Across the Sound…

…to the Kitsap Peninsula.

 

The Friday before my company arrived I headed out early all by myself to the Lavender Festival in Sequim, Washington. Sequim is pronounced Skwim, one syllable. I crossed the Sound on a ferry from Edmonds to Kingston on the Kitsap Peninsula. It took me an hour to drive to Sequim from the ferry landing. I crossed another body of water, the Hood Canal, to the Olympic Peninsula and finally arrived in Sequim which sits along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Dungeness Spit is close by which boasts home to the very popular Dungeness Crab. This part of the Olympic Peninsula has perfect weather to grow lavender and every year the third weekend of July is set aside for the Lavender Festival.

 

The first farm I stopped at was Jardin du Soleil. I arrived here before the official opening but was still welcomed to stroll about the farm.

 

“ladies fair, I bring to you
lavender with spikes of blue;
sweeter plant was never found
growing on our english ground.”

Caryl Battersby

 

 

The second farm I stopped at was Purple Haze Lavender Farm. This one was my favorite.

 

“lavender, sweet lavender;
come and buy my lavender,
hide it in your trousseau, lady fair.
Let its lovely fragrance flow
Over you from head to toe,
lightening on your eyes, your cheek, your hair.”

Cumberkand Clark Flower Song Book 1929

 

“here’s your sweet lavender
sixteen sprigs a penny
that you’ll find my ladies
will smell as sweet as any”

Lavender Sellers’s Cry, London England CA 1900

Each farm had food vendors offering some good eats and this farm even had some creative hard drinks for sale. I tried one and some of you will be able to guess which one I tried.

 

 

 

There were other flowers besides lavender to enjoy.

 

Before I headed to 2 more farms on my way back home I stopped at the street fair for a pulled pork sandwich and while I ate I listened to Cisco, a Northwest gardening expert.

 

Cedarbrook Lavender and Herb Farm was in a nice setting and has a Garden Cafe Restaurant on the premises.

 

 

 

 

Sunshine Herb & Lavender Farm was the last farm I stopped at. It was right on the highway and was my least favorite. There were lots of interesting things to see here besides lavender, though, like this little one…

 

Every farm had a U-Pick section of their farm where you could come away with a nice bouquet of lavender for $5.

It really is worth the trip to enjoy this heady lavender experience if you ever find yourself in Washington the third weekend in July!

 

Sequim ~ The Lavender Capital of North America

I’m adding this to Outdoor Wednesday with Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.  Click on her link to see the Outdoors around the world.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Ruby in Kirkland…

Part of my family got together for a birthday dinner for my sister Lana last Friday night at the waterfront in Kirkland, Wa. My camera was clicking away and here are some Ruby shots to share. Please visit Mary at Work of the Poet to see more Ruby from around the world.

These ruby from the ceiling of the restaurant where we ate.

My son and husband with a splash of red from the same sailboat in the background.

We are finally enjoying lots of summer days here in Western Washington. Half of our company flew home on Saturday and the rest leave on Tuesday evening. We’re celebrating my niece Melissa’s birthday tonight a week early since she is with us in Washington. Hope you are all enjoying the lazy days of summer wherever you are!

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

When in Rome…

…or in Seattle, out of towners do as the Seattle-ites do.

 

They go to a Seattle Sounders game with a pre-game stop at the Taco Truck!

 

We make sure everyone is wearing the right colors and we are ready to cheer on our home team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was the perfect night for shirt sleeves in Seattle. And it was even more perfect because we won!

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Like a Whirlwind…

they come and then they are gone…

 

Our company flew home last night. My brother Steve, my SIL Kelly and nephew Joe were with us from California for a couple weeks. We hit some hot spots in Seattle. This is at Kerry Park looking south to Seattle.

 

The Original Starbucks at the market.

 

You’ll find street musicians around the market every day. This group was really exceptional!

 

Waiting inside for their drinks.

We headed back down the street to see about catching some flying fish.

 

A shot with the golden pig right across from the flying fish!

 

Down the stairs to the disgustingly interesting and famous gum wall below the market.

That didn’t spoil our appetites and we headed to Piroshky, Piroshky for a favorite Russian treat.

 

And then a little confession is always a good way to begin and end the day!

We had a lot more adventures with our company that I’ll show in the coming days. We still have my sister Kathy’s family here. They are staying at my sister Lana’s house a short walk from me. They are here till Tuesday so the fun continues…

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Lavender Farms Yard Art!

