The Barn...and assorted fruit

There really aren't too many pics available on my phone of the property thus far. I mainly haven't had the time to run around outside snapping the pictures. That and it's been so crazy hot, no one in their right mind would spend more than 3 minutes outside by choice. Tops. 

This is not a normal temperature. What does it tell you that I'm looking forward to only being at 101?

 When we closed escrow, we knew there were lots of fruit trees on the property. However, because we were coming off winter and, let's just be honest here, neither Chad or myself are what one would call "tree experts", we patiently waited to see what would come. How lucky were we to have such awesome fruit already there and mature??

One of our few "full sized" plum trees

Teeny, tiny olive on our HUGE olive tree. Really not sure how we're going to get them down. 

One of two heavily producing apple trees

Very old grape vines that are growing along the front fence

Originally, we thought this was our only cherry plum tree. Ya. Right. Maybe the only one within 20 feet from the house. 

You have heard mention of my bee-you-tiful barn. It is adorned with a gorgeous Crape Myrtle and in the spring, there was a wonderful yellow rose bush that was also climbing the fence next to the barn. To the left of this picture is where I will be setting up my garden. In about 10 years. You know, when life slows down. To the right is the biggest patch of rosemary known to man. Which soon will be a much smaller patch. In fact, it will likely be non-existent. Whoever owned this house before us seriously loved their rosemary. It's everywhere. Ev-ery-where. 

Rustic

 Last on the tour today will be the front yard. The picture below was taken just after we finished adding the fencing. That was a hot day too. Of course, that's also when my frame of reference for hot was that it was 102 outside. I'll take 102 right now.

Front yard complete with fencing

We need to add quite a few different fruit trees. We didn't get a picture of our Asian Pear or Apricot tree. Also, there is a Kumquat tree, but we don't know if it's producing as we missed the cycle this year. I'm in the market for more pear trees along with cherry. Wouldn't reject another apricot and/or peach. And pluot. Oh yum, I love me some pluots. And mandarin. And lime. And lemon. That's all. That's not too much, right? Anyone know of a good place to buy trees that aren't tiny? And don't require a second mortgage?

Peace Out :)

The boy is home!

Ah yes, we are complete yet again. We picked Ethan up from the airport last night after being gone for the past two months. Is it possible that he grew a foot while gone? I am rapidly becoming the shortest in the family. I've still got a few inches on him, but I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of his seventh grade year, he passes me up.

We spent much of the night last night pouring over his treasures from his adventures with Papa and Bushia. What a great time he had! All kinds of stories to tell us along with an awesome array of new weapons to add to his collection; he's quite the outdoorsman. As I type, he and Barry are off in the "back 40" trying to determine exactly where they are going to set up camp for their last few days of summer. Since we started looking at this house, all they could talk about was "surviving" in the forest behind the pasture. And seriously, why not? While we aren't permitting a fire, there is PLENTY to keep them occupied. As of late, we have discovered 6 more cherry plum trees scattered throughout the pasture and forest as well as wild grapes and all of the blackberries a person could EVER eat. Of course, they are determined to hunt and catch something. *Shudder*....the very thought creeps me out. Ground squirrel just doesn't have the same appeal as a nice piece of chicken.

In an effort to keep the heat out of the house today (eh-hem....107 degrees, thank you very much),  I cooked our pizza on the grill outside. First time trying this, though I've heard oh so much about it in all of it's trendiness. I understand the thrill now! Although, standing on the deck outside in the heat of the day brings all new meaning to "slaving over a hot stove". Cus I was dying just a little. But it was really good. So I'll look past the sweating and burning of eyebrows. Just kidding. Eyebrows are still intact.

Boys just returned from their trek outside. It would appear that the camp spot has been determined and the plan is set for the morning. They are equipped with top ramen (which they will eat raw), jerky, granola bars, water and soup which they plan to heat in the house then stick in thermoses to eat at a later date. Never mind that fact that we are expecting triple digits all week. And loads and loads of fruit. ALLLLL they can pick. Hiking to and from the camp spot in this heat has left them smelling...er - divine. I can only imagine after two or three days. Ay yi yi!

Until then....

Peace out.

Sadness

....Not at anyone other than me. And not really in a totally serious sense. Just annoyed that no matter what my intentions are, I can't seem to remember to blog every day (or even every other...). That weekend of excessive food was fairly productive...working on trying to get my instagram pics up and going. Did a lot of experimentation with different breads....mainly because I like baking but also because I had most of the ingredients on hand and bread seems to be pretty expensive. Tried "the perfect sandwich bread", English Muffins and Hamburger buns. Also, threw in some Chili Colorado Burritos, buttermilk biscuits (frozen for eating quick breakfasts), breakfast pizza (biscuit, sausage and cheese) and Hamburger Wraps. YUM! Freezer is nicely stocked and now I have a few recipes I really like and will use again....For example, the English Muffins. I made only a small batch because I wasn't sure how they would turn out. Now I know!

Working on my family organization center (I just now dubbed it that). Almost finished creating my meal choices as well as chore lists, white board and mail center. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Peace out :)

Meanwhile, out in the country...

So we did it! We purchased a home all on our own! The last few weeks of the home-buying process were more than a little stressful, but c'est la vie! The bottom line is, as of May 25, we closed escrow. Two weeks later, we started moving in. Of course, that wasn't the plan. But then again, plans are pretty much never executed in the fashion in which they were laid out...right? Or is that just my life? Ah, but I digress. I always say this and it seems I'm never able to follow though, but I PLAN to get some pictures up. A blog with no photos is just not any fun! At least when you're discussing home renovation/farm living/crazy boys :). We have worked very hard to get the house in working order. We've had a few hiccups, but overall, it's been manageable.

We had to put up a new fence along the road so our doggies didn't wander off. But that is complete now and boy are they happy! Nearly an acre of fenced in yard for them to play in together! - At this juncture, I must explain that in the past, our dog Scout (Rhodesian Ridgeback) has always been allowed to be out of the "dog yard" as he doesn't leave the yard (even if we aren't home). Our smaller dog, Allie (mini Schnauzer), sticks her nose to the ground and follows a trail only to end up three properties over. That being said, she was always confined to a mini dog yard because funds wouldn't allow us to fence our other property. NOW, she AND Scout can run around to their heart's content. And even better? Now when we as a family go outside, Allie can be with us...not sit back in her lonely dog yard. - So, fence and gates are done.

Chad and Barry (husband and middle son) have spent HOURS working on the irrigation, getting it up and running. We were fortunate that all the infrastructure was there, but some things needed to be repaired/replaced. The house was empty for nearly two years....a little repair work is a nice trade off! Now all of our irrigation is working too! We have sprinklers and RainBirds in the yard and our flood irrigation is up and running in "The Back 40" aka: the pasture. Pics to follow. I PROMISE! I have to show off my cute built-in book shelves that got adorable fabric backing....Can you say Pop of Color??

Peace Out :)