Redmond Watershed Preserve

The weather on Saturday was what we've been waiting for - sunny and warm-ish. We were up and out early for a get-a-way that wasn't too away. Over in Redmond is the Redmond Watershed Preserve, a park with 800 acres and over seven miles of multi-use trails. It's a great place for a run or a hike and even a bike ride. Horses, too, can meander these trails so watch your step. We highly recommend this place for a hike. Get there early so you can soak up the quiet - except for the birds and frogs and such. We heard woodpeckers, we spotted geese and a heron, crossed paths with a couple of deer, and saw lots of birds and a snake. We also got a really good 4 miles of walking to start our day. Once back home we hit the yard to plant flowers.

Here is the basic map and directions. Here is Karen Sykes' article from the Seattle P-I.

A Snail of Two Cities

One city is the out of doors, where this guy and his pals can be spotted sliming along my pea starts. The other city is in the tropical greenhouse, where warm air and dripping moisture lessen the friction between already slimy snail and the shelves! This one was spotted making its way to the newly sprouted basil. This is not the first and certainly won't be the last snail to see using my greenhouse as a personal HomeTown Buffet. I'll be watching very closely.

Urban Growth

Here are a couple of Orange Smoothie Pumpkin starts. I've got two in the ground. Not sure where these two will go. Perhaps just in a big container and then set amongst the landscaping to spill over the rock wall.

Everyone in the garden got a good dose of water fortified with fish emulsion. That includes me. I guess that litre bottle has been in the shed a looooooong time. I was shaking it and then I gave it a squeeze cuz I could feel the weight of the product and I wanted to get things moving. Well, one squeeze was all it took to crack the thing and I got sprayed all over the front of my shorts. Pretty much looked like I had explosive diarrhea but in the front. Yeah, and it smelled good too. The cat was really diggin' me when I went inside.

Planted some bok choi and rainbow chard starts and then more of the same seed. Planted nasturtium starts and discovered a clump of volunteer sunflowers. Last month I had seen the old, half-eaten sunflower head from last year in the drive way. These things disappear and then turn up again as various critters pick them over. So it made its way to a clump of dirt by the sage plants. We'll have to thin them but it will be nice to have sunflowers. I have several sunflower seeds germinating in the greenhouse anyway. I'll just plug them everywhere. The more you plant the more you should get to survive?

Turnips have been sprouted for over a week so I planted more seed, along with a full array of lettuces around the broccoli starts. I've basically packed that little bed with growth potential. I have thousands of seeds, I might as well use them.

What's going on in your veggie gardens?

HAPPY EARTH DAY

Just a few ideas:

Take your own bags to the grocery store.
Walk to the grocery store.
Switch to energy saving light bulbs.
Take the bus to work.
Plant a salad garden.
Try a meat-free meal this week (then next week, then twice a week, then three times a week).
Choose independent over big-box-chain store.
Buy in bulk to reduce packaging.
Open those curtains and turn off those lights.
Don't buy anything today.

I could go on. The point - take a step to make a change.

Global Warming?

Speaking of weather, I think February was nicer than March. March was the coldest in decades. Veggie gardens around town are slow in growing. I thought I'd be eating arugula by now but it's just sitting there, not quite 2 inches tall. My broccoli has it’s first set of true leaves but that’s it. And those I planted as established starts! My onion patch, however, is perfectly content. But I’m doing what I can, besides waiting and brooding, to encourage urban growth. My little greenhouse is full of basil, catnip, peas, beans, sunflowers, chard, and tiny pumpkins in various stages of germination.

Other yard projects included laying down a whole new layer of gravel - ourselves. We also replaced the bricks removed by the contractor when he repaired a leak in the outside drain from the gutter. We changed the shape of things a bit and removed a plant or two. I like the simple rustic look. It gets alot of traffic from us so it needs to be user-friendly. Local weather folks are calling for freezing temps again so I will delay - again - putting in more veggie starts. Errrrrrrrrrrrrr.

SPRING!

