A Visit to Olympia

Last weekend I took my mom down to Olympia to spend some time with family.  We visited with a cousin who has an apartment in the historic hillside area of the city overlooking the State Capital.  The view from her balcony is wonderful.  It looked especially lovely this day with sun shining down above the clouds.

 We decided to drive up to the Capital Building and take a look around although we didn't go inside as steps were way too much for my mom to attempt.  

The view from the capital park looks down over to the waterfront where the Deschutes River meets up with Budd Inlet at the very tip of Puget Sound.  On a very clear day I believe you can see the Olympic Mountains from here.

We decided to head down to the waterfront and take a short walk around the marina.

This art Gallery looked interesting so we stopped in to take a look.  You can see a reflection of me taking the photo.

I have always admired those people who have been given the gift of being able to take ordinary things and turn them into beautiful works of art. 

If I could have taken anything home with me it would have been these jellyfish.  There was just something about them that attracted me. I wish I had done a better job taking a photo of them.

 But all the art inside didn't compare with the beauty of the picture God had waiting for me outside and I almost missed it.  I was busy making sure my mom was all right, making sure I had all my stuff before I got into the car making sure I didn't step in a puddle and get my feet wet, when suddenly my cousin stopped and said, "Look Up"  And when I did this is what I saw..

  How often is it that we spend so much time with the business of our lives that we forget to look up?  This has been an especially difficult week filled with news I didn't want to hear and things I don't want to face.  Sometimes life gets so cloudy that we forget that the God who created us and all that is around us is right there watching over us as we take every step of every day of our lives.  And in the midst of the clouds of fear, sadness and despair his light is shining down illuminating the darkness and bringing peace and hope.

Look Up

Harvest Apple Pancakes

We are at the peak of apple harvest time at our house.  Over the past weeks I have baked apple bread for the freezer.

I have also canned applesauce.

This morning I made apple pancakes for breakfast. 

I just mix the batter and pour onto the griddle.   Then top with thin slices of apple.  Sprinkle on cinnamon sugar and dot with butter.

When the first side is done flip over and continue cooking until the pancake is done.

When they have finished cooking just flip them onto a plate.

 

And there is breakfast.  Quick, easy and absolutely delicious.

 

Kyaking on the lake

 Yesterday after work as we were looking out on another gorgeous Indian Summer day we decided it was a great opportunity to take the kayaks out on the water.  There wasn't a cloud in the sky.  Starting out we were paddling straight into the sun.  It was hard to see as everything was so bright.  Look at all the light shinning off the water. 

 (you can click on the pictures to make them bigger)

 

 But eventually we made our way out of the cove where we had started and began heading out into the open lake. 

 How different everything seems from this side of the water.  If you look you can see the road around the lake is right between those trees.  It's the way I go to work every morning and I can often come upon a pair of eagles sitting in that tree looking down to see if they can spot a fish.  Around the corner is the little road that goes up to our home.

 Here is a small sailboat making its way out of the cove as the Cascade Mountains rise above.

The Investigator and I hiked to the top of that mountain a number of years ago.  Anyone who knows how unathletic I am would know that was a huge bucket list accomplishment for me.

This little guy flew in and landed right next to us.  He flew off and returned several times.  We were able to recognize him as he only had a few green feathers on his head. 

We paddle into this little outlet which was filled with water lilies.

 

We also passed some lovely homes.

 I love pictures of empty chairs and wonder who will be sitting in them.  I can see a family sitting around this fire pit roasting marshmallows as they watch the fireworks going off overhead on the 4th of July.

 After a couple of hours it was time to head for shore.

 

By the time we arrived back at the dock the sun was beginning to go over the hill and the first signs of the coming dusk were present.  So lovely and peaceful.  We are blessed.

Rasberry Almond Cookies

I was raised in that American era when middle class dads went off to work and most moms worked at home taking responsibility for raising the family. Meals were usually home cooked and lots of home baking took place.  And boy, did I ever have a mom who loved to bake.  She was constantly mixing something together; pies, cakes, breads and pastries and a vast array of cookies.  There was almost always a plate of cookies ready to be eaten with a glass of milk after school. One of my favorite snacks was a wonderful sugar type cookie with Jam in the middle called "Split Seconds."  I couldn't get enough of them when I was growing up.  So when I found a recipe for these raspberry shortbread bars I just had to try them.  I was not disappointed.  Not only are they absolutely delicious but they are pretty to look at too.  I loved the red jeweled look of the jam and the sliced almonds piled on top. 

My mom still loves to bake  So whenever I stop by for a visit there is sure to be some baked treat waiting for me to enjoy with a cup of tea.  Now I have something new to share with her too.

Waterfront

This morning The Investigator and I went back to the Waterfront for another visit to the market.  The weather is still unseasonably warm but already in just the couple of  weeks since we have been here,  there is a hint of fall color to be seen.

The first signs of pumpkins and squash were appearing as well.

 

Passing the market we continued on through the marina with a plan of enjoying some fish tacos at one of the dockside restaurants.   Along the way there were so many different boats to look at.

 

Once we arrived at our destination we discovered that brunch was being served so no fish tacos today.  Instead we had this lovely plate of fresh fruit and fresh baked blueberry coffee cake with cinnamon butter.  Delicious!

 

 Followed by good old-fashioned scrambled eggs with bacon.  

I didn't notice that one little potato off to the side at the time.  Isn't interesting how we see only what we expect to see?

 My Investigator chose a plate of fish and chips which was a little more in keeping with where we were.

As we enjoyed our al fresco brunch we could look out over the harbor entrance.

And watch the boats coming and going.

As we returned back to the market we stopped at the flower stall to enjoy the bright golden hues of the sunflowers.  The Inspector thinks we should plant some next year. 

And so as this lovely outing comes to an end I have brought my own little piece of Indian Summer home with me. 

"Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these."  Matthew 6:28-29