the streetlight and the crow

6.30.2011


Waiting, watching, listening.

salem salvia and summer squash

6.28.2011



I was so excited to see some squash blossoms and tiny squash forming when I checked on the plants yesterday.  Yellow crookneck and zucchini squash have always done well in a certain place in our yard, which, by the way, we do nothing special to, so I planted 2 zucchini, 1 yellow squash, 1 cucumber, 1 pumpkin, 1 Jack-Be-Little, and 1 green winter squash.  As for the salvia, I love the color.  It does so well with so little attention.  What are your lowest maintenance plants - vegetables or flowers - that seem to flourish no matter what?

breitenbush river/french creek

6.27.2011


 Heading down the trail to Breitenbush River.








 French Creek.




 Thor's cairn.

 Husband made a bow and arrow out of sticks/vines, and here he teaches Thor to use it.


     We took a Sunday trip up into the woods exploring tiny curvy roads and trails, and were rewarded and awed once again with the beauty of the Willamette National Forest. The stretch of French Creek we found was truly magical.  Starting the week in the sunny, warm, very green Oregon forest is perfection.

rosemary bread

6.24.2011





I don't know why, but I felt like baking today.  Maybe it's the gray sky.  Bread, being one of my favorite things ever, is always at the top of my list when I want to bake something.  Looking at the plants this morning, rosemary provided the inspiration.  I found a recipe on make and takes, a website I'd never seen before but will definitely keep going back to for great recipes and crafty kid things.  I changed it slightly by using half whole wheat flour instead of all white - I just like the flavor and texture whole wheat gives so I usually use at least half whole wheat for any bread, and even sometimes in cookies.  It made two rounds of gorgeous bread, and I tell you, just the scent of this bread baking is reason enough to try it.  Heavenly.  Dip in olive oil/balsamic for even more heaven.

homemade green tea ice cream

6.21.2011


The husband's favorite ice cream flavor is green tea.  We had this in Hawaii years ago and it was so good, but we've never found a good one back home.  I decided to try to make some for Father's Day.  I've never tried to make ice cream before and don't have an ice cream maker, but I found a recipe that looked simple and didn't require one.  I was afraid the texture wouldn't be good, but it turned out perfect and creamy.  Very, very green tea-y and not too sweet.  Husband loved it.  Success! 

The recipe I used can be found here.

kale sprouts!

6.21.2011


      I went out to water the plants this morning and was so excited to find that the kale seeds Thor and I planted just last week have already sprouted! 

stitch

6.14.2011


     This is the latest afghan I've been working on.  My mom taught me a new stitch on Mother's Day and I love it.  It's very thick and cozy.  I may have to make one to keep one of these days!

homegrown salad

6.13.2011



      Tonight I did the first lettuce cutting and had the first homegrown salad of the summer.  I added a little feta and sesame ginger dressing, and it was heaven.  I wish I had planted more lettuce now as it really seems to be taking off and I only have three plants.  I hope more grows back fast!

school's out!

6.13.2011


My boy on his last day of kindergarten.

tiger swallowtail

6.04.2011


These photos are of a beautiful tiger swallowtail butterfly we saw come out of the chrysalis that's been clinging to a corner of our front porch.  There's always one in this particular corner and we've never seen anything come out, but this year we got lucky.  He couldn't fly or even walk very well when we were watching him, but we later saw him fly up and way, over our roof and into the summery sky.  So pretty. 
by mlekoshi