Bounty.....less?

I think not....

We have started to reap the bounty of the garden. 

The garden has not been as successful

as I would have liked

(we had a bug)

but we have been enjoying tomatoes

like nobodies business. 

Size may not matter in this case,

because they aren't big,

but boy are they yummy. 

Kristi had picked several different types of peppers

to plant and these are actually doing great.

Madison helped us out by removing all the

name markers

for these peppers but I think

we can figure out what we have. 

Kristi has plans to make salsa

so we can try out our variety of peppers.

Other happenings...

My grapes are looking awesome.

We got the bark down beneath the plants

and I trimmed and tied up the vines.

I even planted a Cabernet...do you think

I can get a bottle of wine out of it?

I have plans for a grape stomping party.

We Kevin and Sean,

put bark under some of the trees too.

It looks so clean and neat.

and I bought a gift for the pork from Cost Plus.

We even used it Friday night

and last but not least...

the new

outfit I just bought.

In case of frost to the grapes. 

And

"NO" 

Keanu doesn't

come with.

Happy Tuesday.

The Pig and Me

Years ago there was a movie that

I just loved called the Egg and I,

in fact I should find that movie and watch it again,

because I remember a really cute farmhouse

owned by Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert

that I would love to see again. 

I am indeed showing my age now,

because this was a very old black and white movie

and only people my age would even remember

Fred MacMurray let alone Claudette Colbert. 

I think it also featured Ma and Pa Kettle in

their movie debut.

Check out the trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO6wOPlsXb8

It was from a book written by

Betty MacDonald

Anyway that was just a random thought

and has nothing to do with this post,

other than my title reminded me

of that movie.

As for the The Pig and Me....

I love the Pig

aka the Pork

aka the Porkadillo

This morning Kevin got up bright and early to do

a few chores in the yard. 

The family was over

last night and we had a fun time swimming and eating.

The kids were joined by their cousins

and we had quite a few laughs.

(Kristi...I hope you are out

shopping for more little children today)

While Kevin was busily working I was still in bed,

but woke up

to the glorious smell of fresh brewed coffee. 

I got up,

grabbed 2 cups of coffee and headed to the yard.

Remember, it's the end of July and in July's past,

it's already hot, even by 7:00. 

Not this morning, it was overcast and cool. 

Kevin took one look at me walking out with coffee and said...

do you want a fire? 

So the pig, with open arms welcomed us for a morning in front of the fire.

I even had a light blanket over me. 

It was wonderful and  

I almost felt like I was back in the mountains.

I love the Pig... oh ya and

the guy who built me my fire.

Recovery ....

I'm not talking about a 12 step program to recovery from ... you know drugs or alcohol...

this

would have to be recovery from vacation. 

I know boo hoo ....

but Rock Creek kicks your butt.

That camping stuff is hard work.

I was barely recovering from the June trip when I found myself on my way back up

with the Rush's ...

and boy was it a great trip. 

Kristi took tons of pictures so

you can check them out on her blog. 

The kids were great, the fishing fantastic and

the weather a bit on the chilly side 

...we were

so busy we almost ran out of time to eat one night. 

How does something like that happen?

I did spend the night

in my motor home "all alone"

one night. 

That is something I have never done before

and it was kind of an adventure (albeit a small one) 

Before Tim dropped me off he courteously mentioned

that he hoped I wouldn't be visited by bears

during the night and that did make me think. 

I slept like a baby however and didn't give it a second thought until Kristi knocked on my door next morning.  I peeked out and she was there with her coffee and gleam in her eye that said....when are we going to start fishing? 

She asked, since I peeked out, if I thought she was a bear.....I said no but the real answer was...........maybe.

So I will leave you with one picture

since a post isn't a post without a picture.

This is one of my favorite
adventures from the trip

and I guess I need one of us

and last but not least the visitor I had

on my evening alone.

Tall, dark and a lot of fun

Until my next vacation...

It's Official

Even though Miss Bella may not be traveling in

this box her daddy tried

to pack her in...

she has decided to travel to California to see

Grandma, Pop Pop, the California Family 

and maybe a Princess or two.

she won't be traveling by Floo Powder

(in honor of the upcoming last installment of Harry Potter)

but by good old fashioned jet.....

ETA August ...

Yay!!!!

Can't Get Enough

.....Rock Creek

On our last day at Rock Creek...

after losing 2 of our group to an early departure,

we tried to fit as much as we could into that last day. 

We started off the day with some fishing.

