Of ponds and frogs...

We cleaned and rearranged things in the front pond a few weeks ago and discovered that we had a new resident...a small frog. Our front pond used to have fish but we moved them to the much larger backyard pond when we finished that. There's more room for them to swim around and it's in the sun for at least part of the day.

The previous owners had left a couple of small cement frogs in the yard when they moved. We've used them in various spots around the front pond over the years. When we were cleaning this year, we decided to move the bigger cement frog to the north side of the pond where he'd be in the sun. The next day when we looked out through the front window, we discovered our resident frog liked the big frog there...maybe he thinks its his mom, or a protective force. Whatever. After never seeing, only hearing him previously, we now see him sitting next to the cement frog every day.

Admit it, it's pretty cute!

Backyard Flowers

Within the last couple of weeks, the flowers have really started to pop. And they're beautiful. We never had (m)any iris on the farm when I was growing up - or at least I don't remember there being any. We had the staples that survived ND heat and wind...zinnias, marigolds and maybe a few geraniums. Mom always planted a few rows of flowers in our very large garden. The blooms looked so cheerful bobbing and weaving in the wind. There was also a row of lilac bushes and the scent was incredible. Luckily, we have one lilac tree in our yard here and I love snipping off the blooms to bring into the house.

When it's flower time, I always get the macro bug with the camera. I love getting really, really close just to see what I can get. Here are some of my favorites from this week. First, the clematis that grows on our backyard arbor.

The yellow iris started blooming last week.

The purple iris followed this week...they're just amazingly beautiful.

Touring the Cedar Creek Grist Mill

A couple weeks back, while Randy’s folks were still visiting, we took them out to see the Cedar Creek Grist Mill. Randy and I have talked of going there for several years – usually when his folks are here because they grind their own wheat – but we’ve just never made it out there.

While at the Farmer’s Market, his folks met and talked with a gentleman who encouraged them to visit the Grist Mill. So we did. It was a great trip that made for great pictures. First, a bit of background about the Grist Mill taken from a brochure I picked up while there: “The Cedar Creek Grist Mill rests on a steep and rocky slope at the bottom of a narrow gorge. It is the only grain grinding mill in Washington that has maintained its original structural integrity, grinds with stones, and is water-powered. George Woodham and his two sons built the water-powered mill in 1876. Families throughout north Clark County brought their grain to the mill to be ground into flour or livestock feed. Today, the Cedar Creek Grist Mill is a working museum, staffed by volunteers who show visitors the inside workings of a grist mill from that time period, and they demonstrate how to grind wheat and corn. A covered bridge spanning Cedar Creek was completed in 1994, and continues to draw visitors from all over the United States. Jean took a sample of ground corn flour to try in cornbread while I picked up some ground hard red wheat flour. Since we've run out of caramel rolls that Jean made while she was here...

Maybe I should try my hand at making some although I'm not the best baker and I've never even tried to make caramel rolls - I have a mother-in-law who's a pro at them; I can't compete! Honestly, I have no idea where all those rolls went but, Jean, we're out. Could you FedX us some?