WOW!

It has been beautiful this past week! We even got some rain. We've struggled all summer to keep the yard and gardens alive. The trees have really taken a beating and we'll probably have a colorless fall, but we just hope the trees survive to regain their strength and beauty next year. We did lose a couple of saplings, and a few branches off of healthy trees but not so much that it is noticeable. The sunsets are still gorgeous as the color filters through the trees.

This past weekend we had friends from Watonga and friends from Tulsa visit, and had a very relaxing weekend. On Friday night, Katey Ballew brought her guitar to the retreat for "happy hour". Other friends stopped by and we sat on the lawn, set out citronella candles as "Stage lights", and listened to her beautiful voice as she entertained us with her musical talents. Magic Jon entertained us too (I won't go into his talent here - this is an all ages blog!). Really, though, I enjoyed the fun and hope everyone else did to. We'd love to have gatherings like this at the Retreat on a somewhat regular basis, so watch for announcements.

We went to the Whirlwind Winery on Saturday afternoon and listened to the Gypsy Kings on CD while sampling some sake wine we recently unpacked. It had to be consumed or thrown away, so we chose to drink it! At least I did. The atmosphere wasn't quite right for sake, and we all decided we'd have to try it again under the right circumstances -- with sushi and edamame and the right serving glasses, and warmed up. I guess I'll have to find the box that my sushi roller and sake cups are in, and pick up some seaweed the next time we are in Oklahoma City!

Andy and John went to the OU/Missouri game on Saturday night and seemed to enjoy it--they had to stay until the last minutes, it was such a good game! Teri and I stayed home, sat on the front porch in rockers and visited, and made a zucchini souffle from a recipe Teri brought. It was really easy, and really delicious. We even ate some of it with our breakfast the next morning (since the guys didn't get any of it the night before) and it went well with that meal.

On Sunday, Roy and Rose Gonzales came for a visit and brought us some copies of Roy's recent CD -- "Mi Soledad"--which is very nice to put on and listen to while rocking on the front porch (and other times too!) We have some for sale at the B&B. We had a nice visit and planned another get-together in November.

Andy and the saxophone quartet practiced in the house while I transplanted some seedlings in the garden. It is so nice to be able to go out and "play in the dirt" again.

I'm looking forward to a busy and fun Fall, with nice weather, the Cheese Festival coming up, and then Halloween! Plan a visit to the Retreat and make your reservations soon, as we are filling up quickly for the fall season!

We traveled to Wichita Kansas this past weekend for a get-together with OSU friends. The girls saw a movie, "The Help", and the guys went to a car show. Then we went to the Cotillion to see Susan Tedeski Truck,, a band made up of Susan Tedeski and her husband Garrett Truck. A great night, great music, great venue for a show. We'll certainly go back to Wichita!

A BREAK IN THE WEATHER

Finally, the temperatures are again below 100 degrees! Last week we had some low/overnight temperatures in the mid- to high 70's, and daily high temperatures between 98 and 100. This week should be the same; it may get up to 102 one day, but we are hoping it doesn't get that hot. The gardens have just survived. We even had some rain twice last week, and that made everything green up. I spent a few hours trimming some of the dead branches and limbs from the perennials and bushes in the hopes that they will perk up again. The only things blooming through the heat are the summer phlox, red turk's cap, and Rose of sharon.

We;ve had visits from two couples from Dallas. Peach and Jack Portman came two weeks ago. They took a hike around the property and enjoyed sitting on the porch. We took them to Roman Nose State Park and to the town of Watonga. This past weekend, Howard Stansell and his friend Sharie came to see us and the "sights" of Watonga. We had good visits with both couples and got somewhat caught up on goings on in Dallas and our old church home, Chapel Hill Methodist. We are still eager for others from CHUMC to come visit, as we still miss our church family there in Farmers branch even though we have a great church family here. We hope the Portmans and Stansell give good reports of our place and the area.

Thanks for Peach for the vine seeds -- I've planted a few even this late in the season (I know they are annuals), but have saved some to plant early next year.

BUSY, BUSY, BuSY ...

Wed July 13 finds the temperature right at 100 (instead of 103+ as it has been). We heard thunder last night but didn't get any rain -- it all fell southeast of us in OK City. It is hard keeping the yard alive in spite of watering every day.

We've had guests since July 1 and it's been lots of fun, but exhausting with all the partying! Some friends of Andy's from high school were here so he got to catch up with them and I got to meet some of his school friends. This was the 40th anniversary of the class of 71, and next year is Andy's 40th reunion (class of 72) so we hope to see more of his old friends next spring. THEN Drew and 'Tana and Sandi and Guy came and stayed for several days. Too much fun, too much food, but it was great getting to spend so much time with good friends. We hiked. Drew painted a piece of art on some old masonite. Andy and Guy unpacked boxes and found treasures that have been in the garage for years.

