Peony Love

I have been awaiting her arrival with bated breath, and here she is! The Lovely Peony Blooms. We have had so little rain and so much sun, I am afraid to relax and believe that indeed summer may be arriving. But alas, when I opened my eyes just before the sun rise, I saw that sweet color of pink that calls forth a sunny day.

I am reveling in these details, for my focus is lost and I find I am coasting on a river of unknown. My heart still grieves for lost friendships and connection.

For today, I will inhale the sweetness of The Peony...

Any Portlanders out there interested in art classes for their wee ones, en plein air? I have a lovely deck, tons of supplies and lots to share.

Not Much But Rain

Yes, Memorial Day Weekend was filled with rain. Note the mud on the wellies, it came from trying to run out during nice bits and do some planting. And mowing. This perfect Pacific Northwest combination of rain and bits of sun make for super growing grass. I don't care much if the lawn is a bit overgrown, but all of our neighbors have tidy mow and blow lawns, so I figure I should play nice. The cold temperatures were softened with a little Beagle cuddling. But, Hark! She smells a squirrel...

The Lovely Sun

My new fave morning spot!

Hops

Oregano

I am really proud of theses puppies!

Chocolate Mint and Spearmint in the old laundry tub...

The sun has been making a few appearances in The City of Roses. Not many, but that magical mixture of rain and sun makes for this...Spring is springing and the weather is moderate enough to have tea on the deck one or two mornings a week.

Lots blooming in the garden. Are any of you proud of your perennials when they spring back after winter's bitter cold? Or is it just me? I don't mind, I will own it. I am really happy for the perennials that weather the winter. Very courageous, if you ask me...I have been planting in buckets that have been floating around, trying to accommodate all of the new seedlings. Now we just need a good shot of rainy nights and sunny days and I will close my eyes and pretend I am still living on that island in the sea.

No More Leaving

No More Leaving

At

Some point

Your relationship

With God

Will

Become like this:

Next time you meet Him in the forest

Or on a crowded city street

There won't be anymore

"Leaving."

That is,

God will climb into

Your pocket.

You will simply just take

Yourself

Along!

From: 'The Gift'

Translated by Daniel Ladinsky

And Just Like That...

He goes from babe to man. He even lit his own birthday candles...

It is so easy when they have favorites. Boy likes cheesecake. Girl likes cherry pie. Husbandly likes, well anything.

This is the easiest cheesecake recipe in the world. Really.

Two packs softened cream cheese

One can sweetened condensed milk

8oz sour cream

1cup whipping cream

A bit of lemon zest and a few squeezes of lemon juice

Vanilla, Cardamon or Saffron can be added for flavor(or whatever you like)

Mix until smooth in mixer

Crust

1.5 packs of graham crackers, pulsed in food processor until it resembles sand

Handful of nuts, your choice pulsed with crackers

Enough butter to wet graham cracker/nut mixture(it should look like wet sand)

Add a good shot of Almond Extract(or anything you prefer)

Pat evenly into pan, cook at 325 for 15 minutes

Pour cream cheese filling into crust

Cook at 350 for 45 mins, or until center is somewhat firm

I like to add a saffron whipped cream on top if I didn't use it to flavor the cheesecake. Saffron Whipped Cream is Amazing. Really. Crumble a few strands of Saffron into the cream, with a bit of sugar.

For the birthday boy, I just used cherries and vanilla whipped cream, because that is what he likes.

Jeanne Oliver Designs-Be Still My Heart

These designs are so sweet and lovely!!! I think the floral tapestry bag should be mine. Now. Yesterday. Thank you very much.

Jeanne Oliver Shop-sigh...

Jeanne Oliver Designs-sigh...

Tulip Farm

We spent May Day surrounded by bobbing tulip heads, cool sunshine and the true shift that spring is finally here. Oh, to stand amid a field of tulips...what a completely refreshing way to pass some time on this lovely earth.

This is where we were.