Eugene - Summer on the Farm

                          

                       

Eugene is one of those unusual places. Coming in by air, you pass over dense hilly forestland juxtaposed against flat farmland, punctuated with lakes, rivers and small towns. It's the Pacific northwest but has moderate winters and summers that can get VERY warm - you know the 95-105 degree type of warm. Sunsets are often amazing, as mist rises or debris from forest fires states away drift into the atmosphere, enhancing the sun's last rays. 

                        

We always look forward to the days we share with Erin, Jeremy, Clara and Evie. But it's a special treat when we all go to Saturday Market.  There's live music, lots of internationally fresh cooked foods, local crafts - which inevitably includes the Eugene favored tied die and fabric painting - along with local crops of flowers and vegetables. Delightful fun in every way!

                     

 Then it's back to the farm. The girls, Jeremy, Erin and even Bubbie-Karen burn off some calories on Clara's birthday trampoline. This is fun and a LOT more exhausting then it looks. The girls have a variety of special moves and then there's the leaping basketball hoop. Bubbie clearly needs lessons. Next time we're all determined to get Pop-pop to join in.

                          

Just about a year into the new homestead, it's amazing to see what the family has accomplished. There are about 20 various fruit trees in place, ranging from apple to pear, fig and plum - just to get started. Beds of berry bushes and hills of strawberries promise spring and summer delights, along with the herb and veggie patch. The Cinderella pumpkin plant orb simply glows! Erin's has begun to put her stamp on the landscaping and is experimenting with an acre of cut flowers beds. The menagerie has certainly grown. This single beehive hums, with those little winged creatures producing close to 100 pounds of honey. Three ducks dive into their bath and perform entertaining antics. The bunnies continue to thrive and the girls have learned how to avoid their scratches. The fox literally got into the henhouse, so all 20 egg producing layers are gone for the time being. Then there are the cats and let's not forget about Henry - the family dog who just doesn't quit. 

                                  

With all there is to take care of - along with two very active girls - it isn't often than Erin gets a moment to breathe, so stollen quiet moments while the girls, Dad and Pop-pop are rare and cherished! And since we are both generally the designated photgrpahers, a photo of either of us is a RARE event.

                     

Pop pop Steve's other side inevitably comes out when he's with his girls. There's puzzles with Evie (We think this is the first time she completed 100 pieces all by herself with a "little" help from Pop-pop), admiring Clara's claymations and dress up costume parties. Did we mention the inevitable tea party with doll dress up - LOT's off doll dress up.

                   

While Clara attends French-fairytale camp (yup, we needed an explanation too), Evie is entertained with miniature golf, carousels and whatever else we can cook up. The reward at the day's end is chocolate ice cream - naturally - they are Steve's granddaughters.  We are hoping for an autumn visit, but in the meantime, we're restocked on new memories and simply can't believe how much this family accomplishes in any given day!