Waves rolling in Gulls circling overhead Tidepools exposed A giant ochre sea
All posts filed under: Nature
Fabulous Fermentation Festival in Portlandia …
Last Sunday I attended the Oregon Fermentation Festival. It was held at Kruger’s Farm on Sauvie Island, just north of Portland. Approximately the size of Manhattan, it is one of the largest river islands in the U.S., with lots of open space, parks, farms, natural areas for migrating […]
Lying in wait …
Camouflaged Ready to strike Anticipating Praying Waiting
Almost missed it … The Quilcene Community Garden
Last week, we took a quick trip up to the Olympic Peninsula. This was my first visit the area, and one of my favorite sights along the way was this Community Garden in the small town of Quilcene, Washington. Just as I noticed it out […]
A Murder of Crows and Mad King Ludwig …
Mad King Ludwig’s castle shrouded in mist the sky ominous, gloomy the sun invisible heavy grey clouds hug the mountains raindrops pelt this fairytale castle. The secrets, the questions, the rumors, the mysterious death, the demise, of King Ludwig intriguing to this day. Did he really and truly descend […]
It’s (almost) always sunny in Palm Springs
Our first winter escape to Palm Springs happened to coincide with the town’s International Film Festival. What a pleasant surprise! We love a little winter sunshine, which, when unknowingly combined with the film festival, turned out to be a lot of fun. We also enjoy movies, […]
See you later, Alligator …
Our winters here in the Pacific Northwest are generally a wet, overcast and grey skies kind of affair. There have been times, when the sun wasn’t visible for well over a month! The positive side of all the precipitation is, of course, lush beautiful forests, rivers, […]
Sun and Fun at the Sonoma County Fair
This summer, while visiting California, I got to enjoy the county fair with Rosalie and Ellya. One morning, the three of us climbed into the car and off we went! It was hot, the lines were long, but the excitement of seeing all the art, quilting, animal, […]
The Natural Wonders of the Laguna de Santa Rosa
My annual road trip to California always takes me back to Sonoma County. Having lived there for many years, it still feels like home every time I visit. The area has grown quite a bit, since we left more than twelve years ago. I still […]
Savoring Summer’s Sizzle
annual beach outing to collect sea shells daily evening walks on the forrest covered mountain garden alive with helicopter-like dragonflies and iridescent hummingbirds jam and jelly making kettle heats up the kitchen labels ready midsummer’s day night and day of equal length poppies quivering along roadsides sunflowers towering […]
Enchanting Minnewaterpark
Want to unwind and leave the crowds of Bruges behind? The visually stunning scenery and quiet solitude of Minnewaterpark in town is just what the doctor ordered! This medieval city boasts one of the most romantic parks I’ve encountered in my travels. Minnewater translates into “Lake of Love” and […]
Welgekomen te Brugge …
After catching our breath in Amsterdam for a couple of days, we hopped onto a train headed to Bruges. The setting alone is magnificent; add all the ancient architecture, the romantic canals dotted with graceful swans, the Belgium waffles, incredible beer and beautifully maintained parks, […]
Oh là là Oloron…
We had been traveling for just about three weeks by the time we arrived in Oloron St. Marie. This small town, located in the foothills of the Pyrenées Mountains, had been on our radar from the beginning. It’s an out of the way, quiet, not much happening […]
Don’t stop talking on my account…
This poem was inspired by one of the many hikes and explorations of Northern California my friend Greer and I have enjoyed over the years. Point Reyes is a spectacular place to go hiking. They also have a very affordable hostel, which costs a fraction of […]
Sublime Springtime
Azure Bee Bliss Sage Chartreuse Daffodils Emerald Frogs Hopping Iridescent Jade-green Kale Leaves Misty Nippy Overnights Peonies Quietly Re-emerging Showy Tulips Upright Vigorous Witch hazel Xanthous Yellow as we eagerly zing into spring.
Avian Food Bank
Morning, noon and night, Much to my delight, The suet, the seed and the water fountain, Turn me into a binoculared spectator on the mountain. Keeping an eye on the happenings out back, These fine feathered friends sure demand their snacks! Solitary warbler dressed […]
More Backyard Play in the Gorgeous Gorge!
After visiting the Columbia River Gorge with a out-of-town friend recently, I had promised myself, to not wait as long before going back again. Well, I am happy to report that I kept my promise to myself. Added bonus, my husband came along. It turned out […]
Don’t forget to play in your own Backyard!
A visit from a friend last week reminded me of how easy it is to neglect exploring one’s “own backyard”. It had been a while since I had ventured out to the Gorge. Along the historic Columbia River Highway are vast forests of moss and lichen covered trees, […]
in cahoots with muddy boots 