Saturday, August 18, 2012

Eating Out Part 2

We love the opportunity to eat out, so when we have the chance and the heat is on, outside is the best place to share a meal together. This particular evening had four generations together.
We set up dinner at the opening of Hellgate Canyon and the mouth of Zigzag Creek. It was late enough in the evening to get the shade over part of the canyon.
Preferred seating was honored and the house filled quickly.
Some of the wait staff was more than hungry and started eating right away! Who can resist such a cutie pie!?
There were many choices and plenty to share on our Eating Out Adventure.
As the crowd dwindled, the sun set a little lower in the sky and the temperatures dropped below 100 degree.
On the menu by color, watermelon with mint leaves, carrot sticks with dill dip, pineapple, cabbage slaw with raisins, rice pasta with turkey pesto, lavender tarts, and cukes and toms. (One guess which menu choice didn't come from the farm!)
The view was spectacular and there was virtually no wind. The canyon walls reach above the water more than 120 feet. The depths of the water in the canyon are as deep as 104 feet.
Ada enjoying the cool water, sandy beaches, the birds that came to watch as we ate out!
Karyn, Zac, and Ada from Alaska, Mom and Pop O'Brien from Chicago, and Tim and the photographer from Grants Pass.
Eating out is always a great idea! Here's to living the good life ~

Friday, August 17, 2012

Dinner Plate Dahlia

The dahlias are surviving the 107 + degree heat! Phew, lots of water for the flowers, plants, vegie garden, pets, farm animals, and people. Going on a week long heat wave and only two days to go.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Peaches of August

We have had several peach trees over the years and they just haven't done so well. Usually a late frost kills the buds and we have a few lingering peaches in August. Last year there was all of 20 peaches. We thought about cutting the last of the peach trees out, but Tim decided to prune away one last time. It worked!  We have picked over 170 pounds of peaches this year and they all ripened in the height of the busy season between river trips, farm work, family visits and heat.  We were happy to have the extra helping hands!

The first two bushels and they smelled so sweet! Baskets were ordered from Lehmans.
Golden, sweet, juicy, ripe and ready to preserve for later or to eat right away.
Tim's parents from Chicago and nephew from Ohio! There was a lot of taste testing and smiles!
Peach crisp...mmm...good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack...you get the idea!
Dehydrated peaches will last through the winter for trail mix snacks and in hot cereal.
At it again and this time it was made into spiced peach butter, frozen for smoothies and frozen for pies.
Peeling, music, conversation and before we knew it more than four bushels were processed.
Of course, ready to eat pie was the reward for the hard at work peelers! Only one bushel to go! We will keep the peach tree and hope for the best again next year!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

August Shortcake


Mmmm, Peaches and Cream Shortcake! Just what we need as our summer days are full, full, full with farm and river activities! Here is where we are keep so utterly busy, and enjoying all of the people we are meeting this summer.  Happy August Days!