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Jewell's BlogRamblings from the Puget Sound
Winter Garden Containers
Category: Winter projects | Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 2:49 pm What to do with my garden containers now that the temperatures have dropped and all the fall flowers are looking gone, gone, gone? I take care of the schools two large planters in the front of the building and have been trying to decide on what I could put in them that would look good through the winter. It is hard because plant matter that looks too good gets up and walks away. I hope it finds good home(s) when it wanders. This last week I pulled the chrysanthemums, brought them home and put them in pots to hold over for next year. Don't know how that will work, but it seemed a waste to just toss them. If they live through the winter in pots I will prep them for going back into the planters for next fall. The ornamental grass grew legs and walked off. I have five varieties I keep in pots for the patio area at home. A couple of pots need to be divided, so in the spring I will divide and hold some for planting back in to the school containers for the fall of next year. But that still leaves me with what to do with the planters for winter. I'd put in evergreen trees, but am afraid someone might think of them as free Christmas trees. Just got to pick the right "somethings". I want to spruce up the large containers by potting them with a combination of colorful evergreen shrubs, perennials and flowering annuals with varied form and texture. I could start with something spiky, and fill in with intermediate-size shrubs with variegated foliage such as Gold Coast Holly. Maybe add some bold texture with a leathery-leafed hellebore (wish I had some hellebore left from what I gave away at the plant exchanges). I should check over the beds and see if I have any nice looking but crowded hellebores that I could pot up and take to school. There is already some Angelina sedum for a spiller effect along the outside with stems that weep over the pot. I wonder if a splash of color with winter-blooming pansies would work? I will "have" to visit the "big box" stores today and see if I could round out the selection from some sale plants. Despite the challenges it is always fun to plan. This blog entry has been viewed 469 times
Driving Highway 101 Part 1
Category: Stomping Grounds | Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:04 pm My daily commute is along a small northern piece of Highway 101. This Highway stretches from Capistrano Beach in Orange County, California and follows much of the Pacific coast north. From northern California through Oregon it hugs the coast line for a wonderful vacation drive. It wraps around the Olympic Peninsula (Olympic National Park and Olympic Forest) in Washington state and ends in Olympia, WA after touching the Pacific Ocean, running parallel to the Strait of Juan de Fuca , and along parts of the Hood Canal, and Puget Sound. My daily drive is a small part of this winding trek that starts in Olympia, WA heads north touching the Puget Sound in various places. The section of 101 that I am most familiar with is the stretch from Olympia and the Puget Sound to Hoodsport, WA along the Hood Canal; part daily commute and part week-end retreat. My drive is often started with a sighting of a resident Peregrine falcon that sits a light pole along the freeway in town. He waits, feasts and harasses the pigeons, crows and small birds that live in, around and under the freeway dividers and underpasses on the west side of town. This area is multiple lanes, multiple exits. Raccoons, deer, and opossums often litter the sides of the highway unfortunate victims, so its never an area I would think to take more than mind pictures. Great blue heron and an occasional eagle will be seen going to and from the Sound, local lakes and estuaries as they pass overhead. Along Mud Bay, just getting out of town, I often see a mature bald eagle. There was one week were our paths crossed everyday as I drove 60 plus mph down the road and an eagle flew across the freeway looking to its fishing grounds for breakfast. It was spring so chicks probably needed constant feeding and I probably wasn't seeing the same eagle each time, but I felt like I was. I felt lucky for such a serendipitous event to happen so many mornings in a row. 
