I hardly ever recommend a book

 because everyone has their own preferences in what subjects interest them.  

When I go to the library for some good reading, I always pick up two books (in case one of them doesn't thrill me).  Usually I choose a novel by an author I know, and then there is a back corner of the room where I seem to always find a book from an author I've never heard of.  In that corner are real life, historical books and biographies.  "Miracle in the Andes" was a favorite as well as early American history about Native Americans.

Just finished a book that really drew me in about a woman who speaks of herself in such a raw honest way before and during an ill-planned hike through the Pacific Crest Trail.  Cheryl Strayed lost her mother and divorced a man she loved, got into heroin before she decided to test herself on the trail.  I loved this book from beginning to end.  Don't usually endorse a book, but this one is well worth the read.  

My favorite movies and books are all about survival and revival.

Snow is finally dwindling

Only on the north sides, in this neighborhood, does any snow linger on the ground.  The sun came out for short periods of time today, then hid behind grey clouds.  But it was warm enough, with a light jacket, to take a nice long walk for the two of us.

Last week, while at Joann's for some "necessary" quilt fabric, I walked by the faux greenery and wreaths.  This one brought me back for a second look.  Had to have it!!  

Looks so festive on the grey shingles!

A walk in the woods

After scoping out several trails and walking areas this past year, we have found our very favorite!  It is woodsy, near the river and oh so quiet and peaceful.

The dampness of the weather lately makes for heavy moss on everything where we walked.

 and, at this time of year, I will take "green" wherever I find it!

Luckily we are still getting snowless days.  Fifty degrees yesterday on the trail.  Easy walking on groomed paths and off-trails leading up hills and rock ledges.

Autumn Leaves

~ I have been inspired lately by the glorious display the trees around us have presented to us ~

Haven't done any quilting for ages, but found this pattern in an old book and couldn't resist!  All the cottons came from my stash and I was surprised how beautifully they came together.

Picked up the lovely leaf on my walk yesterday

My favorite walking area

It was love at first sight when I laid eyes on what would become our new home.  But what really set me to fight hard for it (and I did struggle getting the financing!) was Pasadena Ridge.  Just a block away is the most beautiful park like area for walking.  It was winter when we first checked it out, but I could see the potential.  

From the first days of Spring, the whole gated community/golf links lit up with flowers and blooming trees.  Pathways and roads through it provide some hills and valleys and great scenery.

This morning the camera came with me so that I could record the gorgeous hydrangeas.  In full bloom and taller than me (which isn't saying much) they dot the area . . .

Love the setting.  Note the wooded area behind

Clubhouse in the background

 You're welcome

Early Mornng Walk

on the Fourth of July.  My mission . . . to see how many were flying flags in my new neighborhood!

 

 

Maybe one out of every 10 homes were flying Old Glory.  

So Happy Here!

I loved almost everything about the old neighborhood, but am so happy that we (I) decided we should move.  T.o.b. was reluctant mostly because of the monumental job of the destashing and packing up years of accumulation.  Not sure if he is yet comfortable in our new surroundings, but I am thrilled to be here.

We spotted a doe browsing about a block away in an empty lot this morning, and on my walk I scared up a little rabbit.  One of my walking paths is through a golf/park/townhouse area that has lush landscaping and flowers at every turn.  It also has a hill that is just enough of a challenge to get my heart rate up!

Every time we leave the house and come back up the street, I can't help saying "This is the cutest house in the neighborhood" and I mean it.

That peak over the garage with the North facing windows is my craft room 

We are working on the front porch to have a short privacy barrier.  It is the perfect place to sit when the weather gets hot . . . shady all the time.

Spokane River

over its banks again this Spring . . .

Love this river!  Wherever you are in the city or outskirts you are never far from this wonderful river.  It flows right through the center of downtown.  We were close to it when we lived at Stateline (where WA and ID meet).  And its just a short drive from our new house.

