Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦

@summeroakes

🇨🇦Fantasy & non-fiction author, she/her, mother, grandmother, Holistic Herbal Therapist, Green Witch, farmer/grower, American Saddlebred horses. BC, Canada. Learning Gaeilge 🇮🇪.

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Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· 6d

A picture of a lock screen showing the time as 2:38 on Wed Aug 5. The photo is of a chestnut horse, the American Saddlebred stallion Renaissance Legacy.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· 6d

I’m sitting in the basement waiting for the laundry to finish instead of working in the garden. It’s smoky here again today.

Smoke surrounds the old wooden building; nobody will be sitting in the blue chairs today.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· 12d

I’m calling it a day here on the farm where I can barely see across the driveway because of the #wildfire smoke that's blown in tonight. Elke needs her late night walkies but I’m sure she’ll be quick about that! See you again soon friends, stay safe.

This is a photo of Elke, a black and rust Doberman.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· 13d

This is what I but. It’s delicious and the only ingredient is peanuts.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· 25d

Greetings all. I’ve been on a social media/computer break this week dealing with some major work on the farm. I wish there were more hours in the day! I’ll be back around and catch up with you as soon as I can.

A sign says If Wishes were horses, I’d have a stampede.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jul 8

Lawns around here typically die down. I don’t waste water on lawns, you can’t really kill the grass that’s growing on them, it will turn green again when the weather turns and then I’ll be stuck mowing again!!

A black metal table and chairs with a purple pot of flowers sits on a dried grass lawn.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jul 8

As I prepare to call it a night there’s a candle in the window calling home the one I love.

Shining in the window a candle glows to call my beloved safe home to me.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jul 8

It’s late and I’m hungry so I’m having a bit of supper. (Yeah, yeah, I know, that’s what friends are for brat! 😂

Two pieces of white bread are being made into a tomato sandwich. Its all sitting on a white plate with blue trim.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jul 7

We’re seeing #wildfire smoke here on the farm this morning and while this makes for a pretty picture I’m leaving Elke indoors and I’m wearing a mask to work outside.

An aged wood building sits on the edge of the yard, the two blue chairs in front of it add colour to an otherwise dull picture. In the sky above the scene smoke from a wildfire has tinged the clouds with pink.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jul 3

It’s late. Elke, my ‘I swear she’s part cat’ Doberdog, decided that she could go outside with me now that the rain’s quit & her feet won’t get wet so we’ve had our late night check of the farm. It’s quiet & all is good so I’m saying goodnight to you all. See you again soon.

A black and rust Doberman sits on a grey rug.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jul 2

I’m feeling sad this morning so I’m counting my blessings to remind myself that I live a blessed life. Standing on the deck with Elke beside me I can hear the magical sounds of Mayday Creek gurgling through the meadow below my house and it comforts me.

A small creek winds its way through tall grasses while meandering between a willow tree and a small stand of aspen trees.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jul 1

Happy Canada Day friends and neighbours!

A red an white Canadian flag is flying in a blue sky. The words Happy Canada d’eh are seen above it.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 30

There’s a candle in the window calling home the one I love.

Lighting the way home…A brightly lit candle sits on a table in front of a window. The white blind is open behind the candle showing its reflection in the glass.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 29

And now for something a little different… A Thymely Murder, a cozy murder mystery from Summer Oakes, author of the popular The Hidden Island trilogy and the five star book of poetry The Morning Witch.

This is the book cover for Summer Oakes new cozy murder mystery ‘A Thymely Murder’ coming late this year.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 28

Is Mercury Retrograde?

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 27

It’s decidedly cooler here on the farm today so I’m going to be doing more of the much needed yard work. Elke won’t be much help but she can keep an eye out for approaching wildlife. Back in a bit.