Finally, the sun, the temps, the blue sky! For a whole day! But Sunday and today are cloudy again. Still, we saw our window of opportunity and jump through. We hopped a ferry to Southworth then drove a bit more to Belfair, WA to explore the Mary E. Theler Community Center & Wetlands Trails. The temperature was over 70, we hung out with barn swallows, blue herons, hawks, ducks, geese, red wing blackbirds, snakes, and all sorts of other flying critters as we walked the 3 miles of trails. I've included a handful of photos here. I hope wherever you are you can get outside!

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Quick Stop in Fremont

First time in Stickman Coffee. Above is the courtyard with a fabulous mural. Below is a double-tall-non-fat latte, my drink of choice. Excellent coffee, really. This place is right around the corner from Fremont Jewelry Design where we had our rings made/prettied-up. Very, very pleased with the results.

Rocket Leaves No Tail

This is Rocket, a neighborhood cat. She has practically no tail. However, she is an excellent climber and was spotted stalking the birds that feed at our feeder. I rapped on the window and she spotted me.

Island Life

Spent a couple days on Whidbey Island. The weather actually cleared and we were able to hike one of our favorite hikes, the bluff at Ebey's Landing. But not before a stop at Miriam's Espresso Cafe for the Morning Glory Muffin. I can't say enough good things about these muffins. Healthy? Not likely. Tasty? Off the charts. La Vie En Rose Bakery in Anacortes, WA creates these tasty treats and we look forward to treating ourselves.
On the hike we were treated to several fly-bys by a bald eagle and an osprey. This was the best shot of the eagle I could manage. Pretty good, I think. The temp was just barely 40 degrees and things were gusty on the bluff. But once the sun came out it was really nice. It was snowing the next morning, however, but back home the sun shone again.

Signs of Spring?

I thought it was Spring. No matter. Snow is pretty and we don't have to deal with it too often.

Signs of Spring

In spite of the snain (snow + rain) falling last night, Spring is coming. The giant ornamental plum tree in the front yard is in bloom. And it smells wonderful. We have some fallen branches in a tall vase on the dining room table.

MY SUPPORT STAFF

MY BLOGGING INTERN.

Everyone Enjoys the Daffodils

What's that between the garlic and daffodils? It's something but I can't quite tell...

aha! It's A-Rod, a neighbor cat. He's catching the last of the day's sun.

The Future of Food

Well, it's not a recipe but it's certainly food related. Food that we are growing and will be eating. On my food blog which for now is called feed yourself.

Ghost Dancers

It was a foggy drive to school one day last week. I shot a few frames while heading toward the bridge. Out of the fog danced figures of light.

All Creatures Great and Small

It's because this bird was no bigger than a crow that I didn't think to look up. I was sitting on the couch in front of the picture window and the cat had just made herself comfortable on my lap (which took forever). I see birds come and go all the time but something made me look up at the wire. I knew immediately it wasn't a crow but couldn't tell what it was. I thought about it for a solid minute before I tossed the cat onto the floor (she really didn't like that) and ran for the camera. I only got three quick shots before it stepped off the wire, swooped almost to the ground across the street then began to fly away. It's a horrible picture but once I boosted the exposure to the max I was actually able to make out the features: the beak, eye, ring around the neck, white underside feathers and two white tail-bands. Once I locate my bird book I hope to identify it. Looking on the Internet hasn't been helpful. It was really exciting to see it right in my yard.

A Recent Drive to Fremont

A recent drive to to Fremont via 99 and the Viaduct. Just hold up the camera and shoot and shoot and shoot. Later, you realize you actually took shots worth seeing, especially after you straightened them up. Above, I'm on 99 approaching downtown. Freight cars on the right. Orange cranes that move freight cars to the left.
My little monk doll who rides on the dash with my Day of The Dead skeleton (you might make out the reflection of him in the windshield).
On the Viaduct.
Great sky and mountains just peaking over the photo's horizon.
Into the tunnel and on my way.

Hope Is Not Lost Part 4

Today it was Carkeek Park. Only a couple of photo opps but what a glorious day for sun and blue sky and a walk in the woods. The trails go up and down and over and through. There is an overpass to get you across the train tracks and I shot a couple pics from that overpass but the wind was too much for us. We were slightly underdressed for the beach's wind because we had considered the ups and downs of hiking when getting dressed. Another day.

