Wednesday, June 26, 2013

A Bowl of Cherries and a Summer Walk-about


I've been enjoying the first days of Summer and what better way than with a big bowl of ripe cherries!

Did you know that Washington State is a leading grower of cherries?
There are large cherry orchards East of the mountains.

I live on the rainy, wet side of the mountains where the weather from the Pacific rolls in, only to be blocked by the Cascade Mountains.
This creates a rain forest and is why everything near my foothills home is so lush.


Come along and we will take a little walk-about to see what is happening in my little rain forest! 

The Mr. just trimmed the walkway, but a few rose petals remain from the arbor over the gate. 


You can see how wet it has been by the moss growing between the pavers! 

We have had few sunny days lately. 



But that doesn't stop the native plants, which are adapted to our wet springs. 

Himalayan Blackberries have lavender blooms in the shade and white blooms in sunshine. 

This one has a little visitor! 

Don't they look like wild roses?


A small trailing blackberry has delicate white blooms. 


Salmon Berry have already set fruit. This lovely arching shrub has delicate pink flowers in spring, which are the first to bloom.

Salmon Berry blossoms in Spring
This provides nectar for returning hummingbirds when few plants are in bloom.
This one grows in my garden.

The fruits are rather bland, but the birds love them. Especially Robins.


Red Elderberry forms a hedge at the edges of my lawn.

This understory tree grows to about 10-15 ft. tall and provides an important food source for migrating birds.

Red Elderberries


Red Elderberry Blossoms in Spring
They have large frothy white panicles in the spring and vivid crimson berries all summer, or until the birds eat them all.

Robins, Jays, Waxwings, Evening Grosbeaks, and the colorful Western Tanagers are just a few of the bird species that enjoy these abundant berries.

They are not palatable for humans and are quite toxic.



 Even the rocks are mossy and this one is a favorite along the path behind the tool shed.

It has its very own wild garden and is a favorite of The Mr. who keeps our woodland paths groomed.




Buttercups are still blooming and have replaced the tiny pink blossoms of Herb Robert and the blue Forget Me Nots.


Here they bloom with Thimble Berry, another native berry that form small colonies of maple leaved shrubs.


Two feathers and a fuzzy seed pod.


My Sweet William is just beginning to bloom against the tool shed.


Nikko Blue Hydrangea beginning to bloom against the house.


French Strawberries growing in their pots, almost ready to harvest for Strawberry Scones.


Tuberous Begonias love the cool, damp days.

But our wet spring is coming to an end and soon we will be in our dry season and I will be wishing for rain!

Are gardeners ever happy?


Even cloudy days have their beauty when the setting sun drops below the clouds and light the hills on fire.


These are untouched photos from my little Canon Powershot.


So no matter what the weather, beauty can be found.


However fleeting it may be.

Mt. Rainier peeking through the clouds

I hope you, too have beauty in your day.

Thank you for sharing my little corner of the world and thank you for being such good friends.

Welcome to all my new friends and I thank all of you who take precious time out of your day to stop by.

I enjoy each and every visit.

xoxo

35 comments:

  1. Nice walk around for sure. there's some pretty flowers around here lately when Phil and I walk in the evenings. I rather miss the big field that was in Nicaragua that I could view the sunset from, when I was on my trip. I now just look my photos and see it. I enjoy living in the northwest myself. Great place to be for sure.

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  2. We have American cherries in our shops at the moment, they are out of season here but I never heard of Salmon berries what do they taste like.
    Merle.........

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    1. Hi Merle, Wow, they might be Washington cherries, too! Salmon berries taste like a very bland, dry raspberry. Thanks for stopping by all the way from Australia! Hugs xoxo

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  3. Love the buttercups!! And I really enjoy woodland gardens and all of the wild flowers. I remember wishing salmon berries were yummy as a child but they truly are meant for the birds!

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  4. Hello Karen,

    You can't imagine, How I've enjoyed this walk with you. I love your first photo of cherries and I've nearly smelt the wet countryside with you. thank you very much for sharing this fantastic post

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  5. OH so pretty - and cherries too - one of the best things about the spring time here - cherries.

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  6. Hello Karen. Thanks for the tour in this beautiful aera. i ♥ to see pictures from other places around the world :) Hug Hanne Bente.

