A Summer Day in the Garden

I didn't spend a lot of time in the garden today.

It was hot, though cooler then yesterday, and I had some indoor tasks to take care of -mainly getting 1 huge box of fresh apricots preserved.

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Well the morning passed and the afternoon begun and still the apricots weren't done or even started

(I think I was afraid of the what seemed to be an immense task and of course there was that temptor AKA 'the Internet').

-.

But a promise to a hubby is a promise,

so finally this afternoon I tackled them and ...

after some major quality time with

a whole lotta apricots, 2 1/2 bags of raw sugar and some orange honey, a bit of ascorbic acid and a few utensils, I ended up with about 30 cups of apricot goodness enjoying the chilled environment of my freezer space.

Lucky apricots!

BTW--

I would have ended up with more, but I ate at least a week's worth of vitamin A cleverly disguised in apricot form while I was sitting there slicing them. I figured I might run out of freezer bags and...

they were SO good I couldn't help it!

Really, all my willpower went out the window.

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When my friend arrived later in the day to assist me with what was left of the beautiful ones,

I had to beg her to help me control my sudden 'unwonted' attack of apricot gluttony.

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She tried but I still managed to sneak some into my mouth--

such was my wicked desire for more of them.

It's a good thing she arrived when she did...

I would probably still be eating them and there would be a lot less in my freezer right now.

Thank God for good friends:)

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And now some recent garden photos..

Fresh, juicy strawberries for the picking.

Funny--after so many apricots today these only look a little good.

BUT. I'm sure, once my apricot fullness wears off they will look majorly good:)

These are probably Albions -- planted this spring.

I know this is considered a "noxious weed",

but I think Queen's Anne Lace is SO pretty.

I was actually happy to find some by our bridge:)

Of course if it takes over the garden I may not be so pleased--

after all it just isn't found in any Japanese garden books that I have seen.

Yet.

Some of our fish enjoying a summer shower--a totally man-made one

(well technically woman-made) unfortunately it was not quite as good as the God-given ones since we're still enjoying unseasonably dry and hot weather here but they do look happy, don't they?

I know I am not minding getting caught under the sprinkler lately either.

Wisteria.

Today when I was checking the soaker hose,

I saw the sunlight playing upon the top of this vine.

Pretty I think but beware...wisterias are not as tame as they look!

Ours likes to spread everywhere...like even under our house.

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Well tomorrow I am making another trip &

right now an amazing sunset has lit up the whole western sky so...

Blessings,

Aimee

This Day I Will Be Glad

The PNW heat wave continues with Seattle beating its old record yesterday and Portland not quite tying theirs. Ugh. The joy (and pain) of high humidity and really hot temperatures…. makes me have a new found empathy for those who live in areas that 'enjoy' such weather all summer long; also makes me--a delicate PNW’er--look forward to soon being again in our more normal 70-80’s summer temperature range. Really soon I hope:)

But, even with the less then comfortable weather conditions, I am reminded that this is--indeed--a day the Lord has made--and I will CHOOSE to rejoice and be glad for it for that is what He wants me to do. And honestly, with all the blessings He sends my way, how can I not be filled with gladness?

Blessings from the somewhat cooler PNW,
Aimee
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“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity…Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.“

Psalms 118:24-25, 28-29 KJV

Remember When...

Mountains were covered with snow and wildflowers laid dormant under a thick, white frozen blanket?

Moss had an icy frosting on it and spearmint was just an inch or so high?

Raindrops danced merrily upon the planks of wooden decks?

Fog and clouds laid upon mountain peaks and dwelt among the trees there?

And apples wore hats of snow while robins gathered nearby?

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

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Summer blessings everyone-stay cool!

Aimee

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Photos:

Paradise area, Mt Rainier in May

(well known for its summer wildflowers)

NW native moss & spearmint in February

(spearmint is much, much taller now and the orange mint has blossoms)

Deck during rain showers

(much drier now and loaded with plants needing watering)

Columbia River Gorge area

(actually this was taken recently but it looks this way in more autumn like/wintry weather too)

Apples during winter

(no apples on our heirloom apple trees this year but the Liberty apples are just about the right size now; still green though)

Caution: Heat Wave Ahead!

