It was a toss-up this week (who'd become my 'header' picture) between a Chip(munk) and a Chick(adee). 
The 'Chip' won .. isn't he a handsome dude?

But I think the 'Chick' is equally cute.

Look at this fluffy feather-ball, with that 'bandit'-stripe over his eyes ..

They were both yelling their heads off while I was standing there taking their pictures .. they definitely wanted me to move on and get away from their territories/nests!

These pretty moths were quiet .. of course .. The first one is a Sphinx Moth ..

              And this green one is a Small Emerald ..

 

The meadows are full of flowers and the grasses are standing very high.

We saw a doe one evening, with what appeared to be a fawn behind her, but it was so well hidden by the tall grass that I couldn't get a picture!

These two does have been hanging around 'our' meadows for as long as we've been here.


One time, when I was sneaking up on them, they started to stamp their feet and snort at me! Yelled at by a deer .. that's a new one!

Also well hidden is Mr. Wile E. Coyote!

Always reason for frantically locating the cat .. oh good, he's inside, phew!

Smile for the camera!

James had some help .. well, for as long as it lasted ..
Miriam's brother Nathaniel had arrived from Florida, and was supposed to work for James throughout the summer.  
He seemed like a nice enough guy and a decent worker.

But after 5 days he determined it was too remote up here and he quit! 

James managed to get at least some of the two-men jobs done while he was here, like replacing the chimney pipes on the roofs.

He also got all the water-damaged drywall patches downstairs done.

Too bad,  I guess this place is not for everyone!
He might be back later in the season when his sister moves up here too. We'll see ..

We got a lot of the appliances and bigger materials in this week.

During another trip down the hill we got the doors:

And Home Depot delivered the tub, the toilets and the showers ..

See, James is putting the doors in ..

And I installed the insulation (fiberglass, brrr ..)

 And instead of one window above the tub ..

 

We now have two!

Sam and Pat were up this Wednesday, they drove their camper up from Louisiana, and they were very happy with the progress!
They thought everything looked very nice, also at Wet Gulch (they had not seen the barn or cleaned up shop yet). 

In fact, they're so impressed with us, that they already offered us a place to stay for free, anytime we'll be in the neighborhood in the future!
Always nice to hear, and it also means that we're definitely hired for building the new house at Wet gulch later this year, and through the coming winter!

Cha-ching! $$$ in the bank!