Goal achieved...

 We have lived in our cabin for 23 years.  When we were building the cabin, I would put stain on the logs and next to my staining set up I had a saucer filled with birdseed.  I would watch the chipmunks eat the seed while I worked.  My overwhelming thought was someday I will have them eating out of my hand.  Well, that day is finally here.

We have three little baby chipmunks, and I figured it was now or never.  They love our wooden sidewalk, because it is a very safe place to play.  It took a lot of patience, but I am overjoyed to have them eating out of my hand.  They like it because the bigger chipmunks are afraid to come near me.

My roses and iris are on full display.  The garden is a riot of colors.

The porch is a plethora of flowers and scents.  My Miss Kim lilac, Congratulations Iris, and Theresa Bugnet Rose are very fragrant.  Soon to be added is my peonies. 

These little buggers are from my grandmother's garden.  They are so happy.

There is nothing more intricate than irises up close.  

Baby chipmunks aren't all we have hanging around.  This little guy has made an appearance or two.  I am certainly blessed to be able to see nature from my front porch.

These Australian Copper Roses are just breathtaking. This is the first time they have bloomed back-to-back years.  Usually, it is every other year.

I have some wrens hanging around.  I'm not sure if they are going to use this snappy little wren house, but I sure hope so. 

I am always thankful for my life.  It hasn't been easy and I don't take it for granted.  My husband and I have worked hard to make a peaceful home.  

I'm sure your well past roses, irises, and peonies. What do you have blooming?  What is your favorite flower scents?  Is there a garden goal you want to achieve?  

Drat...

 One thing I have learned is enjoy every moment while you can...

Nothing say summer like Smores.

Pay attention to the little things.

The porch is perfect.

First little poults of the season. 

and then...

Drat!

Snake in the grass...

 I saw this little snake in the grass today.   I was actually quite excited as I really appreciate snakes.

Life is pretty amazing if you look around.   We saw this beauty at work.  Everyone was careful and gave him plenty of space.

I walked around Spearfish on Wednesday while my husband was at the doctor's office. 

I needed some distraction as my job has been extremely stressful.  My only solace is we have been on the ropes before and managed to keep going. Everyone day is a different battle.  Thirty one years has taught me this too will pass, just like a kidney stone. Slow and painfully.

What has distracted you lately?  Was it a pleasant or unpleasant distraction?

Warm days...

I am super happy to say we have had two warm days.  In the 80's even.  Not only did the weather make my weekend great but so did sharing it with three good friends.

My first friend is moving soon and out time together limited.  We shared some coffee and wandered through the woods.  She is a great person, and I will really miss her.  Bless her heart.  She gave me some irises for my garden.  This means so much to me.  I truly appreciate the gesture. 

The second visit was also coffee and wandering through the gardens with another friend.  We were killing time while her husband and sons were running the Mickelson Trail Marathon.  What an achievement.  It was amazing how quickly time passed.  Her husband came in ahead of both sons.  I always say age and treachery beats youth and vigor.

The third friend is my husband.  Today he surprised me by taking me on matinee movie date. It was a real surprise because we have only gone to 5 movies in 34 years. It was a good movie, The Last Ride.  

Afterwards, we enjoyed ice cream at Leones' Creamery in Spearfish. Their ice cream is homemade, and I think the cones were too.  Words cannot describe how smooth and refreshing it tasted. I just want to point out I wore a white shirt and didn't spill a drop on it. That is a real achievement.  

We took the little Roxar on our trip.  It is exactly like the old Willy's Jeeps.  On the way home we reminisced about how when we were kids, we would take the top off of my husband's Jeep and take the same drive up the canyon to where our home is now. Back then we did it to cool off from our baking hot trailer house.  The cool canyon air was a relief for newlyweds that didn't have an air conditioner.  It is good to remember where you started.  

That was my weekend in a nutshell.  I needed some diversion.  I will forever be grateful for the path my life has taken and the people in it.  

What was the last movie you have seen?  When was the last time you had coffee with a friend?  I hope you had as a fulfilling weekend as I did. 

Memorial Day...

My week didn't start out the best, as you can see.   That means it is time to do mini puzzles, drink hot coffee, and keep telling yourself this too shall pass.

The snow did finally melt, and my flowers didn't look too worse for the wear. 

Thankfully my greenhouse is looking good.  My purple pak choi is going great guns.  The lettuce and spinach is a little slower. 

The peas, tomatoes, and peppers are also making good progress. The collars worked perfectly.  I haven't lost a plant to rodents.  

My egg plants look a lot like jalapeños and my jalapeños look a lot like egg plants. I have been known to mislabel things a time or two.  

The poor does have yet to lose their winter hair.  They haven't dropped fawns yet, as you can see she has a nice round belly.  Hopefully it will warm up for the little guys. 

We had snow, sunshine, fog, and rain over the course of the week.  I wasn't able to accomplish much.  I did get the basement storeroom cleaned out.  The rain forced that issue.  I picked some dandelions for wine.  This year isn't looking good already.  My bees didn't make it through the winter, and the beekeeper hasn't brought any in.  Last year he was talking about retiring.  As I was picking dandelions, it was silent. There were no honeybees, bumble bees, or anything buzzing in the orchard.  Also, the lack of flowers was disturbing.  I'm going to chalk it up to the snow and rain.  Maybe it will change when or if the sun comes out.  

Did you have a sunny Memorial Day weekend?  Did you have nice weather?  I am thankful for all those who have served our country.

Rainy days...

 My husband and I are working towards hail proofing my garden.  We added a beam that runs the length of the garden for my hail netting.  We got it done just before the rain started. Of course, snow and freezing temperatures, not hail, is predicted for this week.  We will see how this goes.  

It has been raining like crazy.  I've been doing puzzles and baking to keep busy.  Our cabin is small, so tiny puzzles work great.  This donut one compliments my coffee cup mini puzzle. 

My niece added to the family cookbook with a great cookie recipe.  I made it this weekend and they turned out perfect. 

Pumpkin Oatmeal DOUBLE Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chip
2 cups rolled oats oatmeal
1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon
2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice
1 TB vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside.
Next beat butter, sugar and brown sugar until well creamed together.
Now add in pumpkin, egg and vanilla. Beat until combine well.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until incorporated. Next, stir in your oats. Mix well. Stir in both the white and dark chocolate chips. Drop cookie dough by the rounded tablespoon on to the prepared baking. sheet. Bake cookies for 14-15 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. DO NOT OVER COOK. They will seem a little soft but will firm up as they cool. You want to keep the nice, soft texture!

What do you do on rainy days?  No more questions for tonight, as I need to go move my plants to the greenhouse.  There is a freeze warning.  Argh.