Flowers from Alison

Our lovely neighbor girl Alison graduated from high school a few weeks ago, and we attended the neighorhood party her parents planned for her.  It was a wonderful evening of hearing about her plans for the future, and visiting with her parents and their friends and our neighbors (even our veterinarian was there, having been recommended to us by this family).

It's been an incredible experience watching a young girl grow into a beautiful and accomplished young woman over a period of seven years.  We will miss her when she leaves in August for a year of traveling to Africa, South America, Germany and England, staying with missionaries and working for them and with them as part of her 'gap year' before returning home to attend college.

She stopped by last evening with a thank-you note for us, acknowledging our gifts to her.  She knows how I love flowers, so she delivered this beautiful summer bouquet to me during her short visit.

I can't wait to see her at Thanksgiving, and it will be quite an experience to hear about her year of traveling after she returns.  I'll always remember these beautiful flowers as a reminder of her beautiful presence and lovely spirit.

Country Roses on a Picket Fence

I love these pink roses as they climb the white picket fence in the front yard.  It's looks really country to me!

Pen Thai Restaurant in Bothell

For our annviersary dinner Saturday night, we went to Pen Thai in Bothell.  It's a local favorite of ours, only a few minutes from home.  We had Salad Rolls for an appetizer, Thai Iced Teas, and Cashew Chicken and Prawns Asparagus with brown rice.

It was a wonderful meal!

A Slow Life Sunday Breakfast

Sundays are a relaxed day in Maltby, especially in the summertime.  Last Sunday, I set the table, lit some candles, and made a frittata with organic vegetables.  This frittata was made with fresh baby asparagus, Walla Walla sweet onions, red, yellow and green peppers, and Yukon Gold potatoes.  I mixed Havarti cheese into the eggs right before they were served.  For a garnish, I used organic Roma tomatoe slices, and a Haas avocado.

Of course there was freshly-brewed Pike Place Blend Starbucks coffee, and Starbucks pumpkin scones. 

The crocheted tablecloth (Pineapple Pattern) was made by my grandmother Alma in the 1940's, and the sterling silver tray on the table is from my husband's family (given as a wedding anniversary present in 1934).  The silver service on the tray is from my Aunt Elsie, given to her by her mother in the 1940's.

The Slow Life savors simple food, and recognizes meaningful family relics from the past, a reminder that we are a link in a long chain of family traditions.

Purple Splash Roses

Here is my newest rose variety from 2011, Purple Splash.  They survived the rough winter we had last year, and they look hardy and beautiful.

Pink Roses

I'll have to look up this rose in my gardening book.  I've had the rose bush for about 10 years, and never knew the variety.  It's very hardy, and it's a wonderful color of pink.

Julie Child Roses are in Bloom!

In spite of the cold and rainy weather, my roses are bursting into bloom!  Here are the Julia Child roses, and the William Shakespeare and the Purple Splash are not far behind!

Three Sisters Garden

This is my second year trying to make the Three Sisters Garden work!  Last year, I planted these items in rows going north and south, and this year I've tried planting them east and west.  It should maximize the sun and reduce the amount of shade the larger corn produced, slowing down the growth of the beans and squash.

They are all coming along nicely so far!

Tiny Liberty Apples

The Liberty apples are forming on the orchard trees, and the rosy color of this variety is beautiful.  These apples make superior pies and applesauce.

Herb Garden on the Deck

Here is a shot of my kitchen garden herbs in my new relcaimed wood planter on the deck.  Here's my Australian Shepherd sniffing around, looking for something to eat on the deck.

I've got two types of thyme, sage and rosemary.

Intricate Peonies--Close Up

Here is a close-up picture of the delicate petals of this lovely flower.

Peonies

The peony is named after Paeon , a student of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. Asclepius became jealous of his pupil, so Zeus saved Paeon from the wrath of Asclepius by turning him into the peony flower.

These peonies were in full bloom yesterday, and created an 'allee' of crimson flowers along a path at Country Village leading to a storefront at the end of the pathway.

Sculpture of Horses

This lovely scuplture is new to Country Village, and depicts a child reaching out to the young colt while riding her horse.  It's life-sized, and it was evocative of the country life.

Community Garden at Country Village in Bothell

Over the weekend, I visited Country Village and got caught up on all of the new shops and new antiques arriving at The White House Antique store.  The community garden is in full swing, and it was fun to see the different raised beds planted by many different individuals. 

Drumheller Fountain on the UW Campus

Here is Alex in front of the fountain.  If the sky had been clear that day, we would have had a perfect view of Mt. Rainier in the background.

The Burke Museum

Here we are in front of the Burke Museum.  We will take a tour of it the next time we are in the area.

Visiting the UW with Alex

Alex transitions from Middle School to High School in a ceremony tonight, and she has a wonderful new dress for the occasion.  We spent last Sunday in the University District, visiting the quaint shops, eating at a Chinese restaurant, and touring the bookstore.  We walked the campus from one end to the other, and had such a lovely time.  She will be receiving a four-year college education from the State of Washington, so we are aleady planning college and talking about all of the ways her education will change her life.  She is leaving Middle School as a member of the Honor Roll, first in her Cross Country Team, and as an accomplished French Horn player who will be performing in Portland, OR next year, and in New York during her senior year.  Such an exciting future for my Little Sister!

Here she is in Red Square in front of Suzallo Library.  We toured the building, and enjoyed a few hushed moments in the Reading Room on the third floor.

University of Washington Rose Garden

The roses are lovely this time of year on the UW campus, even though we haven't had much sun so far this year.  Here's a shot of the garden near Drumheller Fountain.  I love the architecture of the old buildings on campus, mixed in among the new buildings such as the PACCAR Auditorium and the William Gates Law Library.

Nala is a Happy Dog!

Nala loves going for rides in the truck, and here's a great shot of her during a long ride out into the Snohomish countryside.  We've had her for four months already, and she is really settled in now.  She literally runs our whole household, and already has us trained!

A White Horse in the Meadow

Behind my house are acres of grazing land.  On Memorial Day, Kaila and I hiked over to look at the two beautiful white horses that live there.  They weren't interested in talking with us, but we got a couple of good pictures of them anyway.