Spring...

Almond trees are in flower and, below, Esme learns to garden. This morning she is discovering radishes!

Six pairs of inexpensive french doors have really worked against our otherwise high r-value strawbale walls. New thermal drapery panels can be opened now to let in sunlight then closed at night to keep that heat in. We hung the curtains on a wire cable for a cleaner look and to save money.

The panels were on sale from JC Penny. A 'wall' of panels, plus hanging hardware, for two pair of french doors, totaled 100 dollars.

pruning the orchard...

After a good solid week of fog, Sunday cleared up and we spent the day in the sun. Here Christie prunes the fruit trees 'old school'.

frozen abayence ...

The freezing fog thins long enough to reveal Mt. Mcloughin to the East. For the most part, we lay low, shuffle papers, and eagerly await the Spring. And on days when the sun has come out, we've planted more fruit and nut trees: almonds, pears and peaches. As far as the house is concerned, the county signed off on our final inspection last week.

Stranded...

Stranded in PDX. Hopefully the roads will clear tomorrow. Meanwhile, wine tasting at 5 in the lobby. Basketball at the hotel bar at 6. Could get used to this...

snow!

sliding doors...

It took enough time, but the sliding doors are finally up on the bedrooms. Sometime this winter we hope to get the book shelves and the built in bench at the end of the hallway completed.