Thursday, January 29, 2009

2009 Garden Catalogs are here!

I feel like I've been waiting months for these to arrive, and now they are finally here! I only ordered a few because I hate being bombarded with catalogs that I never order from. Now I know it would be best to just order them online, but with dial-up this slow it would take years to view a few pages. I've requested: Territorial Seed Co., Kitazawa Seed Co., Park Seed, Seeds of Change, Burpee, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, and Sand Hill Preservation Center.





I'm trying not to go crazy this first year, because I know there will be a learning curve. With all this land I can't help but want one of very veggie that our family eats. I'm really excited about Kitazawa Seed Co., they sell a wide variety of our favorite Asian veggies.

Monday, January 19, 2009

2009 Conconully Outhouse Races



This was the first weekend that we had a chance as a family to go have some fun. And boy was this fun or at least funny! The Conconully Outhouse Races have been around for 25 years, each Outhouse is built by individual teams, and are then raced down a snow covered Main Street. Each team has 3 members, two people pushing the Outhouse and one rider has to sit on the pot! My personal favorite were the bucket races, where the two pushers had to wear buckets on their heads and rely on the rider on the pot to give them directions. I have fond memories of playing eyesy-closey at the local go-cart track, ah, the things teenagers do to have fun!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Frozen Chickens

The whole family has had to adjust to the different weather here in Washington, but the poor chickens have had it worst of all. After a few weeks of living in the basement (which I don't recommend), they were moved outside into their coop. Two days later we got our first snow. Both the girls have been troopers. Mrs. Roper has some frostbite on her crop, but she seems fine otherwise. I had to buy a water de-icer to keep the water from freezing overnight. I also had to reinforce the sides because the neighbors mutt keeps trying to get into the coop. We are still getting eggs, although if I forget to collect them in the afternoon, they freeze. I can't wait to get goats!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Grilling in the Snow



Before the move we decided to give away the grill because who grills in the snow right? But the Mr. wanted steaks, so we ran out and bought the tailgate special. The sight of a tiny grill out in the snow was hilarious. The neighbors must think we are crazy!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Snow Cones




In our house Snow Cones are a big deal. At least once a week I would hear the cry for a cone. I thought that since we now live in a colder area, that the request for frozen treats would be fewer. But nope, the need for a snow cone was still there. So once the snow stared falling we took full advantage of the free snow cones. Just place a bowl outside in the snow and wait (We didn't have to wait very long). Add syrup and eat! What fun! StinkerBelle went back for seconds.

Monday, December 29, 2008

I can grow snow

So far I'm only growing snow. Although I have some plans to grow other things, it seems that at this time of year the only thing that is growing is the snow. I'm awaiting the spring gardening catalogs, I'll be growing everything from seed this year. We had a lot of problems last year with the started plants we bought from Home Depot. It seems the little tags that tell you what kind of plants you are growing are not always what they say. So this year we are sticking with seeds. I'm still searching for a good source of Japanese veggie seeds. Now that I think of it, I'm still searching for a good source of anything Japanese. Two hours is too far to drive for Miso paste.




When we first arrived at the house these planters were bare; but with some love and time I now have a beautiful snow hedge.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

When is play time?

I can't wait for the snow to melt. I know it's early to be thinking this, but I can't wait to see the kids running around outside again. The play area currently only has two swings and monkey bars. We plan on putting in a sand box for Rosey to play in, and also a slide. As for me, I will be drinking a Pop (or something along those lines) on the deck, relaxing in the sun. I know I'm dreaming. I'll be chasing kids around and chasing dogs off the grass, darn mutts are always leaving steamers!






In the play area there is a large Aspen for shade and a Dogwood, which is one of our favorite trees. I'm counting the days until spring!