Hmmm...what is this?

Okay, it is still August, but I have been seeing way too much of these colors already! Add to that temps in the low 40s and I would say, fall is fast approaching. I absolutely love fall weather, those gorgeous days of blue skies and cooler temps, but I am not ready at all for what comes close on its heels...I'm not even going to mention it. I'm going to try and enjoy those wonderful days without thinking too far in the future!

Berry Picking

The other day, while visiting my mom and dad, we took a drive up to our land to see if the Black Berries were ripe. It was a beautiful day, clear blue skies, nice temps and a pleasant breeze. Perfect weather for picking and the berries were ripe!

We could see many places where the bear had been rambling around, enjoying the bounty as much as we did.

I enjoy berry picking, but I was not dressed for the bushwhacking that I also enjoy along with picking black berries. You know, the best berries are always just a bit further into the brush. I didn't realize it at the time, except for places where I had actually drawn blood, but by the time I got home, my arms and legs were crisscrossed with scratches and it looked like I had been in a fight with several cats. Ouch! Bessie also ventured further in and suffered many scratches herself. Taking a shower was an interesting experience for a few days.

I told the younger kids to stay out on the edges and they gladly obeyed.

Don't these look luscious? If we get over again in the next week or so, I think we will still find some worth picking. But this time I will wear pants and a long-sleeved shirt.

Pool Installation

I'm finally getting around to posting the pictures of pool liner replacement. What a project.

We originally thought of doing this ourselves, but Brian has been away a lot this summer and we didn't feel we could get it done in a timely manner. As it turned out, the pool company didn't do it in a very timely manner either and that was a huge test in patience for me, but it is done and we are so thrilled to have it finished.

Old liner waiting to be removed

Removing old linerThen the real fun began. We have a lot of ground water...a lot. The water poured in as fast as they could pump it out. Two pumps could barely manage to keep ahead of water. They continued to work on the walls and set up, but were unsure of how to proceed with all this water.


They decided to drill a bigger sump well that would allow more time for them to work. I had to chuckle a bit as people try and try to get a good water source and here we are trying to get this really nice, clear water out of the bottom of the pool. Brian is thinking of putting a well spike behind the pool and using this wonderful water source on the garden next summer.


Getting ready to cut in the stairs

Stairs cut in and liner attached to shallow end
The pool people did not want the kids in the pool enclosure, much to Gabe's dismay. They had a hard time staying out.


Dan enjoys the cardboard box
They were finally ready to do the last bit. This was a race with the water. There was a water truck ready (9,000 gallons) to start pumping. They got the liner all attached. The two ladies stayed under the liner until the last minute. Ready to pull the pump, put down stone and throw down a "fast patch" to cover up the stones. It was pretty interesting watching them. They were not happy with all the water coming in and had to work very, very fast. At this point, they had three pumps working.

They began to vacuum the air out between the liner and the solid pool walls. The women stayed under the liner. One of them in particularly did not enjoy this at all and I can't say I blame her. It must have been very hot, humid and dark under there. The other workers had to pull them out as the water flowed in.


They start pumping the water
Everyone out from under the pool and securing the main drain Finishing up securing the sides of the linerWe used two water trucks, 18,000 gallons and the pool still wasn't full. We do not have the original documentation for the pool, but the man with the water truck estimated the pool at holding 24,000 gallons of water. It took about a week of running a hose from the house for an hour at a time, a few times a day, to finish filling it.

Full and job done!
This was a very big project, mostly because of the ground water issues. It was expensive. God is so good and provided the money to pay for the job, but I always question the use of our funds. We love the pool. It is such an enjoyable pastime for us and is used almost daily all summer for our own pleasure and for entertaining.

Hopefully this liner will serve us well for many years.

Tea For Two

I really liked how this cross stitch project came out, so cute.

This block is for the charity stitching group I belong to. The theme was teddy bears.

Blog Anniversary Giveaway Winner

We put all the names in a hat (well, actually it was a bowl) and my daughter Bessie drew the name.

Kathy in WA is the winner of my 2nd Blog Anniversary Giveaway.

Congratulations, Kathy!

Thanks, too all of you for sending such nice well wishes. I hope I can keep the blog interesting and fun for another few years.

Fun in the Pool

We have been having some great days for using the pool and the memory of all the problems of earlier this summer with getting our pool fixed are fading and we are once more glad for our big blue "pond".

Here are a few shots from yesterday.

Canon Ball!

Bessie has been swimming laps. That can be quite the challenge with so many other little swimmers, but she manages to run the gauntlet of little bodies. After she is done, she relaxes with the little ducky.


The lifeguard A hug for dad!

2nd Anniversary of my Blog Giveaway

August 15, 2008 marks the 2nd anniversary of my blog!

Wow, time sure flies by. I've posted 640 entries about everything from our children, homeschooling and church, to our gardens, travels and house projects. I have enjoyed all this blogging and sharing our lives with our family, friends and those that drop by.

I am going to hold a giveaway. I'm not sure of what yet, but I want to have one.

If you would like to receive a little something from me, as I commemorate this event, please leave a comment to this post. Make sure there is a way to contact you if you win.

I will draw a random name next Friday, the 22nd.

August Addition of GBBD

The 15th of the month and time again for the Garden Blogger's Bloom Day. Many things are still blooming from last month, daylilies, coneflowers, Asiatic lilies, hollyhocks and others, but there are a few new blooms.

Here are my shots from today.

Gladiolus

I like this combination of daylily and Rudbeckia Phlox
HydrangeaI'm not sure what this is...I think it is marked incorrectlyAnyway, it is pretty and the bees and butterflies enjoy it

Gone Fishing

We love going to the canal. Each lock park has picnic tables and a nice grassy lawn area. They are very well maintained and are a great place to eat, fish, bird watch and watch the boats. It doesn't hurt that we have one of these great places pretty close to home, so we can run over, grab some take-out of some sort and spend a few hours relaxing.

Hannah and Bess wait for a "hit"

Bessie caught this bluegill
Rachel brought in this nice catfish
This is a catch and release area, so all the fish go back into the river.

We watched a boat lock through while we were fishing.

The big doors open

The dark area is the distance the water goes down

The boats slowly exit the locks

And off they go down the river