orientating the self

buds are forming on the leaves everywhere.  i went to an awesome nursery a few towns over with c's mom and aunt.  i came home with chinese cabbage and some bell pepper starts, a salvia that's w/ white flowers and an aloe and begonia for inside the house.  oh and a cactus that has two flowering buds on it.  god i hope it blooms! we celebrated our iris' 2nd b-day this past saturday with the fam.

iris recieved an awesome present for iris the other day from our lovely, freakin' rad friends luke and risa over in san francisco!  we love and miss you guys IMMENSELY!

yesterday we were given tons of rhubarb and chives, below.




also, did a couple paintings since my previous painting is now finished.  still tending to all the starts we got going from seed indoors but we hope to get them into our plot soon.  like this week!  

below:  our sunroom and it's occupants.


and other stuff




above and below photo:  the starters we planted from seed alive and well.


below:  gift from luke and risa for iris' b-day.



below, old photo of luke and risa from the very first days of our campouts.



our garden plot at c's grandma's house, below.



spring is here!

and the new paintings.




tons to catch up on around these parts so see you soon!  oh and thank you very much c's aunt nancy for the succulents! (below)




and


stuck in my head from long, long ago.  but it's alright.  have a sweet day.

Digging Deep into Pacific Northwest Love

So, we were in Portland, Oregon for around 4.5 years.  The first place we had there was a house & it was the year 2006.  That house was a haunted old white bungalow with a huge 70 year old cherry tree in the backyard.  In 2010, when we decided to leave Portland, we were living in a duplex apartment townhome right across the street from my son's elementary school.  In the following images taken just last year all this loveliness was to be seen.  I wanted to dedicate a post solely to the Pacific Northwest as an homage to life experience and to acknowledge the suprisingly beautiful luminary imprint the Great Pacific Northwest has given my heart and as a cathartic way to release the past in all it's majesty and welcome the PRESENT.

With that said here was 2010 on the Northwest.

St. John's/ Pier Park-  Portland, Oregon around this time Last Year.

Trips to Seattle and Bainbridge to see awesome friends!

 On the Bainbridge Ferry with the lovely and amazing Elisa and her little man Van.  

Sauvie Island old man fishin' spot.

The Ape Cave Hike

Point Disappiontment magic beach in the cuts.

Hanging out with our good pal's the Hadd family when they began raising their now HUGE but then little chicks.

Iris' first bike ride.

 I and E

 Flyin' Kites.

Lastly fondly remembering the P-town apartment.  We planted tons of hydrangeas and wild pansy, borage and more.

 My succulent garden on the side of the house.  It was my 'secret power spot.'

 The garden w/ rhubarb and cayenne and some wheat grass Enoch grew in class at the time from seed.  

 Our plant boxes Chris built months before we left town.  Squash, basil, blueberry, tomato, thyme, strawberries and raspberry.

Goodbye Pacific Northwest and your bright greenery and soft bright lite!  This year I'm looking forward to starting a little indoor herb garden on the sunporch here in our new place in Iowa of course.  There's always something to appreciate 'in the now' and that's where I am looking most these days.  Thanks Oregon for all your hospitality!  Hello 2011 and the great big here and NOW.