2018 Early Spring In the Pacific Northwest

Simply Gorgeous Weather

Sometimes in February here in the Pacific Northwest, we have lovely spring weather that makes us feel so glad and happy that spring is here Temperatures run in the high 50's and even mid to low 60's. It can be absolutely hot on our south facing porch. We eat our lunch there and then we do gardening chores like pruning roses and blueberries. We boast to each other that we live in Gods Country. Aren't we so very lucky ?!?  Aren't we so favored?!?  We won't even Think about March, however. We just won't even go there....because we very well know about the term.....False Spring. But we will enjoy it while we can. Sigh....

Because, right now, the birds are singing and playing in the yard. Big ones and little ones.

I saw an early bee. A lovely little honey bee sipping nectar from my Andromeda bush that is just now beginning to bloom.

An early daffodil and many more to come.

I love hellebore, sometimes called Lenten Rose.  I grew this plant from seed many years ago. It never fails to give us a nice show. The blooms start out like this one, a drooping bell and then they open wide and go to a lovely shade of mauve when older. Hellebore's usually have long lives and start their blooms in early spring. The blooms last a long time and seem to go on forever.  You just can't ask for more from a plant. 

I must not forget to add these adorable, sweet smelling violets that grow wild in my yard. I can always count on them in Feb. no matter the weather. They are not only adorable and sweet smelling, these little harbingers of spring are also edible and medicinal. They can make a very effective cough syrup. They make darling little bouquets in tiny vases for my kitchen window sill. Or, decorate a cake top with pretty purple blooms.

And, now...here is a shot of the geraniums in my cool maritime greenhouse, accompanied by frogs. See the pair peeking out of the green planter?

Happy Valentines Day.

Winter Storms

These shots were taken on 1-18-18 well inside the bar along the jetty.

We are having stormy weather and extreme high tides here in our part of the world.  Besides that, the ocean swells are huge, so that usually causes havoc along the shoreline. So much fun to watch, though, from a safe distance. 

 You can't even see the jetty rocks in this shot. The logs in the foreground were thrown there by the waves.

Moving in and then Crash! Clear to the top. 

I wish my camera battery had not decided to die on me yesterday. I would like to have shown you more rough water, but some days are like that. 

But here is a different stormy day from my files and even a different year. You can see the jetty rocks clearly. The bay is rough, but not as rough as yesterday by any means.

Going out in rough seas.

Here is a shot of Sunset Bay in a very different mood. Low tide and calm.

Good NIght

CYBER MONDAY BUYS AT ALDERHILLFARM

40% Off  On All Books and More

Three section in my shop will be 40% off all day. The section are:

Books....all 44 of them....https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlderHillFarm?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=15729978

Collectibles.....9  in all.....https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlderHillFarm?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=19568563

DIY, Fabrics, Patterns, etc......19 items.....https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlderHillFarm?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=17874028

Back to the books section, there are lots of nice cook books that would make great gifts. Also, children's books and some neat ones for men. Follow the links above to my Etsy shop. Or here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlderHillFarm  Then, scroll down and look on the left side to find the sections mentioned above. 

This collectible would be my pick in the Collectible section of my shop. Take a look at all of the photos. I think it is really special.

OR...this set of Victorian children's flatware

In the supply category that I call DIY there are some old 30's and 40's women's dress patterns. Also, the nicest lining I have ever seen called Si Bonne. If I were still sewing for myself, I would never sell it. It feels, acts and looks like silk.https://www.etsy.com/listing/491421300/vintage-si-bonne-beige-lining-silky?ref=shop_home_active_10

Lining fabric never gets better than Si Bonne, which is no longer made.

So there are some of the 40% off items on my Cyber Monday sale. Happy Cyber Shopping Day!

Please Don't Feed The Deer

We have lots of apple trees on our farm. We also have quite a few Hazel Nut trees, also berries and grapes, a barn with hay, and grass fields.  So, naturally, we also have lots of deer. You might think deer are wild in the wilds, but, no! Actually, they can become quite tame and getting tamer. They teach their fawns to be unafraid of humans. Well, certain humans, anyway.  The humans that live on “their” property are okay.

