Beautiful Rhododendrons

The rhodies have been unusually beautiful this year, with bright colors, larger blooms, and good weather to display themselves.

Here is one of my neighbor's rhodies, which is tree-sized.  The last picture is of the rhodie under my front window that got cut back drastically last year.  It looks elegant.

 

 

 

 

Mother's Day Roses

My husband sent me these lovely red roses and carnations for Mother's Day this year. I loved his thoughtfulness, and we reminisced about all of the years we've spent together raising our two sons.

 

 

The Vegetable Garden for 2014

Here are some views of the vegetable garden this year.  I have so many interesting peas, beans and cucumbers this year that are new to me.  I'm hoping these heirlooms do well in my Maltby garden.

 

 

 

 

The New Shade Garden is Finished!

Last week, we finally got the 9 new hostas planted, along with a border of white petunias.  Our new shade garden should grow quickly during the summer months, and the hostas will get larger each successive year.

This shade garden turned a little-used and very unattractive corner of the back yard into a beautiful spot that is visible from the deck and all parts of the back yard.

Lunch in Snohomish

Last Wednesday, I spent the morning in downtown Snohomish, visiting some of my favorite shops and taking digital pictures for my photography class later that evening.  The weather was perfect, warm and sunny, and I got there early enough to get the best of the morning light before the bright light of noon.  I had lunch at the old Mardini's building, which now houses the Snohomish Bakey.  Great food!

I arrived home with a lovely new braided rug and an afghan for the living room, lots of exercise and fresh air, and some good digital photos for class.

 

 

 

Mother's Day Dinner at Duke's in Seattle (Green Lake)

We picked up Mom this afternoon and met son Dave and granddaughter Kaila at Duke's at Green Lake. It was sunny and warm in Seattle, and we enjoyed the view of Green Lake and the lovely neighborhood.

We all had our favorite menu items (crab cakes, salmon with goat cheese and blueberries, chowder, halibut sandwich), and got caught up on everyone's week and future plans for summer. 

After we got home, we took Polly to the park to walk off our dinner, and to give her some fun after waiting for us at home all afternoon.

 

 

 

 

Progress on the Shade Garden

Friday, I tentatively laid out the plants in the plan I sketched out for the shade garden in the back yard.  The birdbath is in the center, a hanging fuschia basket is on the fence behind the hostas, and a border of annuals will surround everything once the hostas are in the ground.  Note the lovely pink cherry blossoms dusted over the yard and garden.