Thanksgiving - Washington to Iowa~

It was 2015 & our last Thanksgiving on the Homestead.  We still had no idea that we'd be making changes - anytime soon - or that it would be our last there...  We all know though - how quickly things can change.  When the holiday's roll around - I have those times when I miss so much - being closer to the kids & grandkids.   I even miss the soggy wet days occasionally. 

The Cottage~

Now, I won't miss the Cottage as much, since we have the Cabin!  Most of our friends think we're a little strange now.  Why would we want to be out there - when we have a nice warm house?  I have no explanation - except to say it's what we've always done.  I'm happy we made the decision to place it closer to the house on cold nights!

11-15-15 From the Cottage porch - south

  The view above, from the Cottage porch, was after 25-years of clearing, cleaning & planting.  The Cabin view will be different too, we're adding a sliding door.

From the Cabin - south

I worked to clean up the west edge of the timber last year, taking out dead limbs, trash, grape & Greenbriar vines.  My plan is to improve this view too.

Main trail Inland Isle Ave.

I'm working on trails again.  We were so lucky to find a place in town, tucked away in a corner where I can still work in the woods. There we had woods - here a treed lot is usually - timber.

Main trail 11-21-18

 It took a while to figure out where I wanted the trail to start, but it was a logical place.  It works fine, just behind where we put the Cabin.  As the photo shows, there's plenty of trash to be hauled away.

Merlin's Grove

The green glass gazing ball has found a new home.  Surrounded by marigolds in the summer, rather than Western Red Cedars.  I do miss the ferns though!  Finding a ground cover that works in the Timber will be a challenge, let alone getting it started.

The following  three photos were taken 2015 - Thanksgiving in WA~

Three Fingers Peak

 The view from behind the barn of Three Fingers was always changeable.  Friends used to say we should have built a house up here rather than the barn.  I always wanted to climb at least part way up this peak.

Farah in her pasture~

Farah...  I hope Renee gives her extra carrots!  I'm so pleased she's comfortable & well cared for.  February can't come fast enough!

Cassidy, Ben & Mason!

The best part of our Thanksgiving Day, any day for that matter, was when the girls' & their families drove in the gate!  Ben was up from Oregon visiting his dad, stepmother & sister Madi.  He came for dinner & to spend time with his cousins Cassidy & Mason.  These first three were so close in age with Ben born in 2000, Mason 2001 & Cassidy 2003.

11-18-18 - Skyla & Josie on their new trail!

 I was thrilled when Jentry sent photos of our two youngest Granddaughters working on a trail through their own woods!  Skyla was born in 2011 & Josie 2012!   All the kids are growing so fast! Faster, since it's now longer between visits.
Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with family, friends & fellowship!