For instance, I can walk down our long drive to get the mail, walking among them close enough to nearly touch them, and they just stand there watching me. You see, the trick for them, is to train those same humans to feed them in the hard times. Which are coming. But, I am not going to do that and neither should you. Here is an article that gives us 5 reasons not to feed the deer.

http://www.care2.com/causes/5-reasons-you-shouldnt-feed-the-deer-this-winter.html

Here is another well written article in Outdoor Life that warns us not to feed deer.

https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/big-buck-zone/2013/02/are-you-feeding-your-deer-death

It is far kinder to them to let them be. Be sure to read how deadly corn is for them.

I would like to share with you some recent photos taken on our farm and in our yard. We have a natural habitat for all sorts of wildlife. We are blessed.

Opps. Our other wildlife.

Happy November

Smith Rock An Oregon State Park

Have You Ever Been To Smith Rock?

Smith Rock State Park

We recently stayed in our condo at Eagle Crest for one week. One of the side trips I love is going to Smith Rock State Park. It is famous to rock climbers of all stages. There are hiking trails, as well. And, NO, I do not climb. I am way too old, but it is breathtakingly beautiful to just sit in your car and watch them scale the sheer face of it, or to watch the hikers slowly walking the steep trails.

On this day, with my new camera in hand, there were neither climbers or hikers. I have been there when the rock was covered with both, but then I did not have a camera. I guess we were a bit late because the parking lot was full of cars and people removing their hiking shoes and putting away their walking canes.

You can also view beautiful Mt Jefferson in the distance.

Or, you can walk to the edge and look down at the lovely Deschutes River winding along the base of the rock.

Here are more views of this fascinating park 

If you are ever in the area of Redmond, Oregon, this state park is a must see. If you love hiking and rock climbing, bring the necessary equipment and be sure to pack your camera. 

Here is a link for more information about Smith Rock State Park.

https://smithrock.com/#intro

Happy Trails 

Easy Peasy Roasted Tomato Sauce

OR....How to use up all those ripening tomatoes quick as a bunny.

I love the flavor of this quick and easy homemade tomato sauce. No canning....just freezing.
I have taken photos of the process with my trusty digital camera, here goes.
You will need a flat pan. A heavy cookie sheet will do. I use the bottom of my broiler pan. Who broils anymore anyway?
You also need a Foley Food Mill. I use the attachment on my trusty and very old Kitchen Aide mixer.
Here is the 1st photo showing a bowl of cut up tomatoes. I cut large ones into approx. 8 pieces, medium ones into 4ths, small ones in half and just throw in the cherry tomatoes. Yes, you can use them as well.
Cut as many garlic cloves as you would like. No need to peel. Just cut them in halves or 4ths. Fresh is best because they are juicier. I used 4 in mine.
When this mixture is in the bowl, drizzle on 1 to 2 Tablespoons of a good olive oil.
Add oregano, basil, or whatever Italian spice you like.
Some salt and pepper
I alway add a tablespoon or so of sugar. I like a sweetener in my sauces.
The beauty of this is that you can add whatever you want to make it your own. Some people even like a carrot in their sauce. Cut one up and try it. Peppers, too, hot or not.

Oh...I forgot to say---

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Pour them into your pan

and slide them into the oven.

This is what they should look like after 30 mins. Stir them up and slide them back into the oven for another 30 mins.

Here is the pan full after 25 mins and I should have left them another 5 or ten minutes, but close enough. The skins should be starting to blacken a bit more than this photo.

Let them cool now until you can touch the pan without the burn. Or longer. The other day I went to town and finished when I got home. They were stone cold.

Now comes the separation of skin and seeds. 

Whir them down, way down, until there is hardly anything left but skin and seeds.

Take a look at your sauce now.

Then pour the sauce into freezer containers for safe keeping. You can pull them out and easily defrost them for those quick spaghetti meals. I usually use one of mine and one can of store bought sauce. Still really good. If you make homemade pizza, be sure to try this sauce.. Oh...and be sure to leave a bit of headroom in the freezer container. 

Tomatoes......Gone. At least for a few days. 

I hope you will try this way of making tomato sauce. I think your family will love it.