Observes&Musings

Friendly Reminder

2012-02-20T11:38:00.000-08:00

Only 48 days ...

Do you know where your Easter baskets are?

Friends

2012-02-19T13:29:00.000-08:00

Patience is a Virtue - Waiting

2012-02-18T13:18:00.000-08:00

... and Whom Will She Choose

2012-02-17T19:07:00.000-08:00

Remember the mallard couple

who have visited us in the past few years?

They showed up early this year but there are three!

Decisions, decisions!

Pies-O-My

2012-02-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

Went to a potluck last night and

decided to do pies

Apple Pie

Coconut Macaroon Pie

Check out the cinnamony apples

and the gooey, rich coconut filling

... and the pies were gluten free!

Happy Birthday Miss V!

2012-02-15T13:04:00.000-08:00

Miss V with Catherine Turocy,

Artistic Director of

New York Baroque Dance Company

Which Will He Choose

2012-02-14T08:10:00.000-08:00

Not In The Old Wild West Days

2012-02-13T00:01:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday, Cousin Abe

2012-02-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

... remember when we celebrated Feb 12 as Lincoln's BDay!

He's a cousin from his wife's sister - not sure how many times!

A Little Humor

2012-02-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

Patterns

2012-02-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Just Visiting

2012-02-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Playing with Picasa

2012-02-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Trying out Pencil Sketch

Conquered

2012-02-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Granddaughter, Victoria

on a Girl Scout outing

An Artist's Brush

2012-02-06T22:53:00.000-08:00

Mac's New Favorite

2012-02-05T13:47:00.003-08:00

Mac, the Yorkie,

now has a new friend

... and Watching His Video

2012-02-05T13:41:00.002-08:00

Woo Hoo!

2012-02-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

Weekend Forecast

Sunny and

"... nothing but blue skies

coming my way ..."

Go Red for Women

2012-02-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

In honor of

"Wear Red Day"

Good to the Last Drop

2012-02-03T00:27:00.000-08:00

Perfect way to end a sunny day

Cafe Arancia

mocha, orange peel

and quattro shots!

An Early 70's Boy

2012-02-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

When Mac gets in a mood,

he curls up in his leopard bean bag chair

and totally ignores everyone.

Perfect for a Cold ... Winter's Day

2012-02-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Inspired by a post from a favorite blog, Tea and Cookies,

I made a Bean and Sausage Soup

for a daughter with a cold and a gray, winter day on Bainbridge Island.

Daughter's homemade vegetable broth,

andouille sausage and great northern beans

were the basis for the delicious, comfort soup -

and baked kale chips as a garnish.

Just Smile and Share

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

OK, this is a smile that makes you feel ...

As I exited the local grocery store,

an older woman with a felt western hat entered.

I turned around and said,"Like that hat"!

She turned around and smiled.

Each day, one happy comment to someone

will make their day and yours!

SMILE and SHARE!

Bucolic

2012-01-30T11:21:00.000-08:00

Sunday Sun

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

OK, I'll Start Again

2012-01-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Started this several months ago

To be done by snow time

Misread directions

So starting again

Choices

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

On the Island

2012-01-26T13:37:00.000-08:00

The other day, I heard a thumping sound and
looking out the window, saw a man dressed in yellow garb
walking down the highway as he struck the dharma drum he was carrying.

Six years ago, schoolteacher-turned-monk Senji Kanaeda came
from Japan to live on Bainbridge Island. He was joined last year by a
Cuban monk-in-training, Gilberto Perez.

Peace

Gotcha'

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Snow Shot

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2012-01-23T23:56:00.000-08:00

It is the Chinese New Year
and the Year of the Dragon
and I am celebrating it with sake

New Year greeting - Chinese Cantonese style

恭喜發財 (gùng héi faat chōi)

New Year greeting - Japanese style
明けましておめでとうございます (akemashite omedetō gozaimasu)

Happy New Year!

... and one red leaf clings

2012-01-22T09:53:00.000-08:00

Late Bloom - Before the Snow

2012-01-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

A late-blooming Rosa rugosa and its rose hips -
seen on a walk the other day

Latest Forecast

2012-01-20T12:39:00.000-08:00

... and the thaw begins!

In the Neighborhood

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

From the Weather App

2012-01-19T12:45:00.000-08:00

Breaking News from "Weather Mac"

2012-01-19T12:26:00.000-08:00

Let the clearing begin!

Guess It Makes It Official

2012-01-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

Weather Channel map shows blue over us

so am guessing it is snow

and not icy rain

All in a Day's Work

2012-01-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

"Weather Mac" - the local weather "man" -
has been watching out for snow
checking the amount of precipitation
and napping!

Masked Bandit

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Snow Beauty

2012-01-18T00:01:00.001-08:00

Snow Art

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Check the Snowy Background

2012-01-17T18:16:00.000-08:00

What Is This Cold Stuff

2012-01-17T18:10:00.000-08:00

Another Just Because

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Snow Babes

2012-01-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

Winter memories in Philly

Contemplation or Naptime

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Just a Dusting of Snow This Morning

2012-01-15T09:53:00.000-08:00

Birthday Dinner

2012-01-15T00:01:00.001-08:00

For my birthday, we went to a sushi restaurant

SuBI located on Bainbridge Island.

