Here at the Ritz

Camp Runamuck sits comfortably on 25 acres at elevations ranging from 4100 feet to about 4500 feet
depending where you are on the property. Of those 25 acres about 6 have been truly disturbed for buildings and paddocks. The rest is a mix of forest and mountain meadow land. Most of our trees are conifers. White Fir, Douglas Fir, Incense Cedar, and a few Ponderosa Pine and Oak trees. We are just a little high for them on average. We have some beautiful wild dogwoods around that live in the shadier understory of some of the forest area. There are more plants and ferns and flowers here than I can shake a stick at or name and that goes for the diversity of wildlife too. The monument area we live smack dab in the middle of stretches over 60,000 acres, right into California. We have been blessed to live here and that covers the deer munching my garden, the occasional scorpion and rattlesnake, bear ( I found some scat in the area we are thinning right now) and bobcat. Pick a season and take a walk and you will see something you haven't noticed before. I guarantee it. Often times the wildlife comes to you. So was the case yesterday when we had new arrivals at our bird feeders. A small flock of American Gold Finches.



 Now these may be common in many areas, but for us these beauties are just passing through. Against our dark green forest backdrop they are like little jewels sparking on the branches. At the feeders, they are not shy about bellying up to the bar so to speak. The Cassin's Finches were a bit put out,



as were the Mountain Chickadees!



But they were especially bright and welcome since it was grey and rainy out. Even if they are gone today, I was lucky enough to catch them yesterday.

Up in the not so exciting sewing room this cute little summer tunic was completed.







 I had some fun playing with reverse applique and have used the technique on another tunic in  process.

Big Sal has been busy, I have probably woven about 18 more inches of the runner and considering all that goes on here on a daily basis, getting that much done is pretty darn good. It's a lovely loom to weave on. I like the chair but I think at some point I will have Gene add a riser to each of the two treadles. It is just a bit of stretch for me on longer weaving sessions and this being a jack loom with 16 shafts, I want all the leverage I can get for those throws that have me lifting a large portion of them. It's an easy thing to do and I'll tell him so! ;)

Earlier in the week the weather was fine and warm and I spent a good amount of time outside with goats and horses. Ben


 and Jerry


 are shedding out and looking a little moth eaten.



 The horses too are still floating clouds of loose hair, but it is getting better.





 As you can see, life is pretty relaxed and easy this spring. Each and every one of us is enjoying the warmer weather in our own way.

The garden had a few more additions, a bright and happy perennial corn flower names Amethyst in Snow,



 a Speedwell named Red Fox



 and Black Mondo Grass.



 I'm filling in some holes and as last year, testing to see what likes it here and what doesn't. I am delighted to report the Epimedium (aka Bishop's Hat or Fairy Wings), in the shade garden is showing signs of life and the Black & Blue Salvia is also growing. This plant was questionable as to its hardiness up here, but the heavy mulching in the fall seems to have done the trick, for now at least!

Parting shots: A horse and his goat.....


Step away from the camera, both of you!