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Little Lovelies
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed by email! Thanks for visiting! It’s been awhile since the boys have shown up on the blog. July and early August was hectic with both of them as they battled some kind of intestinal infection for several weeks. Samson, who at his chunkiest was 14-15lbs got down to 7lbs and I could feel the bones in his tail. It was not good.. Needless to say I fed him whatever he wanted to eat and now he’s in love with as much tuna as I can give him. And would you believe he’s picky about what kind of…
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The Magic of the Ancients
As we approached the outer reaches of Olympic National Park we suddenly saw a sign for the worlds largest sitka spruce tree. Being big/ancient tree lovers, we made a quick detour down a side road to find the worlds largest spruce tree. This was a very short walk from the car, I believe around a quarter mile one way. We quickly learned that there are many giants on the Olympic peninsula, however we didn’t have the time to devote to visiting all of them. Having seen several large and old trees it is hard not to pass them up, particularly because you never know when they will be gone. What…
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Pike Place Market | Seattle
+Going to Pike Place Market was on my list of things to do in Seattle. I had no idea that the flagship Starbucks was located right there at the market—but I should have known, Pike Place Roast! We did not go in the store as the line was long and I’d already had coffee at the hotel that morning. +Honestly, the market itself was a tad disappointing. It felt more like a spiced up flea market than what I was envisioning and the farmers/craft market on San Juan Island a week later was much better. We came there expecting a bit more art than was exhibited, hoping to purchase something…
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Evening Walk Through The Seattle Center
+Our stomachs were still on Central Standard Time when we finished with REI and checking into our hotel. Intially we thought about heading to a Mexican restaurant a few blocks away but instead I spotted Bahn Thai caddy-corner from the hotel. We headed in and were asked if we had a reservation—no—but were seated relatively quickly due to an open table in a corner. We sat down and I noticed quickly that there was only one other person in jeans in the restaurant. Apparently people in the city get dressed up for Saturday evening dinners. Even in Texas I think that is rare except for the restaurants with a dress…
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The Great Kingdom of REI
Our first stop in Seattle was to the flagship REI store. As we could not fly with our stove fuel, lighter or matches we needed to purchase those items as well as food for the week. Of course we could use some new clothes too, that’s always a good excuse to go to REI. The store is huge, with multi-level parking garage and the store itself is multiple levels as well. While they did have a broad range of items, I really thought it would be a little more diverse than their other stores (I’ve been to the two in Dallas, the two in Houston, one in Austin, one on…
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A Change of Scenery
I went back and forth for a few days about cutting my hair. I’d just ooogled at my long hair photos from hiking and thought about growing it out long again. But then I didn’t. I felt the urge for a good hair cut, someone to play with my hair. I don’t know about you, but having a wash, cut and style is just about as cathartic as a massage. If I didn’t have to stay awake for the stylist to tell me to dip my chin or turn my head I would totally fall asleep. I went in asking for a bob, something short and cute. It didn’t end…
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Recently on Sprout Dispatch….
Have you been to Sprout Dispatch lately? If not or if you’ve never heard of it why don’t you hop on over today and take a peek at what Curt, Chel and I have been writing and talking about this summer in regards to our gardens. I think all three of us have had it with summer and are ready for the respite of Fall—you see, we all garden in the south and Chel gardens in the sub-tropics of SW Florida. We love questions and comments so if you see something that you would like more information about, please ask away! Here’s a sampling of what has been going on…
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Quote Wednesday | John Muir
Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. None of Nature’s landscapes are ugly so long as they are wild. – Our National Parks, (1901) – John Muir
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The Shins
The Shins’ Port of Morrow album cover painted on the side of a record shop north of the Seattle Center. I think it was Silver Platters. I have to thank my brother for introducing me to The Shins several years ago, back when I found out about Rilo Kiley. The shop reminded me a little of Empire Records, but I never went in to see what it was truly like. I miss the days of going into a music store, putting on the puffy head phones and absorbing the music as it came into my ears….remember those days? Like in Radiohead’s Creep? Port of Morrow Simple Song Simple Song
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Morning in the Rainforest
A happy accident. I was photographing a stream in the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park and jostled my camera, resulting in this image. I was going to delete it but once I reviewed it in the camera I decided to keep it to see how it really looked on a screen. I love it! It’s what I get for not carrying a tripod and using my knee instead. Exif data for those interested: F/20, 0.5 sec exposure, ISO 400, 18mm. Fall is coming. Ironically summer still felt alive and well while in NW Washington, but here in Texas, I see the changes. The beautyberry’s are fruiting, their pearled fruits…