Rain!

Coming from the verdant green of England, I was taken aback by the dry taupe landscape of my Oregon home.  We've been without any measurable precipitation since the end of June. The fire danger is extreme - over $1 billion has been spent this summer fighting forest fires in the western states. So I was thrilled to welcome a couple of good rain showers on Sunday (0.4"). The rain will make for clear clean air,and refresh the plants and animals (and people).

I promised earlier that when I'd unpacked I'd show off some of my trip purchases.  Well, I've just managed to unpacked one bag so far.  That's a start anyway.

These are Emma Bridgewater tins.     

   

I found six of them in the floral series.  I also bought several tins in the bird series and I'll show them off in a later post. 

Aston Pottery is one of the other English potteries that I've admired from afar.  They are based in Aston, Oxfordshire and appear to have an amazing gift shop, cafe and garden.  I never made it to see their showroom, so was thrilled to find their products for sale at Blenheim.  

Back on the home front, the chipmunks are everywhere! 

Everywhere includes the woodpile on the Back Patio where they risk Certain Death (from four Avid Hunters).  My sister recently rescued one chipmunk from the Jaws of Death (Solomon).  I think this fellow's neck looks a bit scruffy as though it has survived a Feline Close Encounter.  Given the fact that it was once again courting Certain Death, one has to wonder at Chip's long term memory functions! 

It's Blackberry Time in western Oregon.  My sister has been picking blackberries, but she's not the only Interested Consumer.  The deer delight in eating the sweet berries as do many of the birds.  Fortunately, there are enough for everyone to enjoy.