. . . Apple Blossom Press

Neighbors . . .

2012-03-20T11:16:00.001-07:00

Thought you might like a glimpse of a few
of our colorful neighbors,

who came by
this week. . .

red shafted flicker

pileated woodpecker

Happy Saint Patrick's Day !

2012-03-17T10:13:00.002-07:00

Mission San Xavier del Bac...

2012-03-14T15:45:00.000-07:00

It is called

"The White Dove of the Desert".

I loved how the thick walls kept it so cool inside the church...

This court yard brought back memories of the mission in San Juan Capistrano, California,

near where my grandparents lived...

Javalinas. . .

2012-03-13T16:06:00.000-07:00

Did you know that you can go to Patagonia without leaving the northern hemisphere?

There's a small eclectic town in southern Arizona called "Patagonia".

It's beautiful! The elevation there is a little higher than Tucson,

so you see lots of cottonwood trees and migrating birds!

We hiked through some beautiful land owned by

the Nature Conservancy.

While exploring

we saw our

very first

wild

Javalinas!

(..also known as peccaries)

They were cool! They reminded me of little pig-like hippos,

as they waded in the stream, eating and making little chortling, grunting sounds.

Here are a few pictures of them. . .

Arizona Critters...

2012-03-12T11:37:00.004-07:00

If you are ever in the Tucson, Arizona area,

check out The Sonora Desert Museum.

It's a great place to view the desert,

it's flora and fauna,

and
they have a great lunch place,

plus a fine art gallery.

The museum is an enjoyable feast!

Here are a few of the critters we had fun watching there. . .

bobcats

Antelope squirrel

coati

(...this guy is related the raccoon!)

...some big old lizard!

puma
(mountain lion)

. . . more Arizona birdies

2012-03-10T09:46:00.004-08:00

gambel's quail

cactus wren

vermilion flycatcher

a sleeping screech owl

Inca dove

goldfinch

pyrrhuloxia

Gila woodpecker

Phainopeplas. . .

2012-03-09T23:06:00.001-08:00

Before I went to Arizona,

I had never seen a phainopepla.

A phainopepla (said like "fain-oh-pep-la")

looks much like a cardinal in shape, but is a bit smaller.

The males have beautiful iridescent blackish feathers. They love to sing!

Often they sing borrowed songs from their neighboring bird friends. Mistletoe berries

are their favorite food. They will sit up in a tree and persistently guard their selected berry claim.

love

these birds,

with their messy

head feathers and their

varied musical taste!

A visit to southern Arizona...

2012-03-08T23:12:00.009-08:00

The Professor and I missed a week of frozen rain, we hear...

instead, we were adjusting to the brilliant sun light and

the warm temperatures of the Sonoran Desert.

It was a beautiful time of sandal wearing,

bird watching and guacamole eating!

Here are a few photos, of
what winter is like
in southern
Arizona...
(...birds and flowers, to follow soon...)

This was our "casa"...

Varied Thrush...

2012-02-23T09:22:00.000-08:00

This time of year,

we see these pretty ones.

Thanks for stopping by, guys!

Please do come again next year...

Lupine coming up...

2012-02-18T11:21:00.002-08:00

It's been a winter week of rain and clouds.

Little signs of spring prevail...

like these new lupines

coming up.

love

the way

they catch

the rain water.

A wee bit of color...

2012-02-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

This is for my friends

who are looking forward to spring arriving...

I believe this little grape hyacinth is saying:

"I'm back!"

Pieces of life...

2012-02-08T16:27:00.000-08:00

I have a crazy quilt

made by my mother's grandmother.

I get it out now and then, to enjoy its colors

and to re- roll it, trying to preserve its pieces of silk.

I never knew her, the quilt maker, but her story has been given to me.

As a very young girl, she left her home in Missouri, to travel with her family

in an ox pulled wagon, out to California along the Oregon Trail.

The story goes that on that trip her father carved his name on Independence Rock in Wyoming.

I went there once, with my family, to look for that name on the "stupendous mass of granite".

There were 1000's of carvings. It was one 100 degree day. We didn't find the name we sought.