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  7. Oh Karen your life is indeed a beautiful bowl of cherries, I love where you live and I especially love that you share it with us. The photos are magnificent. Life is but a bowl of cherries indeed. Thank you. Hug B

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  8. you DO live in a lush paradise! wow, i'd never get tired of that view! the orange glow on those trees... wow!

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  9. Really enjoy these walks around your gardens! So very lush and I love how many pretty native plants you have. Hope you have a great weekend - I'm already looking forward to mine!

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  10. So exciting looking at your photos Karen!It looks so exotic for me this yellow mountain!What a view!Your garden's summer look is really great!

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  11. Such a nice walk in a beautiful place. The mountain pictures are just stunning....

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  12. Oh my goodness! I never heard and saw French berries in mylife.
    And all berries here are beautiful the red ones make me hungry.
    I love the view of the mountain.

    Been thinking and praying for your Ms. Karen.

    Blessing
    Delvalina

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  13. As always these photos are so lovely. Thank you for taking on this walkabout with you :-)

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  14. I always say it, but I'm going to say it again, your views are so magnificent. I could just look at these all day. Take care. Chel x

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  15. Dearest Karen,
    That view is most striking and all the lush plants and MOSSES! Your Salmon Berry is special too; never have seen it. Can you eat that one too?
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Dear Mariette, Thank you for taking a walk with me - the Salmon Berry is edible! It makes a pretty berry combined with blackberries on a tart. Hugs, xoxo

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  16. Beautiful photographs... Love your garden & those views are Stunning....the view of the mountains takes my breath away each time I see them....Hugs May x x x

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  17. Such gorgeous photos! Those cherries look delicious and I wish I could have some right now! Your garden is so beautiful and well taken care of. I always enjoy a glimpse into your lovely world :)

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  18. Love seeing your garden and those cherries look wonderful!

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  19. Such beautiful scenery both close to home and afar. You are truly blessed with the wonders of nature.

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  20. I really don't even know where to start Karen!!! The buttercups and the beautiful moss along your path and on the rocks, and the strawberries!!! Such a lush and stunning garden you have!!! I always enjoy going on these walks with ya!!! I hope you have an outstanding weekend!!!

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  21. Your area is famous for its strawberries too, isn't it? I love both cherries and strawberries! I had never heard of salmon berries. Are they edible? Love the berry with the two-colored blooms! Beautiful walk! Such an amazingly lovely area, Karen!

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    1. Hi Marie, you are right about the strawberries! And yes, Salmon Berries are edible but a bit bland and dry. Thank you for your sweet visit - hugs xoxo

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  22. Replies
    1. Billy Boy, Billy Boy, will you bake a cherry pie, Charming Billy? Ha ha - no pies, just enjoying the fresh cherries! xo

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  23. My goodness. What a great series. I envy you ;-)

    Best regards from the Netherlands,
    Gert Jan

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  24. You live in the most beautiful place. Everyday must feel like a retreat. Thank you for sharing your home and gardens.

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  25. Yum, I love cherries.

    And your area does indeed look lush and lovely!

    And strawberries fresh from your own plant? Sounds divine!

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  26. The walk around is so refreshing -- wink! indeed the photo that show the sun setting on a cloudy day to me it looks like Fall - wow wee beautiful..
    My favorite photo today has to be number 1 because of those cherries -- I would love to take a over-loaded hand full right now -- yum!
    Have I told you I love your images that you show for your blog heard.
    Hugs

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  27. What wonders! I love blackberry, and your photos are beautiful!
    The strawberry is inside a vase? what a blessing!
    A beautiful week and a big kiss my dear friend!

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  28. Wow I'm speechless! Your home in the woods, only exist in my dreams. I'm a new follower, and looking forward to some amazing posts.

    Wishing you a happy 4th of July.

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  29. Loved the walk-about this morning with my coffee...beautiful photos! I especially loved the one of the mountain side "on fire"!

    Blessings,
    Dianne
    www.sweetjourneyhome.com

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  30. Beautiful walk through your garden...so many lovely sites!!

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  31. What a blessing to have all of these fabulous views at your doorstep!!! Jealous!

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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