Spring along the riverbank

 

I was still lazing around in my pj's this morning when Amanda texted these pictures from the Mill Hill trail. She was out for an early jog before work. A beautiful sunrise on a perfect spring morning, when the valley is golden with the arrowleaf balsamroot in full bloom.

Warm enough to sit outside yesterday afternoon, I found my happy place by the river again. The chair will need to come back up to the deck when we leave. The water is running at a nice scenic 3,000 CFS, but in a few weeks it will peak at 3 or 4 times that high. 

 

I'm amazed anew each spring how much water this channel through town can handle, although there's always a few weeks there when you just hold your breath. It can get pretty thrilling, if that's the right word.

Maya came over after school to pick up some sewing supplies and doodle for few minutes at my art table. Among other talents like crocheting, quite an artist.

Our visit this time will be brief (too brief for me) but there's a community play tonight and we look forward to seeing the busy family tomorrow.

Bargain hunting

 

 

The famous Costco rotisserie chicken is still $5, although some people say it isn't as tasty as it once was. That may be so, because the monster comes in a plastic bag now instead of that clam shell, which makes it soggier and maybe greasier. 

That said, a whole chicken is an impressive amount of good protein, and after we nibble on some for lunch, I freeze the leftovers. You can put the meat in soup, but the best use is chicken enchiladas (almost as good as leftover turkey) which we had last night. 

On Easter, my generous brother brought us a can of the legendary Cougar Gold Cheese from the WSU Creamery and I sprinkled some on top for extra flavor. Enchiladas from scratch are messy work but worth it. 

 

OK, I wasn't going to do this anymore. "This" being recreational shopping at Marshall's and bringing home impulse purchases like a bird bath? with a blue turtle attached. I'm just a sucker for that color. I found those cute floating ceramic koi many years ago, and now they have a summer home on the deck table. 

Life is short, don't take yourself too seriously.

The sun is coming up in a crystal clear sky, and the next few days look like perfect spring weather. We're heading to Twisp tomorrow for a short visit. 

 

Apple blossum time

 

Our apple tree was a pretty sight in the front yard yesterday, reminding me of that pretty song from a very different time and place.

 

Never too old

 

For a custom Easter basket...same yard, much bigger girls, same sweet smiles.

Hope you had a nice holiday weekend. We enjoyed seeing my brother Dave, who made the wet freeway trek up to our house. I made a giant dinner and blueberry pie for dessert. Now, what to do with 10 pounds of leftover ham?

 

Maya made this gluten free lemon cake masterpiece, which sure puts my baking skills to shame.

 

Down Easter memory lane

Happy Easter. The beautiful white blossoms of the lily symbolize purity, hope, and life -- the essence of Easter and all the promises of Spring. 

A trip down memory lane, with Nova and Maya decorating eggs with their friends in 2017.

In 2020, that strange year we were separated by the pandemic, we sent each other pictures of our holiday dinners. Amanda made this nice meal for her family in Twisp.

Marji cooked up a ham steak for Dad in Las Vegas. How we still miss him!

Our friend Julie's tidy salad wrap dinner for one.

My small, fancy ham from the Metropolitan Market (the only store we were brave enough to shop for a few months.)

And way, way back in 2014 happier times, the hunt was on.

Have a beautiful weekend, filled with good surprises.

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

I bought this cute patio set at Target yesterday and when I got it home and unloaded, we couldn't open the table because it was bent/defective. 

So I schlepped it back to Target (about a 20 minute drive) early this morning, and hiked to the far back corner of the store where fortunately they still had a few in stock, including this one that works. 

We don't actually hang out much on the deck, because there are more private places in the yard to sit. But this little set will be nice for coffee or a glass of wine while I'm grilling. 

The weather, as you can see, is perfection today. I'm going to the West Seattle Ukulele group this afternoon, after several weeks off. We've been invited back to the open patio at C&P Coffeehouse, a nice outdoor change from our winter venue at The Bridge.

Lush life

 

 

Why fight it? When the tulips die back, I can finally get in there to cut the spent leaves and go after the weeds and invasives underneath.

The amount of heavy foliage in this yard is pretty impressive. This is as green as it gets in Seattle. By June, the strong sun dries things out and the yard won't be this lush again until next year.

I worked hard yesterday, but mostly rewarding stuff including potting 12 geraniums from Costco. Like everything else, more expensive than they used to be, but still a bargain compared to the nursery. 

Speaking of the crazy world we live in, with a combination of digital coupons and rewards, I bought a 12 pound ham at Safeway for about $5. That was $2 less than the loaf of bread in the cart. 

Yes, ham means Easter is approaching-- always my superstitious deadline for cleaning the windows. 

Well, you need to see before and after to appreciate how much more light comes in the house once the winter grime is gone.

This Windex product with the hose attachment is my best friend. Not a perfect clean but good enough, and old ladies don't need to be climbing up ladders.

Tulips, asparagus, etc.

 

This is peak bloom for the tulips and the back garden is beautiful. Too bad hardly anyone ever sees it. But last fall I planted some pots with Costco bulbs and they sure look cheerful at the front steps. 

I like my car and it was good drive home yesterday-- nice weather, scenery and light traffic. Even the big semis were polite. 

In a few weeks, the summer recreation season starts and there's suddenly a different vibe on the highways, with everyone in a pushy rush to get somewhere with their huge vehicles.

I made my usual stop at Lone Pine for coffee and bought a bunch of local asparagus. I had a hanger steak in the cooler from Hank's (now officially Rosauers although no one in the valley will ever call it anything but Hank's.)

Hanger is similar to skirt steak, but more tender because of the marbling. A nice cut of meat for medium rare grilling. I rarely see it in a Seattle grocery store- the restaurants probably get them and then charge $75 a plate.