Some info re: heat related illnesses

I've always been somewhat sensitive to excessive heat, as my mother was (and still is) before me, but about 10 years ago I suffered a bout of heat exhaustion that was awful! Fortunately my DH (trained in first aid) knew what was going on and how to treat it until my sibling, who has more medical training, arrived to render further care. My first symptoms that day were (and still are) intense abdominal cramps and slight dizziness. It was not fun...let me tell you.
Since then I know that during times of excessive heat I have to be extra diligent with drinking fluids (even when I am not thirsty), doing most of my tasks either very early or late in the day and staying in our air conditioned living areas. I also know that heat seems to have a cumulative effect on me so I have to be careful even when the worst of the heat wave is over.
In conclusion here are two links to some good, reliable information about heat, heat related conditions and more: here and another (from the Red Cross) here. The forecast this week is calling for many areas of the PNW to experience a prolonged heat wave so fellow NW'ers please be safe (and all others experiencing heat waves in their areas too).
Blessings, Aimee
PS: Info for pets too:)

Walks in His Gardens--Highway 30

One route I am particularly fond of taking to Astoria is Highway 30 which runs along the Columbia River (but mostly not within sight of the river). It is largely a rural route for much of its length from Astoria to the Portland area (where you can catch other highways/freewaysto get you to your final destination in Washington or Oregon).

When you are traveling this route you will also - roughly - be on the same path Lewis & Clark used some 200 years ago.

So here we go...

Forested areas.

More...

Lots of trees!

Wildflowers along the road.

This was an area just off Highway 30 on the way to a local park
along the Columbia River.

And this is the park -- on the river.
Looked like a peaceful place to spend awhile and watch the sailboats. .

So there you go--a small sampling of the forests, mountains, beaches and agricultural regions along Highway 30.
Hope your weekend is filled with the beauty that is nature.
Blessings,
Aimee
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Photos: I arranged the photos to roughly duplicate what you would see if you were traveling west (from Astoria) to east. Some areas I omitted--mainly the communities you pass through along the highway

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_30_in_Oregon#Astoria_to_Portland

Walks in His Gardens--Fort Stevens Area

Across the bay from Astoria and along the most northwesterly coast of Oregon are a few more places worth visiting (only some of which we were able to fit in during our time there). The main destination for us here would be Fort Stevens, a large state park which borders both the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River. It is amazing place with a shipwreck (everyone survived it), a rock jetty with an observation tower--good for seeing whales, lots of seabirds and the mouth of the Columbia, beaches along both the river and ocean, a beautiful lake and more!
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When I was a child we used to come here and 'Farmer Boy' and I brought our own kids here when they were younger too--in fact somewhere I have a photo of them by the wreck of the Peter Iredale. It is time to start scanning again photos in our scrapbooks I think.

But before I show you Ft Stevens, I want to show you photos of the Lindgren cabin at Cullaby Lake. Since we have Lindgrens (not this line though and Swedish not Finnish) in our extended family ancestry, and since I love log cabins, I definitely wanted to do at least a drive-by before heading onto the park. I am not sure if the cabin is ever open for tours but I would dearly love to go inside someday:)

The Lindgren cabin.

This was built by a Finnish immigrant and his neighbor per the sign to be found here. It is made of axe-hewn cedar logs and was later moved to this site. .

Have I said enough that I LOVE it:)
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And now Ft Stevens---

Coffenbury Lake.

I thought there was a huge sand dune here by the lake but I didn't really see much of one. Perhaps things have changed or maybe I am thinking of Honeymun State Park near Florence which also has a lake. Or maybe all things look bigger to small children:)

The Peter Iredale shipwreck.

Another child perspective thing--it seemed like the wreck was always surrounded by the ocean whenever I saw it. Maybe this was the case and the shoreline has changed or maybe we always came at high tide.

What is challenging is trying to get a photo without any people in it--this spot has been popular for as long as I remember! As it was I had to use photo editing software:)

More info on the shipwreck and some more photos can be found here.

Inside the shipwreck (bow section)

Yes it was a little foggy here; not the pretty wispy white fog though.

I think I'm getting into the fall mood already--I miss showers and pretty, wispy white fog--the kind that you get in early autumn on the mountains :)

Photo taken from the remains of the stern

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Along the Clatsop Spit--this might be Trestle Bay or the Columbia River.

Info on the Columbia River is here.

Another area.

The mouth of the Columbia River.

Sorry about the very poor quality of the photo; my camera is not doing well on some distance shots. While we were there we saw a huge amount of birds, as I have said and a whale. We also saw ships on their way towards the river's mouth. Now I know why my 'gut instinct' said to bring a pair of binoculars with me; what I don't know is why I didn't listen to it :(

Ya know--this photo looks more like a watercolor then a photo; strange.

The South Jetty

There is an observation tower here where you can view both the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River.

This is part of the Battery Russell.

You start your visit here climbing a flight of stairs that lead you up to this area where you'll find really old buildings that are pretty interesting and if you are 'lucky' (like we were) maybe even a dead rat. Yuck..and in keeping with my luck I almost stepped on it. I did force myself to take a photo of the dead one but I am thinking of enlarging my 'no reptile picture posting policy' to include rodents too. so NO photo here!

And that is final.

I might also add that before you get into this area, there is a sign warning of dangers like holes, drop offs and so forth. It is worth a trip but the warning is real; this place was last used in WW2.