Fall fog - our version of a sunny day ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Mud Bay barn in the fall fog ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) There are also great blue herons often flying or stalking a meal in the water and air along this stretch. There is a very large heron rookery at Nisqually Delta. It is hard to believe these big birds build their nests high up in trees. The picture here is of a young one in a pond next to the road at Mud Bay. He paid me no mind when I accidentally honked my horn trying to reach the camera, or my seat belt alarm went off. All the noise from a local bakery (Blue Heron Bakery) bead shop and restaurant have desensitized him so even a clumsy photographer like myself could get a picture. 
great blue heron by roadway - Mud Bay ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Deer frequently feed along the road sides. One year there was one that had a big white patch on its side. These deer with usual markings are shunned by other deer. I guess no one wants to be next to a target when hunting season begins. A small horse ranch provides fields of color through out the year. Fall colors, misty morning colors, spring lupines, and Shasta daisies. Stopping anywhere along the road can let you peek into the mossy woods. 
November gray - horse pasture ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Native Shasta Daisies flowering in Novermber? ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Misty woods along 101 ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) This foggy autumn morning there were huge brown big leaf maple leaves, mushrooms and lichen. Water runs everywhere in the Sound, especially through our three wet seasons. We might call ourselves the Evergreen State, but grays and browns haunt western Washington most of the year. If you don't get outside and find the beauty, the short days and dull colors that predominate will hide the beauty of small things like mushrooms and lichen. 
Big leaf maple in November ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
always mushrooms after the rain ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
tree lichen ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
fall creek along 101 ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
November woods 101 ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) There are hundreds that get out and enjoy the out of doors in a variety of ways. Salmon fishing pulls men out at early hours seven days a week as they fish the salmon runs. Kennedy Creek always has a number of people out seeking the salmon. Smoked, baked, roasted yuuummm, I do love salmon. This picture was quite early and cars were beginning to line 101 and side roads as fishing tackle and poles were hauled from cars and trucks. Soon the fish will be finish their fall run and the gulls and eagles were dine, like the fishermen. 
foggy Kennedy Creek - tides out ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
one of many fishermen salmon fishing at Kennedy Crk. in November ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Salmon fishmen at Kennedy Creek - fall, tides out ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) This blog entry has been viewed 791 times
McDonald's Roses
Category: Stomping Grounds | Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:07 pm Yes, I eat at McDonalds. And yes, sometimes I don't appreciate the small things that are put out there for us to see. This morning after a hard frost, and even harder rains all week, I just couldn't ignore what was in front of me. Who would think that McDonald's had such a beautiful assortment of plants. I was upset with their pruning methods for their rushes in the spring. These roses were gorgeous. I hadn't noticed them earlier in the year. (We have so many things blooming they get overlooked) Here are just a few of the McDonald roses (I feel very conspicuous taking photos in the parking lot, but they were so pretty on a cold foggy morning). 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
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( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Some are miniatures, some look like the new hardy shrubs, some may be teas. All were still lovely after the first frost of the year. It's too bad my camera doesn't really catch the differences of red to light pink. Wish I could grow such beauties (no mildew!). This blog entry has been viewed 765 times
Growing Love Affair with Sedums and Similars
Category: Ramblings | Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:52 pm I have collected a small number of sedums over the years, but this last year really got the "bug". Probably because I really desired a wreath from the Farmer's Market but was too cheap to buy one. Forty bucks for the smallest one seemed a bit much to me, but who knows how much I have spent in making them (yes plural) for myself and a few others. It definitely would have been cheaper just to buy one, but not nearly as much fun. 
The envy of my eye for a very long time....sedum wreathes ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Sedums are amazing plants, drought resistant and many are hardy for colder climates. I understand that they aren't for the hot southwestern US, maybe because of the heat and dryness. In exploring different types of sedums, some of the most common in cultivation seem to come from Europe. My maritime climate seems just right for a great number of them, after all the Sedum Society is in the UK and I understand our climate is similar. 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Sedum Kamtschaticum ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
A little 'roller' that I have captured again and potted up ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
'Wayne's Brains' ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Sedum sexangulare ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Sedum spurium "tricolor" ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Sedum spurium Red Carpet ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Sedum makinoi ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Sedum pluricaule ezawe 'compact' ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) My small love affair with sedums has steadily grown. The difficulty with sedums is finding a good way to show off their diminutive size. I have tried different containers with mixed results. Some have found homes in the rocks around the fish pond or in the edges of the front yard patio. 
