A busy day

Today we had lots of errands to tend to in town.  We got our list together and off we went - in search of soil for the new raised bed that Don and I built yesterday - some plants and other gardening stuff that we've been needing.

Last night on the way home we saw a sign for a plant sale at the Unitarian Church - so that was our first stop - and what a sale it was.  They had a big fenced area with tables and bins full of plants.  All the tables were labeled so you could head right for what you wanted.  I got three lilac starts - they are tiny - but they were $1.00 each - good price.

Then I headed for the edibles tables, I was especially looking for tomato plants for the new raised bed.  And I got tomatoes.  Again- can't beat the price - small plants - but  at 2/$1.00  I couldn't resist.  I got 

 

 

Stupice Heritage - a great tasting slicing tomato . . . one that Beccy and I have wanted to grow for some time now . . .

White Currant Tomatoes - sweet juicy tiny white tomatoes . . .

And Yellow Pear - just because they taste so good . . . and are so cute .  . .

And Super Lakota - another good eating tomato . . .

They didn't have any Golden Chain trees, but one of the workers at the sale is going to give me a start of one from her yard next week.

For fun - and pretty I picked up a couple of white geraniums - one will go in the raised bed with the tomatoes and one will go on the porch in a basket that hangs from the railing.

I transplanted my chives to the raised bed also - they had been growing along the edge of the flowerbed near the porch and the poor things kept getting mowed.  At least now they will get a chance to grow before we chop them off to eat.

I should have photos of how well that plants are doing soon - the area where they are planted gets some good hot sun in the morning and early afternoon.  I hope they like it there - I can't wait for fresh tomatoes.  I think I'll plant some lettuce and radishes in oblong flower pots - salad is coming.

Mosaic Monday - Herons

On Friday Don got off work early again - he works a lot of longer days early in the week so we can have Friday afternoon together.  The sun was shining and the temperatures were fairly warm.  So we decided on a ride out on the Lummi Peninsula - one of our favorite rides.

The peninsula sits across the bay from Bellingham and the views are always spectacular.

Along the bay we spotted a heron, standing on a rock.  He was not as close as I would have liked - but with my new camera I got some excellent shots.  Then a little farther down the bay there was another heron on the beach - they are such amazing birds - and these two really posed for me. Thank you herons.

My new camera

I've had a Kodak East Share camera for a couple years.  Before that I had another Kodak - and thought the Easy Share would be a good replacement.  The first camera last over 10 years - the Easy Share - not so long.  It would shut down at odd times - just close up and say that the AA batteries needed recharged.  They didn't - and after turning it on and off a zillion times it would finally recognize the batteries and let me take photos - in the mean time, I lost a lot of chances at good shots.  I got so frustrated that I finally started looking around for another camera.  Diane and Fergie - two quilting buddies - both have the Canon Power Shot SD1200 IS - and recommended it.  I read reviews and then ordered the camera.

And I LOVE it.  It takes amazing photos - has a LI-ion battery, instead of AA batteries - and I've had it for two weeks and haven't needed to recharge the battery - and I take a LOT of pictures.  Plus Ben has taken dozens of pictures with it - and looked at the pictures over and over on the camera - and still the battery doesn't need re-charged - did I mention I LOVE this camera, 

and it is hot pink too - which is even better!!!!

I like the auto focus for up close, really up close, close photos!!  It adjusts itself, then focuses again  and takes the best shots.  I had fun the first day finding things to take super close ups of.  So here they are.

Froget-me-nots in the porch garden . . .

Flowering tree by the lake . . .

Close up of the flowers . . .

White Bleeding heart - this pot hangs on the front porch railing - safe from deer . . .

 

Look at that raindrop - didn't I tell you the close up was amazing ?

Close up of raindrops on Bleeding Heart leaf . . .

And rain drops on a Columbine plant . . .

The center of a tulip . . .

More tulips at the fairgrounds . . . it's tulip season . . .

Close up of one of the trees in our little grove in the back yard . . .

Raindrops on rose leaves - I love the outline of red on these leaves - hopefully soon we'll have flowers . . .

A close up of our door knocker - the grandsons love it . . .

 

And just a few more raindrops on leaves . . .

Thanks for stopping by - and you'll be seeing more photos from my new camera soon - I'm sure of that.  Thanks Diane and Fergie for the great recommendation.

Tulip Festival

We've been to see the tulips.  There is a big Tulip Festival in Skagit County - just south of here - and we love to go and see the tulips.  This year was even more spectacular than most years - the right amount of sunshine - pleasant temperatures and zillions of flowers at the peak of perfection.

 All colors of tulips - the yellow were Don's favorite. . .

 I love to look down the long, long rows . . .

Light purple tulips . . .

 Pink Tulips . . .

Glorious fields of color . . .

Long, long rows . . .

Darker purple tulips . . .

Purple and red tulips . . .

I loved the red tulips . . .

Beside each field of tulips there was a little shed selling tulips - I bought two bunches of yellow ones . . .

I just can't get enough of the glorious tulips . . .

Tulips planted by the stores downtown - the traffic was so slow I had time to take pictures as we inched along . . .

And that's our trip to see the tulips - I hope you enjoyed the trip.

Mosaic Monday

On Friday Don got off work early, the sun was shining and the temperatures were almost balmy for this time of year. We had planned to drive down on Saturday to Skagit County, about 45 minutes south of Bellingham, to see the daffodils that grow there by the zillions. We had heard that they were at peak bloom and didn't want to miss them. With such nice weather and extra time, and knowing how fickle our weather can be, we decided to take the drive on Friday afternoon.

(click photo to enlarge)

And we made the right choice. The traffic, once we left town, was less than on a weekend and the sun was glorious on the daffodils. The scent is heavenly as you drive between fields full of blooms. There were even daffodils planted at the intersections of the busy highway.

By Saturday the clouds had come in early and the weather was tending towards rain - so we were glad that we went when we did. The tulips were just beginning to show color - not enough for pictures even, but we will go back another week to see the tulips.

Mosaic Monday

I've been featuring my quilts on my other blog - and thought it would be fun to make a mosiac of some of them.

And more quilts . . .

And some blocks I've made. . .

Shadow Shot Sunday

Our grandson Ben, looking at his shadow. . .

A seagull dancing with her shadow . . .