Let it snow, let it snow, let......

We hoped for Indian Summer only to have an early blizzard drop in all over us. Ski resorts are happy and opening early. We just worked on snow removal and finishing last summer projects. Winter is establishing residence, like it or not. And, for the most part, we like it. The dogs LOVE it!
Stove is in place for the ba-rage and Kathlyn's potting shed is providing shelter to stubborn begonias that just keep on blooming! She calls it the GRAND experiment and is determined to keep those begonias alive. The albino deer loves the color protecting snow and is growing by "leaps and bounds!" It was last spotted yesterday minus its twin, so we guess they separated.

Most projects will be indoors for the next few months, and then spring arrives, bringing multi-colored splendor. Kathlyn and the gardner have put in an additional 1,100 bulbs!!! We look forward to your knock on the door!!! In 22 days, the days start to get longer!!!! Yipeee! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Don and Kathlyn

No doubt! Summer is over

Today is Election Day and complete painting on BARAGE day! We already had 1 inch of snow so now we are taking advantage of this Indian Summer day. Kathlyn was hoping for a long Indian Summer but Mother Nature nixed that notion. We've had cool and rainy days but, hey, that is what makes it green and lush in Oregon. We were able to finish the male and female winter play houses. The Barage (neither a barn or garage) was painted all but for the door trim and she moved into her potting shed, pots, plants, seeds and all. The albino deer (picture taken by our neighbor, Charles Wical) is probably quizzical why classical music emerges from out of this shed into the forest. The shed is a real hidey hole unlike the Barage which glows like a gem in the sun. (Guess who is writing this entry!) We are most satisfied and pleased with both projects, just waiting for you to view and enjoy.

Additional Pictures From Summer Projects

Work is fun, just ask Lauren, Dave, Nathan, D3, Chloe,Kate, or Ryan.

It Is Autumn!

The summer projects are almost complete and it is a good thing because it is definitely autumn at A Way Back. The leaves are turning and the mums, asters and Japanese lanterns are all blooming-that says it is fall. Autumn is a spectacular time of the year in Oregon.

And the best news is the ba-rage mahal(not a barn nor a garage) past its final electrical inspection. Now, it just needs a hoist and two big garage doors. I am quite sure that by winter it will be a haven for the man of the house, a sight to behold.

Cleaning of the woods is almost complete. Don has worked very hard at creating a managed forest. Besides being beautiful, this arduous job has resulted in new paths covered in cedar chips, and trees which have been felled, milled and are waiting to be planed. The dogs love the big piles of shavings from the milled trees as they burrow and wrestle in them. Skeeter comes out, shakes and no more chips on his coat. Buddy, on the other hand, leaves the pile covered from head to toe. He truly is a wood-land creature. And, speaking of woodland creatures, there is an albino fawn in the woods. It is a true albino-with pink eyes and ears. The little creature has a twin which is tawny and still spotted. They are still with the doe. An albino is pretty rare as both parents have to carry the recessive gene, but it is amazing to see. Hopefully, I will be able to get a picture.

Don is working on his winter schedule, so, let him know when you would like to have your retreat to the house in the middle of the woods, next to the creek and near the river. We look forward to your visit to A Way Back. There certainly are plenty of new projects for you to inspect.

Grandma's 100th Birthday

Roger and Myra's awesome blog

I can not complain about a one hour drive to town any longer. If you have not read Don's niece and her husband's blog-you must. It takes them four hours to get to town. Yikes, that is a long trip. And they find time to post their blog frequently.

I could blame Mr. Busy for not downloading pictures, but since he has been clearing the forest, creating paths, and staying extremely productive I won't complain. I will get some belated shots of A Way Back up in August.

We have had some fun times. Just last night, Matthew and Justin were here for dinner. Matthew Cuthbert is now taller than Don. I guess they fertilize well in southern CA. July was CA visitor month. We had Chaplain and Mrs. Chavarria, and later Dr. and Mrs. Tolsma visit. All visitors from southern CA.

We are awaiting the news that our friends, The Richisons, from San Diego have had their new son. He is due this month. His father is a computer whiz and actually started us on this journey of blogging, listening to pod-casts and so forth. Drdcubed actually has a facebook account, now how is that for keeping up with times? Actually we are pretty slow at texting and at posting updates, but we sure enjoy reading the twitters who tweet and the bloggers who blog. Whoever would have thought that our pens would become rather obsolete. Enough said on that topic.

It is always good to share the pleasures of decompressing at A Way Back. The quiet, the sounds of only water, birds, and the wind in the trees has a way of allowing a person a chance at just breathing rather than worrying. It is one of the gifts of life in the woods on a creek, next to the river, in the middle of the mountains. Just one. Another is the wild life-including a doe that is becoming increasingly more regular and more bold in her forays into our part of the woods. I just hope she can tell the difference between my garden and her playground.

Do check out Roger and Myra's blog. It is a treat. And, yes, pictures of A Way Back to be posted soon.

One additional request, if Don officiated at your wedding, would you send a picture (yes, Don knows how to download and print) as he is completing his memory wall. It looks quite nice.

July at A Way Back

It looks like I will not post more frequently than once a month. The goal was at least every two weeks, but that is just not going to happen. We stay too busy. By the time I think of updating, I am busy into evening activities. Mornings are dedicated to gardening or sleeping or yoga.

The barn has had some nifty additions worktables, lights, and now pavement to and from. So, a little less mud to deal with. I guess less mud is a good thing.

Don's new project is clearing and thinning our woods-BIG job! After last year's freak lightening strike, we thought that would be a great idea. I usually am the helper, but today we have a very reliable day worker. So, I am reassigned. I do need to freshen up the guest quarters. Our last Sunday's guest has left, and now I need to freshen it up for this Sunday's guest. This is a job I love doing-it is a great quarters.

We are also preparing for our niece and nephew who will be here for a week the first week of August. They too will be on forest clean-up. I do believe it will look quite nice by the end of summer.

The garden's are very nice. They change daily. My edible pea pods are producing and we are eating them as they come in. My tomatoes are not doing as well. They have flowers, and seem healthy, but I am not sure that we will get tomatoes, however, we have not given up hope just yet.

So, that catches you up on the happening at A Way Back. Know that there is always a place for you here and we look forward to hearing from you. Enjoy summer!! Better yet, enjoy some of it here.