And just up the hill is Arbor Crest winery.  We will certainly take advantage of this beautiful spot looking down on the whole city and river.

Came across this lonely Canada goose on our walk along the Centennial Trail . . .

New birds

It made me sad to leave our treed,

 bushy, flowery back yard filled with birds summer and winter.  Our new home has one small tree in the front yard and a few bushes in the back. I was afraid we would never see many birds again.

Looking out my front window early this morning, flashes of white in the sky . . . swallows were dipping and swooping to my delight.  There is a barn across the road, and I imagine, that is where they hole up.

I hadn't seen these special birds for years!

Then we took a walk and surprise, surprise, a pair of quail crossed our path.

I'm a happy girl today!!

Repost from 3 years ago . . . Still walking and still loving my rural life

Today I took the longest walk ... one of three routes I usually take.  Walking slows life down, decreases tension, mellows the mind, and opens the soul.  Yes, it takes time; but, yes, it gives time.
  
It was a beautiful spring afternoon.  Some of the fields are already plowed awaiting planting, the orchards have leafed out showing early signs of the fruit we will enjoy this fall.  All the nearby mountains,which surround us, still have snow at their tippy tops.  Lovely!
  
I don't speed walk or power walk.  I just walk.  I walk at my own comfortable pace.  I playfully walk in different ways as the mood suits me sometimes pumping my arms up over my head, sometimes twisting only above the waist and always hoping that no one is watching.
   
I don't walk to get anywhere.  I walk completely around the outskirts of my neighborhood on paved and gravelled streets.   Plenty of barking dogs who never get used to me passing by on the other side of their fences.  Horses, chickens, cows along my route keep quiet for the most part so that I can enjoy the songs of birds.

Every once in awhile, something quirky catches my eye.  This photo is a culmination of crazy sculptures I have watched grow in number over the last few months.  Today I remembered my camera

and this sculpture has graced another neighbor's front yard for a few years.  Note the faded flag!

 
Art is where you find it, and I do consider this someone's attempt at art.

A day at the lake

First trip to our "little bit of heaven" . . . Kelso Lake in the Idaho Panhandle.  It over~wintered well, the dock was still in place

water was a bit choppy

we took a nice long walk to check out our end of the lake

love the bark on the old cedars

I'm thinking the wild strawberries are going to produce much more fruit than the ones in my back yard this year!

Mmmmm Mmmmm Morels.

T.o.b. can really sniff them out!

Exploring the River Banks (March 2015)

mossy drift wood 

an old snag

Always something interesting to find along the banks of the Spokane River here at Stateline.  Last week was no exception.  Looking for driftwood and other detritus after the water recedes in the Spring, I came to a place where something bad had happened.  A coyote was probably the culprit.  A bird carcass picked clean and feathers scattered over a large area.  It wasn't the first time I had come upon such carnage, but the surprise this time was that the feathers came from a peacock!

We scavenged some small iridescent treasures to bring home . . .

Apparently either someone found this treasure before we did and absconded with all the tail feathers or these came from a peahen!?

Springtime River walking

As happens every year, the Spokane River has flowed over its banks and produced what looks like a side~by~side companion river in places.

We took the upper path until . . .

Good to get out in the fresh air, sunny skies and solitude!

Memories from four years ago

Kim suggested we check out Finch Arboretum . . . just south and west of downtown Spokane.  Neither of us had ever been there but had heard how beautiful an area it was.

We weren't sure of the weather this time of year but decided we would go Saturday morning and take our chances.  It turned out that it was the best day to go.  Temps in the 60s with lots of sun!  One of those perfect Fall days that could be the last this season.

Just so happened to be the Fall Leaf Festival!

 The colors were so vibrant

 The trails led all through the arboretum winding in and out . . . you could walk all day

 Peace definitely prevailed that morning!

 and the children enjoyed it as much as the adults!

What more could I ask for . . . a day out with my daughter, Autumn colors and my favorite outdoor activity . . . hiking!