A gift

A gift from my daughter that lives on in my garden.

August Break 2011

Late August Blooms

Late August means my lovely tall red monarda (bee balm) blooms start to fade... although there are a few late blooming plants. This variety is called Blue Stocking... according to the nursery where I bought the original plant nearly 20 years ago.

Our native bergamot monarda is in full bloom right now. The leaf mold is especially prevalent with the wet cold summer we've had this year... but I still love the delicate little blooms.

So do the hummingbirds.

August Break 2011

Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia blooming... so cheery! These are growing among the tall Oregon grape in the front garden.

August Break 2011

Macro Monday 

Sunday morning garden

It was a quiet peaceful morning out in the garden today, just wandered about doing a little weeding, listening to the birds.  Our garden changes daily as flowers begin to bloom...
 

This is Merlot Echinacea, a hybrid that came to live in our garden this summer.  The little blue "love in a mist" blooms in the background. They are from my Auntie Ruth's garden, seeds given to me years ago that spread themselves around freely.

Straight Out of The Camera Sunday

August Break 2011

Ducky's Adventure Part 3

I almost forgot to mention the fun cake Melanie brought to share! Oh my, it was quite good and Ducky enjoyed it immensely!

You would not believe the fun and crazy Zettie folks around on Saturday! What a riot of energy! This is Julie and Trina... two of our favorite Zettie lasses!

Ducky got in on the fun too... with zetti legs by Julie, and a piece of her lovely boa.

There were a few demos of techniques during the weekend, and Ducky was pleased to have a personal demo from Martha on the charms of beeswax and napkins. She's a great teacher and Ducky learned a lot! Note that Martha had Zetti socks too!

We got a picture of most of the group the last day... some had already left.

It's always bittersweet to pack up the art supplies to head home after a fun weekend.

Ducky had a marvelous time meeting all his online friends face to face, and is looking forward to seeing them again next year.

Ducky's Adventure Part 2

It was a wonderfully HOT day in Hood River when we arrived... just in the nick of time for the winery tour. We walked a very long one half mile (actually 1+miles) immediately after checking in and dragging all our "stuff" to the room. Luckily I grabbed a seltzer water to drink on the way.

Ducky thought the foot bridge was great fun!

When we arrived we got personal service and even a picture taken by our wonderful wine taster lady!

After getting a ride back to the hotel, we all had a quick bite to eat and a beverage. Ducky tried the Lemon Drop...

Then everyone gathered and played with their art supplies for a bit. Ducky brought bookmarks to share with those in attendance. Here he's at the art table ready to create.

After a late night, we were still up early to enjoy the dawn on the river.

Ducky's Adventure Part 1

Ducky was busy helping me gather things together for the art weekend.

And kept asking me... do you REALLY need all this stuff?  (I didn't)

Ducky was so excited to get to Julies house, where we spent the night before heading to Hood River the next morning.

After a relaxing  for a bit on the porch...

... Ducky helped us pack the trunk. He kept asking... do you REALLY need all this stuff? (We didn't)



to be continued...

Ducky Adventure Begins!

This little duck represents a friend who cannot attend the Oregon Live Gathering of atcsforall.com folks in Hood River this coming weekend. She really wanted to, and sent a package of goodies for me to share when I get there.

I made the hat with propeller for the rubber ducky using an online pattern from Cristophine at Deviant Art, shrunk to about the right size. I happened to have felt in just the right color in my stash, and I sewed the 7 little pieces together by hand. (EEK!). The propeller was cut from a left over piece of painted background and was mounted on a pin. (Don't tell Ducky it's stuck into his head!)

Ducky will be traveling with me to Hood River this weekend. I'll be taking pictures of our adventures and will file a report.  Once we're home and I get some picture printed, Ducky will travel to Michigan to live with my friend who has no clue that I'm doing this for her. :)

Ducky and I were having tea this morning before the packing started.

August Break 2011

Dogwood

Red Twig dogwood is one of my favorite all season plants... and it's native to our area. This time of year we have the lovely white bloom, that become berries that make the backyard birds very happy! The leaves turn a lovely red in autumn, and during the winter and early spring months, it shows off it's beautiful red bark and berries... if the birds leave any.

August Break 2011

Macro Monday

Madrone

This is the time of year the madrone tree in our back yard starts shedding it's bark, in big sheets that free themselves in an afternoon and blow about the yard. I love it!

 Straight Out of The Camera Sunday

August Break 2011

Random...

Took a drive through the cemetery on the way home, and this headstone caught my eye. I played with exposures on my Droid camera ... this one gave it a ghostly look.

August Break 2011

Double Daisy

This little plant will be moved to the back yard this fall... It's not doing as well here now that the weeing beech is getting bigger. It's a double daisy that I got from my mother in laws garden many years ago. I quite like it!

August Break 2011

Seeing Circle - another maybe

Driving around with hubby when he knows the Seeing Circle topic I'm working on is fun. (Jetsam and Fotsam)  He thought of this "net" throw away area down near Zuanich Park. It's a definite maybe.

He takes me to the best places! :)

August Break 2011

Seeing Circle

Spent a bit of time at one of the little beaches this beautiful sunny day. By happenstance we got there while the tide was still out; it was a whim.

We wandered along looking for interesting rocks, and saw this as part of the riprap along the shoreline. Little windows filled with rocks and other bits washed up by the tide.

Our Seeing Circle challenge this week is jetsam and flotsam... so this is a likely candidate.

August Break 2011

Interesting flower...

I really like the color and texture of this flower for sale at our local Haggen store... but should have taken a picture of the label. It's very interesting and I can't remember what it actually IS.

Rain drops

Recent rain left puddle on the leaves of the nasturtium.

The nasturtium that is taking over the new raised bed herb garden. You can barely see the chives and parsley that is underneath. I love how they crawl around as they grow, but this is getting a bit scary! LOL!
At least the cool summer and lots of rain is good for some plants in the garden.
Now to get a ripe tomato...

August Break 2011