Lately

Spring progresses with unpredictable skies, now full of sun, now downpouring rain. Warm one day, chilly the next. But blossoms are appearing everywhere, and the Swallows greet us each morning with happy chirps and astonishing aerial acrobatics.

My Christmas hummingbird feeder is beginning to receive visitors outside the kitchen window, each time reminding me of my Grandma.

After the long illness that plagued me into early Summer last year, stealing my energy and joy, I am enjoying the rebirth of our landscape like an old friend, returned from a long absence.

Spring Light :: Pasta :: Fridge Adorned with Love :: Roasted Veggies :: Flowering Quince :: Thatch Ants :: Magnolia :: Wild Strawberry :: Roosting Chicks :: Taming the Grape Vines :: Best Friends :: Plum Blossoms :: Almost Plum Blossoms :: Flip-Flops :: Dandelion Root Tea :: Elderberry :: Fritillaria

The Best Kind of Fun

Just a few miles down the road lives the best little play spot ever. Surrounded by old growth forest, moss, and ferns, Eagle Creek babbles and splashes its way happily along, singing to those who decide to stop by.

As is often the case, when something is so very close, we have neglected to visit for a very long time. Its doubtful that the kids have ever visited this particular spot in the entirety of their lives.

We made up for it recently, on a hot Summer evening, packing tunafish sandwiches and grapes and lemonade for a simple supper by the water.

They were quite sad when we drove past the official park with its play structure, but settled right in once we took a little side trail down to the water.

Skipping rocks, floating leaves, making splashes, both little and small, poking, prodding, and investigating.

At the end of the evening, it was declared by the 7 year old to be, "the best kind of country fun ever!". He even went on to say that throwing rocks into the water is now one of his very favorite activities, and the best thing he's done so far this Summer.

Now if that doesn't make this Mama proud, I don't know what would.

Lately

Cheese Country

We took the day off on Friday to squeeze in one last adventure before school starts. We went to cheese country.

Otherwise known as Ice Cream country.

But there were no ice cream photos to be had, because we were in constant imminent threat of losing our melty treats due to bumping past people and warm Summer air. Sometimes there are just more important things than being camera happy. Like a double-scoop cone of Peppermint and Banana Split.

Cheese and Ice Cream country is also known as the Oregon Coast.

And it went something like this...