Sedum blooming by fish pond ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Sedum ewersii ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' and Tricolored pansy ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
sedum with hens and chicks ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Sedums have a huge variety of form and size. When I started to make living wreaths my interest was sparked further and I slowly began to expand my variety of sedums and added Sempervivums, Lewisia cotyledon and a few other small drought tolerant plants. Semperviviums (hens and chicks) have sparked my interest in their variety of color, size and subtle differences of form. They are really fun and versatile plants. 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
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( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Lewisia and some of the drought hardy make fine plants also. 
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( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) I have barely touched the surface, but that seems to always be the way with gardening in any form. I maybe growing older, but my youth, enthusiasm, wonder are still with me when gardening. 
Moss Wreath planted with lewiisia and sedums ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
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Sedum and Sempervivum Ball ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Today's blooms. Brought it into the breezeway to enjoy a little longer. ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) What joy I get when I can combine my own energies with natures. This blog entry has been viewed 1926 times
Looking for Fall Flowers and Color About Town
Category: Stomping Grounds | Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 11:29 pm The weather had the feel of fall with the first frost of the season and partly cloudy skies with the sun shining brightly. The perfect fall day as the sun starts to ride the southern horizon casting shadows throughout the day. I wanted to take pictures of fall color and flowers, but there are none in my yard so the boardwalk was to be my destination .... eventually. David and I went about our Sunday chores of visiting Home Depot for kitchen light bulbs and a new hens-n-chicks for me. Even the parking lot had some fine fall color, red trees and flowering bushes. The best is a tree with yellow leaves and red berries. Simply delightful to the eye. 
Fall color ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
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( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Then it was to the Dollar Store for a few Halloween items, and the spices for the kitchen. Coming home we stopped at Bayview Grocery Store to get some chowder for lunch. We ate on the boardwalk at the outdoor tables. The chowder was hot and warm in the hands a perfect compliment to the brisk cool air and sunshine. The harbor seal's head was bobbing out in the sound only viewed once before it dived and a tour boat stopped to inform the touring crew of some interesting history and block our view of his hunt. I hadn't realized that a regular touring service was stationed at the port. Told David I would like that for a birthday present. Then there were photos to take. Capturing the moment. The planters still had a few colorful surprises. I especially liked the vibrant nasturtiums paired with the purple petunias. Must try that next year in the yard. A surprise was seeing some delphiniums blooming and tall even if they were a little faded. 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
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delpheniums ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) We hitched a ride around to the other side of the board walk and enjoyed the planters and water crystal clear in the high tide. The grasses were delightful and I consider where I could plant the grasses I have kept for years in pots. They aren't something you can just plop into the ground and later move in my experience. I am seriously considering a possible permanent placement but will wait a while longer before deciding. My yard has changed so much over the years no fast decisions that I will later kill myself trying to fix. It is so pretty seeing the grasses down at the port. I would like to make a little venue to mimic the plantings along the water. 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
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dwarf pampas grass ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) There are of course more planters and plantings to view before heading home. 
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( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) This blog entry has been viewed 502 times
Housekeeping Uugghh....
Category: Ramblings | Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 4:43 am I am convinced that there is a house cleaning gene and I didn't inherit it. Saturday morning and I've made and ate scrambled egg and toast; read the Seattle Times online; ate too many cookies as I packaged them for the next weeks lunches; visited my favorite gardening forum, GardenStew, and attempted to clean house. Of course the first thing I did was vacuum up a small piece of wood from the carpet in the garage; blocking the hose to the vacuum. I then spent 30 minutes trying to figure out where the blockage was and then get the darn thing out. Of course that meant I had to go back and have another cookie, and what is a cookie without a cup of tea. When I put the pot of water on to boil I noticed the cone flowers were so pretty out in the front yard still blooming away. 
