SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2014

 Working on a fun project - it will be a journal/art supply travel bag. Will keep you posted as work continues...

FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

 Poor Gertrude - she was happily playing outside, when that big, mean Apollo showed up on the deck above. She climbed up to her spot between the beam and the floorboards, where he can't get at her. So he sat on the deck above and looked sad. They held position for most of the afternoon.

Above Apollo you can see a plethora of cocoons on the underside of the handrail.

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014

 Some more caterpillar photos - now they've cleared the plum tree of it's leaves. Pretty icky, but in a few more days they will be pretty well done, and then there will be cocoons everywhere. The trees will recover and regrow their leaves.

 Had a beautiful morning hike at Ebey's Landing today, with Cathi and her cousin Lilo's hiking group.

 The vetch is blooming all along the bluff, turning it purple!

The return trail is along the beach.

FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014

 Love the iris - beautiful patterns.

 Apollo in the Japanese Maple pot with all the caterpillars. Thankfully they don't like maple leaves.

And my wisteria has finally covered the whole structure and is blooming for the first time!

 Oh, euwwww! The tent caterpillars have been horrible this year on the trees. Today, they decided to attack my newly blooming Lady's Mantle. Yuck! In the few hours since I left for work this morning they have eaten the tops off the plants, and are working on the next layer of leaves.

 They're pretty creepy, but these close up views are kind of intriguing.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

 So now it's beer-making time! First the water is heated,

 then the grains are soaking in the wort.

 It needs to come to a boil,

 then the malt is added.

 Apparently it can get pretty yucky!

After the yeast is added - look out! I obviously have a very active ferment going on!