Cabin on the Missouri River

Their cabin (green roof) is in the center of this photo

We just returned from a lovely week with our family in Nebraska. The entire A & O Clan spent the week-end at the O's new cabin on the Missouri River in the northeast "corner" of the state. We had a great time with lots of conversation, good food, and lazing in the sun and, for me, the shade. The cabin is essentially complete except for the deck which the builder promises will be finished soon. Wayne helped Virgil install two air-conditioners, towel bars, and other accessories. The handymen were hard at work and the kids were hard at play. Virgil, "water-taxi" driver ferried people back and forth to the beach on the uninhabited Goat Island which is situated in the middle of the river. It has a nice sand beach and the water is shallow for many yards off-shore.

Goat Island is in the background

Trail Ridge Quilters Summer Sale

Our sale was a big success thanks to lots of visitors in town, beautiful weather, and a large inventory of lovely quilted items made by the members of Trail Ridge Quilters. We made over $3700, an all-time record for one sale! Our next sale will be in the autumn and we're busy making new items to replenish our inventory. We'll be meeting this afternoon to decide what type of projects we need to concentrate on making (place mats, table runners, bags, etc).

 

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

This is my favorite "at home" spot where I read, serve meals, work on my computer, and stitch during nice weather. Sometimes I just sit and watch the birds and other wildlife and maybe take a picture or two. Right now I'm watching a buck munch on bushes and hummingbirds sipping sugar water. 

I spent a couple of hours earlier today getting the porch and deck ready for summer. I planted the four hanging baskets with red geraniums and I started my "herb garden" in pots on an old bench. I love using fresh herbs for summer cooking. 

Wayne will be planting two new shrubs, a potentilla and a barberry, to replace the ones that didn't survive the winter. At the moment he's building low wooden frames for three potentilla on the sloped side of the porch. He's hoping they will help hold more water to drip down to the roots. These three haven't done as well as the bushes in front of the house that are on flat ground. Gardening in Estes Park is not easy with the especially dry climate and abundance of critters (deer, elk, ground squirrels, chipmunks, etc.) that love to eat everything!

The potted herb garden so far, has basil, chives, orange mint, and rosemary. I'll be adding more.

These are the two new shrubs for the front of the house.