Our new toy

Our son, Mike gave me a gift certificate for Mothers Day. I decided to buy a Food Saver.

Our first attempt at sealing food is Stuffed Peppers. They are so delicious. If this works I'll be making more,

 

& more and maybe more. They are baked and frozen, then wrapped via Food Saver.

                       After baking,  peppers are covered with cheese. Mine have Feta cheese,
                        Joe likes Italian Blend.

Welcome to MacKenzie Acres .....Dear deer

The Food

                                                 lamb topped with apricot chutney sauce

                                                  Yummy potatoes

                                           Baked Salmon with carmelized onions


                              Joey (Gerald baked a pumpkin bread. Very delicious

                         There were a few other platters but eating came before photos!

The Bird House

Hopefully, the birds will nest in our great birdhouse. A gift from Liz, John & Zoey.

                                                    Entrance

                   

Side view

Comparison Of Today and Yesterday

Joe & I  cut down some blackberry bushes that were climbing over the neighbors fence.
It was exhausting, irritating and a stinging experience!

Yesterday was a great day spent with family. I didn't have to cook or clean, just be there and be spoiled.
Thanks to family for a special day filled with fun, love and harmony.

Stay tuned for photos of food and the greatest bird house ever!

                                            Liz       A moment of quiet with kitty

                                              Eli   (boyfriend )      Zoey in Never smile for a photo Land!

                                               Svetlana and Steve

                                              Joe

John H. (co-host)

 

                                               Alex                Sami            John

 

Joe 

 

 

Mike

 

New Development versus Joe & Martha

Joe attended a City Council meeting this morning to see if the planned development in back of our property will get the go-ahead in spite of the dead end.
One man had a list of all the animals who frequent the property.
The Fire Department is against the development because there is only one way out . This is a problem.
The way out would be if we sold our property. This is not going to happen.
One of the arguments stated that the property would be sold in the near future. The name Joe MacKenzie came up a few times.
The lawyer for the city said, " For all I know Joe MacKenzie might be 26 years old!"
Joe spoke to him afterwards and told him he was the 26 year old! He said "I'm  82 and may not live that much longer but I'm married to a long living Italian, whose Aunt lived to be 106!
What would we do without Aunt Blanche!

The Days of Grapes and Roses

Quite a few grapes this year, considering we do nothing to help them out. The deer usually eat them but for some reason, not this year. Hot weather may have made an earlier crop so deer missed them.
I have started taking them off stems and freezing for later use. The grapes are concord, tart, but make good juice to use in my fig bread recipe. I'm getting hungry.

 I noticed the roses as I was putting the grapes in the freezer so took a photo through the sliding door. Talk about lazy. This rose is practically in the woods. The flowers bloom all Summer and Fall and unlike other roses, the deer leave them alone. this may be do to the height of the bushes.

Fun and Yummy Day

James and Meagan drove up from Tumwater to fix us a delicious pre-birthday lunch.
James prepared stuffed peppers while Meagan prepared salad and veggie platter. All delicious.
I really love to have someone else do the cooking, especially when it is so delicious.
Thank so much James and Meagan.
We enjoyed the visit as well.

                                               Chef James

Veggie Stuffed Peppers

                                Meagan creates an colorful veggie platter and tossed salad.

Birthday Party for Zoey

Zoey showed no signs of strep throat.

Took a few random shots.

                                                   One of Liz, John & Zoe  kitties

                                              A delicious salad from Liz!

                                                Another yummy dish!

                                              Liz and her dear friend.

                                             Catherine....My neice

                                           Zoe getting the music ready.

                                          Eli                         Alex                 Christian

                                              Uncle Mike

                                              Zoey

                                              Rose in the garden of Liz

                                               Grandpa Don

                                             Nanna Nancy

Through the looking glass.. (windshield)

 On the way home from the birthday party we were treated to a full moon and Mt. Rainier

         From our driveway

Tea with Steve and Svetlana

Last Friday we were invited to tea.  

                 View from their window.

                             A portion of Steve's Artwork

                                  

We had a nice visit. They have air conditioning. It was a hot day. Need I say more.

They have a great view from living room. Steve said I wouldn't be able to capture it.
He was right but I got a portion of it.

I also took a few photos of Steve's artwork which I really enjoy.