WE ARE READY FOR THE NEXT GROUP OF VISITORS !! Call to make a reservation, as our rooms are filling up fast, even in this heat. One of the best things about the Retreat is that it under a canopy of trees, so there is plenty of shade and breeze. Mornings on the patio are fabulous!

RAIN !!

Rain actually fell on Watonga last night. Northwest OK saw a lot of storms and lightening that passed over all the way to OKC, and we were on the edge of the front so we got a little bit of rain. It has been so dry and windy that even this little bit is really great. And the front also brought the temperatures down to 100 degrees or just below, instead of the 104+ temperatures we've had for over a week.

We had a busy week and weekend at the B&B. We enjoyed a visit from some repeat guests and met some new friends from Kansas. We grilled steaks and had fresh pesto and grilled zucchini from the garden. We drank wine and visited and were able to sit out on the back patio for a short time after dinner. It's really been too hot for much hiking either on our property or out at the Park. It is a struggle right now just keeping our yard and gardens watered and alive. Skeeter wants to stay inside most of the time (in our bedroom), but Killer Kat enjoys time outside, lying in the grass under the shade, hunting and stalking whatever he happens to see.

The Farm & Garden Market has been going well and has grown in the one month it's been in operation. Our vendors seem to be happy with the business and the crowds that come out to get their produce and other products, including cheese from Christian Cheese in Kingfisher. This coming weekend is July 4th weekend and we are expecting a good crowd of visitors. I've arranged for a teenager to be on site to do face-painting on the kids (and any adults who want it!)

The Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to start a monthly coffee day at local businesses. Be sure to check out the website at www.watongachamber.com for information about that and other activities/events coming up in Watonga, including the Cheese Festival in October. We just hope the weather is nice for that event!

ITS ONLY JUNE

Temperatures are in the high 90's. We have had some rain, though, so everything is green and the wildflowers are in full bloom on the sides of the road.

The Farm & Garden Market in Watonga is going well, though we are still looking for additional vendors. The produce in the area is just starting to ripen. We have one vendor with tomatoes and zucchini and broccali and cauliflower and beets. He also cans some great salsa, jellies, and chow chow. We are eating more and more vegetables. I am hoping to sell some seedlings and transplants this coming week, and Andy is making some walking sticks to sell, from cedar cut from trees on our property. I plan on decorating T-shirts for 4th of July.

Last weekend Andy transplanted bermuda sod into our yard from a vacant lot in town. He and a helper worked hard for two days, so we should have a real lawn in a month or so. I made an impromptu old fashioned breakfast of bacon, migas, and toast for the guys and they seemed to enjoy it. Our basil is producing well now, but grasshoppers have destroyed some of our other crops. I may have to put aside the "organic" treatments and drop the A-bomb on the little pests. I'm trying to convince myself that is the way to go, and will probably be ready to do it the next time I walk outside and see all of my beautiful plants eaten down to the nub.

We are eager to host a lawn concert this month -- trying to line up a singer/guitarist for that. I've set up a Facebook page also but haven't been able to get it linked in completely -- right now it's just a shell. I need a computer guru to help me with that!

We've been fortunate lately to have guests at the B&B who have become friends. And to have old friends come visit.

SUMMER IS HERE!

It is now hot and humid -- temperatures in the high 80's and even 90's. I know -- I am always commenting on the weather, but weather is a major topic in Oklahoma. It is dry again, even though we had a couple of rainstorms in the past few weeks. We had a major hail storm a couple of weeks ago. The house was spared, but our car took a beating. The farmers are harvesting wheat but the trucks aren't very full. Just one of the hazards of wheat farming -- sometimes it's a good year and sometimes the harvest is sparse.

Andy continues to putter around the house and make improvements -- and mowing the property takes up a lot of time. The lawn is greening up. Lots of things are blooming in the gardens. Irises have played out and the daylillies are popping. The rose of sharon trees are putting on buds. I rescued a couple of hibiscus from town and they love their new home -- bright red blooms are abundant. A friend gave me some amaryllis and they are blooming beautifully -- hopefully they will naturalize and spread off the New Mexico room. We have regular visits from hummingbirds on both the front and back feeders. We are really blessed to be able to enjoy this paradise.

We hope to have some live entertainment on the front porch later this month. Check out our website or this blog for dates. We are getting reservations for various weekends through the summer, but still have dates open, especially during the week, so give us a call for reservations as soon as you know when you can come visit the Retreat!