Ta Da!!

Here she is, the new star of Ravenwood Transport Ltd! Mike brought her home from Kamloops this afternoon. Early next week they go down to get all decalled up, and then they're ready to go truckin'! I think they'll be going out at the end of next week or the beginning of the following week.

What a hectic week it's been. Monday we were at the coast, Tuesday in Kamloops, Wednesday to Williams Lake, Thursday back to Kamloops, Friday Williams Lake, and today back to Kamloops. Business-wise, everything is now more or less in order, and tomorrow I swear I'm not leaving the property for anything. I'm exhausted, and so is Mike. Just took these photos - it's 2 degress and sleeting outside.

On the homefront, all is well. Thursday night around 2 a.m. we heard Molly shrieking outside; something came up on the porch and tried to get her. No idea what it was, but she was very afraid when she came back to the house. She didn't even try to go outside last night. The dogs are having their dinner, and Buck and Rupert are in the loafing shed, sensibly staying out of the rain. The woodstove is lit, and now it's time to make dinner and settle in for the evening.

Tons of Tomatoes

Next year I'm going to have to try some tomatoes bred specially for cold climates with short growing seasons. Siberia and Glacier come to mind. We grew lots of tomotoes in the greenhouse this year, but only a few of the "Tumbling Toms" ripened. Last week I picked all the green tomatoes, brought them in, and wrapped them in newspaper. They're ripening quickly now. As they ripen, any that don't get scarfed down raw are being blanched and frozen...once they're all done, I'm going to cook a humungous batch of pasta sauce to can.

Awwwww...

Gillis and Molly having an afternoon nap together.

Welcome, Autumn

Fall started in the wee hours of this morning. I'm sure somewhere in the archives of this blog I've proclaimed spring to be my favorite season, but I really think I'll give fall the edge. I love the cool mornings, the turning of the leaves, and being able to put the garden to bed for the year. I'm getting ready for next spring, though; this morning I planted a raised bed full of garlic, and put in many bulbs that arrived Friday by mail from Botanus. This afternoon I lit a small bonfire to clean up some branches and debris that's laying around. I'm estimating that I'll need another 192,412 fires to get the place ship-shape. Maybe in ten years the place'll look good.

See Ya, Summer

The Cat Came Back...

...the very next day...the cat came back...we thought she was a goner...she just couldn't stay away.

Her highness has reappeared, safe, sound, indignant and hungry.

Sightings

We just had a lovely young moose wander through our place. Of course, by the time I got the camera organized, she was gone. Mike and I saw a beautiful, glossy young bear cross Lone Butte-Horse Lake Road a couple of days ago, and we've had a number of deer sightings in our travels. I wish them all safety from the hunters who will soon be descending on our area. Hunting, in my mind, should be done with a camera.

Molly is missing. For the last couple of weeks she's been insistant on being let out overnight. She's always waiting at the door to be let in first thing in the morning, but she didn't come home this morning. We've been out calling her, but there's no sign of her today. Fingers crossed that she's okay.

Thursday

We've spent a happy and productive morning outside, cutting firewood. The air is cool and crisp, and fall is definitely in the air these days.

We apparently live directly on the migration route of many sandhill cranes. We were delighted to witness the southward journey of four flocks this morning, and one on Monday morning. They are "on the wing" a full week earlier than last year.

We're off to Art & Ardis's for lunch, and then will be heading westward along some lesser known roads to do some exploring!

Various and Sundry...

Between rain showers, we've finished the woodshed extension, worked some more on the new garden bed, done lots of "small scale" burning, and the front of the shop is almost done. Mike finished work on Friday, and will be home for a couple/few weeks checking things off the "Honey-Do" list. Then it'll be off to work in BC, AB, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Utah! I've just started two weeks vacation; it's so nice not to wake to an alarm clock. We have lots to accomplish in a short time.

Rupert was limping a bit yesterday; I gave him some bute which has worked wonders. He seems fine again today.

My parents arrive tomorrow for a quick hello and goodbye overnight visit, and Wednesday or Thursday we're likely off to Kamloops to do "truck business".

Our squirrel has moved away from the birdfeeder, and has been replaced by his smaller cousin "Chip" a tiny chipmunk who sits above the feeder (when the cat and dogs are inside) and screams abuse at any birds who dare perch to feed.

The garden is winding down. Some of the cherry tomatoes in the greenhouse have ripened, but none of the larger varieties have; a project this week will be to pick them, wrap them and store them in the dark to force ripening. Once they're ripe, a big batch of tomato sauce to can is on the agenda.

I think we'll light the woodstove tonight; mornings are getting very chilly.