June 30 - July 12, 2014

The past 2 weeks have been busy and HOT!  The last few days of June it climbed into the 90's and has stayed there since, with a few afternoons in triple digits.  It's a full time job keeping up with the irrigation in these high temperatures, but even so, we have managed to make progress on our new pavers and steps.  They should be completed this week.  Then we will move on to the next project, which is upgrading our electrical system.  
We had family in town for the 4th of July, and spent the day with them in Twisp.  Much to our dismay, our newest dog, Luca, was missing when we returned.  It seems that something scared him, probably fireworks or gun shots, and he managed to get out of the pasture.  Two days later, there was a posting on the bulletin board that someone a mile and a half down the road had found a big white friendly dog, so we were reunited.  

New steps

patio in progress

Small Rubber Boa

Cauliflower is ready to pick

Each year brings it's own subtle differences that can be seen in the garden, and in observing the wildlife around us.  This year I have seen more snakes than ever before.  I see at least one a day, and often more than that.  They are all over the pastures, and I've seen quite a few unfortunate ones that ended up squished on the road.  They are mostly garter snakes, blue racers, rubber boas and bull snakes.  Haven't seen a rattler yet, but I may have heard one a few days ago.  The garden is unusually productive, too.  We are still picking cherries (worm free!), and the apricots will be ripe in just a few days.  The cole crops in the garden are huge and healthy looking, without an aphid in sight.  Even the Brussels Sprouts!!  And I really need to get my canning equipment ready as the pickling cucumbers are coming on already, along with cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli.  

This past week I made a quick trip to Seattle to deliver lamb to some of our customers, and visit friends and family.  When I called Bill to check in and see how things were going, he told me that Scooter (our house dog) had tangled with a skunk up by the irrigation box.  Bill found some information on line about a bathing solution that is supposed to work, and I have to give it a big thumbs up.   When I got home the next day, there was no trace of skunk.  It's a combination of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and soap.  Mr. Skunk is still lurking around, though, as we have smelled him in the evenings around the house, and he killed one of our laying hens.  In the coming days my big challenge will be to stay cool.   Even though our house is next to a creek which normally has a cooling effect, today the sensor on the deck read 107. It's supposed to be about the same for a few more days before it drops back into the "cool" 90's.  I just work a little while until the sweat drips in to my eyes, then I go splash myself with creek water.