August | 2015 | Build Me a Dream

Time to Redefine our Lives in Oregon

Archive for August, 2015

Where’d It Go??

Sometimes I look out the window and ask, “Where’d it go??” I’m talking about the water, and more specifically, the pond.

Our pond is a year-round pond. It lowers in the summer, but never goes dry. This year, however, the pond has been really challenged. The water is so amazingly low.

I took this picture from the point at which the water usually sits, during the time of year that it is at it’s fullest. You can totally see the ridge level in the picture above.

I feel for the numerous frogs that call our, what is currently a big puddle,” home.”

They seem to be doing okay, but for sure, Frog Town, must be crowded as their environment continues to shrink. I’m sure the great blue heron that visits the muddy banks is not unhappy, and is getting a belly full of those delicious frog legs he so enjoys!

These tracks are courtesy of that great blue heron!!

It is fun to walk along the banks and find what has been visiting the water…..

…..kitty paws……

…..deer tracks….

…and deer on the field cam…..

…..and racoon tracks….

…..with a racoon caught on camera.

And then there are those items one might find as the water recedes….

….a sun dried newt….

….sometimes you might find old, metal, mixing bowls…..

….or how about an old jawbone from an elk…at least I think it’s an elk…too big for a deer…..maybe a sasquatch???

In any event, the hope of a fuller pond is on the horizon…and so is fall. We’ve had significant rainfall the last 2 days..YAY…not a lot on the horizon, YET!! Looking forward to a fresh, full pond.

Thank you for visiting the forest today. May your day be full of goodness, and the weather that you enjoy!! Have a wonderful Sunday!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Pond

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Vining Our Way to Deliciousness

August is jam, and cobbler month….which means one thing on our homestead……

……the blackberries are full, ripe, and sweet.

With the lack of water this summer, it is surprising to me how many berries are hanging on these vines. Although a bit smaller, they are unexpectedly abundant…and very well protected. Of course, the ever-present thorns that make one think twice before sticking in a hand to pluck that juicy, sweet-but-tart, purple gem are fiercely on guard…there are other soldiers in the vines battle to keep it’s bounty…….

…..and as I diligently pursued the prize…hornets, wasps, and bumble bees buzzed around me, and within the vines. There was this one spot where the berries were big, beautiful, and oh so juicy…but after three attempts, I chickened out to the relentless, overwhelmingly loud message of, “DO NOT PLUCK THOSE BERRIES!” from the hornets that had claimed that particular territory. They were beautiful berries…..

…..apparently, they did not belong to me!! Hahaha In any event, the pot was filled….

…..and filled pots lead to…..

,,,,blackberry deliciousness!!

I hope you are able to enjoy something sweet, yet tart on this late summer day. Thank you for visiting the blackberry bush today!! I hope you have a most mahvalous morning, afternoon, and evening.

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Blackberries, Blackberry Cobbler, building a new home

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The Skies Have It!!

If you are living anywhere considered within the western states….I think it’s safe to say, basically….you have been on fire, or benn breathing the results of the many, many fires filling the air with the smells of a huge campfire….

http://viewer.smoke.airfire.org/run/standard/PNW-4km/2015081600

The blue skies of Oregon…

…have turned into a blanket of grey….

….and although the picture doesn’t show it well, the smoke lays lightly low within the trees. Thankfully, for our homestead, the fires are not threatening our surrounding forests. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who have been evacuated, or may soon have to leave their homes.

The sunsets have been erily beautiful.

The smoke has also created a cover for airborne predators….the kind with sharp beaks and talons….the kind that pluck young, feathered friends up off the ground, and carry them away. We’ve had two attempted hawk attacks on our young flock within the past three days. Thankfully, the juveniles are getting their feet accustomed to the great outdoors in a safe environment….

…this is what you call the awkward, in-between stage!! hahaha!

In both instances, the hawk did not perceive the chicken wire are a barrier and rammed right into it with talons blazing. One tussled with the wire mesh, trying to find an opening, or create one….the other immediately flew up into the tree adjacent to the flock’s enclosure. In both cases, the hawks flew in with a stealthy silence, minus a forewarning shadow due to the haze of smoke. Outside of their enclosure, these, Littles ,would not have stood a chance…..

The good news……

…..my blues skies of Oregon have returned…

….Mama Chardonnay, hatched two little chicks (they’re still playing hide-n-seek at this point)….

…we harvested the most delicious watermelon EVER!!……

…and these little beautiful Chardonnay gems from our new vines, give us hope for the future. I can’t wait to grow enough to actually make our own mead wine. Next year??

Hey, thank you for visiting today!! I hope your day ahead, or the one behind is or has been MAHVALOUS!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami