The view from here.

Last night's sunset and a few pics from the garden this evening...

Summer Solstice.

Enjoy every minute of sunshine today!

A few minutes of quiet.

I work four days a week and Mondays are always crazy, but I found time to sit down by the water last night and it was just what I needed to clear my head, relax and forget about the to-do list for a few minutes.

Happy Monday.

Watering cans.

A few from my collection...

Funky Junk Sisters Show.

Those of you in Puget Sound may enjoy the Funky Junk

Sisters show this weekend in Puyallup!

It looks like a lot of fun. Check out their blog and website for more info.

Purchases.

Just a few of my purchases from the Farm Chicks show...mostly for card-making and collaging. The cute little Peter Rabbit watering can (I have a collection that I'll tell you about later) I actually picked up the night before the show at Finders Keepers downtown Spokane. They had a booth at the show too, but we did a little antiquing on Friday when we arrived. The Bingo cards were from June Bug, stationery goodies from Elle's Studio, flash cards from Sara Smith Antiques (can't find a website) and this gorgeous milk bottle (another little collection I have) is from The Rusty Bird (also no website).

House Beautiful.

The July issue of House Beautiful arrived and it's all about small spaces. Being that I live in 1000 square feet with a husband, son, daughter, dog + cat, this issue is especially appealing to me. I love this 60 square foot kitchen (page 108) in St. Helena, California. I've been thinking about removing the cabinet fronts from my upper cabinets and this just about has me convinced.

And this "Small and Rugged" guesthouse (page 60) is what I'm aiming for....clean and crisp....I have way too much junk. Of course this is someone's guesthouse, no one lives in it full-time like we do. I love the natural finishes and fibers and the neutral colors. Gorgeous!

Seabold Vintage.

It was so awesome to see a Bainbridge vendor at Farm Chicks. I saw "Seabold Vintage" on the program and wondered. Come to find out it was Liz, an acquaintance from here on the Island, and her husband Jeff. What an awesome booth (but I forgot to take a picture)! She also runs Bainbridge Blues, an amazing textile business here on the Island. Check out her blog.

More Farm Chicks.

Teri and Serena have lots of links and great photos (like this one)

from the show over on their blog. Take a look!

Farm Chicks.

Island Chicks meet Farm Chicks!

What a blast! I've wanted to attend the Farm Chicks show the last couple of years and I finally got there this year. It was so worth the wait, but I wished I'd been going since the beginning. I felt like such a novice. We were there early on Saturday and waited in line with all the other chicks and even though it was crowded, vendors and attendees were all so polite and easy-going. Teri and Serena were the most gracious of hosts! Here are just a few pics from the show. I'll send you some links later, but I'm running out the door to work now. :-)

Spokane or bust!

I'm off to Spokane this weekend with some girlfriends to see the Farm Chicks show! I'll post my top picks from the show when I return.

Good night.

Okay, I'm up way too late, but I had to sign off with these couple of shots at sunset just as the wind, rain and thunder kicked up. Yes, they made it here Pam. We were talking on the phone about 4:30ish when it hit Portland. Unfortunately I think there will be some damage in the garden when I head out there in the morning. I hope not though.

Love in the garden.

A day off.

What a gorgeous day off...it's really warming up, but with a slight breeze off the water and blue, blue sky. I am, of course, in the garden. Well, I'm taking a little break. My neighbor has some raspberry starts to give me, so I need to get an area prepared...and I need to psych myself up for some hard work! A little blogging was in order.

Here's the first peony of the year...

the lupines...

poppies ready to flop...

lettuce ready to be harvested...

our bunny, Cadbury (she's a chocolate dutch).

More garden views...

Unfortunately I am working indoors during this gorgeous weather, but when I'm home, I am in the garden.