Sunrise, sunset

The smoky skies are giving us some pretty sunrises and sunsets.  This morning the orange glow caught my attention and I shot this photo of the sun resting on the willow tree like a tiny bubble.  The color of the sun was amazing.  

The evening sunset was just as amazing.  The smoky hills and the glow of the sun made the perfect combination.   

Smoke and Wind

 We have been in smoky haze for the past couple of weeks.  Last evening the wind started blowing and scoured out some of the smoke.

 The result looking west - beautiful colorful sky.

To the south  the moon shined brightly.  

 This morning a hawk was eating breakfast in the back field.  Look how long this guys legs are!

The lavender is growing like crazy - hard to believe these are first year plants in this summer of drought.

Rick and Cindy officially moved out today - they have been great neighbors and will be missed.  Before they left they gave us this beautiful begonia.  I am going to try and baby it until we go to Arizona.  I know it would love the winter in the south!

Good Morning!

 Good Morning- 55 degrees and a flock of ducks in formation, must be fall!   

This looks like fall to me - just need a pumpkin on the porch!

Sunrise before it hits the smoky clouds.

The eye in the sky. So cool the way the sun rose into the clouds making it look like an eye.

Fall is coming

This morning three of the bucks came in from the north. I noticed they are starting to shed the velvet on their antlers. Sure sign of fall in the valley.

Peaches

Kimmie and I drove over to Thorp Fruit Stand to pick up some of their $9.95 a box peaches.  When we arrived the peaches looked and smelled amazing.  24 pounds in a box.  

I got a little carried away and bought 5 boxes!  We carted the boxes home and made plans for canning.  Kimmie bought all the other stuff necessary and we decided to start with peaches in light syrup.  

 60 jars later we felt like we were successful.  We also made peach jam - it is delicious!  The peach boxes are now empty and the pretty jars are now in the pantry.

Our breakfast treat - home canned peaches and peach jam on Grandma Sycamore Bread.  Even though we have had fresh peach milkshakes and eaten fresh peaches, tried the canned peaches and the jam I am still not tired of peaches.  I love fresh fruit when it is in season!    

Fiesta

Breakfast at Grami's! I love that I get to use my child-size Fiesta tea set. I bought the tea set before I even had grandchildren - and now I have eight and they are big enough to use it! I love Fiesta dishes!!!!

Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning!

Lunchroom Lady Cashew Butter Bars

Lunch Lady Cashew Butter Bars

Bar:

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1 cup cashew butter

2 cups rolled oats

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon salt

Middle Layer:

1 ½ cups cashew butter

Frosting:

½ cup butter

¼ cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

2-3 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the sugar, brown sugar, and butter together.  Add the vanilla, eggs, and cashew butter, stirring to combine.   Blend in the oatmeal, flour, baking soda and salt mixing well. Spread dough on a greased jelly roll pan.  Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.

While butter bar is still hot, spread 1 ½ cups of cashew butter on top.

Let cool before adding frosting.

Mix together all of the frosting ingredients.  Spread the frosting and cut into bars.

The Long and Hot Summer of 2015

We have lived in Central Washington since August of 1998. So, my Central Washington summer memories are only 17 years old... I am going on record saying, this is the longest, hottest summer ever! The temperature has been in the high 90's for weeks. I don't really mind hot dry weather but it's not so great for everyone. We count on the irrigation system to keep a green belt around our house for fire protection.

The irrigation ditch is dry.  I have never seen this ditch without water - winter or summer!

 The weir that we get our irrigation water is dry.

We have resorted to using a kids toy to water the lawn!  

Some of my plants love the dry heat - the chocolate mint has attracted tons of honey bees searching for some nectar.  This bee keeper will have a surprise when he tastes his honey.  

 The local wildlife are stopping by our backyard for a drink and a swim -

Quail family

Hungarian Partridge

After a drink and a swim the Huns pecked around the lavender garden.  Lavender likes the heat too. 

The bucks showed up for some water.

Hey!  Turn the water back on.

Pleeeze!

That's better - getting a drink and cooling the hooves!

Look at that velvet on the horns - the deer are also shedding, that's why their coats look so raggedy.  

More photo's from inside the house.

What a crowd!  I didn't try to go outside - they look tame but they are still wild animals!

Thanks for the drink!

Back out to the field for some rest. 

 Next door neighbors yard.  We call them Yard Sculptures!

The deer are looking for anywhere to rest out of the sun.  This guy was in front of the hay stack. 

Huge buck - 6x4

Beautiful

I have been so close I am catching some amazing shots with my camera. All four feet off of the ground.

Whoa! Is that Terry with the camera?  Better stop for a picture! 

You won't see these bucks during hunting season! 

And off he goes!  What a nice time to live in the country.