made me think twice about leaving the world of veteran services. While I definitely need a break and the center really could use new blood to re-route it a bit more, I asked my supervisor of that position if I could extend until they actually bring someone else on. As much as I burn out, everyone tells me that I do a really good job. My original plan was to vacate as of June 20th and I still might, but extending also gives me the option to stay until the transition can be complete. Plus there are several projects that could get worked on this summer.

3) Tall D and Housemate G are supposed to be moving out this week. They spent the long weekend up at a major concert series in the Gorge and so Z spent part of the weekend here helping me around the house and making sure that we'll be able to live sanely together, as I'm not always the easiest person to live with. (Somehow, Tall D has actually been the best housemate I've ever had. We co-existed in living conditions extremely well.) With the boys moving out, Z will probably officially move in sometime mid-month.

4) Mid-week last week, I went grocery shopping....and it dawned on me that was the first time I'd been grocery shopping in six weeks. Tall D and G haven't been shopping either--how in the world we've existed over the last few weeks, I don't know. (Well okay, I take part of that back....Z brought over food for all of us on occasion.....) But hopefully this return foray into proper nutrition in the fridge is a good sign.

5) Albeit last week was also a bit harder emotionally again. As much as I know in my head that the upcoming split is the right one, some days as it approaches move out day it's a little bit harder for my head and heart to agree. And sometimes they want to agree....but in the opposite direction of it being the smartest decision....

And now without further ado....pictures and some updates from the weekend:

1) Dinner out on Thursday evening followed by an evening curled into blankets on the couch watching Blood Diamond.

2) Spring is upon us, which meant a 8-10 mile walk/hike with the dogs through Forest Park in the middle of the city on Friday afternoon. 

3) Friday dinner out with my brother, Z, and another Marine who you'll probably read a lot about by the letter of B. B will be spending a lot of time with Z and I here this summer...and has been tasked out to complete a few yard projects for me.

4) Saturday morning included a quick trip to the Beaverton Farmer's Market (the largest in the state) for tomatoes, onions, and a few other items for home cooked pasta sauce.

5) Saturday afternoon, I took my brother to meet with two tattoo artists to schedule his tattoo and to put down the deposit. Came back to clean the house, mow the lawn, and weed for an hour before my gal N, her hubby, her SIL S, and S's boyfriend came to join Z and I for dinner. Z's sauce rocked and N's cobbler was A-MA-ZING. It was great to have friends over for dinner, enjoy good food, and even to eat out on the patio!

6) On Sunday, Z and some of the center vets had organized to come over to help me out in the yard. Z and B were able to till my raised beds with a little help from B's wolf-hybrid dog, Rommel. I also spent part of the afternoon ripping out weeds and over-run berry brambles. I'd written previously that one of the guys had drawn up plans for a coop and Sunday was Day #1 for implementation. In this picture, three of them are digging the trench that will hold the gravel, cement footings, and cinder blocks so that hopefully no critters can dig under the chicken wire. B and Z are helping out my aunt and uncle by ripping out their deck for them next weekend, and some of that left over wood will be used to construct part of the chicken's actual shelter. After trench digging, Z grilled up brats and garden burgers for our work crew of 4 guys and 3 of us gals.

7) Monday was a day of errands and garden making. We returned the mini-tiller to my aunt and uncles. Then Z worked over the two chain saws in the garage while I finished my online grading. We headed out to Target (uh....CUTE dresses on sale y'all!), Home Depot, BiMart, and Ace Hardware. I picked up a pair of new work gloves because I'm not sure where my old ones ended up and I sliced the skin off a finger hauling cinder blocks on Saturday. We got a new chain for one of the saws and then Z bought materials to build a sort-of trellis for the beans/peas. When we got back, we planted the garden and then I finished weeding the front of the house. Laundry was done, the rest of my in-person grading and prepping was completed, and somehow even a work-out with Insanity was added in there last night (which felt GREAT!). 

Peas, beans, & various squashes that will run with the rhubarb in the corner.

First box: Tomatoes, the returning artichoke, a row of lettuce, two peppers.

Second box: a row of cucumbers, herbs, two rows of carrots, a row of koli rabi, and space for strawberries.

On trellis: grape making an effort and the kiwi is in full force.

