~September Summed Up~

September. I blinked and it's gone. Another one for the history books- Another full month of living life. And here, a few captured moments to remember it by before we run full-speed-ahead into October.

There was lots and lots of sanding and staining- more baby steps toward a longed for dream . . . (more on that in another post)

There was a bit of antiquing and finding fall inspiration . . . don't you just LOVE these books turned pumpkins? I'm dying to make some, but how on earth did they cut books into that shape? If anyone out there knows, please tune me in!

There was lots of clothes shopping. More sweaters and layers for the coming cold weather. And new jeans to make way for my ever-expanding waist line. (there's no pictures, but that would be due to the baking I've also been doing)

A new, badly needed haircut. (and in case you were wondering, I'm not smiling in this picture because I've come to realize that no matter how hard I try, my left eye always ends up half shut when I smile causing me to look either intoxicated or mildly disfigured. I'm just accepting that some people are photogenic and I am not one of them!)

There have been daily drives to and from cross country practice for the Youngest- and to weekly meets as well. Last week he came in 2nd place for 7th grade boys and we were very excited for him- he pushed himself so hard, and he found success!

I've been stitching felties again. Makes me happy, happy, happy- and keeps me calm! (looks like 'franken-kitty' with all the pins, poor thing!)

And I've also done a little book-cover making for a birthday present.

And not to forget the kids, they've done lots of growing, growing, growing . . .

(and eating, eating, eating!!) This was the month that the Oldest surpassed me in height!!

I spent a day freshening up the laundry/mudroom with new shelf paper, art, and a rake hanger.

And I celebrated the first day of fall with my favorite fall coffee mug and some straw flowers. 

The 'fall' curtains also found their way into the kitchen . . .

September's weather was really warm and lovely nearly all month.We rambled just about everywhere-

from a graveyard . . .

To a waterfall. And everywhere in between. We took lots of walks in the neighborhood, along the river, in the arboretum and out into The Gorge . . .

And, of course, there were many, many more moments . . . lots of gardening, chats with friends, school papers to fill out a mile high, long and boring teacher presentations, doctor appts, ebay work, a week of miserable allergies, a couple dates with the Husband, soups simmering and new tires for my car (!!!!) As always, a patchwork of life being lived . . .
and, all in all, a lovely September.

~Elk Rock Garden~

Yesterday was a stormy, dark, spring day- thunder, hail and rain in torrents that ripped most of my rose blossoms from their stems. :(

So I'm looking back a bit to last Sunday, when the sun was warm and gentle and blossoms were opening everywhere you set your eyes.

Bliss.

Not only was the weather in the range of 'ideal' and 'perfect', but as it happened to be Mother's Day, it also ended up partly being spent in a garden: 

Specifically, Elk Rock Garden- 

an open-to-the-public garden tucked away on a hillside along the Willamette River in Portland. We had discovered it just last year and I had been longing to go back.

Last Sunday was my chance.

So go get comfy . . . perhaps grab your gardening journal to jot down some ideas, because this garden has all sorts of gems!

For instance-

This gorgeous canopy of wisteria holds a secret . . .

a bench tucked away inside! Complete with a moss and fern covered stone wall. And even three men willing to pose for my camera- proof positive that it was indeed Mother's Day. ;)

 I can't begin to describe how fragrant this little hideaway was . . . or how peaceful you feel tucked away in a refuge drenched with dangling blossoms.

This is your view just looking up!

For me, this is beauty. I see God here.

And that's just the beginning . . . there are pathways to explore. Some leading down; some stair-like winding up. There is so much to see!

 From above you find a commanding view of the main house.

And, another spot to pause and mark the moment. 

(Only on Mother's Day)

We meander on until we reach the Willamette below.

Everything looks so blue from up here.

Further in, you come upon a wooden bridge dress up with white wisteria. A lazy creek goes underneath. Fairytale stuff right here!

 We had to decide to either go across or go around. 

As I was already going around just to capture the bridge, we continued on and found the head of the creek and a bench to enjoy it on. Such a pretty spot and all overshadowed by a huge rhododendron in bloom.

