100 Year Old Cookstove Installed!

We returned for a quick overnight so that Steve could finish installing the wood-burning cookstove. Here are some pics...it really looks awesome in person! Also, it works great - heats the room, and we cooked some pizzas in it for dinner. We were able to boil water on top of it relatively quickly, too. One of these days, I will attempt a Thanksgiving turkey...(maybe after we get the guest cabin built).

Pumpkin Carving at the Cabin

The weather was beautiful...cool, but clear. The boys carved jack-0-lanterns which were spooky-cool around the campfire. Steve got the stovepipe through the kitchen ceiling, ready to accept the 100 yr. old wood cookstove. More pics on that to come.

Shelley's new bike

Here are some pics of my new bike - it is awesome! Did I mention that is rocks, too? It kicks butt...I can SLAM it into the corners and rail the gnarliest of trails, both up and down. Trail users be warned...GET OUT OF MY WAY!

Thanks for the perfect anniversary present, sweetie!

17th Anniversary!

Hard to believe it has been 17 years...I love you, baby!

Labor Day Weekend

The weather was OK...a few showers on Saturday, Friday and Sunday were decent. The boys went fishing at nearby Howell Lake, and caught 2 trout, and several carps (carps were thrown back).

The pizza oven was put into operation, and the results were...delish!

We decided to leave on Sunday afternoon, as bad weather was expected to move in. I got in some GREAT mt. bike rides over the three days...check out my video channel at www.vimeo.com/channels/michellemoye to see the fun.

The Earth Oven Survives First Meal

It was the moment of truth...after several months of planning, building, rebuilding, repairing and rebuilding again, it was time to actually cook something in the earth oven. Guess what - it worked! Steve made breadsticks, a pizza, and "overnight oatmeal" (that one was not a complete success, but Tony enjoyed it for breakfast).

Rex's friend, Cameron joined us for the weekend...he has been to the cabin a few times before, and always enjoys the campfires and playing by the river. We all had a great time!

The Pizza Oven Chronicles - Part III

Although the second edition of our pizza oven looked great when we left it 2 weeks ago, it had several major cracks upon our latest visit. Apparently, the PNW climate is not the best for clay ovens (duh). I suggested removing the damaged clay dome and replace it with a brick structure, but Steve decided to give it one last attempt. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

Steve borrowed Bill's tractor and most of the weekend was devoted to grading/leveling certain areas, and making a spot for the future hot tub and guest cabin. He really got a lot done - thanks, Bill!

The boys biked, swam, hiked and read. Mom went on some gnarly trails, and even saw a bear (6th one this season!) All in all, a great weekend.