Jumpin' June

Is there anyone else out there that feels like 2018 is rapidly fading into the rearview mirror?  Not entirely sure how this trip has already carried us to July 5, but here we are. (Inside voice: come on, you know June has been a hectic month - show them, and then it'll be clear how you got here!) OK, OK!

Reflection at our lake

ONE: Interior decorating

New dresser for loft bedroom

I am always mildly concerned that my posts become repetitive, so I reviewed my May re-cap, and noticed an overlap with three of my subjects planned for this post - interior decorating, landscaping and stitching.  I suppose that should not be a surprise, as we have been working full tilt toward June 26 (arrival of my in-laws from the UK) and June 30 (a party for all those who contributed to our dream house).  Of course, it was essential for the house to be in tip-top shape!  

So, if you like antique/second hand shopping, this would have been the month for you.  We must have made the rounds of our local antique shops at least three times - new things come in, and you see some items differently as the house continues to evolve.  Take a look at our finds!

Left and top left: metal table and detail

Right and top right; chair with detail (floral motif embedded in ceramic)

Bottom left and right: bedside tables for loft bedroom

Echo Lake Café was established in 1960 by Dickie

Conley and his sister Betty.  After being purchased

in 1996 by Bob and Christi Young, it was re-opened

in 1999.

All this bargain hunting makes you hungry; Echo Lake Café came to our rescue with a feast for our stomachs (the food) and our eyes (the lush garden).








At the end of the day, sometimes on-line shopping is the best source for a specific item, such as these red ottomans for the great room - as you can see, Josie approves!

Our talents also came into play - Spousal Unit made this key rack from reclaimed barn wood, and Pinterest provided inspiration and how-tos for a corner gallery wall on the lower level.

In the 2 pictures on top, paper represents each picture/item, 

and allows you to re-arrange as needed before putting 

holes in the wall!

And then there are the gifts that just fit perfectly into our theme, such as the jasmine plant in the metal bucket (a terrific complement to our rustic industrial theme) and this red anthurium (ideal match for the red accents in our great room).

TWO: Landscaping

Unloading plants from truck

This month, the talented crew from Forestoration completed our 'exterior decorating' with plants, shrubs and trees.  I am very pleased with the results; it is amazing how much the greenery adds to the 'finished' look of the house!  On a special note, back in May, Spousal Unit queried about my desires for Mother's Day, and I requested an apple tree as part of the landscaping, to honor my Dad.  When I was young, we had several Winesap and Golden Delicious trees in our yard, and the memories of those apples are etched deeply.  As it turned out, the varieties available at this time require another tree for pollination, so we now have a Honeycrisp in honor of my Dad and a Goodland in honor of my Mom.

Planting in progress; apple trees are on the left

Planting complete in front (top) and back (bottom)

Planting complete in side gardens

THREE: Stitching

All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl; I have made time for my ongoing tea towel project.  "Friday" is now complete and "Saturday" is progressing well.

FOUR: Cooking

(Internet)

I am woefully deficient in meeting my 2018 goal to cook once a week, but I tried to make up for it a little this month.  First, I hosted a gathering of our prayer shawl ladies, and we indulged in a Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake with our coffee.  Second, it was a Father's Day breakfast in bed for Spousal Unit, featuring a Spinach, Feta and Artichoke Breakfast Bake.

Served breakfast on this galvanized steel bar tray, also a Father's Day gift!

FIVE: Time outdoors

As the ultimate stress reliever, nature is my go-to place.  June has delivered, in spades.

Scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, grilled tomato and mushroom sauce

I don't normally focus on mushrooms when I'm wandering, but early in the month, our dear neighbor treated us to morel mushrooms she had personally collected.  Spousal Unit concocted a mouth-watering sauce to accompany our breakfast, and we are hooked.  My curiosity piqued, I studied the mushroom on the web, and realized that I had unwittingly captured a morel mushroom in my May 23 post.  Here are a few other mushrooms from the neighborhood, courtesy of the abundant rainfall (at least relative to last summer, when it didn't rain for 90 days).

I just love the one in the upper left - I imagine small woodland fairies making their home under it!

The precipitation has also spurred the plants, and it seems every 24 hours I spy a new flower while I am out and about.

Upper left: Starry Wild Lily of the Valley; Upper right: Pine with water droplets

Lower left: Wood's Rose; Lower right: Groundsel

Left: Yarrow; Upper middle: Pink Wintergreen; Upper right: Blue-eyed Grass

Lower middle: Self-heal; Lower right: Bog Orchid

Upper left: Mariposa Lily; Upper middle: Hairy Arnica; Upper right: Bunchberry

Bottom: Aspen with water droplets

Of course, I rarely publish a post without some mention of four-legged wildlife, and today is no exception.  On one of my trips to check my trail cam, I looked up from the path to see a BADGER.  I couldn't believe it.  Right in our back yard.  As you can see in the video below, it was quite intent on excavating this hole, long enough for me to retrieve Spousal Unit and my phone from the house so that together we watched the process of this efficient digger hunting Columbia ground squirrel.  The very next day I almost ran head-on into another badger (may have been the same one) as I was returning to the house.  It was just coming past a stand of trees, and it hissed when it saw me.  So, of course I gave it plenty of berth by retreating, and while I stood there watching, it 'floated' across the opening WITH THREE YOUNG ONES.  According to the Montana Field Guide, "because of their shaggy coat and short stature, badgers appear to flow along the ground".  My wildlife meter is full for quite some time with this unbelievable sighting!

