Beach family

Back a few weeks ago we went up to Lincoln City to spend the weekend with Jim's family at a hotel we like. It's sort of an annual trip since there are two birthdays and Mother's day in May. We really like the Coho but this last trip their prices had increased so much we are going to have to shop around for another hotel. A shame really since it's been a family tradition to go there for decades.

Here's some pics of the beach.

Covered Wagons in my garden

Jim added the PVC pipe supports and cut the pipes for me. It's a semi futile attempt to warm up my garden beds.

The tall plants in giant pots in front are columnar apples.

I'm tempted to build a wooden horse to stick in front of these two beds. Covered wagons, ho!

The heaters running in July!!

This morning after Jim's workout on the treadmill he came in and collapsed into his recliner. (I have my 'girl cave,' Jim has his TV recliner). As he was sitting there he heard the heater kick on. And it's July 25th!!

It has been unseasonably cold here on the Oregon coast but this is ridiculous! However I'm told by a long time native that there have been cold summers like this before. So it's not weird weather as a result of global warming. Or if it is it's been going on for a few decades (she's 50ish).

Humph! I tolerate the long, damp, overcast winters because of the glorious summers here. I've been robbed! Even the plants aren't doing well. I'm not the only frustrated gardener either, no one's plants are doing particularly well. Yet again I will not have tomatoes. Or at this rate many dahlias, since only 4 out of the 30+ plants I have are actually in bloom.

Culinary success!

Who would have guessed?! I actually created (as far as I know) a unique recipe for tuna salad! Jim left me home alone one day and I got hungry. Wasn't really in the mood to cook but wanted something. Staring into our pantry I decided to throw together some of my favorite things as a way of cleaning out the pantry. Turned out really good. Then for one reason or another I made a batch and took it into work to feed my co-workers and see if they liked it too.

And they did! Besides tuna, only one person guessed even one of the ingredients. But they all loved it!

Dolores' tuna salad (large batch):

2 large cans of tuna packed in water (12 oz. cans)
1 can of artichoke hearts (15 or 16 oz.)
2 small cans of (pieces & stems) mushrooms (6.5 oz.)
1 can of water chestnuts [for that crunch] (8 oz.)
a fist full of chopped onions
most of a can of tomato sauce (8 oz.)
freshly ground black pepper
Mayonnaise

Mash the tuna in a large bowl and add the tomato sauce. The tomato sauce reduces the 'fishy' taste. If that's the best part to you then leave it out. Finely chop all the other ingredients and toss in. Grate pepper over and then mix ingredients thoroughly. Add mayo to taste and consistency desired. If making ahead add the mayo just before you serve.

Still cool temps here

It's mid-July and I'm still tempted to wear a sweater when I'm outside. Temperatures (at least when I've looked), still haven't topped 68 degrees. I.e. it's cool here if sometimes down right cold. Not that I'm complaining mind you, I don't want a heat wave, but I wouldn't mind if it would get up to 72 degrees or so in the afternoon. Because of the cool temps I yet again won't have many tomatoes. Even the dahlias are slow to grow and bloom this year. Only two dahlia plants out of the 30 or so I have have bloomed so far.

We have cool wet winters that are basically overcast for weeks to months at a time but our summers are normally glorious with sunny skies, windy, warm (not hot) temps, and little rain. But this summer it's been colder than norm and much more overcast then the summers past.

Here's what the Weather Channels says our temps have been in June and what we have to look forward to.
June and July.

And just for your edification (and why I'm NOT complaining) is a picture of a sand storm approaching.

Muskrat or Nutria?

Our next door neighbor has spotted a largish rodent around their decorative pond which has a small waterfall. The pond isn't all that big but it does have a few large goldfish. He claims the mammal he spotted was too large to be a rat and thought it might be a muskrat. But I think his pond is just too small to support an aquatic mammal.

I haven't seen it but I wondered if it might be a Nutria instead. Here's some links on both:

-Muskrat

-Beaver, Muskrat, and Nutria On Small Woodlands

-The Nutria Defense Page

-NUTRIA Myocastor coypus

-Attack of the Giant Nutria - a True Story