Hope Is Not Lost Part 3

Headed to the Arboretum. Walked all through it and along the boardwalks that run along the surface of Lake Washington. The boardwalks run all the way to the Museum of History and Industry. From there you can close the loop by catching Lake Washington Blvd. back to the Arboretum. LOTS of walking but what a great day for it.

The rich, beautiful bark of a cherry tree.
Spotted a well-camouflaged heron sitting in a tree. He's either grooming or very shy.
Looking west at the Montlake Bridge and the Montlake Cut.

Cormorants and crows watching the world go by.

S looking toward the UW stadium. She has a story about the day that she heard and saw that giant overhang on the right side collapse. This was while the stadium was still under construction. Another reason I don't do sports.

Hope Is Not Lost Part 2

I hope this is an indication of the weather today.

Hope Is Not Lost Part 1

Spring will come. I now know it's true. What a beautiful day. Headed to Lincoln Park. A fair amount of descent to get from our place to the water. Then you have to get back up. I opted for the stairs that begin after you have climbed back up from the water and crossed Fauntleroy. S opted for the surface streets that switchback up to California. Here I am looking up at the first set of stairs.

At the mid-point looking back.

Looking up at the next and last set of stairs. Almost there.

Route 21

On my way downtown to meet S for lunch. It's nice to get on the bus early in the route.


Speeding across the bridge.

Let's Eat

Lots of delicious things happening on Cucina Bodanza.

Cilantro Yogurt Chicken Salad
Lentil Patties
Broiled Tofu with Yogurt Marinade
Roasted Cauliflower and Potato Soup

Blurry Moon Photos

Well, why try to come up with a clever title? Just get to the point.


The weather lately has been great. Cold, but sunny and clear. This has resulted in wonderful views of all the mountains and lovely sunrises and sunsets. It's also the reason we've had dramatic moonrises too. From the kitchen we can spot the moon through the trees. It has first appeared as a giant, orange ball. As it rises the color lightens and it appears smaller. Wednesday morning at about 6:15 I travelled one block west on my street, crested the street and looked straight at Puget Sound which was illuminated by the full moon. It appeared not as water but as a field of snow with dark islands in it. It took my eyes a moment to adjust. I just couldn't figure it out at first. The light was so bright and so beautiful and it was still dark. So the water appeared white. What I wouldn't have given to just sit there in my car for another 30 minutes to watch as the colors changed. On days I don't have class I get to enjoy the sunrises form the picture window in the living room.

Bhutanese Red Rice

Read about Bhutanese Red Rice on Cucina Bodanza.

On A Clear Day...

What a great day for weather. Crisp (around 32 degrees when I shot this) and crystal clear. Here is the sun coming up and touching Mt. Rainier. It's a decent view from the front porch. In spite of the neighborhood trees and electric poles, I feel fortunate to be able to see the mountain whenever I look out (assuming it's clear).

On my drive down 35th to the bridge I could see all of Mt. Baker and all the peaks from there to Mt. Rainier. On the other side of the Sound I could see all of the Olympics. A great day for mountains. I walked down to Lincoln Park to stroll along the water and it was beautiful. The hike up is challenging but the views on the way down and the exposure to endless sun made it worth it.

Chicken Salad on Cucina Bodanza

Yes, all my posts are about food. Well, school is very busy, the weather usually sucks, and no trips are planned until late Spring. But I cook every day so this is where the creativity is lately. I wish I had time to blog ALL the yummy things I make. For now, perhaps once a week. Wish the pics were better. Again, no time for clever set-ups. I figure a decent shot to give you an idea of the outcome is sufficient for now.

Read about Chicken Salad on Cucina Bodanza.

Cucina Bodanza

We try Coq au Vin on Cucina Bodanza.

Cucina Bodanza

A new recipe on Cucina Bodanza for Lentil Soup.

Cucina Bodanza

There is a new recipe on Cucina Bodanza. Check out Half and Half Mini Loaves.