I’m way behind on showing you some of God’s wonders I’ve seen around the Pacific Northwest. I’ll be catching up soon but today I’m joining Mary again at The Work of the Poet for Yard Art on Thursday. All of these were taken at the Lavender Festival in Sequim at the various lavender farms that were open to the public. I guess technically I’d have to call this “Farm Art”.

 

 

 

 

Old farm equipment was used a lot for added visual interest on the farms.

Tonight the last of our Southern California visitors fly in for an extended weekend. Tomorrow the ladies are going to a lavender farm north of us. The guys might take in some canoeing on Lake Washington. Tomorrow night we have reservations for 16 at Olive You to celebrate my sister’s birthday. The fun times just keep rolling along here. Hope all is well with all of you.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Still on the Go…

…with our Southern California company.

We’ve watched some soccer and fought off mosquitoes.

We’ve picked wild Sweet Peas along the trail.

We’ve played with Jackson and Avery.

Had a train ride at Country Village in Bothell.

Dear and Katie have even had time to sit together…

Hope you all are doing well. I’ll be back in the saddle soon…

Heroes in Heaven…

…”Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 15:54-57

Ray Allen Keesling (September 11, 1931-July 16, 2010)

Uncle Ray was laid to rest on July 23, 2010. We were blessed to be able to travel to California to honor his memory. We had a wonderful time visiting with Aunt Carol and with the extended families.

A Military Honors burial is a moving ceremony. We learned that it depends on your rank how many Honor Guards participate. Since Uncle Ray was a Chief Master Sergeant he was honored with 10 Honor Guards from Beale Air Force Base at his burial.

Heroes in Heaven

by Janet A. Norwood

Heaven’s full of heroes
who sacrificed their lives
in service to our Country
so that Liberty survives.

Uniforms of blue or gray,
khaki or olive green;
skin of every color;
young and old and in between.

They fought in many places-
spanning history and time.
Flags wave in their honor still;
in tribute, church bells chime.

In cornfields of America
or on Europe’s distant shore;
Pacific Island paradise
or Chosin Reservoir.

In blowing desert sands,
or in jungles’ stifling heat,
on Navy ships or in the air,
or Fallujah’s dusty streets.

It doesn’t matter where they fell
or if we know each name.
What matters is to know that
when their Nation called, they came.

Grateful for their service,
for the precious blood they spilled;
for their sacrifice and courage,
and the duty they fulfilled.

Yes, heaven’s full of heroes-
now part of history.
We treasure what they gave to us-
The Gift of Liberty.

I’m adding this post to Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally!

Still on the Move…

 

We’ve filled our days and nights with activity and relaxation, both. This is actually the calm before the storm before we add 8 more participants into our fun activities. We’ve headed downtown to see golden pigs and flying fish. Easy trek with adults in tow. We’ve been to soccer games and the guys went to a Mariner’s game. The girls stayed home and watched Cranford. Lots of eating and some exercise thrown in the mix.

Today Dear and I board a plane for Sacramento to attend his uncle’s funeral. He will be buried with Military Honors having served and retired from the Air Force.

We will leave our company in charge at home. You have to love company you can leave behind to fend for themselves.

While They Are Sleeping…

It’s early and my company is still asleep and since I don’t want to make a lot of noise washing the pots and pans I decided to show you who is and will be visiting us from California.

My brother Steve, his wife Kelly, and youngest son Joe arrived on Monday. Joe just graduated from high school. Joe and his 3 brothers were all home schooled and Joe is the 4th son that will attend Westmont College in Montecito (Santa Barbara) Ca. Joe just finished a week of directing their churches VBS program and he showed us some videos he and a couple of his co-workers put together on the Armor of God for VBS. We were all very impressed! (VBS is Vacation Bible School)

On Saturday my niece Michelle, her husband Ryan, Jackson and Avery arrive. It’s been a few months since we’ve seen Jack and Avery and it will be fun to see how they’ve grown.

On Thursday the 29th my sister Kathy and my niece Melissa arrive. Melissa and Michelle are sisters. I’m sure Avery and Jack will be happy to see their aunt and nana by then!

I haven’t taken one photo yet but I’m sure I’ll get my act together soon. Enjoy!

So Long, Farewell…

I’ll be stepping away from my computer room which will be occupied with guests for the next two weeks. Can’t promise any posts or visits but I’ve been known to change my plans. If you don’t see anything new around here don’t worry, I’ll be back full swing in August!

 

This shot was taken at the Lavender Festival in Sequim on Friday. When I get back to posting I’ll share some photos from the lavender farms that I visited. Here’s a sneak peek.

 

So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, good night,
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight.
So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, adieu,
Adieu, adieu, to yieu and yieu and yieu.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.