Our bench view . . . yes, there seems to be a bit of a take-over by the vegetation, don't you think?

Upward and onward . . . we can't linger too long with antsy young men- even if it is Mother's Day.

As we went along, I paused as I could for some close ups . . .

I thought this bush was amazing- it has mottled pink and green leaves. Pink leaves! I was pretty impressed, but quickly found I was alone in my enthusiasm. 

It was apparent that the troops were barely hanging in there, so they hit some greenspace while I wandered on.

I loved this trellised area- talk about the perfect canopy to dine under! I would love to do this in my own garden.

Lush plantings in dappled sunlight.

 Stepping stones leading. . .

to sun sprayed trees- can you feel the magic?

I found this stone 'staircase' very appealing. Doesn't it just make you curious as to what's around the bend?

And in fact, it leads you right by this simple beauty. An old pipe, rocks and plenty of moss. Just add water and instant water feature. Okay, there's probably a pump somewhere in there, too. ;)

I hope you enjoyed reliving my Mother's Day Meandering with me. 
It really is a special place- full of serenity, and I've been just busting with inspiration for my own garden! . . . 

Now I need to go back in the summer and see what's blooming then!

~Breakfast and Blackberries~

We had a really lovely breakfast this morning.

It's been a summer time tradition in our household to go for a Saturday morning breakfast picnic for several years now, but we usually end up at our neighborhood park. This year however, we headed over to Vancouver Lake (a ten minute drive) and the tranquil quiet of an early morning . . .

I packed some homemade Greek yogurt and homemade granola along with hot coffee and chocolate croissants from Trader Joe's.

Throwing the yogurt and granola in jars to mix later was the simple way to go . . . as was the family picnic basket which is always at the ready with utensils, plates and mugs. We also took a bag for garbage and our trusty, never-go-anywhere-without-it picnic blanket. 

I have to say that blanket is one of the best purchases I ever made . . . it rolls up and has Velcro straps to keep it in place along with a very handy handle. Oh- and it washes well, too- it's hardly faded after seven years of aggressive use! 

At the lake we found a picnic table (covered in bird poop), laid out our blanket turned tablecloth and set out the spread. Then we dug in because by this time we were all quite ravenous! 

Here's the view from our bench . . . all that bright whitish color is the sun reflecting off the water.
It was such a still, silent morning- I absolutely love the quiet! And the other benefit of breakfast picnicking is the fact that you not only beat the crowd, you beat the afternoon heat as well. 

And without said heat, it made the second half of our little outing all the more enjoyable . . . berry picking. Blackberries to be precise.

We had gone picking here a few weeks ago on a hot summer afternoon, and let me tell you- I was not a happy camper. Heat, bugs, people- ugh! But this morning was a completely different story. Hardly a soul in sight, blissful peace and cloudy-cool temperature.

It was so pleasant, and the berries were so plentiful I felt like I could spend the day here.

There were just mounds of them every which-way as we walked the lake path. 

We brought two plastic containers with us and they were full much too quickly. But we kept walking . . . it was such a nice morning.

 And there are other lovelies aside from the blackberries all along the way . . . like pale pink morning glories flowering.

And rose hips from the wild roses that grow amid the blackberry bushes. Aren't they beautiful? They just shout that Fall is around the corner.

We stopped at a lovely, overgrown grove of trees and took it all in.

And the Oldest found a nice large tree branch to get violent with. I think the peaceful quiet of our outing was getting to him. ;)

We ended up going only a bit further . . . seems like everyone but myself was more than ready to head home. I was semi-thinking it was turnaround-time when I spotted this huge wasp nest perched among the trees . . . but it was the two garter snakes in the thicket that sent me screaming and hurrying back down the trail. I believe the men folk enjoyed this part of the morning more than any other.

And so, we now have two nicely filled containers of wild blackberries to enjoy. Freezer jam is on the list but blackberry cobbler is the most anticipated. Oh how I love blackberry cobbler. . . especially since it's our Oldest's specialty. No baking for me tonight! :)

Hope you're having a lovely weekend. If I can convince my personal baker to take on some cobbler baking I may soon have a really fabulous recipe to share!

Cheers!