I ordered the Bento
Beef Teriyaki
Chicken Katsu
Shrimp Tempura

A bowl of rice, pickled ginger and slaw

Also had miso soup and salad with ginger dressing

Ooops! forgot to take pic

and of course,

warm Sake

私にお誕生日おめでとう

Happy Birthday to me!

Yesterday's Sunset - Tomorrow, Snow

2012-01-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Silhouette

2012-01-13T00:01:00.001-08:00

Winter 2012

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Downed Home

2012-01-11T00:01:00.001-08:00

Remember the picture of the hawk

surveying the territory near me?

It came down the other day -

man or wind, not known

The hole seen in the first picture -
a summer retreat or woodpecker boring
... but there is another large, limbless tree nearby

for returning summer guests

Beachfront Property

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Approaching the Bainbridge Island ferry dock

there is a diverse group of homes lining the shore

Just a flock of cormorants
taking charge of a moored boat

Meditation or Sun Worship

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Are they meditating or enjoying the seldom seen Winter sun?

Downton Abbey Preview

2012-01-08T00:01:00.001-08:00

Received an email from our local PBS station, KCTS here in Seattle -

"Wear your finest hat and join us at the KCTS 9 Studios for afternoon tea and an exclusive preview of Downton Abbey Season Two, hour one—the day before its U.S. premiere."

It's 1916, and World War I has shaken Downton Abbey to its very

foundations. As a way of life is forever blasted apart, both heroes and

villains struggle to survive and forge ahead. Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville

and Elizabeth McGovern return with a stellar ensemble cast in the

voraciously anticipated season two of Downton Abbey.

You'll have to watch tonight to see what this is all about -

My lips are sealed!

What's a Guy Gotta Do?

2012-01-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Trying to catch forty winks - "cat nap"

in the car, someone kept trying to take pics

Kings Help Santa

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

January 6 is the feast of the Epiphany based on the legendary visit of the Three

Wise Men that would later gave rise to the custom of gift giving. Traditionally it is the

gift-giving day in Puerto Rico. Children open the gifts left the night before by the

Three Kings. Island-wide festivals with music, parades, puppet shows and troubadours.

An all-day gift-giving is held for children in Old San Juan.

Feliz Dia de los Reyes Magos!

Next Day

2012-01-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

... and the next day, it was clear

Stormy Night Aftermath

2012-01-04T05:37:00.001-08:00

After a night of strong winds, went on a walk

and the path was blocked by a fallen tree - a Madrona

... and further on,

a large evergreen branch by the wayside

Checking Out the Blue Sky

2012-01-03T05:35:00.000-08:00

Decisions, Decisions

2012-01-02T10:17:00.000-08:00

If only life were so simple - for Mac it's what toy to choose for the day!

Pup Dog wins - he is right above the soccer ball - and yes, there are more!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

A new shoot on my Amaryllis sent six blooms forth for 2012!

Celebrating!

2011-12-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

My Fourth Birthday

Yes, on New Year's Eve!

Windy Days

2011-12-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Forecast this week has been high winds all week

Not happy with wind even then ...

Pop Up Tea Shop

2011-12-29T09:58:00.000-08:00

While shopping at University Village,
I warmed up with a cup of tea
and some unique Baked Rice Cakes
at the Yui Tea Pop Up Shop!

Two Great Events

2011-12-28T22:04:00.000-08:00

Part 2 January 8th

Coming Soon

What Santa Brought Mac

2011-12-27T09:53:00.000-08:00

Mac loves his new Christmas toy

Meet Smiley!

Each of his toys has a name and

he can fetch the one you ask for

Smiley is long

Mac can jump up on chairs with Smiley

He has trouble in narrow spaces

with such a wide load

This is the area of the squeaker

the first thing Mac finds on his new toys

... and the next generation

2011-12-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas Long Ago

2011-12-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

Mac's Ready for Santa

2011-12-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

" 'Twas the Night before Christmas

and all through the House
not a creature was stirring ... "

No, Mac

it's cookies and milk for Santa,

not a bone!

A Few of My Favorite Ornaments

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Winter Solstice

2011-12-22T20:03:00.000-08:00

So, the Winter Solstice was yesterday

Shortest day of the year

First day of Winter

Note the blue, sunny sky

The First day of Summer

didn't look like this in the PNW!

A Bainbridge Island Treasure 2012

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Meet one of Bainbridge Island's 2012 "Island Treasures"!

So proud of you, George
Congratulations!

The Island Treasure award was conceived in 1999 to honor excellence in the arts and or humanities and is presented annually to two individuals nominated and selected by a double-blind jury process.

Wreaths

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Wreaths of all shapes and sizes

adorn doors and walls

Most from evergreens but

some from jingle bells and wool!

... and Then There Are The Evergreens

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

... with a Magnolia and Holly thrown in

Not Your Everyday Christmas Trees

2011-12-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Check out the trees
decked out for Christmas!

Not your usual fir trees
The first, the Space Needle

Wait!
like the sign on that store!

Wink, wink Santa!

