Time to get the garden going

We are finally having temps in the 60's during the day, so today I plan to work compost into the garden boxes and plant the hardy veg seeds. It still gets quite chilly at night so I will be covering the boxes with plastic. Many of the seeds have been planted already and they are germinating in my "greenhouse" that Rich and I built. I am reLly hopeful that the garden does spectacularly this year.
The elk are returning as well. We had 8 of them wandering the hill yesterday.

Spring? NOT!

It has been snowing all day. The dogs and I have been lounging all day in front of the fire. Winter just won't let go.

It is spring, I hope

We had a productive day yesterday. Rich and I took the tracks off the rhino and put the tires back on. Rich also took the snow blower off the tractor and replaced it with the bucket. Cleaning out the garage started as well and we should have that job completed today..it is sure to snow this now, but will melt fast with our warmer daytime temps.

Back Home

Yes, it is back to reality and no more lounging, for a while anyway! Back to the snow, cold and getting up early for work. Today it is windy and rainy as well as some warmer temps. But I'm thinking the snow isn't over yet. Next week could bring some surprises.

Haleakela and more

Today we made the trip to the eastern side of Maui. We drove the swtchback road up to 10,026 feet and took some amazing pictures. Then back down we went and had lunch at Kula Lodge. The next part of the trip was to the north shore where the winds are great and so are the waves. The water was full of surfers, wind surfers and parasail surfers. And swimming around the waters with them were lots of big sea turtles, so fun to watch. The water was so many shades of blues. I hope all my pictures turn out. On the way back to our hotel, we stopped at a small market and I got the largest Hawaiian Shaved Ice that I have ever seen. It was delicious.
A cool Polynesian show at the hotel tonight.

On vacation

Maui has been great! Warm sunny days, delicious foods and fun adventures including snorkeling with green sea turtles, and lots of fish in the Molokini extinct volcano. We also toured a coffee ranch and did tastings as well as whale watching. I think this should be an annual trip.
. It is so relaxing.

Starting to snow again

The snow will make everything beautiful again. It will also make it easy for Rich and I to leave on a week long get away to Maui, Hawaii. I am ready for a beach break and some sunny, warm weather. Yay!

Still sunny and cold

Cold temps are keeping our road covered in ice. So, the rhino has been quite handy for travel. It does take some planning as we leave and arrive home at different times. Boots, hats, gloves and blanket kept in the cars for travel up and down, the rhino has no doors, so cold transportation. Hey, where is your pioneering spirit.
We have seen five beautiful bull elk all week as well as some coyotes and for the first time ever, a bobcat cub.

The Elk

Today, 5 beautiful bull elk were hanging out just below the house. Each of them have very large antlers. We are using the rhino to travel up and down the road now and I made 4 trips past those elk today. They just stood there and watched me. My new digital camera should arrive tomorrow and then I will have some zoom capability to take pictures for the blog.

No new snow

The weekend of January 21st and 22nd, it just wouldn't stop snowing. It was perfect snow and beautiful. Rich spent most of his time on the tractor snowblowing. I spent most of my time playing in it, sledding. I even made snocones, a tasty winter treat. Then, the weather changed dramatically. The daytime temps are in the 40's and there is melting and at night it freezes back to ice. We are now slipping and sliding up and down our road with the rhino! Way too slippery for the vehicles. It makes life a little more interesting and planning for travel a must.

the Elk are returning

two wondrous bull elk strolled up the driveway last week. I also wanted to include a picture of our glorious flag as well.

back to blogging?

well, I've had lots of requests to get back to it. So, I am going to try to stay on top of this during 2012. Today we are having an awesome snow storm. It actually started yesterday, but it is our first big one, I think we have gotten about 16 inches since yesterday afternoon. Rich was snowblowing yesterday and back at it today. Thank goodness I had today off so I could do some shoveling and I had to drive down the mtn. in the rhino to pick up Rich once he was off work.

Nik's Graduation from Ithaca College

Kathryn's ? Birthday at Los Comparos tonight

back yard is almost complete

The patios are done, the sprinkler system and stone steps. We also had some plantings done and the sod is perfect up here. Now, get out the Bocce Ball Game.

we continue to do more landscaping.

Rich says we are done after these projects get completed. But it will be a great outdoor living space. And what a view, of course. Pictures include the back staircase, hot tub on existing patio, forms for the two patios going in on either side. I had to include a picture of the greening hill side above the house. The wild flowers are starting to bloom.

Andrew's done with phase 1

Three weeks into Army boot camp, phase 1 complete and I think he is still enjoying his decision. Heard from him last week and all was well.

April update

Way too much wind and rain. I want it to dry out, so I can begin my next phase of landscaping. This will include a sprinkler system and sod. We will also build stone steps on the east side of the house. Then, maybe I can sit back and enjoy! Haha. I am sure I will come up with another project or two. Soon, it will be time to plant the garden as well.

Andrew is in the ARMY now.

Family party for Andrew to celebrate his birthday and leaving for the Army on Monday. He is much happier than he looks.

Visiting Nik in Ithaca, NY. Last theater production design in college.

These are pictures from L'Orfeo, a Greek tragedy done at Ithaca College while I was visiting. This was their spring opera and Nik was the scenic designer for the production. One picture shows a "chaise lounge in Hades", the other is the painted floor and finally the stage setting where the orchestra sat. Nik did an incredible job and this was his senior show. He graduates in May.