First Outdoor Shower of the Year!

So much for a rainy, crappy weekend like they predicted!  The weather has been perfect!  Yesterday Jim and I did a few things around the yard, and Jim gave someone a tour of our place that wants to do an off-grid system.  We then went out to eat at the classy L and M cafe in Melrose and then went on to La Crescent to dig up about 200 daylilies from a lady that lived along the river and was getting rid of them.  We then headed out to Fremont where I planted a few and then we finished the walls on Jim's container.  I insulated and helped cut the plywood walls, while Jim alternated between helping with walls and doing the electrical work.  Storm clouds were looming, but we were able to clean up and take a very long hot outdoor shower- powered by the electricity from Jim's wind turbine and were just closing up the container when the first drops fell.  It couldn't have been better timing! 
     I truly enjoy taking a shower outside- with the fresh air.  Here in North Bend we use the outdoor shower most of the summer (powered by Jim's solar hot water panels)- only taking showers inside if the bugs are especially bad. But usually the water keeps them away.  Looking up at the night sky or the flowers and trees around you while taking a guilt-free, excessively long, very hot shower is something I really miss in the winter! Bring on the sun!
     Today I slept in a bit and planted all the rest of my daylilies.  It turned out to be quite a bit of work- as I wanted to plant them along a fence and had to rip out a lot of weeds and turn over the dirt first.  And....my cat wanted to lay in the nice turned over dirt and on top of the flowers.  But- it was a nice windy day, and it felt really good to be outside!  I also figured out the design I am going to put on my arbor I am building with my brother.  The plan is to finish wood burning it this week, and then go back to my brother's and put on the roof.  It is looking really nice- and the cedar is making Castle Danger smell good as well!  Well- almost time to hit the hay and start a new work week!  Only 2 more months of school left!...seems crazy!

Engagement Pictures from Sarah

And here are some more pictures that Sarah took of us- over near the old KOA campground on the river, just off of 61.  I think this is a really pretty part of the river, with the bluffs being so close on both sides.  I really enjoy driving through this area on my way to Winona from work. 

Engagement Pictures from Missi

Oh boy.....so I guess it has been a little while since I have been on here!  I will blame it on my slow, slow computer (which is 6 years old)!  It was taking me forever to upload any pictures!  But- I got a new computer for my birthday from Jim- and things are going much better now!  So, I will try to do more updates- but- with our wedding now only one month away, there are no real promises!  Anyways- I thought I should post some pictures.....Jim and I are lucky to know two very good photographers- who also happen to be family.  On two different days, we met up with Sarah (my sister in-law) and my step-sister Missi, who took some great pictures of us in different places. So we ended up with a lot of great pictures! (which is really nice because Jim and I didn't have a ton of the two of us together that weren't taken at arms length by one of us)  So- here are the pictures that Missi took- over on my Dad's dock, and near the Whitman Dam, and at the Winona Levee.  I will post the pictures that Sarah took as well yet this evening!