Chestnuts, Sandy River & Ripple Progress!

We have a huuuuuge Chestnut tree and each Autumn they fall all over the ground.  To be honest, we don't know what to do with them.  We've had Asian families in the past ask if they could collect them which we're happy to let them do.  In the last few years the past owners of this house and farm have emailed to ask if they could come and get them.  That family lived here for 30 years and in the house's 100 year history, they're the 2nd longest owners.  We're the first longest owners.. well, we've been here 30 years and have no plans on leaving.  :-)  (NOTE:  All photos in this post were taken with my iPhone.)

A shot of only a part of this mongo sized tree.  Actually I think it's several trees in one.

Below is a shot of the Sandy River, which is "our" river.  We cross it every time we go to Gresham, where we do most of our shopping.  We drive alongside it to get to the freeway to get to Portland and further destinations.  When we come home from Gresham, we start out high above the river and drive down to the Stark Street Bridge where we cross.  Dear hubby ventured across the road and balanced on the historic rock wall to get this shot for me.  :-)

I just took my ripple-blanket-in-progress out onto the deck to get a photo.

A close up.  This is going to be a fun throw across the brown leather "guest chair" in our family room.

The latest additions to my Autumn table display.. hubby suprised me with a bag of fun, wart-y gourds.  I put a few in my lantern along with an amber colored pillar candle and laid more of the gourds amongst the other items.  It brings me joy to see this every day.

Hubby is outside sharpening his chain saw - he intends to begin cutting the limbs off a dead maple tree between our shed and garage barn.  Yes, he will be climbing a ladder and running a chainsaw 12 feet up a huge dead tree.  Oh my.  :-|

I'll let you know how that goes... ((hugs)), Teresa :-)