A couple of weekends back, a family that is historically associated with the house in which Martha's Vineyard West is operated came to McMinnville for a family reunion. One of the direct descendants of an early owner, Brian R. stayed with us at MVW and enjoyed several days of the family gathering and touring throughout the Willamette.

We are declaring the recent heat wave to be finished. A very good time to visit us in the Willamette Valley. The gardens are blooming, the wineries are welcoming and MVW would be happy to host you! Fresh fruit for breakfast is a special draw during these summer weeks. We have fantastic raspberries and blueberries of local provenance served daily. It is also lavender season for beautiful blooms.

June is here. Things grow apace, but the weather remains a bit dicey. However, Martha's Vineyard West is never deterred from adding to the wonders of the back yard. Fish have been returned to the circulating pond and a new greenhouse has arrived and been put in place. A visit to Macminnville's Saturday Market for the garden fair resulted in the purchase of this greenhouse. I bought the display item from Solargems and the staff delivered it at the end of show and installed it as well.

Willamette Valley weather has been decidedly unpredictable this last week. Today, we have had cool temperatures, occasional hail, rather persistent cold showers and a few flashes of sunshine. Everything is really green, but too cool to be outdoors in shirt sleeves.
The garden is 'in the ground' as of this morning. I look forward to summertime chard, spinach, little bitty carrots, radishes, green beans, tomatoes, eggplant, snap peas and the usual array of cooking spices. I am glad, however, that the planting beds are raised--I can reach them without crippling effect.

The forecast promises great things, but the daily weather doesn't jibe with the forecast. Don't know what that means about prospects for the summer climate conditions.
More forward movement on 'getting ready' for visitors. The window washers came today, the eaves trough cleaners tomorrow. Gardening continues apace.

Some of you may know that I work at Vista Hills with the great team up there. My specific assignment relates to the Clint Foundation. The Foundation helps support students working their way through college by designating 10% of all profits to the foundation. The Foundation's philosophy is 'pay it forward'. A student earns dollars that are matched by the foundation and then double matched by the participating schools of which there are 12 spread across the US. I enjoy working with the students and the foundation and also enjoy time helping in the Treehouse at Vista Hills.

So, I sent out a post from Jesse's entry and it is now posted as his blog. I am sorry about that and take full responsibility for all content mistakenly issued in that last posting. Hope this is right this time

The end of May will see Linfield graduates going forth to new times in their lives. Several families are scheduled to be at Martha's Vineyard West for that weekend. This weekend also coincides with Memorial Day weekend, so hostess Martha will also be busy with an Open House at Vista Hills Vineyard. It promises to be a busy and beautiful weekend in the Willamette Valley.