BONUS: Ever since I started reading Not Afraid of Color (LeeAnna's blog), I seem to spot Phoenicopterus everywhere (that's 'flamingo' for the rest of us).  This one's for LeeAnna.

Linking to:

All Seasons


Floral Friday Foto

I Like Thursday

Mosaic Monday

Nature Notes

Saturday's Critters

Willy Nilly Friday

May at Warp Speed

Do you ever have to look back through your pictures to remember what you did during the month?  That's how I am feeling about May.  On the 2nd, we flew back from #1 Daughter's college graduation in Ohio, and tomorrow will be June 1.  Must have gone through a time warp, is all I can say.

So I'm grateful for my camera to jog my memory …

ONE: LANDSCAPING

In a previous post, I wrote about Forestoration, the company we hired to beautify the spaces disrupted by the construction process.  We have not been disappointed.  So far, they have completed the hardscape; planting comes next.  Take a look at these before and after shots.

The greenery around this Douglas Fir is all native -

4 weeks from mud to miracles after the snow melted

I know a thing or two about drainage, having helped my Dad install significant piping in our backyard.  So it's saying something when I tell you that I was impressed with the drainage installed by our crew, which now looks like a picturesque creek bed.








Have you ever tried building a set of stone steps on a hillside?  I originally thought we could do it ourselves, but having watched these burly young fellows manhandle these stones, I am pretty sure we would have ended up in the hospital with crushed fingers, at the very least.  The team was so meticulous with the placement and leveling of these stones; the steps will last a lifetime, for sure.

TWO: INTERIOR DECORATING

While the crews were busy outside, we turned our creative juices to interior spaces.  Our tasks have ranged from the almost mundane art of hanging pictures, to a full-up design for our lower level guest bedroom and bath.  Spousal Unit gets the design award of the year (in my book) for his real barn wood headboard, which he made from scratch.  Check it out.

Not everything in this room is new to us. The desert picture over the bed was a gift to me from work colleagues when we moved from Arizona to Cleveland back in 1996.

The sewing machine shown in the picture to the right belonged to my mother.  We purchased the chair in the corner in 1992.  My personal contribution to the room is this carousel horse cross-stitch, custom-framed at Michael's with my input on matting and frame.  When I bought the design so many years ago, who knew it would fit so perfectly in this room?  I can't tell you how ecstatic I was when I saw the result hung on the wall!

Lower level guest bathroom

It is so pleasing to create combinations with items we already had, together with new purchases.  We (probably more me and not so much Spousal Unit) thrill to the pursuit in retail and antique stores, for items that will fit our chosen décor in a given room.

Upper left: birds and leaves candlestick

Upper right: small antique lamp

Bottom: new soap dispenser and vintage Orange Crush bottle 

Just today we located this bench for our entry.

Swap meet treasure - paid $5 (without the candles) for these 

two ornate candlesticks!

And along the way, you find things you weren't expecting, but you really need!

We have had a Stir Crazy as long as I can remember,

and I am (rightfully) concerned it's going to give out

one day.   Imagine my delight when we found a back-up

at a swap meet this month!

THREE: PLAYING THE PIANO

If you've been following my blog, you know that the movers were not able to put the upright piano on the lower level due to the snow and mud on moving day.  I am pleased to inform you that this situation was rectified on May 15.  In less than an hour and a half, Byron, Clint and Jimmy maneuvered it from the entry onto a truck and then around the back to its new home.  I am still looking for all my piano books, but I celebrated with a song I remember by heart - the piano actually sounds somewhat in tune!

FOUR: STITCHING

OK - May hasn't been so crazy that it hasn't offered some down time to catch up on my embroidery (and past episodes of American Idol and Heartland).  The "Thursday" tea towel is complete and "Friday" is underway.  I can even stitch outside, because Spousal Unit was busy …

FIVE: ASSEMBLING PATIO FURNITURE

Earlier in the month, the paint and stain crews returned for the final time to put the last coat of stain on the exterior logs and the decks.  This ultimately allowed us to move the patio furniture into its proper place, and free up the garage for vehicles!!!  Last week, we planted a few pots with annuals; the one on the front porch is a bit of an experiment what with all the deer around here.  So, far, no nibbling has occurred.  We think the ones on the back deck should be pretty safe from hooved critters.

Dusty Miller and Marigolds are typically safe from deer.  Also used Verbena, Ipomoea

Geranium, Lobelia, and Creeping Jenny

With decks on two sides of the house, as well as the front porch, you can always choose a sunny spot, or a shady area, as suits your fancy through the day.  So, when you think of me, just imagine me enjoying a coffee here …

lunch there ...



















and a glass of wine … anywhere!!!

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Linking to 

All Seasons


Mosaic Monday


Thursday Likes

Willy Nilly Friday