Summer 2014 Part 1

 Summer is slipping by way too quickly. Here are some photos covering Jun and July until the 21st. Rest of July and August next.

Our apple tree with the dreaded tent caterpillars.

Here it is today. To our relief it is alive, although we have no fruit crop from and of our trees this year.

Buck working on the front fence line so it is easier to mow and to keep grass out of the fence.

Fence line all done, mulched and looking good. Quite a job but it certainly helps keep things tidy.

We cleaned up this area and planted it with grasses,rose campion,  a hydrangea and a clematis vine.

Basil in pots in a dry area in an attempt to keep the slugs away.

Pretty. I think it is a double columbine.

Buck's Fathers Day feast. An egg baked in a half avocado and sprinkled with crisp bacon. He liked it.

My beautiful Royal William rose.

A look at part of my garden in June.

And now in July

Set up for a garden party.

Herbs flourishing.

Red kale off to a good start.

Check out two of the kale plants now. They are on either side of the bed.

My Kristin rose.

Marnie's mochi bowl and the small Japanese maple.

Water color on the deck with friends. Actually by the time I took this we were into the wine.

Pansies have been a delight since last fall. They bloomed all winter and really took off in June.

Part of my succulent garden featuring the "Dream" rock Kali gave me for my birthday last year.

The view from Rebecca Spit.

Gerald, Jewel, Troy, Brandee and Lacee Toyama with the Cortes Ferry. What fun to have them here from Hawaii. Unfortunately I missed part of their visit when I was in the hospital.

Recuperating in my garden with a good book and glass of wine.

The reality of my recuperation, but still with a glass of wine.

Beautiful flowers Buck picked up at a road side stand here on Quadra. They are called bellflower and are a type of Companula. I fell in love with them but understand they can be rather invasive so next year I'm digging a bed just for them.

I couldn't get out to pick salmon berries so Buck brought the berries to me.

Beautiful red rhodo and its lavender friend.

Buck has hung the flag for Canada day - July 1st.

Native canoe, part of a group that paddled here from Olympia and will go on to Bell Bella - way north.

Our native village, Cape Mudge, had a huge Canada Day celebration. I couldn't go so settled myself in the restaurant at Tsa Kwa Luten Lodge with lunch and a glass of wine. I fine perch from which to watch the canoes arrive.

Eagle watching me? Canoes?

Fourth of July in Knoxville. I went to take care of Kali while her parents were out of town. Sara to New York, Rick to Nashville. My sister Katharine aka Shiya joined me. We had a grand time!

Kali and Rick lighting a sparkler.

Fun but a little nervous.

Kali with a cute puppy we saw at the Knoxville Farmers Market.

A downtown alley with some really amazing art on the walls. Graffiti to a new level.

This entertainer's name is Seven. He is a character and very personable. Plays well too.

Shiya and Kali swimming.

Rick and Kali doing tricks.

High flying Kali.

Rick gives it a try.

Kali's paparazzi.

The morning Rick and Sara left we three girls went to The Museum of Appalachia. It is wonderful and luckily it was a coolish morning.

Cute little gate girl.

Shiya and Kali

Being a peacock.

The real thing.

Through a window.

A display of home made banjos. My favorite was this bed pan banjo called ukuweewee.

Another of the quaint old cabins. They beg to be the subject of a painting.

Getting her nails done.

Pretending to do my toes.

Drinking our morning beverages on the porch. A new tradition.

My traditional visit to Big Fatty's for good old Southern food. Fried okra, turnip greens, creamed spinach, squash caserole and corn bread. YUM!

Frolicking in the park.

Follow me Kali is saying. Luckily I had to be careful about my activities so I was camera person.

Poor long suffering and always patient Brooklyn.

Making fairy dresses

Magic carpet for the ferries

Dresses done. Hole os for their heads so the dress drapes down front and back.

The fairy circle

A sign of things to come

July and everything is growing and growing.

My first strawberry which I had to share with a slug.

The red maple in its glory

The hosta bed is slowly filling in.

These tall beauties are called bee balm and are related to mint.

Fava beans! We are eating the young ones in their shells in soup or grilled.

I've always loved daisies and wanted to grow them. At last I have the start of a daisy patch.

Three cute puppies at the Heriot Bay Inn

Bird nest in the door of the outhouse belonging to Mia and John's cabin. Mama bird seems totally unperturbed by people coming and going.

A lovely visit with Barbara Davis and Trey Imfeld. I managed to stay out of the hospital. Barbara and I went to both elementary school on Maui and high school on Oahu together.

Dinner on the deck, oysters in the half shell,

Shrimp and Cousin Sarah's citrus black pepper pasta. And salad.

Painting in the yard with Barbara.

Sunrise over Sutil Channel and the start of a new day.