“Look Ma … no hands!” 😉
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 […]
Tasty Tuesday … Muhammara
Every time I’ve taken this dip to a gathering during pre-pandemic times, it was a huge hit! I’d venture to say that hummus is probably the most famous and popular one of middle eastern dips, judging from my experience in what people bring to gatherings […]
Happy Mother’s Day from my Garden!
Happy Mother’s Day from my Garden! What better place to be than outside on a lovely day. The garden is starting to show its most beautiful side during this time of spring. The heavenly fragrance of  lilac blossoms attracted the first western swallowtail of the season. […]
Up Close & Personal … The Female Black-Headed Grosbeak
In my last post I highlighted the male black-headed grosbeak. Here are some photographs of a female black-headed grosbeak. Her overall appearance is much more plain than her male counterpart. Her body is buff colored and her wings have white markings. The white stripes on […]
in cahoots with muddy boots 