Everyone fished....but the most successful fishermen

were the "Tubers"

Kevin finally decided to try Ron's tube

and boy did he love it.  

After a quick lesson

and a cute new outfit...Kevin was

ready to roll float

The day was gorgeous and the water like glass

Ron chose to fish with Sue this day...so Kevin was a lone floater.

Sue caught a nice fish, with

a little help from Ron.

After fishing...lunch at Pie in the Sky....

and eating Pie...in the Sky,

the ladies decided to have

a relaxing afternoon in the campsite drinking wine

and reading our books. 

That turned into a short nap

Next...showers

(often and ordeal with the limited water)

and then

off to Mammoth for a bit of sight seeing and dinner.

We went to upper Twin Lakes

as well as Lake Mary and Lake Mamie

From the top of the waterfall you can see

Upper and Lower Twin

and we also smelled a photo op

Whoever took the pictures of us (can you guess who?)

decided to

add some extra footage...

We were right at the edge of the waterfall

Yes ... you guessed it, the prankster himself...Marc

From there it was off to dinner in Mammoth and

"Mammoth Margaritas"

Yummy

A little light shopping.

Marc was looking for a nice swimsuit to wear on

the upcoming men's trip

I'm not to sure what Ron was shopping for

but everything looks manly on Ron.

and a little something for the girls.  Marc

bought all the girls a cute T-shirt.

and last but not least...that night I realized I

was out of water and would not get a morning shower

before the drive home.

Marc to the rescue.

He carried at least 3 of these bad boys to fill

my tank.  I was so grateful, I gave him Kevin's scotch.

I decided next mornings shower was the

best ever...

as was Marc.  Thanks Marc!!!

I may post some campfire dinners...but since

I will be going back up to Rock Creek with

the family...we shall see.  I do have other

interests afterall.

I am linking to Susan @
A Southern Daydreamer
for
Outdoor Wednesday

Special Delivery

Someone's daddy is packing up a very special delivery

to send to see her grandma.

I wish!!!!

Horseplay

Before the "Pork" was complete

(or as complete as it is so far),

the family got together for a work day. 

But with work there always comes a little fun. 

The Rush Family

took a little break to have a game of tag....

mommy and daddy style.

the giggles that came out of this game were infectious

and I'm not sure who had the most fun

the parents

or the kids ...

but it was obvious that everyone ...won!!!

including the spectators...

Mesquito Flats

Kevin woke up bright and early the next morning

at Rock Creek and decided to fish. 

The morning was cold, so I didn't hesitate

to send him off with my well wishes

and kick back. 

I actually built myself a fire and enjoyed my coffee.

and enjoyed the sunshine

Before I knew it plans had been made for

a hike to Mosquito Flats.  I think

our ultimate elevation was in the neighborhood of

10,000 plus feet.

The plan was to hike to the "Meadow"

It didn't take us long to get a ways up the mountain.

It's always nice to use a photo op to

rest and get used to the altitude.

Can you see Greg in the background with his map.

Yes, Greg was our navigator.....???

Greg had an ulterior plan. 

He had visions of going to

Ruby Lake

which was a much more vigorous hike.

Before we knew it we were way above the "Meadow"

I do remember once or twice someone asking

Greg if we were going the wrong way.

His reply was always the same.

"NO"

I think we spotted the meadow from way up here...

as he was still checking his map.

It was a gorgeous view

But alas, Greg's plan ran into a small snafu....

SNOW

We were forced to turn back because the path was

still snowed in.

So back down the mountain we went....

to the

"Meadow"

Greg was a bit too smug and never

admitted he sent us the wrong way.

We were lucky enough to get someone

to stop and get

a picture of

our little hiking group.

and each lake we passed

was more beautiful then the last.

and Greg is still looking at his map....

and once again we were twarted. 

Snow as well as a

rushing stream kept

us from our ultimate goal.

Just on the other side of this stream

about 1/2 mile in was the lake we were heading to.

But because the rocks were a bit

slippery and the path was

covered with snow we turned back.

On the way back...

there was a little snowball fight going on.

Unfortunately, Kevin was aiming for Marc and

hit Cheryl right in the shoulder.

No worries...Cheryl is a trouper.

Boys will be Boys!!

or Girls!!

It was a great hike...I think we

hiked at least 10 miles...if not 10 maybe 9,

but for sure at least 8 ....

We did miss Kris and Ron though....

Ron fished

in Mammoth for the afternoon

and Kris enjoyed her book back at camp.

I am linking to http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

for Outdoor Wednesday.