A Break

We took a much-needed break in June from farmhouse remodeling and went to a photo seminar in California. We hiked up 10,000 feet to the Golden Trout Wilderness and stayed in a tent for a week, hiking out every day into the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains.  At times we were hiking in knee-deep snow!

The hike to the top of the Mesa was almost 12,000 feet and a very tough hike but the views were worth it! This is South Fork Lake, a panorama of 6 stitched photos.

The newly remodeled outhouse at the camp was much nicer than our porta-john at the farm.

All of the group participants were interested in photography and hiking so we got along great.  We're looking forward to going back next year for the 5th year in a row!

After Golden Trout, we drove our rental car along the west coast 1500 miles to Oregon for a much too brief visit with our granddaughter, Taran.

Back home in South Carolina, the temperature has been HOT!  It's been over 100 degrees in my kitchen every day since we got back.  I've been canning tomatoes, peppers, apples, and chow-chow.

It did rain some while we were gone so Tom had to pump water out of the hole in front of the house

so we could have 12 dump-truck loads of dirt delivered

that our neighbor Gary pushed into the hole

and Tom used a rented jumping-jack to compress.

Then Tom built some temporary steps so I can use the front door again!

It hasn't rained in two weeks now and we're in drought conditions again.  The storms keep going right around us.  This week we are getting in estimates on septic tanks, plumbing, fireplaces, and roofing.  Judging from some of the prices we've gotten so far, there is no recession in the USA.

Storms

We've been having strong afternoon thunderstorms almost every day.  The building and haying projects have to be worked in around the weather.  Our farm has three fields that are used for growing hay.

The hay is ready to be cut but it has to dry in the field for several days before it can be baled.

Tom had to work on our old barn to make it dry enough to store the hay.

The field was beautiful with waving hay but is still pretty after it's cut.

Our neighbor cuts and bales the hay in exchange for half of the bales.

Tom loads the hay while I drive the truck.

Farmers stay in touch even in the middle of the hay field!

After a long hard day loading and unloading hay bales.

That's hail on my kitchen floor!

And splashing into the pond.

The only bathroom hasn't been functional for awhile but at least I could brush my teeth in there.  No more!

We ordered one dump truck load of dirt and need over 100 more yards.  I never knew dirt was so expensive!

My kitchen continues to be a disaster area.

I did manage to make two trifles for the church circle with lots of fresh strawberries and cream.

The grandkids were here last week-end and met the new chicks.

We spent most of Saturday watching two bluebirds teach their babies to fly.  This one isn't learning very fast.

Windows and doors are supposed to arrive tomorrow!

A Roof but No Walls!

Tom and the carpenters have been busy and my kitchen is starting to look like a real room.

This old house had some really wide boards under the siding!

Tom removed the last wall between the old and new kitchen.

We are continuing to cook and eat in all of the mess.

The rains started and work stopped.

The rain made all of the wild roses bloom.

We're really enjoying all of the fresh air!

This is NOT my kitchen but I did buy this stove, an AGA cooker, on EBay.  Now we have to have it shipped from Texas and figure out where to put it until the kitchen is ready.  It weighs 1290 pounds.  Next  I'm looking for sinks. 

I did a little Photoshop magic to show the carpenters how the roof line will change.  

The roof will eventually be a red tin roof