The Deck--A Summer Escape

I love my deck, and the privacy it affords me on a warm summer day. The clematis has grown over the deck and up the side of the house this year, creating a lovely screen. The hanging baskets and the planters on the deck add to the effect of a private, cozy room. The Adirondack chairs always look welcoming, especially when adorned with pillows made from vintage fabric enbroidered in lovely old thread. I'll take Thoreau's Journal out there one evening this week and learn more about his Walden escape, where he spent so much of his time writing and thinking. We all need a place of our own to relax and listen to our thoughts.

Wind Chimes Made from Silverware

I love the sound of these windchimes when the breeze kicks up on the deck. It's a clever idea, and they look nice hung near my large hanging basket. Its soft sounds lull me on warm summer days as I lounge back in my Adirondack chair, inhaling the lovely scents of all of the shrubs and flowers.

Strawberries and the Bird Condo

A bird family moved into my new large birdhouse made of salvaged barn wood that I bought at the Antique Rose Farm in Snohomish. I hung a basket full of strawberries above the birdhouse, and the strawberries were disappearing for a while. Evidently the birds moved on, and the remainder of the berries are growing and turning ruby-red. I picked one this evening, and it was firm and juicy. Lots more are on the way!

A New Watercolor from Artist Karen Quinn

In my local Starbucks store a few months ago, I discovered a display of watercolors from local artist Karen Quinn. Karen has a degree in architecture, and has been a watercolorist for many years. I was especially taken with the piece above, which is a rendering of an outbuilding on the farmland surrounding the area adjacent to Columbia Crest Winery in Woodinville.

Karen and I arranged to meet yesterday at the Woodinville Starbucks store, where we got to know each other a little better. She was extremely happy with being selected by the store to display her work earlier this spring. I was thrilled to walk out of the store with both a latte and this wonderful work of art.

This now resides in my French Country kitchen above the sideboard, where a strawberry-rhubarb pie now cools and fresh Rainier cherries from the Woodinville Farmers Market are fast disappearing.

Summer Flowers from the Woodinville Farmer's Market

I strolled down to the Farmer's Market in Woodinville on Saturday to get some fresh summer flowers for the Sunday barbecue. There were lots of fresh cherries, onions, bread and strawberries in the stalls, and the sweet music of a talented guitarist set the mood.

In addition to a small pink punch of sweet peas, I found this lovely mixed bouquet with traces of red, white and blue for the French pine table in the dining room. That's always where the BBQ begins!

Homemade Honey Cornbread for the BBQ

I love making homemade honey cornbread, and it was worth heating up the kitchen on a hot summer day to have it baked and ready for the Fourth of July barbecue. Of course we added more honey and butter to the cooled muffins, and the sweet bread was as good as any dessert!

Fourth of July Barbecue

The 4th of July weekend dawned sunny and warm, and we took advantage of the weather to grill salmon, salmon cakes with spinach and ricotta cheese, shish-ka-bobs and chicken satay on skewers. Pink lemonade, salads, and desserts such as strawberry-rhubard pie, pumpkin cheesecake squares, and ice cream from the Snoqualmie Ice Cream company complemented the main dishes.

Grilled corn sauteed with basil olive oil was a special treat, and there were few leftovers.

After dinner, we played volleyball and badminton, enjoyed the yard and gardens, and sat around the new shed, listening to 60's oldies.