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We both climbed to the top section of this building--my best friend via the stairs and I by a earthen ramp. I think at one time you could see the coastline from there but the trees have really grown and it is no longer visible. It may come as a surprise to some that this area was shelled during World War II by the Japanese; the Americans did not return fire and no one was killed. Some info about the Battery can be found here and here too along with more photos..

Part of the Peace Memorial.

And on that note I will close and say good night!

Blessings,

Aimee

Walks in His Gardens-Astoria Again!

It has been a nice summer in our gardens; it really has!! I've loved working and being outside for the most part and seeing dreams becoming reality is really satisfying! But as I've said before, I was born with a 'travel bug' which was continuously nurtured by likewise afflicted parents during my childhood and even into adulthood; I just cannot stand to be home very long--no matter how wonderful it is--before the call to explore compels me to get on the road again. And such was the case this last week--

Now since my hubby had to work, I asked my best friend if she would like to go with me and she, being likewise afflicted with the 'bug', said yes and off we went.

Pictured (left to right): Norwegian cardamom-cinnamon roll, powdered sugar topped fattigmann, Finnish prune tart pinwheel and plain fattigmann. Recipes for all these can easily be found on the web.

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We were headed to one of my favorite places on the Oregon coast which I hadn't been to for several years--the port city of Astoria. I was more then eager to see it again; after all it has an awesome Scandinavian bakery--and I was hungry for a Finnish prune pinwheel, fattigmann and other Nordic treats you see above! (If you live in Washington there is a great Nordic bakery in Poulsbo; haven't been there in awhile but last time I went it was good. Of course you can try your hand at some of these treats at home too.)

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I did have some goals in mind (besides food that is!) for our trip and my friend, who wasn't familiar with the area let me take the lead. Our itinerary would include Ft Stevens (just across Young's Bay from Astoria), Astor Column, hunting down some of 'The Goonies (& other movie) filming locations and driving past the numerous Victorian homes that this little 'San Francisco' of the Pacific NW has.

Astor Column, taken on an earlier trip there. It was impossible to not get people in the photos I took on our recent trip:) A history and more info on the column can be found here.

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Although our order of visitation was different, I am going to start with the high point of Astoria (literally the HIGH point) which is Coxcomb Hill, It is here you will find the Astor Column and panoramic views of the surrounding area--a place of beautiful mountains, foothills, waterways and more!

The route there is fairly well marked and once you are on Coxcomb you just follow it to the top (expect a lot of curves and some good views including a peek at the column above as you draw closer.

BTW--as you cross over Young's Bay you can also spot the column on the hill if you are looking for it:)

Beautiful, isn't it? I never get tired of this place and I don't think I am alone in that feeling.It is well worth the short drive up to the top of the hill. I should say that there is, in addition to the column, a gift shop and rest room facilities.

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But there is much more to Astoria then the Astor Column and Hollywood figured that out a long time ago. Astoria has been the site for at least some of several movies including the Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, Short Circuit, Free Willy and Into the Wild among others. Not surprising for as you can see the views are incredible here and at nearby Ft Stevens and the Cannon Beach/Ecola Beach areas.

We set off to track down some film locations...

finding the school used in Kindergarten Cop was no problem (I had been by it many times before) but you'll have to wait for a moment for the photo..

My main goal was Goonie locations though and after a little hunting around (we did have an exact address and partial directions but no map) we were able to locate the Goonie home. I was very excited about that!!

(Sorry but since it is on a private road I am not posting a photo here; however Goonies are allowed to walk up and see it per a sign at the bottom of the hill. If you want to see a photo just do a search for 'Goonie house' and you'll find it). I also found Data's house nearby plus a great view of the river below

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BTW-- I should say before moving on that the bridge in the last photo of the Astor Column area was in the movie Short Circuit.

Here is a photo of the Flavel Museum - a beautiful Victorian and the museum in The Goonies. Eek! I cut off the top part of the tower with the photo border; oh well...

Other areas of the NW with lots of Victorians is Port Townsend and Port Gamble, Washington state. Of course I find Victorians everywhere I go:) I love the style of home and one time was lucky enough to get to sleep in the tower of a home in Portland, Oregon. Apparently my mom lived in one for awhile when she was younger so maybe I come by this love for them naturally.

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(Another type of home I really love is the log cabin/home and we saw one of those too on this trip. I will post it when I post the photos of Ft Stevens and the Hammond/Warrenton area. I have stayed in several of these too in both Oregon and Washington )

And here is a picture of the John Jacob Astor School which was a prominent location in Kindergarten Cop. I hate to admit it (true confession here..but I sometimes watch these films just because I love Astoria so much). If you follow this link you can see my earlier post of Astoria with a few more photos (trolley streetcar, waterfront, etc)

One last photo ---for now that is.

