Up the Water Spout

Yep. This not-so-eensy-weensy spider crawled up the water spout. Outside. Then she laid her eggs and made the egg sack to protect them. She looks exhausted from the chore. Just like Charlotte. I would have freaked if I found this inside my house. But I felt compassion for her outside. Until my daughter-in-law and her friend convinced me that it might be poisonous, given the bright color. Poor Charlotte II then met her fate by my hand. So did her egg sack. I felt mean. I am so sorry.....

Wilbur: I think you're beautiful.

Charlotte: Well, I am pretty. Nearly all spiders are good looking. I'm not as flashy as some, but I'll do.

Saved By the Rain!

Our fuzzy baby ducklings from this spring grew to be a flock of true characters this summer! They waddled around the yard and settled nearby whenever we were working outside. Even if it meant by Darrell's saw as he cut through the pavers for the patio! They quacked and chattered as if in conversation with us. Ping, the pure yellow Indian Runner that I hand-trained to follow my lead, gallantly led the others in and out of their enclosed pen each morning and evening. The pond dried up early on this year and stayed empty, as it was the hottest and driest summer I have ever experienced in the Pacific Northwest! Unfortunately, that left the ducks vulnerable to the wild animals that hunt during the daytime. We lost 5 ducks as they hung out on the lawn, including my dear Ping, to a bobcat during that time frame. I was heartbroken. The rain returned in earnest 2 weeks ago, the pond is filled to overflowing now, and the remaining 7 ducks are now enjoying the safety of the water during the days. After Ping met his fate it took a bit of work and coaxing to train the ducks to return each night to the pen for safety from the raccoons and other nighttime hunters. They seem to have it down pretty well now, and are happy once again :-)

Gift of Friendship

What a fun surprise to find a brown paper-wrapped package in the mailbox on this cold afternoon! The return address told me that it was from my dear friend in California. Not my birthday; too early to be a Christmas gift........ a 'just because' gift!

These are but a few of the wonderful photos contained in this unique cookbook full of different recipes from all cultures around the world! She reads my blog and now thinks I am a gourmet cook! Silly girl! But I will have fun trying out some of the terrific recipes! Bon appetít!

Thank you, my Friend!

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

Mushrooms: Another New Hobby?

We are stumbling upon so many different varieties of mushrooms in our yard this year! My curiosity has been peaked to the max now, and on my list of things to do is to check out some library books on the subject of identifying the species of the Pacific Northwest.

This one is particularly fascinating!

Never seen anything quite like it!

The cap is shaggy-scaly, a pretty shade of tannish-orange, with delicate black curls on the edge.

It is precariously supported on a tall stalk, yet stands perfectly straight. I tried searching on-line for its name, unsuccessfully. Does anyone know the name of this beauty?

Trying to take over the garden by my greenhouse and now invading my lawn, these mushrooms are a nuisance! The first picture shows them before they burst open; the second shows them having already exploded. When I scoop handfuls of them out of the ground, a copious, fine yellow powder escapes to cover the surrounding 5 foot radius. Probably assuring a heavy crop for next year.......

More newcomers to my yard this year.......... you cannot tell by the photo, but the cap on the middle one is about 3" tall! Pretty interesting!

I hope to be able to report back to you with the names of these and perhaps other mushrooms soon! Meantime, if you recognize any of them, clue me in!

Fantastic Weekend

This past weekend brought my sister and two of her daughters and one granddaughter here for a fun visit! Her daughter Kari (who was here 2 weekends ago with her family) stayed home with the swine flu. The entire family came down with it shortly after their visit here. Jodi also elected to not make the trip from Oregon. Along with my DIL Bethany and friend Krystle, we all busily crafted Christmas cards, tags and gift boxes.

Ginny and Molly

..... my boys, Ryan and Scott, joined us for dinners and some visiting-with-cousins time! And yes, that is Scott you see helping Lela finish a project! Ryan even made a couple of cool items :-)

The star of the weekend was, of course, baby Megan, whose adoption was finalized in the courts on Friday! She is 6 months old now, but Lela and her husband were able to be there for her birth as well as take her home from the hospital!

She has cute little ladybug pajama feet, and the smallest pair of mittens I have ever seen!

There was plenty of time for hugging and kissing on her, as well as enjoying apple cider with some of that delicious pumpkin biscotti :-)

Thanks to all of you for making it a wonderful weekend! That includes my terrific husband who made some fantastic meals for us, and did all of the KP duty to boot!

Chubby Leo

Now that Leo has lost all of his baby stripes, can you see why they call them leopard geckos?

Pumpkin Butter

I love the big orange pumpkin on the front of DeeDee Stovel's Pumpkin Cookbook! This is where I get many of the pumpkin recipes I cook up. I think I have a thing for cooking with pumpkins this fall...... it must be my new comfort food ;-)


Monday night's creation was Pumpkin Butter. Something a bit off the norm to top your toast with, for a break from jam or cinnamon :-)

Very pretty while it is cooking.......

Serve over waffles, pancakes, on toast, oatmeal, yogurt, frozen yogurt, or whatever you please!