New Hair

Here is my new Hair I love it!

Summer Photo Extravaganza!

Here are some pictures I'd like to share from my summer. I've tried to include a little taste of the things that I do while on tour...

Trying to keep warm by the fire, me in the middle and clients on each side. The dry summers here in Oregon mean that it gets cool really fast once the sun goes down. This fire was amazing because we were on a cherry farm; the cherry logs lasted a long time and smelled wonderful.

I sneaked away to knit when I got time by myself. Here, I'm working on a hat that is not quite done yet.

I'm checking out a gigantic ornamental gourd. This gourd will be dried out and painted or something along those lines.

Sunflower admiration

Here I'm learning the hard truth about milling flower by hand. It's challenging, to be sure. This is triticale, a wheat rye hybrid, that was harvested, threshed and cleaned by Annie, the tour's intern for the summer. Unfortunately we didn't have time to bake it before she left, so I didn't get to taste the final product.

Here I'm hamming it up at the pre-tour guide training. Slav rented a cabin for us all at a state park.

Threshing wheat

Cross-eyed artichoke admiration

Here, I'm at Organically Grown Company, an organic produce distribution center, playing in the "gift shop."

Biking along

Go Figure

Okay, so the wind was so strong it snapped the flagpole in half but the rubber ducky laying on top of the hottub out of reach of rabid puppy chewing doesn't move an inch.

Grandpa Jim the master babysitter.

Ike Hits Michigan

It is amazing to me that a storm that affected Cuba could make it all the way to Michigan and wreak havoic here. Our flag pole snapped in the high winds this afternoon. Caitlin and Herb are worried about their freezer and furnace because there is too much water in the basement for the drain to handle it all. I haven't heard anything official but rumor is we had 8.4 inches of rain. It pays to live on a hill! Hopefully Caitlin won't be shopping for a new freezer and furnace.

Weekend Fun

This was such a good picture I couldn't resist posting it. It was taken at Beth Wards reception. Beth has worked with dad 20 years or more. The big smile is reflecting the fact he is full of chocolates. Beth had a table of assorted chocolates and little bags to fill. It was like being at a speciality candy store and selecting your own assortment. I think dad selected more than once. At least he seemed to hang out around the table for a Long time.

I didn't hear the whole story about the frog grooms cake but I am assuming it had something to do with Beth having to kiss a lot of frogs before she found her prince. It was a fun affair and one of the advantages of a reception with an older bride and groom (they are in their 60's) is I recognized all the music the DJ played.

Today we worked in the garage setting up the pen so Gus could go in and out of the garage. He liked going through the doggie door from the kennel into the garage until we put up the fence and he couldn't figure out why he wasn't able to roam around the whole garage like before. Now he is sleeping so he will be all rested when he meets Ayla this afternoon.

Meet Gus

This is Jim's new puppy, Gus. He is about 3 months old, a Husky and Lab mix. He seems to be fairly well behave and he is housebroken or so we have been told. He is very curious about everything and checking out all the nooks and crannies. He already has a favorite spot - between the hot tub and the house. I think it is because he believes no one can get him there.

As you can see he likes to be cuddled. Jim seems to be quite excited about training him. Right now they are downstairs watching a movie. A boy and his dog!

Labor Day Weekend

Well Herb, Mckenna, and I had a nice Labor Day weekend. It was just beautiful outside and a nice time to have a long weekend with the family. Mckenna and I had a great time spending that extra time with Herb since we don't see him alot during the week. We both love Daddy very much but we also have a blast just the two of us, just like me and my Mom!  Luv U Mumzi! Here are some pics of Mckenna and I playing yesterday, she just loves to be able to kick her legs and talk to you.