Random things in our yard

Took these photos from my camera phone and finally downloaded them. The first one is a small tree frog that Melvin was very curious about. The second one is a peanut one of our squirrels buried that started to sprout. Other items I have discovered in our yard half eaten pears (we don't have a pear tree), large mushrooms the size of my fist, an underground pond, a deer skull and Melvin sneaking out. The other picture is of Melvin when we went to stay with  my parents during the 100 degree weather. I put him in the crib while I sewed. He wouldn't stop pacing around and crying. What can I say he is my baby all 16lbs of him.

4 years and going strong

This past weekend, Corey and I celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary. Each year we try to do something special. We decided to camp at the beach since we love the outdoors and the coast. We left Friday morning and took a leisurely drive down the coast. Stopping for ice cream, beef jerky and salt water taffy at my great grandma's old candy store. We also swung by our families old beach house. Amazing how much the area around it has changed. I was so happy, I got to share it with Corey. We had a few campgrounds picked out and decided on Rock Creek campsite between Yachts and Florence. Our site was right on the creek and not far from the beach. After setting up camp, we went searching for wood for our campfire. We made a good team. I would scout out limbs and Corey would cut them up. Friday night, dinner was traditional camping food, hot dogs, corn and a salad. No beans sorry dad and John. For dessert, of course we roasted marshmallows. Corey says he has perfected the art of roasting them just right.

Saturday morning, I woke to a warm campfire and hot chocolate. We both wanted to do a hike and play in the tide pools during our trip. We went to the Cape Perpetua visitors center and mapped our itinerary for the day. A 3 mile loop down to the tide pool and a 3 mile hike to the top of Cape Perpetua. Sadly, it was a high, low tided and we only saw one starfish. We both enjoyed the waves crashing against the rocks and seeing the spouting horn (a hole in the rocks that water shoots out of). We climbed the rocks for awhile and saw one sea loin in the Cape Cove. I worried it was sick and dieing, but Corey reassured me they do sometimes travel alone. Our hike up to the Cape Perpetua look out was a harder than we both thought it would be. I was over dressed and very sweaty when we reached the top. There were blue skies but it was still foggy looking out to sea and down the coast. During a good day you can see 34 miles out to sea and 70 miles along the coast. We got our one couples photo of the trip and made our journey down. Back at camp, we collected more firewood and took a nap. My only other goal for the trip was having clam chowder. We drove to Florence hoping to get a good cup and watch the OSU game. Neither turned out well. My chowder had few clams and almost nothing else. We didn't realize we were in Duck country, we went to 6 bars and one Casino, but couldn't find anyone playing the Beaver game. In the end, we listened to the game on the car radio. OSU 23 UNLV 21 (for those other OSU fans).

Sunday morning we curled up by the fire and read awhile. By noon our campsite was packed and we headed to Corvallis and my sister's house to see our niece Bailey. Bailey is enjoying her tricycle and her new bike trailer. She wants everyone to take her for a ride. Our last stop was at Corey's parent's for fresh produce and dinner. Finally, making it home around 6pm and welcomed by a hungrily Melvin. Mel over ate and left us a special treat by the front door. I guess it is his way of rebelling against the diet. One downfall of camping is all the clean up when you get home. Better go finish the laundry and dishes.

Happy 4 year anniversary Corey looking forward to many more!

A Special Thanks

Just wanted to recognize Corey's mom, Marti, for always sharing wonderful, fresh, organically grown produce with us. This year alone, we have gotten at least a dozen zucchini and cucumbers from, plus beautiful sunflowers to brighten up our home. Additionally, we will have bags of dehydrated pears and prunes this winter. Something truly special, she doesn't only share her garden bounty with family and friends but the local food bank as well. Not sure how many pounds of fresh produce she has donated to families in need, but it is in the hundreds. Often, food banks only have canned or boxed items. Having direct contact with many families in similar situations through work, I know just how much they need fresh healthy produce. Thank you Marti, for helping families in need eat healthy.

Labor Day Weekend

Like most of you we had plans that depended on the weather. For most of the weekend the weather didn't go in our favor. We or should I say Corey has been busy all week painting our front door. It was installed last fall and we finally had time in our busy summer schedule to paint it. Corey has been such a good sport about painting the door. We both strongly dislike painting since we have painted every room in our house including the doors and trim work and we painted the outside last year. I of course always wanted a red door just like a red kitchen. I am so thankful I have a husband who has done both for me. We didn't like the original color we picked out but the second color is much better. We hope to have the outside part of the door done this week. Melvin is very hopeful we finish sooner. He has to be locked up since the front door is off the hinges for painting. Everyone knows Melvin despises being caged. Pictures to come of our door.

Our other plans for the weekend were more domesticated. Saturday night we cooked 16 ears of corn from Corey's parents garden and skinned them (not sure that is the right term). We now have 8 Tupperware containers of wonderful sweet corn to enjoy all winter. The other food project was to dehydrate about 3lbs of pears also from Marti and Jim. It is a long process but I had fun pealing the pears and singing "I have been working on the railroads," repetitively to Corey. Our first batch was a little done but I think we figured out what went wrong.

As for the official Labor day we are spending it at our friends Alan and Rheas house for dinner. Hope everyone else had a good long weekend too.

P.S. took Melvin to the vet this week alone (huge task getting him in the carrier). He is now on a reduced calorie diet since he was 16# and the vet mentioned he looked healthier at 14#. Melvin has strongly told us he disagrees with this often times at 5:30 in the morning.