Butterflies, family and friends

 

 

 

After the spring flood two years ago, the river deposited milkweed seeds that sprouted by the sandy beach. It created a natural butterfly garden, specifically attracting the Western Tiger Swallowtail and Two-Tailed Swallowtail. According to Google ID, there is a slight difference between the two pictured above. 

It's amazing how butterflies zero in on a little patch of their favorite food. They are so intent on the flowers, you can take spectacular up-close photos.

 

I got caught up in the 4th of July parade and didn't take many pictures. The parade started with a mounted color guard on stunning Western horses, followed by lots of small town sweetness, blessedly free of blaring politics. It was also longer than parades in the past. The parade has become a highlight of the summer, with crowds of people enjoying the ArtsFest at Twisp Works. 

 

But we walked home after the parade to rest and get ready for the evening party. There were 9 of us--Amanda, Tom and the girls, my brother Dave and friends Bruce and Karen, who are becoming part of the family. It was a perfect evening to eat bratwurst on the deck with baked beans, salads, and watermelon finished off with a blueberry pie John picked up at Lone Pine.  

We went to the Twisp Saturday Market this morning and just taking it easy on this hot afternoon. 

Summertime...

 

And the livin' is easy.  (Once you get here, that is.)

The house was a toasty 88 degrees when I arrived, but the air conditioner has been doing its magic all afternoon and it already feels comfortable at 80. Heat is relative.

I was tired when I left Seattle, but got my second wind on the road. Traffic was still pretty light. Tomorrow is the big holiday rush, but John and Dave should get an early start and be here by early afternoon.

Lone Pine Fruit and Espresso is wonderful this time of year-- cherries, apricots and blueberries in season. Soon the first apples and pears. I bought a heavy bag of fruit for just a few dollars. 

The daisies made it all the way from Seattle. We're planning a big party here on the 4th. 
 

They are not long

 

They are not long, the days of wine and roses:

Out of a misty dream

Our path emerges for a while, then closes

Within a dream. 

Ernest Dowson, "The Days of Wine and Roses" 

A lovely poem. And in Seattle, the summer evenings when you can comfortably sit outside are not long. The yard is teeming with busy insects, but very few of the annoying varieties here, like mosquitoes and wasps. 

Can you even imagine, wide open windows without screens in most parts of the country?

The olive tree is blooming and humming with honey bees visiting from the hives across the street. 

The little stick from the West Seattle Nursery grew into a beautiful tree that has survived many harsh winters and even a vicious ice storm that bent it to the ground.

People always ask me if we "get olives." The answer is yes, thousands of them, about the size of BB's. Our Northwest summers are too cool for fruit to mature. 

I read an article once in the local paper about a persistent gardener who managed to get an olive crop in Seattle. Of course, olives are bitter as gall right off the tree, and have to soaked, cured in brine, etc. etc. so the work is just getting started. I'll stick to Trader Joes and Costco, where I can buy a gallon of them for under $10.

June, you were golden

 

Other than a touch of welcome rain, June was amazing. Nothing across the country can match a beautiful June in Seattle. 

We're exactly halfway through the year and never mind those depressing New Year's resolutions that didn't last until February. Imagine some simple wins that will make you feel good about yourself, come dark December.

Today is Social Media Day. Since I already spend (waste?) so many hours blogging, I don't miss Facebook. But this weekend I set up an Instagram account out of curiosity and to follow our Twisp neighbor, who has a watercolor studio at TwispWorks called Arrowleaf. 

Yesterday Nova gave me a crash course on navigating the complexities. What a surprise, Instagram already knows so much about me, showing videos of kitchen tips, and pictures of charming country cottages that just break your heart with envy.

Since Nova has an account, it immediately linked to her best friends, as well as dozens of people who "sound familiar" but I can't place for the life of me. 

Is that the first sign of senility, or a typical social media experience? Maybe both. Anyway, talk about Pandora's Box. No wonder people get hooked. 

We have a busy and fun week coming up, with a trip to Twisp for the holiday. 

 

Bless my soul

 

It rained for about an hour yesterday afternoon, wetting down the parched yard. Not enough for the deep watering the plants need, but the sound and smell was sure lovely. June has been quite dry.

So the pork chop barbecue got moved to the frying pan-- there were no complaints. 

Amanda, Tom and the girls will be in Seattle this weekend for Amanda's 30th high school reunion. (Imagine that.) 

They have a packed agenda, but we look forward to having them for Sunday breakfast before they head back to the valley. 

Have a good weekend.  

"Fast bites, fleeting delights"

 

Four hours to prepare, ten minutes to consume.