Loving the Great Outdoors this Summer

Yes I know, most would say that we're well into fall. With the cooler temperatures and leaves changing colors all around us. But Stephen and I have been trying to squeeze the last of summer fun in before it gets too cold! We've really been able to enjoy the outdoors this summer! Once again we made it a goal to go hiking each week and find some new places. And once again we did pretty good the first month. We went almost every weekend, considering the cold and stormy June we had. We were on vacation most of July, we've been able to go a few times in August and even a bit this month. We've made some great memories with our fun adventures. We were only caught in one hail/lightning storm, saw many beautiful waterfalls, ran into a moose, had a picnic in the snow, saw amazing sunsets, found a favorite camping spot miles from anyone around, heard a coyote in our camp(so this may not be such a favorite spot anymore), fell into a river, and made sure to do lots and lots of bird watching. Just to name a few...

What a great summer! Both Stephen and I love being outside and enjoying the beautiful mountains around us. We're sad to see the summer months go.

Green Thumb

Well, we sure learned lots this summer... being our first with our own back yard and garden. I would have to say it was so fun...once all the hard work of putting in the yard was done. We absolutely love having a little place of our own. Here's a few things we'll keep in mind with many future years ahead of us.

1. Having a lawn mower like this really can have it's benefits...although now that I think of it, we've been so busy since school started, I don't think our lawn has been mowed. mmmmm...we'd better get on that one.

2. A little fertilizer can go a long way! This is what it did to one half of our garden....
This is what it did to the other! oops! I was sad about the tomatoes, but I guess you live and learn!

3. Harvest time is wonderful. We've enjoyed cucumbers, squash, lettuce, beans, and peppers.:)
4. Earwigs and slugs are very hard to get rid of.
5. We've loved grilling and eating on the back patio with friends enjoying the view of the mountains!