A black and tan Dober dog looks out a garden gate where a flower pot holds marigolds.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 24

I spotted this plant hiding behind one of the shops here. It looks rather familiar but I don’t know what it is. Any ideas anyone? 🌱

A leafy green bush is half hidden under some evergreen trees. I think it might be a rhododendron or azalea but I really don’t know.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 24

There’s lovely shade in the backyard where I’m sitting, hoping to cool down a bit. Elke is keeping me company.

A black and tan Doberman is resting on the grass and pretending that she’s been working as hard as I have been! lol

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 22

I’ve been up since before the crack of dawn but haven’t stopped for brekkie yet so I’m off to the kitchen now! I’m sure this gal, who, even though she was was fed on time, will want a snack too!! lol

A black and tan doberman sits on a tan floor in front of a bbq. She’s probably thinking of future snacks! This is Elke.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 15

Greetings all. I had an unpleasant interaction with some sort of insect a few days ago and it was rather nasty. Dtr is on her way out to help plan a new herb garden so I’ll get back to you after and tell you more. Meanwhile, I’m finally able to make Soda bread again.

A loaf of Irish Soda bread fresh from the oven. It’s in a cast iron frying pan sitting on a metal rack while it cools.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 12

Some black and tan four legged being was just caught trying to grab the cheese from my morning snack! (Elke)

A rectangular shaped price of mozzarella cheese is laying on a white and blue plate beside two pieces of toast. This is obviously not meant to be a doggy snack!

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 6

There’s a lazy wind blowing and it’s as cold as October! A storm is coming in from the west, I’m back inside to warm up a bit before hopefully getting some more squash planted. Meanwhile Elke has parked herself in front of the heater.

Dark storm clouds are hanging above the evergreens and the large lilac bush beside the garage. Hopefully it’s rain with no lightning.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 5

This gorgeous tall beared #iris is blooming now here on the farm. It came in a group of Rainbow irises that I bought so unfortunately I don’t know its name. #Iris 🌱

A tall bearded iris in shades of pink with an orange beard is in full bloom.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 2

Elke has already called it a day and is sound asleep just where I can’t possibly move without disturbing her! I’m going to read for a bit (JD Robb’s latest) then call it a day myself. Wishing you all a good night, I’ll be around here again tomorrow.

A Doberman sleeps on a fake spotted rug beside her owner’s pink crocks. There is no way anyone can move without this dog knowing about it!

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 1

It’s not a pleasant looking day here on the farm. I got sunburned and too much sun yesterday so woke with a nasty headache and I’m definitely not rushing out to work in the gardens.

The old wooden building sitting on the edge of the lawn is under dark clouds. The two cheery blue chairs in front of it brighten the scene.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· Jun 1

I planted bush peas in this raised bed by the kitchen garden but they weren’t coming up very well. Turns out the Quail have been enjoying the seeds!

A quail is standing in a raised garden bed. There are trees behind it and a half barrel planter beside it.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· May 26

# 1 son recently moved back to the area. Today he brought me flowers and brought along a couple of steaks for the bbq.

A white vase with the words: ‘Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while but hold their hearts forever’ holds a bouquet of pink carnations. It’s sitting on a red table and there are blue and grey patterned drapes behind it.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· May 21

It was sunny when Elke and I first went outside this morning but it’s clouding over and looking stormy towards town. I’m going back out in a minute to do more lawn mowing. Happy to say that # I son is here and will do the driveway for me!

A dirt driveway passes between rows of green trees. There are fences on either side and a tall hill just beyond.

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· May 20

It’s one of those quiet mornings here on the farm where the only sounds are bird song and water rushing down the creek bed. I wish you were here to enjoy the day with us.

A black fox looks over his shoulder, words above him in the picture’s foliage say ‘Quietly, we’re taken back in time. We remember how it felt to be real, to know that we are all in this together.’

Summer Oakes- the Witch in the West 🇨🇦@summeroakes· May 17

It’s cool and damp here on the farm again today. It isn’t a great day for planting but it’s perfect for the ongoing garden clean up.