Celestial Light

2011-12-17T09:38:00.000-08:00

Lunar Eclipse - A Few Days Late

2011-12-16T20:11:00.000-08:00

Only 6 days late!

Woke up about 4:30 AM

Earlier in the evening the moon had some clouds covering it

but luckily they disappeared

A little color started to appear

and then the overcast came back

... so I watched it online

... and no more for another three years

but "I was there"

Green Christmas Decor

2011-12-15T11:53:00.000-08:00

While Mac and I were walking,

we found a tree "decorated" for Christmas

"naturally"!

Though the leaves are long gone,

the apples remind me of red Christmas balls

waiting for the local fauna to enjoy

as a Christmas treat!

Christmas Windows on the Island

2011-12-14T18:47:00.000-08:00

Brrr! It's Cold!

2011-12-13T08:36:00.000-08:00

29 degrees!

Looked out the window and

....out the western window, the moon

... and to the southeast, sunrise

... and yes, that is frost on the roof

... means French toast with Ginger Syrup!

What I Did On My Vacation

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

After fighting gremlins who put pics askew,

no captions, just the facts!

Took the ferry to Seattle

then the shuttle to SeaTac airport

Added AA app to screen

Puzzle and iPod on plane
Ultimate Nachos at Mi Cocina
BBQ at Sonny Bryan's
Cheerleading - Dad videoing
Scouting Night
Gluten free Cake Pops
Smoked Turkey
Gluten free Bread
Picking & decorating tree
Teddy and the chix

Back to WA via CA

Hmm, star looks familiar!
... as in Dallas Cowboys
Lake Havasu - London Bridge is there

Eskimo with a lei?

SeaTac, shuttle and ferry back to island

Too tired - forgot to take

pic on ferry!

Winter White But Not Snow

2011-12-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

Couldn't Resist Taking More Pics

2011-12-10T19:26:00.000-08:00

Looking Up

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

While walking the other day,

I happened to look up at the trees

on the hill and noticed a small, red object.

If you look closely, you will see a

thin, little tree in front of the larger one.

Upon closer observation, I noticed

that it was a lone apple still on the tree.

I never realized that there was an apple tree there

until all the foliage had fallen.

... and I thought I was so good at finding mushrooms

along the leaf strewn path.

I need to look skyward more often

to see what is above.

Remember the Amaryllis

2011-12-07T10:48:00.000-08:00

... now has all 4 blooms open

Found - Mushrooms on Trees

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Holiday Planting

2011-12-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

Have always wanted to

grow an Amaryllis for the Holidays
but "fear of the unknown" stopped me

Town & Country Market

had them as a Big Board Buy

a few weeks before Thanksgiving.

I planted it according to instructions

and went to Texas.

Came home and

this is what greeted me!

... and the buds continue to open

My green thumb has conquered!

While on a Walk

2011-12-05T11:37:00.000-08:00

You takin' my pic?

... Sunday Sunrise

2011-12-04T08:55:00.000-08:00

What looks like fire,

is the sun coming up and

reflecting on dark, scurrying clouds!

Decisions, Decisions

2011-12-03T11:27:00.000-08:00

Not good at deciding -

Ginger People Ginger Syrup

Trader Joe's Maple Syrup

... so, did half and half!

Cold Antidote

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

Homemade Chicken Soup

... perfect for a cold and cold, wintery day!

Santa Ana Winds

2011-12-01T18:33:00.000-08:00

The unseasonably strong Santa Ana winds that have pounded southern California during the past two days have left hundreds of thousands of residents without power, not to mention closed schools and businesses.

The annual winds that sweep through southern California from November through April are caused by high-pressure systems sweeping cool air from the Great Basin southwest into the Los Angeles Basin. As the winds descend the San Gabriel Mountains, they heat rapidly, resulting in the hot, strong winds.

These are pictures of the mountains as my plane approached the Santa Ana/John Wayne Airport in California. I flew through there on my way back to Washington from Texas the day before!

Fresh Eggs From Local Chix

2011-11-30T10:55:00.000-08:00

While in Dallas, I met the local chix
i.e. those in the backyard of the home
where I stayed

Meet the Three Musketeers

... this one lays the blue eggs

... the quiet one

... and the "whiner"

who mumbles constantly

as she struts around

TX to CA to WA

2011-11-29T22:04:00.000-08:00

Spent Thanksgiving in Dallas with family

and it was sunny but cool!

... but all good things must come to an end,

so leaving Dallas ...

... about to depart from Santa Ana/Orange County

... hmm, Eskimo with lei?

... and along the California coast

a day before the hurricane Santa Ana winds

that blew thru there on Wednesday

... landing in Seattle -

must remember to change

watch ahead 2 hours

... time to take shuttle to ferry to the island!

Good night!

Sonny Bryan's - Dallas, Texas

2011-11-28T13:05:00.000-08:00

... and no words needed

... time to decorate

2011-11-27T16:26:00.000-08:00

... and behold!

Granddaughter, Victoria and I decorated the tree

Sunrise

2011-11-26T21:01:00.000-08:00

Sunset

2011-11-25T00:42:00.000-08:00

... heading to Dallas!