Farah Moves Back North!

When I'd visited Farah the end of February, I'd known that she just wasn't happy.  Renee was taking great care of her - but something about her spirit had changed.  I've missed her so very much, not a day goes by I don't think of her.

Mt. Rainier~ 

As things sometimes go - I heard from a friend - another friend had mentioned to him - she was looking for a horse "just like Farah".  At first I dismissed it, but later spoke to Renee about a possible change. 

I contacted the acquaintance.  She was pleased to hear I was thinking of a change for Farah.  We discussed details & a plan emerged.  Renee was very accommodating.  The three of us, found a date that would work for the transfer.  After discussing all this with daughter Courtney, my flight reservation was made.

Arriving in Seattle late on the 24th, Wednesday morning we left Duvall, horse trailer in tow.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect.  We made a smooth 2-hour drive down to Renee's farm near Roy.  

Together again~

Farah came to me the minute  she heard my voice.  Renee had all of Farah's things packed in the totes I'd sent out.  We admired the amazing view of the mountain & took a few photos, before I loaded Farah.  We were anxious to get back on the road to stay ahead of traffic.

Farah, Connie & Mt. Rainier~

We stopped for lunch in Puyallup before heading north.  Our timing kept us just ahead of the afternoon traffic.  Courtney parked along the main street of Duvall, pulling in behind the trailer, to follow us to the farm.  Farah unloaded & took a long look around at the views before dropping her head to grab mouthfuls of the tall, green grass.

At the Farm~

 We put Farah in the round-pen while Courtney & I took a tour of the barn.  A brand new facility for what seemed to be several comfortable horses. 

Farah meets a new friend~

One of the geldings was turned into the pasture next to the round-pen.  The two touched noses, before the gelding took off at a gallop in an attempt to impress Farah.  She too - leaped into motion - with her beautiful floating trot - tail in the air.  I loved watching her!  

At Cascadia College~

Today, my daughter challenged me with the job of picking up granddaughter Cassidy at her college in Bothell!  I used Google Maps!  The Pathfinder & I found our way!  Cassidy & I stopped for lunch in Redmond, before the drive back to Duvall. 

Tomorrow - I'll be back at the farm to give Farah a good grooming - or bath - weather dependent.  I want to unpack the totes & enjoy time with the gold girl!

A Glimpse of Spring!

Washington State style!  I used to meet my friend Petra every January at Molback's for lunch.  It gave us time to catch up on our holidays & enjoy the spring like environment. Coming from Iowa, where I search to find anything green, it was a visual feast!

Inside Molbacks~

It was girls night.  Courtney, Cassidy & I were going to a movie, Molback's happened to be across the way.  Cassidy limited our time there - she knows us well - but we still managed to walk through our favorite areas.

Lighting too~

Always full of fresh ideas with a plethora of unique items for either the garden or home.

African Violets~

The displays were simple, yet eye catching.  The violets on the old whitewashed spool looked so old fashioned.

Lemon Cypress

These were one of my favorite little trees for pots of color in Washington.  The lime green color is so refreshing & the smaller ones were the perfect size to center in large flower pots.  I would surround them with bulbs, or small flowers.

Cassidy looking at the air ferns~

I've tried air ferns a few times over the years, but never successfully for very long.  I envy those who have mastered the trick.  We finished up our shopping with a few new items.  I asked about a plant that I'd admired in Courtney's kitchen window.  They had one & only one!  Now, the question would be whether I would be allowed to take it on the plane.

On the 16th, we spent a day at the hospital.  Mason had several tests & the spacing between them would take the day.  We had enough time in the afternoon to go for Pizza & across the way was Ravenna Gardens.  Courtney & I had visited once, years ago.  Their incredible displays & outdoor fountain drew us in.

Rock creations~

Leave it to the greater Seattle area to bring in some of the most unique items in garden design.  The Hellebore's below were so beautiful!  I had a bed of them in our woods, my favorite was the hard to find - yellow variety.  I had to wonder if they were blooming yet...

