tempestuous sea frantically flapping wings playful dogs running, chasing … … catch us if you can …
Up Close & Personal … The Golden-crowned Sparrow
Last week I spotted a rare visitor to my garden! Golden-crowned sparrows spend winters along the Pacific coast. By mid-May they migrate to Western Canada and Alaska where they nest. They feed on seeds and insects below feeders and in underbrush. Moments later a second […]
Zunday Zen … Love, Peace and Support …
for all the Mother’s in this World Motherhood is not for the faint of heart! As a new mom we often feel lost and always tired. Back then “Google” and “Alexa” did not come to the rescue. It was mostly on-the job training. Which mom […]
Happy Belated Friday from my Garden!
These photographs were taken April 11 during Portland’s late and unusual snowfall. Most of my plants are very cold-hardy and have survived major ice storms. This late cold snap did damage a few plants, but they should recover with time. My little friend looked cold! […]
Hummingbird Magic!
Just hanging out and enjoying the view. Oops! Everybody poops! 😉 And then … it’s off to the next flower!
Tasty Tuesday … Ful Medames
Ful Medames is a Middle Eastern fava bean stew. There are probably as many variations as there are cooks in that corner of the world. I first learned about this dish from a friend who had been born in Egypt. She made it often and […]
Meditation in Moments … Low Tide Special
Right side up … … upside down … … one greedy gull going to town. Early February we had a delightful break with the rain. It gave us a chance to visit the beach for a couple of days and recharge our batteries. It was […]
Hummingbird Magic!
These tiny flying helicopters are so much fun to watch! And photograph! Especially when they sit still for a moment or two. 😉
Tasty Tuesday … Curried Quinoa & Cauliflower Bake
Cauliflower has always been one of my favorite vegetables. It’s a mild-tasting, versatile and keeps for a while in the refrigerator. Here is a quick and super easy casserole that uses cauliflower, shiitakes, quinoa and curry powder, all ingredients I love to cook with and […]
Hummingbird Magic!
Here’s a moment of Hummingbird Magic! Ever since putting out the flying saucer style feeders I’ve gotten more visitors. Our local bird store recommends mixing the nectar 1 part sugar and 3 parts water. This makes it more concentrated and nourishing during really cold weather. […]
Up Close & Personal … A Leucistic Chickadee
The chestnut-backed chickadee is the type of chickadee we usually get in our area. They always visit in small flocks and are quite “chatty” and animated. Last September I noticed a different looking bird in the garden. This mostly white bird behaved like a […]
Happy Easter from my snowy Neighborhood!
We had a delightfully snowy morning last Monday. I got up and raced out the door before even drinking my coffee! Our neighborhood was quiet and so peaceful! And I was smitten with this fun Easter Garden up the Loop. I’m not fond of the […]
Happy Friday from my Garden!
It’s been a strange week here at my house! Sunday night I felt like something was in my right eye. I didn’t think much of it until Sunday morning when the entire right side of my face started to hurt as if thousands of needles […]
Hummingbird Magic!
Black Magic Penstemon are hummingbird magnets! This rufous hummingbird is feasting … flitting from blossom to blossom … back and forth … up and down … and around and around … until it’s time to move on! 🙂
Up Close & Personal … Hairy Woodpecker Fledglings
Last summer we had a large number of woodpecker parents bringing their fledglings to our suet feeders. This year not so much! I suspect that it has probably been too hot for the birds too around here. It certainly has been way too hot for […]
Tasty Tuesday … A Pot of Beans two Ways
We love beans, but ever since getting a Instant Pot we love them even more. There just isn’t any comparison between freshly cooked dried beans and the canned ones from the store. Don’t get me wrong, canned beans are better than no beans at […]
Sunny … with a chance of poppies
Fluffy … puffy cotton candy clouds, sweet memories of times past. Warm summer days lazily drifting away like clouds in the sky. Prickly … tickly tall blades of grass, sweet memories of times past. Warm summer days lazily gazing through poppies up at the sky. The […]
Tidepooling at Haystack Rock
A minus tide last month had us back at the Oregon Coast. The weather again was just about perfect and the low water levels left much of the usually submerged rocks and sand accessible. We left Portland by 8 a.m. to arrive in Cannon Beach […]
in cahoots with muddy boots 