Wildflowers - Mullein

Many of the summer wildflowers are in bloom on our property and two types of Mullein are currently blooming. The Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria) are both members of the Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) family and are non-native invasive species that have naturalized in the United States.

Common Mullein can grow to 6 feet tall or more. Its small yellow flowers are densely grouped on a tall stem.



A close-up view of the Common Mullein flowers.



Moth Mullein gets its name from the resemblance of its flowers' stamen to that of a moth’s antennae. While the Common Mullein is easy to locate due to its tall thick stem, Moth Mullein is shorter with a very thin stem. There are two color variations Moth Mullein in our area, white and yellow.

The white Moth Mullein is the most common variation in our area.



While not as easy to find, yellow Moth Mullein can be found growing side-by-side with the white variety.

Turtles

This time of year it isn't unusual to see adult Eastern Painter Turtles (Chrysemys picta picta) walking through our yard looking for a place to lay their eggs, but I almost mistook this baby turtle for a stone while mowing my lawn.



Even climbing over mushrooms was a challenge.



This little guy is an exact scaled down version of an adult.



Blades of grass seemed like trees to this little guy.



After a few photos I gave this little guy a ride to our cabin and released him in a pond full of turtles.

Peeping Frog

While watching TV in the basement "man-cave", I suddenly realized I was being watched by a visitor on the other side of the sliding glass door.



It had been raining for most of the evening and a Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) had jumped onto the glass door and stayed there for over an hour. Maybe the frog like the TV show ...



Or, maybe the frog was after the bugs, attracted by the room light and  on the window.

Hopkins' New House

With the concrete work complete on the porch of Brian & Tish Hopkins' new house, the stonework around the front door was added. Cardboard used to protect the front door is still in place.



Inside the house, most of the kitchen cabinets and trim-work is installed awaiting the installation of the counter top. 

Hopkins' New House

The concrete crew was at Brian & Tish Hopkins' new house to pour the garage and porch floors.



Garage floor.


Front porch.

Chuck & Nikki's Wedding

On May 25th, 2014, our son Robert C. Beebe Jr. (Chuck) and Nicole Carpenter (Nikki) were married on a hilltop vista on our property. Both Chuck and Nikki are professional meteorologists and must have done some long range planning over a year ago to select this perfect day for a wedding.(photo by Michael Gard)
 


Nikki and Chuck sharing their wedding vows.



Planting an oak tree at their wedding site.



Nikki in a field next to the wedding site. (photo by Mark Davis)



Following the wedding ceremony, Chuck and Nikki traveled to the reception site at our barn on a John Deere "A" tractor.



The new Mr. & Mrs. Beebe.



Chuck and Nikki greeted at the reception by Chuck's Grandfather.



Chuck and Nikki with Chuck's 98 year old grandfather, Henry Beebe.



Chuck and Nikki's  first dance as husband and wife.



Matt Beebe, Best Man and brother of the groom, toasting the new couple.



Time to party in the courtyard of the barn.




 The wedding celebration lasted into the evening  and   Nikki, accompanied by her three dogs, had some time to sit and talk with her aunt.  Tim Bell, a member of the wedding party, checked to see how the refreshments were holding out. (photo by Mark Davis)

At the ends of a Rainbow

The saturated ground was stating to dry out from yesterday's drenching rain and it was nice to see this double rainbow over the neighborhood.

Hopkins' New House

With the warmer/dryer weather, a crew was able to place the walls for the front porch foundation on Brian & Tish Hopkins' new house.



The front porch wall was back-filled, on both sides, and is almost ready for a concrete top.

Hopkins' New House

The installation of the ceramic tile in Brian & Tish Hopkins' new house continued as a worker cuts pieces of tile to size.



Finished ceramic tile in the master bath.



More supplies arrived and are stored in the garage area waiting for installation. A shipment of interior doors.



Molding and trim.

Hopkins' New House

The construction of Brian & Tish Hopkins' new house has moved into the finish work stage as crews install the flooring.

Hardwood flooring being installed in the foyer area.



Installing the hardwood flooring in the dining room.



Installing ceramic tile in the master bath.



Work in progress ...

Hopkins' New House

There's an old saying about "watching paint dry ...", but it's another stage in the construction of Brian & Tish Hopkins' new house. With the interior  sheet-rock and spackling  complete, Brian & Tish are busy painting.   

View of the kitchen area. A stack of sheet-rock remains in the kitchen area until it can be installed in the garage.



Master bedroom and bath.



Bedroom.



First floor bath.

Has Spring Finally Arrived?

We have been tempted with a few spring-like days since the vernal equinox marked the first day of spring last month, but the warm days were soon followed by another visit of the polar vortex. The weather has been warmer in Anchorage, Alaska this spring than here on Joyce Road.

After a long cold spring the daffodils have finally managed to bloom.



The bumblebees are busy taking advantage of the first flowers of spring.

Hopkins' New House

With the back-filling around Brian & Tish Hopkins' new house complete, the siding crew was busy putting the finishing touches of the exterior of the house.



Most of the siding, gutters and downspouts are complete. Still some work to complete on the front porch and entrance.

Hopkins' New House

With some, but not all of the drywall hung in Brian & Tish Hopkins' new house, the spackling of the seams and joints has begun. Applying seam tape on the kitchen ceiling.



A view of the living room.