While I Was Away

...my home won an award.  Can you believe that?  I'm not being boastful but really I win an award while away?  Chuckling at that fact.

J and I drove all the way to Northern California to drive thru a tree.   I'll post photos on that later.  It was while we were at Crater Lake that my home won an award.  I would say house but the the sign in my front yard says "home".

In case you can't read the sign it says "Home Pride Contest Winner 2013".   Funny I didn't enter the contest.  I know they were out taking photos of various houses all summer long and as late as week.  The photo they took of my house I can see was done while I was away because my hose wasn't rolled up and I was having my neighbors water my plants for the three days I was away.  J took these photos today of our house.

I'm so happy to see today in my garden near my rosemary bush that the violas and nasturtiums are coming back!  Okay so yes I was pleased about the award.  Didn't expect to win.  Didn't know I'd also get a prize.

I found stuck in my door in an envelope a certificate for me to pick my prize from the four offered:  3 piece patio bistro set, bbq gas grill, 24 inch LCD TV, or a 7 inch tablet.  I went for the tablet as it is portable and won't cause an overage on household goods weight when we move next time.  Oh and I already have two tvs (CRT but that is just fine with me), patio furniture though old it still is functional, and we have a bbq grill.  J was the one that told me that since I had been wanting a tablet I should check off that box.

Tomorrow if I'm feeling more up to it I'll post photos of our three day trip to Crater Lake, Redwood Forest, and lighthouses on the Oregon coast.  For now I need to go put my feet up as the arthritis in my left knee is acting up.

Side note:  Picked my first Yukon Gold potato before vacation from my garden in back of the house.  I didn't plant potatoes this year but must have left one behind from last year's planting.  I'm good with free potatoes any time!