Friday, July 25, 2014

Sunny Friday

Happy Friday to you all!  It's a gorgeous sunny day here in Spokane and that is truly a blessing.  Wednesday was a terrible storm that knocked out power to over 38,000 people.  Many are still without phones or electricity.  We never lost either one, but the winds howled all day yesterday at over 35mph.  In my infinite wisdom I had chosen yesterday and today to have a yard sale.  So far I have made a whopping $47.25!  Now I am reminded of why I don't do garage sales.  I have had no customers this morning at it is 9:00-unusual.  If it doesn't pick up I'll take everything except furniture to the Goodwill at noon.

Monday night Hubby had customers from Pretoria, South Africa in town so we took them out to dinner.  He has stayed with them several times when he was in S. Africa.  Such lovely people.  Here we are at Clinkerdaggers a beautiful restaurant on the Spokane River at the Spkane Falls.  In the spring you get wet sitting at these tables from the force of the falls from snow melt in the mountains around town.

From left to right-Hubby, Me, Beulah, Johan.  We had a wonderful time with them.  I've heard so much about them and it's nice to put faces with their names.  I think we have made some friends for life.  They want us Togo see them and take a photography safari.  No shooting animals with guns, just cameras. It sounds great, but with kids living all over the place, most of our traveling is to see them, with Hawaii thrown in every few years for fun!  :-)
The view of the small Falls from the table. The bigger falls are almost vertical and HIGH.
Monday was Beulah's birthday and I didn't find out until about 15 minutes before leaving for dinner.  Thankfully I had a set of three washcloth made and bundled. Instant gift.
The next few photos are pictures of the garden at the lake.  Carrots and lettuce.  The deer have been helping themselves to the lettuce with regularity but there still has been enough that I haven't bought any in over a month now.  You can see a bit of the green beans there on the right. There are three rows and we've had beans for dinner several times too.
Lots of different squash!  And corn in the background.
I thought this squash blossom was pretty with water in the middle of the blossom.
Cherry tomatoes.
I know compared to most of your gardens this one is far, far, behind in production but as I've said before, we have a short growing season being so close to Canada.  It was 41F this morning for goodness sakes!

My view Tuesday.
Flowers behind the camper.
Tiny little flowers.
Bigger flowers.
Tiny again!
I don't know the names of any of the flowers.  I just water and enjoy them.  I know.  I know.  It's sad isn't it?

I'm working on the sweater for Miss Piper and just finished the back this morning.  I'll do the left front next.  It's a work of love so she can feel Grandma snuggling with her way over in Washington DC.

The house has sold in Portland, inspection done and now they're just waiting for results of that and then closing.  Mandy has given notice at work and at daycare.  I'll be going over next Friday to stay until they get moved from the house.  The two of them will stay with us until a house is found out east.  I wish it could be for a long, long time, but I know their family needs to be together.  I want to soak up all the time I can with them.
In the lenfth of to me it took to put this blog post togetherI haven't had one customer!  I definitely think I'll be packing things up early and heading to the lake!

Many blessings to you all and I'll be back soon.

Betsy

19 comments:

  1. Shame your yard sale didn't go as well as anticipated. Your gift was wonderful, it is something I always have handy for unexpected visitors, or forgotten occasions a stack of washcloths. I made them to sell at craft fairs also and they are a really good seller. Your garden is looking a delight and the views are stunning. Have a great weekend.

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  2. Sounds like a nice dinner with friends. Your garden looks so lush and green. The little flowers could possibly be primrose? One of your other followers may know for sure. Have a wonderful day. Heather

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  3. That restaurant has a cool view! How nice to meet friends like that! I do hope you get to go to Africa for a photo safari, my nephew did that and got some amazing photos! I'm glad that the house sold for their sake.. it's not easy moving across the country. Sorry the garage sale was a bust.. it's a lot of work, too! I look forward to seeing you when you're in town. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  4. I think the flowers are pinks or dianthus.
    Can you believe my garden is behind yours, here in Wisconsin?

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  5. Wow what a great week your having. God must need your items for the poor. You are blessed to provide for them. Your garden looks a lot better than mine it's in the 112 here in Vegas and nothing wants to grow, just soaking up the water!
    Be blessed my friend and enjoy your family.

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  6. Glad you are having some good weather now, Betsy, after all of the rain. I've always heard that Washington gets LOTS of rain! We need some here --so you can send some of yours this way please.

