Rurality Blog Hop - Wild Flowers Blooming

The roadsides are now covered in wild flowers - all colors and sizes.                

 These lupines were growing in a field and not near any houses.  I think they must have escaped from a garden long ago and have spread

 The wild Phlox is everywhere - on a warm day if we are driving slowly down country roads we can smell the lovely scent

 And California Poppies - I miss the hillsides completely covered in CA Poppies - from when we lived in California 

 Wild Irises line the roads - they too may have escaped from gardens - or been carried to the fields by mice and moles

 Foxgloves - pinks and whites - grow abundantly wild on hillsides and roads

 And along fences

 Ox-Eye Daisies are everywhere this time of the year - sometimes there are so many that the hillsides are white like snow.

Ox-eye Daisies are smaller than Shasta Daisies.  I have gathered seeds to plant them in my garden and they love to self seed once they are established in an area.

Next come the Sweet Peas and the Wild Roses

Rurality Blog Hop

Summer Scavenger Hunt - Part One

This is what I have so far for the summer scavenger hunt - come join the fun HERE

2. An ornate door knocker 

Our woodpecker door knocker - maybe not ornate - but very popular

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5. Architectural columns 

A beautiful old building in Seattle

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6. A metal bridge 

Crossing the Nooksack River just outside Bellingham on a foggy day

The bridge over the Columbia River in Eastern Washington

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7. A turtle  

This turtle is good enough to eat

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8. Someone "plugged in" to social media 

 The "old fashioned" way to keep connected

Don and Buddy E. (for Buddy Ebson, they both have long legs) the frog - waiting for a phone call on the Alaska State Ferry

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11. A cellular tower or television satellite dish 

I couldn't find a cell tower - so decided that a television antenna would have to do.  We don't see many of these around anymore since there are no tv broadcasts in our area that are not cable or satellite.

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12. A public restroom, bathroom, or toilet

In the restroom of a little cafe in Bow, WA.  Not sure what they are going to weigh 

I suppose this stool in the same restroom is for kids to stand on to wash their hands

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14. A traffic signal 

Downtown Seattle on a rainy day

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16. A panoramic view, taken while standing someplace high in the air

 The Space Needle in Seattle - I was not standing up - but was sitting in an airplane - we flew right over the Space Needle coming in for a landing

 And another one, taken from the Crowne Plaza Hotel on a cloudy day in Seattle - top had been painted in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Space Needle - built for the World's Fair in 1964.  The restaurant at the top revolves while you eat dinner.  There is a high speed elevator that take you to the top.  Rides to the top were 1.00 for the celebration, the same as in  1964.

 And buses parked in a lot in Seattle - seen from the airplane

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17. At least two people wearing matching outfits or uniforms

They are all wearing life vests - and kayaks 

And gnomes always dress alike

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18. An overloaded truck, car, bicycle or other vehicle 

Chain saw carved bears for sale

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20. A natural body of water

 Lake Wenatche - near Plain, WA

 It was so windy that day and the sand was blowing against us until it stung.  We didn't stay long, as I didn't want to get sand in my camera.

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Watermelon Table

  We had a lovely - though rainy - Memorial Day barbecue.  The deck umbrella was set up over the grill and we ate indoors - and had a grand time with family.

I love watermelon themed dishes, serving trays and baskets shaped like watermelon slices

 This is as much food - condiments and relishes - that I got photos of - by the time we had the rest of the food on the table I forgot to take photos - again - and we ate it all up

 I discovered this watermelon basket at Value Village - and found out that it once came with flowers from FTD.  I'm happy to have it - it is one of my favorite summer pieces

 Watermelon three compartment dish - and Swanky Swigs vintage watermelon glasses

 Blue gingham plates are perfect for the table

 The table runner with ants carrying off watermelon slices was another Value Village treasure

 And the Hawaiian Shirt dessert dishes - they always get compliments

It was a wonderful barbecue - burgers, bratwurst, hot dogs, steaks and chicken - as well as delicious salads and fruit - and the rain cleared up later and the grandsons got to spend some time outdoors.

Ruby Tuesday .  .  .  too 

Mosaic Monday

Lately it seems we are seeing more horses in the pastures.  Some very interesting ones too.

Mosaic Monday