Get Out(side)!

One of the funny things about Portland weather is that it seems to be able to sense when you are ready to take outdoor pictures. It will be sunny and clear for hours, but the minute you step outside with your camera in hand, clouds roll in. Everything turns a shade of blueish-grey. The wind cuts through your lightweight sweater and knocks the bouquet of tulips off of the table. Rain drops threaten to obscure your lens. You manage through it, getting the shots you need as quickly as possible, then frantically moving everything indoors before the impending downpour hits. As soon as you've safely secured the last item in the dryness of your home, the sun breaks through the clouds again.


 Oh, Portland. After all these years you'd think I'd have learned.

Fortunately I did manage to get some pictures to share with you, though. Since installing the fence we've been spending as much time in the backyard as we can, both working and relaxing. We've torn out what seems like a thousand volunteer tree shoots, which are growing out of a complex root system. This involves not only digging, but hacking with a hatchet. Woo hoo! I've been taking advantage of the clear days and hanging laundry to dry on ropes I string between the giant trees, and am planning on getting a proper clothesline ASAP. Is there anything better than sleeping between sheets that were dried in the sun? I think not. Mr. Squatter kept a diligent eye on Craigslist, and managed to score us great deals on both a barely-used chiminea and a Vermont Castings gas grill. When Sunday came over and helped me paint (thanks again, pretty mama!), she saw the back and said, "this yard is screaming for a hammock!" She could not have been more right, and the one we got fits perfectly.

We're nowhere near done out there, but it's well on its way; after we put some plants in the ground it should be more than ready for entertaining. In the meantime, it's the perfect space for the two of us to relax and gorge ourselves on a grilled dinner after a long day of painting/ remodeling/ whatever the hell it is we do with ourselves. Throw in a game of washers and it's like Heaven on Earth. Well, Heaven in Squatsville, at least.

Like our own private campground

.

 

Chop Chop

Spot the Squatter

His View

Washers!

Killed Vinyl

We've been doing a lot inside, too, including painting and quilting among other things. Expect another post tomorrow, and feel free to injure me if I don't come through.