Lavender

Well, it has taken a little longer to get back into the swing of things than I had anticipated, but we are finally caught up from being sick, gone, processing and hosting friends...

Last year our lavender bloomed three weeks earlier, but it was worth the wait. It seems to be particularly beautiful this year. We have about fourty lavender plants that the former owners planted. Apparently deer don't care for it, which prompted them to plant LOTS of it.

It seems that most plants are behind schedule here, thanks to our cooler spring. Only the peas and lettuce have benefited from it. The warm weather seems to be finally here though and the squash is growing like crazy!

Vacations

For those of you who thought we were still sick and hence no blog posts, we have had much more pleasanter times.

After recovering from the stomach flu, we left for a week at the beach with our church family and now have good friends staying with us for the week. Regular posting to resume next week!

Larger Family Advantages

One of the advantages of having a larger family - When the stomach flu comes through, it is more likely that a larger number of people will be feeling well enough to do the chores!

Mt Hood Excursion

Although we don't take many Saturdays off, last week we spent the day near Mount Hood.Our main reason for going was that Dad and Scott were given blacksmithing lessons for their birthdays. (One of our dreams is to have a blacksmithy set up on the farm. ) After watching them blacksmith for a while, the rest of us went on a mile and a half snow hike, then came back and picked up the guys and visited Timberline lodge before heading home.

Walking through the snow in 65 degrees and sunshine.

Looking at Mt. Hood across a meadow.

Almost done!

Copper brushing

Up at Timberline lodge.

Looking across the Cascades.

MPU - Putting it together

Working on the trailer Tuesday evening:

Andrew and Daniel putting the bolts in.

Scott using the plasma cutter to create the holes for the bolts.

Goofing off.

MPU - Planning

Scott pondering out the next stage in the MPU.

MPU - Stage 2

Next the internal supports had to be ground off. The supports were not load bearing and had to be replaced. Last Saturday, in rather intense heat, Scott tackled the supports.

Sparks are flying from the grinder.

As Scott's face show, this is rather an intense activity.

The third out of ten cuts to be completed.