Signs warned of rattlesnakes and it was revealed that somewhere down the line

"the hardy pioneer gene" missed me!

I was so happy to resume the drive in our air conditioned gas powered, fast moving auto...

but it is a very good memory, none the less.

As I hold the quilt,

I think of the woman who held it, the woman who made each pretty feather stitch.

I think of her looking up at the massive rock,

standing in that hot dry landscape,

feeling tired and thirsty.

And I was there,

thinking of her,

feeling

the same...

Ahhh, the lovely sunshine...

2012-02-06T15:14:00.000-08:00

We have been blessed

with a string of warm sunny days here in the Pacific northwest.

Shadows

are something we don't see often,

when clouds fill the sky.

This weekend,

the shadows were back

decorating the town...

The clouds that came by today...

2012-02-02T22:26:00.000-08:00

 The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.  

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The first of February...

2012-02-01T17:56:00.000-08:00

The New Year always feels well underway when February arrives.

The hope of spring begins to show

and

flowers appear in some surprising places . . .

Clear Water. . .

2012-01-27T22:59:00.000-08:00

When the weather is warm,

the water in Puget Sound is blooming with algae.

As winter settles in, it becomes beautifully clear and refreshing...

but don't be fooled!

Icy cold it is!

Way too chilly for swimming, I'd say...

unless you are a Merganser duck.

The calm after the storm...

2012-01-26T22:54:00.000-08:00

It was rainy, and blustery, yesterday through last night.

Today the waters returned to calm.

The birds were singing louder . . .

. . . and my heart joined in under the beautiful blue sky!

A beautiful day for a walk, yesterday . . . today the rain is back!

2012-01-24T11:47:00.000-08:00

I wonder if anyone will take credit...

2012-01-23T14:11:00.000-08:00

Icicles...

2012-01-19T18:30:00.000-08:00

According to 'weather underground', it's a little over 26 degrees F outside right now...

it was predicted to warm up a bit more today,

but we received another inch, or so, of snow

and it never reached above freezing.

We hardly ever get icicles...

so I've been very happily excited to watch some nice icicles

grow on our eaves over the last two days!

Several times today I thought it'd be fun to break off a few

to build an Andy Goldsworthy type little sculpture...

but I wimped out and chose to linger by our fire for most of the day.

It was nice and cozy there...and good to have my professor home,

as the university was closed again today.

These days have been an unexpected happy holiday.

A Quiet Day in the Neighborhood...

2012-01-18T19:19:00.000-08:00

Today schools and many businesses were closed.

It was very quiet on the streets.

The sound of happy young ones sledding and romping in the fresh white powder

echoed under the gray sky... a beautiful winter's day.

Beautiful snow today...

2012-01-17T22:27:00.000-08:00

The first fall of snow is not only an event,

it is a magical event.

You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different,

and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?

J.B. Priestley

The English Teacher

2012-01-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

...and she is now an English teacher!

She has always loved books,

had a way with words,

and entertained us

with her writing.

This is my Sara...

The Philosopher...

2012-01-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

Last week was my son's birthday.

Daniel turned 24.

When my children's birthdays come around,

I have a tradition of finding a quiet moment to look back through their years,

enjoying their old photos.

It brings me such a sense of thankfulness and joy.

It's been such a privilege to share this life with them
and to watch their lives unfolded...

While in college,
Daniel tried several majors, finishing with two degrees-

Biology and Philosophy.

As I was perusing his photos, it struck me...

there he was, even in his youngest years

a biologist and philosopher.

What a wonder life is....

The Legacy of a Smile...

2012-01-08T14:40:00.000-08:00

I remember seeing that same smile almost everyday, as I grew up... We had our moments, like when she told me not to spill my black India ink on the brand new green carpet, and I did...a whole new bottle of it....but she forgave me. Then there was the puppy I gave her, and my father, that ate her favorite shrubs to the ground, and chewed up all of the porch molding, even after it had been brushed with cayenne pepper sauce....but she came to say she loved that dog. I often dressed too sloppy for her taste, let my bangs grow too long to cover my eyes and I questioned her traditions, but she still loved me.