This is part of the waterfront--the one along the Columbia River. The trolley goes along this area I believe although I did not see it on this trip.

At Ft Stevens you can see the mouth of the Columbia River; it is considered dangerous to pass over but many ships--large and small do it each day.

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Note: I haven't forgotten about the photos from my trip to the lavender and berry farms. Just needed to check on something first...will post soon and also some incredible photos from southern Oregon/northern California AND the photos from across Young's Bay and part of Lewis & Clark's route along the Columbia River.

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Blessings,

Aimee

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Sorry this post is a bit rambling--

it is late here (well actually it's early, early morning) and I am really tired.

TY for your understanding:)

Update: well it is now afternoon and this still sounds rambling after some changes, but since I have my mind on some other things I am going to leave it. Hope you enjoy the photos:)

We Have Ripe Tomatoes!!

I used to think the red cherry tomato was the sweetest in the world; that is until I tasted the grape tomato...

but that was then and this is now.

My new favorite---

the sungold cherry tomato and I have a feeling it will stay my fav for a long, long time!

Now I knew it was sweet, for my friend sang its glory;

well not literally 'sang', but she did convince me that it was worth buying one!

And maybe it has something to do it with being homegrown...

but YUMMY seems way too indequate a word to describe this morsel of orange, juicy sweetness.

Think candy but SO much better.

Can hardly wait till more ripen:)

Of Birds & Bugs

A beautiful day here in the NW with clear skies and warm, but not too hot, temperatures. Earlier I watered some of the garden, held my baby granddaughter while her mom took care of some things and I'm now inside listening to some very relaxing and, at the same time, uplifting Christian music while I type on a laptop keyboard and scan through recent photos of our garden. Here are a few of them to share with you.

Cilantro & bee.

Yes, with the lovely warmer weather our cilantro has bolted and is on its way to being coriander. Yum, coriander--good for Nordic food!

Robin in the pine.

We have had somewhere between 2-3 bird nests that I know about (probably more) this summer. Often in the day I hear them making melodies.

Did you know that when a bird has a nest and sees a possible threat to their young, that they will try to lure you elsewhere to protect the young in the nest?

One of my favorite insects--the ladybug. Did you hear about the ladybug invasion in one yard in Colorado? Amazing! It looked like a carpet of red on a tree and part of the house. It was beautiful and yet a bit eerie too.

All I can find in our garden is one ladybug on the raspberry but I feel lucky and blessed to have it and I am sure there are more doing the task that God ordained for them to do.

And that is 'the end'.

Wishing you a blessed day!

Blessings always,

Aimee

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Photos:

as above.

A Day Like Any Other?

It was a day like any other.

Ran into town to make a deposit and get some groceries; the checker, finding out I enjoyed gardening, let me look at her garden photos--I LOVE it!

Came home, unloaded groceries and took my usual garden tour.

Checked the kiwi--no fruit, just spent blossoms; so very disappointing after an abundance of blossoms this year held so much promise.

Looked at the fruit trees closest to the house--made a note to hang apple maggot traps next year and possibly do some organic, dormant sprays IF we can do so and not hurt the fish (here fish come first--at least as far as the garden is concerned) Hopefully I will be able to salvage at least part of the pears; the apple and Asian pear trees look better.

Oh my! That Swiss chard is BADLY overgrown...feeling guilty now. Wonder if I can still use it? If not then I guess I will replant as I just bought some seeds for a fall harvest.

Ah! The raspberry is looking better and better everyday. Looks like that BIG one may be pretty close to harvest time. I will have to check on that:)

Figs looking good. Quick picture; the slithery ones like this area.

This has been the strangest year in our garden. Not too long ago I was still seeing 1-2 forsythia blossoms and now look at the dogwood. Strange --- and yet beautiful!

Under the kiwi arbor again---checking, checking ---nothing. How about the other side (you know the one I haven't checked). Looking up...what?

Those adorable, fuzzy looking things...that look kind of like baby kiwi are KIWI!!!

WE DO HAVE KIWI!!!

And then, now that I know where to look, I find more....

and as I continue to search I find still more.

Yes, it was a day like any other, except it wasn't

for...

God had yet again given us another blessing;

I just had given up looking for it too soon.

Thank you, God.

Blessings,

Aimee

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Photos:

• Slightly overgrown Swiss Chard-'Bright Lights'
• Raspberries-'Anne' (yea I know I posted one the other day, but I can't help myself! I am just SO captivated by this golden raspberry).
• Fig--Desert King (yes the NW has figs!)
• Dogwod Kousa 'Cherokee' (still showing color in July!)
• Kiwi-this is a fuzzy kiwi; I think we have a Haywood. When you grow this type you have to buy a male and female to have fruit. Kiwi can be grown as far north as beautiful (love it there!) Vancouver Island. You will need one sturdy arbor or trellis to grow these on!