Fall is such a Beautiful Season

I've so enjoyed the changes from summer to fall. The leaves of all colors jump out at you where ever you go in SW Washington State. Some flowers are still blooming in my yard... gerianiums, inpatients and a few nasturtiums and a few struggling rose buds. All will be gone with the first heavy frost so I am enjoying them as I can.

Fall is a great time to shed bad habits and be renewed in the springtime. I'm back working on the pounds, hoping to be back into my smaller clothes by Spring. (now I didn't say they were 4's or 6's but smaller than they are now,laughing.)

Laughing? You have to laugh, it's much better than crying. Crying cleanses but laughing cleans and put smiles on our faces... I want a happy face, how about you? If it is to be, it's all up to me...

Where did Summer Go?

The nights are cold, the mornings have fog, the trees are changing their colors, the leaves are starting to come down... FALL has arrived, where did summer go?

We had a wonderful summer in the Pacific NW. Lots of Sunshine Days... We are so very blessed to have our definite 4 seasons, the most colorful Spring and Fall. Those are my favorites.

How was your summer?

Summer, Oh Summer

We've had some wonderful weather in the Pacific Northwest. Some days a little too warm when it hits the high 80's - 90's. It's so wonderful to sit outside in the early hours of the day and listen to nature or in the evening as the birds are saying goodnight to each other.

The challenge is being able to keep everything watered so it doesn't dry out. That is a challenge some days but those days my hubby takes over. We both love the colors and sounds of summer.

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. ~John Lubbock"

Wonderful Spring... wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

Here it is late May already. I've been missing from blogging as I've been busy getting the yard, flowers, etc caught up. I've finally done it so now I can just pull the determined weed that appears here and there and talk to the flowers.

We live semi rural, just 1 1/2 miles from the main highway to the Pacific Coast and a couple miles from the hustle bustle of business's. It's so amazing how much nature we have here right in my own yard. More of it than I realized before my camera and I became great friends.

The mama duck at the top with her brood walked down the road (big hill) in front of our house., across into the neighbors yard below us. I have pictures of the parents before the hatchlings appeared. I think there are nine of them, maybe only eight.

My flowers are beginning to bloom and color is every where. I'm so thankful to live where there are 4 seasons. Winter is my least favorite as it is dreary and gray except when it snows and can be depressing. I live for spring and the first signs of growth. From then on my heart beats a little lighter, my face smiles a lot more and I'm into the NOW. So many colors of greens and a myriad of colors of flowers are to be seen everywhere. How much luckier can a girl get?

I looked out my window and

Here was this beautiful Flicker (woodpecker family) eating at the suet hanging outside the window. I had to take the picture through the blinds but still got a great picture of him. Aren't those polka dots something? Double click on the picture and you will get a close up of him...

Mr. Tree

This Cedar tree is in our yard about 10 feet from the house. I call that portion "my little back yard". He just got an overhaul with some fresh paint. He keeps an eye on the creatures that linger there to eat the seeds, cracked corn and bits that we put out. The squirrels, the tiny birds and the bigger birds visit here. It's somewhat shaded and a neat place to sit and listen to the music of nature.

Last night I sat outside as the sun was going down. A combination of a choir and bird orchestra was going on. The birds were chirping, some were singing their goodnight songs, others were peeping. In the distance a frogs voice sang out... Oh how I love Spring.

This has been a favorite recipe of mine. It's easy and yummy. The pork is always so tender and good.

Pork Chops and Dressing

6 lean, boneless pork chops
1 box Stove Top Dressing (Follow package directions, adding drippings from pan)
1 stalk celery -- chopped fine
1/2 cup onion -- chopped fine
liquid from Pork skillet (add a few tablespoons water to clean pork chop bits from pan)


Brown pork chops well. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Prepare dressing, Add dressing spices and liquid from pork chops as part of the liquid. Add celery and onion. Layer in casserole beginning and ending with dressing. Cover and bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees. Add moisture if needed.

Serve with applesauce and a bright colored vegetable.