Hellebore/Christmas Rose

We went back inside to see the last few displays.

Pottery & candles~

The green glass lamp shades were so pretty & perfect for an outdoor seating area.  I love clay pots & saw several that I wished I could bring home with me.

Another display of the Lemon Cypress~

We always get so many ideas from these unique shops!  We both were ready to go home & do some planting - yet had to remind ourselves that it is - after all - still January...

"Henry"

My little plant had quite an trip!  I met two flight attendants on the escalator, both introduced themselves & admired my little plant!  One asked where I was going & when I said;  "Omaha" she laughed & said I would be on her plane!  After the long lines at TSA, I honestly didn't think I would make the flight, but she assured me I would. 

I was one of the last to load & was stopped at the door of the plane.  (My first thought was;  "Oh NO!  They're going to confiscate my plant!")  The crew had just answered the phone as I walked up.  I overheard;  "Yes, she's just boarding now."  I was instructed to find my seat - that a safe spot would be found for my plant!  Relief!  Soon, one of the attendants was at my row, asking the gentleman in the center seat if he would mind moving to the isle seat?  The plane was only half full & he was happy to oblige.  She then looked at me & said;  "Your little plant can have it's own seat!"

By now, half the plane was laughing & it became the topic of the flight.  When we were offered water, even "Henry" got a small drink.  We had him safely in his seat belt!  As I departed, the crew reminded me to cover my little plant - as temperatures were sub-freezing.  :-)

Now, I have to wonder...  Will Henry accrue air miles?

Back in Washington~

I was planning a trip in February, but our Grandson Mason was diagnosed with cancer late November.  Wild horses couldn't have kept me away.  I recovered from the flu just in time to make my flight.

Mason was already into his second of four chemo treatments.  Each lasts a week, with two weeks between, when he can be home.  After Mason's first treatment, Mommy was sick in bed, so Mason & Daddy stayed with a wonderful friend & neighbor.  That same neighbor, checking on Courtney, drove her to the hospital.  She was admitted with walking pneumonia.  A tough bunch - the entire family made it home in time for Christmas!

Tree in the road~

Arriving the night of the fifth - a big wind storm blew through!  The following morning when Courtney & I were driving to Children's - we had several obstacles to navigate!   It was fun to cross the new floating bridge - 520 - heading to Seattle.

It was SO good to see Mr. Mason looking so strong!  Born with Tuberous Sclerosis  Mason has been a fighter from day one - surmounting many hurdles in his young life.

A tired Grammy & Mason!

 What has become the usual - Mason has amazed the Doctors & staff with his Get it Done attitude!  He's the one who realized that he was at the half-way point in his treatment & is already planning a bowling party for when the treatments are over!  Friends from school have made the drive to visit as have many of the family.

Mason is Home!

We were all thrilled to have him home yesterday!  The dogs were the most excited to have their boy back!  Auntie Jentry & Uncle Joe with Cousins Skyla & Josie - will be up over the weekend to visit.  Cousin Ben is on his way today!  What's a Grammy to do?

Oatmeal Chocolate chip cookies

Bake cookies of course!  Mason already had a list for me!  At the top is Porcupine Meatballs - that will be dinner tomorrow.  He has to consume mass quantities of calories - so I'm going to do my best!

The weather has been dismal - gray & rain - lots of both.  I'm already missing the bright blue skies & brilliant sunshine of Iowa!  If I could just figure a way to transport the kids & grandkids more often!

2017 - Our First Year - Settlin' In~

Our first year at the Home Place!  Twelve-months that will go down in our history as a basis of comparison for future years. Whether the routines, the weather, the landscape or the memories.

1-14-17 Our new norm - sunshine!

January, the first couple weeks we were in Boulder. Once we returned home, I was busy hacking, pruning & hauling years of accumulated trash up from the creek area.  The weather was so mild!  Butch was installing cabinets & new sinks in the master bath.

1-21-17 Nika & me - hard at work~

With such nice weather, I started bringing up trash from the bottom of the hillside between our backyard area & the creek.  Projects of one sort or another dominated most of the year.

