The garden after one (very rainy) year

It's hard to imagine that we began planting the beds just one year ago. They have certainly filled in well. The pictures above show things as they were in 2011. And the pictures below show them as they are today.

Our parsley has been so prolific this year. I have to clear the path with a weed whacker! Anyone have any recipes that call for a LOT of parsley?

Winter at the Beach

When we first looked at the  Camano house thirteen years ago, Suzanne, the owner, mentioned that she enjoyed winter best of all the seasons. I'm now beginning to see why she did.

The days are so peaceful, yet the threat of a big storm is ever-present. The constant winds of summer have abated and our bay frequently  looks  like a mirror. Fewer folks are out walking on the beach which makes finding 'nuggets' much easier. ;)

The sun has moved far to the south, coursing along the ridge and saying goodby each day around 3:30.

Bird populations have shifted from eagles, goldfinches, swallows and terns  to  cormorants, many different duck species, and little Annas hummingbirds, some with feathers that  glow deep pink in the sunlight.

Just to the north, snow geese and trumpeter swans are feeding on  fertile farmland, building up stores of energy to take them through the mating season. Occasionally a flock of swans feeds just up the road in the large field across from the airport.

With the exception of a few stubborn weeds, the garden is resting as we peruse magazines and catalogs for the coming season.

Most noticeable is that many of our neighbors have departed for the winter, many seeking warmer climates. There are just a few neighbors nearby, which I'm sure we'll come to know well.

Thanksgiving into Christmas

Having left the chilly Seattle house under the watch of Maki and Jeff, I headed to the beach to enjoy a little warmth (oh, did I mention we're having furnace problems in Seattle ?).

The  beach house is definitely warm. The heating system needs to be fine tuned;  but it feels good. The big news is that the recent storms  and high tides took the huge log that was just off our ramp away - without a trace!

the tide taking it away

Interesting that over the many months that it was out front, the roots just went away. Or were they scavenged by  our daughter?.....

In its wake is a wave of pebbles. They are piled so high that I can step from the beach to our yard. So Brendan, with any luck we won't have to put in stairs.      :)

Yesterday morning I heard the gulls screeching and looked outside. A hawk had landed on a big log out front. It had what looked like a black bootie on its talon. As it fled, I realized the black thing was a little critter. It happened so fast I couldn't take a picture.

Happy to report that the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone.

Turkey, gravy,  the last of Jeff's potatoes from the garden (sorry honey), and some yummy roasted veggies from the other night.

So delicious!

for the foodies in my life!

The outdoor faucet covers are on and we're settling in for the winter.