Alongside the boxes: berries, rosemary, overrunning mint, and massive garlics. 

Honestly it was a great weekend and I'm so glad to have the garden in and the coop on its way. The yard has a great start to looking better as well. I worked on perfecting Tall D's blueberry waffles and for the first time made french toast from actual french bread and with my own chicken's eggs. The weekend was the perfect blend of socialization, productivity, and relaxation. However most of all, I feel so grateful to Z and to all the guys for how much they've been helping me out.....and in a lot of ways the future looks potentially brighter...

Hope each of you had a wonderful weekend too!

Spring-ing

While we haven't gotten the raised beds ready for planting just yet, nor have we pruned back the marion berries, we do have quite a bit coming to life around the rental. We've had some COLD mornings (including 6 inches of snow on the coast!) with threats of snow again lately making this still an usual year of weather. Here's hoping we start to see some sunnier days with enough breaks to get out in the yard.

Rhubarb-coming up through the mulch/leaves

Garlic-just poking itself out of the ground

Asian Pear-buds just about to burst

Chickens-both are much broader and the 2nd started laying (I think). We developed into a regular routine now, we let them out at 7-7:30am and they burst across the yard happy to stretch their legs. They "free range" across the whole backyard and then put themselves to bed when it gets dark....and then we shut them in. They're out rain, snow, or shine---and for the most part during the last two weeks they've been doing alright. 

First spring flowers!

What's spring-ing in your part of the globe?

A Standard Saturday

A run in the morning, followed by some time in the yard raking up more leaves and putting the final raised bed to "rest."

 The chickens are well-guarded when they're out pecking around.

 If you look very closely up at the top of this picture, you can see the first bunch of geese heading south for the winter.

And the morning of physical work, followed by a meal of my mixed squash stew made yesterday, and then a couple hours of prep work.....and a nap time for Major (you can tell he's male based on his desire to lay right next to the remotes.....). ;)

This evening I'm joining my brother and sister-in-law for dinner and then to see the Zoo Lights---so stoked! I've been looking into going since I heard it advertised on the radio a few weeks ago---here's hoping it's as grand as I imagine! :)

Hope you all are having a wonderful productive, yet fulfilling Saturday yourselves!

Garden Changes & A Bit O' Preservation

The garden is in transition. We're still getting green beans and the tomatos came on full force. I picked our one red pepper this last week and we managed to get three small-medium pumpkins. I spent part of the weekend ripping out some of the stuff that has passed its prime and some that never really did what it was supposed to do. We did fairly well for our first trial run and we're discussing adding winter covers to one of the raised beds to try our hand at some basic fall/winter gardening. There definitely will be some changes to the lay-out of the raised beds next year, but altogether I am impressed by the variety of fruit and veggies that we planted, grew, and harvested. A few things to add for next year: other herbs (especially basil), potatoes, potentially corn, and hot peppers. A few garden pictures and one of preservation:

 The last artichoke blossom left to seed.

Two tiny cantalope that hopefully will still be good eating.

Some of the sweetest grapes we've ever eaten, coming over the fence from the neighbors.

 Harvest one of the tomatoes.

And I can take absolutely no credit for this, but my parents gave hub and I their old canner to use and hub made his first batch of salsa. He has a few other recipes in mind, but we'll see how timing goes with the craziness of the week ahead of us. His salsa is delicious and mild enough for me, although he wishes it was spicy enough for him. ;) Now that he's got the canning part down though, hopefully we can try our hand at more preservation next year.



On My Mind....

It's amazing how slow June was and yet July and August have decided to make up for it. With everything going on, I've been trying my hardest to be better organized and have returned to the use of the TO DO list, steadily checking items off my list.

However amongst the to-dos, there's a lot on the mind too, even if frequently it all goes hand-in-hand :)

Reading

My first book club novel arrived on Wednesday (The Help). I'm really looking forward to reading through it and for the comraderie that I hope will develop amongst our members. First meeting is in a few weeks!

