Friday, June 15, 2012

The Lake

It's no secret that one of the best perks of this ramshackle house is the proximity of Green Lake.  Green Lake is, in my opinion, one of the best parks in Seattle.  As my mother recently said "it's like Central Park without the skyscrapers".  So true.  I go running there at least a couple of times a week and it never fails to delight me.

My favorite part of spring at the lake is duckling season!  I've been taking photos of them for a couple of months now so I thought I should share some of my favorites. 
This is the quintessential duckling shot.  Gorgeous tree trailing in the water, blue skies reflected in the lake, ducklings so tiny they can barely be seen as they blend in with their surroundings.
Slightly more visible clutch of ducklings but look how tiny!  Each one no bigger than a baseball.  Cheep cheep cheep!

This winter, an old big leaf maple along the lake path cracked in half and had to be cut down.  Every three days or so since then, some mystery tree lover has come to update this shrine with whatever flowers are in season.  Camellias were the flower of the day this time:
Beautiful.  The lake community never fails to impress me.  

One last photo of balls of fluff that paddle around and cheep loudly?  OK, twist my arm!
A wee flotilla!  Welcome to the lake, ducklings!  I hope you love it as much as I do.



Friday, June 8, 2012

Memorial Day!

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day!  We had a fantastic weekend camping on Whidbey Island with the newest addition to our family.  Her name is Brunhilda, she is a Volkswagen Vanagon Carat model, meaning she has the adorable flip-up table and fold-down bed, but not the pop top.  As far as camping goes, this is glamping (glamour-camping) for sure! 

My picture taking was a little sub-par.  I was too busy drinking chilled champagne (yay for coolers) out of real glasses (yay for fancy picnic baskets) and admiring the water views from our campsite.  We camped at the Island County Fairgrounds (oddly enough) but it had everything we could possibly ask for.  Namely: bathrooms, a water view, and a BUNNY SANCTUARY.  If you've read this blog long enough, you know that I have a real soft spot for bunnies.  Somehow, the Island County Fairgrounds have become a bunny sanctuary.  There are "Bunny Safe Zone, No Chasing!" signs and there are bunnies everywhere!
Bunnies frolicking with the picnic tables.
Bunnies hanging out in the road.
This was our favorite bunny, tiny and black.  He was so cute, we almost scooped him up and smuggled him home. 

I did a whole lot of this:
Reading on a blanket in the sunshine, does it get any more summery than this?  The champagne glass and picnic basket are just out of view, but don't worry, they were never far from reach. 

We went to the drive-in movies one night, which was so fabulous I forgot cameras existed.  Sorry! We also went to an amazing farmers market/nursery with a giant tunnel of yellow viburnum:
And spent a lot of time by the water's edge:
If you're pondering a trip to Whidbey in the near future, I highly recommend it.  The ferry is easy, the views are incredible, the islanders are friendly.  Welcome to summer, I think we're starting off right!


Sunday, June 3, 2012

Peonies

Peonies are the most luxuriant flower on earth, I think.  Amazingly enough, they are also seem to be one of the easiest to grow.  This year, we have a bumper crop.
This one was my favorite.  She grew very tall and had to be cut and brought inside. 
So beautiful!
Once this one is gone, my living room will never be as gorgeous again!
We have others in varying shades of white and pink...
 
This is one of the tubers that is the same root stock as the ones from my wedding bouquet.  I can tell our anniversary must be close!
It's almost sad to cut them, but for their own health some of the tall ones have to come indoors.  Some of them are waist high!
I took this photo at dusk (otherwise known as Nature's Instagram).  Gorgeous peonies, I wish you could stay forever!
I hope you all can seize the very short peony season and enjoy these beauties while you can.  Their sweet-smelling palest-pink lushness is guaranteed to add gorgeousness to any room you put them in.  Happy summer!