The Hillhouse

As usual, there’s too much to do, too much to post about. But the tiny moments are what give our life its shape and color, so whether it’s newsworthy or not, I’m going to post an assortment of photos from the past week. From busking on Broadway in Saratoga to loading up on grain at the feed store and much in between, we keep ourselves busy.

Thursday was the first day of summer, and thankfully, after incredible amounts of rain lately, the weather was classic summer – with a bright blue sky decorated by random wisps of cloud, all at a perfectly comfortable 75 degrees. Elihu and I made the pilgrimage to Arnold’s Feed and Grain in an effort to both cut our costs and use locally grown grain to feed our flock. We had a lovely drive and stopped several times to admire our surroundings. On the way, we also stopped at the nursing home to visit Ace, the sculptor of the beautiful pieces that live in our garden. On the way home we found our road dead-ended at the local airport! This was too good to pass up, so we paid them a little visit too. When we got home we worked some more on our garden, then passed the evening watching the lightening bugs and jumping on the trampoline in the moonlight.

Elihu absolutely adores Austin.

Grandma says hello

A quiet moment with Maximus

Skin and feathers, all so soft

Later on Elihu plays recorder for Max

And then plays a game of tag with Austin. (See where Austin went?)

The Zen process of dishes. Must spend an hour and a half in dish-related labor each day. !

The blooming Locust tree branches pretty up our kitchen

A spent bottle of shampoo? Huh? Well, it’s only after five years here that we’ve finally used it up. (Yes, Elihu does wash his hair regularly.) A few years ago I took some comfort in this bottle having come from…

Skokie, Illinois!!   I’m over it now.

Boy’s play – outdoors

 Boy’s play – indoors

And boy’s play – on the street

4:20 somewhere…

One of those ‘quality of life upgrades’ – a bolt cutter. Everyone should have a pair.

The garden at first, with landscape fabric (a week away and I’ll lose the place to weeds if I don’t use it)

And now draped with Remay – a miracle poly cloth that protects against critters. It doesn’t look as romantic as a natural garden, but it works as a fence and is our greatest hope this year. The bolt cutter was used to cut the wire hoop frame underneath.

Sank up to my knees several times – actually panicked for a moment. Sticky stuff!

What resort is this?

It’s the private rooftop club at the Hillhouse! And here’s the rest of the view… garden, trampoline, apple tree to left. Note how our yard descends down the hill; it has three different terraced levels – including more yard below the garden.

Elihu loves Irik a lot, but we need to find him another home soon… Three roosters is two too many.

Peek a boo! This guy is part Jersey Giant, and he is the biggest chicken we’ve had yet. And he’s got feathered feet too. Cool.

Ace’s bird…

And Ace himself!

Love that Ace was wearing an ace, too.

Off to the countryside to the feed store. This is a magnificent view looking west across the mighty Mohawk River valley to the other side. Elihu can’t see well or far, of course, but somehow this vista got him – he really understood the distance it represented. He even saw that tiny puff of a tree on the ridge! Made me SO happy. This is not an average occurrence.

I got some binocs that work particularly well with one’s glasses on – and BINGO! Now he can see birds and views…

Mecca!

A good third less than at the commercial Tractor Supply. Plus it supports a local, family-operated business. Even with the gas, it was a big savings. Now we’re all stocked up.

Jim’s telling Elihu he thinks with a little leverage he might actually be able to handle a 50 pound bag. ! Mom’s not so sure…

Thanks, Arnolds! Very pretty place you got.

The nearest ‘city’ of Amsterdam, and its bustling downtown.

Loved this sign since I was a kid. It’s the city library.

It’s the Saratoga County airport! Woo hoo!

Ok, so my legally blind kid recognized the profile – and correctly identified – this plane as it taxied in on the tarmac. Crazy.

Mama loves vintage

mmm

Talk about the wind in your hair. !

Can you imagine??

Check out the word ‘experimental’ on the side. ?! Yeeps.

Something’s coming in

Beautiful in blue

Not a very glamorous job, but necessary. !

And a helicopter, too! That’s my dream – one day I have to know that feeling…

Back at home, Elihu surprises Mama! He himself only weighs 58 pounds, after all!

Chicken approved.