Jam packed days

 

I've had a good time, but there hasn't been much vacation in the vacation house yet. I suppose that's to be expected, just getting accustomed to the property and trying to get the basics set up like lawn mowing, more of a challenge that I anticipated.  

In a rural town, people take care of their own yards or just let them go. We have quite a nice little lawn around the house that requires a hefty monthly investment in pricey town water, so I want to keep it as neat as possible. 

Anyway, all of this will work out. Everything is still new right now, so I shouldn't get frustrated.

Amanda's friend "gifted" me with about 25 pounds of sour cherries from their tree. She asked for a pie in return. Ordinarily I would be thrilled, but this turned into quite a project.

These are the variety of cherries that make the most delicious pies, and you can't buy them fresh at any store I know of. And they have to be pitted, every single one, quite a job since they're the size of small grapes. My old fingers gave out. Nova's young ones helped.

I don't have any pie making apparatus here yet, so we had to settle for cherry crisp instead. It was delicious.

Unfortunately it is very hot with poor air quality from wildfire smoke.  All the outdoor activities for the kids are cancelled today.  Bummer.

 

And suddenly, there you are

 

 

The solo drive over was relatively easy on Thursday. I left the house at 6 am and made it through the detour to the freeway in 30 minutes flat. At that early hour on a weekday I had the highways and passes pretty much to myself. I only stopped twice--next time I'll make it three rest stops. John and I always share the driving, and my legs were wobbly from so much sitting.  Anyway, what's the rush?

The new sofa and chair look nice. Maybe not the most stylish furniture in the world, but soft and comfortable and you can recline and watch the river doing it's thing outside the front window.  

I have to admit, excited as I was, it was strange the first night being here completely alone. I felt perfectly safe, but so silent compared to the cacophony of West Seattle on a summer night. The stillness kept me awake. All I heard was the gentle river sound.

 

Amanda wasn't feeling well so we didn't hang out yesterday. But the girls came over in the afternoon so she could rest and we played Go Fish then they watched an hour of TV. They badgered me for ice cream sandwiches until I gave in. Having grown up with the beautiful Methow River in their backyard, that part of visiting Nana is pretty ho-hum.

Compared to last summer, when everything was closed or cancelled, they are constantly busy with their activities, classes and friends, which is how it should be.

We watched Nova's swim team for an hour (Maya looking bored) and my goodness, Nova zips through the water like a otter. 

So athletic, it was like seeing Amanda at the same age.

I spent some time at the beach, trying to draw the river and hoping some neighbors would trespass by so we could chat.  

 

No one showed up. Maybe new people from Seattle scared them off? I doubt it. It just hasn't been as hot this week.

We sat on the deck this afternoon with the girls. The turkey mom came by with five sturdy looking chicks (down only 3) which is quite an accomplishment in this wild kingdom. 

Almost nothing to do in the way of gardening which is a nice change for me. But I have to find someone to mow every couple of weeks in the summer. And in the winter, snow removal.  But one season at a time.

Another busy day tomorrow.  The Saturday Twisp market, then we're going to a movie in Winthrop in the afternoon.  

Can he do it?

 

 

John has an early morning job: fit all of this into my sedan. He's pretty good at packing cars--plenty of practice.  I'm planning to stay in Twisp until early next week. 

It feels kinda virtuous clearing stuff out of this house, but of course it's just going somewhere else, to be dealt with again at a future date.  Hopefully, far in the future! And by someone else! For now, this house looks slightly less cluttered, so that's something. 

Internet should be installed on Friday. We’re using a local carrier based in podunk Omak. Human beings actually PICK UP when you call. The speed is slow compared to our CenturyLink in Seattle, which is run entirely by robots.  Hey, it's a vacation house. As long as I can email, write the blog and shop I'm happy.  

After all those months of labor, the garden comes into its peak in mid-July. John is staying home with his hobbies and he can enjoy it while he waters.  A big job. 

Nothing like last week when we were baked alive, but still quite warm and (too) dry. Except for the fire danger, beautiful summer weather.

Simplification

 

When we got back to Seattle and walked in the door, the first thing that stuck me was how much stuff we have. The open space in the new house was very restful. 

We keep this house tidy, we're not hoarders (I guess) but there isn't a surface without something on it.  Every cupboard, every closet filled. 40 plus years of accumulation. Our "view" is of adjacent houses, so it's an inward feeling here in the city, compared to river house which feels open to nature.

Still, you need a place to sit and a place stash things. A bench for the hall, side tables, a dresser, lamps, etc. A new sofa and recliner get delivered this week. But the basics are covered. The kitchen is fully equipped. We have a lovely bed and the spare rooms can stay empty for now.

The main attraction of a second home is not having to haul things back and forth. You show up and enough clothes are in the closet. Maybe not the right clothes, but something to wear. I have another carload to take over on Thursday. This has inspired me to clean out here, and things look better already.  I'm trying to be selective about what I take over. 

Of course, I'm just putting stuff in two places now. It occurred that this is the exact opposite of downsizing, what people our age are supposed to be doing. 

Sweet onion "jam"

 

We bought a 5 pound bag of fresh Walla Walla onions on the drive home Saturday. Sweet onions have a high water content, so they're very perishable compared to the hard yellow ones.  

John sliced them up and I cooked them down slowly in my big Dutch oven for about 2 hours. Just a little butter and flake salt.

Stir occasionally. Near the end, stir constantly until they turn a light golden. All the water eventually evaporates, and you're left with a mouth-watering, gooey, simple condiment you can't buy anywhere.   

We put it on grilled pork loin last night, and this morning made an omelette with sharp cheese and a touch of bacon.  Oh boy.  Did that ever disappear off the plate fast.

Two homes?

 

The new pleasant dilemma. Now that I'm back in Seattle, I want to be in Twisp. The long drive home is usually exhausting, but I'd happily get in the car tomorrow.  

The best time of day? Early golden sunrise shining through the living room window. I head to the kitchen while John is still asleep to start the coffee, then wait for the deer to wander by the deck.

Did I die and go to heaven?  Just kidding...but it took a few days to sink in. I can't remember being so happy.

The beach changes daily as the spring run-off subsides.

A few days ago, it was running hard, as the heat wave melted most of the high mountain snow. The temperature was 90 degrees at the top of Washington Pass in the North Cascades.

Our little slice of private beach.

Well, sorta private. Shared with a family of turkeys-- mom and 8 babies on the lawn. And a beaver somewhere. And deer. And countless birds.

Our property sign, left by the previous owners. Use gently. Thank you.

In the late afternoon, a trickle of neighbors from the adjoining street cross our property to enjoy the shoreline with their dogs and inflatables. 

This was a surprise the first night. Are they going to make a fire or have a picnic? Linger? But everyone is courteous, friendly and respectful. 

We felt right at home. In fact, I think we made more neighborhood friends in Twisp in 4 days than 40 years on this block in West Seattle. The advantage of small town living, especially when you have a daughter like Amanda, who everyone knows and loves.

 

A few words about the previous owners. She left us this message in the hall which sums it all up. 

We never met them, unfortunately, but they left the house sparkling clean, move-in ready, with every thoughtful thing to be completely comfortable on the first night, including a kitchen equipped with all the basics. Such kindness. It was like checking into an airbnb but better.

They moved to their retirement home in Nevada for full time living. Who knows? We might follow them in a few years after the Methow winters sink in.  But for now, intend to enjoy every minute of this new home adventure.