The seasons of my yard

Early Spring

Early Summer

Late Summer

Early Fall

There will not be an early Winter picture. It's simply too depressing.

Attempting to save me from sinking into a deep(er) state of melanchol-iness, Glynn took me on a date tonight. There's a vast difference between simply going-out-to-eat and going-out-to-eat-while-on-a-date. I needed the later and Glynn came through like a knight in gleaming armor.

Olympia has a little gem of a restaurant named Gardners's. This delicious wild Alaskan salmon with huckleberry butter plus a side of four cheese scalloped potatoes and ending with a macadamia caramel tart succeeded in dispelling much of the melancholy pall.

Discussing relationships, Glynn mentioned how angry he becomes when his male acquaintances refer to their wives and girl friends as 'my old lady'.

"I have never, ever called you that." He said. "I call you my bride". (What a guy!) "In fact, shortly after Nick married Courtney," he continued, "I told him that if I ever heard him refer to Courtney as 'my old lady', I'd slap him."

Nick learned from the master. He treats his wife with nothing but respect.

Back to the melancholi-ness.... I added this page to my art journal as I found comfort in the quote:

'The soulless have no need of melancholia.'

Step on the brakes!

Otis, checking out the damage.

There was a bit of excitement at Lincoln Creek Lumber right at closing time last night. A customer inadvertently hit the accelerator instead of the brake and nearly drove right into the store! Thankfully, no one was hurt and, amazingly, Glynn said after cleanup today, no merchandise was damaged. The gentleman who is responsible for the mess stopped by today wanting to help with cleanup. I'll bet he's glad he didn't let his auto insurance lapse!

My work week was a busy one so had no time to play in the back room. How dare work interfere with my crafting!

I've been eying an old piece of green burlap I've had in a drawer, not knowing what to do with it. One idea led to another and I put this little banner together last week and hung it up it today. It makes me happy!

Be creative

My favorite: Get away from the computer!

'Nuf said.....

Pumpkin love

Do not allow the above picture of these darling cherubs posing with their pumpkins to be your focus. Instead, please draw your attention to the tiny pumpkin resting at Aunt Jemima's feet. I'm sad to admit that this is the one and only pumpkin grown in my garden this year.

I planted two pumpkin plants mid June. Due to an excessive amount of spring and early summer rainfall, coupled with cooler than normal temperatures, the pumpkin plants languished all summer long. I would give them a cursory glance every now and then say to myself, 'how pathetic'.

On Sunday, as I ripped a plant out of the ground to add to my compost pile, I saw a minuscule flash of orange. There in my palm rested a shiny, radiant pygmy pumpkin.

What can I say?

Good for you, Little Pumpkin. Your perseverance in the face of questionable odds is noteworthy.

Living the good life

We met our bff's, Craig and Kathleen, at Pacific Beach for a getaway. This stretch of coast is not popular for some unknown reason and it lacks (thankfully) that tourist feel. There are no dunes to contend with so beach front rentals have an unobstructed view of the ocean. Sadly, the rental property I booked did not have an ocean view. But the property was charming and extremely comfortable. I've had 'The Coastal Nest' bookmarked for the longest time, having stumbled upon it while reading a random blog.

A link to The Coastal Nest: http://www.coastal-nest.blogspot.com/

The weather Gods were smiling upon because it only rained at night and sun breaks accompanied our beach walking each day. We were even able to shed our coats and walk the beach in our shirtsleeves - an uncommon occurrence on the beach in Washington in October!

Glynn and Craig driving alongside Kathleen & I as we walked the beach. I have no words....
Here is Glynn, my Prince who spread his coat on a piece of driftwood so we could enjoy the view.
Friend, Fran, allowed me to sort through her mother's button tin and take what buttons I wanted. What a pal! I already have a huge inventory of old white buttons so I chose various colored buttons. This button tin houses warm memories for Fran as she remembers running her fingers through it as a child. I think we all have treasures that represent precious memories of relatives and friends who had a huge impact on our lives. I'm very sentimental and hoard more than a few of some such treasures!
Thus far, I have seven strips sewn of Steph's quilt. I told her I like it enough that it may end up gracing one of my beds instead of hers!

And last, recent art journal pages:

I'm heading to visit my sister in Redmond, OR for the weekend. Girl time/sister time is the best.

Dreams really do come true

The candor and spunk of 13 year old Rachel Crow made me cry. Her singing voice is amazing. But it is her attitude that won my heart & stirred the audience into a frenzy.



Six family members live in a two roomed house with one bathroom. When asked what she would do with the 5 million dollar prize for winning the talent competition she replied, "My family has no money. I'm a girl. We need another bathroom!" Nothing like putting it out there for the all the world and Universe to hear!

And why not? What is there to lose?

Oh, to recognize opportunity and then be courageous enough to follow through with growing a passion... that's living life!

Easing into fall....

We had a week of glorious weather before the mornings became nippy and that feeling of 'fall is in the air' hit us. As always, my sunflowers make me smile. Notice the variety.


Nick, Courtney and Cooper paid an overnight visit. After long last, Cooper walks and he is into EVERYTHING! I bought these pants for him, thinking they looked a bit small. It turns out they are a toddler version of skinny jeans! They fit perfectly and showcase his cute little butt.

We are keeping our fingers crossed that his little bowed legs will straighten now that he's walking. When pressure is applied to soft toddler bones, they reshape themselves, so say the experts.... who won't even give a consultation on bowed legs until a child is at least 2 years old!


Courtney and I headed south to Adna, Rochester and Littlerock to go junking this morning. We saw plenty of treasures/possibilities but I used restraint. My house is full. I feel the urge to redecorate some spaces so I'll be on the prowl soon enough.... Here is a fun shed in Rochester filled with delightful (my word) junk (Glynn's word).

Look at this cool dude. The artist has an incredible eye for first visualizing then creating sculptures of people and animals out of old metal tools and implements.

My art journal page for the week...