2-15-17 Butch, Nika & the new fence~

By mid-February, the fence was finally in!  Nika was free to run & was the happiest dog ever!

Butch installed tile backsplash & the new kitchen island.  Farah & I enjoyed trails at Two Rivers, NE & the local Wabash Trace for the first time.  Butch & I joined the newly formed BCHIA, SW Chapter.  Butch was elected Secretary of the Mills County Trails Board - which we both joined.

3-19-17 Clearing~

March, the weather was still wonderful.  I started to clear & clean out the area between our south fence & the creek.  Vines went high into the trees & were covered with thorns.

4-16-17 Dutchman's Breeches

Spring was Grand!  We'd been taking walks around town all winter & continued them into spring.  The local parks were fun to explore & I loved finding new-to-me native flowers!  We took down a large Mulberry tree at the east end of the house.  We were referred to the best deck contractor in the area & John agreed to take on our deck & porch projects.

6-11-17 - Done!

Butch tore off the old deck & John began work on the new one mid-May.  It was complete the first week of June!  The front porch was delayed by our wait for a variance, which we eventually received.  John started the third week of June & by the Fourth of July - it too was done!

7-1-17 Summertime~

Farah & I were busy finding anyplace somewhat local - to ride.  Waubonsie was our usual haunt, but we branched out to Indian Caves State Park, NE, Glen Cunningham Lake north of Omaha, Lake of Three Fires near Bedford & Pierce Creek outside Shenandoah.  All of these places roughly a 100-mile round trip.

Butch was driving the big yellow school bus & doing maintenance at a small apartment property.  Between the two jobs, working full-time.

8-15-17 Mason, Butch, Cassidy & Courtney

August was the month we'd looked forward to all year! Courtney & the kids came for their first visit! We toured the Omaha Zoo & drove to Indian Caves State Park to see the total eclipse. It seemed like every day went by faster than the last... The kids were happy to see the things they remembered were still with us. Farah was thrilled to see them too!

9-3-17 Sliding Door in~

September, Butch installed a sliding door in the family room - where we'd just had windows before.  Huge improvement in the views & accessibility to the back deck.  We had volunteered to help with the BCHIA Poker Ride & camped at Brushy Creek Recreation Area.  Wow - what a great place to ride with miles & miles of trails.  So fun to see all the new to us country!

9-30-17 At Brushy Creek~

October of last year, we were in Sheridan, WY, this year, enjoying our 35th Anniversary weekend at Lake Okoboji.  The drive up was beautiful & the lakes incredible.  So great to find a place that we like so much, easy drive & no traffic!  Yes, we're spoiled now!

10-13-17 Touring the largest of the lakes~

November & fall - gorgeous weather - some of the nicest of the entire year.  Farah & I were on the trails more than any other month & had traveled 400-miles by year's end.  Not the huge number's we used to accumulate, my priorities are changing as the years continue to march by.  We found the north end of the Wabash Trace is closest to home & the longest ride in the area - so we do it often.  We also had fun horse camping weekend with a new friend at Lake of Three Fires.

12-12-17 NW Corner of our second lot~

Though we were still waiting for the survey, I took advantage of the nice weather to start clearing into the timber areas.  After some reconnaissance, it was obvious the area was totally overgrown, forgotten & covered in trash.

December we flew to Washington - then drove south to Oregon - to visit the Grand-kids!  How many ways are there to say how much we miss them?  The two weeks have flown by...  We packed as much fun into each day as possible.  Making memories that will last a lifetime for us & hopefully for them too...

After spending the day at the beach, with the Wrights & loving every minute, they left for home  We drove south - to what was in the past - our favorite get-a-way Cannon Beach, OR.  Though the day had turned cloudy & cool - just an hour before sunset - the sun broke through the low hanging clouds.

We stood witness to a gift from God, humbled to be in such a place, at such a time.  2017 left us in a blaze of glory~

Past Year - 2016~