However before I start on The Help, I wanted to finish the main book that I have been reading. I recently borrowed a book from my gal, N, who is also an avid reader. You all know that I'm really into personal narratives and non-fiction, but this go round I was in the mood for something a little different. Yesterday I blew through the rest of Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah, and I LOVED IT. It was an incredibly easy read, covered family and mother-daughter issues which are right up my alley of things I like to read about, and taught me something new via it's historical fiction context (Russia: Stalin era).  Plus the author is from the PNW--love supporting all things local. ;)

There were a couple of passages that completely resonated with me:

"....They would always be a family, but if she'd learned anything in the past few weeks it was that a family wasn't a static thing. There were always changes going on. Like with continents, sometimes the changes were invisible and underground,  and sometimes they were explosive and deadly. The trick was to keep your balance. You couldn't control the direction of your family any more than you could stop the continental shelf from breaking apart. All you could do was hold on for the ride." (pg 329)

"...And maybe that was how it was supposed to be, how life unfolded when you lived it long enough. Joy and sadness were part of the package; the trick, perhaps, was to let yourself feel all of it, but to hold on to the joy just a little more tightly because you never knew when a strong heart could just give out...." (pg 383)

Family Shenanigans

And a good portion of the quotes probably resonated with me, because in my head I feel like I'm still trying to sort out my transition back into my immediate, extended, and husband's family. After being away for two years, it's definitely a change to figure out how those relationships should look now, and how to integrate my husband to best meet his needs AND the needs of my family members. Additionally, there have been some changes in some family relationships, near and far over the last six months, and I feel like the first quote is a good bit of advice for me (and maybe for some of them too) on some of those changes.

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such a loving and positive family--one that is truly based on acceptance and unconditional love. In the last two weeks I definitely have spent more time with family members as I got together with two cousins, dropped off garden goodies to my aunt and a cousin, and my brother took me to a Portland Timbers game against my other national love: Argentina. ;)

This weekend we will all come together for the celebration of Granny's 100th birthday, starting with a smaller family BBQ this evening for those of us in Portland and ending with back-to-back bashes on Sunday. My husband and I will provide airport transportation and a place to sleep for my eldest brother's quick 24 hour trip. I'm glad to provide for family... but I have to admit to some apprehension based on a strained relationship between my brother and I this year. However, I know it will be great to have each member of the immediate and extended family here to celebrate the life, lessons, love, and optimism of our granny!

Socialization

They're coming in droves from out-of-state! On Wednesday we'll pick up our friends from Chicago and show them as much of Oregon as we can in a week. We're definitely excited for them to come, and based on their personalities, we know they're absolutely going to love Portland and the PNW! Plus hub will get the added benefit of being able to take them to our home town and hang out with some of his high school buddies. One of my favorite gals from my MPH program will be visiting from California next weekend, so I'm looking forward to getting together with her over breakfast next Thursday. A high school friend of mine who also lives in Cali will be in our hometown mid-month, so I'm going to need to figure out how to schedule in a trip down south to catch up with her and meet her guy. ;) (On the plus side, we'll get to hang out with one of our other favorite high school gals and I'll get to see Mom & Dad too!) I'm heading on Tuesday to see one of my gals who recently had a beautiful baby girl, and I'm seriously bubbling up with excitement about the possibilities of this book club! From what I can tell most the other gals seem pretty stoked too. Add onto that the Bridal Shower I'm throwing for my gal N and it's going to be a pretty socially full next few weeks.

Social Justice---Donations

The Horn of Africa continues to be on my heart and mind. Mercy Corps, who rarely sends me a "tin cup," continues to send updates. The most recent stated the following: "Families in Wajir County are among more than 2.4 million people in Kenya in need of food, water and other critical aid, according to the UN. Our team reports hungry women and children are streaming into towns around northeastern Kenya. Many husbands and fathers continue to search for water and forage to keep their precious herds alive. Up to 80 percent of livestock in the region have already perished." If you look at the updates and pictures on UNICEF, Mercy Corps, Doctors Without Borders, or any of the INGOs, the information is heart-breaking.....

While I am seeing this occasionally show up on the major news stations and papers, it seems so sad that it is not more publicized. It takes so little to make a large difference for others that suffer around the world---a skipped outing to Starbucks, one less microbrew, or bypassing that great deal that one finds at Target but doesn't really need. I know many of us are tight for cash these days, but I still see how well are basic needs are met and how little we fight for basic survival. I know there are mixed feelings out there, but I can't help but ask that if you find it in your heart, you might be willing to give, no matter how little the amount.

