Thompson Manor

Here are a few photos of the back yard to include the garden shed in the middle garden and patio.

Last week the rain and cool weather moved in with a vengeance and everyone thought summer was over.  Even the TV weather gurus said Sayonara.  What happened?  Saturday dawned mostly clear and warmer in the high 60’s.  By Monday we were back to clear skies and 80 degree weather.

I’m just afraid when winter comes it will be with a vengeance.  In the meantime, we are getting more and more of those Alaska birds on their way to Mexico.  The Stellar’s Jays have been burying peanuts all over the neighborhood all summer.  The squirrels should have an easy time of it this winter.

Veggies are starting to come in like gang busters.  This photo has four kinds of tomatoes, corn, Anaheim peppers, Green peppers, squash (two kinds) and cucumbers.  The model is there just for glam.

The Chamber of Commerce has finally let us down.  After 13 weeks of uninterrupted sunshine Washington weather has finally returned home.  It is currently drizzling, 50 degrees and a forecast of clouds and rain for the next seven days. Sigh…

There is an upside.  Perhaps the Smoke Eaters can get the forest fires under control.  There are a couple in the Cascades that have been burning all summer.  In the same vein, our apple trees can use the water these last few weeks of the growing season.  Gotta make those apples big and juicy!

I finally had to break down and read the manual for WordPress; the Blogging software I use.  It actually makes linking a thumbnail picture to the full size very easy.  Of course, manly men consider having to actually read the instructions as a professional failure.

Well, it’s official.  This summer has been the driest and hottest in the Pacific Northwest since records have been kept.  Of course, we moved here from one of the driest and hottest places on the planet.  It’s nice that the PNW did its best to make us feel welcome.  Normal summer (June, July, August and September) rainfall here averages 5.4 inches.  We have had less than 0.1 inch of rain since June 10.

At least the moss on our shed roof has died!  There is always a silver lining somewhere.

We put up plum preserves this week.  We packed about 40 jars, all from one plum tree.  We start on apples today.  We plan to put up both apple sauce and apple butter.

Stay tuned.