looking out the kitchen window ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Had to go out and take a picture. :) 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Well the camera is out so why don't I take a picture of a dirty house and then do the before and after pictures? (No randomness in my brain or is it anything to get out of cleaning-no I'm not posting pictures of my dirty house...I'll spare you that) So I precede to take pictures of every room of the house and the breezeway and garage...oops I forgot the laundry room. Maybe later I'm not cleaning it. Here I am now I am sitting and having a cup of chai/tea and downloading pictures to put into my journal writing. After all what is a story without pictures? Nothing of course, so I play with the pictures that I downloaded onto the computer and drink my tea as cookies mysteriously disappear. Now it is many hours later the house is still not finished. Pictures have been taken, most of the house has been vacuumed but I still need to dust and clean the bedroom and bathroom. I did get the dogs room wiped downed,and their kennels cleaned. 
dog room ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Got distracted seeeing the fall anenome out the breezeway window. They have never lasted so long or been so plentiful. 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) They make my heart happy seeing them so I just have to take a picture. 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Of course I had to browse the garden. The misty rain made pictures of the last dalhia outstanding. 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
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( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Then I had to hang the sedum ball by the back door. It's pretty lopsided, but... Have you ever tried to make a ball out of old fencing? 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Hanging the sedum ball/blob meant that I had to put plants in the bottom part of this lopsided planter. I then started messing with plants. Potting up the plants led me to the pots of starts the squirrels had uprooted. So I had to repot and cleaned up the squirrel mess. Then I had to find the camera I had misplaced and and once found there were a few more pictures to take. 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
calendula ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Got distracted taking pictures and started harvesting the last of the little pumpkins and pulling the spent pumpkin vines. 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Then there was lambs ears and violets that needed pulling out from between the patio pavers and then started to tackled some of the overgrown sweet woodruff. What about the nasturtiums, can't forget to collect a few more seeds and then to toss some in hopes they will survive the damp of winter to come up again on their own; all the while pulling the vines they have covered the walkways. I didn't get to the last of the cherry tomatoes to be harvested. 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Somehow the house is just not getting cleaned. I don't understand. It must be that cleaning gene I am missing. The sun has moved to the southwest and the shortened days are feeling even shorter. The dog's room and the living room are as clean as I can stand to get them today. The worst of the dust doggies have been wiped away. I got clean slip covers are on the couches and the smell of bleach is in the air. I always feel better when I can smell fresh bleached linens. Two rooms down and three more to go....Maybe tomorrow. 
as clean as its getting today ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Last edited: Sun Oct 04, 2009 5:18 am This blog entry has been viewed 602 times
"Dog Days of Summer"
Category: Ramblings | Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:18 pm Here it is the "dog days of summer" and things are looking a little tattered. The squirrels are driving Ciara, our dobie, crazy tossing down filbert shells from nuts out of the tree and the shells are every where. The pumpkin vines with all their mildew have taken over the walk ways. 
Mildewed pumpkins taking over ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) The garden is producing and producing and producing and I am ignoring, ignoring....well maybe I am only trying to ignore. I went out to check on the tomatoes. They were under cover of plastic to help avoid the rain showers and get the soil to dry out. It was working well... except. Even with a heavy layer of shredded paper and wood ash for mulch the slugs were climbing the vines and eating the tomatoes as they ripened. I decided I had to harvest the tomatoes which had a cascading affect on what I was going to do. I harvested most of the tomatoes leaving only the the Sweet 100s and Roma's along the fence to harvest later. Hopefully the picked tomatoes will ripen slowly so we can have them for a good month or more. Then I pulled the summer squash vines and harvested the crook-necks. I am getting tired of the summer squash and the bloosoms weren't fertilizing with the extended cool foggy mornings. It was time for them to go. Now there is more space and better air flow for the brussel sprouts, and one last batch of summer squash to eat or give away. 
a few tomatoes and last of the summer squash ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Sweet 100s and Romas Tomatoes ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) I planted out the broad bean starts. 