I made her sad when I moved far away, but as the years went by I became a mother and I began to understand that she had loved me faithfully, even when I was trying to be my own new independent self. I wish to tell you today, mom, 'thank you' for all of your love...and thank you for smiling so much...I close my eyes and that is how I see you...with a beautiful happy smile greeting me at the door.

Thank you God for my mom...Happy Birthday to my dear sweet wonderful Mother...I love you!

A New Year...and a new day...

2012-01-01T14:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas... a week ago already!

The calendar of retail would say it's history - time to plan a spring wardrobe now...
...and I have trouble flipping the switch to 'off ' so quickly.

I like the calendar that says: it's the middle of the 12 Days of Christmas... called Christmastide.

At the end of the twelve days is another celebration called the Feast of Epiphany.

When something as wonderful as Christmas comes around,

I'm all for celebrating and feasting some more...

...how about you?

A very Happy New Year, to everyone, too!

Advent . . . waiting for something wonderful . . .

2011-12-03T19:41:00.000-08:00

Sometimes slow is good...

2011-11-30T09:58:00.000-08:00

A lucky survivor . . .

2011-11-25T10:03:00.000-08:00

Giving thanks today . . .

2011-11-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

via jean millet

Today in Seattle . . .

2011-11-23T12:27:00.000-08:00

No snow last night...just a dusting of frost

2011-11-19T09:31:00.000-08:00

Maybe snow tonight...

2011-11-18T22:02:00.000-08:00

It's just above freezing outside tonight...about 34 degrees, right now...

They say we may wake up to snow tomorrow.

It'll be our first snowfall for the season

(if it comes).

still get

excited at the thought of snow.

I was twelve years old when I first saw it fall out of the sky.

I think I'm still twelve years old tonight...

The colors linger...and brighten the day

2011-11-14T16:41:00.000-08:00

Local Mail...

2011-11-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

When we were new to Seattle,

I enjoyed seeing the creativity expressed

in everyday things...like the local mail boxes.

They were well weathered by the the abundant rain . . .
I took note, for I had never seen that before in southern California.
I love these salmon, ferry boat, dinghy and orca icons
of the Pacific northwest!

(...these photos were taken in the old days, on film...)

Tree Street

2011-11-07T08:54:00.000-08:00

"Winter, spring, summer or fall... you've got a friend..."

(one of my favorite streets, in our old neighborhood)

The Rabbit Road...

2011-11-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

Back when I was a young'n,

on many a weekend, my family and I,

would pack up into our copper colored Chevrolet

(the kind with those pointy wings),

and we would head towards a little town called San Juan Capistrano.

Both sets of my grandparents lived there, in that town,
along with many of my aunts and uncles and cousins.

It was a small "one corner market town" back then...
lots of orange groves and open spaces.

My grandma, on my father's side,

(who had raised six sons, and one daughter),

would often cook us a wonderful dinner.

After we were all happy and stuffed,

dusk would approach, and my father would ask grandma,

if she would like to go for a ride.

She always seemed very happy to accept... and us kids

would squeal and beg for my dad to drive us down the "Rabbit Road"!

(There was no real road officially given that name,

just one of my dad's inventions, but the name stuck,

and it became the real official name to us.)

To add to our excitement -

Dad would offer a prize, like a chocolate malt, or a banana split,

to the first person who spied a rabbit!

You can imagine how crazily we looked

out of the car windows in that old Chevrolet!

We would see cottontail bunnies, jack rabbits,

and
every now 'n then, a deer, or the best ever - a herd of deer!

There always was a winner...

and if I am remembering correctly -

most often the winner was...
you guessed it,

my dad!

(I must add, he generously shared his malts and banana splits!)

I love seeing deer...

2011-11-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

...maybe this one didn't like getting its picture taken!

Happy November, friends!

2011-11-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

Trees of autumns past, at Green Lake....

2011-10-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

2011-10-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

"Looks like a birch tree," says the professor...

Orange at Green Lake...

2011-10-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

We have a pretty lake park just north of our downtown.

It's a nice walk around the lake, a little under three miles.

This time of year the trees put on a wonderful show!

I have my favorite trees there, at Green Lake.
Do you have favorite trees?
Here, I'll introduce you to one of mine...
(...sorry, I don't know it's name yet-
I'll ask my biologist,
when he gets home-
he has a botany
minor).