Anyway, we had a fancy dinner last night.

Above it all

 

 

The spring weather here is fickle. The Saturday outdoor market was cold and windy, but Sunday turned out warm so we hiked to the hillside property outside of Twisp. This is a wonderful time, just after the snow melts and the valley bursts into life again.

Amanda and Tom hiked a higher ridge loop for more exercise, but I was happy to sit at the overlook and switch on my Merlin app (developed by the Cornell Institute of Ornithology.)  

 

A screenshot-- like magic, it picks out individual species from the cacophony of song.

 

 

Underfoot, carpets of delicate wildflowers.

And the spring queen of the valley, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, just starting to bloom. By May, it covers the hills and meadows in big golden clumps. 

Hardworking Amanda and Tom then spent the afternoon in the yard, while the chickens enjoyed a lazy peck outside the coop.

All good things come to an end. Work and school for the family, and I'm flying back to the Seattle coop today.

Wildlife news

 

It's been quiet down along the river, although a tom turkey came strutting though the yard looking for all the world like a Thanksgiving advertisement.

The turkeys aren't native here so no one really likes them, but they're tolerated in town. I like watching them raise their large broods each spring, and they must be good parents because most of the poults survive. No wonder there are so many of them.

Right after it rained, a herd of young does came by eating old dried leaves off the lawn, and one had a long coughing fit. It's strange how they prefer that to the fresh green grass, but leaves are their main source of food through the winter. 

I've been enjoying my time and chipping away at the chores--getting things organized outside for summer, cleaning floors and throw rugs, taking the winter bedding off. That sort of thing. My housework is easy here compared to the old Seattle house, with all its dusty corners and  stuffed spaces. It also helps to have a darn nice view while I'm puttering around.

Karen and I did our Twisp town walk yesterday, but this morning we we're heading out to her sister's vacation home for a change of scene. She has a spectacular property along the river, which has been in their family for decades. The original lodge was built by their father, who was an architect. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful local friend.

I have not even seen those busy young girls yet! With all the different afternoon activities, their school days are about 10 hours long. I'm planning to meet up with Amanda in town on her lunch break today, and then see everyone tonight. Looking forward to that.

The favorite time

 

Since I'm always up early, sunrise is my favorite time at the house. The Cottonwoods are just turning green and the river rising, although it won't reach peak stage until later in May or June. 

This is a happy time in the Valley, with three seasons of mild weather stretching ahead. And everyone hoping for the best with fire season looming again.

The beavers are still busy sectioning and carrying off the last tree they felled, then I suppose will turn their attention to new destruction. Hopefully they take the sad remains of the private property sign with them.

Our local ISP here has been  reliable over the years, but for some reason started acting up yesterday. Oh, the feeling of panic! No Internet! (Really. Get a grip.)

Anyway, I'm useless when it comes to trouble shooting anything electronic; a cold boot is about my level of my competence.

 

Which of course means yanking out plugs, then trying to remember where they went. Ugh. 

John calls this a "kludge," a wonderful word meaning "an ill-assorted collection of parts assembled to fulfill a particular purpose." He provided a bit of technical support over the phone and it works again this morning, so we shall see.

 

Good day for a drive

 

 

Time to put a few miles on my new Honda CRV. It's been a soggy week in western Washington, but today looks like blue sky and dry roads over the mountains.

This is my first solo trip to Twisp since last October. I'm looking forward to seeing local friends and of course the busy family. Also time for some light spring house cleaning. The North Cascades are warming up, and the river will be talking.

April showers

 

 

Girl at the Window
Antonia Rzhevskaya

 The Soul of April

Over the wintry threshold
Who comes with joy to-day,
So frail, yet so enduring,
To triumph o'er dismay?

Ah, quick her tears are springing,
And quickly they are dried,
For sorrow walks before her,
But gladness walks beside.

Bliss Carman

 

At the Symphony (again)

 

Nobuyuki Tsujii

 

Do you remember the 1996 movie "Shine?" It told the story of the Australian child prodigy David Helfgott, who is driven to madness by the "unplayable" Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3. 

While the work was never truly unplayable, it is certainly in the top 10 of hardest piano pieces, requiring great virtuosity and stamina. 

Now, please imagine a classical pianist, a child prodigy who has been blind since birth, hammering this monster out in front of a full house and Seattle Symphony Orchestra. That was our treat yesterday afternoon. 

(The Rach 3 was followed by Brahms Symphony #4, another masterpiece, although poor Brahms felt a bit sleepy by comparison.)

From Wiki:

Tsujii learns new musical works strictly by ear. A team of pianists records scores along with specific codes and instructions written by composers, which Tsujii listens to and practices until he learns and perfects each piece. It takes about a month to complete a concerto. 

Inspiring stuff for these troubling times. 

Spring has sprung

 

I was out early this morning for a walk at the Washington Park Arboretum with my old friend Nancy. The park is beautiful in any season, but really spectacular now with the flowering cherry and magnolia trees. 

Nancy is in excellent shape. This is good, because it challenges me somewhat and I haven't had much exercise this week. My back seems none the worse for our 2 mile hike, so hopefully that was just what I needed.

It is Friday and the sun is out.  A bad combination. I drove home surrounded by seemingly insane drivers. I'm getting used to my pretty new car, and naturally feeling protective. My palms were sweating by the time I got back to West Seattle. We have freeway on-ramps here that deposit you in the fast lane. Think about that. (Talk about insane.)

Well, there is something about these first warm days that makes people go crazy on the roads. I don't know if that happens in other parts of the country. Maybe it's because we've been deprived of sunshine for so many months.

In other news. South of the border, the fun goes on. The families have just returned from an overnight camping and kayaking excursion on Espiritu Santo Island. 

Have a good weekend.