broad beans before transplanting ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Newly transplanted broad beans ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) The spinach that went to seed continued to grow and produce gorgeous green leaves. I accidentally broke off a stem and took a bite. It was sweet with the cool nights and long foggy mornings. If only the slugs would quit eating the spinach and lettuce starts, but then again there is no shortage of produce. The brussel sprouts and all-season cauliflower plants are HUGE and we haven't pulled the beets yet. I harvested the Hubbard squash and a pumpkin (another is on the vine). 
pumpkin and Hubbard squash ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) But left the butternut winter squash that have hardened, (the vines have taken over the azalea bed and a large corner of the patio) 
butternut squash vines taking over ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
lots and lots of yellow butternut squash ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) but gosh...there are the green beans...and of course the weeds. 
green bean, cucumber and pumpkin vines amongst the cosmos ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) And for some reason I keep starting plants. Only a few are going to the plant exchange later this month. The rest...well I have started a ratty new bed an am quickly filling it in. I am sure I will find a place for them eventually. 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) I think my morning work is done for today and I will sit and contemplate nothing for a while and enjoy the fall flowers. 
never a word to say - just a knowing grin and wrinkled brow ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
out to the patio - past the fall anemone and ivy hedge ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) This blog entry has been viewed 691 times
Making a Living Wreath
Category: Crafts | Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:38 pm AM: Ok, so I always jump in with both feet and then find out how to do something. Yesterday I made my first wreath with a few rooted sedums (out of my many pots of starts and some escaped sedums from the lawn), moss from the yard/grass, florist wire and a metal frame (only $2.49). The wreath looks very thin to me. I had trouble finding enough moss from the lawn since it has been so dry. I didn't wet the potting soil and pack it and I think I should have. Despite all, I kind of like it and I am going to be trying to make another couple of them with more sedums, packed soil and more moss (bought a big bag at the local nursery). 
first attempt at making a living wreath ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) I did some research online and found out it suggested to use cuttings of the sedums. I will cut some; let them callus and get busy later this afternoon. Also I should be using copper wire. Don't know if I will or go with the florist wire I already have on hand. Definitely should make a hanger instead of hanging on the wire frame. I will fix my first one and do this for the rest I make. This should be a great rainy day project. More to come: PM: I did some more reading from a number of sources and found the history and variety of wreaths interesting. Some wreaths have lasted decades. Some say that they originated in California to replace traditional Christmas wreathes that would dry out in the hot Santa Anna winds. In warmer areas of the Southwest they use cactus. Any hardy sedums that can survive your climate would work well. All the pictures I found were of well developed wreaths that looked fat and happy. The ones sold at the local farmers market have very few plants, but are a nice rounded full look of the moss wreath. That is what I want mine to look like but with more plants. I get set up and get ready to begin. I have my metal frame, scissors for cutting plants and florist wire, a big sack of moss, a bucket of water and lots of plants to choose from. I thought about using rooting hormone, but didn't. 
set-up for starting wreath making ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) I decided to take apart the first one I made. 1. When I was finished with that I laid down the moss in sheets over the metal wreath frame. I continued to cover the frame until it looked like a big blob of moss. The moss should be damp to make it easier to work with. I tried to make sure that the sheets of moss were centered on the metal frame of the ring. 2. I then started adding my rooted cuttings to the frame and potting soil to make the thickness look even. I think it would be easier to use unrooted cuttings as suggested from another source I had read and simply make the frame first with damp moss and covering moistened potting soil. 3. This was the hardest part for me, wrapping the moss and frame with wire. I then started wrapping with florists wire. Some suggested using copper wire because it would last longer. Online directions had mentioned starting in one place and slowly working your way around with tight wraps of wire. I found that my frustration level with this method was too high because moss and plants tended to move. I went around first with the intent to hold things somewhat in place and then went around several more times adding moss, more plants and trying to make the wreath an even thickness. You need to be careful not to cut the sedums with the wire. If you do just use a dibble (mine was a pencil) to stick the broken pieces into the wreath. I continued to add moss and plants until I was tired out and somewhat satisfied. This wreath was much heavier than the first, because it had more wet dirt and plants. I like it better and think that it will fill in faster. Tomorrow I want to try making another using red and chartreuse sedums. 4. I made a hanger out of some plastic coated wire I had on hand. Any heavier gauge wire would work. You just have to be able to bend and wrap it tightly around the wreath frame and not have it stretch out and come undone. 