    Love your view and your flowers AND your garden... Soon you will have some fresh veggies on the dinner table.

    Sounds like you enjoyed your South African friends--and I'm sure they enjoyed being with you all. That restaurant looks terrific. What a view!

    Sorry about the Garage Sale... I have been there --done that, and will not do another one... Good Luck.

    Have a beautiful weekend, Talented Lady.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  7. Wonderful post! I love all the pictures! The Falls are very pretty and your garden looks wonderful! We have a small garden, but it is doing well...been eating lots of fresh fruit and veggies. Enjoy your day!!

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  8. Your garden looks good to me. Ours isn't very large, but we enjoy what we get.

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  9. I didn't garden this year...or last year. My daughter in law has a small one, her first now that they have an apt with a lawn in the back. I stopped in to see them since I was up that way today....love to see them and chat...never get enough of grandkids, huh? I don't do yard sales any more cuz they are too much work and little money. Sigh. At least you got a little bit.....wish it was better for you.
    We should be together....I sent you my email one time. I'm not that far from Portland! Hugs!

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  10. Betsy, somehow I did not realize you had a vegetable garden at the lake! I think it looks in good shape, especially considering you are sharing it with the deer :) [So nice that they are leaving some goodies for you.]
    It is wonderful that you are blessed with the opportunity to build friendships around the world, and you are certainly a blessing to those of us you have befriended!
    Piper's sweater is coming along beautifully :)
    Do you think that August 4, Monday might work for us to meet at Tad's?
    Blessings to you and yours xx

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  11. I think your garden is GREAT! Isn't it great to have such good handmade gifts on hand. Love those washcloths. I bet she is thrilled with them. Wish we had such low temps here. It's so hot right now with triple digits. Ugh. Have a good weekend at the lake.

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  12. wonderful pickies, Betsy! sad about the garage sale.. all that effort.. ah well maybe if weather had been better... love the flowers to me they look like purple salvia and dianthus.. but you might have different names over there :D

    also well done on happy time with visitors too and maybe just maybe you might visit them.. you never know sad about family on move but at least house is sold that is such a plus!!
    hugs dear friend - I would have come to your garage sale if I could have! Shaz in oz.x

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  13. It looks like your garden will produces lots of veggies. Nice to have visitors from Africa a very lovely birthday gift you gave too to her. How exciting that the house is sold and their family will soon be together. Garage sale are lots of hard work indeed. Judy

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  14. I hope the yard sale traffic picked up. You should be proud of what you'd made so far, that's really good. I'm glad you had such a nice time with your visitors. I think a safari would be really interesting. I was just saying to my husband the other day that one place I'd really like to visit someday is South Africa. I'm glad the house is sold and I hope they will be together soon, but I'm glad you're getting some time with them before they go. Hope you're having a good weekend. :)

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  15. I am sorry your yard sale didn't go well. :). I so enjoyed all your lovely photos and the pictures of the lake always make me smile and dream that I am there right with you, crafting away in the shade. :) That is wonderful that their house sold so quickly, and Yay that they'll get to spend some time with you before heading east. :) Sending you hugs today sweet friend and wishing you many blessings to you and yours always. :)

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  16. It looks like you are having a wonderfully beautiful and busy summer! Your garden is the best! I think if I'm going to grow anything here, I'm going to have to research greenhouse gardening. We have some dear, dear friends from S. Africa. What a treat for them to meet you and such a lovely gift you gave! If you do find out the name of the purple flowers, please pass it on! :)

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  17. The views of the lake and the river are so beautiful. So nice you were able to meet new friends. And great news about the house, but I know it is bittersweet as then Piper will be moving father away. You have skype and believe me a grandmother's love can be felt through the sccreen. Hugs to you Betsy,
    Meredith

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  18. I love reading your blog and hearing about your life. I can surely relate to the garage sale scenario! LOL! So much trouble for so little return. We are in the process of majorly downsizing, and most of it is heading straight to being donated! Sometimes, it is just easier to bypass the garage sale part...but we are holding back some things for our community-wide sale in the fall, Lord willing. The photos are beautiful. Enjoy your time with your precious family....the moments fly so quickly, leaving only a trail of memories behind. God bless you. :)

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  19. I hate that you had a lousy garage sale but I love your painted toes in the last picture!

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