Wow!  It is amazing what 2 inches of rain will do in two weeks.  We just got home from a two week vacation to TX and boy did the garden grow.  I think the tomatoes doubled in size.  Beets are ready and I picked all the radishes.  The lettuce and spinach are out of control.  Love it!

Horton Creek Hike

What a beautiful hike, probably my favorite hike in the area.  Horton Creek is gorgeous any time of the year.  8 miles round trip.  We took Wink with us and she loved running through the creek.  I think she even got tired.  Well, at least she slept on the way home.

Haigler Creek

 Haigler Creek hike this morning. We were amazed that the water was still flowing.

Strawberries

Strawberries are starting to produce.   I've only picked a few, but they were delicious.  Last year, I had a little mouse that kept getting the berries before I could.  Yesterday, I saw a gardener snake in the strawberry patch.  Mmmmm maybe I will get some berries this year!

Bird Nest

Found this nest on the ground near one of the blue spruce trees.  One little blue egg next to it.  I put the nest on top of the "antler tree". 

The Lone Elk Returns

We had just gotten home from a 3 mile hike with our neighbors and found our friendly cow elk back in the yard.  Winky ran right up to her, off the leash, and she just stood there.  If the elk would have run--goodbye Wink!  I hope she finds her herd.

Trip to Plant Fair Nursery and My Pots are filled!

All the flowers and herbs were planted and look great!  So far the elk have not come in and munched on them at night.   Flowers make me happy!

Tomatoes Planted

The tomatoes(top garden) went in on June 1st, a little later than usual. I planted 24 plants, from 6 packs.  I have had to replace two of them, but the others look like they are hanging in there.  The garage garden(bottom) is starting to produce our salad stuff.  I have cut lettuce and spinach the last two days and we have had a bowl of radishes.  everything else is coming along nicely--onions, Swiss chard, beets, jalapenos, peppers, and the zucchini popped up today.

Bird House Saves Tree!

What a creative way to "fix" a tree that the elk destroyed.  Years ago, a bull elk rubbed its antlers up and down this blue spruce and stripped the branches off.  Tom drilled a hole in the middle of this birdhouse and stuck it on the trunk of the tree.  I love this birdhouse!  Tom made it and it even has an antler on it  that he found shed hunting.

First Bounty! (Lol)

I spent 4 hours weeding the garden yesterday. That's what I get for leaving it for two weeks! I had to thin the radishes and beets. This is the result of thinning the radishes. These babies are yummy and tender!

Love Bearded Irises

Boy, my irises really bloomed early this year. Well, I guess we really didn't have a winter. I can't wait to add a few more colors next year!

Young cow elk!

This young cow could have cared less that we were sitting on the porch watching her every move! She knew exactly what she wanted, a branch from the apple tree! Tom needs to close that opening up this week. Wink (our one-eyed dog) even walked within 20 feet of her and she didn't care. She eventually was bothered by us and took off. When she trotted, Wink was ready for a chase. As soon as she stopped,  Wink ran over by me! What a guard dog.

Sprouting Up!

 The lettuce, spinach, radishes, and Swiss chard are growing quickly! We even have one asparagus ready to harvest. We may have to do paper, rock, scissors to see who gets to eat it.

Berry - Yum!

The raspberries and blackberries are coming back beautifully! Can't wait to have fresh berries off the vine.

Iris

 The iris's are starting to bloom! This is very early this year due to our unusually warm winter.

Mailbox has Its Day!

Love how my mailbox turned out. Tom made a stand and I can see it from the dining room window. Now I just need to get a plant to come flowing out of the opening! One of my favorite yard pieces!

Apple Tree is Blooming

The apple trees are blooming. Sure hope we don't get a hard freeze and lose the apples.  We have 4 apple trees, 3 pear, and 1 peach tree. Can't wait until they mature and provide more fruit than  we can eat!

A Helper in the Garden!

Wink is always in the garden with me. Wink loves to dig in the garden. I evened the dirt out and picked out as many rocks  as I could.  I made 6 rows and two mounds in the back for the squash.  From right to left: onions, lettuce, Swiss chard, beets/spinach, radishes/spinach, and the last row is for my peppers.  If there is room I may plant some beans. Tom set the sprinkler for twice a day 15 minutes each.

Soft as Silk

Tom did an amazing job rototilling the garden.  The dirt was like sifted flour.

Tilling the Soil

Getting one garden ready to plant. The ground was as hard as a rock, due to the lack of rain and snow this winter. Poor Tom! This took 4 or 5 hours.  He didn't get finished until almost 5:00, so I will plant tomorrow.  I spent the day getting all the garden goodies out from under the house.  I will post some pictures tomorrow. Everything looks great! I can't wait to get my plants from home here.