life in a nutshell

It is a beautiful Thursday, mid-summer, in the Pacific Northwest.  I've spent the morning watering the garden and cleaning out my refrigerator.  I know, exciting.  One of my favorite morning routines is to pour my first cup of coffee and sit on the front step with my puppy.  He'll usually climb into my lap and we'll just watch the birds together. 

The weather has been perfect lately.  Mid 70's.  Sunshiney.  My garden is growing well.  I'm growing swiss chard which is yummy sautéed in butter with some garlic.  I've got peas, yellow beans, beets, Mexican squash, potatoes, lettuce, cilantro (already gone to seed), tomatoes (started from seed so they are just now beginning to blossom), and always rogue sunflowers and poppies that pop up all over.  The cherries on our tree are just about done for (overripe) and I'll probably just let the birds get the rest.  My chickens are fat and happy.  I gave them a few fresh peas straight from the vine this morning and they loved them.  Just three chickens and only one laying but I still enjoy them so much.

I have to work later today and I know it is going to be hot and miserable so I'm trying to relax and enjoy the calm.  I like my job but shifts can quickly become overwhelming in the peak of summer tourist season.  Tips are good so that is the silver lining.

Here's a phone shot of the Puget Sound yesterday.  There is Mount Rainier in the distance and a blurry cargo ship a little closer.

My pup and I got back on the trail together yesterday.  This was just his second time hiking since his whole flea/tooth infection debacle and we went further this time than last.  He's not always fast so I try to be mindful of that.  He's technically a "senior" now so we take it easy and slow when he needs to but for the most part you would barely notice.  He hiked for miles with me yesterday.  And at the end, we laid in the grass and watched robins and squirrels.

Last week on Independence Day I went downtown before the big parade and walked the street fair.  I got an apple strudel at Chris' Bakery and played around with my camera.  The carnival was in town too.  I watched the first little bit of the parade before leaving to go to the woods.

Here's one of the paths in my favorite woods:

I mentioned there are poppies growing in my garden.  These are a result of one poppy that popped up a few years ago (brought by bird?) and subsequent poppies show up every year in greater number.  I love the flowers so I don't mind, I just have to pull the plants early so I have fewer of them.  Anyhoo, I recently brought a lone poppy petal inside and played around with some macro photography.  I love the delicate curves and the soft colors.

I had planted some mixed flower seeds at the beginning of the season and these are one of the varieties that came of it.  I don't know what they are.  But they are hardy and beautiful!  I like splashes of color in the garden.

Back out to hiking, this is a bluff on the west side of our island.  I will never get tired of this beauty.  I'm mean, really, it is perfect!

Down at west beach on a late afternoon.  The tide was high and the waves were coming in quickly. They made impressive crashes against the old bulkhead.  Plus, that sun!

That's all for now.  Until next time!

currently

reading...  Agatha Christie's The Crooked House

playing...  working on my viola skills.  It is so different than violin but also not so different.  The body is bigger, the notes are further apart on the strings, and it has the most beautiful deep, reverberating voice.  Haunting.

watching...  the last movie I watched was Coco and that took me two tries because I fall asleep so easily

cooking...  with my husband gone and my boys and I all working varying shifts it has been hard to maintain any sort of dedicated meal cooking.  Although last night I did make an actual square meal of baked chicken, mashed red potatoes, and salad.  The night before was Dairy Queen drive-thru at 10 p.m.  You win some, you lose some.

eating...  I had a turkey and bacon sandwich on nine-grain bread for dinner tonight

drinking...  recently made a sweet tea with a goji berry tea blend from a little shop in Port Townsend, it makes such a great summer iced tea!

doing... harvesting sweet peas from the garden daily, and picking fresh cherries off the tree.  This is usually done barefoot with chickens underfoot.  I love it!

going...  on a shopping trip tomorrow to buy supplies for our church picnic

enjoying...  my new computer.  It's so sleek!  Still learning all of it's capabilities.  I'm really thankful to my husband for making me promise to get this while he was gone.

thinking...  my Aaron is coming home in 19 days.  19 more sleeps.  Gah, I miss him.

feeling...  capable and strong.  And really, really tired.

listening...  Justin Timberlake, Man of the Woods album

celebrating...  my Charlie received a clean bill of health and is almost completely recovered from his vet visit.  He fell (or jumped) off my bed (I have a very tall bed) in the middle of the night and threw up on my bed in the morning but I am thinking he'll be ready for an easy hike in another day.

smelling... my favorite woods have all the best smells.  The scent of the salt water drifts through on the breeze.  And on a sunny days the air is sweet, like berries.  I can't figure out why it smells like warm berries but it is the BEST.

thankful...  That my boys are both excelling in their workplaces.  They're incredibly hard workers, dedicated and trustworthy.  It makes a parent feel good.  They've both been employee of the month this year and are constantly receiving amazing feedback. Onward and upward my boys!

planning... a girls' weekend with my bestie next month.  We're going to celebrate being 40!!  We've been friends since we were 11 so this has been a long time coming.  And neither of us acts 40 so it ought to be a riot.


That's all I've got for now.  Until next time!