Category Archives: Our Country Bunagalow

Refreshing

In the last week we have had a couple of refreshing rainfalls that our yard soaked up. There was lightning and thunder which always brings the threat of starting more fires so everyone is on edge with these events.

The cool down of the weather made it so enjoyable to walk about and to take these photos. Taking advantage of the under 90 degree day we tackled some weeds.

The bunny trio are unaffected by changes in the weather.

We’ve enjoyed cooler temps the last 4 days with Sunday being the coolest into the 70’s! Woohoo. Today we are heading up again to the 90’s and later this week we will be over 100 degrees. Time for me to start watering again.

This past week we’ve had a doe and fawn visit. That’s always a treat. I’ll be sharing some photos soon.

Our Pastor has been preaching out of the Psalms this summer. Sunday was Psalm 46. God is our refuge, river, and ruler. He covered the whole Psalm and here are just the two beginning verses.

Psalm 46:1,2

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Enjoy the 10th day of August friends!

An Oasis

The birds have found the watered section of our yard to be an oasis in the midst of our dry and parched land here in our corner of the world. They enjoy tucking away in the variegated willow on the cool wet leaves. The smoke has been oppressive the last couple days as the weather is changing and it seems to be stuck in place because of atmospheric pressure.

This command center has been set up in the junior high parking lot across the street from our church. Tents for the firefighters to rest in and there are food trucks and portable showers, etc.

Summer projects have come to a halt as it is unhealthy to work hard outdoors. We are looking forward to relief soon.

Hope all is well in the area you call home.

You May Not Enter

This mama deer stepped up onto our deck and was resting on our patio rug. This is the first time something like that has happened. We didn’t want to frighten her and have her kick at the glass slider.

Thankfully she turned around and went on her way.

We were told that this is probably a doe with a nursing fawn and that is why her ribs are exposed. I didn’t research that so not sure if that’s true.

Seeking Relief…

We’ve had bucks and does visit regularly during our heat and lack of rain. The bucks rest in the shade under the shed roof on the back of the garage. The doe rests under the variegated willow.

We’re happy to leave the water in the pool so the does and bucks can get their fill. A couple days ago we spotted  two does drinking from the pool. That reminded me of these verses in Psalm 42.

Wednesday Hodgepodge is taking a week off and will be back next Wednesday.

Lavender

This weekend the annual lavender festival begins in Sequim Washington. It was so wonderful to go to the festival in years past. In honor of the festival and other lavender festivals around the area here are the lavender plants on our acreage at our country bungalow.

Today is my second cataract surgery on my left eye. We left home at O-dark-thirty again to get to Spokane in time for the surgery. We will be in Spokane all day as my follow-up appointment is on Friday afternoon. Back to drops and more drops 4 times a day for a while.

We are under severe fire warnings right now and there are several wildfires that are making our skies cloudy with smoke not pretty fluffy clouds. The air quality is not good so we stay inside as much as possible. Hoping for the containment of all the fires in the Northwest! Hope the skies are clear where you are.

Bon Appétit Hodgepodge

Merci to Joyce From This Side of the Pond for coming up with the questions for us to answer.

1. Tell us about one small blessing you have counted in the past week? 

Not so small but we got to hug our second born after not seeing him for 7 weeks!

2. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14th…have you ever been to France? 
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No, I’ve never been to France.
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Any desire to visit there, and if so what would site or city would you most want to see? (pretend for a minute international travel isn’t an issue) 
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France is not on my top ten places to visit list. If I traveled there I’d be interested in Mont Saint Michel and Normandy.
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3. A food associated with France that you love? 
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A croissant and cassoulet
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4. Something you recently purchased where a coupon was involved? Do you regularly shop with coupons? 
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I’ve only used online coupons these days. I do not regularly shop with coupons anymore.
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5. You have to give something away this week…what will it be? 
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I’ll give away some of my garlic.
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6. Insert your own random thought here.
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Speaking of France, our lavender is in it’s glory right now. It is always a treat to weed around the lavender and enjoy that fragrance.

Survivors

Many of our plants have survived our epic heat wave and for that I’m grateful.

This clematis hasn’t bloomed the last couple of years but this year we’ve gotten two blooms. This is the second bloom.

The daylilies seem to thrive in the heat.

How does your garden grow?

Today I have a follow-up appointment in Spokane so we’ll leave O-dark-thirty to get to the appointment on time. Need anything from Costco while we are there? That’s a standard question we ask our kids and they ask us depending on who is headed to Spokane.