Mount Baldy in Canada as viewed from the south driveway.

My little 6" sapplings are growing up! Rod had gotten about 2 dozen of these little guys from the Forest Service and we are making a "fence" of Tamaracks and Pine to add privacy from the neighboring lot.

Old Molsen as seen from the hills.

The lake beyond the poplars. I love it when the wind blows and the gentle rustling of these cylindrical leaves surrounds one. With the whoosing of the lofty evergreens one is caught up in a cacophony of natures music, ancient and calming.

"Save a tree. Eat a beaver." ~Author Unknown

Doting grandparents or what! Bear with me but gotta show off the grandkids (and their lovely mother!).

Grandpa and Sumi were spying on the neighbors barking dog, she "knows" there is a better spot further along the fence! She can be SO serious one minute, then break into the most incredible smile, like they say, "that would launch a thousand ships!"

"Our grandchildren accept us for ourselves, without rebuke or effort to change us, as no one in our entire lives has ever done, not our parents, siblings, spouses, friends - and hardly ever our own grown children". ~Ruth Goode

Our precious little Sumi. Pictures don't do her justice. What an amazing little girl, she is determined to grab life with both hands, and "greet the world with arms wide open" (as Scott Stapp from Creed sings).

I always love "coming home" to our cabin, the driveway down the hill, the lake waiting with open arms.
The view from my dock, facing Canada.
Parts of frontage, still untouched by the whims of human landscaping, leaving nature to work her magic. Wildflowers on the slopes celebrating the joy of just "being", nowhere to go, nothing to do but be beautiful.

Somewhere north of Walla Walla, on Hwy 12, maybe it was in Dayton, or Waitsburg (?) my husband actually stopped to ask DIRECTIONS (horror and shock to all you male readers!!) & as he did so I happened to notice this great little plant nursery across the street that was for SALE. I walked over and indulged myself, and fell in love at first sight! THIS is where I could see myself, retiring in this albeit anonymous little community, nurturing wonderful plants of every type (particulary the sensory lavender!) and filling the needs of every gardener in the area! Bliss!

Wondering where I've been? Heres where! (partly anyways) Gardening is work! Ah but I love the results, I love just being in a garden, ANY garden, zen for the soul.

It has been a busy past month or two though, travels to Mexico, Washington State, visits here from friends (aloha Elsie!), so don't ever feel bad for me with this self-imposed exile, all is well and life is kickin in southern California!

Check out my mixed lettuces and herb bed. Forget those expensive gourmet bags of mixed baby greens, with regular seedings we'll be munching our own for some time to come. I see apricot pies in the near future and am already harvesting buckets of zuccini. Hey CB, how does YOUR garden grow???