and heavenly Napa Valley....

After a day in downtown San Francisco, we headed up to Napa Valley. I had no idea how beautiful it would be, it was a gorgeous, warm day, high 80's.  The best vineyard was V. Sattui, where we ordered amazing sandwiches from their Italian deli and sat under the oak, olive and eucalyptus trees.  Ok, so this is what heaven feels like!

are we in Italy now?!

heavenly picnic under the massive oak and eucalyptus trees

the olive trees were so beautiful...I'm thinking future painting

after a cool summer, grapes still on the vines

beautiful autumn leaves

colorful San Francisco!

I just returned from a wonderful trip to San Francisco, visiting my brother and his family.  My sister in law Sandy and I took a couple of trips, one into the city and the other to heavenly Napa Valley.  Luckily we chose Thursday to visit sunny downtown San Francisco - it was farmers market day at the Ferry Building.  The colors were an absolute feast for the eyes - bright red strawberries, brilliant yellow sunflowers, a full palette of squashes and tomatoes.  As always, I find the country in the middle of a city!

goodbye summer?

so, how is it possible that it's Labor Day?  The question here around Seattle is not "where did summer go?"...it's "summer, what summer?".  Seems like we went from spring to fall overnight.  Today it's a chilly 56 and raining.  But despite all those cool, cloudy days, my flowers were in their glory...brilliant hues of hot pinks, periwinkle blues and lemon yellows.  For me, summer means flowers....I long for my sweet peas to bloom just to inhale their heavenly fragrance, to see what colors the hydrangeas will be, to watch my bright blue bachelor buttons open after coaxing them along from seed.  And, of course the battle with the slugs and snails :)  As all these beautiful blooms fade in the next few weeks, I'll be planting my fall pansies with their cheery faces, and hoping that maybe, just maybe we'll have some sunny, Indian summer days.

sea and sky

I just spent a wonderful weekend on the Oregon Coast with my girls.  How I missed the ocean...the incredible beauty, the smell of the fresh salt air....I haven't been out to the coast for over 4 years.  There is something so magical, life affirming and soul-filling in the waves and the sky.....I could walk the beach forever.

Friendship

My friend, the amazing singer songerwriter Michael Tomlinson, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of his first album, Run This Way Forever. Last fall I reconnected with his beautiful music, so filled with truthful affirmations of life, nature, friendship and love.  It has given me strength thru a very difficult year in my life, along with the endless support of some very dear friends. Michael's song By A Friend  is one of my favorites - it's a simply beautiful song about the value of friendship and is available as a free download. take a listen if you have a few minutes, and share with a friend.  

Beautiful Lavender!

I celebrated my birthday (yes, I'm 39....again) with my daughter Jenna at the beautiful lavender farms in Sequim, Wa.  The colors were amazing...such inspiration! Upon arriving at Purple Haze, we headed straight for the delicious lavender ice cream.  From there, we drove through the valley to Port Williams Lavender where Michael explained the unique characteristics of their many varieties.

I love this sign....Leave a path in the garden so angels can walk through

the gorgeous bouquets I picked!

SUMMER!!!!!

Finally, summer has arrived here in the Pacific Northwest!  After a very long cold, wet spring, I woke up today and looked out at crystal clear, brilliant, not a cloud in the blue sky.  Today is going to break records, highs in the 90s are predicted in Seattle, and here on Hood Canal with the ever present north wind blowing, it should be in the 70s.  Sunny days as far as the weatherman can see!

A very sad day....

Today we had to say a tearful good bye to Cody, my daughter Jenna's horse and her best friend in the entire world. He was just sold to a wonderful family nearby, so she'll be able to visit him often.  I wanted to share some sweet pictures of Jenna and Cody, along with some that were taken many years ago with her first pony Koalt.  Jenna has accomplished so many amazing things over the years, the latest being at the Pacific Northwest Hunter Jumper show in May.  It was not only her best show ever....she won 2 classes and Reserve Champion in the Adult Amateur Hunter division....it was on her birthday!!! I'm soooo proud of you Jenna!

I used to wonder why there was a little brown spot on her nose everyday!

blue is beautiful!

PNW AA Reserve Hunter Champ 2010!

the best birthday ever!

I call this one "JOY"....simply says it all.  We love you Cody :)