Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Outdoor Living

Oregon really is a wonderful place to be in the summer.  Blue skies, warm days... is your weather playing nice for you?  The tree in the upper left of this photo is a Corkscrew Willow.  It has a story.  My daughter Amy took a floral arrangement home from my Dad's funeral.  She called a week later and exclaimed that roots were growing on a twisted stick in the bouquet.  I told her she should stick it in some dirt, which she did.  She put it out on her deck and it looked poorly, so I had her bring it down to my houseboat and it flourished there.  I planted it by the pond we had installed here on the farm and it's really getting BIG!  So, each time I see it I think of my Dad and the journey of that little stick.  


I feed the koi and enjoy watching them swim about in their watery habitat.  



I'm looking forward to having our daughter Amy and granddaughters here and enjoying hanging out on the deck and some alfresco meals.  



The roses on the property are doing well.. the fair weather, sunshine and occasional rain has made them happy.



My 4th of July rose is such a happy flower.



I think this Begonia is going to get massive this summer as it's so big already.  



I have two trees that need planting, the Red Bud and this long needle pine.  I dug this up when it was 6 inches tall and it's grown and thrived in the pot but I do know it needs to go into the ground.  Problem is - it's so hard to decide where to put a tree as you have to think of how big it will get.  I am determined to make the decisions and get them planted soon.


I love these bright orange-y red flowers.


I've put more rows in my Dune blanket.. I wonder if I'll get one of them done and be able to start the second one while the girls are here.  And if I get one done.. how will I decide who gets the first one?  You might notice that Mocha looks a bit "shorn".  We took her to get groomed a few weeks ago and were rather shocked at how close she cut her.  We kept wondering how she got the idea to cut all her hair off!  It will grow.. we tell ourselves.  



I'm off to swim soon.  Dayle got the two rollaway beds put together and up in the attic yesterday.  He's going to put the new sheets and blankets on while I'm gone.  I can't wait to get it all ready for them.  We're going to put a little table and lamp up there too.  And we got a little AC unit in the window up there.  They arrive on Sunday evening.  OK.. off I go.. have a great day!!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

17 comments:

  1. Fun plans for your girls time with you. Your outdoor living spaces are so pretty Teresa. It always amazes me that Koi live through the winter under the ice!!

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  2. Hi Teresa. What a beautiful sky in your photo. Today hasn't been too bad but we have had a lot of rain recently - everyone fed up with it.
    It will be very difficult to decide who gets the blanket first :-) good luck with that :-) Not long now until they arrive - so exciting. Take care Anne x

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  3. Lovely to be able to enjoy outdoor living. Still rather chilly and wet here. Roll on summer. Hope you have a lovely time with your family. B x

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  4. oh your outdoor space looks like a haven for fun and relaxing. Flowers everywhere make the world right you know? I say you roll the dice and the higher number gets the first blanket!

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  5. That view of your deck is just beautiful - so lush. What a tempting spot to take a seat! It's fun preparing for guests, isn't it? Your granddaughters will enjoy what you've done, I'm sure. Cloudy, muggy and feeling very warm today. Tomorrow we'll have rain all day, but a beautiful weekend is forecast. Next week we'll have temperatures in the high 80's, so I think we'll have to turn on the air conditioners for the first time.

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  6. I feel more relaxed just looking at your deck area! The weather here in Scotland has been awful recently - so much rain! But then again I suppose there are places in the world that would love to have some rain.

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  7. Over here we are still waiting for a bit of dry warmth, to enjoy outdoor life. At the moment in every dry bit I'm rushing around trying to catch up on gardening work

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  8. Exciting times, getting ready for your family visit. Your deck and outside area is stunning Teresa, such a beautiful place to hang out and have al fresco meals.

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  9. I love the story about the willow from your dad's funeral flowers growing and becoming a tree, how wonderful. Your deck looks beautiful, what a lovely place to sit and enjyoy the garden. I hope you enjoy Amy and your grandaughters' visit. CJ xx

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  10. How did I miss this post yesterday? Ah well, I guess once I checked blogs in the a.m., I wan't online much at all. Anyway, it's a beautiful post. I can tell how excited you are about the girls coming. I think you should keep the blanket and send them at the same time. No jealousy that way. :-) It sounds like their attic room is ready for their arrival.
    Our summer is going very similar to yours. Gorgeous days. Last night we had some showers roll through and today it's very cool.
    We're having a tree removed today. It's huge and in the front yard. The landscapers planted it way too close to the house 17 years ago and now the roots are trying to go into ours and the neighbors foundations. It's a beautiful tree and it breaks my heart to cut it down, but go it must. The guys should be here around noon so I have some errands to get done first. Better run!
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  11. After swimming with you yesterday I got an impromptu invitation to a birthday gathering for a 91 year old neighbor, and was out and about early and until mid afternoon today, so enjoyed reading this pretty post and relaxing for a bit. It is so chilly over here I just turned on my heater...for the last day of Spring? I'm sending you an email... xxxxxxx

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  12. Hi Teresa your flowers are so wonderful and I wish I had space for trees. Yours are amazing so much lovely space at yours. We are having too much rain here but the sun when it shines is so warm.Enjoy having your girls to stay you must be so excited. Hugs xxx

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  13. Biodiversity really helps nature thrive and you've created quite an oasis there. Love that the little twig from your dad's funeral has survived despite having arrived during heartbreak. Now it continues to give life and provide such beauty and precious memories. You are gonna have a great time with your girls.

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  14. Your little deck/patio/garden area is ADORABLE!! I love all the plants, and the privacy, and the all-around natural beauty! It's like a little oasis all your own. Have a lovely time with your girls! Blessings to you! ♥

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  15. How exciting having your girls stay enjoy. Hello from us travellers in Oz xoxo

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  16. Love the story about the little twig that wanted to thrive. Your decking looks beautifully decorated with plants and bunting, very inviting. Enjoy your time with family visiting, Cathy x

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  17. The flowers are so beautiful. I know you are so looking forward to being with your girls. Enjoy every minute of your time together.

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