 

"But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."--Luke 12:48

 

Working Hard for the Money

Term continues--trying hard to prep now for the next two weeks so I don't have to worry too much about the course while we have friends in town. Same with the training I'm in, trying to cram as much in before they get here---but truthfully it's almost over anyway. A few more activities to do and then I believe it'll be concluded. :) September will mainly be planning for my fall courses, especially the ones that will be new.

 

Ironically, while we're on the topic of employment......I've been missing working with soldiers since our return and have found that frequently my veteran students have really enjoyed working with me, since I have a greater understanding of their military lives, mentality, and potential issues than the average civilian instructor/worker. I've been telling hub and a few friends for the last two months that I wonder how I could work with veterans without going back to school to complete my MSW (tried that, didn't finish, and the way I'm feeling I may be completely done with school....). The irony is due to the fact that this week an internal hire position just got sent out via email for a part-time Veterans Resource Center Specialist at my campus....hmmm. I'm not 100% qualified and I have apprehensions (ie would vets prefer working with me vs an actual vet in the position, its a completely new program/center/etc meaning that year 1 would be a LOT of work), but I also feel that I could be a great fit and bring lots of skills to the program. I do plan to apply but I'm not entirely holding my breath either.... ;)

 

The Garden

We've been passing out lettuce and rhubarb like it's nobody's busy, and additional irony arrived yesterday with another full head of lettuce arriving in my Organics to You box. We also just entered into zucchini season---there are already 5 in our produce drawer and this is the first week of harvesting! ;) Marionberries are putting out about two bowls a week right now and the green beans and snap peas are coming on. Tomatoes are going to go nuts in a few weeks and even the pepper plants are starting to show lots of peppers starting. Hub harvested about 15 heads of garlic this week---they're laying on the deck to dry.

 

We're finally having a few more days of sunshine--helping to promote garden growth and put a smile on this face, and today we started an introductory conversation about creating covers for the raised beds for winter gardening ;)

 

SOOOOOO---lots to do, lots on the mind, but its nice to be busy and purposeful. Hope each of you is doing well!

 

PS I've seen COCONUT cream pie show up TWICE this week.

Here and here. Definitely might have to beg hub to give one a try!

How Thy Garden Doth Grow

The 2011 Trial & Error Garden:

This wood raised bed: 3 tomatoes, 3 peppers, 3 strawberries, 2 mini rows of bush beans, 6 parsnips, 2 mini rows of turnips, 6 lettuce plants, and an artichoke.

Second wood raised bed not pictured: yellow squash, zucchini, cucumber

Cinder block bed in background: (what actually came up) two mini rows of red and yellow onions, two mini rows of carrots, and a small row of snap peas. Two blueberry bushes and two melons.

4 of our five (small) bushes have blueberries and are growing!

Looks like we'll have raspberries and under the raspberries is a whole ton of mint....

Some things are seeding....no idea what this is but there is a large area of it. The asparagus is going to seed also which I'm hoping will lead to an even larger area of it next year.

The kiwi came back after the hacking the landlords gave it. The grape is just starting up the other corner of that trellis, and the bird feeders from Mom & Dad's are hanging up.

Potential kiwis: think these will develop into blossoms.

Asian pear.

The old faithful watering can even more in use now. He leaks along the bottom a bit from rust, but he still does just fine ;) After we got our first water bill since starting the garden, I'm monitoring a bit more how frequently I'm watering and only intend to water using the can to limit how much extra flow we have.....hopefully it will help some.

And a beautiful sunset this week as well!

What's growing in your backyard?!

Oregon Showers Finally Bring May Flowers!

The lined up pink & white azaleas in back.

Front courtyard-left view from door.

Filled-in hanging basket.

Rest of courtyard view.

Fuschia w/ my ol' weathered chime---that sucker has moved from Portland to the coast to the valley to the coast to Portland to Louisiana and back to Portland---8 years, snow, perpetual rain, coastal wind gusts, and humid 100 degree days---a bit of tape and floss holds one chime on but it's still holding strong!

Purple lilac.

Pink rhodies.

Red azaleas surrounded by iris yet to bloom.

