Gathering Memories and Roses....

Here in Seattle,

we are a week away from breaking a historic record....

 

for the longest dry spell

next Monday it will have been 52 days with no rain

(yes Seattle,  What?)

 

to beat that

we have a really hot week ahead,

Thursday is forecasted at 102...

 

so needless to say the second flush of roses

has been minimal...

 

 

I did forage up

 this luscious basket of rose the other day...

 

what the Summer has not been in gardening

it has been in road trips and daycations...

 

if you wanna keep up with my everyday life

friend request me at my personal Face Book...

 

I have been having a really great Summer.

 

I hope you have too,

 

Stop and smell the roses,

Summer is flying by...

July Roses....

Oh, what a strange year we have had in Seattle...

 

after a Winter of endless gloom,

now we have a Summer of endless dry days...

 

it hasn't rained here in my garden

in  about 32 days...

 

so unusual,

for Seattle...

 

 

the first flush has ended

and the dry hot weather is taking a toll on the garden....

 

but, Climbing Blushing Lucy

just didn't get the memo,

she is abundant and glorious....

most of the other Roses,

only have a stray rose here and there...

 

a great time to get up close and enjoy the details...

 

this is Brother Cadfael,

an outstanding David Austin Roses...

 



 

Blushing Lucy again...

 



Faded Eden Rose blooms,

a hint of color...

 

the weather really effects the coloring of my Eden Roses...

 



 two more Blushing Lucy...

 



The Fairy Rose,

lovely open sprays...

 

 

 

James Galway

another beauty from David Austin....

 

have you ever seen so many petals.

all ruffled....

sigh.

 



another David Austin rose...

 

Mortimer Sackler,

a stray faded bloom...

 



 

we will end with Sweetness...

 

I hope that is how you day is going :-)

 

 

Hugs....

Little Mashel Falls....

Summer is for outings,

for exploring,

for embracing nature...

 

 

sitting on a rock

at the base of a waterfall,

this all happens...

 

the world fades out.

 

when I went on my hike

I chose to enjoy the moment

and not bring my camera...

but,  I pulled my cell phone out so much

 and the place was so beautiful

I decided to share...

so bear with me and my blurry shots :-)

 

walking along old train tracks...

 

and old growth forests,

it was a five mile hike...

 

 

the first glimpse

of the big fall inspires me to pick up my pace...

 

these are Little Mashel Falls

in Eatonville, WA

 

pools of still waters,

a perfect place to dig your toes...

 

I dipped mine several times

unintentionally

as a crossed the slippery rocks...

 

this blurry flower was actually

quite lovely...

 

 

as I descended and drew near the falls

I saw the swimming hole at the base...

 

a mini paradise,

I am coming back soon with my swim suit...

 

on the return trip I saw an old foundation

where a building had once stood,

across from it this Rose grew...

left to itself in the shady forest

it had survived,

thrived...

 

and climbed high into the trees...

 

no shrinking violet,

it had climbed high to find its own sunshine...

 



after the hike,

I decided to visit...

Recycled Spirits of Iron

 

it is always a delightful place to visit

at the base of Mount Rainier in Ashford, WA

 



 

 



'

 this caboose is a new addition,

amazing in the details...

 

if you ever visit Mount Rainier

make a trip down to visit

Dan Klennert

and enjoy his work...

 

 

 

 

Thanks for coming along....

A Garden Wedding...

There are all kinds of weddings...

 

but none are sweeter than garden weddings...

 

the beautiful photos

 I will be sharing

with you are photos my brother took of the wedding...

 

I had a date

and I don't know if bringing my camera on a date is quite appropriate...

 

 

it was a magical night last weekend

as I watched two lovely friends

Rob and Carrie wed...

 

this was the first vignette

as you walked into their garden.

the guestbook table...

 

Carrie and her talented family did all the decorating.

 

and truthfully it was the cutest

wedding I have ever attended...

 

it was beautiful

and yet comfortable....

 



 seating beneath the old growth forest,

a late afternoon wedding...

 

as they shared their vows,

birds sang in the forest,

butterflies fluttered by...

 

it was pure magic.

 

 

 

each table centerpiece was unique

but, each included

 a bird,

a bird cage,

garden flowers,

fairy lights,

and a little chalk board with their names.

The table I sat at the chalk board said

Rob was Carried away :-)

 

no detail or comfort was forgotten,

a scavenger hunt through the forest for the young

and young at heart...

 

bug spray with a sign

"be BITTEN by LOVE not BUGS" 

 

each guest was given a spruce sapling as a wedding souvenir

so their love could grow...

 



 

it was a beautiful night,

they are a beautiful couple...

I wish them a long beautiful life,

ever after...

 

I want to thank my brother

James Walton

for allowing me to share his lovely photos...

and I'd like to share with you his Red Bubble page

where you can have his work

 printed onto dozens of different items from t-shirts to mugs...

IreKire at Red Bubble

 

 

Hugs to You all....