Rust and other stuff...

It seems like I take pictures of the same old stuff....birds, elk, dogs.  

So yesterday, I gave myself the challenge to walk around the farm 

and take pictures of things that don't seem very picture worthy.  

The rust wreath, made from old barbed wire fence. 

Whenever I find a rusty nail or some other do-dad,

it goes on the rust wreath.

Barbed wire wreath

This old barrel has been here forever. 

We suspect it is filled with some horrible concoction that if released, 

might do horrible things to the earth and its occupants. 

We can't get the lid off, and we are not sure we want to.

On the other hand, it is sure to rust through at some point.

It has a Portland, Oregon metal label.  

Perhaps I can put it on Craig's list as an antique.

Not rust, but rusty colored.

I hadn't realized that the old apple tree has been serving as the breakfast table 

for flickers and woodpeckers.  

These holes go all the way up and all the way around the tree.

I would never normally have taken a picture of the tree protectors below.

But for some reason they caught my fancy,

and they are on the light side of rusty.

Recycled tree protectors

These tubes came to the farm to protect the 1000's of new trees and shrubs

that were planted as part of a conservation restoration project.

In a previous life, they protected new grapevines.

I hope that they will have a third life as well.

Hopefully, someone will have  a use for them.

More rust color and more circles.

The old prune orchard that will keep us warm this winter.

And because I simply cannot resist....

The four baby bluebirds from the second clutch have all survived.  

Last night we went out in the front yard with our happy hour toddies 

and watched the bluebirds for a good hour.

At least two are still around from the first clutch, 

so 6 surviving babes this year.

Success!

Things that make me feel rich:  

a nice stack of firewood, 

bluebirds, 

and the ping of canning jars!
This corn relish is yummy and easy to make.
(And I found corn at a local farm for 7 cents an ear!)

Corn relish from freshly picked corn

What makes you feel rich!

For the love of turtles...

For the love of western pond turtles, we hauled this big old log from the top of the hill to the pond at the bottom of the hill.  Trying to provide the three turtles with a spot where they can get some sun, yet be safe from predators.

One log didn't seem to be enough, so we hauled in a branch of an old fallen apple tree. Hopefully, the two together will be stable enough to provide the three turtles with safe sunning habitat.

Western Pond Turtle Day Spa

This was one of those things on the "to do" list that seems like it should take about an hour.
In actuality, takes the whole morning. But feels good to have it done.

Next thing on the list:   Blackberry Ketchup. The recipe is linked.  
So yummy!