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 […]
Check it out! Caution … Rocky Road Ahead!
Yes, this was a real encounter! A few years back, on a short visit to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State I spotted this “Slow down” sign along a winding country road in the town of Sequim (pronounced Skwim). I sped up a little as […]
Up Close & Personal … The Varied Thrush
I’ll always remember the first time I spotted one of these birds! It was on a very cold winter morning in our garden in Portland, Oregon. I had to get the bird field guide out since I’d never seen this bird before and learned they […]
Tasty Tuesday … Black Beans with Mangoes
Of all the varieties of beans and lentils in the world I think black beans are my absolute favorite. They cook relatively quickly in the Instant Pot and also turn out great when simmered in the slow cooker. Don’t soak them if you want them […]
Up Close & Personal … The Western Swallowtail Butterfly
It’s getting hot here in the Pacific Northwest! Much of the western United States is dealing with excessive heat right now. Yesterday, it was 125° Fahrenheit in Palm Springs!! While most people wilt under these brutal conditions, butterflies and hardy wildflowers come alive! Long ago […]
Happy Friday from my quiet Creative Space!
If it’s Friday, this is where you’ll find me! A few years ago I signed up for a watercolor class and fell in love with it. It took a lot of practice and patience to improve my paintings. For much of 2020 I didn’t paint […]
Tasty Tuesday … Savory Corn Cakes
Early last year I stocked up my pantry with all kinds of things I don’t usually buy. “Those things” would be a few canned vegetables! Since it wasn’t clear how this whole pandemic thing would work out, I thought better safe than sorry, especially as […]
Sunday Zen … Our Newfound Freedom
… Space … … Sand … Sun … Surf … … to my left … … to my right … … high-up in the sky … a kite … … some people quietly delight … … in all of nature’s might … … crashing waves […]
Happy Friday from my Plum Tree!
The year after planting this plum tree we got a bumper crop of fruit! But ever since, when the tree awakens in the spring there are lots of blossoms, but no fruit. Nontheless, I love this tree! It provides nectar for hummers and mason bees […]
Hummingbird Magic!
A little cleaning, a little preening, there really are moments when these very active birds sit still. 🙂
Tasty Tuesday … Roasted Leeks, Garbanzo Bean & Farro Salad
When I recently noticed this salad recipe in the NYT and realized that I had all the ingredients in the house, I just had to make it! It was every bit as delicious as the recipe sounded. We love leeks, garbanzo beans and of course […]
Sunday Zen … Ripples!
… raindrops … … gently falling … … tiny surface waves … … forming … … expanding … … gliding … …each identical … yet different … … intermingled … … separate … … tranquil … … never-ending … … ripples … … drip […]
Happy Friday from my Garden!
This Western Swallowtail has taken a liking to my Korean lilac bush. It visits every day and always heads straight for these fragrant blossoms. Just take a look at the proboscis covered in pollen! I watched until it disappeared into the woods along with the […]
Up Close & Personal … The Pileated Woodpecker
A couple of days ago, as I was walking past a stand of trees at the park, I heard a rather loud and insistent hammering sound. “Woodpecker!” I told myself and slowed down as I quietly followed the sound. I peeked through some branches and […]
Tasty Tuesday … Non-Traditional Vegetable Tagine
When the Zendog and I lived in Germany long ago, we’d often hop on the train to somewhere for a quick get-away: Paris, Amsterdam, Annecy-sur-lac, Avignon, Geneva … You name it! Back then, I had a fabulous job with great hours. I worked eleven 24-hour […]
in cahoots with muddy boots 