Last phase before calling Honeymoon home

Our bank gave their wave of approval today after the appraisal came in significantly above our offer. Now we have 9 days before closing and the house is officially ours! I have 25 baby chickens on their way, scheduled for arrival in early October, and one darling dog due any day now. Mom recently returned from helping Grandpa clean out his house - he seems eager and ready for the move! He, my soon-to-be husband, and I will all see the house for the first time in September; for us it will be our permanent honeymoon, and for Grandpa, it will be an evaluating and celebrating visit before moving. I have been volunteering with the local Cooperative Extension office in preparation for the move, both to hone my skills for farm life and to gain relevant experience for a potential job on the island. We are more and more excited every day, getting ready for our new life. We bought Phil Bolger "Micro Trawler" plans for a first project in our new shop. What a beautiful and exciting life! I am getting eager for fall planting and have been combing through the Seed Savers Catalog for appropriate fall heirloom plants to be our first specimens.

Almost home!

Mom and Dad spent the 4th of July week down on Whidbey getting ready for the house. There are two apple trees, a cherry tree heavy with fruit, blackberries, salmon berries, huckleberries, and a mysterious outdoor shower? The parents met with roofers, landscapers, floor-ers, and gas fireplace-ers. On my end, I have sent a deposit for my Airedale puppy to arrive September 15th, and have filled out an order form for Sand Hills Preservation Center chickens to arrive in October. 20 assorted Orphingtons, 5 assorted Dorkings, 15 assorted Marans, 5 assorted Icelandic, 5 assorted Ameraucanas, all straight run, so half of these chickens will get the ax just in time for Christmas, save one lucky rooster who proves himself worthy.

 The chicken run is stocked with an abundance of weeds and ready for birds.

Flowers blooming in July. 

The greenhouse from above, ready for planting.