And purple iris under the front windows.

Spring has finally officially sprung!

A Wonderful End to the Week!

An incredibly fulfilling end to the week! On Thursday we took hub's friend (who is going with hub on a 90 mile hike here soon....) on a reverse route of our Multnomah Falls hike and we added another incline---ended up doing 9 miles of a 2100 ft elevation gain in about 4 hours. We've actually had about a week of sunshine (gasp!) and Thursday was a 70 degree day!

Friday was another gorgeous one and I was able to get a four mile run in again finally. Then we got to work outside---

Hub had purchased lumber and coated them with linseed oil, as his research had found that linseed oil is a great protectant and would keep the lumber for 5-6 years. On Friday he was able to put together the first of the beds. I was pleasantly surprised to find he'd widened them and intends to build another.

Anna is going to be disappointed to have her dirt pile disappear back into the re-done raised beds. Although...I found her laying IN the finished raised bed this morning, so we're going to have to work on some training obviously! :)

Friday was also spent at a great sale at REI to get hub stocked up for the week long hike him and a buddy will be headed on down part of the coast. After we finished our one raised bed, we headed over to my aunt & uncle's a few streets away and hub helped till up their large garden. He also got to have a tour of their awesome property and learn his way around their tools in case we want to borrow something. We then spent the rest of the evening sharing stories with both of them--it was great!

Saturday---we headed out for the BIG farmer's market! It was absolutely incredible: all sorts of people, beautiful hanging baskets, delicious food, and wonderful goods. We walked away with a handful of pears, free dog treats, the most amazingly delicious caramel apple bread (for great french toast tomorrow!), and full bellies! We played with the adoptable puppies, people watched, and listened to great music. It was SUCH a good time!

My corn masa quesadilla stuffed with veggies and a bit of cheese and topped with salsa and sour cream---DELISH!

AWESOME live band!

After the farmer's market we went to cash in on our plant coupons! We headed to The Garden Center---it was A-MA-ZING! Decent prices, fabulous lay-out, and we got to use our coupon for a free one-gallon blueberry and reduced prices on any other. We picked up a few other starts: zucchini, acorn squash, and pumpkins.

We enjoyed watching the chickens run around the place!

And we picked up some great freebie literature: native plant suggestions and natural repellents.

Why I love my state.....on the drive over to the other nursery!

Larsen Farms: we had a groupon---hub paid $25 to receive a $50 coupon to use at the nursery. We'd made one trip before during our cleanse that ended in a squabble and no purchases, so today we headed back with a "no squabble" mandate and picked up an Asian pear and lettuce and another tomato start.

The fruit tree rows!

Hub wheeling out our asian pear.

Neat herb displays.

Dropped off our goods. Met my brother at our house and went with him to return the other family tiller to the aunt & uncle's. Offered our truck to a & u while hub's gone if they want to get mulch and then my awesome aunt had transplanted some of the seeded parsnips into pots for me to put in our boxes.

So now we've got quite the selection:

Might not look like much but I think we've got: 3 tomatoes, 3 strawberries, bush beans, yellow squash, 6 parsnips, zucchini, pumpkins, acorn squash, 2 bell peppers, various lettuce, cucumber, and an artichoke. We also have seed packets: corn, snap peas, carrots, and others. With the blueberries we got today, we're up to 6 smallish bushes and the new asian pear. Plus the rhubarb, leeks, mint, raspberries, rosemary, kiwi, cherry, and asparagus that were already here, planted, and many are producing. There is an old apple that didn't even blossom so it will come down for firewood and the asian pear will be planted in its place. (Dad's letting us borrow the chain saw for that and we've got an itty bitty tiller on loan to soften up the dirt in our raised beds a bit....thankful for all these goodies and loaners!!)

My brother's wife couldn't accompany him tonight to use their season Timbers (MLS soccer) tickets so hub is joining him at the evening game. I got to indulge in a great dinner and watch my Netflix DVD Dharma & Greg reruns---yippee! ;)

Local cheese & bread for open face cheese sandwiches. Amy's organic lentil soup and amazing California wine that it took me 3 years to find another of this particular bottle!

One more shot of the beautiful Oregon countryside!

Hope y'all had a wonderful last few days to boot!