finally wrapped up ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) For the holidays you could easily add berries or temporary seasonal decorations. Some wreaths made in the 1980s are still living. Many seasons/decades of joy can be had from your efforts. Watering is recommended only every few weeks at most, and less depending on the time of year and weather. 
Wreath hanging and finished ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) If you are really interested in making a living wreath I posted easy instructions in the Arts and Crafts Form. The instructions are at http://www.gardenstew.com/about16646.html I worked out all the bugs using a wide variety of resources perfecting the method that I struggled with in my blog. Enjoy. Last edited: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:24 pm This blog entry has been viewed 1789 times
The Sound and Olympic Mts.
Category: Stomping Grounds | Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 1:09 am Everyone feels that they live in the best place in the world. I feel this way. Here is a little picture of the a local creek/inlet I commute past. Someday I will stop on the way to work and take pictures of the fishermen line up at low tide fishing for salmon along with the bald eagles and seagulls that frequent this area during the fall and spring fish runs. (Most of these pictures are from the fall after a good rain when moss and mushrooms are at their best.) 
Moss and Mushrooms (Kennedy Creek) ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Kennedy Creek/Inlet ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Old pilings/dock at Kennedy Creek on Eld Inlet ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) The state parks are being sold off, but most of this one is still public. It is full of people around the summer solistice because of the minus-minus tides. People can get far out into the tidelands for clam and oyster gathering. These pictures are during a mid tide around the equinox. 
Hood Canal from Potlatch Park ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Oyster Shells at Potlatch ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Native Blackberries ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Salmon from fall run ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) From the Sound/Canal to the Olympic Mountains. The Olympic Mountains are a temperate rain forest. I think it is truly a magical place that makes my heart light. I always think of fairies and nomes and magically beasties. But my imagination is a bit over board. 
Walk in Olympic Forest ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Walk in Olympic Forest ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Moss-Didn't know there were so many different kinds and sizes ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) But the many, many lakes aren't bad either. This is Lake Cushman where we escape to on the week-ends. 
Lake Cushman and Olympic Mts. ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
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Lake Cushman and Olympic Mts. ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Sometimes we just get up early and return home on Monday mornings instead of Sunday afternoon. Here is the sunrise from one of those mornings. 
Sunrise in the fall ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Just another small part of the world. :) This blog entry has been viewed 793 times
Olympia Washington
Category: Stomping Grounds | Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 7:39 am Olympia is the capital city of Washington state. It is a small city at the southern most tip of Puget Sound so the inlet brushes up against downtown much of which is built on fill from dredging the bay. We enjoy going to the boardwalk to look at the boats and to visit the Farmer's Market. Durning salmon runs in the spring harbor seals can be seen feasting on the salmon from the boardwalk. 
Public Docks at Olympia Boardwalk ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Old float and docks for freighters - downtown Olympia ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Today there was a group of kids getting sailing lessons. It looked like it turned exciting. 
Farmer's Market from the outside ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Farmer's Market from the outside ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Farmers market public garden ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
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( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) The state capital grounds are a lot of lawn and open spaces. 
WWI monument at Capital grounds ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
State Capital (Legislative) Building ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) 
Fountain at Capital ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) The capital gardens are almost non-existent due to budget cuts and the loss of the Capital Campus Greenhouses due to damage from the last earthquake and settling of the building. 
Captial gardens ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) An older territorial building and park downtown. 
Downtown ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) This blog entry has been viewed 1890 times
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