greenclogs

Sun day

We had a long list of things to do yesterday. We threw it away. 

We ate a big Dutch baby for breakfast, piled into the car, and headed downtown to the river and the Saturday Market with the rest of the city. We felt a little silly in our jackets and jeans when everyone else seemed to think it was bathing and fountain splashing weather (I guess we still have AZ bones). But the people watching was fantastic, the food was delicious, and the sunshine by the river was just what we needed. Perfect. 

summer radio silence

Summertime has arrived with our annual decampment to the beach. This year it's only 2 weeks (I know -poor me) but there will be many day and quick overnight trips for the rest of the summer and fall. Last year when we left the beach, I swore that when we came back this year it would be for good, and we came darned close to that. We're only 75 miles away now. While I'd rather be here full time, things like steady income and good schooling choices make living in Portland our best option for the next few years. 

We'll be soaking up salty air and sand in our shoes for another week and I'll report on our doings when we get home. There are many. Beach discovery for the littlest being the most prevalent. 

I have declared this to be the screen-free summer now that we're able to be outside and exploring instead of hiding from the giant scorching fireball in the sky. I'll try to check in once a week or so but if I don't then you'll know that we're busy outside where we belong. 

Have a great week, friends. We have some digging to do, a fire pit to build, and sticks to gather. xoxo from the beach.

a quick look at our afternoon

We are so fortunate to live less than a 1/2 hour drive from the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Whenever we get stir crazy and need to soak up some nature/get some exercise, we hop in the car and 25 minutes later, we're in the middle of this. Some shots from our little hike at Bridal Veil Falls. 

And it was good. I feel lucky. The end. 

spring has sprung

One of the things that I missed most about the NW was the unfolding of spring. Don't get me wrong - spring was hands down my favorite time of year in Phoenix. There were lemons to pick and parks to visit and quilts to spread on the grass while we sat and read books and drank iced tea and enjoyed the 80 degree weather. It was pretty fabulous.

Spring here, however, has been a lot of rain. It's been downright dreary and grey and cold. It was a little bit of a shock to the system, to say the least. So why did we hightail it up to Portland when we could have enjoyed another month or even two of pretty but increasingly warm Phoenix spring?

For the promise of spring growth that beckons us slowly into the glorious summer season. Because in Phoenix, spring is an end to the nice weather for 5 months, and in Portland it's just the beginning. 

We started a garden as soon as we got here - Jeff built two 4x8 raised beds and we filled them with compost and enriched topsoil. We waited semi-impatiently for the temperatures to warm up just a bit so we could plant the early spring seeds at the end of March. We planted and we watered and we watched and watered some more. And look!

That's the tiny beginning of a brussels sprout stalk. Now there are many more poking their way up out of the soil, along with lettuces and mustard greens, kale and chard, leeks and beets, carrots and peas, garlic and potatoes, fennel and herbs galore. Still to be planted (again with the waiting for it to be a bit warmer still) are the cucumbers, later season carrots, broccoli, beans, summer squash, tomatoes, and whatever else we can fit. I think we're building one more bed. Or two. 

Those lettuce leaves are getting closer and closer to needing thinning and eating. I'm picturing a teeny tiny plate of microgreens lightly dressed and served at Easter dinner. 

On Sunday the clouds finally moved along for a few days and we've been able to revel in the glory of spring while working in the yard and walking around the neighborhood enjoying everyone's flowering trees. We lack a flowering tree. Must fix that. 

We admire our neighbors yards - especially this one - and dream of things to come. Because spring is just another word for dreams and possibilities. Welcome, spring. I've missed the real you.