Jardin Update

We've thoroughly enjoyed digging up these little nuggets of goodness.They've been the most satisfying thing we've grown because you have no idea what's going on underground, then you stick the fork in, turn the soil over, and out pop all these lovelies. Buried treasure. This is the last of the earlies (which went in a little late), and still have the main crop to go! More potato beds next year

The pumpkins are huge already and make a satisfying dull thud when you tap on them, and are now working on turning a deep reddish orange. They have been trying to take over the entire garden. Next year we'll plant them behind the barn so they can romp away without covering all in their path

Not sure if we'll have enough for wine, but it's a good start and they are gorgeous. We haven't tried them yet, but our neighbor claims they will be sweet eating

And here's the obligatory rustic, tumbling, cornucopia tater shot

Portland Oregon

Aunt Nettie welcomed us all in this manner (copying our outfits then tossing us in the air)

Notes being taken on our first of many brunches, this one at the Tin Shed. Go go eggs, go go avocado, go go on a base of hash browns

Lucius getting wild at the Ace hotel lobby (whilst Papa pulls yet another face)

Congratulations Raegen & Morgan! What a handsome couple. What a lovely, intimate, sweet wedding m'dears.

For example: a fine array of cakes from the Bakery Bar.
Coconut, Raspberry, Carrot and Espresso Chocolate (the winner)

And a most gorgeous jacket designed by the bride herself

Spot the impostor

Grandpa Lucius meets the Pickle

Grandma Lucius and L jr with her new frock

Well trimmed hydrangea highlights of color at the Japanese Garden (reportedly the best outside Japan)

With Forest Park in the background- the largest city park in the U.S.

Well maintained indeed

Pickle

Stumptown coffee rules

The Pistils Nursery on Mississippi, is well nice

They have fine garden goods and beautiful poultry. This lovely has metallic silver legs!

Papa mastered the art of the picking up a sleeping tiddler and getting her home and into the cot without stirring

An older lady up the street from Anette took a drive with her leg in a cast (to get cat food). Instead, she lost control, hit Todd's (Anette's fiancee) parked car and sent it skidding down the road. Much curtain twitching and neighborhood gossip action ensued

It made a mess of both vehicles, but she escaped with just one more fracture than she had before

We took a drive to Hood River country, an hour east of Portland, finding this art deco gem, the Vista House, along the way

The view from the House

Bridal Veil Falls

Little worlds of moss. Tres popular in Oregonia

More temperate rainforestness

The Gorge is teeming with watersports types

Alex and Neil surfed at Short Sands beach, an hour and a half west of Portland, despite reports of great whites in the area (and a dead seal with a large bite from its neck rolling around on the shoreline). This is the 'Job Done' shot

Pickle was not impressed

We then stayed at Coast Cabins in Manzanita, the sweetest town on the Oregon coast

Fire, sushi, beer and hot tubbin was had. Thanks for joining us Alex and Alessandra

Apres afore mentioned hot tubbin

GOONIE ROCK!!!!! (Neil was tres excited about this)

More brunch, this time with Keryn & Tom in the garden at Merriweathers

Lucius enjoys her first sauna experience at the McMillan/Klinker residence

Lucius started solids today

A lovely mix of rice and mum milk. After weighing in at a whopping 7.8 kilos (17.2lbs) yesterday we all figured she was ready for it. Not a drop was wasted, unsurprisingly

Upon our return

We were greeted by beets, taters, peas and marrows (courgettes gone wild)

Yoga pups

Lucius's favorite move, The Cobra

Old Wood

So, Big John sent me this video link about Tom Wegener (thanks John). He's a surfboard shaper who's spent the last few years making Alaia's, traditional Hawaiian finless surfboards. I've fallen for them somewhat, but as I don't possess one (or the skills required to ride it), I've made a coffee table from old wood found in the barn that kind of looks like one instead. It won't surf well but it's a step in the right direction

Elaine and I are both loving yellow at the moment, it'll be a recurring theme in the house

And we've plenty more wood stacked in the barn to play with

Rolling

Don't be suckered in by the cute chewing of hand move

Or the doe eyed innocent look

Because this child has learned to roll from her back to her belly and vice versa; meaning she cannot be trusted for a second. And it's obvious who taught her the move (naughty George)

Courgette (zucchini)

We picked our first courgettes today

Moments later they were sliced, seasoned and drizzled in olive oil

Then roasted at a high heat, letting all the sugars show themselves

Then served on top of a pea and mushroom risotto with Parmesan and Dorset Blue Vinney cheese. Rich rich rich

And here's our prize winning rude radish of the month