2011-10-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

It was just little Gus.

Maybe with his droopy ears, and coat of brown,

the goats thought he was perhaps one of them!

Do you like goats?

2011-10-28T10:11:00.000-07:00

I've always liked watching goats.

I don't know why.

They don't move much. They chew a lot.

There's just something about them that makes me smile.

I was standing there watching these three -

when suddenly they were startled!

(Tomorrow I'll show you what came along...

you'll smile.)

A blue sky day...

2011-10-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

Yay!!! The sun is out today!

(Sorry, I say this every time it happens, don't I?)

Well, it's those bright UV rays that travel into my eyes,

reviving the Californian in me ...

and making my heart sing!

Someone else is happy, too, and waiting for me to throw a frisbee...
Hope you all have a very good day -
finding something beautiful that makes your heart so happy
it feels like singing, too!

Have a happy Tuesday, everybody...

2011-10-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

Walking...

2011-10-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

The child in me, awakes, when I'm out walking.

I return home with my pockets full of treasures...

rocks, pine cones, shells and this time of year-

beautiful autumn leaves.

Remembering....

2011-10-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

My father was born 89 years ago today. It's hard to realize that it's been a little more than ten years already since we last talked. It was just me, and the Comforter, there by his side, when I said, "Good-bye, daddy..." and his spirit left for somewhere better...

Time Traveling...

2011-10-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

Dad was our family picture taker.

He loved photographing,

and I loved watching.

Dad taught me to look at the light.

Mom taught me to find the horizon.

I was hooked...

This slide was taken by my dad in the early 50's.

He and mom had a cross country adventure,

traveling from their home in California,

across the states, to the eastern coast.

I'm guessing this was taken in Arizona?

(...probably, no mushrooms out there!

Sorry, I digress.

It's the toadstools' fault.
They are taking over our yard...)

Today . . . finding beauty in the rain

2011-10-20T17:41:00.000-07:00

a blue sky day and autumn colors everywhere . . .

2011-10-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

an autumn favorite...

2011-10-17T13:25:00.000-07:00

flowers for Friday...

2011-10-14T12:05:00.000-07:00

...our garden is winding down for autumn...gotta love the late bloomers!

a full moon rising, behind the clouds, last night . . .

2011-10-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

...from last weekend on Whidbey Island

2011-10-12T16:43:00.000-07:00

Mount Baker to the north...

Looking east at Everett and the Cascades...

Low tide...

Looking south at Mount Rainier...

... and our pup having fun!

On Saturday, we took a ferry up to Whidbey Island,

to see some cousins that we hadn't seen for quite awhile.

They have been living and working in Africa.

It's always wonderful catching up and hearing about their lives.

into the island forest...

2011-10-11T11:27:00.000-07:00

island inspiration

2011-10-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

2011-10-07T10:40:00.000-07:00

This last weekend, my husband and I,

traveled up to one of Canada's Gulf Islands

called Salt Spring Island.

It's home to many artists and is an island

brimming with beautiful farms.

Their joyful community has a big heart

for sustainability and organic farming practices.

While we were there, the annual

Organic Apple Festival took place.

What a great time!

Over 300 varieties of apples

are grown on the island

and a good number of orchards

were opened to the public.

Amazing food and warm hospitality

were found at each of the farm stops...

...and the fresh goat milk gelato

is begging me to return!!!

2011-10-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

2011-10-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

Organic Apple Festival on Salt Spring Island

2011-10-06T22:21:00.000-07:00

A Tuesday thought...

2011-09-27T23:25:00.000-07:00

If only one out of ten United States Citizens 

planted just two fruiting trees, 

the world would be richer by 

nearly 6 billion pounds of fruit.
     

Rosalind Creasy

2011-09-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome !

2011-09-23T09:48:00.001-07:00

Calendar says today is the first day of Autumn.

The ripe apples, yellowing leaves and new chill in the air

are announcing that, too!

Looks like today is a good day for announcements -

so here it goes...announcing my new blog:

APPLE BLOSSOM PRESS

...welcome!