PDX cider 18

We lucked out with to-die for weather for the PDX Cider event again this year. Again we had more than two dozen people attend, including current and former neighbors, Sarah and Trusten, Jess and Charlie and various PDX friends. We had a good selection of apples and the cider was fine. 

Methow cider 18

This year B and L toured the neighboring farmhouse, which was for sale, when they went to the Methow to press cider. There are practical reasons why buying something close to the home place makes more sense than building our own and we wanted to check it out. 

debris from the picker cabin fire, still there after four years

Still no kids able to come to make cider, it was just the Hole siblings (and spouses) as well as Diane and Rick. Weather was lovely, almost too warm and we picked two bins of apples from the neighbor's orchard. 

oh nuts

A mild spring and larvae-eating chickens who decimated the husk fly population ensured an unprecedented crop of walnut in our yard this fall. We harvested and L brewed up dye for wood and textiles and we cracked and roasted bagfuls of nuts. Next year we may have none again! 

toes in the sand

In September L joined her friend Mary for a weekend in Manzanita for a lazy beach weekend. The weather was mild and the two was fun. For once L actually dove into the whole tourist shopping thing, spending far too much money. 
It was also an opportunity for L to drive Mary's car and decide to buy it!